quote:
Originally posted by gtill
My question to you Damon, is what do you justify as reason to single out SF as some grand collaborater along with the dreaded blackwater and haliburton? Do you really believe they re conspiring to assault the citizenry of the islands? What differentiates them from the state approved monopoly, matson, including HELCO?
I'll try my best to answer your question.
The SF is a Private Business. The State legislature over rid a Judges decision and created a New law so that the SF can operate. When governments create laws to help private business, then there is something fishy going on.
Hawaii Superferry officials spent more than $175,000 over three years on lobbying and campaign contributions, including dozens of donations to Gov. Linda Lingle, U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie and other key state legislators.
You can read more about the Lobbying that was done here.
What differentiates the SF, HELCO and Matson is that Matson provides a vital lifeline to the state and its residents and it would be awfully dark w/out HELCO.
Now what vital things does the SF provide I ask gtill?
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And it looks like superferry officials themselves are now worried about the survival of the SF.
The Hawaii Superferry is in an "emergency situation" with so few passengers that its ability to continue running between Oahu and Maui is imperiled, according to a letter written last month by attorneys for the Superferry.
According to todays PBN
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quote:
Originally posted by Damon
Hawaii Superferry officials spent more than $175,000 over three years on lobbying and campaign contributions, including dozens of donations to Gov. Linda Lingle, U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie and other key state legislators.[/i]
That's small compared to what socially responsible concerns paid in lobbying over a three year period. So if what they spent is bad, let's outlaw lobbying as a whole - including lobbying for environmental protections, affordable housing, economic development, social concerns, and GM crops. Now, that would be fair.
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That would be like banning all political contributions. Only those very rich need apply.
Just force a complete tally of where they're coming from and fully disclose who and how much. Same with lobbying, full disclosure, log each visit, time and any extra cirriculas.
Was the massive airport solar project done on a bid contract(lowest wins)? Does matson cut it's rates when given clearance to massivly increase their loads? These co's aren't a lifeline, they're the only game in town.
If SF decided to quit passenger service and move into freight hauling, why can't they? If geothermal wanted to expand to serve all hilo & puna, with their own underground delivery system, cheaper, could they?
If YB needed to move a tug into any isle after a disaster, through a clogged harbor, could they? Quick?
What possible benefit does matson have that a competitive company doesn't. Unloading facilities mabe, Is there state money in them? How many people are effected by the Jones act. Where I sympathize with the workers, times are changing! How's about free trade!
Gordon J Tilley
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Yes, Bob. The military uses private transport to move men. But, generally speaking, they do not use private transport to transport machinery. The concern is that the military will "outsource" essential capabilities, leaving us more vulnerable when those capabilities are needed, and leaving the military less self-contained, and therefore less ready to meet the challenges.
And, yes, there is a concern (okay, it's just mine, not sure if it is shared) that it was understood that the Superferry would not be economically feasible without the military, and that further militarization of the islands, especially Hawai'i Island was another goal.
Military, hoorah! Further militarization of the islands, boo. The militarization of the Hawaii is not intended to protect the islands, or the mainland (it could not do that -- we will shortly be outgunned). Politics is the sole and intended purpose of militarizing the islands. That's fine. But get your own damn boats.
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Can't defend? Mabe against russia or china, but recent tests out of kauai say we have a damn good chance from where the threat comes from mabe N Korea. Yep little kauai just set a milestone in anti missle tech, and they employ a lot of people locally, as do all the bases. Japan was instrumental in the tests, we're not the only ones interested in survival!
I STILL don't know what militarized means, i haven't noticed strykers in the streets and i can STILL SPEAK FREELY, somthing we so often forget, how come?
I still haven't heard which companies are in the Blackwater or Haliburton class? Matson, YB and Electrics come to mind, lousy service at a high cost, emergency forget it! Incidntally blackwter was mostly responsible for iraq's new oil delivery capability, and mabe not by boy scout rules! Haliburton was able to supply the need at the time, I concede they leave a lot to be desired!
Gordon J Tilley
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You'r problem with tne overriding of the harbor "law" was infact a duty of the legislature. One circuit court judge might think he makes law, but his job is to interpret what the Legislature wants and has voted on. Judges rule on law, they're not supposed to make them! Too often they do, causing myriad problems!
Friends who have travelled a lot, noted same, but noticed those newly civilised but unquaint cities. Now have running water and some even toilets. Some don't seem to fit their perception of friendly, mabe it was fear of loseing customers. The loss of aloha comes more from new residents, hot to make it the same as what they left. If you want quaint, backpack,live in hostels and come down to their level, that doesn't change.
Unions are the product of industrialism. When it comes to Co's making all the rules, revolution is inevitable. The unions were a concession and I've been hurt by them. But when collapse entails, the Co is usually at fault as much as the union.
The big boxes are making an effort to give a reasonable wage. Plus, sadley, it gives local kids a way to go to a different place, and come back making a living wage. Today federal and state law gives pretty much the same protections as unions. However initiave is recognized not just seniority!
The big Matson conglamorite is essentially Fascist, monopoly in collusion with the state.
Show me where I'm wrong!
Gordon J Tilley
Guess who's paying for this?
The state Department of Transportation said 10 weeks of daily tugboat service — at a cost of $350,000 — is needed at Kahului Harbor to support Hawaii Superferry operations.
What I could do personally for the Puna District at $35,000 per week would blow your minds.[  ]
365 divided by 10 = 36.5 times $350,00 = $1,277,500.00 (in just one year)
10 weeks x 5.2 = 52 weeks
5.2 x $350,000 (approx. 1.7 mil)
*edit* (my math is terrible)
Why should our tax money support this private venture[  !]? [?]
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quote:
Originally posted by Damon
Why should our tax money support this private venture?
For the same reason your tax money supports many private ventures. The harbor, barge and moorings are owned by the State of Hawaii, and it's the State's responsibility to maintain it as required.
Imagine it this way; you work for a private business. The State owns the vacant land directly in front of that business which provides the only access. The State agrees to maintain the land so the business, its customers and employees have access until such time the State sells your employer the property. Due to severe storms, the State land gets inundated with water, mud and debris blocking total access to your employer. The State hires a contractor to remove the mud, water and debris and hires them to keep the area clean and clear for the business, customers and employees. Now, would you still be complaining about your taxes being used for a “Private Venture”?
The State has a legal responsibility to maintain the facility until HSF can take ownership of it. Just like the state has a legal responsibility to maintain the airports for PRIVATE ventures.
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Kind of a neat catch-22.The state holds a special session etc. and essentially bends over backwards to help the superferry and then gets stuck paying for upgrades that will then be transferred to the private biz. But will it be at fair market price? I don't mind government aiding private biz on occasion,a little corporate welfare/socialism is fine in my eyes but it sure seems that if a biz really can't survive without public funding maybe the state should be running it? Kind of a bang for the buck kinda thing....The superferry is only going to survive with DoD funding anyways...more public support. As far as I know don't airlines also pay landing fees etc to use airports? Is the superferry paying to use the public ports as well? Kinda unfair business advantage for the superferry isn't it? Heck..the superferry didn't even take the National Guard stuff to Maui until a month after the floods...when everything was cleaned up already anyways...what's up with that?
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