Letter to the Editor: Questions

Dear Editor,

I have a few questions for our residence military veterans, specifically John and Bill, who regale us with military stories of the younger selves. The Trump administration has found themselves in a growing controversary from actions resulting from targeting suspected drug-trafficking boat and destroying the boats and killing the crew. These actions have raise several important questions about military law, ethics, and policy.

For the first time in modern history, our military is being used in a direct law enforcement role, destroying boats in international waters based on suspicions of drug trafficking. While the stated goal is to combat fentanyl, reports indicate that these boats are primarily used for transporting cocaine. Furthermore, both drugs are purchased willingly by Americans. The demand for these drugs fuels the market.

The use of military force in this context is troubling. Trump seems more than willing to escalate tensions with Venezuela careening towards an invasion leading to a war. The precedent of employing the armed forces for drug enforcement, rather than utilizing the Coast Guard who have traditionally supplied that role, deserves careful scrutiny.

Questions:

1. Is it a violation of military law to return and attack survivors after an initial engagement? What are the obligations of service members when encountering survivors, even if they are considered adversaries?

2. Would your perspective on these actions differ if they occurred under a Democratic administration?

3. Are you comfortable with the military being used for drug enforcement objectives? Do you believe this sets a dangerous precedent for future use of military force?

4. Are you concerned that such actions could lead to war with Venezuela, given the current administration’s stance toward their government?

5. Do you support the use of military resources as law enforcement against our own citizens?

6. If combating drugs is a top priority, how do you explain the Trump decision to pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted for facilitating cocaine trafficking into the U.S.? https:www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/former-honduran-president-released-from-us-prison-after-trump-pardon/ar-AA1RzVEB?ocid=BingNewsS.

7. Would you support other countries taking similar military action against American boats suspected—but not proven—to be involved in illegal drug transport?

8. Since the September 2nd event, now when suspects are rarely captured, what is the rationale for repatriating them back to their respective countries rather than detaining them for further investigation and answering to our laws?

9. Should Hegseth and Trump be scapegoating a Navy admiral for the order to make sure the two survivors from the Sept. destruction of their boat was sent back to finish the “kill” which is an illegal order?

10. When are you going to stop making excuses for Trump and his incompetent administration and demand accountability for this president as you would any other, especially a Democratic president?

Since John and Bill seem to have expertise and opinions on anything military, their responses should be enlightening.

Rosemary Schwartz

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RS December 5, 2025, 9:01 am John, you asked what should be done to stop the flow of illegal drug here's the answer, I would not have pardoned the former president of Honduras who was convicted of operating a trafficking enterprise supplying 500 tons of cocaine into our country as Trump did. This is why blowing up boats if suspected drug runners illustrates just how bogus this whole thing is. Explain that.

JS December 5, 2025, 12:39 am R S If I understand your weasel words , nothing can or should be done to stop addiction or halt the import of harmful, deadly drugs. Ask the parents of those whose sons and daughters have been taken by fentanyl. Are you really saying law enforcement should do nothing to stop the 100,000 death per year? One more item -- no one but the highest flag rank officer has ever received an order from the sec of war or the President I would receive a deployment order from a squadron commander, usually a Lt. Col. You all seem to have real knowledge as how the armed forces works, like you have all attended a military academy. I never would have guessed it. As i have stated before the President has all the authority he needs to blow the hell out of illegal drug shipments in international waters. As one writer pointed out Pres. Obama exercised that authority on terrorists groups more than Pres. Trump has. That did not alarm you -- because he was a Democrat??? All should be hoping for success on the seas as well as deporting Islamic terrorists from our cities. Shame on you if you don't. Regards, John Stiegelmeyer

DC December 4, 2025, 9:21 pm One thing for sure John. Democrats can't tell you what a woman is but they sure can spot a fishing boat right off. Later Dave

RS December 4, 2025, 10:56 am John, What a childish, moronic statement. Maybe you should check yourself, how many times have you invited me to meet you any day at either Ron Da Voo or Mickeys because that is where you would be found daily. The first step is to admit there is a problem, John, before you cast asperians on anyone else.

JS December 3, 2025, 7:28 pm Shame on you. We must do anything possible to protect our youth. I am not against public execution. Send them all to HELL! Our good nature puts our people at risk. Time to get tough. Jail time or death to all dealers.

