Warnings raise ire of Hawaii Ferry Protesters (Rep. Gov. threatens protesters)

[The Sushi Bandit]

Lingle uses child protective services as a political weapon!

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070930/NEWS01/709300367/1001

Children with boogie boards and surfboards who jumped into Nawiliwili Harbor on Kaua'i to confront the Hawaii Superferry last month prompted warnings by the Lingle administration that parents could be subject to child welfare investigations if it happens again.

The administration said the warnings, along with a list of more than a dozen possible criminal charges for illegal protests, are to inform parents of the consequences of violating federal security zones when the Superferry returns. The administration has stressed that legal protesters would not face any penalties.

But rather than diffuse tensions on Kaua'i, the warnings of potential child welfare investigations in particular have led to an emotional backlash. Several people on Kaua'i and on Internet blogs and discussion boards have seized on the warnings as an example of what they believe is the Lingle administration's overreaction to dissent.

"It's unprecedented that they've used child protective services as a political weapon, especially one to censor people, to censor their right to speak, to censor their right to protest," said Andrea Brower, an activist in Anahola who was among the protesters who went into the harbor to block the ferry.

"It's pretty telling how far the Lingle administration is willing to go to ensure that these private business owners get their way."

<snip>

State Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser, D-7th (Kaua'i, Ni'ihau), called the prospect of child welfare investigations "unnecessarily heavy-handed." "To use the threat of such action to enforce a political decision is just wrong," Hooser said.

[PoiBoy]

1. Desperate moves..

I hope people remember these tactics when Lingle tries her runs for U.S. Senate...

[Cha]

2. Oh, is the little

harridan running for the senate? Whatever, I hope they remember this when she runs for governor again!

My son lives on Kauai and said something like this would happen.

[Cha]

3. I hope Kauians and all Hawaiians

are taking a real good look at lingle's Exposed Ugly side.

It's David and the Giant Corporations again and I'm hoping Kauaians who want a clean environment will Prevail!