E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawaii, a member of the Watergate investigating committee, questions witness James McCord during the hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on May 19, 1973. Inouye, the influential Democrat who broke racial barriers on Capitol Hill and played key roles in congressional investigations of the Watergate and Iran-Contra scandals, died of respiratory complications, on Dec. 17. He was 88.
Daniel Inouye, a World War II combat veteran and the most senior senator in the U.S. Senate, died Monday of respiratory complications. He was 88.
His last words were "Aloha," Hawaiian for hello and goodbye.
Inouye, a Democrat from Hawaii, was hospitalized a week and a half ago at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he said he was working with doctors to regulate his oxygen intake. Around the Capitol, Inouye had been seen with a portable oxygen supply.
He is survived by his wife, Irene Hirano, and son, Daniel "Kenny" Inouye. Kenny is his son with Margaret Shinobu Awamura, to whom he was married for 56 years until her death in 2006.
Inouye had served in the Senate for 49 years, since 1963. At the time of his death, he was the longest-living serving member of the Senate. The late Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia is the only senator who has served longer, for 51 years.
Hawaii became a state in 1959, and Inouye was the state's first Congressman. He also became the country's first Japanese-American Congressman.
He was also hospitalized on Nov. 15 after falling and cutting the back of his head. A statement released by his office spoke to the senator’s apparent dislike of being hospitalized: “The U.S. Army Captain and World War II combat veteran wanted to put a bandage on and come to work but his family insisted he get it checked out.”
Medal of Honor recipient Dan Inouye became the longest-serving senator, having served nine terms after first being elected in 1962. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
He was hospitalized the day before Pearl Harbor Day. Although ailing, he honored the day as he does every year, this time through a press release remembering his time as a Japanese-American teenager in Hawaii. He wrote:
In 1941, the date December 7th was a day that evoked anger, fierce patriotism and dangerous racism. Soon after that day, I suddenly found myself, pursuant to a decision by the government and along with thousands of Japanese Americans declared 4C, enemy aliens. It was a difficult time. I was 17.
Born to working class parents, Hyotaro, a jewelry clerk, and Kame, a homemaker, Inouye dreamed of being a doctor, according to the Washington Post, plans that were sidelined by the war. He was a second-generation Japanese-American, or nisei, and he wrote that it pained him that those who dropped bombs on Hawaii looked like him.
Inouye was 17 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with the 442 Regimental Combat Team, according to a statement on his website. He lost part of his right arm while he was charging a series of machine gun nests in San Terenzo, Italy.
"I looked at it, stunned and disbelieving. It dangled there by a few bloody shreds of tissue, my grenade still clenched in a fist that suddenly didn't belong to me anymore," Inouye wrote in his 1967 autobiography, "Journey to Washington," according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
After the war, he was nominated for the Medal of Honor but did not receive it. President Bill Clinton later bestowed the honor on him and 21 other Japanese-Americans for their courage during World War II, according to the Star-Advertiser.
He attended the University of Hawaii and received a law degree from Georgetown University.
As a lawmaker in D.C. in 1973, Inouye sat on the panel that investigated the Watergate scandal, according to the Post. He was apparently so frustrated by the testimony of a top White House aide that he whispered, “What a liar!” into a microphone that turned out to be hot.
Later, the aide’s lawyer referred to Inouye as, “that little Jap,” a comment that generated outrage, according to the Post.
Throughout his tenure, D.C., Inouye allied himself with the late Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, a Republican, and proudly proclaimed himself the "No. 1 earmarks guy," in Congress, according to The Associated Press. He championed an older tradition of politics -- one that embraced bipartisanship and compromise.
Responding to his death Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released a statement: "No matter what barrier was in his way, Danny shattered it. ... Danny was an icon in his native state of Hawaii and a tireless advocate for the disenfranchised, minorities and women throughout the country. He spent his life working for a brighter future, and we are all better off for it."
Former Sen. Bob Dole wrote touchingly about a man he called one of the Senate's "giants."
"Never once do I recall his being critical of another colleague - Republican or Democrat," Dole wrote. "Danny and I saw service in World War II where he lost an arm and where I had other difficulties. When we left the hospital, we eventually became United States Senators and he was always telling his friends that I talked him into it. I don't recall it, but if Danny said it was true, that was good enough for me."
NBC's Kelly O'Donnell contributed reporting.
Leave a Comment:
R.I.P.
Who is the next oldest Democrat in Senate? He has to move up to take Daniel's position as president pro tempore of the Senate ... a largely ceremonial post
Yes, but third in the line of succession to the presidency, after the V.P. and the Speaker of the House.
...and paid well too....the salary of the president pro tempore has been the same as that of the majority and minority leaders
United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye,
Medal of Honor recipient; Highly decorated World War II veteran (read the Wiki about his heroism).
