Ideals matter, not symbols
Ideals matter, not symbols
This is in response to Frank Dickinson’s letter to the editor.
Frank, perhaps we would all be better served if you would expound upon rioting white supremacists and neo-Nazis exercising their constitutional right to free speech and leave the football players alone to peacefully voice their concerns over where our country is headed under the leadership of people who think as you do.
The structure of this country is based on a foundation of ideals, not symbols.
Kelly Greenwell
Kailua-Kona
US vet despises Trump
I am an 81-year-old retired U.S. Air Force officer and a Vietnam veteran. I intend to kneel the next time I am at an event where the national anthem is played.
Trump has no respect for those who express their opposition to the oppression that he promotes and exemplifies. He is the worst president in U.S. history, and an enemy of the best interests of this great country that I proudly served in uniform.
I join the millions who despise him and fear that his ignorance-based precipitous actions could cause the death of millions around the globe. We share the fervent hope that he will soon be legally removed from office.
Gilbert R. Taylor
Kailua-Kona
Kneeling protest asks us to reflect on our values
I applaud the NFL players who have been protesting the continued institutionalized discrimination against African Americans in law enforcement and our criminal justice system. African Americans are still being killed based on the color of their skin, and it is a scourge on our society.
How can we honor the anthem of a country that is unable to face these horrible truths about our past and our present? Every American should take a knee and pray for forgiveness to the families of those affected, and for allowing this despicable state of American affairs to persist.
How can Nazi racists be characterized as “fine people” and those that are respectfully asking us to look out our values as Americans be called SOBs?
Shelly Brown Stitham
Kealakekua