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UCLA Student Council Member
“Given that you are a Jewish student and very active in the Jewish community, how do you see yourself being able to maintain an unbiased view?”
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The press release doesn’t say when Penaroza began his job in Gabbard’s D.C. operation, but a LinkedIn profile has him working as a health-food products sales manager in Hawaii until two months ago. He also lists current ownership of a natural-clothing company that provides products to Whole Foods.
In the press release, Gabbard describes Penaroza as “an entrepreneur and small business owner” and mentions that he worked for six years as a “national sales manager for a Hawaii company” but leaves out its name.
Penaroza’s profile lists him as a sales manager at Puna Noni Inc., a broker at Ecoceptional Inc., and the owner of the Kailua-based Tag Aloha Co., “an Eco-friendly clothing and Accessory line.”
Penaroza’s political resume, meanwhile, is a thin one. Gabbard’s press release credits him for working as a volunteer in her first political campaign — the successful run for a state House seat in 2002. Penaroza went on to work as a coordinator during her run for Honolulu City Council and then as an “event organizer and grassroots coordinator” — also as a volunteer, according to Penaroza’s LinkedIn profile — for Gabbard’s 2012 and 2014 campaigns for the national office.
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Ragnar Carlson · Top Commenter · San Francisco State University
It's almost as if Gabbard is not the brand-new person she unveiled just in time to run for higher office so much as the same crazy m*****f***** she has been all her life.
Reply · · 5 · February 25 at 5:38am
Greg Harris · Honolulu, Hawaii
I think it says a lot about Civil Beat that your comment is on this article. Very disappointing to say the least.
Reply · · 9 · Edited · February 25 at 8:30am
Ben Wagner · Top Commenter
There is a more constructive and less profane way to put that, but I agree with Ragnar on the substance.
The Tulsi Gabbard of 2002 is completely different than the Tulsi Gabbard of 2015. One has to wonder how sincere she is on some of her new policy positions.
Reply · · 7 · February 25 at 9:09am
Patricia Blair · Top Commenter · University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Yes in deed, Ben, and she refuses to speak with local reporters presently in DC about issues prevalent to District 2. That is stupid, immature. Not the kind of Rep., I expect to represent my district.
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Claire Piechota Santos · Top Commenter · RN/Health Care Advocate at Ask Nurse Santos
What's this cult thing? Tell us everything you know about Tulsi's cult.
Reply · · February 25 at 9:39pm
John Kawamoto · Top Commenter
The national media is interested in cults, so maybe a big newspaper will assign an investigative reporter to do a story on it. Tulsi has garnered national attention, so it might be a big story, especially if they can find a few people who dropped out of it and are willing to tell its inner workings.
Reply · · 2 · Edited · February 25 at 9:49pm
Bart Dame · Top Commenter
Claire Piechota Santos, if you are truly interested in learning about the cult headed by Chris Butler, I have provided a link in my first post on this subject to the Cult Educational Forum. There are currently 475 pages of postings, mostly by former members of the group, sharing their memories as well as some original internal documents. Not everything on there should be assumed to be accurate, just as there are bogus things posted on any public forum, including in the comment section of Civil Beat. But most of the information there is accurate and it paints a portrait of a deluded megalomaniac, exploiting and abusing naive followers.
Chris's devotees do not want an honest review of the group's behavior and history. They want any such discussion shut down and censored. They hope Tulsi's celebrity will help bring legitimacy to Chris as a bonafide "guru." But they want to tightly limit what information is known about him.
I'll make it easy for you. Here is a link. It goes directly to a page with some information about Kainoa Penaroza, which is relevant to the question being asked in this article, Who is this kid and why would Tulsi appoint someone with zero qualifications to the important, taxpayer funded job of her Chief of Staff?:
[forum.culteducation.com]
But there are 475 pages. It can also be searched for specific names. You can learn, for example, about the school where Mike Gabbard served as "headmaster" for a few years. You can learn about Chris Butler's role in guiding the Independents for Godly Government political party in his first attempt to elect devotees into political office, a project which has continued over the years, with Tulsi's career as his greatest political success so far.
