Letters to the editor
In a recent commentary, concerns were raised regarding the escalating political tactics employed by Democrats against President Trump, specifically relating to the National Guard’s role in major cities. The author argues that rather than engaging in constructive legislative dialogue, some Democratic leaders have resorted to urging military personnel to disobey lawful orders from their superiors. This tactic, the author suggests, undermines military discipline and could lead to serious consequences for service members who might interpret such appeals as permission to refuse orders. The potential fallout includes court-martials and dishonorable discharges for those who follow this misguided advice, ultimately reflecting poorly on elected officials who fail to fulfill their responsibilities in the political arena.
The commentary also touches on broader issues of governance, particularly in relation to Social Security. The author highlights the disparity between the pensions received by retired members of Congress and the benefits provided to average Social Security recipients, pointing out that many lawmakers can access substantial pensions after only a short tenure. This raises questions about the commitment of Congress to address the looming Social Security funding crisis, with the author urging seniors to hold their representatives accountable. The piece emphasizes the need for proactive measures to protect Social Security, suggesting that the urgency of the situation demands immediate action rather than continued inaction from lawmakers.
Lastly, the article addresses the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, particularly in light of a recent ceasefire. The author criticizes Hamas for its repeated violations of the ceasefire terms, particularly its failure to return hostages as promised. The commentary argues that Israel’s enforcement of the ceasefire conditions is crucial for its success and for the long-term disarmament of Hamas. It posits that without strict adherence to these terms, the cycle of violence is likely to continue, resulting in further suffering for both Israelis and Palestinians. The author concludes by asserting that Israel’s actions, despite being framed negatively by some media outlets, may ultimately offer the best hope for peace and stability in the region, particularly for the beleaguered population of Gaza.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KahPH6oc12I
Refusing orders
This issue is without a doubt the lowest attack the Democrats have launched yet against President Trump’s policies. Because their party can’t engage and negotiate with President Trump through normal legislative channels regarding use of the National Guard in major cities, they have now stooped to appealing directly to members of our military to disobey orders of their superior officers.
So, how does this play out? One way is that rank and file members of the National Guard could perceive the video as permission to decide on their own what is, or isn’t, a lawful order from their commanders.
This scenario could very well result in gullible young men, or women, being court-martialed and dishonorably discharged from service for refusing to obey an order, because some cowardly senator or representative couldn’t find the wherewithal to do the job they were elected to do.
Lee Lessard
Dracut
Social Security
It would be interesting if retired members of Congress were told their pensions would be cut by 24% the same day Social Security was to be cut. Many of those folks are collecting large pensions that they qualify for at age 62 with only 5 years of service while most Social Security recipients work for years to receive a much lower payout.
I am sure they would be screaming and demand action so this won’t happen, yet Congress continues to kick the can down the road on the Social Security funding crisis. It is time for seniors to wake up and vote out the people in Congress that continue to sit on their hands as Social Security funding heads for the cliff.
Paul Quaglia
Billerica
Ceasefire
Re: the Associated Press article “Israel launches strikes in ceasefire’s latest test” (Boston Herald, Nov. 23): Israel’s strikes were indeed another test of the ceasefire with Hamas, but not quite in the way misleadingly implied by the AP.
Hamas has been constantly violating the terms of the ceasefire, with its failure, more than six weeks after the start of the ceasefire, to return all the hostages it kidnapped Oct. 7, 2023 despite the agreement that it would do so within 72 hours, being one of its smallest, albeit more dramatic, violations.
The only party making Hamas pay any price for its constant violations is Israel, whose enforcement of the terms provides the only hope that that ceasefire will endure and lead to the disarmament of Hamas and destruction of its terror infrastructure. Unless those provisions are enforced, this ceasefire will simply repeat the failures of all previous ceasefires, leading once again to the rearming and strengthening of Hamas and yet another destructive war with its attendant devastation in Gaza.
It’s ironic that Israel, whose citizens were the target of Hamas’
barbaric Oct. 7 slaughter, provides the best hope for the
self-induced misery of the people of Gaza being replaced by normal, peaceful and productive lives.
Alan Stein
Founder, PRIMER-Massachusetts (Promoting Responsibility in Middle East Reporting) as well as PRIMER-Israel and president emeritus of PRIMER-Connecticut
Newton, MA and Netanya, Israel
