Tucson Speaks Out: Nov. 24

Today’s letter writer “Cabinet appointments” presents an open-and-shut case for what sounds like objectivity in vetting cabinet appointments: Credentials. If they’ve got them, they’re in.

So where does character fit in? Nowhere in the writer’s analysis. But we all know that character matters more than job qualifications. That kind of common sense is hard-wired in all of us. History is full of “qualified” actors — you name it, politics, sports, entertainment, education — whose lack of character sorely and often gravely disappointed their supporters. For my money I’d take someone with little job experience and a whole lot of character over someone with great job experience and unquestionably questionable character.

In their book “Becoming A Person of Influence” John Maxwell and Jim Dornan spell it out:

“Credentials are transient. Character is permanent. Credentials turn the focus to rights. Character keeps the focus on responsibilities. Credentials add value to only one person. Character adds value to many.”

Rick Rappaport

Oro Valley

Federal government will be on strict diet

What Trump promised will come true. Over 70% of the country stated we are going in the wrong direction, and Trump is already beginning the transition. With Musk heading a new department focused on eliminating waste in spending is very exciting. They are going to be transparent in what they are going to do and are open to suggestions from the public using the “X” platform. The “swamp” has been comfortable hiding in the bureaucracy, but the purge is coming. The media is reporting all kinds of resistance after Cabinet appointments have been announced. The status quo will be no longer. Those on the left are announcing they are leaving, don’t let the door hit you in the ass as you leave. The next four years will be revolutionary in changing our direction, our allies and adversaries know what is coming.

Bill Dowdall

Oro Valley

Congressional women’s washroom rules

Whew!

I am so relieved that the House Republicans were able to enforce the women’s room gender identity code! Hopefully the physical restrictions adopted will prevail over this dangerous threat to further Congressional deliberations regarding the very real threats to the US Constitution that have already begun to surface with the impending administration.

Katrina Hass

East side

An open letter to the SAVAHCS

You knowingly and willingly violate 38 USC 111 and illegally “defer to CFR” 38 CFR 70.

VA employees will act with high moral principle, adhere to the highest professional standards …

Therefore, I do not trust you.

VA earns the trust of those it serves, every day … They provide benefits … and transparency.

You advocate for the VA, not the veteran.

VA employees will be truly veteran-centric by identifying, fully considering, and appropriately advancing the interests of veteran …

You throw up roadblocks and refuse to communicate.

VA engages and welcomes veterans … facilitating their use of the entire array of its services. Each interaction will be positive and productive.

Therefore, I do not respect you.

VA employees will treat all those they serve … with dignity and respect, and they will show respect to earn it.

Jack Thompson

Benson

It’s happening in other cities too

I’ve written before about the ongoing harassment of my neighbors, by Trump supporters, because they had displayed pro-Harris signs on their private property. Today, a friend sent me a link to the Hartford (Connecticut) Courant that details a story about a family who is being continually harassed verbally, having garbage thrown at them, enduring excessive honking at all hours and receiving death threats, all because they display affirmative messages on their private property, e.g., “We Will Not Let Hate Win,” “Read Books, Don’t Ban Them,” among others. They had pro-Harris signs posted prior to the election. This behavior is beyond egregious, happening not only in Tucson but other cities. Trump supporters are sore losers — they assaulted and defiled the Capitol and caused five deaths in 2020. Sadly, they are sore winners as well and this is not going to end well for any of us in America.

Anne Lane

Northeast side

Cabinet appointments

I think it’s a great idea that Donald Trump is picking TV personalities to fill his cabinet. They have had a great connection with the millions of Americans that follow them. Although that’s just been a one-way connection, it’s better than none, right? So here are few recommendations that might fit. Pat Sajak to run the Education Department. Think of all the spelling he’s encountered. Fantastic! And Vanna White could be his assistant. Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) to run the Defense Department. He’s a tough guy and nobody is gonna mess with him. And how about Michael Strahan. A former NFL player with a soft heart and endearing demeanor. He could fill almost any role as Trump’s “diversity” candidate. With celebrity picks, experience be damned, there’s only one way for American to go and that’s up … right?

