War of choice, not urgency

I’ll shed no tears over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the attack by the U.S. and Israel on Saturday. He was a theocratic despot of the worst sort. I would rather he was taken out by the Iranian people, but what’s done is done. And I absolutely agree that Iran should not be allowed acquire nuclear weapons or ICBMs.

However, President Trump has offered no evidence that Iran was on the verge of acquiring either. (Remember the last time the U.S. waged war on a nation that was assumed to have weapons of mass destruction? How did that go?) It seems to me, in large part, that this attack and the preceding bellicose saber-rattling and assembling of military forces in the region is a case of the U.S. bullying a vastly overmatched adversary.

Iran was already weakened by last June’s U.S.-Israeli strikes and the degradation of their proxies across the Middle East. Maybe President Trump should pick on somebody his own size. If he takes out President Vladimir Putin, a major league villain, then I’ll be impressed. Oh, right, Russia already has nukes and ICBMs. Make no mistake, this is a war of choice.

— Craig Scott, Orlando

World Cup soccer? Why not Orlando?

An idea worth exploring: If FIFA has any safety concerns about the three scheduled World Cup 2026 sites in Mexico, why not invite them to consider bringing additional matches to Orlando?

In 1994, Orlando proved itself on the world stage. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution called it “the best venue in the best World Cup ever.” The Wall Street Journal remarked, “The United Nations should send observers to see how it’s done.” Even the Netherlands Consul General observed that “World Cup Orlando became a party promoting soccer and mutual understanding.”

We welcomed the world then with professionalism, security and goodwill, including memorable moments like the Orlando Police Department exchanging hats with international counterparts as a symbol of friendship.

Today, Camping World Stadium is even more experienced, regularly hosting large-scale international soccer events. Orlando continues to welcome millions of visitors each year with world-class hospitality and public safety. And with Brightline high-speed rail now connecting Orlando to Miami, already preparing for 2026 matches, and our new global flights to Orlando International Airport, our infrastructure is even stronger.

Orlando has done it before. We could do it again.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

— Joanie Schirm, Orlando

Joanie Schirm was the chair of World Cup Orlando 1994.

Why did UF hire Uthmeier?

Regarding Attorney General James Uthmeier’s new $100,000-a-year job at the University of Florida, the UF law school is also guilty for giving him the lucrative teaching contract. I have not seen any implication of the law school, yet it takes two to tango and it is important to tell the whole story.

— Michael Waranch, Orlando

Believe Trump? Seriously?

John L. Evans’ letter in Friday’s Sentinel (“Take Trump seriously”), encourages us to listen to what Donald Trump says with a grain (or a block) of salt, while also taking him seriously. While this apparent conundrum is making my brain hurt, it also gives me hope.

According to the letter-writer’s formula, now, when Trump says, for instance, that voter fraud is rampant in America, I can surmise that he’s only kidding. And when he asserts, as he did in his State of the Union speech, that “we’re winning” like no one has ever seen, I can stop fretting about how that proposition could possibly even be understood (what, exactly are we winning?), and look at it as the work of a master craftsman making magic with his lilting prose.

The U.S. taking possession of Greenland? Just a poke in the ribs. Insisting that his “own morality” is the only check on his power? Akin to an off-color limerick. Somali immigrants in Minnesota devouring residents’ cats and dogs? Surely he didn’t expect us to believe that. Whatever comes out of his mouth should be considered alternative facts, to be trusted or not, depending on how finely-tuned one is with Trump’s subtle intelligence.

So, can we look forward to welcoming Canadians as our fellow citizens very soon? Will physicians begin treating COVID sufferers with injections of bleach? Stay tuned: Trump will soon let us know for certain. Seriously.

— Russ Kesler, Orlando

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