Gay Marines Kiss
A photo of a gay Marine locked in a passionate welcome home kiss with his boyfriend has gone viral, sparking a groundswell of support from backers of the military's policy of allowing openly gay men and women to serve in the military.

The photo, which shows Sgt. Brandon Morgan locking lips with partner Dalan Wells during a recent homecoming in Hawaii, was posted to a Gay Marines Facebook page on Saturday.

Since then, the shot has received tens of thousands of "likes," shares and comments, prompting the young soldier to send a grateful message to all of his supporters.


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The tolerant Brits show their overwhelming support »

BILD.DE: Schwuler US-Soldat küsst seinen Freund » | Dienstag, 28. Februar 2012

MAIL ONLINE: It was their FIRST KISS: Gay marines in homecoming clinch fell in love online while one of them was serving in Afghanistan: Sgt Brandon Morgan and Dalan Wells were reunited after six months apart » | Laura Cox | Tuesday, February 28, 2012

The High Price of Impatience: Michelle Jets Off to Hawaii with the Kids for 17[-]day Vacation Before the President Can Leave ... at a Cost of $100,000 to the Taxpayer
MAIL ONLINE: With thousands of families struggling to raise funds for Christmas, you would think the Obamas might manage a little thriftiness.

But today, Michelle Obama and her two daughters fly to Hawaii for a 17-day holiday - days before the president joins them.

The separate flights will incur costs of more than $100,000 to the taxpayer.

Obama has vowed to stay in Washington until Congress passes an extension of the payroll tax cut and will join his family before Christmas.

By not waiting for Congress to reach a decision before jetting off together, the family is inflicting eye-watering costs on the taxpayer.

When Michelle flew to Hawaii alone last year, it cost a staggering $63,000 - without security or staff costs - according to White House Dossier website.

Michelle, 13-year-old Malia and 10-year-old Sasha will leave Washington Friday after giving toys to the Marines Corps’ Toys for Tots programme.


Barack Obama previously said to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid: 'Michelle and the girls are going to have a great time in Hawaii. They don't need me there.'

The president's family covers the cost of a private beach front residence in Kailua, Oahu, for the vacation - a ‘Winter White House’ that costs up to $3,500 a day, or $75,000 a month.

But the local and federal taxpayers help pay the bill for travel and security.

Last year the trip cost more than $1 million, according to the Hawaii Reporter.

The move also puts the president at odds with one of his own executive orders that instructed agencies to avoid unnecessary flights, said the site. Read on and comment » | Lydia Warren | Friday, December 16, 2011

Hawaii Orders Evacuations in Tsunami Threat
REUTERS: Hawaii ordered evacuations from coastal areas due to the threat of a tidal wave set off by Friday's earthquake in Japan as a tsunami warning was extended to the whole of the Pacific basin, except mainland United States and Canada.

Authorities also ordered evacuation from low-lying areas on the U.S. island territory of Guam in the western Pacific, where residents there were urged to move at least 50 feet above sea level and 100 feet inland.

The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the warning extended from Mexico down the Pacific coast of South America.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies warned that the tsunami is currently higher than some Pacific islands which it could wash over.

The quake off Japan's northeast coast was the biggest in 140 years and triggered tsunami waves of up to 10 meters (30 feet) that swept across farmland, sweeping away homes, crops, vehicles and triggering fires. >>> Suzanne Roig and Jorene Barut | HONOLULU | Friday, March 11, 2011

Widespread Tsunami Warning Issued after Japan Quake
REUTERS: A tsunami warning has been issued for the entire Pacific basin except mainland United States and Canada following a huge earthquake that hit Japan on Friday, the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

The warning includes Hawaii and extends from Mexico down to South American countries on the Pacific, the center said.

Among the countries for which a tsunami warning is in effect are: Russia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru.

