America has seen its last white president

Nov. 4, 2008, was much more dramatic a change in leadership of the United States than is generally realized.

Given that the presidential election was decided by people 40 years of age and under; and, given that the U.S. Census Bureau projects the U.S. population to balloon to 420 million in 2050 from 309 million in 2010; and, given that the populations of black, hispanic and Asian-Americans are increasing at a far greater rate than white Americans, it does not take a rocket scientist to predict, if not to state with certainty, that the last white president of the United States will serve out his term on Jan. 20, 2009.

Let hope be the light that guides our way

I recently read where, after more than 500 years, the pope finally acknowledged the error committed by the Catholic Church when it rejected the truth stated by Galileo that the Earth orbits the sun. The church, recognizing that it made one error, is forced to consider that if it made one, it might have made others. That gives me cause to hope that at long last reason might be creeping into religion.

America has just elected a man of African-Caucasian ancestry to be our next president, and that gives me hope that, at long last, reason might be creeping past the bigotry and racial prejudices that have plagued our nation and the world for so long.

Most people believe that democracy is a good form of government, but those same people are finding that unbridled capitalism is not only a bad form of government, it too is a crime against humanity. People recognizing that gives me hope.

The use of oil and coal helped bring about the Industrial Revolution, and the Industrial Revolution helped America to become a world power. So the use of fossil fuels was good for Americans until those sources of energy became the property of comparatively few men, and then those few men used the control of those fuels to economically enslave the world.

People are now recognizing that they have been enslaved and are looking for, and finding, other sources of energy. People breaking the bonds of economic enslavement gives me hope.

I see a dim, flickering light at the end of a long, dark tunnel, and that flickering light is the light of hope.

Volcano park facilities are embarrassing

As former residents of the Big Island, we have taken many trips to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and we are astonished every time by how the Volcano House's appearance and services continue to decline.

As one of our most treasured national parks and visited by more than 2 million tourists yearly, it is the crown jewel in the National Park System. Why then is the Volcano House itself so unkept with shoddy amenities, horrible food and service, and an overall rundown appearance? It's such a shame, as it's such a beautiful place that is full of romance and history.

Can't the National Park Service replace the current vendor and bring it up to par like the sparkling examples in Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon? We hope so, as this is an embarrassment for all of us who so love the area itself.

Changes could lead us to more civil wars

Members of the Sunni and Shiite Arab Parliament seek to control all of Iraq by weakening the Kurds. It is better that there be three separate governments than have another authoritarian Arab ruling government, like Saddam Hussein's former government. If a civil war ensues in Iraq, so be it.

We should stop being the world's policeman. We should bring all of our military in the Middle Eastern countries back home to prepare for the Third World War, and to prepare for our country's second Civil War, which will follow after our Democratic-controlled Congress and President Barack Obama pass the Akaka Bill, which will eventually lead to the creation of the racial native Hawaiian government that seeks to take direct control of all former Trust-Crown lands, followed by the creation of a racial native Mexican government to take direct control of California and Texas, which were formally controlled by Mexico.

Equality could be this Legislature's legacy

In this coming legislative session, where it seems the only certainty is more economic uncertainty, legislators will have the opportunity to secure equality for all families. A decade ago, Hawaii voters authorized their legislators to adopt a narrow definition of marriage. This narrow definition means that some families are able to access insurance and others are not, by virtue of their marital status. Some families are able to enjoy the tax benefits of filing jointly and others not. Some families have legal protection that guides their dissolution if that should come. Other families have no legal protection for dissolution. Some families are allowed to be foster parents jointly, and others have to lie and hide in order to serve their community in this noble way.

Today, with families working harder than ever to support themselves, it is vital that we reduce barriers for people who want to care for themselves and be contributing members of society. Equality can be a major lifesaving response to economic insecurity. Equality would be a powerful, lasting legacy for the 2009 Hawaii Legislature.

Next time, be ready for the blackout

People should prepare for blackouts by making emergency kits or by having flashlights or a lantern in the house or near by. You should have extra batteries in a cabinet.

You shouldn't open the refrigerator because the cold air will go out. After 12 hours, you should cook the food from the refrigerator first followed by food in the freezer. You do not need to use electricity to prepare these foods. You can use a gas stove or a hibachi.

You should also have a radio somewhere nearby to hear any special emergency announcements.

You should keep phone calls to a minimum.