Iran war, Bruce Blakeman's priorities, teacher's firing, Hempstead schools

The country of Iran has openly avowed to destroy the “Great Satan,” us, and the “Little Satan,” Israel. We are its enemy, as publicly stated [“Trump: War will be resolved ‘soon,’ oil set to flow,” News, March 10].

Would all of Iran’s defenders be so magnanimous if Iranian missiles were targeting New York? Our country had 47 years to stop their stockpiling of destructive weapons but instead released tons of frozen Iranian assets to help their people, and Iran used it to support Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist groups to attack Israel.

When we had open borders, Iranian sleeper cells could have been placed in our country to attack President Donald Trump. When you are being threatened, you don’t wait for your enemy to make the first move, you act quickly and show strength.

— Pat King, Merrick

Congress continues to go along with Donald Trump’s whims. My heart is broken for the country that is slipping away on Congress’ watch. How can members let him start a war without going to Congress or the American people for approval? This is not a war to protect our national security but one that will cost more American lives and innocent civilians in that unstable region of the world. Autocracy is here. How sad.

— Jo-Tina DiGennaro, Bayville

Why do we keep getting involved in the fighting in the Middle East, which has been going on for centuries? Why do we back Israel, which wants to secure itself in the Middle East by fighting the Palestinians?

— Gail Kellner, Calverton

Donald Trump has created the perfect political conditions for China to invade Taiwan.

— Bob Doyle, West Islip

Donald Trump’s seemingly cavalier approach to the war seems to be “Let’s kill all Iran’s leaders and see what happens.”

We can expect months and possibly years of unforeseen negative consequences for the Middle East and our country. Trump voters who voiced support for this war should ask themselves if they would want their children or grandchildren serving in the military to be sacrificed in a conflict started by the man in the White House.

— Tom Horan, Yaphank

Blakeman’s priorities need refocusing

County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s address offered no meaningful proposals to improve the quality of life for Nassau County residents [“Blakeman touts safety, ICE partnership in State of County,” News, March 10]. Instead, he repeated the claim that Nassau County was plagued by crime and that his leadership has made it safer. The problem with that narrative is simple: Nassau has been ranked among the safest counties in the nation for more than two decades.

Blakeman spoke of arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, repeating the familiar line that dangerous criminals are being taken off the streets. Yet federal data shows that roughly 70% of those detained had no criminal history or were held only for civil immigration violations.

That does not mean violent offenders were not apprehended. It does mean that many arrests have disrupted families and workplaces.

Imagine if the address had focused on issues that truly matter to Nassau residents: fixing the property assessment system, stabilizing our public hospital, delivering tax relief, and developing the Nassau Hub.

— Ken Feifer, Massapequa

Removing teacher from class right move

The right to express one’s viewpoint is always a given as long as it doesn’t encourage violent ideology or behavior. However, I agree with the state-appointed arbitrator in suspending this Three Village school district science teacher [“Teacher’s firing rejected,” News, March 9].

A role of a teacher is to lead, and although the entire Facebook post wasn’t included in the article, this educator crossed a line when she reposted that supporters of President Donald Trump should die a slow death because they support raids by ICE. This was unprofessional.

An educator should educate and allow debate regarding any topic. However, no person should wish anyone’s death. The district was right in removing her from the classroom.

— Frank Knight, Mastic

Another contributor to Hempstead’s gains

It was wonderful to see the Hempstead school district’s increasing graduation rates “How one LI district increased its graduation rate,” News, March 8].

However, the work of Regina Armstrong, the superintendent from 2018-2024 who played a pivotal role in achieving that success, should have been included. In fact, most of the improvement in graduation rates occurred during her tenure, from roughly 45% to 86%.

The number of superintendents in Long Island school districts who are women of color has greatly declined the past few years. This is a disservice to students when numerous studies confirm the benefit of students seeing leaders who look like them.

Perhaps giving someone like Armstrong proper credit for her achievements will help bring about better diversity among school district leadership in the future.

— Jeanne D’Esposito, Malverne

The writer is a trustee on the Malverne Union Free School District Board of Education.