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To the editor:
As we pass the six-month mark in the Iran War, it’s clear the U.S. and the world are worse off; 18 service members killed, 624 wounded and military morale at an all-time low. Direct costs surpassed $40 billion with 65 U.S. aircraft lost and munition supplies seriously depleted; shortages of Patriot Missiles have left U.S. assets and allies vulnerable.
Plus, the Iran War provided Israel with a pretext to start another deadly conflict in Lebanon.
A month ago, Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi estimated the war has cost the average U.S. household $1,200 in higher expenditures on gas, groceries, transportation and interest the equivalent of a $240 monthly tax on already strained family budgets.
Six months ago, the Strait of Hormuz was open, toll-free. Iran was led by an aging dictator with a tenuous grasp on power; protests on the streets and university campuses were commonplace.
Now, the Strait is closed and it seems likely that Iran and Oman will control and toll it. The war hasn’t weakened the regime, it has strengthened it; a younger dictator at the head and protests now non-existent.
Six months ago, the world viewed America’s military might as supreme. Today, our allies and enemies alike question that supremacy as the limits of U.S. power were exposed as we quickly found ourselves in a quagmire with no workable strategy to end it.
Unfortunately, our feckless president has become bored saying there’s “no hurry to end the war” and even claiming “mission accomplished," echoing another failed president, George W. Bush. As usual, Trump attempts to distract public attention by “flooding the zone with sh*t”; a new trade war with Canada, renaming Lake Ontario, illegally blocking mail-in ballots, threatening to demolish the Kennedy Center, etc.
Enough. Isn’t this why we have a 25th Amendment?
Joseph Cannisi
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krell1349
Yes, this President and his minions are incompetent. When will the war he started end???? Not during his term despite what he says.
Thursday, September 3 Report this
Valete
The Iran conflict is complex. Calling it a failure is weak.
Transit is below peacetime levels, but the Strait of Hormuz remains open. Commercial ships pass. United States warships protect them.
Coalition strikes killed the Iranian leaders. They crushed the missiles and the radar.
There is no blind quagmire. The problem is less now, and Iran is broken and has no money.
The law does not say remove a president because he is disliked. It saya his body and mind must be broken. Two thirds of the houses must vote it.
They don’t have the votes.
Friday, September 4 Report this
reenjoe
Just posted on the CBS News' website:
'What to know about the Iran war today:
President Trump called the war with Iran "small potatoes" and defended his vice president, who said Thursday it shouldn't be called a war, saying, "A lot of people don't call it a war. I call it a military conflict."
U.S. gas prices surged ahead of Labor Day weekend, with diesel hitting a record $5.85 a gallon Friday and AAA predicting travelers will face the highest prices ever seen over the holiday weekend.
Despite President Trump insisting the amount of oil flowing out of the Persian Gulf has rebounded, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains well below pre-war levels. Shipping data firm Lloyd's showed 102 ships transited the waterway last week, compared with 126 the week before — and that's compared with pre-war levels of at least 130 tankers daily.'
As a retiree who heats his house with diesel fuel, I can say that $5.85/gallon isn't "small potatoes" to me. Also, a nearly 90% reduction in ship traffic (910 ships/week cut to 102/week) through the Strait doesn't sound very open.
Friday, September 4 Report this
Valete
Well, the weekend is here.
Eager am I to cheer.
Eiders fly in the air.
Kids play on the wooden pier.
End the loud music, I jeer.
Naysayers laugh and sneer.
Dancing and drinking beer.
Saturday, September 5 Report this
Valete
Focus on the topic. You refer to the 25th Amendment. It is clear. Dislike of a president does not apply. The economy is sound. GDP grew 1.5 percent last quarter, inflation is stable at 2.5 percent. Also Gas prices will tank, and Iran’s bullying is history. Thanks to President Donald J. Trump’s ability and sound mind America is back.
Saturday, September 5 Report this
reenjoe
Yes, let's stick to the topic at hand. A president who says he controls the Strait when shipping is down by 90 percent of pre-war levels because ships fear attack by Iran, a president who calls a shooting war that's taking service members lives and costing billions "small potatoes", a president who distracts the public with nonsense like trade wars, renaming lakes, states, building monuments etc. and a president who tells provable falsehoods like gas will soon drop and inflation is low is not mentally stable.
BTW, this Friday the monthly inflation report is expected to be 3.4 percent, which is an underestimate. Gas is $4.15 nationally, the highest ever on Labor day and $1 higher than pre-war or 33%.
Monday, September 7 Report this
reenjoe
Also, an annualized gdp growth rate of 1.5% is PATHETIC! Trump called a 2.5% gdp growth rate under Obama as "the weakest recovery since the Great Depression". A direct quote.
Monday, September 7 Report this
Valete
Under Trump’s economic policies, the stock market is soaring. Retirement accounts have doubled, and I have become a rich man. 1.5 percent GDP growth is GooooooooooooD!
Tuesday, September 8 Report this
reenjoe
Obama 8 years added 11.5 million jobs
Biden 4 years added 14.5 million jobs
Trump 5.5 years LOST 1.9 million jobs
Numbers don't lie, but Word Man does.
Tuesday, September 8 Report this
Valete
This is a most welcome opportunity to prove, once again, that Cannisi continuously posts misinformation.
President Obama's net jobs added over 8 years (2009–2017): +11.5 to +12.5 million.
He entered office during the Great Recession. After job losses bottomed out in early 2010, the economy began the longest period of continuous private-sector job growth on record.
Donald Trump's net jobs added (1st Term) over 4 years (2017–2021): -2.7 to -3 million.
The economy added 6.7 million jobs during his first three years. However, the COVID-19 pandemic sparked massive nationwide shutdowns, resulting in a net loss for his four-year term.
Joe Biden's net jobs added over 4 years (2021–2025): +14 to +15 million jobs.
Biden entered office during the post-pandemic recovery. Close to 72% of these gains were Americans returning to previously lost positions as businesses fully reopened, alongside new job creation driven by massive federal spending.
To sum it up: The Role of Crises
Economists acknowledge that raw job numbers do not solely reflect presidential policy. They are heavily driven by external shocks—such as a once-in-a-century pandemic or a global financial collapse—and where a president aligns on the natural cycle of economic recession and recovery.
Wednesday, September 9 Report this
reenjoe
Soooo, Sica acknowledges that every single data point I posted is true and accurate, except that we have to give Trump some slack and take credit away from Obama and Biden because their predecessors, Bush43 & Trump45, f**ked everything up with a Great Recession and botched Covid response? Sure...
Wednesday, September 9 Report this