The wrong priorities in reopening during the pandemic: Unemployment Insurance office still closed

 Back in February, I wrote a blog post AND a letter to the local newspaper saying that Hawaii's unemployment insurance (UI) office should reopen as soon as possible.

the letter to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/02/25/editorial/letters/letters-ui-offices-must-open-for-in-person-assistance/

The blog post "Open the Unemployment Insurance office already"    https://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2021/02/open-unemployment-insurance-office.html  

It's November, and it's still not open to the public. 

Now, they're saying they'll reopen on December 1. That's more than a year too late.

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/11/03/breaking-news/hawaii-unemployment-offices-to-reopen-dec-1-with-limited-hours/

Here's my letter to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, posted today

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/11/08/editorial/letters/unemployment-office-help-shamefully-slow/

In a humane world, the state Unemployment Insurance office would’ve been one of the first places to reopen to the public during the coronavirus crisis. However, in the real world, reopening bars, arcades, banquet halls and stadiums were given higher priority, all because they service those with money to spend.

But the Unemployment Insurance office, which is designed to service those who don’t have much money left, is the last place to reopen to the public. A shameful snapshot of what our priorities really are.

Pablo Wegesend

That the Unemployment Insurance office took this long to reopen is total negligence! 

And the person who is in charge of Hawaii's Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR), from which the UI office falls under, is probably the most tone-deaf people in our state government (and that's saying a lot, being that our government officials are notorious for being tone-deaf). DLIR's director is Anne Perreira-Eustaquio.

This from Honolulu Civil Beat

https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/09/workers-in-hawaii-face-new-job-losses-this-time-without-a-safety-net/

n the absence of in-person help, Liriano says she’s spoken to many workers who have simply given up on getting the money they’re due.

“By the time (unemployment is) calling back people, people have literally lost their phone service. It’s been so many months,” she said. “They’re living on the streets or in their cars.”

Perreira-Eustaquio said people who need computer help can use Hawaii libraries, and questioned how many people aren't able to access the online application.

“I don’t know of one person who doesn’t own a phone,” she said. “Nowadays everyone has a phone.”

WTF?   Anne Perreria-Estaquio is implying that everyone has internet access, everyone has a smartphone!

A person who is that OUT OF TOUCH with the reality of poverty SHOULD NEVER be in charge of ANY social service agency!

Just because everyone in your clique has the latest iPhone doesn't mean everyone does.  Just because everyone in your clique is experienced with Zoom/Skype/etc, doesn't mean everyone is.

I know MULTIPLE people who don't have a smartphone. In fact, I know MULTIPLE people who lack even basic computer skills. 

Yes, even in 2021! 

And a person who is desperate for help from the UI office definitely isn't able to afford the latest technology. 

There are MANY people out there whose jobs don't even involve any computer technology.

I remember working at a school a few years ago, and some of the custodians and security guards had trouble even doing an online survey that all school staff had to do.  That's because their jobs don't require using a computer or a smartphone on a day-to-day basis. 

If those same exact people got laid off, do you think they're able to do a Skype session with the UI office? OF COURSE NOT!

But yet, Anne Perreria-Estaquio thinks everyone is a computer expert now. She thinks everyone is addicted to the smartphone like she is. 

It's this attitude that tells you that Anne Perreria-Estaquio has ZERO experience with poverty.  There's no way a person who experienced poverty can have that kind of blasé attitude towards concerns about those who lack internet access.

 This blasé attitude from Anne Perreria-Estaquio is VERY DANGEROUS because it is very intimidating towards desperate people who are seeking help.  It shows that she has no heart towards the poor.  It gives off a "whatevers" attitude towards desperate people who might be on the brink of suicide because they're about to lose everything. 

And remember, she is in charge of the department (DLIR) that supervises the UI office.

I think deep down, she is too nervous to take the necessary precautions to reopen the UI offices, NEVERMIND THAT NEARLY ALL OTHER ORGANIZATIONS already implemented those precautions to make their services accessible.

I mean, at this point, even the new football stadium on the University of Hawaii campus already implemented some sort of precaution policies to engage public access.  And that stadium can hold 9,000 people. 

But Anne Perreria-Estaquio took this long to figure out how to make the UI office accessible to the public?

That's the sad thing!  Our society prioritizes those who are so spoiled that they demand to attend expensive events, instead of prioritizing those who are facing eviction and starvation. 

