So after threatening to incinerate North Korea, President Donald Trump wants the NFL owners to fire players who kneel in protest when the national anthem is played. What next?
Of course the protesting players are within their rights.
But this is an issue that never should have arisen, because the anthem should not be played at sports events. There is nothing patriotic about a football or baseball game. It’s just a game!
Playing the anthem routinely cheapens its effect. Play it on Memorial Day and other solemn occasions.
Carl H. Zimmerman
Salt Lake
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Protests don’t belong on the playing field
It’s disheartening to see some NFL players kneeling as “The Star-Spangled Banner” plays.
This act disrespects those who died, served and are presently serving this country, the sacrifices they made and are making to preserve our freedom.
Yes, they have a right to free speech. However, they also have the right to not exercise their right. If they want to demonstrate their right to free speech, it should be on their own time and not on the company’s time.
These players are abusing their visibility on a national level and should not be allowed to do so. NFL owners should realize that when on TV, these players are representing each organization, not themselves.
The owners should tell these players to protest on their own time if they feel so strongly.
I doubt any player is willing to coordinate rallies or demonstrations “after work.”
Pat Takenishi
Ewa Beach
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President doesn’t understand protests
President Donald Trump has told the NFL to fire the players who kneel, and for fans to leave the stadiums when they see these professionals kneeling. It is none of his business, but his comments have made the issue even bigger than what it was.
The protest now is against Trump and his white supremacist ideology against people standing up for what they believe in. Dictators have people tortured or killed for saying things against their corrupt governments. If Trump had his way, he would have these protesters jailed.
Our so-called president is out of line with many of the world issues, and in a lot of cases he has caused more harm, and is possibly leading us to World War III.
All Americans have a right to protest. It doesn’t mean we don’t love our nation or its flag; it’s just a protest about equality for all races, which the president doesn’t understand. LeBron James said it the best on his tweet: “Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!”
William T. Pirtle
Waipahu
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Life is better without NFL on the weekend
The NFL is gonna be “No Fans Left” if the players keep disrespecting our national anthem.
I quit watching last week and could care less who plays, who wins, who kneels, who stands, whatever.
It’s very liberating to drop-kick the NFL out of my life. There will be more time to focus on the family and the weekend. Plus, I can still watch college football.
Charles Kerr
Kalama Valley
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Trump’s rants show he needs to leave
The sad spectacle of the president ranting at his campaign rally for U.S. Sen. Luther Strange was more than depressing and worrisome. It was frightening.
When he speaks using a teleprompter and a speechwriter he can be at least coherent even if one does not agree with him. But when he speaks off the cuff with a bizarre train of thought, it is like listening to a lunatic.
It has always seemed too far a reach and perhaps too political to use the 25th Amendment to remove him, but the time may be here.
His dark speech at the United Nations hinting he may need to kill 25 million people, the redeeming qualities he finds in white nationalists, and his near-constant obsession with reliving the last campaign are compelling indications that he is mentally unfit and dangerous to the country and the world.
Ernie Saxton
Wahiawa
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Focus on health care, not health insurance
The debate that we are having on health-care insurance addresses the wrong question.
“How do we provide affordable health care insurance” ought to be instead, “How do we provide affordable health care?”
Why? Because, whether health care insurance is covered by Obamacare, block grants or universal health care, these options ultimately are bound to collapse economically due to rising health costs.
Meanwhile, a 900-pound gorilla is sitting in the room but everyone seems not to notice him because he sits there very quietly. Eventually, however, we can no longer ignore his presence because he’s going to continue to grow — bigger and bigger.
Cassandra Aoki
Kaneohe
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Wahine coach brings pride to Hawaii
The coaching style and ability of Robyn Ah Mow-Santos, the University of Hawaii Wahine volleyball coach, has brought so much pride to Hawaii. Wishing the team the best on this week’s road trip. You go, girls!
Ann Egleston
Kapahulu
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Improve security over Pearl Harbor
Is Pearl Harbor at risk?
The United States and North Korea are threatening nuclear war on each other. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy allows sightseeing helicopters to buzz over our warships and naval facilities at Pearl Harbor at altitudes as low as 300 feet.
What kind of national security is this? One “bad guy” disguised as a tourist could orchestrate an attack on our Navy.
Whose job is it to protect Pearl Harbor? We must tighten up security now before it’s too late.
Joy Schoonover
Waipahu