Senator Inouye began his eight decades of public service to our nation and his state at the age of 17,
Rest in Peace, sir. Thank you for your service to our country.
Robert - perfectly put - thank you!
Inouye was at the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941 as a medical volunteer.[6]
In 1943, when the U.S. Army dropped its ban on Japanese-Americans, Inouye curtailed his premedical studies at the University of Hawaii and enlisted in the Army.[6] He volunteered to be part of the all-Nisei 442nd Regimental Combat Team.[7] This army unit was mostly made up of second-generation Japanese Americans from Hawaii and the mainland.[8]
Inouye was promoted to the rank of sergeant within his first year, and he was given the role of platoon leader. He served in Italy in 1944 during the Rome-Arno Campaign before his regiment was transferred to the Vosges Mountains region of France, where he spent two weeks in the battle to relieve the Lost Battalion, a battalion of the 141st Infantry Regiment that was surrounded by German forces. He was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant for his actions there. At one point while he was leading an attack, a shot struck him in the chest directly above his heart, but the bullet was stopped by the two silver dollars he happened to have stacked in his shirt pocket.[9] He continued to carry the coins throughout the war in his shirt pocket as good luck charms until he lost them shortly before the battle in which he lost his arm.[10]
Inouye as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army
On April 21, 1945, Inouye was grievously wounded while leading an assault on a heavily-defended ridge near San Terenzo in Tuscany, Italy called Colle Musatello. The ridge served as a strongpoint along the strip of German fortifications known as the Gothic Line, which represented the last and most dogged line of German defensive works in Italy. As he led his platoon in a flanking maneuver, three German machine guns opened fire from covered positions just 40 yards away, pinning his men to the ground. Inouye stood up to attack and was shot in the stomach; ignoring his wound, he proceeded to attack and destroy the first machine gun nest with hand grenades and fire from his Thompson submachine gun. After being informed of the severity of his wound by his platoon sergeant, he refused treatment and rallied his men for an attack on the second machine gun position, which he also successfully destroyed before collapsing from blood loss.
As his squad distracted the third machine gunner, Inouye crawled toward the final bunker, eventually drawing within 10 yards. As he raised himself up and cocked his arm to throw his last grenade into the fighting position, a German inside fired a rifle grenade that struck him on the right elbow, severing most of his arm and leaving his own primed grenade reflexively "clenched in a fist that suddenly didn't belong to me anymore".[11] Inouye's horrified soldiers moved to his aid, but he shouted for them to keep back out of fear his severed fist would involuntarily relax and drop the grenade. As the German inside the bunker reloaded his rifle, Inouye pried the live grenade from his useless right hand and transferred it to his left. As the German aimed his rifle to finish him off, Inouye tossed the grenade off-hand into the bunker and destroyed it. He stumbled to his feet and continued forward, silencing the last German resistance with a one-handed burst from his Thompson before being wounded in the leg and tumbling unconscious to the bottom of the ridge. When he awoke to see the concerned men of his platoon hovering over him, his only comment before being carried away was to gruffly order them to return to their positions, since, as he pointed out, "nobody called off the war!"[12]
The remainder of Inouye's mutilated right arm was later amputated at a field hospital without proper anesthesia, as he had been given too much morphine at an aid station and it was feared any more would lower his blood pressure enough to kill him.[13]
Although Inouye had lost his right arm, he remained in the military until 1947 and was honorably discharged with the rank of captain. At the time of his leaving of the Army, he was a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.
Inouye was initially awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery in this action, with the award later being upgraded to the Medal of Honor by President Bill Clinton (alongside 19 other Nisei servicemen who served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and were believed to have been denied proper recognition of their bravery due to their race).[14]
His story, along with interviews with him about the war as a whole, were featured prominently in the 2007 Ken Burns documentary The War.[15]
While recovering from war wounds and the amputation of his right forearm from the grenade wound (mentioned above) at Percy Jones Army Hospital, Inouye met future Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole, then a fellow patient. While at the same hospital, Inouye also met future fellow Democrat and Senator Philip Hart, who had been injured during D-Day. Dole mentioned to Inouye that after the war he planned to go to Congress; Inouye beat him there by a few years. The two remained lifelong friends. In 2003, the hospital was renamed the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center in honor of the three WWII veterans.
Source: Repost from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Inouye
He was a grand statesman and one of the few left that understood compromise and how to advance legislation to the benefit of the people. His service was long and honorable.
Mahalo Mr. Inouye for your many years of service on behalf of the people of Hawaii. We will miss you.
