Trump led us into disaster and defeat in the Middle East | Opinion
Has Trump made deal or a fiasco?
Despite the fact that Iran was not an imminent threat to either Israel or the U.S., Iran was bombed twice by Israel and the U.S. before it retaliated.
The reason for these illegal attacks was to get further concessions from Iran’s government after our president backed out of a previous agreement between the U.S., other nations and Iran regarding its nuclear program.
After over 100 days of war, the losers appear to be Israel and the U.S.
Israel because it lost credibility by convincing our president these attacks would result in an easy victory and the collapse of Iran’s government as well as suffering counterattacks by Iran.
The U.S., because after using up over a $100 billion dollars in attacking Iran and suffering counterattacks resulting in the deaths and casualties of our servicemen and allies, it now finds itself in a poorer bargaining position by Iran’s closing of the Strait of Hormuz.
Our president now claims that he has reached an agreement with Iran that will end the war. While we all hope this is true, I doubt that it will be as good as the deal previously made by President Barack Obama and the other nations with Iran.
Bill Petrie, Richland
Reflecting pool is Trump’s to claim
Now President Trump is claiming the damage done to the reflecting pool was done by Democratic vandals when we all saw what happened on television.
I’m so tired of this! I’m tired of a president who lies almost every time he speaks!
I am tired of president who wants himself compared with dictators. I’m so tired of a president who starts a war to distract from another scandal. I’m tired of a president who cares more about making himself money than helping Americans. I’m tired of a president who has dementia and doesn’t understand his basic duties.
Now Trump wants to investigate create a committee to investigate people who speak out against him. Remember the Red Scare period, when a man could get fired from his job or arrested if someone accused him of being a communist?
Should anti-Trumpers be afraid of getting arrested? Republicans control the House, the Senate and of course the presidency. I’m afraid our democracy won’t last another two years with him in charge.
Our representatives took an oath to defend our Constitution, so why aren’t they doing a thing about someone who threatens it on an almost daily basis?
Deanna Whiteside, Kennewick
Fires threat real for state and lives
Fires this week have ravaged several communities throughout the state of Washington. Drought conditions, coupled with high winds and low relative humidities, have destroyed homes, lives and natural resources at an alarming rate for this time of the season. Our first responders have attempted to hold back the flames, but nature has dictated how fast and how far these fires have spread.
As an avid reader of the Tri-City Herald, I see the devastation splashed across your pages, but I do not see our community leaders sounding the alarm about our summer ahead. Where is our empathy for those who are losing their homes, and where is our common sense with the Fourth of July looking us in the eyes?
There should be an outcry recognizing the hazards around us and our political leaders should be engaging in discussions and decisions related to the sale and use of fireworks. It is time for leadership to ban firework sales and prohibit personal firework use during these extreme drought conditions. There are plenty of organized firework shows we can all enjoy without the sale and use of personal fireworks. Give our firefighters a break; save our state and save a neighbor’s home.
David Smith, Burbank
Boehnke is right in the 4th District
Matt Boehnke has the experience Washington’s 4th Congressional District needs.
Boehnke brings a solid combination of military service, local leadership and legislative accomplishments that set him apart.
Boehnke served in the Army and retired as lieutenant colonel, where he demonstrated the leadership, discipline, mission-focused mindset to tackle difficult challenges.
Boehnke continued serving our community by teaching cybersecurity at CBC to prepare new generations in one of the nation’s most critical fields.
His commitment to local service began in Kennewick City Council. Boehnke solved issues affecting local residents and served in the Washington State House before elected to the Senate.
In his time in public office, Boehnke built a reputation for working across parties to deliver solutions and championing economic development, workforce training, infrastructure investments, public safety and government accountability and funding for healthcare.
Boehnke knows the importance of supporting agriculture, strengthening our economy and ensuring that government is for the people.
Boehnke record is distinguished from opponents by his proven record of service to country, teaching, city council and state legislature. No candidate can match his experience.
Washington’s Fourth District deserves a representative who understands leadership, values hard work, and has a record of getting results. That’s Boehnke.
