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January 25, 2003 - Saturday
I opened my eyes long enough to see that it was 4:30 a.m., and closed them again, thinking how nice another half-hour under the down comforter would be. The sound of the garbage truck backing down our end of the street woke me up again at 5:35. Of course, taking out the garbage is my job and ours was still sitting in the kitchen waiting to be carried out to the top of the driveway. So I start the day with that little nagging edge of guilt of a job undone.
Has our country gone insane? The Los Angeles Times reports today that the Bush defense department is considering use of nuclear weapons against Iraq. Meanwhile, the trumped up war threat is blasting the national economy and a war will devastate our local tourism-based economy. Both national and international public opinion is strongly against a U.S. military strike in the absence of international consensus, which is a very long way off. And now we're exploring how to become international pariahs known for using nukes as a matter of convenience? These are frightening times indeed.
Here's an interesting memo circulated yesterday by the chairman of an academic department up at the University of Hawaii at Manoa:
This morning representatives from the New York Times visited me regarding their Educational Partnership program. You will receive some information in your mailbox, and I will have some additional materials from them at the faculty meeting. They are exploring interest on our campus for faculty to assign the daily (same-day delivery) NY Times in courses, for a discounted rate of .40 per weekday. They also are exploring having newsstands available on campus. Although I don't know all the details, the Partnership Program also entails their sending speakers to campuses.
In my view, using the daily newspaper can be an exciting way to teach general Sociology courses, especially at the introductory level. In the near future, they wish to sponsor a lunch for faculty who wish to learn more about the Educational Partnership Program. If you think you would like to attend this lunch, please let me know and I'll be sure to forward the information when I receive it.
That's certainly a more direct sales pitch than either of the Honolulu dailies have made at UH.
FCC chairman Michael Powell had an op-ed piece in USA Today earlier this week on the issue of media ownership policies. Meanwhile, Powell announced that the FCC's public hearing in Richmond, Virginia will be held on February 27.
January 24, 2003 - Friday
This is the 5th anniversary of our rescue of two kittens, Ms. Wally and Ms. Kili, who are very much a part of our household.
A tiny "Good Government Caucus" is being formed at the Legislature, according to an email circulating yesterday at the Capitol. Initial members are Les Ihara and Gary Hooser in the Senate, and Mina Morita and Mark Takai in the House. Their package of bills is scheduled to be discussed at a press conference Monday afternoon.
I was notifed this week by the Office of Information Practices that an opinion I requested is now "pending" and apparently could be finished soon. The question is whether the Office of Disciplinary Counsel is a state agency for purposes of the state's public records law. The request dates back more than six years to an August 1996 story I did on the sudden resignation of Laureen Wong. It's this kind of routine delay in responding to requests for opinions that has drained the reservoir of active public support for OIP.
January 23, 2003 - Thursday
I would have thought that the abduction at gunpoint and sexual assault of a university student from Japan would be news, but the Jan. 9th incident was only reported yesterday and buried well back in both daily newspapers. The abduction happened at 8 p.m. in an area of residential condominiums and businesses, and near several language schools that cater to Japanese students. Those familiar with the situation say Japanese female students are often targeted because they are seen as less likely to report crimes, although this case is not typical. There's more that the community needs to know about this whole situation.
| One of Meda's sisters surprised her with a birthday box that included this bit of history--a carefully posed family Bicentennial portrait dating to 1976. Notice the flag, the tea service, and the "...ck ...rity" poster, our revolutionary symbols. It was so long ago that we had only two cats. The table was easy to set up, the cats much less so. I'm holding Windfola, who was First Cat, while Meda has Ms. Emma. The photo was taken in our 4th floor apartment in what was then known as the Circle Jade Apartments on 9th Avenue in Kaimuki. |
Ian, Meda & Cats
circa. 1976
click for larger version |
January 22, 2003 - Wednesday
The Star-Bulletin is one of dozens of newspapers across the country which printed a form letter manufactured by a Republican Party campaign machine. The letter begins, "When it comes to the economy, President Bush is demonstrating genuine leadership." The S-B ran the astroturf letter (so-called because it represents fake grassroots) on January 12. The GOP letter machine has been getting lots of attention after the orchestrated letters were found with a Google search.
