Gabbard hits partisanship, gridlock during talk show

Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard was clear and concise in sharing her views on "CBS This Morning" Monday in a fine interview conducted by co-hosts Charlie Rose and Norah O’Donnell. Gabbard says she is frustrated with the gridlock in Congress and that the people back home reflect that frustration. "They’re saying, ‘Look, we just want you to get something done for us. We don’t care about the blame game and the partisan rhetoric that goes back and forth. How are you improving our education, how are you reducing the deficit, and how are you empowering our small-business owners to create more jobs in our local economies?’"

THE DEMOCRAT, 32, is the youngest woman in Congress and the first Hindu. She was singled out for serving combat tours in Iraq and Kuwait. She said the experience showed her the true cost of war, not just the cost and the lives that are sacrificed, but also the long-term impacts on soldiers’ families, especially children. Gabbard was urged to discuss sexual assault in the military, something she is passionate about. "This is an issue that is a travesty and is really undermining our national security, when you look at it," she said. "It is an issue that has really resulted in bipartisan outrage, and where there’s opportunity to really come up with a common-sense solution to be able to have a transparent process to provide justice to these victims and to be able to get these criminals out." …

POPS CONCERTS under the baton of multitalented Matt Catingub have long been favorite attractions and the six-concert Orchestra Series at the Hawai‘i Convention Center that gets underway Sept. 14 with country music star Jo Dee Messina should be no exception. "The Songs of Bond … James Bond," on Oct. 20 with special guest Sheena Easton, is bound to be a real gas. Remember Sheena singing the 1981 Academy Award-nominated Bond theme song "For Your Eyes Only"? The concert also offers Nathan Aweau, Cathy Foy and others. Jim Nabors and Emma Veary stepping up for "It’s the Holiday Season!" Dec. 21 is a lovely gift. It also stars the always enjoyable Amy Hanaiali‘i and the Diamond Head Theater Shooting Stars. Rolling into next year, "The Music and Artists of Hawaii" headlines Keali‘i Reichel on Jan. 25; "Driven to Dance" is billed as an evening of high-energy music and fun with pop singer Taylor Dayne on March 15; and seven-time Grammy winner Al Jarreau will give the series a big windup May 31. The Orchestra Series offers music, food and dancing …

"LIVE AT LEWERS" is a worthy Pops event, starring guest artists in the Halekulani’s jazz lounge with shows at 8 and 10 p.m. Look for Jack Jones, Nov. 15-16; Robert Cazimero, Feb. 21-22; and Tierney Sutton, April 18-19. Donna Bebber is Pops exec director. For tickets, go to hawaiipops. com or honoluluboxoffice. tix.com, or call 550-8457. Live at Lewers ticketing will be available Sept. 1 …

ISLE BEAUTY Anjanette Lowe is Hawaii’s entry in the National Mrs. United States 2013 competition running Saturday through Wednesday in Las Vegas …

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Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.