Sometimes Talk is Cheap

GRASS IN REVIEW

GRASSROOT INSTITUTE OF HAWAII

Nurturing the rights and responsibilities of the individual in a civil society.

WEEKLY GRASS IN REVIEW - October 24, 2007

Sometimes Talk is Cheap
A Message from Dick Rowland

As we went to press on October 24, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Akaka Bill with 261 Ayes, 153 Nays. That action should put all on notice that further education and debate on this important issue is appropriate.

Please note this quote from our very own Senator Dan Inouye in his remarks on introduction of the Akaka Bill, January 25, 2005:

Because the Native Hawaiian government is not an Indian tribe, the body of Federal Indian law that would otherwise customarily apply when the United States extends Federal recognition to an Indian tribal group does not apply.... That is why concerns which are premised on the manner in which Federal Indian law provides for the respective governmental authorities of the state governments and Indian tribal governments simply don't apply in Hawaii.

What is one to make of that? The whole justification for the Akaka Bill rests on the Indian precedent. There is no doubt that the Akaka Bill provides for a new government in the midst of federal, state, and city & county jurisdictions. And there is no doubt that the Interior Department has a key role (as it does with Indian tribes).

So some people in Hawaii are going to have a new government to report to. This government is going to pass laws because that is what governments do. Then it is going to enforce those laws. Thus members of the new Hawaiian nation will have to obey four governments while others obey three (city & county, state and federal).

What is the advantage for anyone subjected to such a complicated scheme? If we are not to look to the Indian model, where are we to look? And if the Indian model does not apply, why are Indian tribes so much in favor of the Akaka Bill?

The people who keep pushing this construct never have any details. Most are from the government, as in, "I am from the government and I am here to help.” Please trust them, they accept responsibility. But they never will be held personally accountable. Not possible. Cheap talk.

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.

Why the Akaka Bill Stinks
By Sheriff Richard Mack (Ret.)

Hawaii is one of the most lovely places in the Universe. It has beautiful scenery, wonderful people, and a sense of authentic serenity and peace. It is, by far, my family's favorite vacation destination. The memories we have of Hawaii are beyond priceless. We can't wait to come back!

Now, amid the beauty of Hawaii comes the stench of politics. It has the potential of changing Hawaii's natural beauty and making it politically correct like the rest of the nation.

(To read more, click here.)

Akaka Bill is Bad for America
By Mayor Richard Heidel and the Village board of Hobart, Wisconsin

We are writing to express our opposition to the Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act of 2007 (S.310 and H.R.505). The proposed legislation would dedicate scarce financial resources to promote ethnic divisions within our great nation and, at the same time, expand the role of government in an attempt to fix a system that does not appear to be broken.

(To read more, click here.)

Bush Administration Strongly Opposes Passage of 'The Akaka Bill'
By the Executive Office of the President

The Administration strongly opposes passage of H.R. 505. As the U.S. Civil Rights Commission recently noted, this legislation “would discriminate on the basis of race or national origin and further subdivide the American people into discrete subgroups accorded varying degrees of privilege.” The President has eschewed such divisive legislation as a matter of policy, noting that “we must . . . honor the great American tradition of the melting pot, which has made us one nation out of many peoples.” This bill would reverse this great American tradition and divide the governing institutions of this country by race. If H.R. 505 were presented to the President, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.

(To read more, click here.)

Coming Together to Avoid Coming Apart
By Barb Lindsay

One Nation United is working with the Heritage Foundation, the Center for Equal Opportunity, Americans for Tax Reform, and other concerned organizations on a national campaign to raise public awareness about the egregious Akaka Bill (S.310/H.R.505), now ready for a vote in both the House and Senate.

(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: wendy@grassrootinstitute.org for more info.

TRY OUR BLOGS
Use these links to access various topics.

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>Enslave the Elderly!

The Mystery of Hawaiian History>>>Blog Archives>>>USCCR Testimony from One Nation United

Read what others have written or add your own thoughts. Click here for more blogs.

LIBERTY NETWORK

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is a member of an extensive international liberty network of organizations that promote more individual autonomy and less governmental involvement in human affairs.

Elaine Willman, Chairman of Citizens Equal Rights Alliance, will speak about her experience with Indian tribes and the Akaka bill at this week's SBH Sunrise (Thursday, October 25th, 7:00 - 9:00 AM, Pineapple Room). You should have received an e-mail earlier about this. We encourage you to attend.
GRIH signed onto an October 9 coalition letter to all members of the US Congress concerning the Clean Water Restoration Act. The letter was sponsored by the National Center for Public Policy Research. Both the House and Senate versions of the Clean Water Restoration Act seek to expand the scope of the Clean Water Act beyond its original intent and create confusion over what is and what is not protected. You can find a copy of the letter here. More information on the subject can be obtained from the American Property Coalition, led by former US Senator Rod Grams. Call Linda Runbeck or Don Parmeter at (651)224-6219.
The Akaka Bill came up for a vote Tuesday in the US House. Read the articles in Hawaii Reporter by Bill Burgess and Roger Clegg.

UPCOMING EVENTS

All of the Institute’s events, research publication dates and speaking engagements are available on our website.

REGISTER NOW!!! LIMITED SEATING STILL AVAILABLE!!!
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Annual Meeting and Dinner
5:00 - 9:00 PM
Hale Koa Hotel, Waikiki

You are cordially invited to join us for our 2007 Annual Awards Dinner honoring Ken Schoolland and Unsung Heroes The Pacific Legal Foundation, State Representative Colleen Meyer (47th District), and Paul Vierling . The keynote speaker for the evening will be Paul Jacob, a member of the GRIH Board of Advisors and Senior Advisor at the Sam Adams Alliance and Foundation. An acclaimed multi-media commentator, Paul hosts an online, radio, and print opinion program, Common Sense, which reaches a growing list of over 15,000 e-mail subscribers and is aired daily by more than 150 stations in 48 states. For more information about Paul Jacob, click here.

Click here to learn more about this event, and to register for what promises to be an unforgettable evening.

November 10-12, 2007
The 2007 Preserving the American Dream Conference
"Recovering from Smart Growth"
Wyndham Hotel, San Jose, Calfornia

Does the high cost of rail transit have you down? Are heavily subsidized, high-density developments infesting your city? Is utopian urban planning making housing unaffordable in your region?

If so, you need to attend the 2007 Preserving the American Dream conference, cosponsored by the Grassroot Institute. This conference will give you the opportunity to meet dozens of expert speakers and activists from all over the world. It will be held November 10 - 12, 2007 at the Wyndham Hotel in San Jose, California. Click here to learn more.

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..

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