The return of the body of one Israeli hostage is national news in the United States.

But what about the thousands of Palestinian children whose bodies lie buried beneath the rubble in Gaza, and whose mass graves are unceremoniously slated to become construction sites under President Trump’s 20-point peace plan?

Is there any reason, other than racism, that explains why Palestinian lives are worth so much less?

Call ‘n all Yankee ragheads: It’s time to fuss about spraying of chemicals

Hey, Yankee ragheads, look up in the sky.

Your government is spraying us with dangerous chemicals.

It’s destroying the trees and, probably, the ozone.

If you are for the environment, as you say, then call your congressman and demand that it stop now!

Confederately yours.

Southern heritage activist from Asheville offers update on ejection 

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following letter by H.K. Edgerton is a recent summary — in his words — of his forced ejection from a Veterans Day program that the Daily Planet reported on in its Dec. 10-23 edition.

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On the morning of Nov. 11 (Veterans Day), while I donned the colors of the Southern soldier at the Hillsborough County Veterans Park (near Tampa, Fla.) as a wreath was being posted at the “Missing Man Table” for the planned program of the day because of the closeness to the flag draped wreath, I would come to attention.

At the request of one of the ladies, I would move back approximately 2 feet from the stage, notably because of the large numbers of people now asking to take a picture alongside me, or just hold a conversation.

One such person was a man who I would later learn was a retired Army colonel and one of the main speakers. He and I would stand together for a long time just shooting the bull about all sorts of things (his beautiful green suit, my Confederate grey).

Some man would come and disturb our conversation. I decided to move on to the seating area, furled my flag and asked of those behind me if was in their line of sight. I was given a resounding “no” from everyone.

From on stage would be a request from the veterans gathered for a service salute. When the name of the branch in which they served was called they were to raise their hands, stand and sing their  branch song. Well, it got real quiet when she called out for the Space Force. A few jokes were made — and next she shouted “the United States Army!”

As a U.S. Army veteran, I was feeling so pumped and proud as we began to sing.

That feeling didn’t last long as I found myself being pushed and surrounded by what I wrongly identified as police or sheriff. One would try and snatch my flag.

I would ask, “What are y’all doing? 

The answer was: “You and that flag got to go!”

I told them that when the highest-ranking General (General Douglas McArthur in the United States Army retired in one of largest ticker-tape parades in New York City history, there were three flags in his Honor Guard...His Command Flag, the U.S. Stars and Stripes, and the Confederate Battle Flag.

As I was beginning to tell him more about this decorated symbol, he told me to either leave or he would remove me and that flag.

A memorandum I have read from Frank R. Strom, director, Community & Veterans Services from the (Hillsborough) county, included numerous lies about what happened to me that day. 

No one told me if I removed my flag... that then I could return.