Remember unintended consequences
Re: “U.S. strikes Iranian sites,” Sunday news story.
On Dec. 7, 1941, the empire of Japan launched a devastatingly successful sneak attack on Pearl Harbor while in the middle of diplomatic negotiations. The Japanese had calculated that a disheartened, weak and divided United States could be intimidated into allowing them a free hand as they continued their aggression in Asia. They miscalculated American outrage and resolve, with grievous consequences.
Now the United States has been committed to a war with Iran by the president without congressional consultation or authorization. Considering the impulsive and erratic nature of decision-making in the current administration, I doubt that the possible consequences of this attack have been thought through.
One is reminded of J. William Fulbright’s description of the arrogance of power and the law of unintended consequences. Despite initial stunning success, as we experienced in Afghanistan and Iraq, we cannot see the road ahead clearly, and that should give us pause.
Michael Rosenthal, Plano
Good call by president
The U.S. attack on the nuclear facilities is, in my opinion, the right call. We will see what the results are, but now the key is suppressing surface to surface missile fire, and then negotiate to end the fight with Iran.
Good call by the president.
Paul Bacon, Hallandale Beach, Fla.
War is diabolical
Re: “Biblical story of Esther is repeating itself — Iran’s Khamenei isn’t the first Persian ruler to issue a murder decree for Jews," by Jonathan Feldstein and Trey Graham, Thursday Opinion.
Feldstein and Graham’s loud drumbeat for war with Iran is a violation of Judaic values of nonaggression. The 2,500-year-old biblical story of Esther reveals a different reality if we replace King Ahasuerus with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who, like the king, is in a freedom or prison crisis.
When it comes to war, the law of unintended consequences rules. Easy to start but difficult to end, wars are like massive forest fires: catastrophic and unpredictable. Like Israel’s “pre-emptive” attack on Iran, the U.S. “pre-emptively” attacked Iraq in 2003 only to find itself mired in what is now believed as America’s greatest foreign policy disaster.
For years, President Donald Trump has been bloviating about Iran being weeks away from acquiring nuclear weapons, even as our own CIA has asserted the opposite. He relentlessly stoked fears of Iraq’s nuclear program also.
War is diabolical, evil and a failure of the imagination. Americans are weary of yet another Middle East war.
Syed Hadi Jawad, Old East Dallas
What politicians sowed
Re: “Political violence isn’t a national story anymore — Threats, harassment and fear could undermine politics close to home," by Ronell Smith, Sunday Opinion.
The problem is definitely hyperpartisanship, and I blame the current political temperature 100% on elected officials. They are reaping what they sow.
They spread fear for political gain, they pit us against one another and they make people think that the other side is evil. These tactics ensure that their supporters show up at the polls and vote for them blindly.
Instead, elected officials should help people understand that it’s not the end of the world if the other side wins something, that nobody’s coming for them, that we are not all that different after all, and that we could work together and accept giving something to gain something.
Victor Kaplan, Plano
Page One explained
Re: “Who picks what goes on Page One?” by Stephen Buckley, Wednesday Opinion.
I really appreciated Buckley’s explanation of what/how items for the front page are selected. I receive The Dallas Morning News and The Wall Street Journal.
I often look at the front page of The News and wonder why I am reading about bats or barbecue standouts. Now that I see the guiding principle is “local, local, local,” I can understand why I see bats and barbecue on the front page, and I’ll look to The Journal for more national/international news.
I do appreciate that there are only two wire stories on the front page. I hate visiting somewhere, buying the local paper and finding only wire stories. I might as well buy USA Today if I want to read wire stories.
To quote Buckley, “The News does a fine job of capturing what’s important to North Texas day to day.” I may not appreciate bats and barbecue, but I am sure a number of readers in North Texas do.
Frances Wilson, McKinney
Toll of DART prices
I attended the June 18 DART meeting at the Farmers Branch Recreation Center where DART officials explained proposed route and fare changes, which include higher fares and fewer routes. The audience in attendance agreed unanimously that more bus, train and paratransit services are needed — not less.
The Dallas area is rapidly growing, and more services would mean more riders to accommodate. I remember when Boeing considered moving its headquarters to Dallas in the early 2000s but finally selected Chicago, citing the absence of public transportation in the D-FW area. Imagine what kind of opportunities we would enjoy now if Boeing had moved here?
Lastly, I am able and do not mind paying more to use DART services. I am concerned for the paratransit riders who rely on DART for more than just transportation. They rely on DART to avoid social isolation, access health care and connect with their communities.
DART is valuable for people of all backgrounds. Changes in prices are inevitable, but we cannot burden the most vulnerable by offering less at higher prices.
Kimmy Robinson, Farmers Branch
Follow this money
Re: “Nonprofit’s contract canceled,” Thursday news story.
So the city of Dallas has fired Fair Park First because its subcontractor Oak View Group “misallocated” $6 million. OK. Is there going to be an accounting of this misuse of our money — who did what when?
Greg Polito, North Dallas