Corner of Whatever

So the Native Hawaiian Recognition Bill, or Akaka Bill, successfully passed in the House of Representatives yesterday, but reports indicate that this great bill that is designed to benefit the Native Hawaiians and to help start the formation of a ethnic government similar to the Native American Indians, will not receive the necessary votes to move it forward for the president’s signature. However, that in of itself poses a problem as President Bush has vowed to veto the measure.  Without significant number of votes in both houses, the bill appears to be sunk, but at least would have moved one step further.

Now this is really peculiar…opponents of this bill say that this provides ethnic preferential treatment to the Native Hawaiians, but is entirely different from the treatment the US currently gives to the Native Indians. Why is that and how is it possible? The Native Hawaiians did not violently oppose the US as much as the Indians did…did they? The US went onto then-foreign soil and “invaded” sovereign people and overthrew the monarch in the interest of the US companies…err…people. Sure, President Clinton back in the day apologized for the US stupidity, but now that’s all the Hawaiian people get? An apology for years/decades of having their culture and ethnicity torn away and replaced by the US ideology?

I think that the Akaka bill should pass. The US government has already set up some programs for Native Hawaiians and why should anyone else complain about it. Hell…most other people receive more benefits. There are non-Hawaiian people who are complaining about them not receiving such preferential treatment - were your ancestors living in a time when the US overthrew your government and invaded your country without provocation? Why are you so bitchy and eager to receive funds that are meant to help other people improve their lives. Is your life that worse off if you don’t get to take part? Life is not fair…

Pass the bill!

Popularity: 21% [?]

Politics