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AKAKA BILL = HAWAIIAN LAND GRAB

Posted by Free Hawai`i on December 8, 2009 at 7:31am
American Indian Land Sold Off By IRS To Pay Off TaxesThe Telegraph - December 4, 2009US tax officials have sold off thousands of acres of an impoverished Indian reservation in what the tribe claims is a "shameful" and unprecedented breach of laws protecting Native Americans.The 7,112 acres - or 11 square miles - of Crow Creek Sioux ancestral land in central South Dakota was auctioned off on Thursday by the US Internal Revenue Service to help pay off more than $3.1 million (£1.9 million) in unpaid taxes, penalties and interest.The land, part of the tribe's original reservation established in an 1868 treaty, was originally held by the federal government in a trust for the tribe......."Members died and were buried on the land. Indeed, the lands were considered so important to the Crow Creek Sioux tribe that the tribe went into debt to acquire the land as part of its land consolidation effort to enlarge the Crow Creek Indian Reservation," the lawsuit argues.Read The Full Story Here
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PALIN NOT COMFORTABLE AS A MINORITY...auwe!

Posted by Donna Burns on December 7, 2009 at 9:00am
What Palin so conveniently forgets...the so-called American continent was infiltrated by outsiders (in the minority), yet dominated physically, politically, and economically the "majority" of indigenous people (inpendent indian nations)...making them eventually...the minority through genocide. So soon she forgets.-----------------Palin’s dad told reporters daughter left Hawaii because uncomfortable about minoritiesBy Raw StoryMonday, December 7th, 2009 -- 9:22 amhttp://rawstory. com/2009/ 12/palins- dad-told- reporters- daughter- left-hawaii- uncomfortable- minorities/ comment-page- 1/#comment- 34215A little-noticed paragraph in the latest New Yorker review of Sarah from Alaska (and Sarah Palin's Going Rogue) reveals that Palin's father told reporters she'd quit Hawaii after a brief stint at college there because she was uncomfortable around Pacific Islanders.Palin, though notoriously ill-travelled outside the United States, did journey far to the first of the four colleges she attended, in Hawaii. She and a friend who went with her lasted only one semester. “Hawaii was a little too perfect,” Palin writes.“Perpetual sunshine isn’t necessarily conducive to serious academics for eighteen-year- old Alaska girls.” Perhaps not. But Palin’s father, Chuck Heath, gave a different account to [Scott] Conroy and [Shushannah] Walshe [authors of 'Sarah From Alaska'].According to him, the presence of so many Asians and Pacific Islanders made her uncomfortable: “They were a minority type thing and it wasn’t glamorous, so she came home.”The paragraph was first noticed online by The New Republic.
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Scattering of Ashes

Posted by K. Alohilani Hue Sing on December 6, 2009 at 2:30pm
NOTE: Do not be alarmed. I love life and plan on living as long as I joyfully want...this blog is the first posted as part of a series. I have yet to post "Iwi: Is Cremation Pono" and others.I've decided that when I die I would like to be cremated and have my ashes scattered in various places. I have selected these places because they are significant to who I am because of my race. These places are locations of where I have been through my ancestors.One of these places would be out at Ho'okipa Beach Park where I spent many family get togethers growing up and continue to do so although, not as frequently as before. These get togethers included my grandfather and grandmother and several of her brothers and sisters and their 'ohana, my fathers' brothers and sisters and their 'ohana and of course my father, mother and sisters. These almost weekly gatherings included at the least, 40 relatives. We spent the whole day there from early morning to late at night swimming, surfing, playing in the sand, playing dodgeball and volleyball, jumping rope, skateboarding and eating. Waiting at least thirty minutes after eating before swimming again seemed like an eternity, even though we were involved in some other activity besides waiting at the waters' edge. These days of my youth are cherished and this place is somewhere special where I wish to be remembered.Another place would be at a cemetery in Horton, Kansas where my maternal grandfather and grandmother are buried along with other famiy members. My grandfather was a woodcarver of animals, skilled in the bow and arrow and an excellent educator who often spoke at such places as Haskell Indian College and the University of Kansas. I last visited the Kickapoo Reservation three years ago for our annual Pow Wow. The dancing, drumming and singing and colorful regalia worn by various nations were just part of the gathering. Prayers of thanks and protection are given to our ancestors and the Great Spirit of Creation.Both of my fathers' grandfathers are from China therefore, this would be another place where I would like my ashes scattered. Although I have information in regards to the Provinces they are from, I have not yet determined a landmark where my ashes can be scattered.I have no idea of who would carry out my wishes but I hope that it can be done with love. Ideally I would like for my three sons to participate in this event so that it could be a sojourn to places where they come from. I don't want this to be a burden, but rather a journey of discovery.
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VOICES OF TRUTH - ONE-ON-ONE WITH HAWAI`I'S FUTURE NOW AIRS IN THE US

