[UPDATE: 9.27.10] After a short break away from my computer, I returned to The Garden Island to find their comment limit of 500 characters has now been increased to 1,000. I wish to publicly thank Mr. Kozerski for this modification in policy.

To the dearest, greatest writing teacher of all: Ms. Melba Barnett ~
I know you have departed from this planet. Maybe you are the lucky one. I hope you are resting peacefully in some heavenly location. Do you still remember me? I realize it has been many years. The hard work and diligence you invested in training me to become a better writer seems to have paid off (at least this is what my friends, and even critics, tell me today).

You used to frustrate me tremendously as a student. You demanded 1,000 - 5,000 word theme papers. I had a hard time coming up with 250 as a young pup. I would write a sentence, count the words, look up at the clock, add another "and, the, at, to, etc." - anything to help fill the page. You and I both know my mind was distracted during this period of my life, as I could not wait to dress down for basketball practice each day. I was not one for a lot of words; I let my performance on the court speak for me.

Those days appear forever gone. I am too beat up to be running and jumping like that anymore. I have settled down and have a knack for putting words together - in a way that makes sense. Thank you ... MUCH MAHALO ... for all that you did for me.

I was just BANNED by Randy Kozerski of the Kaua'i online newspaper, The Garden Island, for, get ready for this, for ... WRITING TOO MANY CHARACTERS!

You must be cracking up at the irony of this. Think how much fun you would have today with your RED pen. Although I must add, you taught me well. You may not need to correct as much now. LOL

I miss you! I miss the days when American citizens were encouraged to think and write important and thoughtful discourse. Today we are limited to "bumper sticker slogans" - 500 characters - and, experts wonder why citizens are poorly informed and our keiki so disinterested in school. Why should they care? They are not allowed to participate in a meaningful way!

It is a most difficult time today. Every generation has their challenges but ours seem to be crushing the values that made us a great nation. Dumbing Down America is not why you worked so hard. Thank you for being with me each day!

Me Ke Aloha!
Scott