Recycling is always a hot topic and Hawaii is attempting to "do its part". The method for this is dubious and from a practical stand-point, rather unsound. But, then again, what can one really expect from the minds of career politicians in the State capitol.
To give a nutshell rundown of the current program, consumers pay a $.05 surcharge on all cans and bottles marked with a HI-5 sticker or label. This constitutes all the 12 oz. drink cans, 8.5 oz. drink cans, 20 oz. bottles, I believe 1 L bottles, etc., etc,. etc. There is also a $.01 non-refundable "administrative" fee which brings the total "deposit" total to $.06. I cannot be the only person that thinks this is 1) another tax being stuck on the already heavily taxed consumer and 2) a complete rip-off.
Moving on to redemption next, the recycling centers weigh the materials brought then calculate the number of items and then pay out the calculated amount. Given that small and large containers are not seperated from one another, this is at the best really bad math and at the worst a legal scam.
Do not get me wrong, recycling is important and should be done, but not when programs like this are used to constantly rip us off. The really sad thing is hardly anyone, the average person, looked at the bill before it passed and the cretin politicians that passed it just get re-elected. There are some people that do try and halt ridiculous things like this from passing, but there is an overwhelming amount of blind support to overcome every time.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Where has honor and commitment gone?
Lt. Ehren Watada has been in the news recently and being from Hawaii as well this particular topic hits very close to home. There are some in Hawaii and in other places that support him, but for me it makes me ashamed that he is from my State. I do not know the whole of the particulars regarding this case but one thing is certain, he is guilty of the charges mostly because he has openly demonstrated and publically spoken out against his superiors.
This sets a very bad and dangerous precident for the military if he is not court martialed and sent to prison. He willfully signed up for military service and rose through the ranks. Once you join the army you do not have the freedom to voice your opinion whenever and to whomever you wish. There are proper channels for this sort of thing and there is a certain level of responsibility that comes with military service. It is not a democracy by any means and you swear an Oath of Allegiance. There is no clause here to pick and choose who you think is an enemy and who you do not; there is no small print that gives you the option of making up your own mind in and academic fashion regarding what is just and unjust. The fact of the matter remains that he is flagrantly disregarding his oath and the responsibility that comes with signing up, not to mention dishonoring his superiors as well as the soldiers under his command. Being an officer, he cannot be so selfish and self-absorbed to only think about himself, but he also needs to take into consideration how his actions will affect his men since they are his responsibility.
If someone wants to protest that is their right, but resign first then start opening your mouth. Think about the trouble that would arise if soldiers second guess their commanders and refuse orders on the battlefield. Their action or inaction could cost the lives of other soldiers who are counting on them. There is a totalitarian nature to the military for a reason and unless this sort of contemptible disregard for responsibility is crushed, it just sets a very bad precident for the future.
This sets a very bad and dangerous precident for the military if he is not court martialed and sent to prison. He willfully signed up for military service and rose through the ranks. Once you join the army you do not have the freedom to voice your opinion whenever and to whomever you wish. There are proper channels for this sort of thing and there is a certain level of responsibility that comes with military service. It is not a democracy by any means and you swear an Oath of Allegiance. There is no clause here to pick and choose who you think is an enemy and who you do not; there is no small print that gives you the option of making up your own mind in and academic fashion regarding what is just and unjust. The fact of the matter remains that he is flagrantly disregarding his oath and the responsibility that comes with signing up, not to mention dishonoring his superiors as well as the soldiers under his command. Being an officer, he cannot be so selfish and self-absorbed to only think about himself, but he also needs to take into consideration how his actions will affect his men since they are his responsibility.
If someone wants to protest that is their right, but resign first then start opening your mouth. Think about the trouble that would arise if soldiers second guess their commanders and refuse orders on the battlefield. Their action or inaction could cost the lives of other soldiers who are counting on them. There is a totalitarian nature to the military for a reason and unless this sort of contemptible disregard for responsibility is crushed, it just sets a very bad precident for the future.
Getting Started
Here we go with my first attempt at a blog. Being out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean makes me rather far removed from daily events and sometimes it seems like I live in a completely different universe... looking in on the insanity. However, I am fully cognizant of the fact that the things that occur half a world a way could have a direct influence on where I am. North Korea being the most prevailant example currently since they just shot a tin-tube into the ocean to get everyone's attention.
That being said, it boggles the mind sometimes the way people think here. As most know, it's a heavily democrat state and has been that way since the end of WWII. Fortunately, things are slowly changing for the better, I think and more and more people are becoming aware of the reality of global events and what needs to be done. We still have a long way to go, however, since there is still this old school mentality of democrat = good and republican = bad, but as the years pass it becomes more and more evident that the same tiresome rhetoric will not be enough to keep getting votes especially when our turn out is the most dismal in the country.
The tide may be turning and people with common sense are starting to wake up and take charge. Our economy is chugging along nicely and unemployment is still below the national average, and all because of the "bad, evil" republican policies. But you cannot argue with the fact that conservative policies of lower taxes and other sensible notions work. Finally, people seem to be tired and fed up with the same talking points being used year after year with nothing being done or solutions offered. One can only hope the trend continues.
That being said, it boggles the mind sometimes the way people think here. As most know, it's a heavily democrat state and has been that way since the end of WWII. Fortunately, things are slowly changing for the better, I think and more and more people are becoming aware of the reality of global events and what needs to be done. We still have a long way to go, however, since there is still this old school mentality of democrat = good and republican = bad, but as the years pass it becomes more and more evident that the same tiresome rhetoric will not be enough to keep getting votes especially when our turn out is the most dismal in the country.
The tide may be turning and people with common sense are starting to wake up and take charge. Our economy is chugging along nicely and unemployment is still below the national average, and all because of the "bad, evil" republican policies. But you cannot argue with the fact that conservative policies of lower taxes and other sensible notions work. Finally, people seem to be tired and fed up with the same talking points being used year after year with nothing being done or solutions offered. One can only hope the trend continues.
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