1. Misuse of Public Funds for Private Interests ● Argument: The use of public funds to defend Corporation Counsel in a case where their self-interests and the interests of private developers are at stake constitutes a violation of the public trust. Public funds are intended to serve the interests of the community, not to protect a select few County attorneys whose actions, as documented, have harmed the County financially and legally. ● Elaboration: The Corporation Counsel’s role is to provide legal guidance in the best interest of the County and its citizens, not to shield itself or private developers from liability. By allocating taxpayer resources to defend against claims of fraud and malfeasance, the Corporation Counsel undermines public confidence and violates its fiduciary duties. 2. Conflict of Interest Compounded by Use of External Counsel ● Argument: The hiring of the law firm Kobayashi, Sugita, and Goda (KSG) without proper conflict review amplifies the appearance of impropriety, as it further solidifies the conflict of interest inherent in the Corporation Counsel’s role. ● Elaboration: The retention of KSG to represent both the Corporation Counsel and the County Auditor, who is meant to be independently auditing the Corporation Counsel, creates an irreparable conflict. The same law firm representing adverse and conflicting parties raises questions about the objectivity and fairness of the legal proceedings. 3. Failure to Safeguard Public Interest by the County Auditor ● Argument: The County Auditor’s failure to complete the audit and report fraud and misdealings demonstrates a failure to uphold the public interest, violating the ethical responsibilities defined under the Maui County Charter and Government Auditing Standards. ● Elaboration: The suspension of the audit, without appropriate reasoning or recourse, allows the alleged fraudulent activities to remain unaddressed. This inaction not only deprives the County of rightful restitution but also gives the Corporation Counsel and developers an unfair advantage by delaying accountability. The fact that the Auditor did not report the irregularities to proper authorities exacerbates this failure and further erodes trust in government institutions. 4. Attorney-Client Privilege Abuse ● Argument: The use of attorney-client privilege by the Corporation Counsel to withhold key records and communications from the audit process is an abuse of privilege intended to shield malfeasance, rather than to protect legitimate legal strategy. ● Elaboration: Attorney-client privilege is intended to protect the integrity of legal communications, not to obstruct transparency in government actions. In this case, the privilege is being used to prevent the disclosure of records that are crucial to assessing whether fraudulent deferral agreements were executed by Corporation Counsel. The abuse of this privilege reinforces the need for independent counsel to investigate and audit the claims without interference or influence. 5. Potential Violation of State and Federal Law ● Argument: The Corporation Counsel’s alleged actions, in concert with private developers, may also violate State and Federal laws regarding fraud and misuse of public funds. ● Elaboration: Beyond the violation of local ordinances and ethical standards, the documented fraud involving deferral agreements may also breach broader laws, including federal anti-corruption statutes or state laws prohibiting fraudulent financial dealings with public entities. By refusing to disclose the related documents, the Corporation Counsel could be complicit in these violations, necessitating a deeper investigation at both the State and Federal levels. 6. Public Transparency and Accountability ● Argument: Public officials and departments, including the Corporation Counsel and the County Auditor, have an ethical and legal responsibility to maintain transparency, particularly in matters of public finance and development. ● Elaboration: The concealment of information about the deferral agreements and the suspension of the audit undermine public transparency. The Board of Ethics must consider whether the involved officials have breached the trust of the public by failing to be forthcoming with critical information. The lack of transparency prevents the public from understanding the full extent of the financial losses incurred by the County and the degree of improper influence by private developers. Conclusion: Public resources are being used improperly to protect individuals and entities with conflicts of interest, which violates ethical obligations to the public. Addressing these conflicts is essential to restoring public trust, ensuring accountability, and upholding the integrity of established County checks and balances.

Being a member of Congress has many perks, but padding your stock portfolio shouldn’t be one of them. But right now, members of Congress can trade stocks in any number of companies — while voting on legislation that can increase the profit margins of the very same industries those laws govern. Take just one example: Every year, about HALF of an $800 BILLION Pentagon budget flows directly to weapons contractors like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and more. The lawmakers responsible for signing off on that astronomical amount? Many of them hold investments in the same weapons makers. That’s why what’s happening now is so important. A bipartisan group of senators has set the stage to dismantle this broken status quo with the “Ending Trading and Holdings In Congressional Stocks” or “ETHICS” Act. This groundbreaking bill would end the war profiteering by banning congressional stock trading altogether — and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs just pushed this urgently needed legislation past a crucial hurdle. Now, the stage is set for the ETHICS Act to go to the Senate floor, and when that happens, we need to make sure it passes with the resounding majority it deserves. Your senators' support is a crucial piece of the puzzle — and that’s why we need you to speak out today.