It will help you understand why so many of his followers are trying to shut down this discussion.
Reply · · 3 · February 26 at 4:39am
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Civil Beat Editorial, Opinion
Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Needs to Answer Questions About Chief of Staff
A controversial staff hire and her persistent digs at the president have caused many to question the congresswoman. Whether the criticism endures depends in large part on her.
March 2, 2015·By The Civil Beat Editorial Board
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Alice Huang
Look at all the things she has accomplished as a politician...and listen to her speak! She makes the most sense of all people in Washington about the president's recent speeches regarding the ISIS problem....and people just want to get on her case about who she hires? They elected her to do her job. Now LET her do her job.
Reply · · 19 · March 2 at 12:51pm
Moki Hana · Top Commenter · Welder at Navy Shipyard
With all due respect, while the decision is hers to make, the civic duty of all citizens are to hold are elected officials accountable. That is to say, we not only have the ability to posit such questions, she has an obligation as a public servant to simply answer the question--why constituents and the district are best severed by this individual?
Reply · · 6 · March 2 at 1:41pm
Matt Helyer · Top Commenter · Works at Retired
Alice, It's all much ado about nothing.
Reply · · 1 · March 2 at 11:40pm
John Kawamoto · Top Commenter
Alice Huang, Everyone wants Tulsi to do her job well, but how can she do that with an inexperienced person as her chief of staff?
Reply · · 1 · March 3 at 1:16am
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Allen Nakamura · Top Commenter · Honolulu, Hawaii
Being a no-show at a hearing for vets concerned with the state of VA hospitals in Hawaii, so that she could show off her surfing skills to Yahoo! news. And now, canceling a phone interview with Hawaii News Now on the very same day she had time to do an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper. Just a couple of months into her second term as congresswoman, and Tulsi already is showing signs of being disconnected with the voters in her district. I know that since statehood, Hawaii has never voted an incumbent member of congress out of office. But up till last year, this state has never voted out an incumbent governor in the primary. As Neil Abercrombie's historic defeat showed, there's always a first time. And if Tulsi is not careful and she takes her support at home for granted, a similar fate could befall
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Bryan Ferguson · Top Commenter
Ben Wagner Criticism is fine; just understand that at the end of the day, she has the right to surround herself with the best people she believes will help her to effectively do her job.
Reply · · 13 · March 2 at 7:48am
Moki Hana · Top Commenter · Welder at Navy Shipyard
She is a public servant--period. What that entails is transparency and working for the greater good of her constituency, while at once tethered to constant accountability. So, while she has certainly the autonomy to select the person for the position, she also has the duty to explain why the person would best serve her congressional district. With all due respect, the person selected has less experience than volunteer interns who are still in college--which reminds me--does even have a college degree?
Reply · · 9 · March 2 at 8:30am
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Greg Owen · Top Commenter · University of Hawaii at Manoa
I really, really want to support our Congresswoman, but my support is ebbing away like the tide...basically the Public has the right to know the full details of Tulsi's thinking on this [and other] issues, That's how it works with Public Officials..... Better to deal with these issues now rather than when Ms. Gabbard is running for Senator [?] or President [?]. And hey stoner Chris, HOWZIT!
Reply · · 6 · March 2 at 3:28pm
Doug Maguire · Top Commenter · Honolulu, Hawaii
Vanity Fair has done some excellent work over the years profiling people. I want to read from day 1 and that would be in the year 1981, THE ENTIRE LIFESTORY.Multiple aspects of her life merit serious investigative journalism. I read some very disturbing information on the so called leader of her personal worship center. No one can have it their way all the time. Tulsi has REFUSED to sit down with the Civilbeat Board and the local newspaper board. What questions does she not want to answer.Many people here seem to find her life story and personal behavior inspiring and they have every reason to feel that way. When you are spoken of as a person who could perhaps run for this nations highest office someday, EVERYTHING YOU HAVE EVER DONE IS FAIR GAME, PERIOD!
