BUCK'S BLOG
Out Into The Open
J.M.
Buck
It
seems like nowadays much of what I read in the news amounts to
little more than finger pointing and downplaying of irresponsible,
and often ludicrous, acts on the part of our elected public officials.
I have to admit that I felt refreshed last week after reading
news of one of our local public servants after he got a little
wild. In fact, my faith and hope that there are still some responsible
politicians out there may be on its way to restoration.
Councilmember Dain Kane has been referred to as “the movie
star of local politics” on account of his striking looks
and undeniable charm. But Kane really proved himself last week
after being pulled over for drunk driving while visiting his mother
on Kaua‘i.
As soon as he could Kane picked up the phone, called Maui News,
and told them what happened. Nobody had gotten wind of the DUI
yet, and he didn’t wait for someone else to call the press
saying, “Hey, guess what happened to Dain…”
He took responsibility for his actions immediately. Without hesitation.
I like that.
Of course if he wasn’t in the public eye, let alone running
for mayor of Maui next year, we probably would never had heard
anything about it. And even if we did and he wasn’t such
a popular public servant, we probably wouldn’t have cared.
Which leads me to this question – who really cares that
Kane got popped with a DUI? Big deal. It happens every day to
everyday people. It doesn’t mean that you’re a drunken
loser – it just means that you made a bad decision at that
time.
And Heaven knows, we’ve all made bad decisions before. Some
folks are pretty consistent in that department.
I commend Dain for his integrity, for not having fear, for going
right out into the open like he did. He’s just an ordinary
guy – loves to play the ukulele and shred on the big waves
– but the man really is an extraordinary human being.
If more people would unquestioningly accept responsibility for
their actions, then learn from their mistakes and strive to better
themselves, this world would be a much more peaceable place.
But then again, if that happened, news reporters might find themselves
out of work.
