« On This Date in 1942 | Main | Our Florida Legal Eagle Exerting His Influence At Last? »

June 07, 2006

Do Marines Get Blamed for Everything?

It really seems so. Now it's our fault Hawaii's a state.

Hawaii Sen. Daniel K. Akaka thinks Hawaiians should be allowed to govern themselves as Native Americans and Alaskans do, and after seven years of pushing a bill to start the process, the Senate is expected to take it up this week.

Mr. Akaka says the bill is a way to give "indigenous" Hawaiians a sense of pride and a chance for sovereignty for the first time since 1893, when Queen Liliuokalani was deposed and lands were illegally seized by U.S. Marines and a cadre of sugar-plantation businessmen.


Illegal is a state of mind, ya'll. But not to worry about your Diamond Head digs...
"The bill will not authorize gaming in Hawaii. The bill will not allow private lands to be taken. The bill will not create a reservation in Hawaii," Mr. Akaka said.

No private lands taken? I was betting they'd already have the roadsigns for Waikikelo Beach.

Posted by tree hugging sister at June 7, 2006 04:29 PM

Comments

Hawaiian sovereignty? You mean, they're seceding?

Posted by: Nightfly at June 7, 2006 06:04 PM

The further balkanization of the US, helped along by the Senate.

Posted by: Mr. Bingley at June 7, 2006 06:07 PM

Balkanization while still receiving Federal tax dollars, no doubt. All the privileges, none of the responsibilities. Just like Puerto Rico.

Posted by: The_Real_JeffS at June 7, 2006 06:49 PM

No shit, Jeff. Native Hawaiians already have a large number of special privileges denied to the haoles. Just add this to the list.

Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at June 7, 2006 08:48 PM