By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
President Trump reported to the nation early Saturday that the U.S. and Israel had begun a massive bombing campaign over Iran.
Initial polling on Monday shows U.S. voters are split 60-40 against the war.
U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy and Aaron Gies, one of two Democrats seeking to challenge the congressman in November, each released statements on the widening war in the Middle East. Both face potential primary challengers.
Langworthy, R-Pendleton, said in a Facebook posting Sunday, “The Iranian regime is the world’s number one sponsor of terror and has the blood of thousands of Americans on its hands.”
Langworthy said, “Their ‘Death to America’ chants and desire to annihilate Israel are not slogans, they have been actively building the nuclear weapons and missile capabilities to make it a reality, and over the last four decades have taken every opportunity to kill.”
The congressman said, “President Trump has given them numerous chances to deescalate and has successfully built allied relationships with the rest of the Middle East region, who are supportive of the Epic Fury operation.
“The Gang of 8 was also briefed and has conveyed the grave importance of stopping Iran’s military capabilities. “This mission is about protecting our homeland and finishing the job of blocking this murderous regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
“It’s very telling that while our strikes are isolated to military targets, Iran has begun indiscriminate bombings of civilian locations.
“May God watch over our incredible U.S. servicemembers who are tasked with this mission and those deployed across the region. This is a moment for us to stand united for lasting peace for America, the Iranian people, and all countries across the Middle East.
“It is also a time that we must be extra vigilant on our own soil and Democrats must stop blocking funding for the Department of Homeland Security so it can immediately reopen and be fully operational, ” Langworthy said. “Time is of the essence.”
Gies, a professor of Franciscan Studies at St. Bonaventure and Democratic candidate for Congress in the 23rd District, expressed concern over the widening conflict in the Middle East following strikes conducted by the United States and Israel beginning on Saturday.
He noted that understanding the nature of Iran’s ruling regime is essential to assessing the risks of escalation.
“Iran’s government is murderous, corrupt, and unpopular with the Iranian people, but it is deeply entrenched,” Gies said. “A successful transition toward freedom and democracy led by the Iranian people alone is unlikely. Even so, America should not attempt another regime change war. I oppose any move to send American soldiers to fight on the ground in Iran.”
Gies emphasized that America’s military is capable but that military power alone cannot resolve the long‑term consequences of conflict. “Our armed forces are the best in the world. I trust them to achieve any reasonable military objective, but Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Afghanistan have shown us that refugee flows, political instability, hunger, sickness, and environmental damage are not problems military power alone can solve,” Gies said.
He also warned of the economic costs of a prolonged conflict. Oil prices have risen sharply and U.S. missile systems are expensive and slow to replace. “At a moment when so many Americans are struggling to afford the necessities of life, there is no excuse for launching a war of choice that costs taxpayers billions of dollars per day and is likely to raise costs for months or even years,” Gies stated.
“I support democracy at home and abroad,” Gies concluded. “A free and peaceful Iran is a worthy objective, but bombing alone cannot achieve it, and may even move us in the opposite direction.”