Posted by Free Hawai`i on December 6, 2009 at 11:37am
Voices Of Truth – One-On-One With Hawai`i’s Future is now broadcast in its first market outside Hawai`i.We’re pleased to announce Salem Public Access In Salem Massachusetts now airs Voices Of Truth on channel three.In addition to viewing online 24/7, you’ll be able to watch Voices Of Truth as more markets are added throughout the US in 2010. Stay tuned for details.We’re pleased to debut a brand new show this week featuring master wood carver Rodney Kala Willis.The pahu, or Hawaiian drums are Rodney’s passion, which is easy to understand once you see Rodney’s work. Our interview with him, taped in Waimea, Hawai`i features photos of his finished creations which are not to be missed.We think you’ll understand why we’re so excited to share Rodney and his work all this week on Hawai`i’s award winning Voices Of Truth – One-On-One With Hawai`i's Future.MONDAY, December 7th At 6:30 PM – Maui – Akaku, Channel 53MONDAY, December 7th At 7:00 PM & FRIDAY, December 11th At 5:30 PM – Hawai`i Island – Na Leo, Channel 53THURSDAY, December 10th At 8:30 PM & FRIDAY, December 11th At 8:30 AM - Kaua`i – Ho`ike, Channel 52SATURDAY, December 12th At 8:00 PM – O`ahu, `Olelo, Channel 53“The Drums Of Keauhou – A Visit With Rodney Kala Willis”A former school bus driver with health problems, Rodney faced a change of focus in both his work and life. What to do? Today he’s an internationally recognized third-generation canoe builder and master in the ancient art of making pahu drums. When carving, Rodney lets the wood speak to him, as you’ll hear and see in spectacular photos of his amazing creations – Watch It HereVoices Of Truth interviews those creating a better future for Hawai`i to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants. We hope you'll be inspired to do the same.If you support our issues on the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network, please email this to a friend to help us continue. A donation today helps further our work. Every single penny counts.Donating is easy on our Voices Of Truth website via PayPal where you can watch Voices Of Truth anytime.For news and issues that affect you, watch Free Hawai`i TV, a part of the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network.Please share our Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network videos with friends and colleagues. That's how we grow. Mahalo.
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98% OF ALL HAWAIIANS DID NOT WANT THE US TO ANNEX HAWAI`I

Posted by Free Hawai`i on December 5, 2009 at 10:15am
The Truth Is Out -In 1897 and 1898, 98% of all Native Hawaiians throughout all the islands, signed a petition to the US Congress asking the US not annex Hawai`i.This petition was rediscovered in the US Archives within the past 10 years, and today's Hawai`i Nationals are proud to find the signatures of their ancestors on this document.See It Here
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Sweat Lodge Update

Posted by G. Leimomi Ah Sing on December 4, 2009 at 9:14pm
I recently received an email that was a response from Chief Arvol Looking Horse regarding the Sedona deaths. His response gave me something to ponder about cultural exploitation. He states, "I would like to clarify that this lodge and many others are not our ceremonial way of life because of the way they are being conducted...our ceremonies are about life and healing...never has death been a part of our inikaga(life within). This particular practice is for purification. He states that in order to participate, you need to know the language, understand the hoailona and walk and teach the values of this culture that includes being "humble, wise, caring and compassionate." He also talks about money & greed, which is a foreign concept to his people. "Every effort was made to insure our way of life of who we are as traditional cultural People was made because these ways are for our future and all life upon the Grandmother Earth" he wrote.This is very relevant in Hawaiian culture too! I am so thankful that we have practitioners who follow protocol, who are very serious about ceremony and the consequences of not adhering to protocol. I'm thankful for these practitioners who embrace these values which are instilled and passed on to future generations under a watchful eye, and only until they are satisfied are we allowed to soar on our own. My fear is the commercialism of our culture, and how do we guarantee this from occurring? We cannot "police" the world!So what about the part that Chief Arvol Looking Horse says about needing to know the language? I've gotta admit that 'olelo makuahine is hard for me because it is foreign. I've lived most of my adult life on the mainland, but am so thankful that I've returned home to my roots, to my foundation. Ever mindful of my behavior and attitude, the most important goal is not to disrespect. So, I watch and absorb and wait for the day when kumu feels I'm ready to soar on my own...
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Is the CIA Following You on Twitter? Facebook? Maoliworld? (LOL)

