Army anniversary deserved more robust coverage
Many of us patriotic Americans are disappointed that Fox News was one of the few places to find comprehensive coverage of the Washington D.C. anniversary parade honoring 250 years of the U.S. Army.
However, the Register gave vast coverage to the thousands who protested at the Iowa Capitol.
When did your priorities go astray?
Edgar Smith, West Des Moines
Trump’s military parade was pitiful
President Donald Trump’s “trumped up” military parade went over like a lead balloon. It was pitiful. Small crowd, no excitement, no grand spectacle. Not much of a birthday present for our nation’s man-child. And it cost us American taxpayers about $45 million.
I want to file a complaint with DOGE — the fake government agency in charge of cutting waste, fraud and abuse from our federal budget. But I can’t find an address for Elon Musk now that he’s fled Washington. Maybe I should send my complaint to our Republican delegation in Congress. They’ll stand up to Trump, won’t they?
Hugh Espey, Des Moines
Congress must weigh in on Middle East policy
Three weeks ago thousands of Iowa National Guard members were sent to strategic positions in the Middle East. A week ago nonessential staffers and family were ordered to leave our Mideast embassies. Iowa’s congressional delegation is made up of people with the fringe beliefs that Israel should continue to be supported via a “maximum pressure campaign” against Iran.
I ran for office as an alternative to these views, as did Marine veterans Charles Aldrich and Nicholas Gluba. I am asking people to contact their representatives to let them know that they would like to see the votes for a “maximum pressure campaign,” or for warlike activity, in Congress. This administration has not been forthcoming with its military intentions, and if the White House wants to continue to act aggressively, it must go through Congress, in accordance with our Constitution.
Further aggression without congressional approval would put our delegation and the president in violation of their oaths of office and be grounds for impeachment.
Marco Battaglia, Des Moines
Diplomacy is the only solution to problems with Iran
The attack by Israel on Iran was illegal and it would not have happened without consent from the United States. Since then, the world has witnessed a back and forth between Israel and Iran, understanding that Israel has nuclear weapons.
We need to push Congress to intervene and end this war; diplomacy is the only solution. Besides weapons manufacturers, none of us profit from the death and destruction.
Jeffrey J Weiss, board member, Catholic Peace Ministry, Des Moines
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Congress must assert authority over Middle East policy | Letters
Reporting by The Register’s readers / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
