Three stories dominate today’s news. One is the conflict between Israel and Iran. Second is the planned “No Kings” demonstations in various American cities and the probably unrelated murderous attacks against two Minnesota state legislators. Third is the scheduled Washington parade to celebrate our army’s 250th anniversary.

Israel hit Iran with a targeted and apparently highly effective blow in an attempt to stop Iran’s effort to develop nuclear weapons. As President Trump had repeatedly warned, Iran must not be allowed to have an atom bomb. When Iran failed to agree to American proposals and incentives to abandon their nuclear weapons program, he evidently gave Israel a green light to strike. Iran responded to the Jewish attack by targeting Israel’s population centers. Now Israel will hit Iran again. How will this back and forth all end? Only time will tell. Although America will provide defensive assistance to protect the Jewish homeland, it is obvious the Trump does not wish us to become more directly involved in the conflict, and he still hopes to persuade Iran to accept his peace proposals.

The “No Kings” demonstrations are foolish and should be suspended. Their continuation would be a black stain on Democrat Party leadership. They are nothing more than an attack on the Trump administrations effort to deport criminal non-citizens from our nation, an effort that the great majority of American citizens fully support.

The attack on legislators in Minnesota should be a warning to all of us to tone down the rhetoric. Trump is no king and no Hitler. Democrats don’t hate our nation. Members of both parties should attempt to identify the common good and work together to achieve it.

As for the parade, I’m for it. I’m proud of my brief army service during the Korean War, and I believe it is good to have this tribute to the men and women who have stepped forward to protect our nation. Indeed, I favor an annual July 4th parade to promote patriotism and to honor all of our armed services.