Letters to the Editor | March 3, 2026

Has Iran been developing nuclear bombs? Almost certainly. The detection by the International Atomic Energy Agency of uranium 235 enriched to 60% in recent years proves that. There is no known peaceful use for large quantities of such highly enriched uranium. Many of Iran’s nuclear facilities have been damaged or destroyed, but we do not know what others may be undiscovered and still functional.

Now, President Donald Trump has joined Israel in an all-out war against Iran. This is the Iraq War of 2003 all over again: Create a boogeyman and get public opinion on board. There is little doubt Trump will press ahead with this operation for who knows how long — he will not want to be seen as backing down and weak — the U.S. and the rest of the world be damned.

Sam Goldwasser, Bala Cynwyd, samslaser@gmail.com

In a recent article by the Associated Press, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is quoted as complaining about so-called woke changes to Scouting America’s policies. He argued that the organization, formerly known as Boy Scouts of America, should return to its roots as “a group that develops boys into men.” I am an old and gray Eagle Scout and the product of one of the most traditional scouting programs anywhere. So believe me when I say: Mr. Hegseth doesn’t have a clue.

Scouting has never existed simply to “develop boys into men.” It has always existed to teach and practice the unchanging principles of the “Scout Oath and Law.” They are summarized in the first words of the Scout Oath: “On my honor, I will do my best.” In other words, I am a person of integrity, and I will do the right thing regardless of what anyone else is doing. That’s not Mr. Hegseth’s principle — just ask Sen. Mark Kelly — but it is scouting’s unchanging principle.

The rest is program. Our scouting programs change, or rather evolve, to meet the realities of the day. Otherwise, we are not doing our promised best to teach principles in the here and now. And that would be much worse than even Mr. Hegseth’s uninformed nostalgic exercise.

Jim Matthews, Wayne

I believe the awarding of the Medal of Honor to two of our nation’s bravest warriors during the State of the Union address was entirely inappropriate. Those men deserved a presentation where they would be the center of attention rather than a sideshow to the president’s speech.

The president politicized the event to cast himself in a positive light. Those valiant service members should have been recognized with a more respectable, personal, and honorable ceremony.

Ken Biles, Douglassville

Donald Trump has unconstitutionally launched yet another attack without addressing the American people or securing the approval of Congress. He says he bombed Iran to stop it from using its nuclear arsenal. Didn’t he say eight months ago that we had totally “obliterated” its nuclear capabilities? And Congress? Trump’s Republican minions just follow his lead — it’s a complete disgrace to our democracy. This attack on Iran is simply a distraction from the Jeffrey Epstein files, environmental regulations being rescinded, the economy, farmers declaring bankruptcy at increasing rates, burdensome healthcare costs, cryptocurrency making Trump rich — the list goes on and on. Trump, the self-proclaimed “president of peace,” just started another “forever war.” God help us all.

Robert LaRosa Sr., Whitestone, N.Y.

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