RS December 3, 2025, 6:36 pm John, Talk about Blah, Blah, Blah. You did not answer my questions just making excuses for an inept and corrupt administration by reciting military speak. I take issue with one part of your screed. You state all we need to do is to stop the inflow of drugs and give people addicted a way out. These are noble ideas but totally devoid of reality. First, there would be no need to stop the flow of illegal drugs if there was not a market for them. Society has an addiction for substances that alter reality. Whether it is cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, meth, opioids, marijuana, alcohol, or tobacco products, society has struggled with addiction for as long as those substances have been around. For an example, look at the very legal tobacco. After all the research that smoking cigarettes causes deadly cancer, millions of people still smoke. You are assuming that those taking drugs wants to stop the habit and all society has to do is to offer treatment. With as much treatment and warnings out there concerning the effects of using addictive drugs, why would you think all we have to say is, “You are a drug addict, now get treatment because someone says so.” Until society recognizes the danger with addictive drugs and refuses to use them, Americans will still require a monumental supply of illegal drugs to satisfy the hunger of our society. Our society is inherently flawed that we have this immense desire to alter our reality by taking drugs, legal or not. Blowing up boats and murdering people is not going to change our society’s penchant for mind altering drugs. I may not know the ins and outs of the military but you know even less about what causes addiction and as long as Americans are the buyers of illegal substances someone, somehow will supply that need. What is lacking in this discussion about blowing up boats is the real reason the Trump administration is willing to start a fight with Venezuela. Trump wants to play the tough guy by starting a war and then fixing it so he can claim how he stopped a war. His ego and ineptness is driving us into a military conflict that could cost American lives. Are you ok with a faux war to stroke the ego of a tyrant? Rosemary

DL December 3, 2025, 6:16 pm J.S. There's a huge difference between committing war crimes, and flying contrary to SOP. You know damn well what the oath of the military is. It is the Commander's responsiblity to determine whether an order received, is legal. It is undoubtedly the exception to the rule, for a Commander to have to give it a 2nd thought, once the order comes in. According to a handful of Republican Senators, today, all of the questions addressed to you, were legitimate. Those Senators sent a letter to the "president"today. They have had more than enough time to get counsel from a J.A.G.

JS December 3, 2025, 3:59 pm Rosemary: BLAH, BLAH, BLAH! Easy answer. The President has all the authority he needs: “Clear and present Danger”. 100,000 drug overdose deaths per year require government action. It is apparent it is safer to be a Combat Infantry Soldier. The Navy Admiral in Command of the operation has full authority to do what is necessary to accomplish the mission. I have written before on what is necessary – Stop the flow of illegal drugs and give those addicted necessary treatment to overcome their addiction. For a private, or corporal to determine an illegal order requires more than a cursorily knowledge of the UMCJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice). That is why all services have a JAG Corps (Judge Advocate General –Corps –Mitary lawyers). While at Iowa State University learning to be an Air Force Officer we had classes on the UMCJ, but interpreting the various laws required a lawyer’s expertise. While on Active Duty I was ordered to carry out many Higher Headquarters missions: some required takeoffs below normal visibility rules. This was not grounds to refuse, only an unairworthy aircraft allowed a refusal. What this really meant was that a Flag Officer sitting behind a desk, in comfort would be responsible for your death if something went wrong. Comforting thought, but mission accomplishment was paramount. Your many questions only reflect your ignorance of military procedure and governance. Our code requires obedience to orders and respect for the chain of command. How else could one explain how a Platoon leader could under a higher command order; order his troops to take a hill knowing that many would be wounded or killed? Refusing that order is a Courts Martial Offence. In my time on Active Service we had a Code of Conduct; thus ---“I am an American fighting man, I serve in the forces that Guard our County and protect our way of life, If I am captured I am bound to give only Name, Rank, and Service Number. I will evade answering further questions to the best of my ability. I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will make every effort to escape”. That’s all I can remember, after all that was 57 years ago. This is a Spartan Code. Adherence was required of our POWs during the Vietnam War, resulting in pain and suffering due to torture by the North Vietnam Prison Guards. It far past time we make war on the drug Cartels. Regards, John Stiegelmeyer

DG December 3, 2025, 2:11 pm Rosemary Did you forget Obama's drone strikes? "Obama embraced the US drone programme, overseeing more strikes in his first year than Bush carried out during his entire presidency. A total of 563 strikes, largely by drones, targeted Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen during Obama’s two terms, compared to 57 strikes under Bush. Between 384 and 807 civilians were killed in those countries, according to reports logged by the Bureau." It seems that Trump has a lot of room for more drone strikes...or are they only okay when Obama is doing it? At least when Trump does it, it's to block drugs from reaching our shores...rather than bombing people halfway around the world. Here's the link: https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2017-01-17/obamas-covert-drone-war-in-numbers-ten-times-more-strikes-than-bush/

Opinion : Letter to the Editor: Questions

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