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| President Barack Obama wraps up his speech with the Bruce Stpringsteen song playing and the Hawai`i delegation sign backing him up. Video image from CNN. |
“Trivial things become big distractions. Serious issues become sound bites. The truth gets buried under an avalanche of money and advertising. And if you're sick of hearing me approve this message, believe me, so am I,” he said, bringing laughter to the convention hall. “But when all is said and done, when you pick up that ballot to vote, you will face the clearest choice of any time in a generation. Over the next few years big decisions will be made in Washington on jobs, the economy, taxes and deficits, energy, education, war and peace — decisions that will have a huge impact on our lives and on our children's lives for decades to come.”
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| Hawai`i upfront at the DNC. Photo from votemufi.com |
Obama declared that “on every issue, the choice you face won't just be between two candidates or two parties. It will be a choice between two different paths for America, a choice between two fundamentally different visions for the future. Ours is a fight to restore the values that built the largest middle class and the strongest economy the world has ever known— the values my grandfather defended as a soldier in Patton's army, the values that drove my grandmother to work on a bomber assembly line while he was gone. They knew they were part of something larger — a nation that triumphed over fascism and depression, a nation where the most innovative businesses turn out the world's best products, and everyone shared in that pride and success from the corner office to the factory floor.
“My grandparents were given the chance to go to college and buy their home — their own home and fulfill the basic bargain at the heart of America's story, the promise that hard work will pay off, that responsibility will be rewarded, that everyone gets a fair shot and everyone does their fair share and everyone plays by the same rules, from Main Street to Wall Street to Washington, D.C.
“And I ran for president because I saw that basic bargain slipping away. I began my career helping people in the shadow of a shuttered steel mill at a time when too many good jobs were starting to move overseas. And by 2008 we had seen nearly a decade in which families struggled with costs that kept rising but paychecks that didn't, folks racking up more and more debt just to make the mortgage or pay tuition, put gas in the car or food on the table. And when the house of cards collapsed in the Great Recession, millions of innocent Americans lost their jobs, their homes, their life savings, a tragedy from which we're still fighting to recover.
“My grandparents were given the chance to go to college and buy their home — their own home and fulfill the basic bargain at the heart of America's story, the promise that hard work will pay off, that responsibility will be rewarded, that everyone gets a fair shot and everyone does their fair share and everyone plays by the same rules, from Main Street to Wall Street to Washington, D.C.
“And I ran for president because I saw that basic bargain slipping away. I began my career helping people in the shadow of a shuttered steel mill at a time when too many good jobs were starting to move overseas. And by 2008 we had seen nearly a decade in which families struggled with costs that kept rising but paychecks that didn't, folks racking up more and more debt just to make the mortgage or pay tuition, put gas in the car or food on the table. And when the house of cards collapsed in the Great Recession, millions of innocent Americans lost their jobs, their homes, their life savings, a tragedy from which we're still fighting to recover.
Now, our friends down in Tampa at the Republican convention were more than happy to talk about everything they think is wrong with America. But they didn't have much to say about how they'd make it right. They want your vote, but they don't want you to know their plan. And that's because all they have to offer is the same prescriptions they've had for the last 30 years. Have a surplus? Try a tax cut. Deficit too high — try another.
“Feel a cold coming on? Take two tax cuts, roll back some regulations, and call us in the morning,” was the way Obama characterized the Republican agenda.
“Feel a cold coming on? Take two tax cuts, roll back some regulations, and call us in the morning,” was the way Obama characterized the Republican agenda.
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| Hawai`i delegates hug on the floor of the DNC. Photo from NPR |
“Now, I've cut taxes for those who need it —middle-class families, small businesses. But I don't believe that another round of tax breaks for millionaires will bring good jobs to our shores, or pay down our deficit. I don't believe that firing teachers or kicking students off financial aid will grow the economy or help us compete with the scientists and engineers coming out of China. After all we've been through, I don't believe that rolling back regulations on Wall Street will help the small-businesswoman expand, or the laid-off construction worker keep his home.
We have been there, we've tried that, and we're not going back. We are moving forward, America,” the President proclaimed. See the complete speech at www.npr.org.
Republican nominee Mitt Romney gave his response on Fox News today, saying he read the speech but did not see it. He said it gave him no confidence concerning jobs and the economy that the “president knows what he’s doing.”
See more on foxnews.com.
EASING BUILDING AND ENGINEERING PERMITS for installation of solar panels is on the County Council agenda. Homeowners and contractors, and the county are reporting long waiting times and extra expenses to have an engineer or architect approve building permits to install them. According to a story in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald, by Tom Callis, Hilo council member J Yoshimoto plans to introduce legislation that would repeal the building permit and architect/engineer requirement. The permitting process, once the engineering is done, takes about a month and the delays are longer as the number of permits has already doubled this year. Last year, the Calis story reports, there were 972 applications. Through July 31 of this year, there were 1,100.
The council’s Public Works and Parks and Recreation Committee is expected to take up the issue on Sept. 18.
We have been there, we've tried that, and we're not going back. We are moving forward, America,” the President proclaimed. See the complete speech at www.npr.org.
Republican nominee Mitt Romney gave his response on Fox News today, saying he read the speech but did not see it. He said it gave him no confidence concerning jobs and the economy that the “president knows what he’s doing.”
See more on foxnews.com.
