HAWAII

i went to hawaii kinda out of the blue for work a couple of weeks ago. hawaii is biutiful, but FAR away. it is so rich in culture, it is a bit crazy that its part of the US.

according to the locals, this is how the US got hawaii. a US navy admiral commanded a few battleships into pearl harbor and requested a meeting with the queen. he told her that if she didn't abdicate her throne and power they would use all of their force and essentially commit genocide. she didn't want that, so she abdicated.

when she realized it was a rouse and that she should have called the admiral's bluff, she petitioned the president. who at the time was cleveland. he commissioned a study (classic) and determined that it was indeed an illegal take over of a sovereign nation, but the provisional government refused to leave. (they were, no kidding, rich investors hoping to turn hawaii into a cash-cow) which then meant that congress had to act. i guess congress has always moved slowly because congress did not act fast, and president cleveland died. his death was also the death of any hope that hawaii could be a sovereign kingdom again. apparently the people running the provisional government were making horrible land deals with hawaiians.

essentially, people in hawaii don't believe that land can be owned it is for everyone, but there is a deep connection to the ancestral homes (the fervor with which this was spoken of reminded me of the Hopi and Masi. so they took money from these men and thought they were leasing the land to them, when in fact they had signed over ownership and were leasing the land from them.

then sugar and pineapple plantations sprung up for export and the typical destruction of subsistence farming took place. (old story from every corner of the world). now, C & H pure cane sugar, from hawaii, sweetened by the sun is imported to hawaii from far afield. the land values have increase so much that the plantation owners are selling it off. so, the native hawaiians are both loosing their land and their ability to earn an income.

this has lead to an incredible "ice" or crystal meth problem. and it is this problem that brought me to hawaii. i was there to speak to a group of people who get the "Access to Recovery" (ATR) money and provide "recovery oriented systems of care"

the first day i was there i visited three different treatment providers

here i am with linda (far right), who is the SAMHSA program officer for Hawaii's ATR

and some of the folks

working to help people get off ice and into stable employment and housing

bernie is to my right (left of the photo)

she runs the ATR program for hawaii

and is totally awesome

she taught me how to properly hang-ten

(linda is still working on it)

and was so culturally astute it was astonding

the view from my breakfast in waikiki

the days i was working were incredibly rainy

linda and i had a treacherous trip back from the north shore

everyone talked about how it never rains like that

and they were totally freaked out by the lightening and thunder

all i know, is driving along those steep cliffs in torrential downpour is not easy!

it also meant i didn't take many photos

this is from the day i had some more free time

and it was sunny!

i ended up hanging out with bernie and totally just veggin' out

we did go to roy's and have MIND BLOWING sushi!

this photo is when from when i pulled over and got out to hear a whole bunch of people make that "OOOOOO WOW!" sound

turns out a whale had just done a complete flop out of and back into the water

i missed it by a few seconds

but i didn't miss this little guy . . .

the view from our lunch

bernie took me to the beach here obama had his famous body surfing expedition

apparently the part of the beauty of this photo is not just that the guy can body surf, but that he is kinda hard core and is a local. turns out he was surfing in one of the hardest places to surf. really cool waves, but crazy tides and rocks that need to be avoided. anyway, it was his way of saying to the people of hawaii, i'm local and i'm not a wuss.

we also got to see a seal that was molting, and i took photos, but they got lost somewhere . . . it was cool. it was a seal that is native to hawaii but is protected because there are so few. i'm really bummed about loosing that photo.

one last random hawaiian fact, when the christian missionaries showed up in hawaii they taught the people that surfing was bad. that it was a tool of the devil to get people to be lazy. they were probably fat. also, how cool is it that our president surfs?

dc voting rights

this whole discussion about dc being a "federal city" makes me nuts!

can you imagine if, when we were "rebuilding" iraq, we had said iraq needs to have a country-wide elections, but baghdad can't vote b/c it is the seat of government. no one in the international or american community would stand for that. that is how it is for us living in dc.

this is from wiki:

Because the United States Constitution places the District of Columbia under the sole control of Congress, all acts of the [district city] council are subject to congressional override, and thus the council has less power than most city councils in the United States. However, because the District is not part of any state, Congress has devolved many powers normally exercised by state governments to the District's government; thus, the council considers many matters that would fall to county and state legislatures elsewhere in the United States.

so dc is ruled by the subcommittee on Health Care, District of Columbia, Census and the National Archives of the house committee on "Oversight and Government Reform" and by the Senate's Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia (as if we are an after thought).

this means the ability of dc to make laws that provide safety (gun ban) and freedom (gay marriage) for ourselves is impossible. even if a law is passed by referendum in dc with overwhelming support of the citizens of DC, congress can change the law. which they recently did when they said that our ban on guns was unconstitutional.

