It was refreshing, if sadly very predictable, to see “No War” signs on the I-295 overpass in Portland. This comes after listening to some of my family members voice their disgust at President Trump and his attack on Iran a few days earlier.

Love him or hate him, Trump will go down as one of the most consequential political figures in a century; I won’t be able to brag that I voted for him — I never have.

Should Iran and Venezuela be measurably more free by the end of his term (currently ranked No. 163 and No. 159 on the Cato Institute’s Freedom Index, respectively, out of 165 — the U.S. is No. 17 and Switzerland No. 1, for scale), they may have to name a new freedom award after him. Iran could also end up being the next Libya, Syria or, worse yet for the U.S., another Afghanistan.

Back to my opening. Where were all of the anti-war Democrats when they held the White House? For the record, the Obama administration (excluding the Bush wars) bombed targets in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Syria and Libya. Let’s not forget President Joe Biden, who kept up the pace with Syria, Yemen and Somalia on his resume, and yet no overpass signs. Sigh. There were some anti-Iraq war demonstrations but they fizzled out shortly after Obama took office and none for the other countries noted.

The selective outrage diminishes the flag wavers’ message and the seriousness by which the messengers can be taken.

Zak Harding
Wells