Posted by Ululani on December 4, 2009 at 9:00am
Reposted here:Is the CIA Following You on Twitter?Mashable.com posted the eight page complaint by Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) against the Department of Defense, the CIA, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, the Department of the Treasury, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence:

http://mashable.com/2009/12/02/eff-government-lawsuit/


According to the complaint, EFF is aware that the government is using content posted to social media sites in their investigations. After their initial requests for more information and documentation on the specific policies around these activities went unanswered, the EFF began seeking a court order to force the government’s hand in full disclosure.


One of the incidents cited in the complaint was the widely publicized FBI search of an activist’s home, which came after the man in question used radio scanners to post the movements of police on Twitter (Twitter) during the G-20 Summit.



BTW the Commander in Chief is President Obama so this one cannot be blamed on former President Bush.

BTW when President Obama was a senator on July 9, 2008 he voted to allow telecommunications companies to spy on US when he voted "Yea" to H.R. 6304 a bill that amended the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA):

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00168

For those who are not American... this is a NON issue for you LOL

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Origins of Christmas Celebrations

Posted by Tane on December 4, 2009 at 7:50am
We often hear of how paganistic other cultures are as compared to the enlightened European and U.S. American WASP Christian civilized world. Let's take a look at them and how they celebrate Christmas.The origins of Christmas celebration stem from:- The Christmas tree was used by England and Germany as well as other evergreens as part of mid-winter festivals long before Christ came to earth. Heathen Druids considered evergreens sacred while the pagan Romans decorated their homes with greens at the festival of Saturnalia and at the Kalends of January.-Use of these rituals, activities, and uses of these items were incorporated in Europe date as far back as 500 years to celebrate the Christian holiday of Christmas.-Stars have special meanings to all cultures and people regardless of religion.-Early Christian music were chants and hymns. Carols were regarded as part of the pagan practice and celebration, thus it was barred from the Roman Catholic church's sacred services. St. Francis of Asisi is credited for bringing carols into the Church's services in 1223 a.d.-Mistletoe has been regarded by the Celts (pronounced Kelts) and ancient pagan Europeans as sacred. Druids used it in their heathen practices. To Norsemen, it was a sacred plant to their gods and goddesses.-Xmas is used by Masons and other non-Christians while celebrating the commercial aspects of the Christmas season.Other Christmas greens:Holly - used by Druids in their winter rituals and used to frighten off witches and also to protect their house from thunder and lightning. This talisman was used by pagans in Europe, primarily in England and Germany. It was the sacred plant of Saturn and used at the Roman Saturnalia festival to honor him.Ivy - a symbol of eternal life in the pagan world of England and a symbol of the Roman god of wine and revelry.Laurel - a pagan Roman symbol; as the leaf was sacred to the sun god, Apollo.Rosemary - it is said to be offensive to evil spirits during the Middle Ages in Europe.Santa Claus (Saint Nicholas):St. Nicholas was born in the Middle East, about 350 miles northwest of Bethlehem, in the fourth century. As an adult, he became a Roman Catholic bishop of his hometown, Myra in Lycia, near the coast of what is now Turkey.He is known for his love of children, his kindness, and the miracles he brought about. He is also known for his selfless giving. He is a patron saint for all people in their walks of life as a friend and protector of all those in trouble, especially the poor and needy.His feast day is December 6 and close to Christmas that all merged the celebration together except Germany and the Netherlands. The Protestants refused to recognize him and all the saints. Reformers did everything to erase his memory but failed; his popularity was too overwhelming.Special customs are held in Germany and the Netherlands. Both brought the celebration of St. Nicholas to the U.S. The WASP banned the custom of celebrating St Nicholas Day of giving cakes and cookies to children; but it soon merged with the Christmas celebration. Some of the customs of celebrating St. Nicholas Day stem from European and Nordic pagan rituals.In the U.S., his image as Father Christmas evolved into a comical, plump, jolly old Dutchman called Santa Claus. It was meant to poke fun at the Duth founders of New York. The U.S. americanized version of the Old World St. Nicholas soon became jolly old St. Nick or Santa Claus; a plump, happy-go-lucky elf with a sleigh full of toys and eight flying reindeer and commercialized it for profit. He is known by many names throughout the world with diverse versions of who he is.In Hawai'i, December 25th is designated as a Kingdom of Hawai'i national holiday of Thanksgiving. Any wonder why?
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It's important to stand up and be counted to preserve our welfare. Accountability is foremost re: DU

