The March 8 front-page articles “After long delay, Jan. 6 Capitol police plaque quietly installed” and “Trump confronts ‘bad part of war’ in ceremony” reported on two noteworthy events on Saturday.
In Dover, Delaware, President Donald Trump paid tribute to the returning six soldiers killed in an Iranian drone strike, and in Washington, an official plaque honoring the police who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was installed.
The president, joined that afternoon by administration officials, said “I’m glad we paid our respects. Great people, great parents, wives, families.”
That same day, at 4 a.m., two workers installed the first visible marker to “the extraordinary individuals who bravely protected and defended this symbol of democracy on January 6, 2021. Their heroism will never be forgotten.”
Just as our fallen soldiers should be fully honored, those who fought for our democracy here at home deserve the same respect and attention. They are also great people, and have great parents, spouses and families.
Jonathan Chace, Chestertown, Maryland
My father was a career Army officer; my wife’s father was a career Navy officer; both of my brothers-in-law were career Navy submariners; and my son is an active-duty officer in the Marine Corps. In that context, I found President Donald Trump’s appearance in a white baseball cap at the dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base on Saturday disgraceful. I don’t have Trump Derangement Syndrome. I just have a sense of decency and place. The president apparently has neither.
David Robinson, Bethlehem, New Hampshire
Improve international law enforcement
Julian Ku was correct in his main argument but wrong about the reasons for it in his March 6 op-ed, “With Iran, international law has lost its credibility.” The problem is not that the legal framework deems the U.S. and Israeli bombing of Iran every bit as illegal as the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Instead, the problem is that for decades, the legal framework has failed to protect Iranians from atrocity crimes perpetrated against them by their own government.
International law is failing to protect populations from their own abusive governments, and the legal framework loses credibility as a result.
The solution, however, cannot be to permit wars of aggression against Iran, even though its leadership is responsible for crimes against humanity. To have a legal framework that permits some wars of aggression but not others will lead only to more wars and civilian harm — the very things that international law aims to prevent and protect.
The solution to international law’s credibility crisis is to improve enforcement for all international crimes, even if the crimes are committed by a state against its own population, as in Iran.
Enforcement also requires condemning unlawful use of force against a state and ensuring accountability for the crime of aggression, regardless of whether Russia or the United States is responsible.
Elise Baker, Groveland, California
Military leaders need broader education
J.B. Branch and Allan E. Cameron were exactly on target in their March 6 op-ed, “Why U.S. military officers need to go to Harvard. And Columbia. And … .” This issue is directly pertinent to the Iran conflict.
Senior military leaders who are trained at war colleges are educated with a focus on military strategy and warfighting. Cutting ties to academic programs at world-class educational institutions will exclude military leaders who develop a much broader understanding of national security and strategy.
Elihu Root, the founder of the Army War College, had this to say at the dedication of the original War College building in 1908: “Do not cease to be citizens of the United States. The conditions of Army life are such as to narrow your views. Strive to broaden your sympathies by mingling with those outside of the service and learning from them the things they can teach you. As you are good soldiers, be good citizens. Let our Army be never one of aggression but devoted to the interests of justice and peace.”
We need senior military leaders whose education serves both the military profession and the enduring interests of the United States.
Peter Huisking, Altadena, California
The writer is a retired Army colonel.
What ‘basic’ used to mean
Regarding the March 1 front-page article “Most Americans say they can afford little beyond the basics”:
I am a boomer, and want to point out that regarding housing people are not even comparing apples to apples. Housing costs have risen dramatically, but salaries and expectations for what that house will be have also risen.
My father was a loan officer in 1960, and made good money; my mother a stay-at-home mom (as was typical). At that time, the average house had two bedrooms and one bath, and ours was similar to the average house today, with three bedrooms and two baths. Appliances were basic — we had no microwaves or air fryers. I remember Mom making my father lunch each day, and a thermos of coffee (he hated the office coffee). We had a landline and one car, went out to dinner maybe once a month, and outside entertainment (movies, much less shows and concerts) were special treats. Vacations were short and inexpensive (camping, or units with a kitchen to make our meals), and we drove there.
I know what my nieces and nephews spend their money on — a nice, large apartment (with a pool!), daily treats like Starbucks, frequent meals out or delivered and nice vacations (sometimes overseas). So, I can see some of the reasons their generation can’t afford a house that meets modern expectations. Home prices have gone up relative to salaries, there is no doubt; but expectations and modern daily expenditures considered necessary have gone up, too.
Coryn Weigle, Alexandria
Time for a plastics reckoning
Trisha Pasricha’s March 9 Ask a Doctor column, “Baggies, retainers and more: Five questions about microplastics, answered,” reminded me of my mother raving about the many benefits of re-closeable plastic bags circa 1965 as they revolutionized family life. No one knew the harm microplastics could cause to personal health and the environment. Just like cigarette companies were finally held to account for the damage they did (and knew they were doing), plastic manufacturers must be held to the same standards.
Terry Melo, Silver Spring
The post Paying tribute requires respect appeared first on Washington Post.