Australia and New Zealand, which had been on an initial warning list, were later removed. The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre confirmed there was no tsunami threat. >>> Andrew Marshall | SINGAPORE | Friday, March 11, 2011

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Religious Gays Offered 'Conversion Therapy'
YNET NEWS: Association of religious homosexuals sets up fund subsidizing treatments aimed at changing sexual tendencies. 'There is no clear ruling in the world of research that one can or cannot change,' explains organization's director

For years, organizations for homosexuals have refused to acknowledge the possibility of changing a person's sexual inclination. A newly established association of religious gays and lesbians is now giving those psychological "conversion therapies" a chance.

Moreover, the association even plans to subsidize these treatments for its disadvantaged members who cannot afford to pay for them.

The move, which is expected to reignite the dispute over these treatments' efficiency and mental risks, may actually allow for wide cooperation between rabbis and senior educators in the religious public and groups of gays and lesbians from the sector.

So far, rabbis have distanced themselves from all gay organizations, perceiving their members as people who have not tried to change and are not seeking to emerge from the conflict they live in. >>> Kobi Nahshoni | Friday, February 25, 2011

Hawaii Legalizes Same-sex Unions
THE VANCOUVER SUN: Hawaii legalized same-sex civil unions, as its governor signed into law a bill giving gay couples the same rights as heterosexual married partners.

Gay rights campaigners on Wednesday welcomed the signature by Governor Neil Abercrombie, following approval by lawmakers last week, although they said it did not allow gay couples to formally marry.

"This bill has been a long time coming for committed couples in Hawaii who have been denied the basic right to take care of their families," said Laurie Temple, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Hawaii.

"While we continue to work to achieve the freedom to marry for all couples, we commend the legislature and Governor Abercrombie for taking a stand against baseless discrimination by passing this bill." >>> AFP | Thursday, February 24, 2011

Barack Obama's Hawaii Holiday 'Costs at Least £1 Million'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama's family holiday in Hawaii is reportedly costing at least $1.5 million (£1 million) as mainland America is battered by storms.
U.S. President Barack Obama hits a shot at the Klipper golf course on his Christmas holiday in Kailua, Hawaii. Photo: The Daily Telegraph
The calculation of Mr Obama's holiday costs included $63,000 for his wife's early flight out, and $16,800 to house Secret Service agents and Navy Seals in beach front accommodation for two weeks.

There will be a further hotel bill estimated at $134,400 for 24 White House staff staying in the Moana Hotel at a rate of $400 a day.

The estimate, by the Hawaii Reporter, also included $250,000 for local police overtime, $1 million for the president's own round trip flight to Hawaii on Air Force One, and $10,000 for a local ambulance to accompany the presidential motorcade. >>> Nick Allen, Los Angeles | Thursday, December 30, 2010

Cover-up*? Hawaii Considers Ban on Requests for Obama's Birth Certificate
THE TELEGRAPH: Hawaii may start ignoring repeated requests for proof that President Barack Obama was born on the islands.

Mr Obama was born to a Kenyan father and an American mother. Photograph: The Telegraph
Repeated requests to see President Barack Obama's birth certificate may fall on deaf ears after the House Judiciary Committee heard a bill permitting government officials to ignore people who won't give up.

So-called "birthers" claim Mr Obama is ineligible to be president because, they argue, he was actually born outside the United States, and therefore doesn't meet a constitutional requirement for being president.

"Sometimes we may be dealing with a cohort of people who believe lack of evidence is evidence of a conspiracy," said Lorrin Kim, from the Hawaii Department of Health.

Under Hawaii state law, the release of a birth certificate is prohibited for people who do not have a tangible interest.

Hawaii Health Director Dr Chiyome Fukino issued statements last year and in October 2008 saying that she had seen vital records that prove Mr Obama is a natural-born American citizen.