essentially, people from hawaii to massachusetts, who aren't even living temporarily in DC, determine what laws are ok and how our taxes should be spent. WHAT?!

the people that make decisions about our "state" are the following, please note that elenor holmes, the only person elected from DC, and living in DC, doesn't have the right to vote. she can argue, but cannot vote. here is the make up of the committees:

Member Name	DC Phone	DC FAX
Trey Gowdy (R-SC) [Chairman]	202-225-6030	202-226-1177
Paul A. Gosar (R-AZ)	202-225-2315	202-226-9739
Dan Burton (R-IN)	202-225-2276	202-225-0016
John L. Mica (R-FL)	202-225-4035	202-226-0821
Patrick McHenry (R-NC)	202-225-2576	202-225-0316
Scott DesJarlais (R-TN)	202-225-6831	202-226-5172
Joe Walsh (R-IL)	202-225-3711	202-225-7830
Minority Members (Democrats)
Member Name	DC Phone	DC FAX
Danny K. Davis (D-IL) [Ranking Member]	202-225-5006	202-225-5641
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)	202-225-8050	202-225-3002
William Lacy Clay, Jr. (D-MO)	202-225-2406	202-226-3717
Chris Murphy (D-CT)	202-225-4476	202-225-5933

on the senate side:

Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia

Democrats	Republicans
Daniel K. Akaka Chairman (D-HI)	George V. Voinovich Ranking Member (R-OH)
Carl Levin (D-MI)	Scott Brown (R-MA)
Mary L. Landrieu (D-LA)	Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Roland Burris (D-IL)
Christopher A. Coons (D-DE)

for a city that historically votes quite democrat, it is amazing to see some of THE most conservative junior members of congress on the house committee.

currently they are waging a battle to resend the district council's decision to allow gay marriage and apparently the speaker of the house has high hopes for making the district school system better through the stroke of his almighty (and huge) gavel . . . below michael steele defends bohner's decision. it is a good discussion between steele and maddow about DC's ability to govern itself . . . and some stuff on the resurrection of the culture wars.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

isn't it time that dc get to start running itself? i mean it is a bit scary, we continue to elect marion barry to be a councilmember BUT isn't that what democracy is about? shouldn't we be able to elect a fool if we so desire? america elected dubba, and though i hated it (and felt really the supreme court kinda decided that for us) i respect the democratic process and our right to execute it.

i can't imagine that the people of the united states would support the idea that any other country's capitol city's citizens should not be able to vote. paris, no vote for you. london, sorry! or what if all the sudden china decided to have an elected government, but sorry bejing, NO VOTE FOR YOU! . . . we would call FOUL!

the framers of the constitution set things up this way because at the time the city was full of people who worked on the hill, in the white house, or as servants to those that did. obviously, that is not what the district is today. the district is full of people who work in all sectors of society and we should be able to both rule our own state AND have representation in congress.

the head of the committee is from a small town outside of greenville, sc. and for all my arizona peeps, the second guy is from flagstaff. none of the republicans live in the district (even as temporary residents during their term in office).

can someone explain what a guy from flagstaff can understand about the violence, drugs, and culture of this city. also, what is their motivation for doing right by the people of DC? it is true that my "state" tax dollars are often "earmarked" for roads and schools in california, south carolina, and probably flagstaff.

so while we suffer with horrible schools and crappy roads here, the people of flagstaff get my taxes (not federal but my state taxes) to improve their schools and roads to make some congressman look like he can deliver for his constituents.

wanna talk about a tea party! wasn't the tea party about being taxed without representation? i have one of the highest tax rates an american can have, and because my state can't control its own budget AND because we have no voice in congress, our dollars are stolen from us and put to use all over the US.

so, no wonder we can't end the violence, fix the decrypted schools, repair the pot hole ladened roads, clean up the atrociously unkempt parks, etc . . . our hands are tied behind our backs. DC is not a good representation of the people who live. we are a progressive lot. we want safety, good schools, access to healthy food, and despite all this effed up government we share a strong sense of community. this city is a victim and clear demonstration of selfish behavior in congress. pure and simple. unless you can help me understand why this arcane rule is still in place, i will believe the problems of DC as one of the bright and shinny symptoms of congressional greed.

i'm sick of it. it is stupid, un-American, and mean. its all politics. my guess is most people agree that i should have representation in congress. but then people start to think it through and realize that DC usually votes democratic, so then suddenly partisan politics have to come into play.

though, i tip my che hat to orrin hatch and joe lieberman. they proposed a totally decent idea. utah would get an additional house seat in exchange for DC getting one vote in congress. it's kinda silly, but it was a middle ground. that way DC doesn't disrupt the balance of power. but even that didn't fly. the senate passed it 61-37 then john ensign decided he could add a line about us having to let weapons rule our streets (so much for being able to control your own destiny) and it pass 62-36 (i'm guessing he changed his vote) but the house went no where with it . . . do i have to nancy to blame for this?

