Akaka bill shreds; constitutional principles

Corky's cartoon in the Star-Bulletin:

Also, I want to bring to your attention a commentary against the bill by Rubellite Kawena Johnson in the Washington Times today. First, let me say that I've always had a lot of respect for her cultural knowledge, such as her Kumulipo book and her astroarchaeological research. But when it comes to politics... She says:

The 'Akaka Bill' is, therefore, in my opinion, the kind of retributive justice the Congress should consider putting aside until the country has had time to consider what it will mean to get out of the Pacific and out of Hawaii entirely. Else it may well put asunder the whole country's protections of individual rights to life, liberty and property.

How she can come to that conclusion, especially with the latest amendments agreed to for the bill, is a big mystery. Like those on the right, she seems to lump together the efforts to end the occupation of Hawaii and the efforts to create a domestic dependent nation into one big indistinguishable mess, when in fact they are completely separate issues. I agree that the country (U.S.) should consider what it means to end the occupation of Hawaii. That doesn't necessarily mean complete withdrawal from Hawaii, but it means being here at least on terms that are in compliance with basic constitutional and international law, through legitimate treaty arrangements with a legitimate Hawaii government. However, that has nothing to do with the Akaka bill (except perhaps as further evidence of the illegal imposition of U.S. law on a foreign country).

And as to her concluding question, "Who would want the United States out of Hawaii except enemies of those constitutional principles, both here and on the mainland, which have always been shared philosophies between the kings of these islands and the rulers of other nations?" Well, how about friends of those constitutional principles, which after all include consent of the governed, anti-imperialism, and respect for the sovereignty of other nations; and in Hawaii specifically include, in Article I of the Constitution, "certain inalienable rights; among which are life, liberty, and the right of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and of pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness." Free of the illegal occupation of a foreign country imposing its own laws onto Hawaii, to be sure.

Posted: Sun - September 18, 2005 at 11:04 AM

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Akaka bill shreds; constitutional principles

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