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+--- Thread: Pahoa's Island Trust Realty Broken Into! (/showthread.php?tid=4917)
RE: Pahoa's Island Trust Realty Broken Into! - AlohaSteven - 01-04-2009
JWFITZ asks Do you really believe that personal civic involvement or government in general even remains relevant to our future?
Sure. This is not a matter of starry-eyed ditzy naiveté versus world-weary hardheaded cynicism, imho, but rather of good 'ol healthy common sense versus the erosive poisons of apathy & ennui. Government, for better or for worse --and most especially government at the local level-- is ENTIRELY of the people, by the people, and for the people. There is no "Them" figuring meaningfully in the local equation, only "Us" (or, at least, we benefit most by operating as if this is true until we can make it so, versus holding ourselves as being the mere powerless victims of others' machinations). We the people determine the quality of our local government directly in proportion to how involved and active we are or are not. We get exactly what we pay for, and the coin of that payment is involvement.
As Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does.” She is correct.
Yes, to be sure, there are larger currents and forces both economic and climatic over which we have little to no significant influence, try as we might, but local government is within our sphere of direct influence as long as we do not buy into the disempowering notion of being ineffectual regardless of involvement. Massive evidence clearly supports the truth that when local people --especially in large numbers-- become deeply involved with issues and processes of local governance then the local government is transformed, often quite swiftly, in response to this constructive involvement.
We still have enough time and resources to prep well for almost anything a potentially adverse future may bring, but this is not going to happen by folks withdrawing themselves from collective effort and disregarding the tools of democratic self-government. Winston Churchill was probably as correct as is Margaret Mead when he said "Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those others that have been tried." Even cumbersome tools are better than no tools at all when work urgently needs to be done. Regardless of what a perhaps increasingly uncertain future may bring, our best prospect for positive results with today's current issues comes via broad civic involvement: from neighbor working together with neighbor (as via organized Neighborhood Watch programs) to community advocacy groups (such as Friends of Puna's Future) to supporting and interacting vigorously with governmental agencies like the police and Council.
Edit: JWFITZ, thanks for the clarifications of 13:39:14 and 14:11:33 to your original question -posted while I was composing this note, above, online. Makes sense to me.
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"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."
Pres. John Adams, Scholar and Statesman
"There's a scientific reason to be concerned and there's a scientific reason to push for action. But there's no scientific reason to despair."
NASA climate analyst Gavin Schmidt
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RE: Pahoa's Island Trust Realty Broken Into! - JWFITZ - 01-04-2009
Again, my intent isn't to suggest that we should all drop out and throw up our hands and not be involved in our communities welfare. Rather, my intent is to question which varieties of involvement are most effective in extracting the results we need on a timely basis. Again, my example--if there is a pothole in the road in front of my house, I can call the County, or I can fill it myself.
Which is likely to produce a more effective and timely solution?
RE: Pahoa's Island Trust Realty Broken Into! - Jon - 01-04-2009
Glen, "you" may be near the breaking point, but the majority people in the community (maybe not the ones that post here...) are a little more hardy and can deal with life as it comes. So the situation is disappointing and needs to be addressed, but the world is not coming to an end.
Maybe we need to take Rudedogg and his guys dinner and coffee, maybe sit at one end of town while they sit at the other...
Maybe TALK! to the police about how we can help instead of assuming they are or are part of the problem.
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I do not believe that America is better than everybody else...
America "IS" everybody else.
RE: Pahoa's Island Trust Realty Broken Into! - Kelena - 01-04-2009
Jon your personal attacks are becoming tiresome.
Jay: The answer depends on what country and state you live in.
RE: Pahoa's Island Trust Realty Broken Into! - Rob Tucker - 01-04-2009
Jay, When you say you "question which varieties of involvement are most effective in extracting the results we need" it is completely subjective. If the result you need is a pothole filled on your street, by all means, go right out and fill it. That is by far the most effective way to deal with the problem if you are able bodied and so capable. The 85 year old widow might need some community assistance.
Other broader issues require getting involved with others (often on a committee) to accomplish something larger. The only reason to do so is if you can accomplish more in cooperation with others than you can on your own. The Pahoa Skate Park is and example of local citizens not waiting on the government and building their own skate park. It is there right now as an example. It was a lot of work. A few participated and many criticized.
Crime issues are hard or impossible to solve as an individual. However when I proposed an citizen initiated anti theft program here on Punaweb almost no one stepped forward (my appreciation to those who did). Believe it or not but this anti-theft program appears to be getting started and will likely initiate as a "Committee" of sugar coated seats with motivated people sitting in them working cooperatively. IF it takes place it will be because we are not awaiting and depending on government and intend to force an improvement on this issue.
I have observed it usually takes several years of living here before individuals step forward and actually get involved in community affairs if they do at all. Those who do step forward quickly get used to the criticism from those who do not. There are people who do things and people who talk about doing things and then there are people who just criticize. It is not always apparent which is which unless one is personally involved and loudly self-promoting about your efforts and criticism can have it's value.
I see your originating question on this topic as intellectualizing on a small platform. Nice easy hobby, now go fill a pothole. Having filled a few myself I feel entitled to say that.
RE: Pahoa's Island Trust Realty Broken Into! - LeeE - 01-04-2009
I agree with the sentiments expressed by JWFITZ, Rob, Damon, Glen, Oink and others. This topic will become more relevant in the not too distant future, imho.
We live in what is to a large extent, a plutocracy. Dr. King's thoughts from "A Letter from Birmingham Jail" map out a course for beneficial change.
In a small, agricultural community like this, I think we will have an advantage as "becoming the government" becomes a necessity.
Mahalo JWFITZ for posting this thread and look forward to reading further postings on this one.
RE: Pahoa's Island Trust Realty Broken Into! - mella l - 01-04-2009
Is Island Trust Realty on the same side of the street as the police station and down about 1/2 block?
mella l
RE: Pahoa's Island Trust Realty Broken Into! - Guest - 01-04-2009
Yes Mella - I'm trying to figure out if Rob Tuckers place is closer or the Police Station [?]
RE: Pahoa's Island Trust Realty Broken Into! - Green - 01-04-2009
I wonder what would happen if the police station in Pahoa was broken into ? Is there actually anyone in there ?
RE: Pahoa's Island Trust Realty Broken Into! - Guest - 01-04-2009
Closing In RD - [
] Thanks for the picture and story.