Hello folks, Mr. Inouye was a good man and one of the first to warn the American people of the Globalist agenda. This isn't conspiracy folks this comment came from a well respected statesman, look it up.
"There exists a shadowy government with its own Air Force, its own Navy,its own fundraising mechanism, and the ability to pursue its own ideas of national interest, free from all checks and balances, and free from the law itself."
— Senator Daniel K. Inouye at the Iran Contra Hearings
Well, I guess Patrick Leahy is going to get a raise now as he will likely become the new President Pro Tempore of the senate, a post that was help by Inouye. It is sad to see Inouye go, he was one of the more reasonable people in the senate. He spent his entire adult life serving this country, first in the Army and then in the Congress and Senate, and should be remembered for his service and dedication.
I'm sure he was a fine man, RIP. Less Democrats is better. I'm sick of paying taxes I can't afford to those who don't even try to work.
TrustVerify
Oh, please. "Globalist agenda"? What the hell is wrong with you?
As you very well know, or should, Senator Inouye was commenting about the secret Air Force, Navy and fundraising mechanism of diverted US resources, and a covert group of Americans which had previously illegally sold weapons to our enemy Iran to fund covert illegal counter-revolutionary actions in Nicaragua, ....and this was being run secretly from the basement of White House of President Ronald Reagan by Oliver North et al.
But you didn't mention all that. Dissemble much?
Aloha...Senator. Mahalo....Until we meet in heaven, Rest in Peace.
Patriot, Statesman, Soldier,....Gentleman.
One of a very few Democrats who could look at what was good for the country not just what was good for the Democrats. Aloha Senator. May God be with your family and comfort them.
Aloha and mahalo Sen. Inouye.
There is no way one can deny that what he has done for our country and his state has been truly remarkable. Please don't clog this discussion with petty political arguments and hateful comments.
Across the aloha state, hearts are empty and flags at half mast.
Rest in peace.
Im sure he was a great man, but really? 49 years in the Senate!
these Senators get in office and stay there for a lifetime?
Isnt it time to impose "term limits" of member of congress and Senate?
Robert,
Might wanna check your math. Counting from 1941, that's 72 years, 72 years does not equal eight decades, it's just a tad over seven.
MrEd7451 wrote:
Oh good grief, that's what you take from this? Don't you want to correct my spelling and grammar, too?
Senator Inouye's service to our country spanned eight (8) "decades." The decade of the 1940's to the 2010's.
But gosh, make it "a tad over seven" (7) decades if it serves your need to diminish; for whatever personal reasons you wish to do so.
In the end I hope you can take more from this man's service to our country than merely trying to score cheap points on the day of his death.
Just my tuppence ....
Tremendous loss to the Senate, I always admired him.
Godspeed Senator Inouye. Job well.
Rest In Peace you've earned it.
Robert,
I can definitely admire the man's military service, and I do, but I don't admire politicians. I do admire those two decades he served. The rest, not so much.
You know Someonenotyou, it is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.
Robert from Oregon:
Please don't post when you are drunk!
mediamaniac
What makes Someonenotyou a fool? The fact that he/she doesn't like the Democrats never-ending tax and spend mentality? His/her displeasure with their ever growing Socialist policies? I personally agree with his/her sentiment of fewer Democrats in Congress being a good thing.
oh, perhaps that he has a constant smell in his nose of fecal matter from having his cranium inserted into his anus? YEAH... that's IT
naturally the teabagger A$$HOLES will only say something against a DEAD hero... RIGHT? (wingers suck)
MrEd7451 wrote:
Ok Ed. I'm sorry you feel the need to diminish a man on the day of his death, but such is your choice to make.
Ed, in 1980 I did not vote for Governor Ronald Reagan for president. I did not agree with his proposed course for our nation. In 1984 I did not vote for President Reagan for re-election. I felt strongly that he had pointed our nation in the wrong direction, and set it on the wrong course.
On June 5, 2004, the day that President Reagan died, I wept for the loss of a very good and most decent man whom I had come to respect very much for his selfless service to our country.
In my 59 years I have learned that it is possible, even natural for human beings to disagree, without forgetting that we are human and discarding our humanity. I hope that you can also find that your humanity is much more important than your affiliations and personal agendas.
Just my tuppence ...
Robert,
Call me a heartless cynic, but I just have little respect for the vast majority of politicians. You mention Pres. Reagan, he was one of the very rare few politicians I could say I admired. People die every day Robert, I don't often get too upset over it. I find it a little hard to weep for a man who lived a full, and I hope, happy life, especially after a tragedy like we had the other day in CT. For them I weep. For the Senator's family I can offer my condolences, otherwise, well as I said, call me a heartless cynic, it won't hurt my feelings.