Mr Obama was born to a Kenyan father and an American mother. >>> | Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Activist Calls Obama a Fraudster

RUSSIA TODAY: Obama’s unwillingness to unseal his official birth certificate implies some kind of fraud on his part, says Orly Taitz, an activist who has been questioning the legitimacy of President Barack Obama’s presidency. >>> | Monday, March 08, 2010 | Edited Saturday, March 13, 2010

Childhood Photo of Barack Obama in Indonesia Found
THE TELEGRAPH: A photograph taken more than 40 years ago showing a young Barack Obama as a schoolboy in Indonesia has been found, days before he begins his presidential visit to the country.

Barack Obama, then known as Barry Soetoro, center, is pictured at a classmate's birthday party in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: The Telegraph
The picture was given to Associated Press by Hadi Surya Dharma, a childhood friend of Mr Obama's, who sits beside the future president in the black and white photo.

Mr Obama, who was born to a Kenyan father and an American mother, moved to Indonesia when he was seven – after his mother married an Indonesian man she met while studying at the University of Hawaii.

Mr Obama and his mother first set up home in the Menteng Dalam area of Jakarta.

Now a jumble of houses and narrow streets in the shadow of tower blocks, at the time it was on the edge of the city and fruit trees were landmarks.

Many families still live there, and they shared memories of the boy they knew as Barry. >>> | Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Tsunami Alert for Hawaii and Other Pacific Islands


Australia's East Coast on Tsunami Alert
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN: People on Australia's east coast are being warned to stay away from beaches on Sunday morning after warnings of a possible tsunami.

The alert follows a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake which struck off the coast of Chile, toppling buildings, cutting power and killing at least 76 people.

The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) issued a tsunami watch at 7:45pm (AEDT) on Saturday declaring a "potential tsunami threat" to New South Wales, Queensland, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said tsunami waves could start affecting Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands after 8:30am (AEDT) on Sunday.

NSW could be hit after 8:45am (AEDT) on Sunday, while Queensland could be hit after 8:15am (AEST). >>> AAP | Sunday, February 28, 2010

Chile Earthquake: Tsunami Hits New Zealand
THE TELEGRAPH: The first waves of the tsunami triggered by the earthquake in Chile have hit New Zealand's eastern Chatham Islands and officials have warned bigger waves are to follow.

New Zealand's entire east coast is at risk with waves up to three metres (10 feet) expected to hit the Chatham Islands and Banks Peninsula, near the main South Island city of Christchurch.

"It is expected that the greatest wave heights will occur between six and 12 hours after the initial arrivals," the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management said in a statement.

Residents on the Chatham Islands were moved to higher ground several hours before the first wave struck and residents in low-lying areas of Banks Peninsula had been told to be prepared to evacuate.

The biggest tsunami warning in history was marked by alarm sirens, panic buying and mass evacuations across the Pacific, eastern Asia, Australia and New Zealand. >>> Philip Sherwell in New York | Saturday, February 27, 2010

Chile Earthquake: Coastal Areas of Hawaii Evacuated as Tsunami Approaches
THE TELEGRAPH: Residents in coastal areas of Hawaii are being evacuated as the Pacific island chain braces for a tsunami following a powerful earthquake off the coast of Chile.

Tsunami sirens sounded at 6am local time (1600 GMT) to alert residents to the risk posed by the waves.

Warnings were triggered on islands all across the Pacific following the 8.8 magnitude earthquake 70 miles from Chile's second largest city Concepcíon.

Tsunami waves radiated out from the epicentre and have already hit land at the southern Juan Fernandez Islands, about 400 miles off the coast of Chile, where it was reported to have caused "serious damage".

Easter Island has also been evacuated ahead of the waves hitting.

Residents in Hawaii were warned that the potentially destructive waves were forecast to reach the islands by 11.19am local time.

Experts at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said they were expecting a tsunami of more than three feet in the central Pacific.

It is the first time Hawaii has experienced voluntary tsunami evacuation since 1994.

Emergency services were laying on fleets of public buses to provide free transport for anyone needing to leave evacuation zones.

