There’s so much folly to find just a month into new year

It’s the last Sunday in January and time to "flASHback" on the month’s news that amused and confused:

» In his State of the State, Gov. Neil Abercrombie urged lawmakers to "set aside our political preoccupations," then used the speech as a launchpad for his first political ads for re-election. It’s the Foghorn J. Leghorn school of leadership.

» The governor’s initial campaign ad set a theme of "Moving Up," and he held a fundraiser in Kahala to prove it. Attendees had to kick in $2,000 and call him Fresh Prince.

» TV meteorologist Justin Fujioka was named Abercrombie’s press secretary. He’s the first governor to generate so much hot air that he needs a weatherman to explain it.

» Abercrombie faces a rematch of 2010, with Republican James "Duke" Aiona announcing he’ll run again and Mufi Hannemann considering the race as a Republican or independent. Call it "Alien vs. Predator vs. Terminator 2."

» The 2014 Legislature opened with promises to tackle homelessness, Hawaii’s massive public debt and rising sea levels from global warming. The obvious first step is to build poorhouses inland.

» Hawaii’s four mayors asked legislators for the power to levy a county excise tax, though all said they won’t use it. That’d be as smart as letting 12-year-olds have car keys.

» The City Council deferred Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s plan to raise $8 million by selling ads on the sides of city buses and asked for other budget options. Next plan: pizza delivery medallions atop the buses.

» Caldwell said the city’s enforcement of the sidewalk nuisance law has resulted in a "changed pattern" of managing Oahu’s homeless. The pattern has changed from cat-and-mouse to hide-and-seek.

» Councilwoman Carol Fuku­naga said we can afford public restrooms for the downtown homeless if we "put our creative juices together." Better our creative juices go in communal potties than on the sidewalks.

» U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa said her U.S. Senate campaign will be guided by "the great wind" of the late Sen. Daniel Inouye. Instead of a campaign strategist, she needs a medium.

» Hanabusa trails in fundraising, collecting $1.6 million so far to $3.4 million for incumbent U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz. The gridlock in Washington may not be popular, but it sure is profitable.

» New University of Hawaii defensive coordinator Kevin Clune welcomed the challenge of joining a 1-11 football team, saying, "I’m fired up." Here’s hoping it doesn’t end in the usual UH pattern of just plain fired.

» And the quote of the month … from state Rep. Rida Cabanilla on her plan to export Hawaii marijuana: "We are the best! We have the best marijuana in the world. I haven’t tried it, but the people who have tried have said, ‘Wow!’" She should try it and see if it helps her make sense.

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Reach David Shapiro at volcanicash@gmail.com or blog.volcanicash.net.