Scott Moyer (Letters, May) applauds President Trump for taking out Iran’s “lunatic leaders.” Putting a negative label on them justifies killing them and gives an imaginary sense of victory. Let’s look at history: 1) Christ was labeled a blasphemer and crucified, but 2,000 years later the movement he started continues. 2) During the Reformation, Anabaptists were labeled heretics and executed, but 500 years later Anabaptism has spread to many parts of the world. In more recent history: 1) Afghan leaders were labeled tyrants and replaced by leaders chosen by the U.S., which propped them up for 20 years before they fled the country ahead of the U.S. withdrawal. The Taliban resumed control. 2) In Iraq, we accused Saddam Hussein of having weapons of mass destruction that posed an imminent threat. No weapons were found. 3) Hamas committed an atrocity against Israel, and Israel vowed to take out Hamas. More than 70,000 people have been killed. Gaza is in ruins; Hamas is still there. The fact is: War only kills people; it doesn’t kill movements or ideologies.
Bill Mast, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Scott Moyer says peace is Iran not hav-
ing a nuclear weapon. That is more likely by negotiation than by war. President Obama came close to it by negotiation. Trump destroyed the agreement that set back Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Now we are farther than ever from Iran getting rid of its enriched uranium. Even if one side bombs the other into submission, the losing sides’ anger ferments for years and will pop up in future conflict.
Donna Zerger, McPherson, Kan.
Peter Sensenig (“Dignity Is the Only Way Out of This,” April) models a response to war. When the U.S. declared war on Iran, Sensenig made contact with Iranian colleagues. In the face of conflict, he chose connection. In the face of abstraction, he chose relationship. I think of the undocumented family in my neighborhood. I will call them today. I cannot shape policy, but I can choose proximity. I can choose friendship. My prayer: Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.
Debbi (Diener) DiGennaro, Harrisonburg, Va.
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