Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are those of our readers and not the Pensacola News Journal. In order for letters to be considered for publication, they must be 250 words or less and include your full name, address and phone number. Only your name and city of residence will be published. Submission does not guarantee publication. Email submissions to opinion@pnj.com.
Don’t expect any truth to come out of Washington
What is Truth? Not hard to define, much harder to discern. Pilot asked Jesus, “What is Truth”? The answer is found in John 18:38 through 19. Multiple dictionaries define truth “being in accord with facts and reality.” Realities of war aren’t easy to describe, unless you’re on the ground and someone is trying to kill you. Bragging by those who never wore a uniform.
National leadership in the past and more so now, lost connections to the truth of battles, wars, outcomes and most importantly complex facts why we fight and how it is to end. Vietnam, a decade of leaders lying that “victory” is within reach (but not for nearly 60,000 soldiers of all branches and hundreds of thousands of Vietnam soldiers and civilians.
Iraq was a necessary battle and a terrible finish. Afghanistan and Washington leadership was inconsistent and untruthful and sinful. Ukraine speaks for itself, confused policies, unmet promises, fraudulent statements by all administrations.
Iran, we’re told, its nuclear capacity was totally destroyed in a jubilant announcement from Washington, only to be found untrue. A massive military commitment to war in Iran with the same goal we were told was met. Negotiations pending in a day or so, opening days bragging of total destruction of the Republican Guard military as well at Iran’s standing armed forces.
The story changes every few days and is forgotten by Washington deliberately and the timid media. It’s we the people’s failure if we don’t hold them accountable.
Richard Hahner, Pensacola
Fossil fuel lobbying hindering meaningful climate action
The world as we know it today was built on the back of burning fossil fuels. Unfortunately, this has come at a tremendous cost. Emissions from burning fossil fuels are rapidly warming our world at a rate that has never occurred in the history of our planet. Why do we continue to burn fossil fuels?
One primary reason is the tremendous control the fossil fuel industry has over our government. The industry spends approximately $250 million per year lobbying elected officials. The vast majority going to Republican officials and candidates. During the 2024 presidential campaign, oil interests gave over $75 million to Donald Trump-affiliated PACs.
This lobbying serves as a highly effective financial instrument, yielding unparalleled returns on investments by securing multi-billion-dollar taxpayer subsidies, rolling back environmental regulations, and stalling clean energy competition. Furthermore, the federal government spends $20 billion to $35 billion annually on direct handouts, including special tax breaks and cheap drilling access on public lands.
We cannot expect meaningful climate action as long as our representatives are financially beholden to the industry driving this crisis. Voters must demand transparency and reject candidates who prioritize fossil fuel payouts over our planet’s future.
Ron Sadler, Pensacola
UWF playing a vital role in cultivating informed, capable citizens
As a graduate student in the Master of Arts in International Affairs program at the University of West Florida, I have come to appreciate how intertwined our world has become. International affairs is often viewed as something distant with phenomena such as conflicts overseas, diplomatic negotiations, or economic agreements between nations. In reality, world events influence our daily lives in countless ways, from the prices we pay at the gas pump to national security, immigration, energy markets, and technological innovation.
My studies at UWF have reinforced the importance of understanding these complex relationships. Through coursework in political science, comparative politics, intelligence studies, and research methods, students are challenged to think critically about forces shaping the modern world. Most importantly, we learn to evaluate information carefully, analyze competing perspectives, and develop evidence-based conclusions.
At a time when public discourse is often driven by emotion and partisan division, higher education plays a vital role in cultivating informed citizens capable of engaging thoughtfully with challenging issues. Programs like my graduate program at UWF help prepare students not only for careers in government, intelligence, diplomacy, and research, but also for responsible civic participation.
An informed society is a stronger society, and I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue that mission at UWF.
Woody Dobson, Pensacola
Donald Trump and Bill Clinton are two peas of the same pod
It always seems to happen around election time. A would-be politician throws his hat in the ring then has to retrieve it when an indiscretion from the past is brought to light.
Some lucky ones manage to get elected before an investigative journalist digs up some dirt and reports it to the print and broadcast media. At that point, the scoundrel must make a decision — resign in disgrace or fight the accusation for all he’s worth. And why not? Just look at two popular presidents who fought off criminal charges and came out cockier than ever.
“Slick Willie” set the bar for salacious trysts when he fraternized with another federal employee in the most expensive government house in the nation. He sailed through those scandals without a scratch. Even had the audacity to show his face in public again alongside his “supportive” wife Hillary. (She must have had a game plan for the future).
Years later along comes Trump. His resume of dalliances probably made the late Jeffrey Epstein blush. He has and continues to make a mockery of the judicial system. AG Todd Blanche recently said that Donald would be in jail right now had he not been elected president in 2024.
Woodrow Soderlind Jr., Pensacola
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Donald Trump and Bill Clinton are two peas of the same pod | Letters
Reporting by Pensacola News Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Pensacola News Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK, Pensacola News Journal | USA TODAY Network
