To the editor:

In this world of plenty, millions are suffering. How can Netanyahu and Trump carry out war and reckless bombing that have targeted schools, hospitals, the press, even ambulance workers sent to help the wounded? (If such atrocities are news to you, take a look at what has been happening in Gaza.) Trump holds microphones with no accountability followed by his demonizing. When a population is demonized over and over it is easier to look the other way not questioning what the leader says, easier to look the other way as children and families are swept up in ICE raids or blown-up in US bombing raids. How much longer will our nation allow unbridled military spending to continue threatening social security, public education, affordable healthcare, support for veterans, the climate crisis and simply helping those in genuine need?

In 2018 Donald Trump withdrew from active on-site inspections of Iran’s nuclear program. Several weeks ago, in the midst of a negotiations breakthrough Trump and Netanyahu began the bombing campaign on Iran. After the bombing began, a key mediator in those U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, on Face the Nation, described Iran’s concession as “completely new,” with an agreement to full verification by the UN nuclear watchdogs. (Yes, Iran agreed to zero stockpiling of enriched uranium that could be used for a bomb.) Instead of taking a huge step towards peace and meaningful dialogue Netanyahu and Trump started a war that wreaks havoc far beyond Iran.

In the first two weeks of the war spending was about 1 billion per day. Time magazine cites that 12 billion spent during the first few weeks of the war could: provide food assistance for 5.5 million Americans, housing assistance for 1 million Americans, healthcare for 1.3 Americans for a year. Sadly, the president snaps his fingers to spend billions of dollars on a needless war and continues to ignore pressing needs of the people. Trump surrounds himself with yes people looking away or cheering, as our nation and anyone Trump targets suffers while selfishly building his own wealth and power.

Darwin Dyce

Ghent