Joseph Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appear before the House Committee on Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 11.
Another self-inflicted wound
As a retired senior military officer I, and my contemporaries, know war. Our experience, education and training demand it for America’s national security. Any planning for conflict should involve tenants of the political, military and economic effects and consequences.
Instead, Trump “had a feeling” of some imminent Iranian attack. I suspect some ill-defined cooperation with Israel fueled another impetuous decision. Granted, the extremist Iran regime poses a regional threat and sponsors international terrorism. Since 1979, we and our now Trump alienated allies have mitigated those threats through both covert and overt operations.
But now, this commander-in-chief in title only, has launched a war with no obvious deliberation, no clear objectives or exit strategy. And, once again, old men have sent American young men and women into harm's way unnecessarily. Additionally, air power alone will not win this war. The forecast for American blood on the ground and financial burden is omnibus.
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Mike Cravens
Marana
Trump is intellectually challenged
Trump’s intellectual limitations are fueling his reckless, unauthorized, and failing war. It’s clear that his lack of intellectual depth is the core issue.
So, what does Donny John-Boy do during his Republican Trump war? He goes to Palm Beach and plays golf for four days while Americans face rising gas prices, surging beef and energy costs, and the highest inflation numbers of his presidency. Face it, MAGA, he doesn’t care about you.
Imagine if the least intelligent elected leader in the world became President of the United States, surrounded by an inner circle of clowns, with corrupt grifters making policy decisions. Where does that leave us? With a national debt now exceeding $39 trillion, fueled by Trump’s Republican War. Who’s going to pay for that when that group of criminals is gone or incarcerated?
Jerry Wilkerson
SaddleBrooke
A holy time defiled
The 3 Abrahamic faiths are observing the most holy days right now. Ramadan is just over, and Passover and Easter are celebrated in two weeks. It is blasphemous for Hegseth to proclaim we need to pray for a Christian victory over Iran. Each of these faiths understands in their observances the horror of violence and war. They all uplift sacrifice not brutality and military domination. Whether it be Iran or Israel or the U.S., this war dare not claim God’s seal of approval. Each of these faiths proclaims love and compassion at the core. For us to believe and state otherwise is a misreading of the sacred texts and a misunderstanding of the God whose mercy and love and justice are given to all.
John Kautz
Midtown
We won the war?
Trump said we won the war and only need to end things. Following this statement, he is shipping thousands of Marines and naval personnel to the Iran district. Additionally, he has asked Congress for $200 billion to do the job. I realize I'm not an expert in military warfare, but when you win, don't you just pack up your bags and go home? I guess this is another example of how Trump is so far away from the norm that you expect the unexpected and trust that the ridiculous will arise.
Philip Reinecker
East side
Science must guide vaccine policy decisions
As MPH students at the UA Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, we know the impact of policy decisions. Recently, a judge blocked almost all HHS-proposed federal changes to vaccine recommendations to re-establish public confidence in vaccination science.
Inconsistent vaccine guidance and lower vaccination rates cause confusion among parents and doctors when deciding which vaccines children should receive. This increases the risk of outbreaks, affecting students, families, and campus communities, and emphasizes the need for clear, evidence-based policies.
Public health decisions must remain grounded in scientific evidence and guided by independent experts. Vaccine advisory panels ensure safety, transparency, and trust, protecting communities from preventable disease and misinformation.
This issue is critical not only for the Arizona community but for future generations. Shifting from expert-backed vaccination to individual choice risks public health, increasing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. We must raise awareness that public health depends on collective action, not individual decisions.
Jake Falbo, Jared Aykroyd,
Larissa Roncador, Victoria Fabela
Downtown
War for peace?
War never makes anything better. It always makes everything worse, until one or both sides are exhausted by the process. We call this state of mutual depletion, peace.
The Iranian expats are cheering the war. They are kissing photos of Donald Trump and celebrating the death of each Iranian official. Of course, they are not underneath the rain of rockets and bombs.
If we were truly trying to free the Iranians from their oppressive regime, this is not how to do it. Killing thousands of Iranians and destroying their cities will not endear us to them. It will only make everything worse.
Perhaps Trump might inadvertently advance democracy in the Middle East, whether he is trying to or not. Of the many uncertainties involved in the “fog of war,” this hope may prove the most elusive.
Trump has long coveted the Nobel Peace Prize. If anything good comes out of this, he may deserve the Peace Prize (and the Magician of the Year award as well).
Larry DeWitt
Northeast side
Cesar Chavez and Jeffrey Epstein
Like so many, I am shocked and disappointed about allegations of Cesar Chavez's sexual abuse of girls and women. However, I am heartened by the response to what he did. There is support for his victims, condemnation of Chavez, cancellation of celebrations, and plans to rename holidays and memorials; no hemming and hawing or attempts to rationalize his behavior.
Compare this to how the Trump administration has handled the Epstein case; delays, misstatements (lies?), blaming and nonrecognition of his victims, possible document hiding or destruction, and maybe even a war to distract us.
It is unfortunate that the Trump administration and Epstein's "friends and acquaintances" don't have the courage to speak up for what is right.
Larry Hammond
Southwest side
Wishfully thinking
Re: March LTE "Courage requires conscience". Ascribing motives like courage & conscience to Joseph C Kent's resignation as Director of National Counterterrorism is ludicrous self-delusion. This is a man who still remains absolutely committed to the stolen election lie. Your question of how he would have voted on The Save America Act had he not lost twice for congressional election? You figure it out. His long antisemitic history explains his slap at Israel and its Washington lobby. He knows full well that the agency he headed was completely hollowed out by the firing of all the professional staff who did the job of counterterrorism. He is astute enough to know he will be blamed for the inevitable failures & his political career will be over. Don't fool yourself; naked political ambition and self-preservation explain everything about this man's motives.
Gary Susko
Midtown
Iran wants to deal, but Trump not sure yet
Trump says Iran is ready to negotiate a ceasefire, but he's not ready to make a deal. That means you and I need to pay more money until Bone Spurs is ready to make a deal.
How many of our sons and daughters will be killed during the time it takes to make up his mind? I don’t think he cares.
Remember, it’s only a few billion dollars, not counting what you are going to pay at the pump and at the grocery store.
Jose Salgaho
Northeast side
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