Readers’ comments: June 19, 2026

Pining for peace and love
Dear editor:
August 15, 1969, a three day music and art festival took place in a farmer’s field outside Bethel, New York that came to be known as Woodstock.
According to reliable sources, over 450,000 “kids” attended the event. Two people died; one was run over by a tractor, the other from a drug overdose. In addition, two people (females) gave birth. There were no reports of interpersonal violence.
In less than 60 years, what has changed that 450,000 American and foreign youths can get along for three days with no reported violence … and yet this Fourth of July I suspect the newspapers will be full of stories where people (friends, family, neighbors, relatives) will be shot, stabbed, or more, right in their own backyards.
What’s changed? Who was it that said, “Why can’t we all get along”?
David Stedman
Claremont

Recalling Trump’s failures in Iran, at home
Dear editor:
Of course our commander in chief — president bone spurs and his toadies — will spin this disastrous war with Iran as a win. But what have we gained? Of all the stated goals when the fiasco began only a couple of military aims have been reached.
Iran has not much if any of its navy intact. Its military capacity has been severely crippled. But that’s about it.
Iran still has nukes with no plan for inspections or any other impediment to it getting a bomb. Obama had a much, much better deal than what’s being bandied about as a win.
There was no regime change; it only got worse, with no “unconditional surrender” as demanded. Trump did not get to choose the next leader as he had bragged, and the regime has emerged more powerful, repressive and radical than before. They are now like a wounded animal, desperately searching for ways to inflict savage retribution on its attackers. And, with drones, mines, and missiles they have succeeded. In closing the Strait of Hormuz, they hold the entire world economy hostage.
When informed of the closure, our low information president, shocked, whined, “I didn’t know they’d do that.” Maybe if instead of dozing off during his meetings, had he actually read his security briefings, he might have had a clue.
All much worse than the Obama agreement.
We’re too busy with painting the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial blue. But unfortunately, it’s now green with putrefying slime; a fitting metaphor for this entire corrupt administration.
Get your wallet and credit card ready. One half of the $600 million ballroom will be sloughed off to us taxpayers. Hey, buddy, can you spare a dime?
Vote this November like our democracy, our security, and your wallet depend on it!
John C. Forney
Claremont

Trump’s Iranian folly
Dear editor:
Before Trump and Isreal launched unprovoked attacks on Iran that country was complying with the Obama administration negotiated The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, widely known as the Iran nuclear deal. That agreement required Iran to allow international inspectors into the country to verify that their nuclear enrichment was for peaceful purposes only. The Strait of Hormuz was open with ships traveling freely and the Iran regime was in danger of being overturned by their people.
Remarkably, Trump made people feel sympathetic toward Iran as on day one of the war an elementary school was bombed, killing over 100 children. The Strait of Hormuz is now controlled by Iran, and the new leadership in Iran is even more radical and controlling.
In virtually every possible way Trump has weakened America’s position and strengthened Iran. Supposedly the 60-day memorandum of understanding “deal” being discussed will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and Iran will negotiate a new agreement regarding their nuclear ambitions. It’s unclear what will be in this “agreement,” but what is clear is that Trump is so desperate to end this fiasco that he is willing to pay Iran at least $300 billion.
Republicans lost their minds when Obama settled an old lawsuit with Iran for $400 million as part of the JCPOA, but I guess giving Iran $300 billion now is a good deal because it comes from Trump?
This entire war was launched by Trump, his incompetent administration and the manipulation of Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu with the lie that Iran was close to having a nuclear bomb. Trump’s ego is incapable of conceiving that he isn’t the greatest negotiator of all time or that he can fail, but whatever the final settlement will be it is clear that the winner is Iran and the loser is Trump.
Sydney Pollard 
Claremont

Dictator stuff …
Dear editor:
There ought to be a law prohibiting the president of the United States from naming or directing any person to name a thing after the president himself/herself, building monuments in self-aggrandizement, putting pictures or images of themselves on U.S. currency, passports, or any other public use establishments. Congress must pass such a law.
Opanyi Nasiali 
Claremont