Short and sweet
Regarding WHT editorial Nov. 8 — what a bunch of double-talk and bull.
Don Baker
Volcano
Anthem represents fighting for freedom
Ms. Cook’s letter to the editor needs a bit of clarification. The pledge of allegiance is not said at NFL football games. A large flag is unfurled, a Color Guard marches onto the field, and “The Star Spangled Banner” is sung.
The latter was written by Francis Scott Key, as he watched the ravages of war explode over Fort McHenry during the Revolutionary War. It’s about the “Stars and Stripes” withstanding the siege, it’s about war, it’s about soldiers, it’s about fighting a war for freedom.
Although I believe most players and the NFL support the issues of fairness in justice and prejudicial treatment, the differences lie in the appropriate venue for expressing them.
As pointed out above, “The Star Spangled Banner” represents all of those who fight in war for our freedom. And so, the kneeling in that venue is offensive to many who have served in our armed forces and who still do to this day, as well as to those of us who appreciate their bravery.
Cynthia Salley
South Kona
Ease up on the newspaper already
Hey everyone, lighten up on the headline already. In a big way, “Wish you weren’t here” was a little bit funny.
It showed that the paper has a sense of humor, and it also showed one of the most important things about our great country — the fact you can poke fun at the president of the United States and not have the state police show up and throw you in jail. Freedom of speech, remember?
In keeping with free speech, the newspaper is supposed to be the voice of the people, and like it or not, 70 percent of the whole state did not want Trump as president, so the editor literally was printing the voice of the people. He explained in an editorial that the phrase was one being used in the other islands so it was actually accurate news.
I was one of the 70 percent, so when I saw the headline I chuckled, as did the rest of the 70 percent. It was light and funny and a lot nicer than other things said about Trump, so we hope the 30 percent chuckles along with us.
As for getting down on the editor, he has livened up the paper and made it shine. He prints photos of Hawaii, My Turn letters, has interesting columnists (disclaimer, I’m married to one of them!) and does print both sides of issues, liberal and conservative. Today’s paper has a cartoon making fun of Democrats. We are lucky to have such a creative editor.
So lighten up folks, it’s a great paper and a great country that gives us freedom to send a silly postcard to our president. I am renewing my subscription and if you want to read a great paper, you should, too.
Jacqueline Hedblom
Kona
Student success fun to follow
It warms my heart whenever I read your story of one of our Kona girls making a success in their life. I only had the pleasure of working with a couple of the Molina girls when they were at Konawaena Middle school but I have kept up with their successes though West Hawaii Today’s paper.
I, like so many of the KMS teachers, am full of hope and pride in our students who succeed. I just wanted to congratulate the Molina sisters for working so hard and making us all proud to be teachers.
Colleen Miyose-Wallis
Kailua-Kona