 

Magic Johnson's announcement: 3 decades later

3 decades ago today, on November 7, 1991, basketball superstar Magic Johnson announced that he tested positive for HIV.

It was a major shock for the sports world.  Johnson was one of the biggest stars in the NBA. He won multiple championships, and it was only a few months after his Los Angeles Lakers lost the Finals to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. People were expected them to compete again for an encore the following post-season.

But it was not meant to be. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, has shown no mercy to those infected! Many have died slow painful deaths from a weakened immune system.

I was in 5th grade when the announcement was made. This was a topic of class discussion. We all thought Magic Johnson would be dead by the year 2000.

But yet, it's 2021, and Magic Johnson is still alive. He was lucky with the timing and the fortune he had to have access to medications that reduced the effects of HIV. 

He did retire from the NBA after the announcement, but he did play in the 1992  Olympics as part of the USA Dream Team, the first group of NBA play in the Olympics. (Previously, the Olympics was reserved for amateur athletes).

He did return to play in the NBA in 1996 and then retired for good.

Magic Johnson did became a successful entrepreneur with his chain of movie theaters, as well as his partnership with other companies which he encouraged to set up shops in African-American communities. 

He also tried his luck as a TV talk show host, record label executive, sports commentator, real estate investor, and a sports team executive. Some of those ventures worked out better than others. 

Magic Johnson is still physically fit and still has his happy smile.

But just because some people can thrive after an infection, that doesn't mean everyone can be so lucky.  Something to think about in this covid-era. 

======

Learn more about Magic Johnson's HIV announcement and its impact since then  at

Chris Herring, “Thirty Years Later, Magic Johnson Is Still Doing Lifesaving Work,” Sports Illustrated, November 6, 2021, https://www.si.com/nba/2021/11/06/magic-johnson-30-year-anniversary-retired-nba.

comedians and free speech

 Comedians and their defenders say that nothing is off-limits from comedy!

But you know what else is NOT off-limits?  Criticisms of comedians!

If comedians have freedom of speech, so do their critics.

How dare I say such blasphemy!

======

Dave Chappelle thinks it's "punching down" on African-Americans to criticize him, Kevin Hart &  DaBaby for their homophobic jokes?

He thinks it's "racist" to judge him (plus Kevin Hart & DaBaby) by the content of their character. It isn't! 

Don Lemon had a classic response to Kevin Hart's jokes about abusing his son if he did anything Hart considered "gay"

the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwG7rFwwi10

article about Don Lemon's statement

https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/don-lemon-kevin-hart-ellen-degeneres-1203100012/

He then referenced an old tweet from Hart about theoretically disciplining his son for playing with a dollhouse.

“That was a joke to Kevin. The truth is, that is a reality for many little boys in the United States … somewhere a black dad is beating his black son,” Lemon said, referencing a story about his friend and Hollywood creator Lee Daniels. In his series “Empire,” Daniels scripted a real-life moment when his own father threw him into a garbage can as a little boy for wearing a pair of high heels.

“Those views of the LGBT people in the black community have consequences,” Lemon said, calling up stats from the American Center for Progress, like their report that 44% of homeless gay youth in America are black.

“That’s huge. Remember, black people only make up 12 percent of the U.S. population. Among homeless transgender youth? 62% of them are black. Those kids were likely kicked out of their homes or had to run away because of who they are,” he added.

 ==================

The thing about a lot of comedians is that many act as if they haven't matured since middle school.

I should know because back when I was in middle school, I would make and laugh at inappropriate jokes and didn't understand why anybody would be offended.

But as an adult, I now understand! 

I can't be 13 years old for the rest of my life. 

I wrote about the issue on my blog back in 2016 when an old video went public showing Donald Trump joking about grabbing women by their genitals.

http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2016/10/outgrowing-inappropriate-humor.html

That Donald Trump still got elected after that shows that the USA got some serious problems. 

If voting-age adults think that's funny, what does that say to victims of sexual abuse?

And what does it say to those who commit sexual abuse?

That's the reason people use their freedom of speech to criticize comedians who glorify abuse!

After all, the critics have freedom of speech too!

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41 years old

 Today, I made it to being 41!

https://www.cardswishes.com/birthday/41st-birthday-wishes/

And just like last year, there will be no festivities.

Yes, I did get vaccinated! 

