Some ‘alternate facts’
It is clear the recent onslaught of hurricanes and earthquakes that are impacting North America are directly related to anti-Earth policies of President Donald Trump.
The three basic elements of our Earth (atmosphere, lithosphere and biosphere) are well-integrated, and are now joining forces to protest Trump’s assault on our planet and to punish those who support him.
Recent hurricanes devastated Texas and Florida — two states that voted for Trump. Hurricane Maria threatened Georgia and the Carolinas — states that supported Trump. It’s a pity that so much damage has been caused in the Caribbean, but “collateral damage” is unavoidable.
According to unnamed USGS seismologists, it is a fact that earthquakes are being caused by the build up of tectonic stresses originating beneath Washington, D.C. The Mexico earthquakes are now moving northward and will soon open the San Andreas Fault in Southern California, focusing damage on areas where people voted for Trump. The Earth’s biosphere is screaming in pain after Trump abandoned the Paris climate accords and has focused on destroying health care.
According to well-known biologists, major new diseases will soon ravish the people and corn of Trump-supporting Midwest states. These facts are true — just as true as the “alternate facts.”
President Trump continues to tweet from his golf cart, or wherever … .
John Lockwood
Hilo
Culture of guns
According to Joan Hidal’s letter to the editor (Your Views, Sept. 19), more regulations equal fewer gun deaths. Not necessarily so. New Hampshire and Vermont have some of the least restrictive gun laws in America, yet are near the bottom of the firearms fatalities list.
Many studies have been done on the connection between gun laws and gun deaths. Most studies show little or no correlation.
One difficulty in drawing a conclusion from these studies is the way gun deaths are compiled. How are suicides, gun accidents and actions by law enforcement counted? And what about nonfatal shootings?
One recent report from Chicago mentions 60 gunshot victims but only 11 fatalities. Just because people didn’t die from their wounds shouldn’t minimize the fact that strict regulations didn’t prevent them from being shot. This is similar to how traffic accidents are compiled. The emphasis is on fatalities.
The gun culture in America began from the founding days of our country and progressed to where it is today, centered around self-defense, hunting and recreation.
The era of the Wild West occurred because of a lack of law and order.
History is repeating itself because the police are becoming overwhelmed by the explosion of gun-related crimes, especially in America’s inner cities. While Hawaii is still relatively safe, the dramatic increase in armed robberies, carjackings and home invasions have prompted a spike in gun sales.
How come Hawaii’s stringent gun laws haven’t prevented this crime wave?
Don Baker
Volcano
