America's place in the world, Christian services at the Pentagon

The editorial “The U.S. in a new world disorder” [Opinion, April 19] raises important points about this country’s needless decline in our standing in the world. From alienating our allies, keeping the world’s brightest scientific minds away from our nation, showing contempt and disdain for democracy around the world, and creating the current debacle in Iran, it’s hard to see how our country will ever recover.

From our nation’s founding, our ancestors sacrificed everything and stood clear from electing the likes of Donald Trump to the presidency. From wars, economic depressions, and civil strife, making sure future generations would benefit from ever-growing prosperity from a better nation was paramount.

Now, having benefited from inheriting the world’s most prosperous nation, instead of paying it forward, Trump supporters are pulling the rug from underneath our ancestors. They should be thankful that their parents, grandparents, and all who came before them were a better lot.

— Jeff Fass, Sayville

Why does Newsday seem to ignore half of Long Island voters?

Then-President Joe Biden watched as Russia amassed tanks and troops at Ukraine’s border for months and only issued threats and warnings of sanctions. Is that leadership? Is Ukraine truly a democratic country? Its last election was seven years ago.

What has been accomplished in seven weeks in Iran is remarkable. The editorial mentions nothing of the human suffering at the hands of Iran’s brutal regime. How many thousands of people have to die?

This country basically supports and supplies NATO, which is hardly involved in real political issues such as the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the editorial board disparages this administration for offering powerful leadership and direction.

U.S. tax dollars shouldn’t be spent on NATO without equal participation from each member country. Social, cultural, and diversity issues are more important to them.

Trump has had to undo all that had been put in place to create a clear path for American exceptionalism. We need to support this president as we did Presidents Barack Obama and Biden. Corruption, fraud, and divisiveness must be rooted out. We should not operate from weakness but from action.

— Rich Weeks, Middle Island

In the Bible, David was anointed by Samuel, God’s prophet, to be the future king of ancient Israel. Then David encountered and killed the Philistine warrior Goliath with a slingshot and Goliath’s own sword. Goliath in his own vernacular, basically shouted, “Death to Israel.” This same repetitive threat comes from Iranian leadership, along with “Death to America.”

Recently Iranian snipers opened fire on peaceful protesters in the streets of Iran, slaughtering thousands of citizens. With no regard for its own people, the Iranian theology and ideology are pure evil.

How do you negotiate with an irrational leadership that believes you have no right to exist and is willing to detonate a nuclear warhead to prove it? Many of Iran’s neighboring countries have the same concern of annihilation.

The Bible states, “A time for war and a time for peace.” No war is good, but at certain times it is necessary and just.

— Robert Sommers, East Islip

The editorial seems to ignore the fact that this war is not unnecessary. Iranians chant “Death to America,” and they have a nuclear program they are refusing to give up. They support terror and are a clear danger. What if we do nothing and the Iranians further enrich uranium into weapons grade? What if they source an intercontinental ballistic missile and annihilate New York City and Long Island or other major city?

— Alan Lindner, Huntington

Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism whose regime has killed over 600 Americans, supports Hamas and Hezbollah, and massacred thousands of its own people. The editorial raises all the problems with the war, including Pope Leo XIV’s criticism, China’s influence in the world, higher gas prices, and European relations.

Does the world want a nuclear-armed Iran? The choice is simple: higher gas prices or nuclear destruction of the United States?

— John Romano, Baldwin

Pentagon podium not the place for prayers

The First Amendment’s guarantee of religious freedom cuts both ways: Government cannot promote religion, and the military is no exception Political cartoon, Opinion, April 20]. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to hold regular Christian worship services at the Pentagon — capped last week by his recitation of a prayer lifted nearly word-for-word from a Quentin Tarantino movie — is not a minor embarrassment. It is a symptom of a serious problem.

Our armed forces include men and women of every faith and no faith. When the secretary of defense leads prayer services at the nation’s military headquarters, he is not acting as a private citizen exercising his religion. He is using the authority of his office to impose a religious atmosphere on those who serve under him.

The “Pulp Fiction” theft would be comical if the stakes weren’t so high. Soldiers are in harm’s way because of the war in Iran. They deserve a secretary of defense focused on strategy, not sermons — and certainly not Hollywood scripts dressed up as Scripture.

Church and state are separated for good reason. The Pentagon is not a parish.

— Dan Devine, Huntington Station