Fantasy progress is easy to manufacture and sell in America

Editor:

President Trump makes constant assertions about set-in-stone progress in negotiations to end the Iran War. He trumpets successes like nuclear inspections, control of the Strait of Hormuz, the unfreezing of Iranian assets. Newspapers report it all, and the American citizenry swallow it whole.

However, virtually the same day after President Trump makes such triumphant claims, Iranian leaders deny those things have actually been agreed upon. Whaat!?

Both sides of the table are headed by power-hungry despots who have spent a lifetime spinning propaganda stories about their winning ways, successes in implementing promised policies, claims of immense popularity, and a clear mandate to rule with a strong arm.

Both political factions live in a world in which cronies continually flatter and lie to them about how things are going. In reality, leaders on both sides are corrupt and always on the edge of disaster.

Kimball Shinkoskey

Woods Cross, UT

Sarsour’s detention exposes a double standard in U.S. immigration policy

Editor:

On June 18, U.S. District Judge James Hanlon ordered the release of Salah Sarsour, president of Wisconsin’s largest mosque, from nearly three months in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after finding evidence that his detention may have been tied to his pro-Palestinian speech. He was freed hours later.

Sarsour, born in the West Bank city of Ramallah, is a lawful permanent resident who has lived in the United States for more than 30 years and has no criminal record here.

The Department of Homeland Security cites Sarsour’s conviction as a teenager in an Israeli military court for throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at Israeli soldiers. Sarsour and his family say the conviction was fabricated, and that he fled to the U.S. following torture in an Israeli military prison. His lawyers challenge the conviction as false and argue that his detention was politically motivated, targeting him for pro-Palestinian advocacy.

In contrast, Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was convicted as an adult in Israel of supporting a terrorist organization and incitement to racism against Arabs. Yet in April 2025, Representatives Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Brian Mast (R-Florida), who is chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, welcomed Ben-Gvir to their offices on Capitol Hill.

At a dinner at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, Ben-Gvir also advocated for the bombing of food depots in Gaza. More recently, on June 19 of this year he declared that “all of Lebanon must burn!”

Notably, Ben-Gvir is scheduled to attend a United Nations policing conference in New York in July.

Salah Sarsour’s case reveals a troubling double standard in U.S. immigration policy. Justice cannot be selective. If the United States claims to uphold human rights and free speech, it must apply those principles consistently–especially to lawful permanent residents who have lived here without incident for decades.

Terry Hanson

Grafton, WI

Protect Roadless Areas on Public Lands

Dear Editor:

The U.S. Forest Service needs to keep its Roadless Rule, which protects millions of acres of wild public lands. In 2001, after hundreds of public hearings and input from more than a million stakeholders, the Forest Service established the Roadless Area Conservation Rule which meant that Roadless areas – with limited exceptions – have been kept free of roads and development.

In addition to designated wilderness areas, Michigan has 6 roadless areas (https://maps.roadless.org/). The largest of these, Norwich Plains in the Ottawa National Forest, includes parts of the North Country Trail. I have hiked in this area, and was impressed by the stunning views and beautiful wildlfowers. Roadless Areas are open to hunting, fishing, hiking, and birdwatching. Areas free of roads provide recreational opportunities not available in other parts of our public lands and deserve continued protection.

John Rebers

Marquette

National Popular Vote

Dear Editor,

Michigan needs to join in! This is what we need to stop electing who the wealthy want to be president.

Thank you for your work.

Kathleen Peabody

Ann Arbor