MrEd7451 wrote:
Ed, no, I won't characterize you as "heartless", nor as a "cynic", ... or even characterize you at all. Those are your words and not words I would have chosen. I am merely attempting to draw a distinction for your consideration, and for the others posting similarly derisive and/or diminishing comments here about a person on the day of his death.
It is afterall possible, and entirely appropriate for us, as fellow human beings, to choose respectful silence at the passing of any man or woman -- even those with whom we have strongly disagreed in life -- rather than choosing to go on the Internet to diminish that person in writing on the day of his/her death. I see that as a whole different level of incivility, which I will leave to you to characterize for yourself. I have already made clear my own opinion.
Do you see my point? I have nothing more to offer. I give you the final word.
Robert
And as my "final word", Merry Christmas, to you and yours.
Charles Djou would be a terrific replacement!!
Mr. Inouye was a real American and actual hero.... one of the dwindling few in Congress who have served in the military, governed with conscience and compromise... and given his entire life in service to fellow citizens.
Thank you for your example to all Americans
Mahalo
I lived in Hawaii for seven years...good riddance Daniel you stunk from day one
Not a chance, Arthur.
so your sh it don't stink? Hear ye , hear ye - we have been introduced to a freak of nature whose sh it does not stink.
by the way - I'm tired of YOU (but it's apparent you won't go away - no matter who thinks ill of you...)
Thank you sir for your service in the military and to your country. You blazed trails.
Mahalo
'Tiredoflosers' wrote
If you really are "Tired of losers," then just put down your hand-mirror. You should be able to figure that out, it's not rocket science.
but it is much too complicated for the likes of "tired of losers" to grasp. "tired" must be truly tired of himself...
A great loss. A fine man.
A great American hero is gone. May God bless his family, and his state.
one of the great generation. he was one of the few politicians presently serving in congress who actually served his country instead of letting this country serve them . r.i.p. sir.
thumbs up on that one...
thats one way to get them dems out of office.....
rip
You don't know much history if you think a Republican is gonna take his place in Hawaii!!
Don't mess with TX - have you no sense of decency?
texsas, was that comment necessary? Did it further respect or national discussion? I'm a Republican and I probaly didn't agree with some of what he believed but still, its not that hard to show some respect.
Total Dickweed, but what can one expect from a "Bush-boy"?
I was thinking the same about Pigotry. She is already talking about his replacement. This is a time to honor a great man not talk politics.
well texas andD SOMEONENOT YOU
your both a couple of jerks arent you? You disqust me! No repub will get his seat in HAWAII
I'm also a Texan by birth, conscience and loyalty and also a conservative that leans far more GOP than Dem, but that was a colossally stupid comment. Whatever Inouye's political affiliation, he was a staunch patriot, an extremely brave man, and a selfless public servant for almost half a century. I admired him greatly, feel our nation as a whole and the Senate in particular is poorer for his leaving us, and if we had a Senate full of men of his caliber this nation would be far better off. RIP, Cpt. Inouye--you've more than earned it.
Texas... Read some history r-neck. The 442 rescued the "Lost Battalion"... blowhard Texan , not all Texans mind you, I served with many from the Lone Star. Mahalo ke Akua Kaniela, thank you, mahalo, for all you have done for us. God Bless America and us all! "ALOHA"
dont mess with texsas
"thats one way to get them dems out of office....."
Oh don't worry... We wouldn't DARE mess with someone that can't spell their own states name... Besides, we've got 49 0ther more important states to mess with. You make fun of the death of a Medal of Honor WWII war veteran... You are completely un-american and always will be. Texas saves you because it keeps you too ignorant to realize you don't belong.
Shame on you, "dont mess with texsas"
Read your history, the 141st Texas Regiment, also known as "The Lost Battalion," got their sorry asses saved, thanks to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, of which Inouye was a part of.
If it wasn't for the incredible bravery and immense sacrifices that the "Nisei" (Japanese-American soldiers) gave in life and limb, the Texan 141st would have been completely wiped out by the Nazis that pinned them down in that combat-hot ridge in Eastern France.
THE RESCUE OF THE LOST BATTALION
http://www.goforbroke.org/history/history_historical_campaigns_rescue.asp
like my mom used to say texas....when you have nothing good to say stfu! have some respect for a man who earned the medal of honor who ...you a-hole.
Texsas,
I'm so sorry you're mother didn't know which one was your father.
The moniker, "Don't mess with Texsas," says it all, in addition to his comments. False pride, delusions of grandeur, anger, and arrogance, seeing everything as black & white with no gray tones, me 'gainst them mentality - none of the characteristics good, kind & god-loving Americans were raised with.