During his first term, President Trump left in place for nearly two years most of the Obama opening with Cuba.  A key actor in creating maximum pressure against Cuba and Venezuela was the now hostile and alienated former National Security Advisor John Bolton.**   For more than sixty years US and Cuban national interests and human well-being have been paralyzed by a conflict over sovereignty, self-determination and freedom with two centuries old roots.***   The historic transformation begun by Barack Obama and Raul Castro was virtually destroyed by Donald Trump in the second half of his first term and only partially rebuilt by Joe Biden. By President Biden restoring mutual engagement, he can rebuild trust and open the door for the second Trump Administration to act positively.  Ending all travel restrictions (including on normal tourism), dismantling the UN condemned unilateral embargo and returning the Guantanamo base and prison that was obtained as a condition for independence, the US can give Cuba space and resources to find more creative national solutions to economic, social and political problems.  It can also create the possibility of US and Cuban cooperation with efforts by Brazil, Colombia and Mexico to find a peaceful solution to the political conflict in Venezuela. Resources: * Trump's Venezuela and Cuba policy in focus in Bolton speech in Florida By Roberta Rampton, Reuters   October 31, 2018    https://www.yahoo.com/news/trumps-venezuela-cuba-policy-focus-bolton-speech-florida-155235539.html Current economic problems in Cuba https://cubapeopletopeople.blogspot.com/2024/08/analysis-of-economy-government-reversal.html ** Then Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power announces US abstention on the embargo resolution https://cubapeopletopeople.blogspot.com/2021/05/ambassador-samantha-powers-address-to.html *** The underlying historical problem between the US and Cuba https://cubapeopletopeople.blogspot.com/2019/05/louis-perez-cuba-as-obsessive.html Links between Irish and Cuban nationalism in 19th century New York   tinyurl.com/CubaIrelandNY   

As residents of Baltimore City, we all deserve to live in a community where safety and justice are upheld. Unfortunately, the alarming rise in brutal assaults committed by juveniles threatens the well-being of our neighborhoods and the peace of mind of our families. These violent crimes leave lasting physical and mental scars on victims and their loved ones, creating a climate of fear and insecurity that no one should have to endure. By signing this petition, you are standing up for the rights of assault victims who have been left to fend for themselves. You are demanding that juvenile offenders be held accountable for the serious harm they inflict on our fellow residents, OUR FAMILIES! It is not enough to offer rehabilitation without justice—victims deserve to see those responsible for their suffering face appropriate criminal charges that reflect the severity of their actions. Moreover, this petition calls for a stronger, more visible police presence in our communities. The current lack of officers on our streets means that many crimes go unanswered, leaving victims isolated and vulnerable. We need a city where our police force is adequately staffed and equipped to protect us, where we can rely on timely responses when our safety is threatened. Joining this petition is more than just adding your name to a list; it is a powerful statement that we, as a community, will not tolerate violence, especially when it targets our most vulnerable. It is a call for a safer, more just Baltimore—a city where we can all live without fear. Together, we can make our voices heard and demand the change that our city so desperately needs. Join me in supporting this petition to ensure that all residents of Baltimore are protected and that victims receive the justice they deserve.

Most people are unable to attend a 2 pm meeting during the day.  Thank you.

Musk has made it abundantly clear that he is willing to go to any length to chip away faith in our election system in order to tip the scales politically and elect Trump. He repeatedly claims that foreigners are being flown in to commit voter fraud—a well-debunked lie. He called on the elimination of electronic voting for dubious reasons. He publicly avows his support of right-wing conspiracy theorists and influencers who have made clear their distrust in our political system and democracy. Enough is enough.  Our government should not award any future funding to the same conspiracist who is actively undermining its own integrity.  Let's be clear: It's not just us who recognize how problematic it is that billions of our tax dollars are being given to Elon Musk. In fact, some members of Congress have publicly shared these concerns. Add your name now to tell the DOD no new contracts to Musk Photo Credits: Getty Images

I urge you to take this seriously, and truly exercise your right as a United States citizen, and help us restore power to the people, and truly make serving your country an honor and privilege instead of having people serve who are only there to serve themselves.

Please join me in getting the town of Union and the village of Endicott’s attention on these pressing issues. We can’t keep living this way!!

We must do something massive and unprecedented, or American democracy is doomed.

Local governance is a time honored American tradition.  Local governments know what is needed and what is best for their communities.  HB 2127 is extreme government overreach and should be repealed.

As you join this effort by spreading awareness of hate groups in CT and working towards engagement of state leadership, we will improve our chances of dismantling hate and racism!

Project 2025 is a dangerous 900-page proposal by the Heritage Foundation that would harm communities across the U.S.  It is a blueprint for rolling back all of the important roles that our governments can play in supporting and affirming healthy and prosperous communities. Project 2025 would slash government funding for numerous programs. It would dramatically cut funding for environmental protection and give a future White House unchecked power to hurt working people, cut Social Security by raising the retirement age, fire civil servants and replace them with presidential loyalists, eliminate abortion, and roll back our rights.  Project 2025 would also block many of the programs that help fight discrimination in our communities. City and county officials across the U.S. can take immediate action to unmask the threats posed by Project 2025 to our communities. Read the Freedom Forward Action Plan and Draft Resolution for city councils and county boards of supervisors:  https://freedomforward.org/2024/08/01/stopproject2025signup/