United States already in a war with Iran

With all the brouhaha over the recent brush with war between the United States and Iran, most Americans have overlooked one salient fact: we already are at war with Iran. It’s a one-sided war, but a war nonetheless.

Through Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the United States has issued a 12-point ultimatum that includes three major demands:

1. Henceforward, Iran’s foreign policy will be run by Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

2. Iran will eliminate all weapons that might reach traditional enemies Saudi Arabia or Israel. Iran has no weapons that can reach the United States.

3. Iran will give up national sovereignty. Inspectors will be allowed to go anywhere within Iran at any time they please.

If Iran meets these demands, what will it get in return?

Pompeo has made this quite clear: these are preconditions for talks, nothing more.

And what if Iran ignores the ultimatum?

Pompeo, National Security Adviser John Bolton and President Donald Trump have also made this quite clear: the United States will destroy Iran economically, causing its people untold and increasing hardship, and punishing any of our allies who might choose to trade with Iran.

Iran is an ancient and proud culture.

What do you think it will do? Accept humiliation or fight?

John Tomas, Rogers Park

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Gamesmanship at its best

The democratically controlled House of Representatives passed a last-minute bill allocating $4.5 billion in emergency aid to care for thousands of illegal immigrants detained while crossing the border.

This money will provide “room and board” for these people, while completely disregarding the underlying issues of this disaster. It is deliberately crafted to cause angst and continue the migration crisis into the election year.

This bill is the equivalent of a home-owner spending thousands of dollars to fix and repaint interior walls ruined by a leaky roof, while ignoring the roof itself.

I fear the democrats are more motivated to play a political game than they are to ethically legislate and fix problems.

Larry Casey, Forest Glen

Trump administration will be remembered for mistreating immigrants

In the United States of America, there are agencies that are supposed to be watchdogs for child abuse. Children are removed if abuse is shown to be present.

Apparently the Trump administration thinks this doesn’t matter, nor are they being held accountable for the treatment of children who are being held at the border.

Children are the future of this world, so why is the Trump administration, which is responsible for the separation of children and the keeping of them in horrific conditions, lying again and blaming this travesty on former President Barack Obama?

When the administration’s attorneys argue in court that the kids don’t need soap, toothbrushes or blankets, I want to know who thinks this is a great idea.

When the history of the Trump administration is written, it will be a story of racism, cruelty to children and endless lies to the American people. The soul of America is becoming blacker by the minute under this president and the Republican Senate.

Barb Minarik, Logan Square