Posted by Tane on December 4, 2009 at 7:45am
Often we wrestle with the decision to comment, write letters,, send in testimony, create and respond to a forum. Do people actually listen or read them? Does the military or government actually read them or acknowledge the issues? Do they just go through the formality to pacify those that write letters or testify what is important to them? Have the government and military already made up their minds and allow people their testimony to reflect a democratic system that is vacuous? Bucking the big machinery can be daunting; but the more people react and continue the legacy that created such a govenment; changes can be made. No matter how frustrating it can be; it is always worth the effort to make them accountable.Here is one of the letters sent by a woman back in Oct 2009 and I applaud her for her tenacious in exercising her freedom, rights, and duty:I am disappointed that no more additional meetings will be held in Waianae, Oahu. I have attended meetings in my community with the military on this very issue of depleted uranium low bid procurement. My complaint is that the military and their moderator always surpressed my testimony."That's one of the next subjects we're going to get to," replied Tad Davis, the Army's deputy assistant secretary for the environment. "Because we are moving in that direction."...The announcement was part of a weeklong effort by Davis, who has been in Honolulu to update Army commanders and community groups about studies focusing on chemical munitions dumped at sea following the end of the war in 1945, as well as other issues affecting the coastal environment."Army spokesman Howard Sugai said earlier in the week that Davis briefed officials from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and members of the local congressional delegations on environmental issues involving everything from depleted uranium to military training in Makua Valley....Yesterday afternoon, Davis met with members of the Ordnance Reef Coordinating Council to brief them on studies to monitor and possibly remove bombs littering waters off Wai'anae. " Honolulu Advertiser 8/6/2009"Tad Davis, the Army's deputy assistant secretary for the environment, safety and occupational health, is in town this week to meet with Army officials, University of Hawaii scientists involved in several of the ocean monitoring and testing programs and members of the staffs of Hawaii's congressional delegation.He also will attend a special session of the Nanakuli and Waianae neighborhood boards tomorrow night to discuss the ongoing environmental issues at Makua Military Reservation, where the Army hopes to resume limited live-fire exercises at the end of this month....Davis said the Army will conduct another series of tests sampling the water, sediment, fish and limu living in the Ordnance Reef area later this month and in September. This is part of an ongoing study -- the first done in May 2006, followed by another one last winter.Davis said the Army, the university and other scientists are still studying the data and video obtained earlier this year by two UH deep-diving submersibles which scoured the ocean bottom at 1,500 feet, five miles south of Pearl Harbor....Davis said the deep-water survey "gave us a better understanding of disposal techniques."It was believed before the survey was started that the chemical weapons were thrown overboard at one site. However, Davis said "the (disposal) vessel was moving on a certain course and disposing of the munitions since they were found in a line on the ocean floor." Honolulu Advertiser 8/4/2009I attended the meeting that was held in secret. To attend I had to locate a resident of Nanakuli that is an affiliate with Senator Hanabusa. At this meeting the University of Hawaii scientist asked if there is any other sites that the community wanted to test he would be willing to come back to Waianae and test source points. I asked him if he had done any plume testing, he said, "no". I asked the sicentist if we brought in samples would that help, he said "no" and that he would have to come out and do the testing himself. I told him I live near a dumping sight where low bid procurement truckers bring debrie home from Schofield to a private land fill in back of my house and the dust from the site inundates my house and community. The evidence is in the gable of my entire roof top. It enters through the portholes on both side of my roof. I live in an area where the winds scrurry. Also too, I live in a community where residence needs to be 50% plus bloodquantum of Hawaiian ancestry. We are under the Department of Hawaiian Homeland and not the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). The OHA office serves all Hawaiians and do not make the distinction for native Hawaiians with 50% plus bloodquantum. The meeting in Nanakuli, Oahu was held in private, no filming or documentation was allowed for future referenceing by the community. The attendees are community leaders, however depleted uranium was never allowed to be spoken for I have pleaded with these leaders for years on the importance of why I want the military to stop the bombing and clean up their debrie from their land targets.Tad Davis five year sustainable plans for the military installation is to stock pile good soil within the fence of the military base for the safety of their military families, but to remove chemical munitions debrie and contaminated soil outside of the fence. The removal is done by low bid procurement truckers bring home these debrie to their own personal landfill that are sanctioned by the state. This personal dump is directly behind my house and I live outside of the fence line of the military base.The authority, the sustainable plans, and meetings is in need of a colloboration effort between active military and non active military families and their communities for all concerned safety measures. I believe strongly as a native Hawaiian my quality of life is just as important as active military families.
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OUTSOURCING....WAR