"If you live anywhere in the evacuation zone, you have to evacuate," said John Cummings, Oahu Emergency Management Department spokesman. "We're going to treat this as a destructive-type tsunami." >>> Richard Gray | Saturday, February 27, 2010

Hawaii Braces for Tsunami
HONOLULU ADVERTISER: An 8.8 earthquake in Chile triggered a tsunami warning in the Hawaiian Islands this morning, prompting residents and tourists to clog gas stations and supermarkets as they stocked up on food, water and toilet paper.

Tsunami warning signals began blaring across all islands just after 6 a.m. today and tourists in Waikiki were told to head to higher floors inside their hotels.

Officials at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center say this morning's tsunami wave should arrive at a height of 2.5 meters — or just over 8 feet — when it hits the Big Island at 11:19 a.m.

By the time it reaches Oahu 40 minutes later, the waves should only be a meter or less.

A meter is equivalent to 39 inches. But officials urged people not to be lulled by the relatively small wave heights in a state accustomed to monster waves.

"You're going to have some run-up and you're probably going to see some damage in the inundation zone area," said Victor Sardina, a geophysicist for the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. "I would hope people don't stay around the coastal area. Just go inward; stay away from the shore."

The center warned that tsunami wave heights cannot be predicted and that the first wave may not be the biggest.

Because tsunami waves wrap around the islands, all shores are at risk no matter which direction they face, officials said. >>> Advertiser Staff | Saturday, February 27, 2010

Dhimmitude in Hawaii: Islam Day Honors Commonality
THE HONOLULU ADVERTISER: First festival of its kind in Hawaii draws at least 1,000 to McCoy Pavilion

When the Hawai'i Legislature approved a resolution declaring Sept. 24 "Islam Day," the measure set of[f] a firestorm of debate because the day fell so close to the date of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

But yesterday, politics was set aside as hundreds of people packed the McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Beach Park to celebrate Hawai'i's first Islam Day.

By 5 p.m., about 1,000 people had walked through the pavilion's gates and event organizers expected more as people got off work and headed to the park.

"We expected 200 to 300, so we're very pleased with the turnout," said Hakim Ouansafi, president of the Muslim Association of Hawaii, which sponsored the event.

More than a dozen Honolulu police officers and private security personnel patrolled the pavilion grounds, but there were no protests or reports of trouble.

"It's a historic day. It's long overdue," Ouansafi said. "It's a day of celebrating our commonality, a day of people of faith and no faith to get together and talk story."

The Legislature approved the resolution last session to acknowledge the "rich religious, scientific, cultural and artistic contributions" of the Islamic world. Yesterday was selected because it marked the end of Ramadan, the month in which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset and make contributions to charities.

But the resolution sparked debate in Hawai'i and across the country because Islam Day fell in the same month as the Sept. 11 attacks. Critics were concerned about the link between the Islam religion and the extremists responsible for the attacks.

Ouansafi said criticism of Islam Day had subsided since the resolution was passed and opposition soon changed to support.

"A lot of people reacted out of fear and ignorance and they've had a chance to reflect a little bit more and people are coming around," he said.>>> Curtis Lum, Advertiser Staff Writer | Friday, September 25, 2009

White House, Hawaii Again Try to Deal with Questions about Obama's Birth
CHICAGO TRIBUNE: Officials point to proof that the president is a naturally born U.S. citizen. Yet even 'if I had some DNA,' the disbelievers wouldn't be satisfied, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says.

Reporting from Washington - It is the Internet rumor that has been discredited but will not die: President Obama is not a naturally born U.S. citizen and therefore constitutionally is not qualified to serve.



This week, months after the allegations first cropped up on the Web and talk radio, the White House and Hawaii officials addressed the rumor -- with the state's health director saying that she had reviewed the records in question and found that they verified Obama was born in Hawaii.



At the same time, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said, there probably was nothing that would quiet the disbelievers.



