Eminent Domain and the Eighth Commandment
By Professor Ken Schoolland

Our parents taught us from childhood that it is wrong to take from others what doesn’t belong to us. Yet, when we grow up we learn we can get away with it as long as we have the right excuses and rationalizations.

The first step in rationalizing this kind of action is to give it an innocuous label. It is best to use the Latin expression eminent domain, instead of by the vulgar term “stealing.” In ancient Rome eminent domain would have referred to the idea that Caesar was the “supreme lordship” or “superior owner” of every thing and every person in the empire. So he had the right to take whatever he wanted.

(To read more, click here.)

GRASSROOT PERSPECTIVE

Constitution Day 2008
By Brandon Bosworth

September 17th is Constitution Day in America. Unlike other patriotic holidays, like Memorial Day or Independence Day, it tends to be largely ignored, possibly because no one associates Constitution Day with fireworks, a day off from work, or huge amounts of food and alcohol. Nor does it have the quirky charm of something like Groundhog Day, which at least spawned a great Bill Murray movie.

For all its drabness, Constitution Day is worth noting. It commemorates the day the U.S. Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution in 1787. The holiday was created in 2004, and was the brainchild of Senator Robert Byrd. Part of his goal in creating Constitution Day was to encourage public schools to do more to teach children about the U.S. Constitution. They could use the help; a 1987 poll found that most Americans know very little about the document, with nearly half believing the Constitution contains Karl Marx's phrase "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." Only 5 percent of those asked could answer ten simple questions about the Constitution. A quarter couldn't name a single First Amendment right.

(To read more, click here.)

New Study on Constitutional Convention vs. Hawaii Legislature Costs

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has released a new study: "Price Tag of the Hawaii Legislature: Putting the Cost of a Constitutional Convention in Perspective." The new report examines the administrative costs of the Hawaii state legislature compared to the estimated costs of a constitutional convention, as recently reported by the Legislative Reference Bureau and previously by the Lt. Governor’s Task Force.

The new report is available at: http://www.grassrootinstitute.org/Publications/Concon_Study_0908.pdf.

-GIR-

FRESH PERSPECTIVE

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. Please contact tom@grassrootinstitute.org for more info.

-GIR-

GRASSROOT TV
Videos, Comments and More

"Grassroot TV" is a new area on the popular YouTube.com video web site featuring videos relating to public issues in Hawaii and beyond, as well as statements from the Institute on various concerns facing our communities. We have new videos up at Grassroot TV!

• Price Tag of the Hawaii Legislature: Putting the Cost of a Con-Con in Perspective
• GRIH Press Conference: New Native Hawaiian Study

We've also loaded up the library at the online TV station with new videos from The Heritage Foundation, Cato Institute, Americans for Tax Reform and more. We are also looking for more videos and ideas for the new site. Please visit 'Grassroot TV' at
http://www.youtube.com/user/GrassrootHawaii.

-GIR-

GRASSROOT INSTITUTE PODCASTS
'Grassroot Insight' Audio Interviews

GIR readers and visitors to the GRIH website are now able to enjoy 'Grassroot Insight,' a periodic podcast hosted by the Institute’s Director of Communications, Tom McAuliffe. The audio interviews with community leaders and special guests at GRIH's monthly meetings are available for download to your iPod or for listening via the Internet.

This issue's 'Grassroot Insight' podcasts feature Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr, who talks about the 2008 presidential campaign and his party's role in it. Additionally, we feature an interview with Robert Bluey, Director of the Center for Media and Public Policy at The Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C., who discusses how the Left has done a better job of using technology and activism.

Click here to listen to the interview with Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr
Click here to listen to the interview with Robert Bluey of the Heritage Foundation

Please check out our other recent podcasts with:

We have more great audio interviews coming your way so we hope you'll give 'Grassroot Insight' a listen! If you have any ideas for the show please let us know at tom@grassrootinstitute.org.

-GIR-

GRASSROOT EVENTS

Information on the Institute’s upcoming events, research publication dates and speaking engagements are always available and updated via our website.

The Grassroot Institute has regular 'Members and Invited Guests only' meetings on Oahu, Maui, The Big Island and Kauai. Please contact our office for more details.

-GIR-

LIBERTY NEWS

2008 Mayor Candidates Sign No-New-Taxes Pledge

Honolulu Mayor Candidates Panos Prevedouros, Donavon Kambel and George Nitta recently signed the Grassroot Institute / Americans for Tax Reform 2008 Taxpayer Protection Pledge. By signing the pledge, they commit “to oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.”

So far, more than 1,200 state legislators, governors, lieutenant governors, attorneys general, secretaries of state, treasurers, comptrollers and board of education members nationwide have signed the No-New-Taxes Pledge.

“Good for them and even better for the citizens of Honolulu. These candidates understand the importance of fiscal restraint and responsibility,” commented Dick Rowland, founder of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii and sponsor of the Hawaii Taxpayer Protection Pledge Program. “These candidates get the message. We're confident they will stay on course,” added Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform.