However, it's only been a month since Hawaii had a shortage of ICUs and oxygen tanks due to the outbreak of the delta variant. While case #s are declining, they could go back up again if people act as if we're still in 2019.  It was earlier this year when Honolulu mayor Rick Blangiardi was begging Hawaii governor David Ige to open up everything, and because of him, the delta variant outbreak happened and cases went up.  Case numbers went back down in recent weeks, and yet again, Blangiardi is begging to open up everything again. The cycle repeats itself. I won't contribute to that cycle by doing anything festive this year. Festivities will have to wait. 

Earlier this year, I made a YouTube speech telling people to take the coronavirus crisis seriously

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuHmN1Cz_xc

Because I'm avoiding festivities this year, I'm becoming more of a recluse. I already enjoyed the blessing of living alone and can go days without socializing with others. But in the past, I also attended tons of public festivities, but now's not the time. 

Plus, I'm too old to be concerned about whether I need to "socialize more". That phase has passed a long time ago! 

Plus, I can still communicate with others via social media, email, and even the old-fashioned letters. I'm still socially connected, I just need a lot of me-time. 

-----

I'm still working (currently in a fashion store) but I would like to eventually return back to being employed in the library world. I do occasionally volunteer with the Friends of the Library of Hawaii. Earlier this year, we closed Books@Mark's. (learn more at this link) Since then, I did some shifts organizing shelves at their new book store on the days it is closed. The shop will soon move to a nearby location. 

And I'm still an independent artist under the name Pablo the Mad Tiger Warrior. 

I started selling merchandise with my art via RedBubble. Check it out at https://www.redbubble.com/people/madtigerwarrior/explore

 As for the music, I'm still focusing on finishing up my nearly-no-budget music videos for the songs from "Science Fiction Music" album. Check out Pablo the Mad Tiger Warrior  YouTube channel for updates.

 Afterward, I want to continue making tracks for a hip-hop instrumental album. 

As for a vocal album, I have no time for that now, but never say never! 

And of course, my major passion: This blog! I don't always have time to blog as much I like when, but stay tuned! You never know what interesting stuff I might share in the future :)

Thoughts on Larry Elder

 Yes, I know Larry Elder is "old news" by now. He attempted to become California's governor through the failed recall election last month.  However, I didn't have time to blog my thoughts on Larry Elder when the results came in, and I still want to document them now.

I first heard of Larry Elder back in the year 2000. At the time, I was between my freshman and sophomore years in college.  At the time, I was really interested in learning more about the alternatives to the Democratic and Republican Parties, as well as the alternative to the right-wing & left-wing political philosophies.

At the time, Larry Elder identified as a libertarian. He hasn't yet evolved into the right-wing conservative Republican that people know him as now.

In fact, in his 1st book that came out in the year 2000, "The Ten Things You Can't Say in America", one of those 10 things was "Republicans and Democrats - Maybe a Dime's Worth of Difference". So basically, he was saying those parties aren't really that different from each other. He encouraged readers to take a look into the Libertarian Party. 

St. Martin's Press

Larry Elder's book "The Ten Things You Can't Say in America"

The other parts of the book gave a libertarian perspective on economics, health policy, drug policy, and gun policy. He also talked about the importance of fathers and how absent fathers cause psychological harm to the children who are more likely to become negative statistics. 

However, the part of the book that got the most controversy was the chapter that stated that "Blacks are more racists than Whites".  Elder, who is an African-American from South Central LA, stated in that chapter that you can't blame racism for every problem, white racism was declining, and we make too many excuses for black bigots.  All this was written when the 1992 LA riots and the OJ Simpson case were still fresh in people's minds. 

Larry Elder was called an "Uncle Tom" and "sellout" by those who felt that any African-American who didn't toe the far-left line was disloyal to the black community. 

I never like the idea that all those of non-European ancestries should all be far-left. But I also never liked the far-right, especially when many of them were religious fanatics and anti-immigrant.

In fact, at the time, Larry Elder was pro-immigrant and pro-choice.

But because Larry Elder kept beefing with left-wing activists, he eventually became more right-wing. Also, 9/11 happened and he distanced himself from the pacifism common among libertarians. 

In his next book, "Showdown", published in 2003, Elder basically declared that he is now a right-wing Republican.

