Thomas Sowell used a form of the word “zealot” at least eight times to describe advocates of gun control (“Gun control zealots don’t let facts get in their way,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 17).

He is obviously blind to his own level of “zealotry” when he states that “crazy shooters” and murderers are more rational than shocked and concerned citizens seeking a solution to the painful epidemic of firearm murders. As a gun rights “zealot,” he attempts to negatively cast these everyday Americans as more dangerous than the killers for wanting to regulate the firearms industry.

According to The Washington Post, the United States has the highest per-capita rate of gun deaths among a sample of 45 so-called “developed” countries.

If being No. 1 among those nations isn’t due to the number and availability of guns, then it must be that America has more mentally ill, unhappy, angry, isolated and alienated, and bad people than those others.

Which is it?

William E. Conti
Waikiki

Keep UH football but have it be in FCS

Although I never played organized football myself, I am a University of Hawaii-Manoa alumnus hoping for a positive change in the school’s football program.

Being aware that football pays for most of collegiate athletics, I understand that it must not be dropped as a UH sport.

I kept a commentary by James Cartwright from last season that merits perusal (“UH football joining FCS would be win-win for all,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Dec. 26).

Many of us probably feel that the UH football program should be changed to FCS (Football Championship Series). It may be a step down from prime time, but the Rainbow Warriors would be eligible for postseason play — maybe even a national championship.

Certainly, UH is not on the competitive level of teams that draw 100,000 fans for a single home game. I figure it would be a smaller-scaled venture that would draw fans, if the team wins.

Stuart N. Taba
Manoa

Following party line is why we’re in a mess

I just read the letter by Jim Wolfe about U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (“Gabbard critical of her own party,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 23).

His thinking is the exact reason nothing gets done in Congress.

He obviously wants a one-party U.S. government like our one-party state.

How dare Gabbard have a different opinion than the rest of the sheep party she belongs to?

She should know that once you say you are a Democrat or a Republican all your opinions have to hew to the party line.

Carl Bergantz
Kaneohe

Parents should get involved with schools

With the recent news of our schools still struggling, it is so easy to blame the schools (“Isle schools still struggle,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 21).

While there are many factors influencing a child’s education, the biggest is parental involvement.

If parents would spend an hour a day to help their children with schoolwork, it would dramatically improve test scores.

When parents get involved in their children’s schools, things will start to improve.

Parents need to work together with schools to improve the graduation rate.

Alan Kim
Moiliili