The Grassroot Institute program is part of a national project from Americans for Tax Reform in Washington. D.C. They offer the Taxpayer Protection Pledge to all current elected officials and candidates for public offices at the state and federal levels.

-GIR-

GRIH Scorecard Raises Response

The recent Grassroot Institute 2008 Legislative Scorecard raised a response from the Hawaii House of Representatives blog. Assistant House Communications Director Thelma Dreyer posted an extensive article on September 9th. While we do not agree, it's sure nice to know the folks over in the Legislature read our stuff!

(To read the article and our reponse, click here.)

Answer the Call

Mark your calendars! The award winning film "The Call of the Entrepreneur" will be available to Hawaii television viewers later this month on the Fox Business Channel.

The film tells the stories of three entrepreneurs: a failing dairy farmer in rural Michigan, a merchant banker in New York City, and a refugee from Communist China. Reverend Robert Sirico, author of The Entrepreneurial Vocation, joins Michael Novak, George Gilder and other experts in exploring how we view entrepreneurs and how entrepreneurs shape modern society.

"The Call of the Entrepreneur" will be shown on the Fox Business Channel, which in Hawaii is available on Time Warner Cable Channel 108 and DirecTV Satellite Channel 359. Tune in Saturday, September 27 at 11:00 AM or Sunday, September 28 at 6:00 PM.

In May of last year, the Grassroot Institute sponsored a showing of the film during the Pacific Rim Conference held at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

The trailer for the film can be viewed at Grassroot TV in the "Favorites" section: http://www.youtube.com/user/GrassrootHawaii

Find out more about the show at http://www.calloftheentrepreneur.org/

-GIR-

SPN 2008

If you have a picture of a special event please send it to GIR at
tom@grassrootinstitute.org.

-GIR-

Grassroot Media Hits

• GRIH President Jamie Story responded to the Aug. 22 Advertiser letter from Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Oswald Stender who took the Grassroot Institute to task over our recent study on Native Hawaiians poverty data. Read Story's response on Sept. 4th entitled "All Hawaii Residents Our Ultimate Resource."

• Former Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee A. "Frenchy" DeSoto and 2004 Democratic candidate for Governor William J. AilA, Jr. apparently didn't care for the recent GRIH study on Native Hawaiian prosperity, according to their Sept. 3rd Honolulu Advertiser Letter to the Editor entitled, "Grassroot Institute: Group is 'Wolf in Sheep's Clothing'."

• Communications Director Tom McAuliffe was on the Rick Hamada morning radio show as a call-in guest discussing the proposed Oahu rail system, and on the Mike Buck Show asking the governor about the Akaka Bill. Both shows are on KHVH 830 AM.

• Grassroot Institute Board of Scholars member Tom Macdonald's article "What Comes After Akaka Bill Passage: A Preview from Senator Inouye?" was recently picked up and published as a Grassroot Perspective by Hawaiireporter.com.

• The nationally recognized and popular site http://www.townhall.com has recently picked up for national distribution many of the articles you read in Grassroot in Review.

-GIR-

GRIH Fall/Spring Internship Program

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is currently seeking candidates for the Institute’s internship program. The program provides undergraduate and graduate level students the ability to gain work experience at Hawaii’s only free-market think tank. Interns will work directly with Institute staff, including the President, Director of Communications, and Director of Operations. 

If you know of anyone who might be interested please have them send a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to: Wendy Fujimoto, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, wendy@grassrootinstitute.org, or call (808) 591-9193.

(To read more, click here.)

GRIH Seeking Investigative Reporter

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is currently seeking an experienced investigative reporter for long- and short-term projects that expose waste, fraud, incompetence and corruption in state and local government. We seek a candidate with a track record of developing sources, breaking news and getting their hands on public records. Knowing Hawaii’s public records laws and FOIA is a plus. This individual will serve a central role in our Government Transparency and Accountability initiative.

Please send cover letter, resume, salary requirement and writing sample(s) to: Wendy Fujimoto, Director of Operations, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, wendy@grassrootinstitute.org, (808) 591-9193.

(To read more, click here.)

TRY THE GRASSROOT BLOGS
Join the conversation and express your views! Use these links to access our member blogs.

Dash of Calabash
http://dashofcalabash.grassrootinstitute.org/

The Mystery of Hawaiian History
http://historymystery.grassrootinstitute.org/

Read what others have written and add your own thoughts. See you there!

-GIR-

NEED A GOOD SPEAKER?
From taxation to education and health care to transportation, the Institute’s staff is excited 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 tom@grassrootinstitute.org.

-GIR-

SUPPORT GOOD PUBLIC POLICY IN HAWAII!
Please help us continue to provide independent research on issues important to Hawaii! The Grassroot 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 please consider becoming a supporter today? Donations are tax deductible and it's quick, easy and secure. Click here!

-GIR-

Grassroot Institute is a proud member of the State Policy Network, Townhall.com, Americans for Tax Reform, The Sam Adams Alliance and more.