What’s your priority?
Preventing climate catastrophe and nuclear war are the two key issues of our time amid a global pandemic.
The planet is burning, and the fires are becoming more widespread and intense. At the same time, storms and mass flooding are increasing. Climate change is moving toward climate catastrophe at a rapid pace.
On a positive note, the United Nations has taken action to officially declare nuclear weapons illegal under international law. But nine outlaw rogue states continue to possess nuclear weapons: The United States, Russia, China, Great Britain, Israel, France, India, Pakistan and North Korea.
Many of these countries continue to build new nuclear weapons, including supersonic missiles and first-strike weapons, increasing the risk of intentional or accidental nuclear war and global destruction. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists’ famous Doomsday Clock is not set at 100 seconds to midnight.
The younger generations are demanding action, and rightfully so. Humanity has no time to waste. We need a massive shift in thinking and resources away from waging war and toward restoring right relationships with people and the planet. It is time for global ho‘oponopono — to make right.
Profit and greed have been the driving forces toward destruction. The common good must become the new driving force for justice, peace and the Earth.
The present global COVID pandemic is underscoring our need to move away from selfishness and to act for the common good. The U.S. needs to lead by example. The $1 trillion annual U.S. war budget must be redirected to preventing climate catastrophe and uplifting the least among us. Learn from native people to respect the sacred!
More than 50 U.S. corporations, including Nike and FedEx, paid no federal income tax last year on more than $40 billion in profits. The existence of a space race joyride between billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson is a clear message that these billionaires aren’t being taxed nearly enough.
We live in a world where over 1 billion people don’t even have a pair of shoes or flip flops. The inequality between rich and poor, and the pollution of our planet, are shameful and criminal.
What’s your priority? Multinational corporate profits and the military-industrial complex, or Mother Earth?
Jim Albertini
Kurtistown
Manners matter
This is one of the reasons I love Hawaii and feel grateful living in such an awesome place.
A few days ago, I was away from my home, and I heard our Ring doorbell go on at our home in Hilo (35 minutes away) and saw it was a young teenager.
He politely rang again, and I spoke over the Ring doorbell from my farm and asked if I can help him.
He said, “Aunty, can I pick the puakenikeni flowers from your tree to make a lei?” I said yes, of course.
He thanked me and went to pick the very fragrant flowers, just perfect for a special flower lei. Probably to give to a special girl or his mom or grandma for a special occasion.
Lucky I live in Hawaii! Most people are so polite, especially children who were taught good manners!
Pua Tokumoto
Hilo