EASING BUILDING AND ENGINEERING PERMITS for installation of solar panels is on the County Council agenda. Homeowners and contractors, and the county are reporting long waiting times and extra expenses to have an engineer or architect approve building permits to install them. According to a story in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald, by Tom Callis, Hilo council member J Yoshimoto plans to introduce legislation that would repeal the building permit and architect/engineer requirement. The permitting process, once the engineering is done, takes about a month and the delays are longer as the number of permits has already doubled this year. Last year, the Calis story reports, there were 972 applications. Through July 31 of this year, there were 1,100.
The council’s Public Works and Parks and Recreation Committee is expected to take up the issue on Sept. 18.
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| Russell Ruderman at Democratic rally last month in Hilo. Photo by William Neal |
STATE TAX CREDITS FOR SOLAR INSTALLATION are being discussed among state administrators and legislators. The question is whether to reduce them or get rid of the solar tax credits as the state is looking to retrieve the tax income to pay for expenses. Proponents of keeping the tax deductions say that it spreads the tax breaks throughout the population, incentivizing individual home and business owners to install solar and making jobs for people in the solar business who pay taxes. Other renewable energy credits are offered to investors, some of them from outside of Hawai`i, who could receive up to $40 million in tax credits to offset building refineries.
MAILE YAMANAKA presents her monthly First Friday program at Volcano Art Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park today. Kona in Myth, Chant, Dance & Song is the topic from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Hula, the Art of Hawaiian Dance, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and Keiki Hula from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Events are free, and park entrance fees apply. Call 937-4249 for more information.
STATE SENATORIAL CANDIDATE Russell Ruderman said this morning that no other sustainable energy “can even touch solar” in its benefits to residents and small businesses. He said he supports eliminating the building permits and keeping the incentives. Ruderman said: “Solar is the safest and most reliable renewable energy source and recently became the most affordable. It is obvious we should maximize the safest and most reliable source first.”
Regarding the tax credits, he said, “There may be some loopholes that need to be fixed where some very wealthy developers are taking advantage of our tax laws. But for small businesses and homes that are legitimately installing solar, I believe we should keep the credits.”
He said solar helps slow global warming and that many other proposed renewable energies are “unproven and not clean. Solar power doesn’t harm anyone, doesn’t pollute the environment, When it fails it is not a disaster. Nothing else comes close.” Ruderman called it “a game to try to include other technologies in these tax breaks.”
Regarding the tax credits, he said, “There may be some loopholes that need to be fixed where some very wealthy developers are taking advantage of our tax laws. But for small businesses and homes that are legitimately installing solar, I believe we should keep the credits.”
He said solar helps slow global warming and that many other proposed renewable energies are “unproven and not clean. Solar power doesn’t harm anyone, doesn’t pollute the environment, When it fails it is not a disaster. Nothing else comes close.” Ruderman called it “a game to try to include other technologies in these tax breaks.”
BEGINNING MACHINE QUILTING CLASSES are offered at Pahala Quilting on Tuesdays, Sept. 11, 18 and 25. For more call, Donna at 238-0505.
MOLD CERAMICS for grades 4 through 8 is offered Thursday, Sept. 20, through Thursday, Oct. 25, at the Pahala Community Center from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. There is a fee for supplies and all who would like to attend must pre-register before Thursday, Sept. 13. For more, call Nona at 928-3102.
MOLD CERAMICS for grades 4 through 8 is offered Thursday, Sept. 20, through Thursday, Oct. 25, at the Pahala Community Center from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. There is a fee for supplies and all who would like to attend must pre-register before Thursday, Sept. 13. For more, call Nona at 928-3102.
MAILE YAMANAKA presents her monthly First Friday program at Volcano Art Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park today. Kona in Myth, Chant, Dance & Song is the topic from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Hula, the Art of Hawaiian Dance, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and Keiki Hula from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Events are free, and park entrance fees apply. Call 937-4249 for more information.
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| Trojan football fans gathered after the team's homecoming win last year. |
THIS WEEKENDS’ KA`U TROJANS SPORTS kicks off with a football game at Konawaena tonight at 7 p.m. A home volleyball match versus Hilo is scheduled for tomorrow at 10 a.m. Away events for tomorrow include a cross-county meet at Kamehameha at 10 a.m., an air riflery match at Waiakea at 10 a.m., and a bowling match at Kona Bowl in the afternoon. For more, call athletic director Kalei Namohala at 928-2012.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE is collected at Wai`ohinu Transfer Station tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
RECYCLABLES ARE ACCEPTED IN OCEAN VIEW at Atlas Recycling at South Point U-Cart tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MUCK-SUCKING IS ON THE AGENDA for an anchialine pool restoration workday on Monday, Sept. 10, when volunteers help remove sediment from the pool. Sign up with Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND hosts a beach clean up at Kamilo next Saturday, Sept. 15, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. All volunteers will meet at Wai`ohinu Park on Hwy 11 near mile marker 65 at 7:45 a.m. and are asked to bring sturdy shoes, bag lunch, sun and wind protection, plenty of drinks and four-wheel-drive vehicles if possible. HWF will supply cleanup materials. Those interested can contact Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE is collected at Wai`ohinu Transfer Station tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
RECYCLABLES ARE ACCEPTED IN OCEAN VIEW at Atlas Recycling at South Point U-Cart tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MUCK-SUCKING IS ON THE AGENDA for an anchialine pool restoration workday on Monday, Sept. 10, when volunteers help remove sediment from the pool. Sign up with Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND hosts a beach clean up at Kamilo next Saturday, Sept. 15, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. All volunteers will meet at Wai`ohinu Park on Hwy 11 near mile marker 65 at 7:45 a.m. and are asked to bring sturdy shoes, bag lunch, sun and wind protection, plenty of drinks and four-wheel-drive vehicles if possible. HWF will supply cleanup materials. Those interested can contact Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.