Crackpots in Paradise

I am sitting here doing the wireless thing with my Mac while watching the Tenn-FL football game. Good thing I have something to distract me from the 17-0 score. *sigh*

Today is the primary for Hawaii elections, which I don't completely understand, since all candidates from all parties seem to be on the sample ballot I looked at, and since the candidates in the local races (mayor, school board) all have "NS" after their names. NS? Not Sane? No Salary? Ninja Salutations? I'm assuming that means there's no party affiliation, but I am puzzled by the NS designation and can't seem to find an explanation.

I have read the literature that has come to the house, much of which has focused on a local Senate race and the incumbent's recent DUI. After reading his statement on the official elections site, I am definitely voting for the non-incumbent. He gave no details at all about what great things he has done in office, just vague generalities about how important he's been and what a great job he's done. And in this day and age, if you've had a drink or two, CALL A TAXI. Especially anyone in a public office - part of the job is setting an example. There's no excuse to drive under the influence. None. The woman running against him seems to have something to say for herself, and she's been on local boards, so she gets my vote.

There are two school board races, one that has three candidates and I'm supposed to vote for one, and another which seems to be an at-large race, and I'm supposed to vote for 3 candidates out of 9.

In the first school board race, one guy's statement really made him look like a crank. He carried on about how terrible the schools are and told parents not to wait, but to home school. Hmmm. Another of the three didn't put any statement at all out there. Hmmmm. Not much of a contest really. Thank goodness the third person did put something rational out there, so at least I can feel comfortable voting for her.

In the other race, again, two of the candidates put no statement on the election page. How odd. Here's your chance to express your views (okay, you only get one page) for free, and it seems like it's the most logical way to reach people like me trying to do the right thing and understand who I'm voting for. And they don't do it. Are they too disorganized? Stupid? Don't care? Definitely no vote for them. Of the others, five look like viable candidates, so I have to whittle it down to three. Not sure yet who I will pick.

Well, I have done my due diligence for my civic voting responsibility, so time to turn back to the game. Oh, great, Tenn was on the 3 yard line and fumbled. Tenn could still come back. Stranger things have happened in college football. Go, Big Orange!