August 17, 2005

The Akaka Bill

I've been hearing about the Akaka Bill for a while, and it's beyond belief that this will actually pass.

E Pluribus Unum? Not in Hawaii.

And if you want more, check out this transcript.

Later: Kathy has a post on the subject with some interesting comments.

Posted by Ithildin at August 17, 2005 3:19 PM | PROCURE FINE OLD WORLD ABSINTHE

When it was called 'seperate but equal', people complained...

Posted by: docjim505 at August 17, 2005 3:51 PM

This is despicable, and totally totally unacceptable.

I hesitate to say that what bothers me most is the willful historical ignorance, but it bothers me a lot. The Kingdom of Hawaii was a modern Westminster-modeled constitutional monarchy, in no way analogous to an Indian tribe in its ethnic exclusivity: by suggesting that it was, this bill is in fact a betrayal of Hawaii's real history.

Posted by: Dave J at August 17, 2005 9:26 PM

Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, who chairs the Senate Republican Policy Committee, wrote a comprehensive analysis addressing his concerns over the creation of a race-based government for Native Hawaiians and the dangerous precedents that this bill would create. The paper is available at http://rpc.senate.gov/_files/Jun2205NatHawSD.pdf.

Posted by: Lee at August 18, 2005 1:08 PM

Thanks for the link, Lee. That's essential reading. I may have to post about this soon myself.

Posted by: Dave J at August 18, 2005 9:20 PM

The dangers here are extreme. Why stop at race? How about separation to preserve cultural identity and history. The end of the union may be at hand.

Posted by: Roberta at August 19, 2005 4:00 AM