But hyperbole, ridicule and verbal bomb throwing have limits.....

How did Mandela do it?

(If you've ever seen the 1953 Academy Award-winning film "From Here to Eternity," the iconic love scene with Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr was filmed on the Ka Iwi coast at a spot called Halona Beach, which has since also become known informally as "Eternity Cove.")

We won because we were compelled to make the issue political, first amending the area's zoning designation from resort to preservation by using the initiative process to bring the issue to a successful public vote, and then ousting three city councilmembers -- including the Council Chair -- in the following general election, who voted for development in the face of public opposition, and replacing them with three of our own people.

I ran those campaigns, and further did it on the fly and on the cheap, in the face of a ton of money thrown at us in opposition. And that's how I first came to the attention of local Democratic politicos. Some people liked to say and / or think that I was co-opted by the political powers that be, whereas I saw an opportunity to work the refs from down on the actual playing field, rather than from the bleachers.

Further, that coastline was designated a state park and is thus forever protected, thanks in part to my subsequent service as senior staff in the Hawaii State Legislature. Truthfully, it was the only favor I ever asked of my bosses in fourteen years of service up there at the Capitol, and I'm very thankful and grateful that they listened and granted the request. Gov. Ben Cayetano signed the measure into law in May 1999. The framed photo of signing ceremony is the one political picture I have of myself on display in my office, and I'm very proud of my role in making that happen.

If you ever visit Honolulu, please go to Haunama Bay Marine Reserve and then enjoy the magnificent vistas from various points along the Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline. And as you do, I hope that you will also come to appreciate the considerable effort it took on our part to keep it that way.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
-- Margaret Mead, Ph.D (1901-1978)

"I confidently trust that the American people will prove themselves too wise not to detect the false pride or the dangerous ambitions or the selfish schemes which so often hide themselves under that deceptive cry of mock patriotism: 'Our country, right or wrong!' They will not fail to recognize that our dignity, our free institutions and the peace and welfare of this and coming generations of Americans will be secure only as we cling to the watchword of true patriotism: 'Our country --- when right to be kept right; when wrong to be put right.'"
-- U.S. Sen. Carl Schurz (R-MO), "The Policy of Imperialism," Speeches, Correspondence and Political Papers of Carl Schurz, vol. 6, pp. 119-20 (1913)

I lost my father in the Vietnam War, and while people may disagree about the nature of that conflict and whether it was in our national interests to have been there, the fact of the matter is that he died in the service of his country, and I'd really like people to understand and respect that.

I'm not at all adverse to hearing constructive criticism and reading insightful critiques of our country, because I reserve for myself the right to offer the same. But the unrelenting vitriole which can be unleashed and directed toward the U.S.A. by some individuals -- and not necessarily just here -- does get very tiresome, especially when it appears to be a knee-jerk reaction and done without purpose. Yesterday was just a little more than I can normally tolerate, I guess.

I recognize that we all sometimes walk around with a chip on our shoulder, looking for excuses to be offended. But the unyielding nature of that self-inflicted irritation of late, which is at least partly reflective of the highly-charged political times in which we presently live, should rightly give us all pause.

We'll never solve our country's problems by ridiculing one another's opinions and impugning each other's patriotism. At the end of the day, we have to be able to talk to one another and find common ground. The sheer breadth of our diversity should define us as a people, and not divide us as a nation.

I fully understand why some of the regulars here might want to take a time out from the discussions, and I hope to see them again soon. To be honest, I've actually thought of doing that myself of late, and I'm sure there are some people who dearly wish that I would take myself up on the proposition.

I guess what I'm saying is that we all could do well to temper our emotions and control our passions, and then try to really listen to what others have to offer, even though we might ultimately have to agree to disagree. It is in the spirit of what native Hawaiians call Ho'oponono, a concept by which one makes right with the people with whom one has or enjoys relationships.

If you don't like a comment/commenter, or don't like a discussion...it's as simple as not reading/engaging that commenter, or hitting that off button thingy on your device.

I mean c'mon guys..."bullying"? lol.  If those who support the pres or are happy with his performance can't take criticism of him, I think that says more about the president and his diehards than it does about the Rag Obama Rag "bullies".