Magic Island might be named to Barack Obama Park?

[scrivener]

Re: Magic Island might be named to Barack Obama Park?

What the Mufster really means is, "This might be MY only opportunity to name something after the President and take credit for it before I leave the mayor's office next year to run for Governor."

I think this makes three times in a the past week I've agreed with you. One of us must be coming to his senses.

The mayor is famous (at least in my house; of course, I live alone) for saying stupid things that don't mean anything. What does he think he means when he says "it's not often we're going to have the opportunity to name something after him?" Don't we have every day for the rest of eternity? Things are still getting named after Washington and he died 200 years ago. Public sentiment is clear: if we have forever to do this, why do it now? There is only one answer, and I think even ardent Hannemann supporters see it. The mayor is posturing, and he's doing it in one of the most butt-kissing ways I've ever seen. I understand it when politicians posture; that's part of the job and I can live with it. But even a quick read-through of HT's posts on the President's Nobel Peace Prize would have made it plain that a suggestion like this would fall flat. This guy needs to fire his advisors.

What a bonehead.

[kiwidiva]

Re: Magic Island might be named to Barack Obama Park?

This is what you will be told if you ask me:

1. Magic Island is not the official name, but the official name is Ainamoana Beach Park.

2. The proposed legislation is renaming Ainamoana Beach Park to Barack Obama Beach Park at Magic Island not to Barack Obama Beach Park.

3. This proposed legislation will be before the City Council and you will have an opportunity to voice your concerns at that time.

[surlygirly]

Re: Magic Island might be named to Barack Obama Park?

Mr. Barack reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite Cracker songs: "If you wanna change the world, shut your mouth and start to spin it."

[Pomai]

Re: Magic Island might be named to Barack Obama Park?

According to today's Honolulu Advertiser, now there's even more places and dates that a few politicians want recognized in honor of President Obama, including a parcel of land on Kalaniana'ole highway and McKinley High School. Why McKinley High School (the article doesn't say)? Just change Punahou to Barack Obama School.

Notice the Advertiser "strategically" disabled the comments on this highly, highly, highly controversial subject/article, lest it melt down their server.

[Pomai]

Re: Magic Island might be named to Barack Obama Park?

Oh, while we're at it, let's change Honolulu International Airport to 'Obama International Airport' and Aloha Stadium to 'Obama Stadium'.

[Frankie's Market]

Re: Magic Island might be named to Barack Obama Park?

According to today's Honolulu Advertiser[/URL], now there's even more places and dates that a few politicians want recognized in honor of President Obama, including a parcel of land on Kalaniana'ole highway and McKinley High School. Why McKinley High School (the article doesn't say)?

Well, there is the matter of some native Hawaiian activists who consider William McKinley to be a historical antagonist, as he was the President who supported annexation of Hawaii. (In contrast to his predecessor, Grover Cleveland, who opposed annexation and urged for Queen Liluokalani's restoration to the throne.)

De-naming a school or a building isn't something unprecedented. A few years ago, a group of UH students and protestors successfully had Stanley Porteus' name removed from one of the upper campus buildings because of some controversial statements he made about racial temperaments in his first book.

[Kaonohi]

Re: Magic Island might be named to Barack Obama Park?

I know presidents must be deceased before being depicted on currency or coinage. Not sure about public facilities bearing the names of living presidents; I don't know any offhand....

Names on things can change though: at the completion of the H-3 tunnels they were named after Tetsuo Harano, former State Highways administrator. In 2001, Gov. Cayetano changed the name to the John A. Burns Tunnels, after former governor Burns. Then in 2003, Gov. Lingle changed the name back.

Burns was dead, but Harano is still alive (last I heard), but Burns was a governor, an elected position, and Harano was just a state engineer and administrator, a hired, not elected, position.

Does it make a difference? Anyone know of a public landmark named after a living president?

K?

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Magic Island might be named to Barack Obama Park?

I know presidents must be deceased before being depicted on currency or coinage. Not sure about public facilities bearing the names of living presidents; I don't know any offhand....

Names on things can change though: at the completion of the H-3 tunnels they were named after Tetsuo Harano, former State Highways administrator. In 2001, Gov. Cayetano changed the name to the John A. Burns Tunnels, after former governor Burns. Then in 2003, Gov. Lingle changed the name back.

Burns was dead, but Harano is still alive (last I heard), but Burns was a governor, an elected position, and Harano was just a state engineer and administrator, a hired, not elected, position.

Does it make a difference? Anyone know of a public landmark named after a living president?

K?

Didn't Clinton have a library named after him. Despite his affair the name still sticks

[Frankie's Market]

Re: Magic Island might be named to Barack Obama Park?

Didn't Clinton have a library named after him. Despite his affair the name still sticks

And why shouldn't it? Clinton's library was built entirely with private donations from his supporters. It's no skin off your nose or that of any other taxpayer.

Dick Nixon has his own (privately-funded) library too, despite Watergate.

[Leo Lakio]

Re: Magic Island might be named to Barack Obama Park?

Anyone know of a public landmark named after a living president?

In 1998, Washington National Airport was renamed, controversially, to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Reagan was no longer President, but he was still alive at the time.

[Frankie's Market]

Re: Magic Island might be named to Barack Obama Park?

In 1998, Washington National Airport was renamed, controversially, to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Reagan was no longer President, but he was still alive at the time.

There's already a Barack Obama Elementary School in New York.

[scrivener]

Re: Magic Island might be named to Barack Obama Park?

Mr. Barack reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite Cracker songs: "If you wanna change the world, shut your mouth and start to spin it."

Sorry to go off topic, but have you heard Cracker's 2009 album, Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey? What did you think of it? Don't reply here; I'm going to post my thoughts in that 2009 Music thread. When I get home later this evening.

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Magic Island might be named to Barack Obama Park?

And why shouldn't it? Clinton's library was built entirely with private donations from his supporters. It's no skin off your nose or that of any other taxpayer.

Dick Nixon has his own (privately-funded) library too, despite Watergate.

Ho! Let's not get defensive about this FM it was merely a statement. Unlike Avatar which clearly had political overtones

[Frankie's Market]

Re: Magic Island might be named to Barack Obama Park?

Ho! Let's not get defensive about this FM it was merely a statement.

I have no idea where you think I was getting defensive over anything, Craig. I was just stating a simple fact.

If some twisted individual has an admiration for Benito Mussolini and has the money to build a statue of the dictator on private property with his own money in this country, he's free to do so. And it wouldn't matter what you or I think.

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Magic Island might be named to Barack Obama Park?

I have no idea where you think I was getting defensive over anything, Craig. I was just stating a simple fact.

If some twisted individual has an admiration for Benito Mussolini and has the money to build a statue of the dictator on private property with his own money in this country, he's free to do so.

yeah a simple fact with along with no skin off my nose. Okay maybe that's not defensive on your part but on mine. And stop rolling your eyes like that makes me wonder what you're looking at.