Posted by Donna Burns on December 3, 2009 at 7:50am
Found this article on the internet. My Dad used to say..."If an idea is a good one, you just need to present it...not ram it down someone's throat." Makes me think of....Democracy.---------------Obama's War: Why is the Largest Military Machine on the Planet Unable to Defeat the Resistance in AfghanistanBy Sara FloundersURL of this article: www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=16354Global Research, December 2, 2009Workers World - 2009-11-15Just how powerful is the U.S. military today?Why is the largest military machine on the planet unable to defeat the resistance in Afghanistan , in a war that has lasted longer than World War II or Vietnam ?Afghanistan ranks among the poorest and most underdeveloped countries in the world today. It has one of the shortest life expectancy rates, highest infant mortality rates and lowest rates of literacy.The total U.S. military budget has more than doubled from the beginning of this war in 2001 to the $680 billion budget signed by President Barack Obama Oct. 28. The U.S. military budget today is larger than the military budgets of the rest of the world combined. The U.S. arsenal has the most advanced high-tech weapons.The funds and troop commitment to Afghanistan have grown with every year of occupation. Last January another 20,000 troops were sent; now there is intense pressure on President Obama to add an additional 40,000 troops. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. More than three times as many forces are currently in Afghanistan when NATO forces and military contractors are counted.Eight years ago, after an initial massive air bombardment and a quick, brutal invasion, every voice in the media was effusive with assurances that Afghanistan would be quickly transformed and modernized, and the women of Afghanistan liberated. There were assurances of schools, roads, potable water, health care, thriving industry and Western-style “democracy.” A new Marshall Plan was in store.Was it only due to racist and callous disregard that none of this happened?In Iraq , how could conditions be worse than during the 13 years of starvation sanctions the U.S. imposed after the 1991 war? Today more than a third of the population has died, is disabled, internally displaced and/or refugees. Fear, violence against women and sectarian divisions have shredded the fabric of society.Previously a broad current in Pakistan looked to the West for development funds and modernization. Now they are embittered and outraged at U.S. arrogance after whole provinces were forcibly evacuated and bombarded in the hunt for Al Qaeda.U.S. occupation forces are actually incapable of carrying out a modernization program. They are capable only of massive destruction, daily insults and atrocities. That is why the U.S. is unable to win “hearts and minds” in Afghanistan or Iraq . That is what fuels the resistance.Today every effort meant to demonstrate the power and strength of U.S. imperialism instead confirms its growing weakness and its systemic inability to be a force for human progress on any level.Collaborators and warlordsPart of U.S. imperialism’s problem is that its occupation forces are required to rely on the most corrupt, venal and discredited warlords. The only interest these competing military thugs have is in pocketing funds for reconstruction and development. Entire government ministries, their payrolls and their projects have been found to be total fiction. Billions allocated for schools, water and road construction have gone directly into the warlords’ pockets. Hundreds of news articles, congressional inquiries and U.N. reports have exposed just how all-pervasive corruption is.In Iraq the U.S. occupation depends on the same type of corrupt collaborators. For example, a BBC investigation reported that $23 billion had been lost, stolen or “not properly accounted for” in Iraq . A U.S. gag order prevented discussion of the allegations. (June 10, 2008)Part of the BBC search for the missing billions focused on Hazem Shalaan, who lived in London until he was appointed minister of defense in 2004. He and his associates siphoned an estimated $1.2 billion out of the Iraqi defense ministry.But the deeper and more intractable problem is not the local corrupt collaborators. It is the very structure of the Pentagon and the U.S. government. It is a problem that Stanley McChrystal, the commanding general in Afghanistan , or President Obama cannot change or solve.It is the problem of an imperialist military built solely to serve the profit system.Contractor industrial complexAll U.S. aid, both military and what is labeled “civilian,” is funneled through thousands and thousands of contractors, subcontractors and sub-subcontractors. None of these U.S. corporate middlemen are even slightly interested in the development of Afghanistan or Iraq . Their only immediate aim is to turn a hefty superprofit as quickly as possible, with as much skim and double billing as possible. For a fee they will provide everything from hired guns, such as Blackwater mercenaries, to food service workers, mechanics, maintenance workers and long-distance truck drivers.These hired hands also do jobs not connected to servicing the occupation. All reconstruction and infrastructure projects of water purification, sewage treatment, electrical generation, health clinics and road clearance are parceled out piecemeal. Whether these projects ever open or function properly is of little interest or concern. Billing is all that counts.In past wars, most of these jobs were carried out by the U.S. military. The ratio of contractors to active-duty troops is now more than 1-to-1 in both Iraq and Afghanistan . During the Vietnam War it was 1-to-6.In 2007 the Associated Press put the number in Iraq alone at 180,000: “The United States has assembled an imposing industrial army in Iraq that’s larger than its uniformed fighting force and is responsible for such a broad swath of responsibilities that the military might not be able to operate without its private-sector partners.” (Sept. 20, 2007)The total was 190,000 by August 2008. (Christian Science Monitor, Aug. 18, 2008)Some corporations have become synonymous with war