A series of anonymous but detailed online articles have linked the alleged driver and the owner of a zodiac involved in a fatal boating incident in Kailua last month to a cult with numerous ties to Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.
The cult is led by Chris Butler, who also uses the name Siddha Swarupananda Paramahansa Parbhupad, according to published accounts.
Butler is the son of the late Willis Butler, a physician well known for his radical views, and during the Cold War was dubbed by local media as “the Red doctor of Molokai” for his socialist and Communist associations.
Hawaii News Now reported last month that the alleged driver of the zodiac was well known for operating the craft dangerously in waters off Kailua and Lanikai (“Boat operator in fatal Kailua boating accident known for speeding“).
Using the television station’s video of the boat apparently involved in the fatal incident, an online report identified the boat’s owner and driver as members of the Butler cult, and alleges Gabbard is a part of the cult’s inner circle.
An owner of another of the zodiacs associated with the Butler cult is named in one of the accounts as Nimai Titcomb, reportedly a nephew of President Obama’s high school friend and golfing buddy, Bobby Titcomb.
This Facebook comment thread is full of interesting allegations and observations.
Stories of Gabber’s association with the Butler cult have circulated for years (see Civil Beat, “Krishna Cult Rumors Still Dog Tulsi Gabbard,” published in March 2015).
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After reading this bizarre tale and the fascinating links the best comment came at the end of the last link — Krishna Cult Rumors Still Dog Tulsi Gabbard.
“The questions, fair or not, are piling up. University of Hawaii political science professor Colin Moore says it might not make sense for Gabbard to keep her silence much longer.
“There comes a point where it begins to look more and more suspicious than perhaps it already is,” Moore said. “With this issue, it probably has reached a point where it is to her benefit to start opening up and talking more frankly about this, because this isn’t likely going away.”
John Hart, a longtime political pundit who chairs the communications department at Hawaii Pacific University, also points out that Gabbard’s recent criticism of Obama’s refusal to label the Islamic State as “Islamic extremists” bolsters the argument for those demanding transparency.
“Representative Gabbard has argued publicly on the ISIS issue that we need to consider religious affiliations to understand what we’re dealing with,” Hart said. “If that’s the case, then we shouldn’t be surprised to see that some people are going to apply that same standard” to her own faith.”
Surprised that no Dems have stepped forward to challenge Gabbard in this year’s primary. Her continual stumping for anti-Obama policies on cable news and cozying up to House GOP colleagues has definitely had a disenchanting effect with the progressives in her district. No mid-term state senators out there willing to take a “risk-free” shot at unseating Tulsi this fall?
Tulsi is allowed to remain silent by the PRESS.
Somebody with press credentials needs to get in her face and ASK about her connections to the cult, and whether there has been any sort of communication between the cult, her, her father, and the DLNR with whom her father has indeed had dealings…
It’s unfortunate that local media have not pursued this as there are so many facets to explore. People who live in Kailua know who these people are. We know what business they have. It’s not really that big a secret they are wildly hated for their disrespectful ways–especially among ocean users–even before this recent tragedy. If media aren’t going to delve into a story like this, what good are they? Ignoring it seems odd and pretty much exposes their “news” operations for what they really are. Which is less and less every passing year…
it is not a rumor or allegation. tulsi was born into and grew up in butler’s group.
whether or not she has broken ties at this point is, to me, as questionable as her sudden embrace of gay rights.
i do know for a fact that others who have left this group have been totally shunned by family members remaining within. so, either mike & carol left too or they are all still in it.
Fascinating list cult or family members who have donated to either Tulsi or the older Gabbards…
https://flashlightonroaches.wordpress.com/