Lynn Paden, Richland
Nation’s 250th is marred by claw
On the nation’s 250 birthday, a 90-foot claw towers over the White House for a tacky, bloody gladiatorial match. President Trump’s war with Iran came to a conclusion with a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran finalized while Ultimate Fighting Championships were fought on the lawn of the White House.
Its main accomplishment will be to open the Strait of Hormuz to oil tankers, which was open before the war. There is no nuclear deal to replace the one Obama achieved through lengthy negotiation that Trump tore up.
This cage fight was no circus for the masses. Trump and the Mar-a-Lago Mafia monetized Sunday’s program: To watch the public needed a subscription to Paramount+ controlled by Trump ally David Ellison, who bought CBS and made it friendlier to the administration. Trump bought shares in the UFC parent company prior to the match.
The reach of the Trump family self-enrichment is astonishing as exhibited by a deal on a large deposit of tungsten in Kazakhstan. Six days after the mining rights were granted to a U.S. company backed by Trump’s sons Don and Eric. With 20% holdings, the company received $1.6 billion in federal financing.
Michey Beary, Richland
Fossil fuel built at huge expense
The world as we know it today was built on the back of burning fossil fuels. Unfortunately, this has come at a tremendous cost. Emissions from burning fossil fuels are rapidly warming our world at a rate that has never occurred in the history of our planet. Why do we continue to burn fossil fuels?
One primary reason is the tremendous control the fossil fuel industry has over our government. The industry spends approximately $250 million per year lobbying elected officials. The vast majority goes to Republican officials and candidates. During the 2024 presidential campaign, oil interests gave over $75 million to Donald Trump-affiliated PACs.
This lobbying serves as a highly effective financial instrument, yielding unparalleled returns on investments by securing multi-billion-dollar taxpayer subsidies, rolling back environmental regulations and stalling clean energy competition.
In addition, the federal government spends $20 billion to $35 billion annually on direct handouts, including special tax breaks and cheap drilling access on public lands.
We cannot expect meaningful climate action as long as our representatives are financially beholden to the industry driving this crisis. Voters must demand transparency and reject candidates who prioritize fossil fuel payouts over our planet’s future.
Ron Sadler, Kennewick
Schram right for Walla Walla job
I am proud to endorse Richard Schram for Walla Walla County sheriff.
Having been employed with the Sheriff’s Office for 10 years on patrol, holding multiple instructor positions and the rank of corporal, I have had the opportunity to work closely with Schram . His training and experience speak for itself. What also makes me want to work for Schram and endorse him for sheriff is his character.
Schram is a man of deep moral and ethical character. He is selfless in his commitment to the office, deputies and the community. He has a work ethic second to none and holds himself and the office to the high standards Walla Walla County deserves.
I have known Schram through personal interactions and observations with others to be patient, caring, professional and invested in the betterment of deputies and community members. Through my own career development and conversations with Schram , he has always taken the time to help me see the bigger picture as he invested in me, just as he has done with every other deputy.
Schram understands what the next level requires and is uniquely capable and qualified to lead the WWSO.
Benjamin Olson, Patrol Corporal, Walla Walla Couty Sheriff’s Office
Schram is man to have the position
I’ve known Richard Schram for over 11 years now. I was with the Sheriff’s Office from November 2014 until December 2022, when I retired as chief civil deputy. I watched Schram from the time he was a patrol deputy, to a sergeant and then to become the chief criminal deputy. Schram has worked as the chief criminal deputy under the last two sheriffs and has developed outstanding leadership abilities. Schram knows how to run the agency at its best and always takes into consideration the needs of the community for whom he serves.
Schram has strived to bring the best training to the deputies and to make the Sheriff’s Office the professional law enforcement agency that it is today. I am confident that as sheriff, Richard will continue on this path bringing to the residents of Walla Walla County the optimal sheriff’s office that they deserve.
I wholeheartedly endorse Schram for sheriff of Walla Walla County. Vote for Schram, and you will be pleased with the results.
Ron Varner, Chief Civil Deputy, Walla Walla Sheriff’s Office (retired)