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Strike on Iran was a necessary move

Letters to the Editor

DEAR EDITOR: I would remind my fellow Americans of the devastating hurt caused by the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11. One can only imagine the thousands of American lives we could have saved if we destroyed the terrorist encampments when first discovered in Afghanistan. As one who served at the Pentagon and in the Middle East during 9/11, I know all too well the carnage rogue nations like Iran can cause if left unchecked. Iran operates the Middle East’s largest arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles, with capabilities to send its missiles distances of 1,500 miles. Although ...

Trump is cleaning up the messes of others

Letters to the Editor

DEAR EDITOR: First, Barack Obama gave Ukraine sheets and blankets, not ammo, to fight Russia and Russia took Crimea — it was war and still is. Joe Biden came into office and would not dictate terms with Russia or negotiate about Crimea, and Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, made a profit from the board of Burisma. Ukraine will never get back what Russia seized; it’s too late.So President Trump is trying to go for peace and divide the country as it is now. As for Greenland, there was a man with a medical emergency there and Trump offered to send a medical ship to help — they ...

Libraries offer services vital to communities

Letters to the Editor

DEAR EDITOR: Public libraries succeed because they remain closely connected to the communities they serve. For over one hundred years, the public library has been the centerpiece of Niles, connecting people to one another and to the ideas of the past, present and future. At McKinley Memorial Library, our services are shaped by local needs — whether that means free Wi-Fi access, technology assistance, meeting space or lifelong learning opportunities. For many people in Niles, the library is the only free public space offering reliable internet, technology access and professional ...

America has her swagger back

Editorials

In 2020, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared, “The East is rising, and the West is declining.” It certainly looked that way during former President Joe Biden’s term. In August 2021, Biden surrendered Afghanistan to the Taliban. During the chaotic pullout, a suicide bomber killed 13 U.S. troops. Medieval barbarians humbled the mighty United States and took control of billions of dollars of military equipment. Russian President Vladimir Putin sure noticed. Just months later, Russia invaded Ukraine. Shortly before the attack, Biden mused that a “minor incursion” would ...

Ohio Senate should act quickly to create defense commission

Editorials

The 82 members of the Ohio House of Representatives who this month overwhelmingly approved legislation creating the Ohio Space and Defense Commission merit a collective salute from all Ohioans, particularly those of us in the Mahoning Valley. That legislation, House Bill 292 sponsored by Reps. Nick Santucci, R-Niles, and Ty Mathews, R-Findlay, and co-sponsored by Rep. Tex Fischer, R-Canfield, has supersized potential to fortify Ohio’s already robust defense and aerospace industries. That enhanced impact also would hit home with great promise for growth and long-term sustainability of ...

Orchids & onions

Editorials

ORCHID: To the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for awarding the Trumbull County Sheriff’s office a $1.75 million grant to help finance the long-delayed and gravely needed repairs to the roof of the county jail. Sheriff Mike Wilson said the county received more than any of the other 88 counties in the state, indicating grant applicants did a fine job conveying the dire need for the repairs this year. “We’ve done our part to be fiscally sound and be a team player.” Two months ago jail Administrator David Bobby reported to commissioners, “ Every time it rains, ...