TMT Construction Can Proceed

[SBH]

Here’s about that writer Hank Campbell...

https://usrtk.org/our-investigations/han...nce-blogs/

Created Science 2.0 in 2016 and claims to have 300 million readers, what a bunch of BS!

[Chas]

Yeah, the “paid protester” thing is getting a little old...

[kalakoa]

this rather strongly-worded opinion piece

Accurately describes the "sacredness surcharge" attached to any well-funded project.

No mention of a "wimpy Prosecutor" being to blame.

[Chunkster]

No mention of a "wimpy Prosecutor" being to blame.

The lack of legal consequences for breaking the law is just one element of the incompetent way the earlier protests were handled, but it's an important one. Going forward, the protesters have less reason to be concerned about jail time for very bad behavior. It would be appropriate for Mitch Roth to join with other officials in a clear and public statement that things will be different going forward, but that hasn't happened to my knowledge. I stand by my opinion.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

It would be appropriate for Mitch Roth to join with other officials in a clear and public statement that things will be different going forward...
I stand by my opinion.

I stand right behind you Chunkster, and I’ll bet it’s a long line.
Protestors demanded the TMT follow the letter of the law, dot every i, cross every t. That’s been completed, double and triple checked.
I too would like a statement from Mitch Roth, that going forward the prosecutors office will follow the letter of the law, as it applies equally to everyone.

Just like protestors asked.

[kalakoa]

lack of legal consequences for breaking the law

Native Hawaiians have special privileges granted by the Hawaii Revised Statutes. Any prosecution might result in a decade of court cases. Which we pay for.

[glinda]

The folks I know who have, in some cases repeatedly, made pilgrimages to Mauna Kea for spiritual purposes would never have been seen by the staff at the different telescope facilities. Most I know have ascended the mountain on foot, some on the Umikoa Trail, and have avoided the actual summit, sighting the telescopes and tourist activities as reasons to avoid the area entirely, and have favored other areas near by. If the Umikoa Trail’s path is any indication lake Waiau is more a central point that the summit itself anyways. And, some of the shelters in the adjacent adze queries are used and have been for a very long time, verses the exposure one has to endure otherwise. Not to say the summit is not central to their interests, but that occupied as it currently is it is a blight from their perspective.

All things considered, to have staff at any of the telescopes say anything about the use of the mountain for purposes other than their own is just silly. How would they really know when local practitioners avoided any interaction with them? How would they know anything if they believe that because they don’t see something it is less significant than the things they do see?

[kalakoa]

would never have been seen by the staff at the different telescope facilities ...t he telescopes and tourist activities as reasons to avoid the area entirely

In other words: the telescopes aren't interfering with spiritual practitioners or their ability to access the sacred mountain.

[glinda]

In other words...

No other words, kalakoa, the telescopes to some, in some circumstances, are blights. No need to misconstrue what others say to promote an opposing view.. though I know without misconstruing you'd have nothing to say..

[kalakoa]

the telescopes to some, in some circumstances, are blights

By your own statement, the telescopes do not prevent the practitioners from ascending the mountain, nor from practicing their religion thereon. Is that not the argument being presented?

Protestors demanded the TMT follow the letter of the law, dot every i, cross every t.

The law does not prevent the protestors from accessing the mountain. Is that not the point either?