SAILING INTO THE UNKNOWN
Re “Donald Trump’s empty threats just more political ‘madness’” (Warren Kinsella, April 24): The immediate short-term goal for the U.S. military should be to open the southern half of the Strait of Hormuz to non-Iranian shipping. If the strait remains completely blockaded on both sides, Iran can likely outlast America. The Iranian leadership is far more willing to impose hardship on their own citizens than the U.S. is to impose it on third countries that receive oil, fertilizer, and other products via the strait. Trump was wise not to impose a deadline on the extension of the current ceasefire. None of us know when the Iranians will be willing to return to negotiations.
Bruce Couchman, Toronto
(The priority has to be opening the strait. And your assessment of the Iranians is accurate.)
DON’T BLAME ME
OK, Mark Carney, you have managed to cobble together a majority. I hope you’re happy. Canada’s problems are now entirely yours. You can’t blame the opposition for holding up anything. Legislation can be bulldozed through with great haste. Therefore, when things are not built, it’s on you. When fuel and groceries are even less affordable, your government carries all responsibility. As I enter my ninth decade, I feel sorry for those coming behind me. If they voted Liberal any time since 2015, they can only blame themselves.
Laurence McGuire, Perth, Ont.
(It’s the Liberal way – do nothing and blame the opposition and convince Canadians they are doing something – it’s quite a talent.)
PAYING A KING’S RANSOM
King Charles might be advised to cancel the U.S. travel plan. Trump has started a war and threatened to bomb a civilization to dust. There are also domestic worries with the Jeffrey Epstein files still a discussion point. The prior insult to British soldiers that “they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines” still needs a sincere apology. There is little to gain from visiting a leader who changes his mind more often than his socks. There is a lot to lose by association.
Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia
(It appears the King is not altering his plans to the U.S.)
