The Jodi Arias verdict is in...Guilty of 1st degree, pre-meditated murder.  Really, what does this really mean in our lives?  The salacious nature of this case with 18 days of prurient testimony evidently captured the attention of news directors of virtually all news outlets.  It was a 67 day marathon of a trial.  OK, I understand that news coverage of these sensational cases is the ultimate in reality TV.  And, therein lies the rub.  Newscasts are as much aware of their need to be entertaining and compelling.  The determination of what makes “news” has transposed from reporting on issues relevant to all our lives to pandering to the most base of denominators comprising our society.  Maybe, we can move on to more substantive stories, but as long as Honey Boo Boo has her own show, it looks like were doomed to this sub-standard benchmark.

The exit of MRC Greenwood as UH president was not a surprise.  But, if it were, it would have been a pleasant surprise.  The key to success in the eyes of the public is not found in the details of administration and management, but it’s in the perception.  Now, that can be either fair or un-fair.  Regardless, it’s the reality.
Supporters would dismiss the Stevie Wonder debacle as just a distraction that shouldn’t tarnish the reputation or the school.  Really?  What we common folk do, who are not paid a gabillion dollars from the taxpayers wallets, is expect the basics to be done.  If you’re going to get the dollars, title and benefits, then you need to demonstrate that you’re grateful and capable.  The perception of MRC Greenwood is that she was neither.  There’s no doubt that UH faced some tough times during her tenure.  But, when isn’t there a crisis or two with an organization as massive as the UH system?  The bottom line is that people who vote for politicians felt like they had been hoodwinked by a group of well-moneyed people who dismissed the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars as a non-event (read Tom Apple, Chancellor, UH Manoa).  The exorbitant salaries of outgoing Chancellor Virginia Henshaw, incoming Chancellor Tom Apple and the $400,000-plus salary for Greenwood with the placing of tarnished AD Jim Donovan occupying the chancellor’s office as a $200K or so PR hack was just too much to accept.  This in light of reports of professors and instructors struggling daily just to make ends meet.  Un-acceptable perception.
The incoming president will have one primary job.  To restore the confidence in the institution and financially reset the direction of the school.  Nothing less with be tolerated.

The demise of the pre-K education program promoted by the governor and embraced by pseudo-educational organizations is one of the highlights of this legislative session.  This Early Education initiative would have secured millions of your dollars to promote and bolster a false promise.  The idea the cash equals success in education is a myth and one would have thought that after exhaustive debate over the past few decades we would have come to the collective realization this concept is false.  But, despite the financial concerns and a failed track record of accomplishment, proponents were hell-bent on getting this program passed.  And, the governor would have been more than happy to sign the bill committing you to millions upon millions of dollars in expanding a program that does not meet the objectives and justifications for this boondoggle.  So, congratulations to the lawmakers who saw this for what it was and defied the governor and his minions to do the right thing for the citizens and, yes, the keiki of Hawaii.

It's been one week since the explosions in Boston.  A great deal has transpired since and, with the 24/7 news cycle, some may be fatigued with the steady stream of developments and updates.  I spoke with Chris Coughlin during our 7:00 segment and I wholeheartedly agree with his focused statements about the people of Boston and Americans.  We are a stong people.  We do disagree, sometimes vehemently, about issues and proposals that would be best for our communitites.  We are not perfect, but we strive for ideals.  Despite our challenges with each other, there is no doubt that when we become the victim of a gutless and scurrilous attack, we immediately come together and support our common cause as Americans.  This was demonstrated post 9-11 and this past week with the Boston Bombings.  I tire of hearing from people in our own nation, let alone overseas, claiming that we are to blame for our own misfortune. That we need to examine what we are doing wrong in the eyes of other people.  We must fix ourselves in order to stop the violence to America.  I, respectfully, submit..."You are out of your *(^*&*^% mind!"  Look at the situation of those who attacked.  They sought asylum in America.  It was granted.  They sought governmental welfare assistance.  It was granted.  They pursued higher education.  It was made available.  One of the attackers even married an American and began a family.  Plus, they pursued citizenship and, on 9/11/2012, it was granted to the the surviving terrorist.  America is the most generous nation affording opportunites to those who respect our naturalization process.  If we are guilty of anything, we're guilty of supporting our freedom loving ways that would be abused by those who despise us.  Boston Strong - AMERICAN STRONG!!!!!

