by Andrew Walden

“I don’t support Osama bin-Laden. I didn’t cheat on my LSAT.” That was the message HD11 Democratic House candidate Kaniela Ing blurted out to the astounded members of the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission at a hearing Thursday, November 1.

Ing was being fined $375 for three campaign spending violations. But as Ing stood before the dumbfounded Commissioners, he began crying about Hawai’i Free Press and accused us of “slander” for the fine work we have done to promote Knowledge of The Teachings of The Ing.

Our June 23 2012 story on Ing’s on-line bin-Laden post was cut and paste from his blog. Here are Ing’s quotes:

All this coverage of these celebrations following Bin Laden’s murder is making me sick: Rednecks in stars and stripe bandanas on their heads chanting “U.S.A. U.S.A”….

I think it remains essential for Americans to keep in mind that Bin Laden was an effective leader in many contexts– across organizations and national borders. … many respectable Middle-easterners followed the man.

His attack on 9/11 was political, it was not solely meant to spark a holy war. Despite American media’s tendency to pidgin-hole (sic) Bin Laden into the irrational Muslim extremist pool, he was fundamental in leading a movement against the American crusade of forced democracy in the middle-east: an issue extending far beyond clashing faiths….

THAT is part of the reason why he attacked–not just because we were perceived as a Christian (or at least non-Muslim) nation, but because he was against the (now proving to be grossly ineffective) Americana societal ideal of a democratic republic rooted in capitalism being constantly shoved down his people’s throats throughout the past half-century. To raise our flags and chant in jubilant celebration of his death acts is a testament to our arrogance, pretension, and naivety–its a signal to the rest of the world that our societal values prevail and that our crusades will press on.

The bottom line is this was no true victory….

In the Maui News November 4 Ing repeated his complaints about opponents “picking apart a blog I made in college to help engage young leaders.” Tragically, reporter Nanea Kalani neglected to mention that Mr. Ing does not support Osama bin-Laden. For some reason, Ing has not charged the Maui News or Ms Kalani with slandering him by omitting this crucial piece of information.

As for “engaging young leaders”, Ing’s bin-Laden post created quite a stir. Here are some of the quotes from “young leaders” who became “engaged”:

“This opinion blog or whatever it is of yours is just disgusting. You were begging for attention and now have it. You need to take a step back from your ego.”

“…you are up there on your fake moral high horse… you think you are above those and know better and can read the minds and assign racism ….”

“So a nation does not have the right to celebrate victory over an evil enemy in your opinion? Send me a post card from Politically Correct Land.”

Clearly these comments do not suggest that Ing “supports” bin-Laden. Perspicuous readers instead focused on their perceptions of Ing’s motives and his mentality.

Our coverage of Ing’s writings was part of an effort to help Ing meet his true constituency.

Ing’s South Maui Democrat predecessor Joe Bertram deserved the support of any South Maui residents who shared Bertram’s disgust at a criminal justice system which is just too hard on the “imaginary crimes” of child predators. And, as a public service to an informed electorate, we at Hawai’i Free Press spread the word on Bertram’s behalf back in 2009 and 2010. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.

Likewise, Ing deserves to receive the support of all voters “sickened” by celebrations of the “murder” of Osama bin-Laden. After all, as Ing so eloquently explained, “Many respectable Middle-Easterners followed this man” who was “leading a movement against the American crusade.” So certainly this must be a winning issue in Kihei, right?

And what appreciation do we for helping Ing reach his true core constituency? Ingratitude personified! The gall!

In spite of their lack of appreciation, Hawai’i Free Press remains firm in our commitment to protect Progressives’ free speech against their own self-censorship.

This leaves us with some catching up to do. Readers are probably not familiar with Ing’s “I didn’t cheat on my LSAT” claim because we don’t run stories based on a single anonymous source. But Ing’s denial confirms that there is a story, and we can now run both sides.

In an email allegedly sent to Governor Neil Abercrombie last December as OHA Trustees pretended to be interested in Ing as part of a scheme to artificially enhance his electability, an anonymous writer explains:

During Mark’s (Kaniela Ing’s) senior year as an undergraduate student at the University of Hawai’i he sat for the entrance examination for admission into law school. During the examination Mark was removed from the test room for violating the code of conduct. The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) that administers the exam requires law school applicants to read, understand, and comply with LSAC's ethical standards before the examination. Mark’s failure to comply with LSAC's ethical standards, barred him from finishing the exam and therefore admission to law school.

And here is Ing’s response, which was forwarded to us:

I took the LSAT twice before deciding that law interpretation was not the career for me. The second time I earned a score that I am still very proud of that would have made admissions a breeze, but the first time was heart breaking--the first time is what the letter refers to.

Test takers are not allowed to bring a cell phone into the test room. I was aware of this so I gave my phone to the proctor upon arrival. She said this was okay since she knew I needed to phone my ride after the 3 hour test. While the tests were being handed out to fill in our personal information, my phone alarm went off (8am set for Saturdays) from the proctor's table even though it was turned off. The proctor explained that she has gotten in trouble last test for allowing someone to continue testing who had his phone ring (in his pocket) so she took no chances and dismissed me even though the test hadn't started. She was regretful but firm. It was February so I had to wait a whole other application cycle to apply.

Admissions a breeze? That’s not what Ing blogged March 10, 2011:

“Rejected from Law School? I just got my letter too…relatively low undergraduate GPA. At 22, I have experienced endless failures: job interviews, appointments, blown sales pitches, applications for state positions, deadlines, elections, etc.”

Perhaps Ing feels there is a constituency for “endless failures”. Two weeks later he posted: “Hawaii: “The Dumbest State”…Almost.”

Election Day is November 6.

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Related:

House Candidate Kaniela Ing Threatened with Expulsion from UH

Legislative Candidate Mark Ing: Bin Laden Was “Leading a Movement Against the American Crusade”