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Trump’s rash war
demands we protest
Re: “U.S. bombs Iran nuke sites” (Page A1, June 22).
It didn’t take long, before Donald Trump got us into another chaotic mess, this time in the Middle East by the U.S. striking Iran.
On Friday, Trump stated that he would make a decision about bombing Iran within two weeks. One day later, the United States bombed Iran.
How many more American lives will be lost this time? His advisors are inexperienced sycophants. The Republicans in Congress are useless, and the conservative Supreme Court majority grants his wishes. “We the People” must continue to oppose this dictator in every possible legal and peaceful way that we can if we are to live in a democracy. God help us.
Ramona Krausnick
Dublin
Congress must not
write blank war check
Re: “Alarm grows after U.S. joins fighting” (Page A1, June 23).
War-making power was vested in Congress to prevent exactly what we have endured since 1950: an imperial presidency that launches wars first and asks permission later.
From Harry Truman’s “police action” in Korea to Bill Clinton’s air war over Kosovo, seven wars — Korea, Vietnam, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Panama, the Gulf, and Kosovo — were fought without a formal declaration. Now, Donald Trump has done it again.
Congress tried, and has abjectly failed, to claw back authority with the 1973 War Powers Resolution, as every president since has sidestepped its 60-day limit, citing vague authorizations or humanitarian urgency.
This deeply dangerous pattern erodes constitutional checks, dulls debate, leaves our troops in harm’s way and erodes our image in the world on the whim of one person. Our legislators must repeal blank check “authorizations for use of military force,” insisting on explicit votes before the next shot is fired.
Tom Debley
Walnut Creek
National Guard has bad
history policing protests
Re: “Trump can control troops in L.A. for now” (Page A1, June 21).
Let us not forget that on May 4, 1970, the killing of four Kent State students and the wounding of nine others occurred while they were protesting the Vietnam War. We should not have sent the National Guard to that protest any more than we sent them to Los Angeles to protest the actions of ICE. The National Guard should not be involved in these situations.
Ronald Banks
Brentwood
Workers behind scenes
make the courts hum
Re: “Trump can control troops in L.A. for now” (Page A1, June 21).
Your story about the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit’s decision reversing San Francisco-based U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer’s decision that ordered the immediate return of control over California’s National Guard to Gov. Newsom reminds me that these matters of urgency require accelerated briefing and hearings.
The unseen and largely unsung heroes in this process are the staff of law clerks and other court personnel who have to work overtime, sometimes “pulling consecutive all-nighters,” to see that the judges are ably prepared to carry out their duties.
To that bulwark of hard-working civil servants, I say thank you.
Kristian Whitten
Kensington
Front-page story is
deaf to gravity of times
Re: “Couple makes decision that they can live with” (Page A1, June 23).
There is war in the Middle East, a severe heat wave in much of America, ICE agents are detaining harmless immigrants, homeless numbers are increasing, and amazing Juneteenth celebrations have been held.
A lot is going on.
But what do I get as a front-page story in my Monday East Bay Times? A story of a well-to-do couple who regularly go for weekend ski trips and have a budget of $1.1 million to buy a home. He works for a wine company; she works in the clean energy industry. They enjoy “wine Wednesdays” with friends.
Life is good for these folks … essentially, perfect.
The home they seek must be near “trails” and it must have a big backyard for their 75-pound mixed-breed dog. It must not be far from “great food and culture.”
You can’t make this stuff up, folks … and even if you could, why would you want to?
George Fulmore
Emeryville
On holiday, give animals
their independence
As we celebrate the Fourth of July with friends, flags and freedom, let’s take a moment to consider those denied even the most basic liberties — not just people, but animals.
Whether hunted, trapped, caged in zoos, confined in labs, or raised and killed for their fur, skin, feathers or flesh, animals have no freedom.
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Farmed animals, in particular, endure unimaginable suffering. Billions live confined, never knowing autonomy, dignity or joy. Chickens can’t spread their wings, pigs can’t root in the soil and cows never feel the sun. They’re bred for exploitation — mutilated, caged and slaughtered without choice or mercy.
If we truly value freedom, shouldn’t it extend beyond our own species?
Choosing a plant-based lifestyle is one powerful way to live out those values. On this Independence Day, let’s widen our circle of compassion — because liberation shouldn’t stop with humans.
If the roles were reversed, wouldn’t we want the same?
Harold Kunitz
Walnut Creek