profiteering, such as Halliburton, Bechtel and Blackwater in Iraq , and Louis Berger Group, BearingPoint and DynCorp International in Afghanistan .Every part of the U.S. occupation has been contracted out at the highest rate of profit, with no coordination, no oversight, almost no public bids. Few of the desperately needed supplies reach the dislocated population traumatized by the occupation.There are now so many pigs at the trough that U.S. forces are no longer able to carry out the broader policy objectives of the U.S. ruling class. The U.S military has even lost count, by tens of thousands, of the numbers of contractors, where they are or what they are doing—except being paid.Losing count of the mercenariesThe danger of an empire becoming dependent on mercenary forces to fight unpopular wars has been understood since the days of the Roman Empire 2,000 years ago.A bipartisan Congressional Commission on Wartime Contracting was created last year to examine government contracting for reconstruction, logistics and security operations and to recommend reforms. However, Michael Thibault, co-chair of the commission, explained at a Nov. 2 hearing that “there is no single source for a clear, complete and accurate picture of contractor numbers, locations, contracts and cost.” (AFP, Nov. 2)“[Thibault said] the Pentagon in April counted about 160,000 contractors mainly in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait, but Central Command recorded more than 242,000 contractors a month earlier.” The stunning difference of 82,000 contractors was based on very different counts in Afghanistan . The difference alone is far greater than the 60,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan .Thibault continued: “How can contractors be properly managed if we aren’t sure how many there are, where they are and what are they doing?” The lack of an accurate count “invites waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer money and undermines the achievement of U.S. mission objectives.” The Nov. 2 Federal Times reported that Tibault also asked: “How can we assure taxpayers that they aren’t paying for ‘ghost’ employees?”This has become an unsolvable contradiction in imperialist wars for profit, markets and imperialist domination. Bourgeois academics, think tanks and policy analysts are becoming increasingly concerned.Thomas Friedman, syndicated columnist and multimillionaire who is deeply committed to the long-term interests of U.S. imperialism, describes the dangers of a “contractor-industrial-complex in Washington that has an economic interest in foreign expeditions.” (New York Times, Nov. 3)Outsourcing warFriedman hastens to explain that he is not against outsourcing. His concern is the pattern of outsourcing key tasks, with money and instructions changing hands multiple times in a foreign country. That only invites abuse and corruption. Friedman quoted Allison Stanger, author of “One Nation Under Contract: The Outsourcing of American Power and the Future of Foreign Policy,” who told him: “Contractors provide security for key personnel and sites, including our embassies; feed, clothe and house our troops; train army and police units; and even oversee other contractors. Without a multinational contractor force to fill the gap, we would need a draft to execute these twin interventions.”That is the real reason for the contracted military forces. The Pentagon does not have enough soldiers, and they don’t have enough collaborators or “allies” to fight their wars.According to the Congressional Research Service, contractors in 2009 account for 48 percent of the Department of Defense workforce in Iraq and 57 percent in Afghanistan . Thousands of other contractors work for corporate-funded “charities” and numerous government agencies. The U.S. State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development make even more extensive use of them; 80 percent of the State Department budget is for contractors and grants.Contractors are supposedly not combat troops, although almost 1,800 U.S. contractors have been killed since 9/11. (U.S. News & World Report, Oct. 30) Of course there are no records on the thousands of Afghans and Iraqis killed working for U.S. corporate contractors, or the many thousands of peoples from other oppressed nations who are shipped in to handle the most dangerous jobs.Contracting is a way of hiding not only the casualties, but also the actual size of the U.S. occupation force. Fearful of domestic opposition, the government intentionally lists the figures for the total number of forces in Afghanistan and Iraq as far less than the real numbers.A system run on cost overrunsCost overruns and war profiteering are hardly limited to Iraq , Afghanistan or active theaters of war. They are the very fabric of the U.S. war machine and the underpinning of the U.S. economy.When President Obama signed the largest military budget in history Oct. 28 he stated: “The Government Accountability Office, the GAO, has looked into 96 major defense projects from the last year, and found cost overruns that totaled $296 billion.” This was on a total 2009 military budget of $651 billion. So almost half of the billions of dollars handed over to military corporations are cost overruns!This is at a time when millions of workers face long-term systemic unemployment and massive foreclosures.The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have now cost more than $1 trillion. The feeble health care reform bill that squeaked through the House, and might not survive Senate revisions next year, is scheduled to cost $1.1 trillion over a 10-year period.The bloated, increasingly dysfunctional, for-profit U.S. military machine is unable to solve the problems or rebuild the infrastructure in Afghanistan or Iraq , and it is unable to rebuild the crumbling infrastructure in the U.S. It is unable to meet the needs of people anywhere.It is absorbing the greatest share of the planet’s resources and a majority of the U.S. national budget. This unsustainable combination will sooner or later give rise to new resistance here and around the world.
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HOUSE GUESTS THAT NEVER LEFT - HOW HAWAI`I NATIONALS FEEL ABOUT THE US OCCUPATION

