My first exposure to Senator Inouye was during the Iran Contra hearings. I remember thinking, "damn, that man is sharp." Plus he also really pissed off Ollie North and his slimy attorney, which was awesome. I made it a point to keep up on his from time to time. He will be missed.
Mixed feelings. On the one hand, he sounds like a great person, and I don't doubt that he had a reason for being so popular in Hawaii.
On the other hand, I also think that the emphasis on "winning" earmarks as well as the long, long terms of a typical Senator are both problematic. I mean, can a politician in their mid- to late-eighties really represent the new generation of citizens accurately and well? Is a veteran lawmakers using their experience and contacts to funnel federal dollars to favored state projects really a good thing? Or someone being honored for their ability to wage war, and not make peace?
I don't know. I don't want to tread on any toes, and I'm not from Hawaii, but nothing in this article resolves any of my initial reactions.
I won't argue with you over the merits of politicians in their eighties (although for Hawaii interest's I believe Inouye has been perfectly capable), but - for his veteran status - it's less about his ability to wage war and more about the personal sacrifice and heroism he displayed, losing his arm to help save the lives of his comrades, and the racism he had to overcome both during the war and after. And I think both of those are extremely admirable traits that I wish more politicians had... not in terms of having to face racism, but at least being aware of injustice on a personal level.
Also, the reason I bolded all the things about him being there so long and him being the oldest senator and third-in-line for the presidency is because I suspect not many people outside of Hawaii knew about Inouye, all the things he's done for our state, and just how high he'd risen for a second generation Japanese-American born in the 1920's.
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On the other hand, I also think that the emphasis on "winning" earmarks as well as the long, long terms of a typical Senator are both problematic. I mean, can a politician in their mid- to late-eighties really represent the new generation of citizens accurately and well? Is a veteran lawmakers using their experience and contacts to funnel federal dollars to favored state projects really a good thing? Or someone being honored for their ability to wage war, and not make peace?
I don't know. I don't want to tread on any toes, and I'm not from Hawaii, but nothing in this article resolves any of my initial reactions.
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Also, the reason I bolded all the things about him being there so long and him being the oldest senator and third-in-line for the presidency is because I suspect not many people outside of Hawaii knew about Inouye, all the things he's done for our state, and just how high he'd risen for a second generation Japanese-American born in the 1920's.
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