Is it vandalism or terrorism?
In response to the Feb. 2 letter, “Where were the terrorist alert warnings last summer?” the writer may be surprised that Black Lives Matter has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of being the most potentially transformative social justice movement in American history. Tens of millions throughout the world demonstrated peacefully and obeyed curfew.
Former President Donald Trump might have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, too, if he had met with BLM leaders to address their concerns. But instead, he fueled frustration by discounting the validity for BLM demonstrations and used it as an opportunity to stoke false fear that “black people were coming to violently take over neighborhoods.”
He also championed “All Lives Matter” whose purpose was to imply that those who supported BLM were against the police. This raised the temperature and encouraged armed right-wing militant groups to show up to “support” the police. That led to violent clashes, which Trump ignored, while crying outrage about vandalism. (Kyle Rittenhouse, who shot and killed two Kenosha protesters, has now been identified as associating with the Proud Boys.)
Peaceful gatherings in support of a cause are lawful. Whereas, gathering people on social media to arrive at the Capitol with weapons, bullhorns and riot gear, along with instructions to hang Mike Pence and execute Democrats is an insurrection. Attacking police who were trying to protect Congressional members and the building, leaving 140 injured and four dead, is unlawful.
Situational vandalism is unfortunate and many people were arrested last summer. Whereas, groups planning and orchestrating an attack, with intent to harm specific people in a restricted federal building, is considered domestic terrorism and Trump, their “leader,” hasn’t condemned these groups. Hence, the present terrorist alert.
Martha Hodges
Kailua-Kona
Seeking a town hall
House Bill 169 is currently being considered for the Honolulu City Council agenda. This measure is intended to cite protesters and, are you ready for this, beggars with disorderly conduct. I ask again, when is enough enough?
I visited my chiropractor, a former medical doctor, today who told me he knows with 100% certainty this is not a pandemic. He said if it was, people wouldn’t be leaving their homes. He’s been censored on his social media so he only talks with clients who want to know the truth.
I visited the police station three weeks back, giving them a cake that read, “Freedom and Constitution Matter.” I told the officer, “masks don’t help with viruses, they are about control.” He told me they know it’s just a regular flu, but they have to enforce the mandates. I told him the mandates are not laws, and he said we have to go to the governor.
Over 500 people have signed a petition asking the governor for a town hall meeting to review the emergency proclamation and COVID deaths compared to regular flu deaths over the last six year. In Hawaii, COVID deaths are currently 424. From 2014-17, the regular flu in the state killed 438 to 637 people. You can find this info at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/states/hawaii/hawaii.htm.
If you want to sign the petition, go to www.ipetitions.com. We are at a turning point. What will you stand for?
Michelle Melendez
Kealakekua
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