Hillary, go!/Aloha, The Giants
Wednesday - December 10, 2008
President-Elect Barack Obama recently announced his cabinet. Let me ask you this: What qualifies Sen. Hillary Clinton to be Secretary of State? Exactly what professional experience or expertise does she possess that justifies her selection as our nation’s international representative?
Yes, she was First Lady. Yes, she may know leaders by their first names. Yes, the Clinton franchise is well-known around the world. However, what in her resume qualifies her for this sensitive, influential and critical position? Just curious.
Aloha Airlines was - and I stress the word “was” - a beloved icon in our state. But Aloha Airlines is gone. Much of the blame is levied at Mesa Air dba go! Yes, it’s true. Mesa saw the Hawaii market ripe for a fight. It’s true its business practice was suspect and, via adjudication, Mesa has paid millions and continuing legal action may cost it even more.
But let’s be honest.
The demise of Aloha cannot be placed at Mesa’s table alone. The ownership and management of Aloha must be held responsible when lamenting its downfall. So now that Mesa is poised to brand go! as Aloha, former employees of Aloha are crying foul.
With all due respect, your relationship with Aloha Airlines ended when the company shuttered its doors. It’s over.
The open-bidding process has allowed a deal to be struck with Mesa clearing the way for it to use the Aloha name and image. Bankruptcy Judge Lloyd King could have approved the transaction, but he decided to delay a decision until early next year. Why? In essence because he believed Mesa was responsible for Aloha’s demise and he believed it would be rude and unfair to former Aloha employees. Judge King opined with incredulity that those who were devastated by the loss of Aloha would suffer further indignity at the hands of those responsible for their misery.
The judge is incorrect in delaying his decision based on the “insensitivity” of the transaction. He is a bankruptcy judge and he should render his decision based on the merits or demerits of the financial implications rather the feelings of former employees. The emotion of the case is irrelevant while the financial implications are paramount.
If the justification for his decision rests with the “devastated lives” of those who lost their jobs, he should consider that Hawaiian Airlines’ management stayed afloat in the same market as Aloha. They survived and Aloha did not. The judge’s ire should be equally directed at Aloha ownership/management and stop trying to scapegoat go!.
The New York Giants will repeat as Super Bowl Champions. Their talent on the field is complemented by their professionalism off the field. The ongoing soap opera that is Plaxico Burress has finally come to an end. A talented wide receiver, Burress has been a thorn in the side of the Giants and the NFL with his antics and overt disrespect for his employer and the game itself. However, the club stood by Burress, providing him guidance and multiple opportunities to succeed. The last straw was Burress shooting himself in the leg in a nightclub while illegally possessing the offending handgun. Despite the Burress carnival, the Giants have focused their efforts in repeating as the world champions. The organization surely and swiftly dealt with this embarrassment and are focused on simply winning.
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