"If I had some DNA, it wouldn't assuage those that don't believe he was born here," Gibbs told reporters Monday. "But I have news for them and for all of us: The president was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the 50th state of the greatest country on the face of the Earth. He's a citizen." >>> Mark Silva | Wednesday, July 29, 2009

U.S. Fortifies Hawaii to Meet Threat From Korea
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: WASHINGTON -- The U.S. is moving ground-to-air missile defenses to Hawaii as tensions escalate between Washington and Pyongyang over North Korea's recent moves to restart its nuclear-weapon program and resume test-firing long-range missiles.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday that the U.S. is concerned that Pyongyang might soon fire a missile toward Hawaii. Some senior U.S. officials expect a North Korean test by midsummer, even though most don't believe the missile would be capable of crossing the Pacific and reaching Hawaii.

Mr. Gates told reporters that the U.S. is positioning a sophisticated floating radar array in the ocean around Hawaii to track an incoming missile. The U.S. is also deploying missile-defense weapons to Hawaii that would theoretically be capable of shooting down a North Korean missile, should such an order be given, he said.

"We do have some concerns if they were to launch a missile...in the direction of Hawaii," Mr. Gates said. "We are in a good position, should it become necessary, to protect American territory." >>> By Yochi J. Dreazen | Friday, June 19, 2009

Waffentests: Fliegt Nordkoreas nächste Rakete Richtung Hawaii?
WELT ONLINE: In gut zwei Wochen könnte in Nordkorea alles bereit sein für einen weiteren Waffentest. Eine Rakete mit mehr als 6000 Kilometer Reichweite soll von einem Testzentrum im Nordwesten des Landes gestartet werden. Die Flugbahn soll einem Bericht zufolge in Richtung der US-amerikanischen Hawaii-Inseln führen.

Nordkorea könnte einem japanischen Zeitungsbericht zufolge Anfang Juli eine ballistische Langstreckenrakete Richtung Hawaii abschießen. Die Rakete mit einer Reichweite von bis zu 6500 Kilometern würde vom Tentestzentrum Dongchang Ni im Nordwesten des Landes gestartet, berichtete die Zeitung „Yoimuri“. Das Blatt berief sich auf eine Analyse des Verteidigungsministeriums in Tokio und Geheimdienstinformationen.

Als Starttermin komme die Zeit zwischen 4. und 8. Juli infrage, hieß es weiter. Das japanische Verteidigungsministerium äußerte sich nicht zu dem Bericht, und das Verteidigungsministerium und der Geheimdienst in Seoul konnten ihn nicht bestätigen. >>> AP/cn | Donnerstag, 18. Juni 2009

WELT ONLINE: Warnung an Amerika: Nordkorea droht mit "gnadenlosem Militärschlag"

Nordkorea will im Fall eines Angriffs auf seine Souveränität "tausendfache Vergeltung" an den USA und deren Verbündeten üben. Das kündigte das Regime in seiner staatlichen Zeitung an. Südkoreanischen Medienberichten zufolge soll Nordkorea zudem seine Konten im Ausland plündern.

Nordkorea hat den USA und den Verbündeten Amerikas für den Fall eines Angriffs mit tausendfacher Vergeltung gedroht. Sollte die Souveränität Nordkoreas auch nur ein bisschen verletzt werden, würden die Streitkräfte eine „hundert- oder tausendfache Vergeltung mit einem gnadenlosen Militärschlag“ ausführen, hieß es in der staatlichen Zeitung "Minju Joson".

Der Zeitungskommentar, den die amtliche nordkoreanische Nachrichtenagentur KCNA verbreitete, nannte US-Präsident Barack Obama auch einen "Heuchler“. Er werbe für eine Welt ohne Atomwaffen und verfolge zu Hause ein ehrgeiziges Atomprogramm.

Obama, der am Dienstag in Washington mit dem südkoreanischen Präsidenten Lee Myung Bak zusammengetroffen war, hatte das Regime in Pjöngjang als große Bedrohung bezeichnet. Die jüngst vom UN-Sicherheitsrat in Reaktion auf den nordkoreanischen Atomwaffentest beschlossenen Sanktionen sollten mit Nachdruck umgesetzt werden, sagte Obama.

