I like this site

Readers are predominantly hard left, but the mission of the site is to "preach" to other than the choir and "proselytize" for liberalism.

http://leftsolutions.wordpress.com/

Not that there should be any reluctance to hold high the banner of "liberalism." The presidents that the U.S. can be proudest of in the 20th century were all liberals or progressives: the Roosevelts, Truman, Carter, Kennedy (and yes, I'm adding Clinton to the list.) I'm especially fond of the following quotations by my two personal favorites:

A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It is a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity.
-- Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President

"… I'm proud to say I'm a 'Liberal': someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad."
-- John Fitzgerald Kennedy 35th U.S. President
As for yours truly, I'd be most accurately described as a Christian Socialist at this point in my life. Currently, I'm reading: BETWEEN MARX AND CHRIST by James Bentley (a history of Christian Socialist thought) and THE MAKINGS OF A JUST SOCIETY by Chester Bowles. Neither is available on the internet so far as I know.

This is how I described the blog until I changed settings today. This blurb is preserved for "historical" purposes.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
In 2006 Mike Salling considered becoming a candidate for the congressional seat vacated by Ed Case. Mike sought a platform for his belief that a Hawaii Constitutional Convention should be held in 2010 for the purpose of (1) enacting universal health care in Hawaii, and (2) establishing the right to a dignified death. The campaign was stillborn, primarily because Mike's services were deemed better directed to support Senator Akaka in his race.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A new interest that I have is "people who are interested in noetic science" (particularly some new friends in the U of H community.) Yes, I'm interested in n.s. too, but not nearly so much as I will be in the future, I'm sure.

I've also started using my Facebook Page for the first time since I created it back in 2005, as I recall. I'm now recently in touch with some old friends who over the years have left markings on the wall for me (in vain until now.) This has been a real blessing. I'm making a slow come-back from a long winter of discontent (to put it mildly) and contact with friends is much needed.

Preparing for an upcoming IONS meeting - which will be Winter Solstice (not Christmas) themed - I was fortunate to find some easy to understand information about "Sunrise and Sunset in Hawaii" that some may find as interesting as I do. It's in a Word.doc format which unfortunately I can't figure out how to upload here. So, email me at kokuaguy@yahoo.com and I'll send you a copy. A dear and much valued friend made it available to me for public consumption. He's a retired UH prof. whose field is Geology, but if I've ever met a true Renaissance Man, it's Will.

a hui hou,
Mike in Honolulu