St. Martin's Press

Larry Elder's book "Showdown"

And since then, from his articles he posted online, there were less criticisms from him about the nation's militarized war on drugs, he now becomes more strict about illegal immigration, and he expressed sympathy for the pro-life movement. He defended US military adventures in Iraq. 

He still occasionally wrote a profound editorial on the necessity of good fathers, and sometimes, his critique of left-wing activists still lands. But his once-libertarian soul became compromised to the point where he became just another average Republican.

And anytime a Republican said or did something controversial, his response was "but this Democrat said this, and this Democrat did that". He became the king of what-about-isms.

This really became a problem when Donald Trump became the Republican nominee and then the president in 2016.

Trump symbolized the worst instincts of right-wing Republicans. He started his campaign demonizing Latine & Muslim immigrants, had multiple sexual assault allegations, and violated free-market economics when it suited him.  A real libertarian would never want to be associated with a guy like that.

As for Larry Elder? More what-about-isms! More of the "but this Democrat said this, and this Democrat did that" to distract from the fact that Trump is a repulsive racist, rapist, fascist and a con artist. 

Trump is now gone from public office.

But Elder's constant pandering to Trump supporters poisoned whatever chance he had to become California's governor.

Larry Elder from his pro-libertarian days might've had a better chance to be California's governor.

I mean, the incumbent Gavin Newsom had his weakness. He was caught hosting a maskless dinner when he imposed restrictions on gatherings for the general public.  Crime, homelessness, and the cost of living were going up.  People were losing patience with the radical left and their "abolish the police" attitude. In 2020, the people of California voted against affirmative action, basically saying people should be hired on merit and not for diversity quota points.  The 2000 version of Larry Elder could've won this!

But 2021 Larry Elder's sympathy with the anti-mask, anti-vax-mandate crowd wasn't popular with California voters. It would've worked in the red states, but not California.

Also, there were other reasons that California voters had no interest in voting for Larry Elder

• allegations that he threatened his ex-girlfriend with a gun (the case never went to court)
• mentoring student activist Stephen Miller, who later become Trump's advisor passionate about restricting immigration
• claims that undocumented immigrants took jobs away from African-Americans 
• ending birthright citizenship for children born in the US to undocumented immigrants
• statements favoring employers asking female job applicants if they plan to become pregnant in the near future.
• his claims that feminists exaggerate incidents of domestic violence and sexual assault

In the era of #metoo, this wasn't going to work. In the era of increased activism among Latines, this wasn't going to work. 

It especially wouldn't work in California.

And it wouldn't work even when far-left activists act unreasonable.  

And Gavin Newsom, with all his faults, isn't a far-left activist, he's just another corporate Democrat, the type of Democrat that usually gets elected in California (and most other places where Democrats get elected).

Larry Elder could've presented a reasonable & moderate pro-market, semi-libertarian, pro-meritocracy, and pro-law-and-older alternative. That's what Arnold Schwarzenegger did when ran & won in 2003. 

But Larry Elder sold his once-libertarian soul to gain favor among right-wing conservatives. And for that, he lost! Sad! 

-----

learn more  on Larry Elder and the recall election at

Steven Greenhut, “Republicans Got What They Deserved in California Recall,” Reason, September 24, 2021,                                                https://reason.com/2021/09/24/republicans-got-what-they-deserved-in-california-recall/.

Paul Rosenberg, “Decoding the California Recall: Why It's Happening — and Why It's Crucial That Newsom Survives,” Salon, September 13, 2021,    https://www.salon.com/2021/09/13/california-recall-jean-guerrero-interview/.

Jonathan Martin, “Newsom’s Anti-Trump Recall Strategy Offers Republicans a Warning for 2022,” New York Times, September 15, 2021,    https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/15/us/politics/midterms-california-republicans-newsom.html.

In Memory of Uncle Michael

 My uncle, Michael Wegesend, died last Friday night (10/08/2021) from leukemia. He was 60 years old.

Uncle Michael

He was the youngest of 8 siblings on my mother's side of the family. 

He was a very generous man even though he didn't have much.  He always had a gift for us, even when we knew he was struggling. 

When I was at UHM, he let me stay in his apartment when school was on break. By that time, my parents moved to the other side of the island and my uncle lived much closer to the campus.  Long story short, I hate long commutes. 

He was also very opinionated (kinda like me), but he could go on & on for hours, whereas most people would just give up and move on to the next topic if they couldn't come to an agreement.  Which was why I was happy to move on to my own apartment in 2003.

