Commencements inspire
’Tis the season for commencements. My nephew, Richard, just graduated from Gwynned Mercy University with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice.
I am always inspired by the words of wisdom that are shared at these events. Most people tune out these remarks as they eagerly await hearing the names of their loved ones and the celebration that follows. I tend to take notes on my phone and reflect on the successes and failures of my life’s journey.
There is much that is awry in the world in which we live. However, there is a line from a poem, “An Essay on Man” by Alexander Pope, that says, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast; Man never is, but always to be blessed.”
My challenge to you is to take a few minutes and listen to the following commencement addresses: U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who both spoke at Harvard University; Michael Bloom at Rice University; former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at Virginia Military Institute; Hillary Clinton at Yale University; and Nella Gray Barkley at Sweet Briar College.
My hope is that even if you disagree with their thoughts, you will listen with an open heart and mind.
Now, more than ever, we need inspiration. After being inspired, I hope you will take action.
Pamela Bussey Lake Mary
Ramping up political strife in Iran
As a scholar of Iranian studies and former resident of Iran, I read Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s statement about that country with avid interest. Though not explicitly stated, Pompeo appeared to reflect a U.S. policy of pressuring Tehran for regime change.
In the near term, at least while Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is alive, the implied U.S. policy will embolden hardline conservatives to defend the Islamic Republican regime and confront the West and pro-West Middle East countries. In addition, conservatives will accelerate efforts to achieve their envisioned “resistance economy” — an economy resistant to sanctions, relying on domestic capabilities and trade with countries sympathetic to Iran.
Meanwhile, the U.S. policy will encourage repressed Iranian pro-democracy reformists to oppose the regime or at least amplify critiques of its assertive regional practices. Reformists will remind Iranian nationalists that Iran’s unique Perso-Islamic (Shi’ite) culture will remain pre-eminent in many areas of the Middle East and Central Asia, even if the country scales back efforts to be militarily dominant.
The long-term outcome as to the nature of Iran’s regime will be uncertain, but in the interim political strife in Iran will be sharpened.
Ralph Groves Ocoee
Trump failing on his own
Donald Long’s My Word column, “Schumer and Pelosi — stop trying to make Trump fail,” in Friday’s Sentinel ignores the fact that for eight years President Obama was hindered by Republican leaders Mitch McConnell, John Boehner and Paul Ryan on everything he tried to do. McConnell even proclaimed at the beginning of the Obama presidency that his main goal was to deny the president a second term. Despite all that, Obama accomplished a great deal during his time in office.
At least Schumer and Pelosi sat down with President Trump to try and work out a compromise on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, but were double-crossed by Trump when they thought a deal was worked out. Look it up.
As for making Trump fail, he doesn’t seem to need any help in that regard. Failure follows him everywhere. Look at his casinos, businesses and marriages. Now he is failing at being president.
Are the Democrats responsible for all of that?
Thomas Sweeney Winter Park