Posted by Free Hawai`i on December 3, 2009 at 7:18am
Let's pretend I visit your house. You offer me food and rest. I decide to stay.Then, I order you and your family around, use your things and rearrange the rooms. I take down your photos and religious symbols, replace them with my own and make you speak my language.One day, I dig up your garden and replace it with crops that I can sell. You and your family must now buy all of your food from me.Later, I invite my father and his buddies over. They bring guns. We take your keys. I forge a deed and declare my father to be the owner of your house. I bring more people. Some work for me. Some pay me to stay in your house. I seize your savings and spend it on my friends. You and your family now sleep on the porch.Finally you protest. Being reasonable, I let you stay in a corner of the house and give you a small allowance, but only if you behave. I tell you, "Sorry, I was wrong for taking the house." But when you demand your house back, I tell you to be realistic."You are part of this family now, whether you like it or not," I say. "Besides, this is for your own good. For all that I have done for you, why aren't you grateful?"
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FREE HAWAI`I TV - "NATION WITH LEGATIONS"

Posted by Free Hawai`i on December 2, 2009 at 6:30am
FREE HAWAI`I TVTHE FREE HAWAI`I BROADCASTING NETWORK"NATION WITH LEGATIONS"It Was A Mission Of Recognition.Their Goal Was Diplomatic With Results Quite Dramatic.How Many Other Nations Granted Hawai`i Formal Relations?Even Though It Happened Long Ago, Here's Info You'll Want To Know.Then Send This Video To One Other Person Today.
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Whole Foods

Posted by Kau'ikeaouli LaBatte on December 1, 2009 at 2:03pm
I think it's great that we have a giant store dedicated to food sales such as the new Whole Foods Store that will be gracing us with its' presence at The Mau'i Mall shortly. This store will also be providing 140 jobs to island residents which I think is wonderful during this economic time of struggle. But I do have to question that will this store take away from the smaller local businesses of the same market who depend on our local community just to stay afloat. Takamiya Market has survived for decades down in Happy Valley, but not without having to mark down their prices at times just like so many other stores just to keep in competition with the larger wholesale businesses in order to survive. I do like what this particular store has to offer the island and its' people but wouldn't it be more beneficial to our community to allow them to be part of the produce and foods sold by this large corporation? Our local businesses thrive on what our community buys from them and when larger companies move in, they take away from that which we recognize as trademark businesses that have been here on our island for years and have become more than just a familiar store. They are recognized as landmarks and as a part of us as a whole. When Ooka's shut down, it was a sad and tearful moment for many of us as well as with Ah Fook's. These two little giants of the community were as local to us as can be. Though these supermarkets went out of business for other reasons as far as I know, the companies and corporations that have taken their place are not local to the islands and only take away from the remaining stores ability to maintain their staying open to the public.
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Idiocy

