Respecting the national anthem

Elgin, Okla.: The one issue I take in Shaun King’s column is that 2d Lt. Sam Kendricks is not standing with his hand over his heart because he is not supposed to be (“No Gabby Douglas anthem outrage for white Olympic medalists,” Aug. 22). As a member of the armed forces, he should be standing at the position of attention during the national anthem when wearing civilian clothes.

I work on a military post and am a member of the Army Reserves as well (with 12 years of service active and reserves); I get off of work at 5 p.m. when the flag is lowered and “To the Colors” and “Retreat” are played. If I am outside while this happens, I stand at the position of attention the entire time. Similar to the national anthem, I do not put my hand over my heart because that is not what I am supposed to do. I would respectfully request that either the author or the editor add a statement of correction to the top of this article.

Staff Sgt. Kenneth Bournival II

Gold-medal double standards

Titusville, N.J.: Gabby Douglas shouldn’t have been singled out for not holding her hand over her heart during the national anthem. But Shaun King should be called out for simply pointing out that “white men” did the same with no negative ink. So did most athletes, black and white. Did he not see the American women sweep the 100-meter hurdles? None had their hands over their hearts. But they weren’t white so he doesn’t mention them. King contributes greatly with a daily racist column calling out white Americans for doing the same things many ignorant Americans do whatever their race. Shame on him.

Chris Drake

Attention to detail

Mt. Carmel, Pa.: Sam Kendricks is a military officer. Standing at attention is the correct thing to do. He could also have saluted.

John Habowski

Hillary’s Trump

Hoboken: You speculated in Tuesday’s edition who could be a possible stand-in for Donald Trump as Hillary Clinton preps for the debates. How about Taran Killam, sadly no longer on “Saturday Night Live,” where he did a spot-on impression. He’s sharp, smart and supersilly, and will make Hillary laugh a lot, which is the only way to take Trump seriously.

Rev. Alexander M. Santora

Trump’s taxes

Manhattan: While Rudy Giuliani seems to have lost his mind, and Donald Trump’s people keep on calling Hillary Clinton names and hurling accusations, no one seems to be focusing on the fact that Trump has not released his taxes. Doesn’t he have to do this before the election? Don’t people realize there is a reason he won’t do it now? It will tell a yuuuge story, and it must be insisted on. While this election is sort of fun to watch in a sick, perverse way, it really should not be happening in the U.S.A. and is sure to affect our standing in the world. Meanwhile, Trump must be forced to release those tax returns so people can see the truth about him. What a sad spectacle this is.

Marcia Epstein

Trump’s taxes, too

Jamaica: Why is it when the media or reporters question Donald Trump’s surrogates about him they always bring up Hillary, Hillary, Hillary? Why don’t they answer the questions? Why hasn’t Trump released his tax returns that the IRS have completed reviewing? He must owe a lot of money to several people and countries. One question to ask: “Does he really pay taxes?” Think about it. Charlene Black

Trump’s ‘Roots’

Rego Park: One can only imagine a historical perspective to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s entreaty to African Americans to vote for him in this year’s presidential election: Young men and women coming off a ship in the 1800s in the Southern United States confronted by a plantation owner saying, “Free room and board and all you have to do is pick cotton for a few hours; what the hell do you have to lose?”

Clifford D. Glass

Yuks from The Donald

Bronx: Laughter is good for the soul, and I want to thank Donald Trump for making me laugh ever so often. Juliet Pennicott

Never enough

Oceanside, L.I.: Just when I thought the Daily News could go no lower in its biased attacks on Donald Trump, you really outdid yourselves by bending even lower, picking up a rock, and letting Romain Hatchuel crawl out to add his unsolicited two cents worth (“The scariest thing about Donald Trump,” Op-Ed, Aug. 22). Enough is enough.

Leonard Finkelstein

E-mail for tax returns?

Brooklyn: Hillary Clinton would like to see Donald Trump’s tax returns to see how much philanthropy he had really done. I agree. But I would also like to see the 31,000 emails she deleted. That must be it: Trump sent the tax returns in an email to her and she deleted it. Chris Barry

No Hillary fan

Howard Beach: I am a registered Democrat who voted for Bernie Sanders in the primary. I will not vote for Hillary Clinton for two reasons. She accepted money from our foreign enemies and communicates with them regarding our secrets. And second, Clinton is very sick and whatever her illness is, it’s affecting her brain. We cannot have a President who cannot think correctly. Trump is a bigmouth, but he’s not nuts. Maybe America needs a President with a big mouth to put fear in the hearts of the terrorists. To be honest, Clinton is maybe a little too friendly with these terrorists. Nick Di Pasquale

GOPer for HRC

Manhattan: Hillary Clinton was not my first choice, yet she is the one snaring my Republican vote in November. She has the grit, and Bill Clinton’s Democratic Convention tribute erased any lingering doubt I had. I have not deserted my party; it left me sucking wind. Susan A. Stark

Age-appropriate movie

Mitchellville, Md.: Thank you so much for this information about this entertaining movie (“Shirley MacLaine tells story of ‘Wild Oats’ production with Jessica Lange and Demi Moore,” Feb. 27). Flipping through the channels this week, I found the movie just as it was starting. It was great! Perhaps because I am in my late 60s, I could totally relate to these ladies. I loved the story line; I could possibly see myself in a situation like that. It was funny, exciting, beautifully shot and heartfelt. I love all of the actors; they were brilliant. The Canary Islands is now on my bucket list! It was good to see Demi Moore, and, of course, Shirley MacLaine and Jessica Lange, who are brilliant actresses and icons. Thanks again. Madeline Guinn

Bush fatigue

Largo, Fla.: Billy Bush (“NBC’s ‘Today’ co-host Willie Geist leaving show’s third hour,” Aug. 22)? Who thinks people will watch him or even respect him?

Dennis Sims

Water is precious

Staten Island: To Voicer Joseph McAllister: You are correct about the waste of water from an open hydrant. More important is the danger a nonspray-capped hydrant poses. In the event of a fire, a non-capped hydrant significantly reduces water pressure, which hampers firefighting operations and could cost a life. As a public service, the media should refrain from posting photos of people frolicking in improperly uncapped hydrants and post photos of hydrants that are properly equipped with spray caps. Lawrence A. Natale

Flush with cash

Glendale: Re open hydrants: Water meters in New York are the greatest ripoff to the homeowners of this city, but open hydrants are not a problem. Just pay the future increase. Fred Kikel

Let the kids cool down

Trenton: To Voicer Joseph McAllister: What a summer Grinch you are. The fire hydrants have been how we have cooled off in the inner city for years, since before I was a child. A lot of us didn’t have access to pools or beaches, so we played in the street to cool off. You really have too much time on your hands, if that’s your biggest concern, with all the other issues we are facing. Get a life.

Ade McCullum