This is Donald Trump’s war

I was stunned by the contrast between Nick Anderson’s and Dana Summers’ political cartoons on the March 5 Opinion page, showing different opinions on the war in Iran. I came away thinking one thing: this is clearly Donald Trump’s war, not Congress’ or the people’s, except perhaps for Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, and a handful of hard-right hawks in Congress.

Trump’s State of the Union speech was just a warmup act for war. Excessively graphic and sensationalized, Trump claimed he alone had slain the “beast” of criminal immigration. His disturbing and bloody rhetoric created a twisted equivalence between violent crime and immigrants, most of whom come here to work, raise families and contribute to our population growth and economy. It was hard to watch the Republicans’ glee as Trump dragged them through a gutter of exaggeration and fearmongering.

The reality in their own districts tells a different story: immigrants make up 54% of U.S. farm laborers, provide 24% of home health care, and account for 27% of physicians in this country. They commit crimes at lower rates than U.S. citizens and have long fought in America’s wars. In other words, immigrants make good Americans. But never mind that now. Trump has moved on to his latest distraction from Epstein: Iran. Soon he will be boasting, “Iran has never seen anything like it.” And he alone will be right.

— William Higgins, New Smyrna Beach

Headlines fumbled deputy shooting

When will newspapers stop using misleading headlines that imply police choose to shoot unarmed, harmless people? A newspaper headline like “Another alleged Walmart shoplifter shot by a deputy” (Feb. 27) frames the story as if the deputy decided to kill a petty, nonviolent offender. That shorthand is harmful and wrong.

Headlines that reflect facts — for example, “Deputy forced to shoot after suspect reaches for knives” or “Armed suspect shot while posing immediate danger to shoppers” — make clear who created the lethal risk. It is the suspect’s violent or dangerous actions, not the officer’s preference, that dictate the outcome. I believe o police officer goes to work hoping to use deadly force; they go hoping to return home to their families. Responsible reporting should convey that distinction.

Accurate headlines matter because they shape public understanding and trust. Sensational or biased language inflames opinion before readers learn the facts. Journalists have a duty to report the sequence of events clearly and to avoid framing that presumes motive or minimizes the threat posed by the suspect.

Until newsrooms prioritize precise, fact-based headlines over clicks and narratives, the public will continue to be misled about how and why deadly force is used. Start calling actions what they are: violent suspects creating danger, and officers responding to that danger. The truth deserves headlines that reflect it.

— Rickey Ricks, Orlando

Overgrowth is killing Florida’s beauty

Maybe Florida needs to go back to what Florida was known for before overgrowth started depleting its beauty. State leaders seem to care more about the undocumented, DEI, Don’t Say Gay, redistricting, Hope Florida and school vouchers while our coastlines are eroding. Toxic poisons sprayed in our lakes and rivers not only kill weeds but also wildlife. Will these poisons leach into other fresh groundwater or private wells? Coral reefs are 90% eliminated. Manatees are struggling. Bees are disappearing. Counties are researching drinking filtered wastewater. Why not take those millions and actually use them for good? Fat chance we will see that reimbursement, though. Florida tourism depends on clean, fresh oceans and bays. Why are real estate developers on wildlife boards and on committees in the Legislature that determine growth and progress? Florida DOGE should look into its own books and see where the real runoff is located.

— Cynthia Skrocki, Oviedo

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