GRASS
IN REVIEW
GRASSROOT INSTITUTE OF
HAWAII
Nurturing the rights and responsibilities of the individual in a
civil society.
|
WEEKLY GRASS IN REVIEW -
June 13, 2007 |
Thanks to the SS Corps
A Message from Dick Rowland
On
Friday, June 8, Hawaii's own SS (Speech Suppression) Corps picketed
the King Street building housing our office. It seems they have
decided they are not comfortable with our calls for more public
debate and discussion regarding discrimination for or against
individuals based on the accident of race or ancestry instead of
that earned and displayed through character or merit.
Apparently they want to shut us up. Never mind that Native Hawaiian
entitlements issues are contentious in our U.S. courts, government,
and press. They want to muzzle us. Further, they tap government
money to fund their endeavors. The call for the gathering came from
the University of Hawaii e-mail system. The Office of Hawaiian
Affairs, also a state agency, makes a habit of attacking us using
government funds. They travel to Washington D.C. to lobby on your
dime. The Governor does as well.
Now it occurs to us: Why
don't we have a demonstration to shut them up? Nope. We favor free
speech, we want debate. We want public education on this issue. The
more the public knows, the less enthusiasm there is for race-based
prejudice.
So, we thank the picketers
for the publicity. It fits our agenda.
Martin Luther King said it
best in his famous speech given in Washington, D.C. on August 28,
1963:.
“I have a dream that my
four little children will one day live in a nation where they will
not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their
character.”
If you want to see the
anonymous thoughts of the picketers, as expressed in a letter to all
occupants of our office building please
click here.
|
IN THE
NEWS - HIGHLIGHTED COMMENTARIES
Grassroot Institute is regularly featured
in news articles and broadcasts around the state. Here is a
sample of some of our recent articles, research stories, and
other articles of interest.
GRASSROOT
PERSPECTIVE
Takin’ it to the
Streets
By Brandon Bosworth
I wonder sometime what protesters hope to accomplish. They
certainly aren’t trying to engage in debate. Walking around
carrying signs and making speeches is not a very effective form
of discourse. Do they actually suppose they are going to change
people’s minds about issues? If so, the protesters are divorced
from reality. Can you imagine a stalwart Republican driving past
a ‘Not in Our Name’ rally and thinking, “Gee, that person with
all the piercings is holding a sign saying Bush=Hitler. Maybe I
should reconsider my politics.” Or a businessman strolling past
an anti-globalization mob and saying, “Wow, look at all those
hammer-and-sickle banners. Maybe I should forget the whole
capitalism thing.”
(To read more, click here.)
An
Open Letter to Congress Regarding the Akaka Bill
By James Growney
Dear committee
members:
The United States government assumed responsibility for the
plight of native Hawaiians. This is very clear. Congress
approved a resolution apologizing for the overthrow of the
Hawaiian government and accepted the blame for the problems that
are still oppressing native Hawaiians. This resolution was
signed by Bill Clinton, President of the United States. This
resolution alienated a substantial number of Hawaiians, who now
advocate breaking away from the United States and forming their
own government.
(To read more, click here.)
FRESH PERSPECTIVE
Opportunity for Young Adults:
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii created the Fresh Perspective
column exclusively to publish the work of high school and
college students. In addition to work appearing on GRIH’s
website, their work is also submitted to Hawaii Reporter.
Submissions are welcome from any interested young adult, and
we will publish work that is clearly written and
grammatically sound. For earlier Fresh Perspectives please
click here.
Contact: bbb@grassrootinstitute.org
for more info.
|
TRY OUR BLOGS
Use these links to access various topics.
The Mystery of Hawaiian History>>>Blog Archives>>>The
People On the Sidewalk
Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>Honolulu's
Transit Tax Future
Read what others have written or add your own thoughts. Click here for more blogs.
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS
All of the Institute’s events, research
publication dates and speaking engagements
are available on our
website.
July 3, 2007
Research
Institute of Hawaii, USA
Pacific Aviation Museum
Our friends at the Research Institute of
Hawaii, USA are putting together a dinner to
honor the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard for
their extraordinary achievements from WWII
to now.
The dinner will be at the Pacific Aviation
Museum on July 3, 2007. The keynote speaker
is still not finalized, but may be Rep.
Duncan Hunter. Your dinner will be
complementary if sponsored by GRIH. Space is
limited. The museum will be set aside for
the event.
If any member and one guest wish to attend,
please let us know ASAP. You will receive
additional information with your formal
invitation. Note that you will need to be
cleared to get onto Ford Island.
Unfortunately Dick will be out of town that
week, but hopes for a good turnout from GRIH
members.
Click here
to email Tick if you would like to attend.
July 31, 2007
A Luncheon Celebration in Honor of Milton
Friedman’s 95th
Birthday
Card Room,
Pacific Club
11:30 AM – 1:30
PM
Save the date! More information about the
speaker, co-sponsors and menu will be
forthcoming. All over the country, events
will be held on July 31st
to honor Milton Friedman’s vision and
the impact he has had on our society. |
|
How fast does the state spend your money?
State spending is out of control.
Watch the dollars fly out the window.....
Have an Institute speaker
at your next meeting!
From taxation to education, from health care to transportation,
the Institute’s staff is ready to address your group regarding the
important policy issues facing all citizens of Hawaii. Call (808)
591-9193 to check availability and make arrangements, or e-mail us
at
roz@grassrootinstitute.org.
|
Grassroot Institute is a proud member of
the State Policy Network and Townhall..
|
SUPPORT GOOD PUBLIC POLICY
The Institute operates only through the
generous donations of friends and benefactors from around Hawaii
and the United States, and even the smallest of donations can be
used to accomplish great things for the future of our beloved
state.
Will you consider becoming a supporter
today? It is quick, easy and secure!
Click here!
|
|
CRABGRASS
“To the
extent that they had any impact at all, the most radical protest tactics
actually prolonged the war. Referring to the phenomenon of the ‘negative
follower group,’ Dr. Adam Garfinkle argued that many Americans were so
put off by the radical movement’s rhetoric, tactics, and mores that they
rallied behind the war effort. As a result of the backlash against the
radicals, George Wallace briefly enjoyed national prominence, and two
elections went to Richard Nixon.”
--- (Source:
Stephen Winterstein’s report on the Foreign Policy Research Institute
History Academy conference ‘Teaching the Vietnam War’)
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
“The
silencers are at work in the marketplace of ideas, using hook or crook to
smother opinions they dislike. The lust to censor is as powerful as ever. If
only liberty's defenders were equally vigilant.”
---Columnist and radio political commentator
Jeff Jacoby
“There is nothing more foolish, nothing more given to outrage than a useless
mob.”
---Fifth-century Greek historian Herodotus
“A crowd always thinks with its sympathy, never with its reason.”
---American clergyman William Rounseville Alger
(1822-1905)
|