Phil King

East side

Inauguration day

In this year of “The Don” Trump, should Inauguration Day, January 20, be a national day of mourning? There could be black bunting, black flowers and many other unique forms of mourning.

Donald Plummer

Northwest side

Arrogance and blindness of Democrats

Regarding the baseless diatribe of John Bingham. In their effort to explain the losses in the recent election, Democrats continue to attack those who voted against them and fail to address the real reason. People are fed up with liberal policies and theory. They don’t want open borders, defund Police, legalizing drugs, boys using girls’ bathrooms, taxpayer-funded trans surgery for prison inmates, socialism, and a myriad of other “progressive” drivel.

Those who voted Republican do indeed know good from evil and don’t need to be told their vote means they don’t by another arrogant self-righteous Democrat. I am 81 years old. I worked my way thru college, served as a medic in combat in Vietnam, had a 28-year career in law enforcement dealing primarily with murderers, rapists, child molesters, and narcotics. I think I know right from wrong despite your opinion. Biden did not make Americans proud of their country and FYI believing in democracy is NOT limited to Democrats as you infer. Get a clue!

Dennis Abrams

Northwest side

Positive thoughts

After reading the vitriol and general displeasure contained in the majority of the Letters to the Editor every day, it was a distinct pleasure to see the article about Terrance Jackson and the Tour De Tucson in the Sports Section of today’s paper.

There is so much to be positive about in our country.

Tom Olson

SaddleBrooke

It’s sad but true

The following excerpts are from a sentence that appeared in the Star on 1/22/2024:

“… one of the first of it’s kind … parts of it’s screening products …”

“It’s” is a contraction for “it is”, and therefore used as a verb. It does not connote possession. “Its” is the correct use for the possessive. I’d have thought that journalists writing for a newspaper would at least know basic grammar. Failing that, errors would be caught and corrected by the editorial staff, or as a last resort by proofreaders. Not being overly picky, but there just seems to be an epidemic of this wrong use of “it’s” for the possessive. I guess this is due, sadly, to the decline of the quality of education. Heaven help us if they do in fact abolish the Department of Education.

Klara Cserny

Southwest side

The Star as entertainment

Soon after the Star had a new manager, the comics were decimated, and the puzzles were nearly eliminated. Nationally, print media services are suffering from declining circulation and revenues. Online is so much cheaper. I felt the moves were made to discourage print subscriptions until doing away with them would be justified.

Print media is more than news and informative articles, available in other venues. Acknowledge it is about entertainment including news, informative articles, editorials, opinions, comics, and puzzles. A unique position! Cutting back to news presentation is direct competition to broadcast and online media. Utilize your exclusive advantages. Puzzles, comics or local opinions aren’t on broadcast media. As for online, I use my computer for work and want my entertainment elsewhere, usually with morning coffee.

Kudos for bringing back Jumble, but you can do much more. A full page of comics, another of puzzles will increase circulation. Take a poll, listen to readers. It’s about entertainment!

Robert Clayton

Northwest side

The finger of blame

My fellow Democrats are mad at my fellow Republicans because they won the election, while they lost the election. The same event resulted in two outcomes.

The Scumbag won against all odds. Instead of focusing on who won, focus on who lost and why. Remember the pointed finger trick that you learned where, whatever, whyever, and to whomever, you point the finger of blame, three fingers are pointing back at you.

I keep reading in the opinion pages where scores of damnations are cast upon the Republicans, while praise is still showered onto the Democrats in their defeat. It is time for the Democratic party to pull itself up by the bootstraps and come up with someone and something better for the country, if they can.

Honesty is a trait that is admired. The Scumbag is honest in his vile way. Have the Democrats been honest with its electorate? One can still wonder to whom the finger of blame is pointed, but we know three fingers are pointed towards you.

Ed LeGendre

East side