i can't imagine what my home district (AZ-6) would do if some folks from DC decided that we were going to over-rule some of the laws that they had struggled to pass, AND we decided that we were going to take some of your state, county, and city taxes because our city has to pay to get the snow removed so that the federal government can function so, shouldn't every community getting federal dollars pay for the snow removal? seems bit crazy, but make WAY more sense than some dude in flagstaff deciding that schools in flag should be paid for by my taxes. as much as i care about the kids in flag, my feeling is the people living in that community should pay for their schools, not me.

i could go on an on. if you wouldn't mind posting a comment to help me understand what the rest of america thinks of this, i'd be most grateful.

or if you want to do something that might have more impact (though i think a discussion here might help flesh out ideas):

Letters-to-the-Editor

A great way to help raise awareness of DC's plight is to write letters-to-the-editor of your hometown, local, and national newspapers. You can be creative about where you send letters by reaching out to magazines, alumni newsletters, community newsletters, e-mail lists and blogs too.

Click here for sample text or background on DC voting rights so that you can send a letter or write an e-mail supporting equality for the residents of the District of Columbia.

Your hometown newspaper is a good place to begin or, if you would like suggestions of where to send letters to the editor, contact us!

Sweeping legislation would make Ariz. most gun-liberal state

i just got this from my dad. i am appalled. how can this even be a real consideration after what has happened in arizona?? it is seriously unconscionable.

90 comments by Alia Beard Rau - Jan. 31, 2011 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

Arizona solidified its reputation last year as one of the most liberal gun states in the nation after the Legislature passed a law allowing people to carry concealed weapons without a permit.

This year, gun-rights advocates hope to push Arizona to the top of the list by passing a "Firearms Omnibus" bill that would make Arizona the second state in the nation to require universities and communities to allow guns on campus and one of 10 that permit guns inside public government buildings such as the state Capitol. The bill to permit guns in public buildings is one of the most comprehensive gun bills proposed so far this session. It also addresses several other issues, including concealed weapons and allowing residents to seize government property if their gun rights aren't observed.

Opponents say the all-encompassing gun bill would endanger the public and make it more difficult to prosecute people who shoot guns into the air or lie to police officers about whether they are carrying a concealed weapon.

Supporters of the bill say it is needed to ensure safety in public facilities.

The legislation is one of more than a dozen firearms-related bills proposed in Arizona this year.

Arizona isn't alone in the effort to loosen gun restrictions. Lawmakers from many other states are pushing weapons laws - some in reaction to acts of violence like the shooting near Tucson, and some because of the more-conservative makeup of their legislatures following the November election.

What it does

Senate Bill 1201, sponsored by Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, would do a number of things, including:

- Allow people to carry firearms into all government-run facilities and many public events. The only places or events that could ban firearms would be those that post the correct sign, provide firearm lockers and have armed security and a metal detector. The law would apply to university classrooms, city buses and community festivals that get government permits. It would not apply to K-12 schools.

- Change the wording of last year's concealed-weapons law to require an individual to answer "truthfully" when a law-enforcement officer asks whether the person is carrying a concealed weapon. The current wording requires the person to answer "accurately." Law-enforcement officials say the change could give leeway to a person who, for example, forgets a gun in a bag and inaccurately tells an officer he or she isn't carrying one.

- Change the wording of Shannon's Law to make it a crime to "knowingly" discharge a firearm within city limits. It's currently a crime for someone to discharge a firearm with "criminal negligence." Bill opponents said the change would mean people could be convicted of violating this law only if the prosecution could prove they knew that shooting the gun could result in someone's death or injury.

- Allow people to sue if they feel they were illegally stopped from carrying a firearm into a government facility or event. If a person wins the lawsuit and the government agency doesn't pay within 72 hours, the person has the right to seize as payment "any municipal vehicles used or operated for the benefit of any elected office holder" in the relevant government agency.

Gun climate

Gun-rights advocates found enormous success in Arizona last year in passing legislation, thanks primarily to a supportive Legislature and a conservative governor.

Gov. Jan Brewer has consistently supported Second Amendment issues.

During her first year in office, she signed a bill allowing loaded guns in bars and restaurants, as well as another that prohibits property owners from banning guns from parking areas, so long as the weapons are kept locked in vehicles. Last year, she signed the concealed-carry bill into law, along with another bill that exempts guns made and kept in the state from federal regulation.

Only Utah has fewer gun restrictions than Arizona, according to a scorecard released last year by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, a group that advocates gun restrictions. Utah is the only state that allows concealed weapons on college campuses.

