LETTER: Vice president can’t deflect from war’s costs

Published 11:30 am Saturday, September 12, 2026

Vice President Vance took a page directly from Vladimir Putin’s playbook when he said “I wouldn’t call it a war” when asked about the Iran War at a White House press briefing. Putin deflects and minimizes criticism of the Russia-Ukraine War by calling it a “special military operation”.

Later, when asked about the vice president’s statement, President Trump defended Vance and said the Iran War is “small potatoes”. I get it; just like Putin, Trump and Vance are trying to distract attention away from the senseless, expensive, unnecessary quagmire of their own creation.

The fact is, America is six months into a war we didn’t need to fight. Eighteen service members have died so far. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the war has cost $37.5 billion for active operations. Iran still has a stranglehold on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the AAA, the average price for a gallon of gas in Alaska is $5.02. High energy costs are driving up the cost of everything. It’s a mess!

When I read President Trump’s comment referring to the Iran War as ‘small potatoes’ one of my father’s sayings came to mind; don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s raining.

Joel Casto

Juneau