Federal workers like Sen. Akaka, too

While constituents of retiring U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka are thankful for his efforts to attain Hawaiian sovereignty among other issues, gratitude also comes from a larger group: federal employees across the country.

As chairman of the Senate federal workforce subcommittee, "Akaka has been a persistent, yet quiet, force" for U.S. government employees, Joe Davidson wrote Thursday in the Washington Post’s Federal Diary column.

Akaka’s most recent achievement for the feds was as chief sponsor of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, which the president signed into law Tuesday.

J. David Cox, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said of Akaka, "I would love to have 99 more exactly like him."

And the winner for best actor is …

Kauai Police Chief Darryl Perry has performed a great public service by posting online a recording he made with a pair of scam artists who were trying to steal hundreds of dollars from him — and who did not know they were speaking to Kauai’s top law enforcement officer.

The almost 15-minute conversation is at times almost comedic, like when Perry embraces his role as victim, telling the scammers that he can’t wait to get the promised $250,000 prize money because he has lots of bills to pay, and then promises them he’s going to go right down to the local Western Union office and wire them the tax payment allegedly owed on the prize.

If you want to hear how such scams work, listen to the recording. It’s posted at www.kauai.gov/police.

Chief Perry should win a prize for acting.