He was also like me in that we liked living alone. 

But he also loved spending time with my family and loved babysitting my brother's daughters when they were little. 

He loved watching sports and listening to 70s/80s R&B/soul & Hawaiian music. 

He was devoted to his Catholic faith and attended church every Sunday. 

He was a little late on technology but eventually learned to embrace social media. 

=======

The last time I saw Uncle Michael was in July, when my oldest niece had her graduation party at my parent's home.  He seemed healthy (though he was diagnosed with diabetes years ago) and already got his covid vaccination. 

However, in the last few weeks of his life, he was hospitalized for leukemia. He went through chemotherapy and had a booster shot. But it wasn't enough. 

He passed away on Friday, October 8 circa 11:30 pm. 

There will be no funeral services, and his body will be cremated. 

Rest in peace uncle! 

Facebook isn't really much worse than traditional media.

(note: this coming from the perspective of someone who is only 10 days from my 41st birthday. Yes, born in 1980, old enough to know the media landscape that existed before Facebook existed, but still savvy enough to know how social media works in this day & age) 

Here's what I posted on Facebook today

Facebook accused of emphasizing conflict and controversies to keep an audience?
Reminds me of the old traditional media!

That's why I really am not in a panic mode over allegations that Facebook manipulates its algorithms to get more user engagement by emphasizing controversial content.

Traditional media always picks the most juiciest stories that make like things are getting worse! How else do you get viewers hooked?

Sure, you can share the good news, but people LOVE stories about conflict.

You think the media stop sharing stories about crime during the years crime was going down? HELL NO! 

Media shares stories of "kids gone bad" making it look like "kids are getting worse these days". But the truth is, a lot of kids I went to school with were really bad! And some of the kids I worked with as a school employee give me bright hope for the future.  

TV news in my adolescent years focused so much on the Tonya Harding vs Nancy Kerrigan controversy as if it was the most important thing in the world. It wasn't! The same was true about the OJ Simpson case. All this happened before Facebook existed!

You think Urban Meyer is getting heat over a young woman bumping & grinding on him a few days ago? That's nothing compared to the heavy news coverage of Bill Clinton's sex scandals in the late 90s. This was before Facebook existed! 

As for giving crazy people a voice to speak their nonsense to the world? This was going on with TV shows hosted by Morton Downey, Jerry Springer  & Maury Pauvich in the 80s & 90s.

Add to that, the underground magazines & newspapers spreading conspiracy theories in the 20th century.

Facebook isn't really doing much that the traditional media wasn't doing before. 

Facebook just happens to connect a larger group of people together.

But the thing is, Facebook also allows access to great sources of information. I learned a lot from articles people shared with me, and I'm sure people learned a lot from what I shared with them.

If you follow the right people on Facebook, you'll get the right information. If you follow idiots on Facebook, you'll be exposed to nonsense.

This isn't much different compared to interacting in person. If you hang out with the correct group of friends, your life will be enriched. If you hang out with the wrong people, you'll be in a world of hurt!

And if you exposed yourself to various sources (whether it's conservative, liberal, libertarian, socialist, etc), your exposure to various viewpoints will eventually make your mind stronger in comparing different sides of the story. You'll become a better judge of information. This was true in the days of print magazines, and it's still true in the social media age. 

Yes, the traditional media is jealous of the reach of Facebook.

But Facebook is nowhere near a monopoly. Yes, I know Facebook also owns Instagram and What's App. Yesterday's glitch caused major headaches for users of all those platforms. 

But there's also Twitter (lord knows that too can be toxic, especially being that it favors those who can spew cliches that can fit 280 characters, try fitting a nuanced explanation in 280 characters), as well as TikTok and Snapchat.

Today's young generation sees Facebook as something for "old futs" like me! The young are now gravitating towards TikTok as their premier destination.  Even the mighty like Facebook can see their power decline due to changing preferences of the masses. That's how capitalism works.

However, don't be surprised if TikTok will soon go the same way of MySpace.

Learn more about the issue from this interesting article at 

Robby Soave, “As Facebook Crumbles, the Case for Breaking It up Is Weaker Than Ever,” Reason, October 05, 2021,                                                  https://reason.com/2021/10/05/facebook-whistleblower-outage-mark-zuckerberg