These guys of the 442nd Regiment Combat Team and 100th Battalion saved many lives of our "Texas Lost Battalion." Mostly gone, the surviving members of the Battalion will always remember and honor those boys. They didn’t look like one of us but they were true warriors and heroes whom loved this country with all its faults. They gave their lives for our country, as true Americans…
This is the story the Senator told many years ago...He was returning from the frontlines on his way to Hawaii. The Senator had a stopover in California (didn't say specifically where) because he needed a haircut. So the Senator stops in to the first barbershop he laid his eyes on. After waiting for several minutes and confronting jaundiced eyes around him, his turn comes up. As he stood up, the white barber glared at the Senator and told him, "I don't cut JAP hair." At the time, the Senator was in full-dress uniform of the U.S. Army with all his ribbons, missing a right arm. The barber, although grudgingly, gave the Senator a haircut, the Senator could help but not to remember.
We'll miss you, Senator...Aloha!
Please put age limits and term limits on Congressional seats.
no one schould be in office that old 65 schould be the age limit
Why? So inexperienced, poorly trained, Yahoos can run everything?
We need people of age and experience. You must be about twelve..
no meg, so inexperienced and poorly trained yahoos can be led by army of highly paid special interest groups.
We don't need term limits, we need informed voters! If you agree with what your representative is doing you should be able to have her or him continue to represent you, if not, work to get someone else elected. Term limits are not necessary if we have informed voters. Only lazy, uninformed voters need term limits.
no mark, so experienced and well trained yahoos can be led by army of highly paid special interest groups...doh!
On this point, I'm partially in agreement with Xtex. Men like Inouye who can spend decades in office and never lose touch with their ethics or their sense of obligation to their nation and its people are all too rare. For every Inouye there's a Rangel--someone who uses his position for personal enrichment and promotion, featherbeds for his constituents, shrugs off corruption and could care less about ethics. Seniority certainly counts, but when Congressmen serve too long they lose touch with the reality of what it means to be a businessman or ordinary taxpayer. Reacquainting them with reality by forcing them to get a non-political job once in a while could accomplish wonders.
or a dimwit deminty fresh... Hawaii will NOT elect a teabagger for ANYTHING - the islanders are FAR too INTELLIGENT for that
Such an admirable record of military service to our country, and Mahalo for that, sir. I do believe that his record number of years in the government makes a good case for term limits. Experience is one thing; being a career politician? Uh-uh. Thank God Presidents can only serve for 2 terms, and that goes for Republicans AND Democrats! LOL
Rest in peace, Senator. Thank you for your service, both in war and through government.
A gentleman with true dignity, and class.
Very rare these days. R.I.P.
He has moved on to a life that higher and better thatn this one. That is a destiny for all of us in this incarnation.
Rest in Peace, Senator. You have served mankind and your nation well!
I am not sure if this was a good man or a another politician out for his own ambition. All i do know is that he was too old to serve in the senate. I find it ironic that the founding fathers made sure the office of the presidency only had 2 terms, but they made sure they could serve an unlimited amount of terms as long as they lived. that needs to change. There are too many senators who have been there for 3 generation or longer. If we want this antion to actually grow we have to get these people out.
They are so out of touch of who the new generation of Americans are. Yes, its us the new generation who will run this country and its time they hand it over.
I'm tired of the old kenedys and this recent senator dieing in office. Whats next, mccain. That fossil is so old and his policies so out dated, its time for him and the rest of them to go.
There is built in an automatic method for getting them out of office, use it.
Wow, how about showing some respect to someone who was a Medal of Honor winner, served his country for over 70 years (counting that military experience) and has probably done a lot more for their country than you.
First of all, Senator Inouye, was not only a completely capable member of the Senate right up until his death, but as opposed to so many people in public service today, he truly worked for his constituency not for himself.He was also a highly decorated WWII veteran. Second, the founding fathers did not impose any kind of term limit for the President. Term limits for the President did not come about until the death of FDR in 1945 , who died at the start of his FOURTH term. Please do your homework before spouting off like you know something. When you do, you will realize what an asset this fine man and great American was to the senate during his tenure.
The founding fathers put no such limit on the presidency. The 22nd Amendment, with term limits for the president, was only added in 1951.
The Presidents had unlimited terms. Washington set an example by only staying 2 terms. FDR stayed for 4 elections and that is when the 2 term limit was added. Amendment 22.
And how about you people who vote actually research and learn about the candidate before you vote for them. If they are 80 plus, its time to go for another. I'm tired of the old generation holding back the rest of us because our lifestyle is not like thiers.
And no, older does not mean wiser.
One minor correction to your diatribe:
The Founding Fathers did not limit the term of the President. Washington served two terms and it bacame tradition thereafter that a president seeks re-election only once. That lasted a little over 150 years, until FDR sought a third and fourth term. Congress subsequently passed the 22nd Amendment, limiting a president to two elected terms, in 1947 and it was ratified in 1951.