Reply · · 5 · March 2 at 2:09pm
Ben Wagner · Top Commenter
It seems that there needs to be a regime change in second district. Have somebody who respects both the press and their constituents.
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Patricia Blair · Top Commenter · University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Tulsi's recent actions and her lack of response to constituents questions on issues of concern, makes Tulsi most un appealing for another term to represent my district. Imagine a Representative afraid to face probing questions from Civil Beat and other Hawaii news media. A sign of immaturity or cover up?
Reply · · 4 · March 2 at 8:20am
Carolyn Haley · Top Commenter · Honolulu, Hawaii
is Alana Penaroza (Kainoa's wife) still Tulsi's assistant?
Reply · · 4 · March 2 at 10:39pm
John Kawamoto · Top Commenter
Lots has been said about Tulsi recently. There are two major issues. The first is that she chose the inexperienced Kainoa Penaroza as her chief of staff. The second is how much she is connected with a religious organization known as the Science of Identity Foundation -- if at all.
Regarding the inexperience issue, some say it doesn’t matter. Tulsi can choose anyone she wants; or the job doesn’t require experience; or Penaroza should be given a chance before making a judgment about him.
Others say that an inexperienced person won’t be able to do the job well because of the complexities of the position. Tulsi’s performance is compromised by choosing Penaroza, and Tulsi’s overall judgement is called into question with that choice.
Regarding the issue of the Science of Identity Foundation, it has been associated with homophobia worship of the leader as divine, extreme indoctrination, arranged marriages, and punishment for leaving the group. However, much of the information is unsubstantiated.
Some people feel that religion is a private activity, and that no one should criticize Tulsi’s religion.
Others feel that her religion is irrelevant, and that the only relevant factor is what she does on the job.
Still others are concerned that Tulsi may be a member of a cult, and that it affects what she does on the job.
Tulsi has supporters and critics. She can silence her critics if she explains her choice of Penaroza and her involvement in the Science of Identity Foundation. If not, her negative rating is going to rise. The lack of reliable information makes people imagine the worst,.
On a side note, I realize that this article is an opinion, but it's amateurish for the Civil Beat editorial board to call Penaroza “Kainoa Ramananda Penaroza.” It brings to mind the conservative media calling Obama “Barack Hussein Obama” in attempting to sway people to vote against him....
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Reply · · 2 · Edited · March 2 at 10:34pm
Rick Tubania · Top Commenter · University of Hawaii at Manoa
it is you guys who are creating issues when there are none - you are needlessly questioning her selection of the staffer and her religion. how come her religion was not an issue in her prior political campaigns? The reason is that someone has an agenda against her and wants to smear her before the 2016 election because she is a threat to one particular senator who refused to hear his jewish leader.
Reply · · March 3 at 2:47pm
John Dupuis · Southern Illinois University Carbondale
No Evan I have ABSOLUTELY no knowledge as to any involvement of outsiders etc. I just brought it up as a"thought".. I do know others that have those concerns. I believe in a strict separation of Church and State as guaranteed in our constitution. Citizens for Godly Gov't. Sent up a BIG red flag for me and after a while both Reed and Nisiki were exposed
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Evan Tector · Top Commenter · Honolulu, Hawaii
John, you are the first one to bring that Krishna/Cult subject up here. While we do not actually know if Butler is influencing her, you would not honestly deny that Jaggad Guru has a history of influencing Hawaii politics? Recalling of course the 'Godly Government' Rick Reed, Wayne Nishiki and Mike Gabbard histories. All seemed to involve multi-partisan attempts at using 'homophobic' propaganda to rally support for Butler's affiliates.
As for Tulsi, we do know that she and her family are long time affiliates of Butler's cult. We would not know to what extent Guru might be influencing her because she and the media have skirted the issue of her level of active participation in the cult, generally glossing over it all merely to state her religion as 'Hindu". Certainly it is fine for candidates and pols to have religious affiliation and many make it a showcase for their community and values. Very few actively hide them or discourage media and public awareness. So yes, we do not know the answer to the Guru 'influence' question you raise. Perhaps you have some active insight?
