Time to grow up
Having been a junior high teacher for 16 years, I can spot juvenile behavior in a blink; as can any parent of a teen-ager. When it comes to “who dun it?” — it’s never “them.” In his press briefings, President Donald J. Trump acts just like any guilty kid trying to cover for his actions.
Ploy #1. He denies he said what he just said. He denies doing what he just did. Even though everyone heard it and saw it on national TV.
Ploy #2. When asked to clarify or explain, the president goes off on a long ramble, rewriting his story as he goes, shifting from one subject to the next in a desperate flim-flam cover-up attempt.
Ploy #3. When asked why he did what he did, the president claims he didn’t know this or that. He gives all kinds of excuses because he can’t possibly be responsible for what just happened.
We’ve all seen our kids do the same things. But when they get nasty, like the president does, lashing out at people, insulting others, calling people names, we discipline them for their inappropriate, unacceptable behavior.
Don’t you wish we could just send Trump to his room when he acts so immature?
Martha Hodges
Kailua-Kona
Don’t need the relief check?
Coronavirus relief checks are coming to many Americans. For many, they are a needed lifeline to replace some of their lost wages, pay rent, pay mortgage, buy food, buy needed medications and so much more.
This letter is to those of us who have a fixed income, who have made a budget we live within, have that extra money set aside for emergencies, and do not so desperately need that relief. Individuals can make up to $75,000 adjusted gross income (AGI), couples filing jointly up to $150,000 (per my understanding) and receive the full amount of relief of $1,200 or $2,400.
If you do not absolutely need any or a part of this money, how about thinking of one or more community service organizations that would work to help those who still need the help? Perhaps you can think of other meaningful ways to help those of us who have less. This is the time for war-time sacrifice by the citizens of our truly resource-rich country. In isolation we can pull together. Of course, check with your financial advisor.
Diane Neufeld-Heck
Ocean View
Tons of thanks
Although I thanked almost everyone, I do want to extend my gratitude and appreciation to the newspaper carriers, postal workers and mail carriers, Fed Ex and UPS drivers and our wonderful sanitation workers for everything that they do.
Doreen Vail
Kailua-Kona
Will we learn from our own history?
What seemed to hinder was censors minimizing early reports of illness and mortality, undernourishment, overcrowded medical camps and hospitals, poor hygiene, increased travel, failure to take preventive measures, school opening, and being too slow to prevent ships carrying the flu from leaving ports.
What seemed to help was traditional Chinese medicine, school closing, human behavioral changes, a blockade, severely restricting travel to and from the home islands, and quarantines.
The pandemic killed most of its victims in the U.S. within less than nine months.
The AIR Pandemic Flu Model in 2013 estimated a modern day “Spanish Flu” event would result in additional life insurance losses of between $15.3 billion to $27.8 billion in the United States and in 188,000 to 337,000 deaths in the United States.
Will we learn from our own history?
Vivian Green
Waikoloa Village