Derik,
I am a Republican but from Hawaii. Senator Inouye was a great man and a great patriot. He served his country even when it didn't serve him. Fear incarcerated many Japanese Americans like him and yet he served our country bravely. If you had heard him speak recently you would know that he still had all of his mental abilities and his years of experience provided wisdom that is so often missing in the younger generation (think Obama). Not every older congressman should be still serving but some of them bring a steadying influence that should not be discounted. Age is not a barrier to service anymore than stupidity is and we have plenty of younger congressmen who fit that description. Unless we study our history and learn from it we are doomed to repeat it. Congressmen like Inouye and McCain lived our history and we would do well to learn from their experiences so we can spare our youth what they lived through.
Regardless of whether you have a point or not, I just needed to point out the factual error in your post.
You say the "founding fathers made sure the office of the presidency only had 2 terms", but, if you read Article II of the Constitution, there is no such limit set. The two term limit was added by the Twenty-second Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1951. This was largely in response to the three full-terms served (four elections won) by FDR.
Just a little FYI.
EMDF9A, We need such an amendment now. This time for Senators and house reps.
Laliana, I am not doubting his character. I'll take your word for it, he was a good man. But all good men should not hold more than 2 terms in any political office. Especially at his age. And yes age is a big topic. Not everyone is fully functional at 88. Apparnetly he was not.
Derik - The two term limitation was a precedent start by Washington, it was until after the American Dictator FDR (who ran for 4 terms) that an actual limit was imposed.
derik, you go on and on about his age, and his "outdated" views and his "inability" to serve as a senator. Name one occurrence of this. Name one "outdated" view he has, that was not shared by someone "younger". Name one example of his ineptitude due to his age.
Name one. Just one. You accuse us of not "doing our research", yet you just continuously spew nonsense and try to undermine his life of service to our nation, and you try to pull a rabbit out of a hat bringing in our founding fathers, yet you are COMPLETELY wrong about what the constitution said about presidency. You've shown your ignorance enough here, please stop.
Inouye served our country long and served our country well.
Derik,
Learn to spell before making a comment. What do you know about anybody being "too old" to be "fully functional"? Reach that mighty age first then you will know for sure who is functional and who is not...Hold office first before deciding who should remain in the position. Everyone dies, just some people die after making tremendous contributions...Others just die....Thank You Senator. RIP.
For all of you advocating term limits -- are you going to volunteer to quit your job and give up your career in order to spend 4 or 6 or 12 years in Washington, knowing that at the end of that time you will be forced to return to private life? With no job and no career waiting? I for one greatly prefer to have a professional political class whose career is spent learning our laws and how government works. The ONLY alternative is for ALL politicians to be independently wealthy before running for office. Every senator and every congressman a Romney clone? No thanks. The solution is not term limits, the solution is for an informed public to VOTE. If the politician is doing what you elected him to do, let him keep doing it for as long as he wants to. If not, limit his term by voting him out. Of course, this requires an actual professional journalistic class as well to do their jobs of informing the public. It's been a long time since we've seen any trace of that.
Thurmund "just died" Most southern senators can just die and essentially NOT BE MISSED, Inouye WILL be remembered and MISSED
"I am not sure if this was a good man or a another politician out for his own ambition."
Well perhaps you should do a little research and educate yourself before you run you yap and prove to everyone what a fool you are.
Maybe you you people should learn to think before you cast your vote. why you thought that old fart could do anything is beyond me. He died in office and didn't make any real difference.
As for you Meg, I doubt at 80 you would be able to do jack crap. Let alone balance your own financial budget. There comes a time when your too old. Problem is people like you never know when it is. Its why we have the elderly causeing traffic accidents because they refuse to give up thier drivers licenses.
Inouye was enlightened and a progressive - justice for all and progress for humankind, the opposite of outdated. The irony here, derik, is that some of the "younger" politicians today are the ones with outdated views. Take away workers' ability to make $30/hr to support a family and give 'em $12/hr. so they qualify for food stamps & Medicaid. Cut funding to Planned Parenthood and keep 'em barefoot and pregnant. Make 'em bear a child from rape and incest. Cut funding from college grants and keep 'em stupid so they won't question authority. The list goes on.
Why is an 88 year old man in the Senate?? It's a travesty, period. When are we going to come to our senses about just about everything. We need term limits. I'm sure Sen Inouye was a fine man but; didn't belong in gov't at that age - no one does...
we need term limits now!!
PS I'm old but I still think we need to get these old farts out. It's a new world and it needs youth.
