Editor,
Joe Guttenbeil argues that the United States should “finish the job” in Iran, citing that country’s treatment of women, its stance on homosexuality and its nuclear ambitions. Those concerns are real. But before calling for further military action abroad, we should examine the direction of our own country.
Have you read Project 2025? Its proposals — now serving as a blueprint within Republican leadership circles — outline a vision of governance rooted in Christian nationalism. They include policies that permit discrimination under the banner of “religious freedom,” deny recognition to LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, restrict reproductive rights, and roll back efforts toward racial justice.
At the same time, we are witnessing the politicization of the judiciary, the removal of public servants deemed insufficiently loyal, and the federal prosecution of citizens perceived as enemies. We see pressure on oversight institutions and attacks on independent media. At home, we continue to face wrongful imprisonment, unequal justice, and troubling instances of state violence. Our own use of military power and nuclear leverage substitutes for diplomacy rather than strengthening it.
None of this excuses Iran’s government. But it raises an uncomfortable question: can we claim the moral high ground while confronting serious threats to democratic norms and human rights at home?
Before we advocate “finishing the job” elsewhere, we should address the unfinished work here.
Ruth Schueler
Foster City
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(2) comments
Thanks for your letter, Ms. Schueler, but you needn’t worry. Treasonous Obama and treasonous Biden are no longer in office. We are beginning to claim the moral high ground again thanks to our (yes, our) great President Trump confronting the serious threats to democratic norms and human rights pushed by Democrats who hate Trump more than they love America. Seems to me that President Trump is tackling Democrat treachery and those of like mind across America and the globe.
Absolutely correct Ruth. America lost the moral high ground when our (yes, our) Trump negated the nuclear agreement reached by Obama and John Kerry. Iran, agreed in writing, to not build nuclear bombs or pursue enriching uranium for such. Trump tore this agreement up, with no replacement plan in place. For someone like Trump, to pursue the moral high ground, must have morality in the first place which, by evidence, he has none.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.