Trump’s war brings death, economic pain

Is it any surprise that many European and Asian allies are unwilling to support Trump’s war with Iran?

Key partners appear to have had little advance consultation before the bombing began. What they see instead is a rush to airstrikes paired with murky objectives -- no clear strategy, no defined endgame.

Relations with many of these same countries have already been strained during Trump’s second term. Tariffs have been imposed broadly, and several allies have faced threats or public rebukes. After trying both diplomacy and accommodation, many leaders now seem to be saying: this is your mess, fix it.

The consequences are already evident. Air campaigns inevitably bring loss of life. Reports describe mounting deaths among civilians, militants, and U.S. service members.

Beyond the human toll lie immense economic costs, regional instability, and further erosion of U.S. credibility.

Many analysts also warn the conflict could widen into a broader regional war and endure for years.

Supporters argue that attacking Iran deters nuclear ambitions or punishes terrorism sponsorship and repression.

But if those are the standards, the policy appears selective. North Korea, Pakistan and Russia are untrustworthy and possess nuclear weapons. Turkey and Qatar have faced accusations of supporting extremist groups.

A longer list of repressive governments includes China, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan and Eritrea.

Trump once promised Americans an end to new foreign wars. That promise now appears hollow.

Trump, Congress let TSA workers down

I am truly concerned and somewhat embarrassed as an American to know that so many of our TSA personnel are forced to resign their employment because they are not currently receiving their salaries.

It is hypocritical to expect that these federal employees should be working so diligently to assure both the safety of the flying public and the airline industry. It is damn hypocritical to withhold payment of their modest salaries.

These workers are not the Donald Trumps, the Chuck Schumers, the Bernie Sanderses, the Lindsey Grahams, etc. of our nation. They are the hard-working taxpayers that keep our airline industry safe while drawing only a modest income.

My God! How many times does this embarrassing federal mismanagement have to occur and impact these federal workers as well as so many others.

Shame on our president and all of our federal legislators for permitting this to occur.

© The Leader Herald