Misc. Ramblings

I wrote the following email to respond to a comment to my post of this morning on the Akaka bill. Unfortunately, he did not leave his name nor working email address (it bounced back with a 550 error). Hence, I've published my response to his comment here:

Thank you for the correction on the etiology of haole. Although there is no accepted alternative to this derivation, I agree the one I used may be in error.

I guess we disagree on all other points. First, there are various definitions of sovereignty but in and of itself, it refers simply to being "self-governing" [see Oxford English Dictionary]. Hence, whether the Hawaiian peoples, with the advice and consent of all voting citizens in the state of Hawaii, choose a monarchy, republic, or some other form of self-government is not the point. The point is being able to choose how to be self-governed.

To focus on un-named "activists" and then to paint their words as applying to all is to over reach by several orders of magnitude. Such people, if they exist, do not speak for me.

Finally, if you are Hawaiian, that does not mean you would necessarily be required to be part of this new entity. Some may wish to be, some may not, some may wish to be under both a new entity and the present US Constitution (as I believe is the case of people with dual citizenships). As for me, I've said it before and I'll say it again, I would not give up my US citizenship nor the protections found in the US Constitution (would it be well if the President would stop breaking the Constitution). But again, the point is being able to choose.

Some very wise men once wrote:

"Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,-- That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

Site note: Over the years, many people have left comments without using their actual names and/or working email addresses. Up until now, I've not penalized them because I felt the greater good was served by allowing a free exchange of ideas. I have re-thought that stance and have instituted comment moderation. If you are unwilling to leave your real name and email address, it would be best not to leave a comment either. Henceforth, all comments left by non-authenticated users will be held for moderation. It is unfortunate that I've had to make this change but so it goes. If this doesn't work out, I will be forced to close all comments.