i L i n d . n e t

Last week the news arrived that iLind.net will be part of the State Blogger Corps at the Democratic National Convention. This week I’m still waiting for further info on the Blogger Corps and how this is all going to work. Of course, all hotels anywhere within driving distance of Denver are sold out for the week of the convention or are blocked out for the Dems. I haven’t yet learned where the Hawaii delegation is going to be staying. I’ve got a place with a friend not too far from the convention site but it would be great to get some other access to the delegation during the festivities.

I fear that the idea of an independent blogger being seated with the Hawaii delegation is something new for some folks in the state party and not necessarily something they’re comfortable with. I’ll have some work to do smoothing feathers (and ruffling others) over the next couple of months.

The selection process has already kicked up its own controversy, summarized here by Daily Kos. Critics contend that in a handful of states, local Democratic Party officials nixed important state blogs in favor of those less critical of in-state Democrats. Others have pointed out to a lack of diversity among the selected blogs.

Thanks to Mike Skowronek, a blogger in Buenos Aires who goes by Yanqui Mike, who was selected to represent Democrats abroad and has taken the initiative to invite other state bloggers to join a “mutual aid association” to pool our information and ignorance about what lies ahead in Denver. Money and lodging are immediate concerns raised, along with what to watch out for at the convention.

In my case, I was able to get an air fare to Denver of nearly $700, and may escape hotel costs by staying with a friend who lives relatively close to the convention site, although being in the hotel with the Hawaii folks would certainly be useful. And there will certainly be other costs, including cab fares and such as well as any additional equipment to power the live blogging experiment. I guess this is all just the cost of being there. I could end up selling Zippy’s chili or something later in the summer. We’ll see.

So things are moving head, slowly at this point, speeding up later. I just hope the failure to do everything exactly right doesn’t end up swamping this important initiative to increase access at the Denver convention.

By the way, if anyone attending the state Democratic convention this weekend would like to send in your observations or comments on the festivities there, I’ll be glad to share them. I’ll make a state convention entry and you can simply leave comments, or else email them to me and I’ll post for you.

A reader shared this comment regarding the UH plan to let people pay back their Sugar Bowl travel costs in order to avoid being named when the list of those who traveled on the UH dime is released, as reported in yesterday’s Advertiser.

Fascinating Advertiser story this morning about the UH Athletic Department’s efforts to skirt (or maybe flout) state disclosure laws by accepting, now – some 6 months ex-post-facto, repayment from individuals who do not want their names to be publicly revealed, for costs incurred in underwriting Sugar Bowl trips for these individuals. One which raises mote than a few questions!

Is there no-one at UH who understands that the appearance of ‘hiding’ factual matters is far, far worse than the original act, no matter how misguided?

Of course, the interest is now reversed – the most interesting disclosure is surely as to who those individuals are who felt ‘entitled’ to receive a free trip, but now desire to keep their having done so under cover.

Certainly not a good start (or call) for new AD Donovan. Or President McClain.

And, for Gods sakes, who could these individuals be who shrink from the light of day? Terrorists, big bucks contributors, former Trustees of a large educational Trust (or current ones), labor leaders/lobbyists, Evan Dobelle, Regents, politicians, or, much worse, Republicans?

The last two dog videos were popular enough that I decided to offer up a few more. Here’s the first new production.

Introducing Ruby and Daisy, a great pair of dogs that live down by the Kaaawa Fire Station.

They’re usually in the house when we slip past in the early a.m., but there’s great excitement when they catch our scent and decide to burst out and collect their biscuits.

I couldn’t get the link to work quite as well as the last one, but hopefully the movie will still play properly. Please just click and hope for the best (keeping in mind that this is a large file!).