Senate approval of Ha nomination measures support

[Rob Tucker]

The state Senate, which unanimously approved Richard Ha for a seat on the state Board of Agriculture, took in over three hundred pages of testimony on the nomination.

West Hawaii Today reports that there were about 20 written testimonies from opponents to the Ha nomination. Unless the opponents wrote some really, really long statements this would appear to at least be a measure of the depth of opposition to Ha's nomination. Perhaps more.

I peg the opposition at about 7% by this metric. If true (or even perceived to be so) than the anti-GMO faction has been dealt a blow... and it is self inflicted.

I can't help but feel that Senator Russell Ruderman's public opposition to Richard Ha played badly for his purpose but I do respect Russell for being completely upfront about it and not just playing politics secretly behind the scenes.

Senator Ruderman has now stated his willingness to work with Richard Ha and I believe Richard Ha will have no difficulty working with Senator Ruderman.

It appears to me a lot was learned here.... which is a good thing.

http://westhawaiitoday.com/news/local-ne...ws-work-ha

[Chunkster]

Quote from above post: "I do respect Russell for being completely upfront about it and not just playing politics secretly behind the scenes."

Well, orchestrating an anti-Ha email campain and then saying the message that started it was not supposed to have been public is not what I would call "completely upfront." Ruderman did come clean and apologize, but only after he had been caught and suffered damage to his reputation and standing in the Senate.

[Rob Tucker]

Well, that point is to be made perhaps but Russell's position on Richard Ha's nomination was certainly no secret. The fact that he wrote an email to supporters of his position is no big deal. Everytime I've had stuff before the council or legislature I've done the same thing.... though I have been operating in support of things generally.