The ongoing saga of the Boston Bombing continues today.  However, as of this writing, officials say the suspect is cornered in a Watertown neighborhood.  I’ll be brief today.  I hope the suspect is captured, not killed.  I want him to be compelled to provide relevant and important information about his involvement with not only this incident, but whomever may instructing, indoctrinating and assisting him and his late brother.  After that, I want our special forces armed with good intel and state of the art weaponry to covertly find each and every one of the bastards who recruit, plot, arm and attack us and our allies and dispatch them to their maker.  Done.  We must kill them before they kill us.  Period.

I had written about the passing of Margaret Thatcher after her death a couple of weeks ago.  You may recall I extolled her virtues and accomplishments as a world leader and one of the saviors of the Western world.  Her relationship with President Reagan was legendary, but her affection for America and her people was even stronger.  She, and Great Britain, have been solid allies and friends ever since the end of that pesky disagreement in 1776.  That’s why my outrage at the petulance and hubris of our president failing to send an official US delegation to her recent state funeral is so profound and visceral.  I truly feel it deep in my bones.  Now, why this type of reaction?  Because, this president and all others represent us all and not just his (or eventually her) agenda, peccadilloes or personal sentiments.  OK, I get it.  This president despises conservatism and overt displays of Americanism.  I understand that philosophically he may be diametrically opposed to all that Thatcher stood for.  But, how boorish to let those feelings be allowed to represent all Americans.  President Obama should reserve his high school student council politics for congressional fisticuffs and morph into the statesman that most had hoped he would be and truly represent us on the world stage with dignity and class.  Or, is that simply just too much to ask.

The media is all agog over the revelations that a opposition research meeting with Sen. Mitch McConnell and his election team regarding potential senate opponent Ashley Judd.  What the heck’s the big deal?  Like a democrat NEVER had a meeting like this where embarrassing and potentially damaging details of a GOP candidate were discussed.  Of course, all campaigns engage in this type of strategy meeting.  The only difference is THIS campaign seemingly was bugged.  That’s right.  Russian espionage tactics have been utilized to present a private conversation to the general public.  And, more importantly, liberal supporters.  Among the conversation points revealed about Judd included her treatment for depression and “suicidal tendancies” which, by the way, she wrote about freely in her autobiography.  So, is this newsworthy?  Of course not.  What is newsworthy is the infiltration of a sitting US Senator’s office and the dissemination of sensitive and proprietary information.  Predictably, the outrage is focused on the campaign discussion, but not on the potentially criminal activity directed at an elected official.  Quelle surprise!!!!!!!

Yesterday's passing of Margaret Thatcher brings to an end another era in our modern time.  Yes, there was a time when our world leaders were fearless in expressing their true beliefs and stood up to those with whom they disagreed.  There was no kowtowing with Thatcher.  She said what she meant and meant what she said.  And through it all, she may have single handedly saved the Western World.  The big three who partnered to preserve our way of life were Thatcher, Reagan and Kohl.  Remember the times?  The Soviet Union was making their continued push to further consolidate and reaffirm Communist presence throughout Europe and elsewhere.  Great Britain was on her knees reeling from a brutalized economy that appeared to be rudderless and America was trying to endure the massive disappointment and downright malaise affecting the Carter presidency.  But, when Thatcher came along and replaced Heath as PM, it was clear there was a new sheriff in town.  Gone were the days that labor rioting, strikes and hooliganism would dictate the political tempo in GB.  Now, with a sure hand on the wheel and a clear vision to match, the renaissance of the West was underway.  All from, self-admittedly, the last person on earth ever imagined to lead a great nation, let alone the world.  God Bless you, Iron Lady.

A House committee is hearing the Senate version of the Early Education Bill that is being championed by Gov. Abercrombie and other special interest groups.  There is a debate regarding the efficacy of findings pertaining to the benefits (or lack thereof) of early education for children 4 years old and younger.  The present bill requires approx. $32 million of public money to subsidize or outright pay for qualifying children to attend a private early ed facility.  However, there is no doubt and confirmed by proponents that this program will be expanded to include other ages in the future.  This may have an eventual annual price tag in excess of $100 million.  Earlier today, I asked the simple question eliciting a response from our most akamai listeners -- “Do you support the Early Education Bill, Yes or No.”  Here are the results of that snap poll (calls were taken for 9 minutes).

The final tally was 68 say NO, 1 says YES.
You can come to your own conclusions, but this snapshot gives an indication of our listeners opinion.