“The level of hatred between Republicans and Democrats is unbelievable. I've never seen anything like it. This country is totally divided. I've gotten along with Democrats and I've gotten along with Republicans. And I said, that's a good thing. I will be a great unifier for our country.” ~ President Donald Trump “We can't allow ourselves to descend down the rabbit hole of unbridled partisanship for partisan sake. The complex problems confronting this country require thoughtful responses from both parties -- not reflexive dogma that appeases the rowdy and unreasonable few.” ~ Mike Quigley, "A Call for Bipartisanship", Huffington Post, October 2, 2012

1. UNITED STATES SENATOR BRIAN SCHATZ
Working to Make A Diference
BRIAN SCHATZ NEWS FEED BALLOTPEDIA
News Articles Accessed November 17, 2017
https://ballotpedia.org/Brian_Schatz
Taking on complex topics that others choose to avoid has become an important
way the Hawaii Democrat can make a diference in a legislative chamber
dominated by Republicans.
Like all issues, he seems to approach tech policy by carefully studying the
issues and talking extensively to all relevant stakeholders to make sure he
knows all the facts. He’s one of the most studious and conscientious
members of the Senate who cares passionately about freedom of
expression and consumer protection. ~ Gene Kimmelman, President and
Chief Executive Ofcer of Public Knowledge
Schatz is not a doctor, either, but his father was, and health care technology is
another of his major interests. For the past several years, Schatz has sponsored
bipartisan legislation to expand telemedicine, which allows people to get
medical care remotely without the need to visit a doctor in person.
Separate pieces of legislation he advocated have been swept into that bill,
including measures he co-sponsored with other senior Republicans, including
Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi and Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, under
a bill called the CONNECT for Health Care Act of 2017.
Source:
How Brian Schatz Is Becoming The Senate’s Chief Science Nerd.
From data security to climate change, from net neutrality to telemedicine,
the Hawaii senator is front and center on technology issues
By Kirstin Downey. Honolulu Civil Beat. November 17, 2017
http://www.civilbeat.org/2017/11/how-brian-schatz-is-becoming-the-senates-chief-science-nerd/

2. Federal defense bill set to strengthen Hawaii's security and economy
By MJ Mai. Pacifc Business News. November 16, 2017
https://www.bizjournals.com/pacifc/news/2017/11/16/federal-defense-bill-set-to-strengthen-hawaiis.html
Hawaii is set to beneft from a $700 billion federal defense bill that passed the
U.S. Senate on Thursday.
The measure includes investments of more than $300 million for military
construction in the state.
Sen.Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, was also able to include language on the bill. He
called for increased oversight of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and an
assessment of China's infuence in the Western Pacifc, among others.
“This bill, and my provisions in it, refect our state’s importance to the greater
U.S. rebalance to the Asia Pacifc by addressing key military needs in Hawaii
while also funding initiatives that will improve our communities and support
our local economy,” he said in a statement.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the measure on Tuesday.
The military construction projects in Hawaii include:
• $90 million for Fort Shafter’s Command and Control Facility
• $73.2 million for the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam’s Sewer Lift Station
• $65.9 million for the Navy’s Command Facility
• $26.5 million for Marine Corps Base Hawaii’s Mokapu Gate
• $25 million for the Army’s Pohakuloa Training Area
• $19 million for the Navy’s MV-22 Landing Pad
• $6 million for Energy Resiliency Projects at Marine Corps Base Hawaii
• $5.5 million for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam’s Consolidated Training
Facility
• $5 million for Wahiawa’s Kunia Tunnel Entrance

3. THE CASE FOR CIVILITY IN THE TIME OF TRUMP
~ Jef Rasley
My commitment is to urge us all toward moderation and good will toward
fellow citizens.
If we can set aside unworthy emotions that deepen our political divide,
concentrate on fnding solutions to the problems our country and
communities face, we can then work toward a brighter future with less
rancor but frm in our purpose.
Or, we can feed our primitive fght or fight impulse by lashing out in
social media and then duck into our silos.
If we do that, the unhealthy polarization of the time of Trump will get
even worse.
_________________________
Senator Schatz is a vocal critic of President Trump. On analysis, Senator
Schatz's comments are well-reasoned and researched. Personally I have voiced my
disagreement on positions taken by the Senator, siding with the President, however,
my view points have not always been refective of the majority.
“The man who cannot listen to an argument which opposes his views
either has a weak position or is a weak defender of it. No opinion that
cannot stand discussion or criticism is worth holding. And it has been
wisely said that the man who knows only half of any question is worse of
than the man who knows nothing of it. He is not only one sided, but his
partisanship soon turns him into an intolerant and a fanatic. In general it
is true that nothing which cannot stand up under discussion and criticism
is worth defending.” ~ James E. Talmage
THANK YOU SENATOR BRIAN SCHATZ