Props and Slops: January 19-25

January 25, 2009 · 3 comments

Here are the top and bottom performers as I saw them this week:

HAWAII

Props: Maoli News, a new Hawaii blog that is also on Twitter (@MaoliNews) for compiling stories about and for Native Hawaiians and interested non-Native Hawaiians. It’s a bit like a Native Hawaiian Alltop.
Slops: The economy – this time for forcing the State to consider drastic measures like closing parks and raising fuel taxes.

GEEK/TECH/BLOG

Props: Fellow Hawaii Tweeps and bloggers for helping me to spread my tips to others on how to “Be an Informed Citizen this Session.“ Specifically, I wish to thank @georgettedeemer, @thelmadreyer, @lavasusan, and @NEENZ for Re-Tweeting my message. I also appreciate Ian Lind (@ilind on Twitter) for giving it a mention on his blog. As I told Susan, I’m on a mission to get people as involved and informed as I am. It is perhaps a lofty goal, but the post and its popularity are a start.
- Honorable Mention: Karl Rove – yes, that Karl Rove who was one of former President George W. Bush’s closest advisors – for not only being on Twitter, but also Tweeting some good information this week.
Slops: Me for letting my cousin’s daughter play with my Acer Aspire One. I announced the result last night by Tweeting, “This is what happens when you let a baby play with your Aspire One. Lesson learned. http://twitpic.com/16zm9.” I was watching my cousin’s baby and thought it would be fun to let her play with it. In hindsight, not such a great idea. I haven’t been brave enough to turn it back on, but I am hoping things magically will work like they used to.

POLITICS/GOVERNMENT

Props: President Obama. Where do I begin? How about ordering the closure of Gitmo (Guantanamo detention center)? Maybe for reversing the “Mexico City Policy” that prohibited foreign governments that receive U.S. aid from using any of it on abortion? One of my favorites was the sweeping away of the Bush rules on secrecy and ethics (or lack thereof).
- Honorable Mention: Comedian Chris Rock for saying, “You know, if you’re the president you only have two jobs: peace and money. That’s it. I mean, it’s like, what did Clinton do? We were at peace and we had a budget surplus. That’s it. That’s the gig. The closer you get us to those two goals, you know, that’s pretty much the gig. Is that too much to ask for?” when asked what he hopes President Obama does in office.
Slops: Chief Justice John Roberts for messing up when administering the Presidential oath of office to President Barack Obama. Mr. Chief Justice, it’s supposed to be, “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.“ It’s in this little thing called the Constitution, something I’d expect our highest ranking jurist to be familiar with. It’s his first time, so let’s hope he does better in the future. I guess I just got used to former Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who successfully administered the oath five times.