Editor & Publisher reports that the Seattle Times has contracted with a freelance writer to probe the possible termination of its JOA with the Hearst-owned Post-Intelligencer. Too bad that didn't happen during Gannett's meltdown of the Honolulu JOA.
Ka Leo, the UH-Manoa student newspaper, reports that the school's highly rated cheerleading squad was quickly dumped from the Universal Cheerleaders Association's College National Championships after two team members were evicted from Disney World for unspecified late night transgressions.
"They got into trouble so they were no longer allowed on the Disney World property, which meant they were not able to compete with us," said head coach Kellie Mikami.
It leaves me wondering what it takes to get the heave ho from the Disney mouseketeers.
John Seibert, survivor of an avalanche in British Columbia that took the lives of seven other backcountry skiers, had this to say after narrowly escaping with his life:
"I think the risk is worth the reward," he said.
"It's better than dying of boredom sitting at home watching CNN."
And Happy Birthday to Ms. Meda! Feel free to send along your b-day greetings.
January 21, 2003 - Tuesday
The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that there are debates across the country over whether or how university faculty, faculty senates, and even university presidents should express their views on the threatened war in Iraq. Here in Hawaii, though, top UH administrators began working last week to encourage faculty and students to launch an anti-war letter-writing campaign while simultaneously preparing to publicize the effort.
If you're interested in workings of the State Legislature or are just curious about who's who, here are a couple of extremely useful lists--committee clerks and office managers.
| I caught Duke and Toby hard at play yesterday. They were having a great time with a complicated game involving a discarded box and complex dance steps. I ran for the camera. The rest is now history. Click on the photo for more. |
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January 20, 2003 - Monday
I noted a significant difference yesterday between the Star-Bulletin and Advertiser Sunday editions.
The Star-Bulletin, despite it's hookup with Monster.com, had 2-1/2 pages of employment ads in the classifieds section.
Gannett's Honolulu Advertiser had a whopping 10 full pages, at least by my count.
That translates into a huge difference in revenue that's tough to ignore.
Speaking of jobs, the Star-Bulletin is advertising a full time opening for assistant webmaster. Over at the Advertiser, they have ads running at Gannett's web site for assistant features editor and photographer.
It is WINDY in Kaaawa today. Strong winds are blowing from the west, and they pick up speed as they come over the mountains and down the slopes. We've had to either close all doors or prop them open with heavy objects. I'm waiting for daylight to see how much damage there is out in the yard.
January 19, 2003 - Sunday
Now that we're getting to the end of a promotional 3-month Advertiser subscription, along comes a bill for renewal. First thing to notice--included in the envelope is an ad for T-Mobile wireless service, with a note that "a portion of the proceeds" of a new activation will go to the Advertiser's newspapers in education program. This probably at least pays the cost of the postage. Then there's the Advertiser bill. The annual rate isn't disclosed, and the only option presented is for a two-month period. I'm guessing this is pricier than a longer term subscription, but you can't tell from what's in the Advertiser's envelope. And daily only or Sunday only rates are nowhere to be found.
Then there are a couple of things announcing the chance to win prizes. All you have to do is sign up for their EZPay system that takes payments directly out of your bank account. There's a way to lock folks in to their subscription. They'll renew and won't even know it until the next bank statement arrives.
I don't know what we're going to do with the renewal notice. First thing is to find out what other rates are available. Then we'll decide.
| Toby still hasn't learned about the cat door yet, but we've been leaving a sliding door open a bit when we're around so that he can go out.
He does venture out onto the deck, usually in the company of others. If you click on this photo for a larger view, you'll see the three amigos, Leo, Duke, and then Toby, in the shade of the lounger.
But for some reason Toby doesn't go down the stairs into the yard, although Duke keeps an eye on him just in case.
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