Reply · · 4 · Edited · March 2 at 5:02pm
Evan Tector · Top Commenter · Honolulu, Hawaii
Apologies John, I do see others raised the subject before you. Questions still stand though. Mahalo.
Reply · · 2 · March 2 at 5:20pm
Doug Maguire · Top Commenter · Honolulu, Hawaii
Evan Tector , Without question it is the use of the word cult, NOT Hindu that concerns me most.
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Greg Owen · Top Commenter · University of Hawaii at Manoa
I was an early supporter of Tulsi, and would like to continue to be a supporter, however, this move is kinda WEIRD......doesn't make common sense in any way....maybe this guy could have been a good health advisor... or messenger.....and what's with the constant turnovers with the Chiefs of Staff?
I tried to find personal common ground like local folks do...and told Tulsi twice that her mentor or guru was my teammate in LL baseball.
That Stoner Chris Butler was an amazing shortstop on our championship team, the Kainalu white socks....no answer from our Congresswoman....... Now I am getting intrigued...who are these people and.... WHAT IS THEIR AGENDA? And I am a stoner....
Reply · · 1 · February 26 at 2:50pm
John Kawamoto · Top Commenter
Besides being an amazing shortstop, what was Chris Butler like? Are you surprised that he turned into a guru?
Reply · · 2 · February 26 at 3:05pm
Bart Dame · Top Commenter
Greg, I am a Kainalu Elementary alumni myself.
I had heard Chris was a fantastic ball player and had hoped to play professionally. When his life took another path and he became a guru, he took on the name "Sai Young," an obvious nod to Hall of Famer Cy Young, a sign he had not yet given up on his affection for baseball.
Chris's parents lived right across the street from the Kainalu administration building. Will Butler was my family physician when I was a kid and a close friend later on as we worked together in support of the struggles against death squads and dictatorships in Central America in the Reagan years.
For anyone who knew Chris and the family before he became Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa, the idea he is the most spiritually advanced being in the manifest universe is laughable.
Heck, one needn't be an oldtime Kailua person to see through the absurdity.
Go to the website I linked to.
(This very thread discussion you are reading, right here, right now Corboy)
I love the memo where Chris is whining to his devotees that Mike Gabbard needs to be replaced as his personal assistant because Chris didn't get mangoes for breakfast!
He denounces his Maui and Oahu devotees as "lazy," not noticing that he is the laziest one of the bunch, going hungry rather than just walking to the store, expecting to be waited on hand and foot.
So being raised in Kailua HELPS see through the nonsense. But any one with a modicum of critical independence should see what a farce the cult is. It is because Butler and his following have done so many questionable things over the years that His followers want to censor any discussion of the cult.
Reply · · 3 · February 26 at 3:11pm
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Henry Robinson 2 years ago
Very touching, thanks for sharing
Merrilyn Smith 2 years ago
I am in awe of how you came to peace with imminent death. This is the kind of spokesperson we need in Congress. I wish you all the luck in the world
George Rodriguez 2 years ago
The hope that most Americans have today is that we get a representative in Congress that really understands that what we are going through, not only economically but also what the families of those being deployed are suffering. Tulsi you have my vote because you understand and you are that person
Tia Mitchel 2 years ago in reply to Natalie Stocker
I agree she's a breath of fresh air and you can tell the she really wants to be of service
Henry Robinson 2 years ago
War is scary man, I don't think I would have the guts
Sharon Wynne 2 years ago
It is so nice that you share your personal experiences with us Tulsi, thanks so much.
Brad Jackson 2 years ago
Personal experience makes Tulsi real. This is who I want representing me in congress.
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corboy
(If you buy into Bhagavd Gita, that text beloved of the Krishnas
and Gaudiya Vaisavnas, that humans reincarnate, death is an illusion and that, vide Bhagavad Gita, killing isn't actually killing if it is
your dharma duty as member of the khstryia warrior elite to wage war
and to kill.
In this there is no pathos, no anguish
moral or emotional when contemplating human death and dying.)