Der UN-Sicherheitsrat hatte am vergangenen Freitag seine Strafmaßnahmen gegen das Land verschärft. Einstimmig votierten die 15 Ratsmitglieder in New York für stärkere Kontrolle von Frachtlieferungen nach und aus Nordkorea sowie für neue Finanzsanktionen. Das UN-Gremium forderte das Land außerdem auf, sein Atomprogramm zu stoppen. >>> AP/AFP/ks | Mittwoch, 17. Juni 2009

Hawaii's Islam Day Resolution Stirs Passions Here, on Mainland
HONOLULU ADVERTISER: Debate over a legislative resolution designating Sept. 24, 2009, as Islam Day is testing Hawai'i's reputation as a cultural melting pot.

House Concurrent Resolution 100, establishing a single day this year to acknowledge "the rich religious, scientific, cultural, and artistic contributions" of the Islamic world, ignited the passions of those concerned about the connection between the Islam religion and Muslim extremists responsible for the 9/11 attacks and other terrorist acts around the world.

Gov. Linda Lingle's office reported receiving 315 e-mails and 40 calls objecting to Islam Day. About a third were from Mainlanders stirred up by accounts of the resolution on Fox News, CNN and other outlets.

In her May 11 appearance on "The Mike Buck Radio Show" on KHVH, Lingle called the resolution "just unnecessary" and said it was attracting the wrong kind of attention for Hawai'i.

"It just received ridicule all across the country. Everybody knows that the country and all 50 states are facing these historically difficult economic times. I think it's just an expression of them being out of touch," she said.

The Hawai'i Tourism Authority received a single phone call and 18 e-mails from Mainlanders who said they would not visit the state because of the Islam Day resolution.

HTA president and chief executive officer Mike McCartney noted the state has a long list of days celebrating various cultures and religions.

"Hawai'i has long tradition of being a place where people are welcomed, where everyone in the world can visit. It's a place that has tolerance and respect for many cultures and points of view," McCartney said.

In addition to the Christianity-based state holidays of Christmas and Good Friday, state law designates March 21 as Baha'i New Year's Day, April 8 as Buddha Day, and Dec. 8 as Bodhi Day, in honor of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism.

Sept. 24 was chosen as Islam Day because it marks the day, according to the Gregorian calendar, the Prophet Muhammad left Mecca for Medina and is considered the birthdate of Islam.

The Islam Day action, passed by the Senate on a 22-3 vote on May 6 after approval by the House, is only a resolution and will not become part of state law. The resolution also does not call for any public spending or official ceremony to mark the observance.

GLOBAL CITIZENS

Rep. Lyla Berg, D-8th (Kuli'ou'ou, Niu Valley, 'Aina Haina, Kahala), said she decided to sponsor the resolution following a conversation with constituent Hakim Ouansafi about a move by schools in her district to participate in the International Baccalaureate program, which aims to mold students into global citizens.

Ouansafi is president and chairman of the Muslim Association of Hawai'i and heads a hotel and resort development firm.
"In talking with Hakim, he suggested Islam Day as an opportunity for the community to learn about Islam and promote awareness," she said. "It didn't seem unusual because we have so many days."

Ouansafi estimates there are more than 4,000 Muslims in the state. He said Islam Day will allow his religion to join the list of other faiths that have already been recognized in Hawai'i and will help "bridge the gap of understanding" between Muslims and non-Muslims.

He said the Muslim Association of Hawai'i is planning events in connection with Islam Day aimed at putting misunderstandings aside so "we can all come together and talk about it."

Despite the initial backlash against Islam Day, Ouansafi said the controversy "has actually been wonderful. We had a tremendous amount of calls and e-mails of support once people understood lawmakers weren't declaring a state holiday for Muslims."

NEGATIVE REACTION

Berg said people who learned of the resolution through Fox News and similar sources "construed the recognition day as meaning we are sympathetic with terrorists. At the very onset, most of the negative e-mails and phone calls were mostly from people from the Mainland. We're not as threatened by differences here," she said.

