Iran and Israel are now at war [“Top Iranian general killed, Israel says,” News, June 18]. And while Mideast conflict is not new, this battle regarding Iran developing nuclear weapons is fairly recent, and the turning point can be pinpointed to a single decision.

On May 8, 2018, President Donald Trump ended the U.S. involvement in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, aka “The Iran Deal.” It blocked Iran from developing nuclear weapons and was effective. For no obvious reason other than the fact that he didn’t broker the deal, Trump tore the agreement to pieces and set us on a path to our current situation.

Winston Churchill said, “To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day.” Trump’s recent actions, such as creating the Department of Government Efficiency, mass deportations, and defunding vital services, show his devotion to destruction, not to creation.

Will the United States be dragged into another war? Only time will tell. But we are living in the foreseeable consequence of the 2018 action. And what of the future consequences of Trump’s current policies?

Mariano Ugalde, president of the Uniondale Chamber of Commerce, and I must have been attending different zoning hearings [“Community supports rezoning Nassau Hub,” Letters, June 17].

At practically every Nassau County and Hempstead Town session on the topic, those speaking in favor of the Las Vegas Sands casino project and rezoning to allow gambling were from outside the county or groups that were promised “community benefits” or business opportunities. There was little to no local grassroots support.

At the Hempstead Town Hall rezoning hearings, a strong majority of speakers were opposed. Newsday’s polls showed that residents opposed the project, too.

We are indeed entitled to our opinions, but not our own facts. The county and town have paved the way for gambling at the Nassau Hub against the will of the people.

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