Grey 32,
What we need is to get rid of ridiculous posters who decide everyone is the same. Some people are "old" at 20. Others are healthy, intelligent, creative and competent at 90. What we need are honorable, intelligent and experienced people in our legislative houses. In case you are unaware, with age comes experience and if we are lucky, wisdom with it. Stop labeling people based on the years they have been on this earth and START measuring them by their dedication and service.
Rest in Peace Senator Inouye...Mahalo.
Meg:
Wake up and smell the coffee!
This is how partisan everything has gotten. No one will convince me that those who are using Inouye as an example of why we need term limits aren't Republicans, contrarily all those using Inouye as an example of why we don't need term limits are Democrats.
I'm in favor of term limits if for no other reason that to keep the "cronyism" down to a dull roar (and I ASSURE that I am NO F U C king REPUG) BUT - until the LAW changes, it IS what it IS
No, what we need is to get rid of stupid people like Meg from this country. Your ideas are based on your sweet elderly parents or grnadparents. Well get over it. There comes a day when they are no longer able to do the every day tasks that a normal person does. And at 80, No one should be given a seat in the senate or house.
@derik-2272234 -"And at 80, No one should be given a seat in the senate or house.."
The idea of an iron clad age rule for anything makes as much sense as a gender rule, a religious rule, or an ethnicity/race rule. I'd welcome a rational discussion about term limits, but only among people with an enlightened sense of human rights, dignity, and justice. A discussion of IQ and competency requirements for all positions of public safety, jurisprudence and leadership might also be interesting, providing they could be validated and fairly administered.
The privileges granted in the Bill of rights make public discourse and participation available to people of many stripes, including extremists and those who are, immature, self-centered, dim witted, uninformed or misinformed. The comments section of Internet pages such as this provide abundant evidence of this. For a democracy to work well, it must have an informed, educated electorate. Sadly, that is too often missing in our great land.
Let's celebrate the great things that the Senator contributed to the well-being of our country and everyone in it.
I'm a democrat, but I believe in term limit, this is one way to get rid of them.
don't mess with texsas u sir are a idiot if you think republicans are any better!
No dissrespect but just the fact that we had an 88 year old senator is crazy to me. Go and try to have a debate with your 80 year old grandparent and see how that goes. I'm sure he was a great man and thank him for his service. If congress can't get along and resolve differences by end of terms they should be replaced. No different than a failing business.
Blame the state who keep elcting him.
My husband's uncle is 86, an engineer and land surveyor.
He just started a new business so that he could employ some of the struggling engineers in his community. He also climbed 2 fourteeners last year.
The electorate of Hawaii clearly wanted Inouye to retain his seat - in 2010 he received 75% of the vote.
If they were happy with him, who are we to criticize?
I doubt they elected him because of his awesome job. they reelected because he was well known. And that is it.
derik is a troll. Think about the Supreme Court which has much more power than an individual senator. common sense is probably just ill informed.
Derik we elected him for the great work he has done for the State of Hawaii and even more importantly what he has done for our country. You obviously don't know him and I can tell you that when he passed he most certainly had all his marbles. the man was a walking history book.
I know because I know him
Mahalo for your service unko Dan!!
Aloha No
Commonsenseforthecure - you don't seem to know many 80 year olds. The ones I know are very sharp witted, intelligent, and VERY coherant. My late father-in-law practiced law till he was 85. My father's health at 90 is such that he no longer works as a service officer for his American Legion post, but dang, he knows the laws, rules and regs that govern getting veterans their benefits. He gets calls from the other, much younger service officers who ask him for advice and strategy. Every person is different. Don't judge simply by age.
Problem with you people is, you hate the truth. You made a bad vote and your candidate died in office. Maybe next time choose a person who can actually do his job.
This is perfect - new blood can be infused! He, like Strom Thurmond (R) of SC, was in the Senate way too long! Elected officials in Washington should serve no more than two terms; the same limitations as the President. This would help put an end to the money laundering and power hoarding in which ALL of the elected officials there participate! Ted Kennedy (D) spent too many years there; even after drowning his baby's mom at Chappaquidic! Thank God for his departure! Now, if ones like John Boehner (R) would just depart... it would allow for new and younger individuals to SERVE their constituents.
Inouye may have had a weak body but he still had a strong mind. His work in congres aided the citizens of Hawaii. He wil be greatly missed. To loseboth our senators will create an interesting situation. There is ONE republican that might get in. The other is a lost cause that is better off working as a dog catcher but wil fit in with the house of representatives with her unique mindset.
My deepest condolences go out to his family. A great loss indeed...
