Is Trump betraying his promises over Iran war, or saving lives? Opinion

Trump’s war

Narcissistic, delusional President Donald John Trump believes he is the most important person in the world, knows more than anyone else and has never done anything wrong.

While campaigning for president in 2016, he said nuclear weapons were made to be used. If an enemy nation was ever besting our country in a war while loose cannon, unhinged Trump is president, he likely would do the unthinkable.

He also said we (the U.S.) don’t win wars anymore. He wants to be a war president.

Trump has already suggested we have won the war he started with Iran five weeks ago. He is destroying our country and should be removed from office.

Paul L. Whiteley Sr., Louisville

Justified war

America’s current Iranian military operation is long overdue against the largest proponent of world terrorism. Iran, over the last 47 years, has threatened our nation, placed rewards for killing our presidents, disrupted international commerce and worked aggressively to develop a nuclear weapon.

Like U.S. prisoners, who qualify for the death penalty, this murderous theocracy also qualifies to be eradicated by America/Israel which have suffered so much death and destruction. Other regional countries have also been attacked by these purveyors of evil who pose a threat to world order and civilization itself. Since 1979. their terrorist proxies (Hezbollah, Hamas, Taliban, Houthis, Boko Haram and other Middle East Shiite terrorist militias) have bombed, killed and terrorized the world community. Iran is like a nest of rattlesnakes on a playground...deadly!

Hurray for America/Israel for ending this “reign of terror”! President Donald Trump should give his military commanders the same order Lincoln gave General Ulysses S. Grant while he slogged thru the Virginia wilderness in 1864, “ Hold on with a bulldog grip and chew and choke as much as possible.”

Lincoln saved thousands of lives; Trump’s and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions will save millions of future lives! A pox on the corrupt, lying national media who always support the bad guys!

Robert Adams, Lexington

MAGA support

As I reflected on the “No Kings” rallies held across our country, I could not help feeling that what is happening will result in its demise. When Marylin O’Toole, head of the Republican National Committee, calls the demonstrations “hate America rallies,” it shows how truth has been distorted.

They are not “hate America rallies,” but a protest about actions of our current government. Also, It is not just about President Donald Trump, but the entire fascist MAGA cult. It is difficult to determine how people are still supporting the actions of our President. On the one hand, are current supporters just not informed or paying attention to what is transpiring, or have they accepted the lies and ill-advised policy that represents this administration?

If you are a MAGA supporter, then you must also believe all immigrants are criminals, the U.S. Constitution is just a suggestion, rule of law does not apply, election fraud is rampant, opinion is superior to science, the environment is not worth saving, allies are not essential, affordable health care is unimportant, equality issues are “woke” and people who are different from you are a threat.

If this is not what you espouse, then vote MAGA candidates out!

William Farnau, Lexington

Russian alliance

Russian President Vladimir Putin is providing intelligence to Iran concerning the locations of our military installations and troops in the Middle East. This leaves us vulnerable to attacks from Iran. President Donald Trump is not only aware of this situation and is doing nothing to stop it, but he has also lifted the sanctions on Russia.

The cost of oil and gas have increased significantly because of the war, consequently improving Russia’s economy. It appears that Russia is the only country benefitting from this war. It is difficult understand Trump’ s affinity for Putin.

Rene Payne, Stanford

McConnell statue

It saddened many of us to hear the bad news that the Kentucky General Assembly had decided to install a statue of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., in the rotunda of our State Capitol.

This is the cynical politician who blasted us with attack ads and harped on our fears and anxieties for decades. He incessantly drove our politics low, never high. He hammered us with deceitful spin lines devised to widen the gaps between Kentuckians, and blew his dog whistle whenever he worried our gaps might narrow.

Kentucky has traditionally been viewed as a gracious blend of Southern and Midwestern sensibilities, but McConnell constantly shoved us into the Old Confederacy as he acted out his schemes to convert our commonwealth into a crimson red state

.We’ll never forget the election year where he promised to save coal jobs then did nothing after the election. When asked this, he said there was nothing he could do as a public official.

It would make much better sense to install a statue of Loreta Lynn. The lyrics of her anthem song called out the best in us. “Yeah, I’m proud to be a coal miner’s daughter. I remember well, the well where I drew water.”

Tom Louderback, Louisville

Trump budget

If there was any question in Americans’ minds whether President Donald Trump cares about their welfare, his 2027 budget request on Friday, April 3 made his priorities clear.

The president requested $1.5 trillion for his (and Netanyahu’s) war with Iran, a war that the majority of Americans do not want. In an attempt to offset this cost, Trump wants to slash $73 billion in domestic programs, including elimination of key federal health, housing and education programs. This is a 10 percent cut from the current year’s spending, while the quality of education in our country is falling, and Americans cannot afford health care and other basic needs.

Where will that $1.5 trillion end up? In the pockets of Trump’s major donors. Weaponry is expensive, as is the oil to fuel it, and Trump’s family and friends are benefitting. This administration is promoting death, destruction and power grabbing abroad over the needs of its own citizens.

Krisia Rosa, Lexington

Hijacked valor

I heard part of President Donald Trump’s April 6 news conference about the rescue of the U.S. aircrew in Iran.

I was struck by how eager the President seemed to be to share in the success of the military mission.

This, from a man who himself refused military service, and evaded the draft.

This, from a man who, on a number of occasions, has expressed disdain toward military members and their service.

And he now steps forward to bask in the glow of a successful military operation, as if he’s a brother-in-arms.

David Farris, Lexington

Edited by Liz Carey