The U.S. is being hypocritical when it comes to the Saudi situation

How are we different from Saudi Arabia?

American reporters and politicians are projecting shock and indignation that the Saudis would eliminate a Saudi citizen on Saudi soil. They want the U.S. to punish Saudi Arabia for the violation of human rights.

Where is this righteous indignation when the U.S. sends a drone over foreign soil to kill the citizen of another country and anyone else who might happen to be within the blast zone? Why is such an act done by another nation in violation of all that we stand for but when done by the U.S. is necessary and just?

We must take steps to help the planet

I’m not surprised about the recent news that if global temperatures increase 1.5 degrees Celsius above the current temperature, which is estimated to occur by 2040, it will have disastrous consequences. Our atmosphere is warming rapidly, and it is close to the point of no return. We don’t want wildfires or rising seas!

Governments need to reduce carbon emissions, as it is the major contributor to global warming. We will need to be carbon-neutral by 2040 and must find better alternatives to fossil fuels. Many countries have dated technology compared to the U.S., which is seriously detrimental, so we have to do more to offset that too.

If we don’t change our ways, we’ll have irreversible and catastrophic climate change. Contact your representatives!

Bigger issues than Warren’s DNA exist

As an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, I’ve had just about enough of this Native American nonsense between Donald Trump and Elizabeth Warren.

The mockery, degradation, shaming, and racism historically directed toward Native Americans will surely resurface now that Warren has officially revealed her DNA test results as being “strong evidence” of Native American ancestry. This will likely only serve to open old wounds surrounding one of the most despicable periods in the history of our country.

Let it rest, everyone. We’ve got many more important issues confronting our country than “picking on” the indigenous people who were here thousands of years prior to the first boatload of waywards landing on our shores.

Etzel shouldn’t have been put on leave

Is the anthem even needed for sports?

Stan Davis writes that it is “a terrible disgrace” that television networks no longer show the singing of the national anthem prior to NFL games. The networks, of course, are trying to sidestep the endless controversy over some players’ decision to kneel during this ceremony. Why though should we expect to hear the national anthem at sporting events?

We don’t play the anthem at plays or concerts, nor before spelling bees or science fairs. We don’t even play the anthem prior to convening courts and legislatures. What is it about sports that demands displays of patriotism absent from other events?

My point is not to attack “The Star Spangled Banner,” but to ask why it is mandatory for sports when we hear it almost nowhere else?

Worship U.S. ideals, not the cloth

This story was originally published October 15, 2018 at 3:55 PM.