I'm tired of people blinding just casting thier votes just because o yeah I heard of him. Do some research idiots. if he is 80 plus years old, find another candidate. jerks.
kinda like the southerners do all the time huh
Derek- There is a solution to politicians that have been in office too long. It's called the vote. When the voters of a particular state want someone out and another one in, they'll take care of it. Now, why don't you toodle off to Red State or the Blaze to spew your disrespect.
Derik, really? 80 years old is too old?
My Dad is 89 and is more intelligent and informed than you! What an igornant statement.
80 is too old. Stop being a douche and emotional. It is what it is. We need younger people in Washington.
What a loss... he was revered in the Senate for his ethics and leadership.
I-N-D---:
Not really, he was actually feared for his power in the Democrat Party! But he still was a great American Patriot, and for that and his accumulated wisdom America will miss him greatly and be the pooer for the passing of him. RIP sir.
I suppose there is nobody in Congress to force these guys out once they hit retirement age, yet they encourage large companies to 'turn over' their employee pools so younger (and cheaper) employees can do their jobs. Shouldn't Congress be that way, too?
Yes. We need term limits at all levels; local, state and federal.
"We need term limits at all levels; local, state and federal."
{His last words were "Aloha."}
Isn't that one word?
No, Aloha means Hello AND goodbye.
He was such a humble man and always in command of every bill that came his way. He prided himself in the fact that he personally read an entire bill in cluding the tome of Obomacare before he voted. We lost a gem.
Perhaps we did lose a gem, Tom, but what we really need is more citizen/politicians rather than career politicians.
Sounds like another good Democrat Maybe more will follow.
Actually I want a republican to get his spot just for balance. Seems Obama has fooled me again. he plans to spend the next 4 yrs doing absolutly nothing, but this time his target is gun control. the most widly law enforced thing ever.
I wanted him to fix the economy.
OK, Derik. You've made your point (over and over). You hate Democrats, you hate Obama, you hate old people, you hate the Constitution. Now go back to your rock and crawl under it.
Ban handguns and semi-automatic weapons. Ban them widly derik.
Derik, when a Senator dies, or resigns, he or she is replaced by someone from the same party. Which means Inouye will be replaced by a Democrat and DeMint will be replaced by a Republican, until such time as a new election can be held. (In DeMint's case, the state of South Carolina isn't going to even hold a special election.)
How's that for balance?
We will hold a special election to replace Tim Scott, who is the 1st congressional rep in the house. No matter what you think of Gov Haley, she made a smart move. Meaning, of course, that she was TOLD what to do by her handlers, she is not the sharpest knife in drawer, if you get my meaning. she is one of the "useful idiots".
The last of a group of U.S senators (Sen. Robert Byrd Sen. Edward Kennedy Sen. Strom Thurmond) who actually did what they were elected by the people to do. They didnt just occupy the office and obstruct progress. They always worked towards a mutually beneficial goal for the entire country. Rarely putting party loyalty above the good of the entire country.
Nice post Bill.
Glad to see someone else here is more concerned with the quality of the man and his actions, than his age.
Bill:
Please don't post when you are drunk!
Go for broke! RIP Inouye san. Aloha...
Thank you for your service, Senator. That said, we need term limits on all elected officials and we need them now. Public service should be just that; public service and not a "career" as a politician. Career politicians at the local, state and federal level are why we are in the mess we are in now. That and the entitlement nation that wants all of the benefits but does not wish to (and is not required to) pay for them,
We HAVE term limits...it's called the ballot box.
Thats not a term limit idiot. A limit is a set amount a time one can do something. The senators can be elected over and over again until they die in office heaven forbid.
GET IT RIGHT>.
It they're not doing their job, vote them out of office.
A person is doing something right if they keep being re-elected.
You're the i----
jimbo- The ballot box is not a term limit. It is just the possibility of a term limit. We have an actual term limit on the presidency and we have it for a very, very good reason; which the American people recognized and voted for.
Can't see the forest for the trees, Supreme Court? No limits.
and just think glenn, how much you could make sucking donky dicks (fuc king SPAMMER)
glen etc., you are classless scum, using a story about a dead hero to post your bullsh!t advertising. I wish you had died instead.
Rick in the Forest -- you want "citizen/politicians" rather than career politicians. Tell me, are you going to quit your job and give up your career in order to go be a "citizen/politician" for a few years? I didn't think so. So if you won't, who will? If politics is not a career path in and of itself, than who can afford to be a politician? Only someone who knows that they will not need a job after their term limit expires. In other words, either the independently wealthy, or someone who is totally corrupt and expects to set themselves up for life during their term.
Ken- Were I not 67 years old I'd be happy to quit my job and run for office. The idea that politicians become "better" with age or experience has no basis in fact. We can't really have a participatory form of government if we elect the same people to office time and time again. They become too entrenched and, frankly, beholden to others instead of actually representing their constituents.