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TexNewMex Published 10:01 p.m. MT Feb. 12, 2017 | Updated 8 minutes ago

Letters to the Editor(Photo: The Daily Times)Buy Photo

U.S. has destabilized Middle East, not Iran

Once again, the U.S. is targeting Iran for its alleged role in sponsoring radical Islamic terrorism.

According to national security adviser Flynn, The Islamic Republic of Iran is the worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism and engages in and supports violent activities that destabilize the Middle East. However, history shows that the U.S.-- not Iran is and has been destabilizing the Middle East for decades.

After a 1953 CIA coup ousted Iran's Prime Minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, the U.S. supported the shah and his SAVAK secret police for 25 years. Inspired by Ayatollah Khomeini, Iranians rose up against the shah, but the U.S. did not support their wishes: four out of five Iranians wanted an Islamic government.

Placing economic sanctions on Iran in 1979, the U.S. supported Iraqi dictator Saddam in his war on Iran, ignored Saddams use of chemical WMD, and downed an Iranian passenger jet killing 290 people.

Yet, Iran was one of the few Muslim-majority nations that showed empathy for the U.S. after the 9/11 attacks. Iran aided the U.S. in defeating the Taliban in Afghanistan, only to have George W. Bush name Iran among the axis of evil.

Claiming that Saddam still possessed WMD, the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions of refugees, many of whom Iran absorbed.

For a decade, the U.S. has pushed for military strikes based on false claims about Irans civilian nuclear program. Now, once again we are hearing about how Irans senior leadership continues to threaten the United States and our allies.

It would seem that, on the contrary, U.S. senior leadership continues to threaten Iran and her allies.

Yuram Abdullah Weiler

Las Cruces

Medicare Advantage is working for seniors

Choice is important in healthcare, and I choose Medicare Advantage

I worked for AT&T for 30 years, across several different company iterations. They took great care of their employees, something I got used to. After retirement, I was pleasantly surprised that my Medicare Advantage plan also took great care of me.

I chose Medicare Advantage over traditional Medicare, as did 129,000 New Mexicans, because it simply works. I can see the doctors I want to see, and my copays for doctor visits and prescription drugs are cheap or free. I cant begin to describe the worry that takes off my shoulders.

Although retired, I remain very active, regularly volunteering at the Newman Center and spending a great deal of my time outside, hiking Dripping Springs and the Organ Mountains. I also am a regular at my gym, through the Silver Sneakers program, another perk of Medicare Advantage. My husband and I arrive to the Silver Sneakers classes early, as they are always jam-packed, a true testament to how important Medicare Advantage is for my small community.

Healthcare is a hot topic right now, and I want to lend my voice. Medicare Advantage is working for seniors and I urge our elected officials, especially Representative Steve Pearce, to protect Medicare Advantage.

Christine Pogue

Las Cruces

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Letters: US leaders threaten Iran - Las Cruces Sun-News