U.S. bombing of Iran

Re “Was Iran bombing right U.S. strategy?” (June 24):

Iran has kidnapped and killed well over 1,000 Americans and has been fomenting terrorism since the Ayatollah Khomeini returned to power and they were never made to pay a price for it. So they never stopped and in fact expanded their terrorism. Finally Trump did respond. Some are trying to characterize it as a new war. In fact it was a single specific targeted attack on deep nuclear facilities that only we could have achieved. No war. As a result we have a cease fire and Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been very likely destroyed. Iran’s mantra for years was “death to America and death to Israel.” Congressional approval was not required other than notification, which they did. Clinton and Obama took far more extensive action without congressional approval. Kudos to Trump. It was the right strategy.

— Al Weinstein, Rancho Palos Verdes

Iran-Israel war

I appreciate your opinion about the War Powers Act. However, Trump is not looking for a ground war! Iran has repeatedly threatened Israel and the U.S. with a nuclear attack. Iran was very close to achieving that goal and had to be stopped. Hopefully, both Israel and Iran will stick to a ceasefire. Stopping a future war between Iran and Israel was mandatory! So the opponents in Congress who complain have that right. Bring on a vote and see what happens. Thanks to the B-2 pilots and the Air Force.

— Thomas Burns, Laguna Hills

The Constitution

At the law school I attended, we studied the actual Constitution, not just judicial decisions interpreting the Constitution. We learned why each clause of the Constitution is there, who proposed it, the substance of the debate and why the particular wording was chosen. The first words of the Constitution are, “We the people of the United States.” It does not say we the people of the world. Thus, the Constitution applies to the people of the United States, not illegal aliens who are foreigners who came to America illegally, breaking our laws. I am sick and tired of all the protesters, reporters, journalists and judges who declare that illegal aliens have a right of due process. They do not. The right of due process is found in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. They state that “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” When those provisions use the word “person,” it is being used as the singular of the word “people,” and is referring to the people of the United States as stated at the beginning of the Constitution.

— Jim Banks, Huntington Beach

Immigration laws

I am responding to your recent rather lengthy coverage (June 25) of the plight of the Pomona family whose breadwinner has been detained for violating our nation’s immigration laws. Laws are meant to be absolute, not relative. Exceptions can’t be made for those of good character and intent (which I am sure this family has), otherwise granting such exceptions would undermine the validity of having laws in the first place. The Biden administration appeared to make exceptions to our immigration laws, resulting in 12-15 million unlawful entries in four years time, the equivalent in population of creating 150 cities the size of Upland! And this would have likely continued with a Harris win. After all, candidate Harris said she couldn’t think of a single change she would make while serving as VP in the Biden administration. Elections do have consequences, but the law is the law, unfortunately for the featured family.

— Ken Neuman, Upland

Santa Ana immigrant

Re “Marine veteran says Border Patrol agents beat his dad” (June 24):

There are lessons to be learned from the apprehension of the illegal immigrant (Narciso Barranco), proud father of American soldier sons: (1) start and finish your immigration registration requirements, (2) make sure you have copies in several place (glove box, home files, safety deposit box or with legal relatives), (3) be sure to include proof you are paying state and federal taxes. These items will go a long way into ensuring you will not be deported and will be treated fairly. Amen.

— Ted Abeyta, Brea