Greenery II
By B.J. Reyes
With questions still swirling as to whether he would become the last of the Big Island’s three state senators plucked for jobs in the new administration of Gov. Neil Abercrombie, Sen. Josh Green says he is “honored” to be where he is, with no mention of looking for a new job.
Green, an emergency room physician from Kona, has been talked about as one of administration’s potential candidates for the job of state health director, one of only two Cabinet posts the governor has yet to fill.
In a statement e-mailed today to supporters and constituents, Green appears to distance himself from the position.
The full statement:
Dear Friends,
I am honored to serve as the Chairman of the Senate Health Committee in the
upcoming legislative session.I remain committed to strengthening healthcare in Hawaii and I will do
everything I can to make sure that we have the best, most accessible system
in the nation.As Chairman, I will pursue the priorities that people statewide have
indicated are the most important to them:1. tougher DUI penalties to prevent drunk driving tragedies
2. keeping doctors and nurses in Hawaii with loan repayment programs
3. strengthening Hawaii’s hospital system and healthcare safety netFor West Hawaii, I will be fighting for a new courthouse, an upgrade to our
emergency medical infrastructure, harbor improvements, repair of our aging
park facilities, and better access to healthcare, especially drug and
alcohol treatment.While the role of Chairman comes with added responsibility, it also provides
a greater opportunity to stand up for West Hawaii and the entire Big Island
in the coming years on the issues that matter most to our families.Please contact me anytime with your ideas and concerns. Let’s keep working
together to make the Big Island and all of Hawaii a better place to live.From my family to yours, have a happy and safe holiday season and a great
New Year.
Political Radar
December 15th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
This post, and the email which comprises its subject, seem most curious.
First, no one should assume that Green’s interest in the DOH position has changed just because he doesn’t mention it in the emailed statement. For one thing, some believe that HE was the one who floated that trial balloon (see “Greenery”) in the first place, perhaps to give loft to an application that otherwise had little or none. Second, that attempt appears to have backfired because the new administration has been SO disciplined in speaking with one voice, with no/few apparent leaks, that the trial balloon alone may have killed off what might otherwise have been a viable application. I can just as easily surmise from this statement that Green knows that even the remote chance he may have of getting the position will be fully extinguished if he even so much as MENTIONS it.
To paraphrase an old statement by an equally old and unknown (but wise) person, “Power is best vested in those who least desire to acquire and use it.” Or, as applied here, positions are best given to those who are least inclined to seek them, at least publicly.
December 15th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
And on a completely unrelated topic, “tougher DUI penalties to prevent drunk driving tragedies” is number one of the “priorities that people statewide have
indicated are the most important to them”? Really? Maybe that’s why he hasn’t gotten the DOH job (yet).
December 16th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Unfortunately, Senator Green will not be appointed director of DOH.
December 17th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
The curious publicity Green’s application got probably did hurt his chances. But, Ohia, you have zero evidence that Green floated it to this blog. Could it also be that foes against Green floated it, very effectively hurting his chances. My hunch is Green, being the enthusiastic, sometimes over-trusting man that he is, excitedly told one too many people that he was putting his New Day application in – and someone told Derrick. For instance, Ohia, it seems to me that from the tone of your speculation I could easily put you in the Green-foe category. See? I can as just as easily & baselessly point my blame-finger in your direction, just as you point yours in Green’s.
The choice for DOH has not yet been made. We all have no idea if the blog really has hurt Green. Look at some of the choices so far. There are a number of surprises. Who knows what they are or arent thinking. Be honest – theres been a couple so far that have simply knocked our socks off while others are perfect fits.
I agree with Sir Charles (surprise?). Senator Green is an energetic, incredibly passionate, and dedicated public servant AND ER physician. Given the youthful bend of many of the cabinet choices coupled with his experience and background, it seems to me Green would have been one of those perfect fits with the New Day.
December 17th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Hipoli, my assertions are based on multiple sources, including one who received a call on the subject — while I was present — from the good doctor himself. I am not a foe of his values but I do not care for his style, altho’ it it is not entirely uncharacteristic of a number of ER docs with whom I am acquainted — brash, abrupt, and with an attitude that oozes “I’m smarter than you [almost certainly true] and if I act like I’m God it’s because I deal with life and death situations constantly.” Really, any legislator who insists on having their degree initials after their name on official stattonery, nameplates, etc. are just a little too taken with themselves: “Josh Green, M.D.,” “Lyla Berg, Ph.D.,” “Gene Ward, Ph.D.,” really, it’s tiresome. Gawd, if we put “J.D.” after every lawyer legislator, “C.P.A.” after every accountanty, there would be no end to it.
BTW, are tougher DUI penalties your number one statewide priority?
December 18th, 2010 at 11:03 am
In 2009 Green was pushing a plan to privitize HHSC hospitals. That would take 4000+ workers out of the HGEA and UPW. This is why he is not getting the nomination.
December 22nd, 2010 at 12:15 am
Youre seriously dinging Green for using M.D. after his name, Ohia? The man actually is a doctor. Did you go to medical school? When you do you get to decide if you want to use M.D. at the end of your name. Theres not a single doctor in this entire world who went to school for however many decades that they do and then dont use those precious M.D. letters after their name. Just because Josh starts his name with Senator means he shouldnt be allowed to end it with M.D., without being called names?
Hogwash.
By now we obviously all know Green didnt get the nod. All the best to the nominee. But this should be a very fun confirmation hearing, given who the chair is of the Health committee.
December 27th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Hipoli, just because you CAN doesn’t mean you SHOULD. At the legislature, he is a senator. In the ER, he is a medical doctor. Do you suppose he signs his charts or his scrips “Sen. Josh Green”? I have a graduate degree, too, and decades of training in my line of work but I don’t need to waive it in everyone’s face. Like I said, it’s a matter of style. My job is a living, not a life style. He apparently doesn’t see the difference and seems to want to remind everyone that he is better than them. And, no, I didn’t call him names; I described behavior I have personally observed that puts him in a class with your heroine, the former Senate President (for whom even I voted, given the choices).
December 27th, 2010 at 11:16 pm
Ohia, Im just about flattered that you remember how I slobbered oodles of love over now-Congresswoman Hanabusa in the face of a heck of a lot of you all hating on her.
Dont hate on Green, either. Maybe his doctor-ego isnt your cup of tea, but c’mon, hes also not the crappiest legislator such that he deserves all this.
Surely we can have more fun picking on the ones that are really fun to pick on, no?
December 29th, 2010 at 1:03 am
Fair enuf, Hipoli. I place a high premium on low-ego leaders — whatever the context — but that may be too much to ask when it comes to local legislative bodies. And there are, indeed, any number of legislators to pick on who possess a Green-like ego but can’t hold a candle to his intelligence and passion. So, have at it!
November 17th, 2012 at 11:25 am
Source