Some are of two minds and for others it’s three as we "flASHback" on the week’s news that amused and confused:
» The Abercrombie administration argued both sides of the case as a federal judge considered whether Hawaii’s ban on same-sex marriage violates the U.S. Constitution. The governor is channeling an old Groucho Marx line: "Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them … well, I have others."
» With new polls showing Ed Case behind Mazie Hirono in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, Case said the only poll that matters is on election day. Probably the poll that mattered most was the one he should have taken before he ran against Sen. Daniel Akaka in 2006.
» After bashing Linda Lingle for befriending Alaska’s former GOP Gov. Sarah Palin, Hirono’s new video has her palling around with her own Alaska Republican: U.S. Rep. Don Young, known for ethics probes against him and wearing a propeller beanie to committee meetings. We’ll call it a tie on their bad taste in Alaska BFFs.
» State Auditor Marion Higa said Hawaii has handed out $1 billion in high-tech tax credits without a clue as to whether the giveaway is producing the desired economic benefits. In other words, another typical state program.
» An MIT study found Honolulu Airport is the world’s third most likely to spread dangerous diseases, but the state epidemiologist assured, "This is not a panic thing; this is not, ‘Oh my God, Hawaii is doomed.’" That’s a sentiment reserved for election night.
» The Hawaii Women’s Political Caucus endorsed three candidates in state Senate District 25: Pohai Ryan, Laura Thielen and Levani Lipton. You know we have too many political lobbies when there’s one dedicated to proving that women can’t make up their minds.
» After Councilman Tom Berg angrily disputed colleague Breene Harimoto during a committee meeting, Harimoto said he was scared and police were called. Sounds like Berg needs to calm down and Harimoto needs to man up.
» The Campaign Spending Commission is reviewing $30,000 in campaign funds spent on food and drinks by Kalihi City Council candidate Joey Manahan. I didn’t know Rod Tam’s plea deal gave him a commemorative seat.
» Some 2,600 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled into the Ala Wai Canal after a contractor broke a sewer line. The Ala Wai is so dirty that a sewage spill actually improves the water quality.
And the quote of the week … from Mayor Peter Carlisle on rail opponents: "There are people who are so nutty about being anti-rail you could tell them anything on the planet Earth and you could prove it to them with facts, and they’re not going to listen." Funny, that’s the same thing they’re saying about him.
Reach David Shapiro at volcanicash@gmail.com or blog.volcanicash.net.
