Marie at 1 Write Way

Here We Go Again: War in the Middle East

For what it’s worth, I fired off a message to my Members of Congress this morning and am sharing it here:

Dear [fill in the blank],

This morning–Saturday morning–I learned that President Trump, together with Israel–sent military strikes against Iran. What happened to the “Peace” President? Congress did not authorize these strikes so they are illegal. Also, the American people were not consulted, and we have made clear that we DO NOT want a war in the Middle East. Been there, done that, and nothing to show for it but military and civilian deaths. So there is NO mandate from the American people for this war.

These military strikes are illegal and against the will of the American people. I understand the president is angry that the U.S. Supreme Court (finally) ruled in favor of the U.S. Constitution and against the tariffs. I understand he may be hoping that a war in the Middle East will distract everyone from the Trump-Epstein files. He also might be planning to use a war in the Middle East to justify interfering with the midterm elections.

The American people will not tolerate another endless, useless war in the Middle East that puts our troops at unnecessary danger. We will not support a president who illegally engages our country in a war. We went through that with George W. Bush, and it left a stain on his presidency and a deep, abiding desire in the American people to avoid war in the Middle East. 

During his campaign, President Trump promised no more wars. Since he’s been president, he has only stoked the flames of war. There’s no evidence that he has ended any wars, no matter how much he tries to convince the American people that he has. Instead, he has allowed Russia to make gains in its invasion of Ukraine, threatened Mexico, Canada, Greenland, and now Cuba with unauthorized and illegal invasions and foreign interference, and he illegally attacked Venezuela. His actions have only served to put our country at greater risk of foreign attacks and retaliations.

I demand that you stand up to President Trump, stop these military strikes before we reach the point of no return. Do your job and stand up for the U.S. Constitution.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

We who still believe in the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence and the separation of powers have our work cut out for us over the next several months. If you’ve been paying attention, you should have no doubt by now that Trump and his lackeys will do anything–especially anything illegal–to stay in power. I honestly believe, however, that we have the upper hand.

In her February 26, 2026, newsletter, Heather Cox Richardson quoted authoritarian scholar Timothy Snyder:

Trump is “failing at fascism” because “he needs a bloody, popular, victorious war” as an opportunity to “to kill one’s own people and thereby generate a reservoir of meaning that could be used to justify indefinite rule and further oppression, to make the world seem like an endless [struggle] and submission to hierarchy as the only kind of life.”

I take heart that Trump is failing and that the only war popular with the American people is no war. But this reality means that Trump is desperate as are his enablers. Trump is not the only one worried about impeachment if the Democrats take back the House. He is not the only one worried about conviction if the Democrats also take the Senate.

What you can do is find that mode of resistance that enables you to fight back without sacrificing your mental and physical health. For me, it is writing. Writing emails to my Members of Congress, writing postcards to encourage people to vote, writing posts like this one. I attend protests when I can. I support local social safety net agencies like Elder Care Services. I support my local NPR station.

I’m a behind-the-scenes kind of person. You won’t find me trying to meet face-to-face with my Members of Congress or attending Indivisible meetings. I am not a “Great White Hope,” and I don’t want to be one. Rather, I’m happy being one of many millions fighting for the United States of America.

If each of us does what we can, no matter how small an act, together we can make a big difference.

Thank you for reading and for being part of my community.

Raji snuggling on my husband’s lap.

Marie A Bailey

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20 responses to “Here We Go Again: War in the Middle East”

  1. Bravo, Marie. I’m right there with you. I’ll be firing off a letter to my Trumpy congressman later today. (And btw, he answered my letter about Venezuela and said he was good with the whole international kidnapping thing!)

    Feels like 2003 again, except this time I don’t think there’s the domestic support for a hot war in the Middle East. Everyone, even MAGA, is exhausted.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • The Monday after we bombed Iraq I was stood in a stairwell at my university, crying “I’m sorry” in front of a Pakistani student. He hadn’t asked for an apology and probably didn’t really understand why I was apologizing to him but I felt so devastated and embarrassed at what my country was doing.

      We were so angry with Congress (and with Hillary Clinton) for approving W’s war but at least he did go to Congress. He more or less followed the rules (well, except for lying about “weapons of mass destruction” among other things) whereas the thug in the White House wants to do everything unilaterally.

      I don’t believe there’s domestic support for this war. We haven’t had a 9/11 since 9/11, and that was the only reason why enough Americans were willing to support the war in Iraq. Goodness, even Marjorie Taylor Green is pissed at tRump. If he loses that MAGA, surely many more will follow 🤞

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  2. I’m so with you on this. I just finished listening to Heather and Joanne (what I say to my husband, as if they were my friends). No one wants this war (and Heather and Joanne mentioned that he hasn’t even gone to Washington–he’s still partying in Mara Lago). The spineless GOP lawmakers who cheered him because they fear him will declare it’s a wonderful thing. I hope people will be loud in opposing this. He/they will do anyhting to distract from the Epstein files and legit investigations.

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    • I didn’t listen to his little speech where he supposedly “explained” why he ordered strikes, but I saw that he actually acknowledged that some American lives will be lost but it will be worth it????? I can’t imagine that going down well among the general population. I’ve always thought that Americans didn’t mind interfering in foreign countries as long as none of our people got killed. Acknowledging that Americans might be killed is probably not the best way to build support 🙄

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      • I never listen to him. His voice–even before all this–induces that fingers on the blackboard feeling followed by wanting to vomit. And what’s the point? He is incapable of telling the truth. His addled brain might not even know at this point.

        I agree. This is a wildly unpopular war. I hope people keep up the momentum against it AND all the Epstein stuff.

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  3. Great letter, Marie! I was listening to Rachel Maddow this morning, talking about how Jarrod Kushner, who was part of the negotiating team with Iran, had been gifted billions of dollars from Saudi Arabia, an enemy of Iran, and how this strike today may be part of an agreement with the Middle East governments that have been enriching him and his family to undertake regime change in Iran, and that doing so will further enrich him. There’s no other reason for this illegal war. Except as you say, to also draw attention away from the Epstein debacle, and rally his base behind him as a “wartime” president. Maddow noted how Trump accused Obama of trying to start a war with Iran before an election to boost his support and swing an election. Obviously Trump thinks doing so now will help him.

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    • Thanks, Deborah. My husband was reading Timothy Snyder this morning, and he made the same point: that all this is just to further enrich him and his family. Why should I be surprised that he would be willing to sacrifice American lives if he can make some money. He’s the grifter-in-chief!

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