In her May 11 radio appearance, Lingle criticized Berg for telling a critic of Islam Day not to come to Hawai'i.

"We were getting a lot of angry calls from the Mainland saying, 'We're not coming to a place that's having an Islam Day,' for whatever their reasons were," Lingle said. "So, we referred them all to Lyla Berg. We got a copy of an e-mail that was sent to her, and her response back was basically, 'Maybe it would be just as well if you don't come here.'

"Berg said her reply to the e-mails "was meant with aloha."

"I really felt that if people are so critical of Hawai'i without being here and they are so afraid of Muslims and believe we are terrorist sympathizers, and they are not familiar with Hawai'i's multiracial and multiethnic people, my response was if they are not comfortable in a multicultural environment it may be more comfortable for them to stay home," she said.

"(The resolution) was passed in the spirit of aloha and peace. Here in Hawai'i, that's how we live. Even if we have issues here in Hawai'i, we work them out. I was surprised and disappointed with the governor that she didn't capitalize on the diversity in the community, but she didn't grow up here."

Since the initial negative reaction, Berg said her office has received e-mails from around the world praising Hawai'i's open-mindedness and tolerance. POOR JUDGMENT CITED >>> By Christie Wilson, Advertiser Staff Writer | Monday, June 01, 2009

Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com

Why the Silence about ‘Islam Day’?
THE DAILY SENTINEL: And just why, we can’t help but ask, is the ACLU not enjoying the sunny beaches of Hawaii at the moment? Or the Grand Junction atheists, for that matter?

They both could find, in our 50th state, a cause that makes prayer before Mesa County Commission meetings a matter of little consequence.

The Hawaii state Senate this week, with only a smattering of lawmakers objecting, passed a bill that proclaims Sept. 24, 2009, “Islam Day.” The bill, which aims to recognize “the rich religious, scientific, cultural and artistic contributions” that Muslims have made to the world, has already passed the Hawaii House of Representatives and now only awaits the signature of the governor to be enacted into law.

No doubt Muslims have made contributions to the world. So have Christians, Jews, Buddhists and members of a lot of other religions. But they, unlike a few Muslims — and there are many more out there like them — didn’t kill more than 3,000 innocent Americans in 2001. We shouldn’t forget that, either.

The last time we checked, we could find no state that officially honors Christians, or Jews, or any other religion we can think of.

The United States has long been know for its tolerance. But tolerance should go only so far. Just ask the ACLU, or our local atheists, both groups that have fought long and hard for separation of church and state. Tolerance, for those groups, stops at the doors to public buildings.

We’ll forgive the local atheists. Hawaii, after all, is far outside their zone of influence, although we hope and expect that they would oppose the measure that is about to become law in Hawaii.

But the silence of the ACLU is perplexing.

It makes us wonder: Does the ACLU support separation of church and state, or simply separation of Christianity and state?
We think we know the answer. [Source: The Daily Sentinel] By The Daily Sentinel | Thursday, May 14, 2009

'Islam Day' in Hawaii
ASSYRIAN INTERNATIONAL NEWS AGENCY (AINA): Hawaii's state senate has approved "Islam Day" for September 24, 2009. The measure, already been approved by the state's house, passed the senate 22-3 on May 6, with two Republicans and one Democrat in opposition.

According to news reports, "Islam Day" seeks to recognize the religious, scientific, cultural and artistic contributions that Islam and the Islamic world have made.

Fox News on May 7 quoted senator Will Espero, a Democrat and supporter of the "Islam Day" measure.

"We are a state of tolerance. We understand that people have different beliefs. We may not all agree on every single item and issue out there, but to say and highlight the negativity of the Islamic people is an insult to the majority" of believers "who are good law-abiding citizens of the world." >>> | Wednesday, May 13, 2009

World War Two: The Lost Archives in Colour
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