Posted by Kau'ikeaouli LaBatte on December 1, 2009 at 12:24pm
I often enjoy reading the newspaper and finding stories about people who commit crimes without realizing that they have distinguishing marks (tattoos, etc.), features, or just the everyday clothes that they wear and don't realize that this gives them away and makes them stick out like a sore thumb in the public. Seriously? I don't enjoy putting people down, but come on! Are people really that stupid? If you're going to decide to put a tattoo on your body and your involved with criminal activity, at least have it put where it will be covered up by your clothing. I have had my involvements with the police department and have even been on a first name basis with some of Mau'i's Finest, which is nothing to be proud of, and I too have multiple tattoos that have been logged and recorded by them, including one that runs down my face from under my eye to my jaw. My point with this is that I do my best to stay out of the mix with that way of life now and there is also the fact that my tattoos easily identify myself to the authorities. I have cultural or personal meaning to my skin art, but knowing that they are exposed on my body where anyone can see them does help with keeping me set straight and not getting involved with that walk of life any longer. At least the man that I read about admitted to committing the crime when confronted about it and owned up to his whole part in it, not everyone is decent enough to do so, I have respect for people like that.
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Fast Lane

Posted by Kau'ikeaouli LaBatte on December 1, 2009 at 11:35am
So naturally we are going to have people who ignore the law and drive fast or recklessly. Please everyone, have some consideration for doing it in residential areas, especially around schools. I personally witnessed a close friend of mines six year old nephew getting run down and killed by someone who was speeding through our neighborhood some years ago. Believe me when I say that the memories still haunt my dreams every now and then. To think that this tragedy is always a possibility to any one of my children as well as someone elses is beyond what I would like to be pondering. Yet, the fact remains that there will always be those behind the wheel of a vehicle that either ignore, disregard, or just don't think period when it comes to them driving fast in areas that children, or anyone for that matter, may just step out onto the road in these rural areas and become a victim. The incident that I witnessed was a hit and run. The driver took off and didn't turn himself in for three days after the incident. Luckily, he did turn himself in. This may not be the case in other instances of the same happening. Speed limits are posted near schools people, acknowledge them, PLEASE! Our keiki are our livelihood and our future, we must look out for their well being and safety at all times, whether they are our very own or not. This is part of our being ohana with one another here in Hawai'i, we take care of each other and look out for one another and our families, related or not. This is one of the many factors that separate Hawai'i from the rest of the world.
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HERE'S WHY IT'S TIME TO END THE ILLEGAL US OCCUPATION OF HAWAI`I

Posted by Free Hawai`i on December 1, 2009 at 6:25am
Native Hawaiians constitute roughly 22 per cent of the state population, but they represent 54 per cent of the prison population.They also have the lowest per capita income, the highest poverty rate and the shortest lifespan of any ethnic group in Hawai`i.Hawai`i public school students receive very poor education by any standard of measurement. They consistently rank among the lowest of any state in test scores.Most of the bright students who manage to learn something in spite of the handicapped school system leave Hawai`i for foreign colleges and careers.Tens of thousands of residents have no medical insurance at all.In some cases, the lives of the working poor are worse than the unemployed.End The US Occupation & Free Hawai`i
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Maoli World Monday Chat

Posted by Imua Hawai'i Films on November 30, 2009 at 5:00pm
Aloha Kakou,He po'akahi keia! Maoli World Monday Chat i keia la.This is a Monday! Maoli World Monday Chat is today.I am posting this blog for two reasons. First, to help promote Maoli World Mondays. Second, to inform you where the chat room is...WHERE THE IS THE CHAT ROOM?The chat room is located at the bottom right corner of the Maoli World website. Looking at the Maoli World website, on the bottom right (the side with the scroll bar) is the chat room.

It will either say...Maoliworld Chat | Disconnected

orMaoliworld Chat | # Online(Example: Maoliworld Chat | 4 Online

If it says Disconnected, connect by clicking on the symbol of a person with a red dot. The dot should turn green and it should now display the amount of people online.

Red Dot - Offline

Green Dot - OnlineOnce connected, click where it says...Maoliworld | # OnlineThe chat room should appear.I should also mention a cool feature about the chat room. If for any reason you need to scroll up and down, and or switch pages of the Maoli World website, the chat room will follow!If you found this information helpful, please leave a comment.

In other News

AQzone Hawai'i has teamed up with Imua Hawai'i Films. AQzone offers computer advice/troubleshooting, and web design.
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