to the editor: I recently decided to terminate my volunteer status for the World Cup (“German soccer leader joins calls to boycott World Cup matches in the United States” January 27). I initially volunteered believing that the event could represent unity, sportsmanship, and respect between cultures.
That changed when FIFA decided to award a “peace prize” to President Trump, a decision that I consider deeply contrary to the values that such an award should honor, particularly given this administration's undemocratic policies and actions carried out in Los Angeles.
A peace prize should reflect a genuine commitment to peace, justice and responsibility. Continuing to volunteer would have been like endorsing a message I don't agree with.
This was not an easy decision. I continue to believe in the power of sport to bring people together, but those values only matter when they are backed by integrity and responsibility.
Michele Pusateri, South Pasadena
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to the editor: Hopefully a World Cup and possibly an Olympic boycott, along with the EU/India and Canada/China trade pacts, will make Trump realize he's not king of the world. Countries are starting to realize that they can get by without him and without the United States.
If Americans don't unite and rein in Trump, America will become a sorry, lonely giant.
Allan Baker, Morongo Valley