Even with the gun-friendly environment, bills to allow guns on college campuses in Arizona failed to get through the Legislature last year.

But in November, voters elected more Republicans to the state Legislature, giving the party a supermajority in both chambers. Gun bills are expected to have even more success this year.

Fourteen lawmakers have signed on as co-sponsors of SB 1201, including Senate President Russell Pearce, R-Mesa. There are also two other bills that propose to allow guns on university and community-college campuses.

A spokesman for Brewer said her office would not comment on the legislation "unless and until it reached the governor's desk."

Primary goal

The Arizona Citizens Defense League, a grassroots gun-rights group, brought SB 1201 to Gould.

Group spokesman Charles Heller calls it the "secure-buildings bill."

"We've been working on doing this for a long, long time," he said. "I don't think anybody at the Citizens Defense League has any objection to disarming in a secure place. None of us has desire to carry in a place that's prohibited. But if you're going to prohibit it, make it secure."

And if a government agency isn't willing to secure the establishment, he said, "don't disarm the victims."

"You set up a slaughter," he said.

Gould did not return a call seeking comment.

Bill opposition

Lobbyists on both sides of the issue said the details of SB 1201 are still being negotiated and amendments that change or eliminate some pieces of the legislation may be proposed.

The bill has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which Gould chairs. No hearing has been scheduled.

"We want to really work with the sponsor of the bill to get some changes," said Sahuarita Police Chief Jack Harris, who is president of the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police. "There are some things we think are really problematic, but I think we can get these things fixed."

Harris said he was concerned that the changes in the wording of Shannon's Law and the concealed-carry law would hinder prosecution.

He also said penalties for officials and law-enforcement personnel who may violate the rules are too tough. In addition to allowing an official's vehicle to be confiscated, the bill makes it a Class 5 felony for any officer or official who violates the law and forbids any public money from being used in their legal defense.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Phoenix, called the bill "crazy."

"This is absurd," Sinema said. "Arizona already has the second-most-liberal gun laws in the country."

She said it was disconcerting that lawmakers would consider allowing people to bring weapons into public buildings.

"Weapons in courtrooms in which defendants are being tried? In probation hearings? In the state Capitol?" she said. "This is problematic."

Ayn Rand took government assistance while decrying others who did the same

Mark Frauenfelder at 10:30 AM Friday, Jan 28, 2011

Noted speed freak, serial-killer fangirl, and Tea Party hero Ayn Rand was also a kleptoparasite, sneakily gobbling up taxpayer funds under an assumed name to pay for her medical treatments after she got lung cancer.

An interview with Evva Pryror, a social worker and consultant to Miss Rand's law firm of Ernst, Cane, Gitlin and Winick verified that on Miss Rand's behalf she secured Rand's Social Security and Medicare payments which Ayn received under the name of Ann O'Connor (husband Frank O'Connor).

As Pryor said, "Doctors cost a lot more money than books earn and she could be totally wiped out" without the aid of these two government programs. Ayn took the bail out even though Ayn "despised government interference and felt that people should and could live independently... She didn't feel that an individual should take help."

But alas she did and said it was wrong for everyone else to do so.

kitty post -- for my mom

my mom has been on me for months to post more photos of the kittens. unfortunately, all my awesome video of chest-bumps and photos of ridiculous amounts of adorableness were stolen when i was burglarized (ode to the year of zen! i seriously had to take a deep breathe after writing that sentence.) so for those of you less interested in coco & lola than my mom, please skip this post.

i mean she has a point. this is the year of love, and i love these little creatures, so they deserve some face time!

fierce coco

hungry lola

tired after opening all of her presents

post-present play with lights

though they loved all of their gifts, they really like the balls on the trees

and the dangly lights the most

joe & i cleaned out the basement so we could turn it into a cycling studio

these two decided to jump up into the ceiling

(i'd unknowingly moved a set of shelves so this was possible)

they were covered in dust and muck

so they had to get baths

they did not really like it as much as you'd think

where's lola

(cool camou huh!)

ali came for new years

we forgot to take photos

but i decided to capture this yogic knee dance for posterity

it was a really neat moment ;)

lola the hunter

the hunted

coco the hunter

(they never got close, but lola did launch herself into the tree)

this is how they sleep

they are always in some kitty version of spooning

going to the vet to get spayed

:(

recovering from surgery

they spent 24 hours in my room

because they were so nuts on drugs when we got home

that they both were trying to run and jump on everything

and they kept falling over due to the stitches

the 24 hours made a big difference

they still want to run and play, but now they can do it

another "where's lola"

coco with her favorite toy

the little strip of cardboard that comes off when you open a book from amazon

thanQ amazon!