Trump translated
In Kathleen Parker’s rambling editorial (Commentary, July 2), her translation of President Donald Trump is lame. Here’s a better one: “Most of the Mexicans flooding across our borders are rapists and drug dealers, with a few good people mixed in.” This more accurately represents Trump’s bombastic xenophobia. (Can there be any doubt that he hates brown people?)
She strains to make Trump look misunderstood, no doubt an attempt to retain her Republican credentials. She promotes uncensored “free speech” on social media, saying speech is merely the expression of thoughts, and, my gosh, we wouldn’t want to “purge” those. Nuts.
Thoughts are the beginning of speech, and speech is the beginning of action. A society that allows unfettered hateful or hurtful speech might soon face much larger problems down the road. Ranting sociopaths and wannabe dictators are to be squelched, not passively encouraged, whether it be at a neighborhood meeting, pre-World War II Germany or in the White House.
Let’s face it: If it wasn’t for the competition for ad revenue, social media would’ve dumped Trump long ago. His ideas and abilities are just too abhorrent.
Bill Porter
Hilo
Don’t ‘Skip’ the mask
On Saturday, June 28, at approximately 11 a.m., I arrived at the takeout line to receive and pay for my order at Cafe Pesto.
Shortly after arrival, another customer — not wearing a mask — arrived. I asked him several times to wear a mask, and then I turned to the employee of Cafe Pesto and requested she not serve him until he complies with the regulations that are posted in several locations and even on the cash register.
Her reply was that he comes here all the time and it’s not a problem, indicating he is a repeat offender. He took his food, paid for it in cash, thanked her with much enthusiasm and quickly left, with no eye contact with me, as if nothing was said about wearing a mask.
In addition, he spoke directly over my takeout food when he thanked her. I spoke with management, and they replaced my order. They said they have little control over the mask regulation: It is not a law. They stated they can ask him to wear one and refuse service in the future, but he got away with this and, according to the outside server, he is a regular at this habit of no mask.
The following Monday, I called the Department of Health to report the regulation violation. They referred me to Civil Defense, and they in turn referred me to the police department — a little runaround and still no solution or consequences for someone who “skips” wearing a mask out of pure selfishness.
I use the term skip in jest because ironically the non-mask user’s name is Skip. Perhaps we should start calling non-mask wearers “Skippers”?
If we want to stop community spread of COVID-19, everyone should be compliant by following all the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, which include wearing a mask, and not left to “police” one another.
If you’re going out to eat, pick safe restaurants that have your safety and well-being in mind by adhering to the recommendations they post.
Phil Geraci
Hilo