Letters to the editor

June 26, 2018 was the beginning of the dictatorship. It started when the Supreme Court told the President that all he had to do was use the words “national security” and he could do anything he wanted. No proof was needed of a threat. So, using those two words, he muzzled the press, imprisoned activists, suspended the Constitution, dissolved Congress, and finally eliminated the federal court system. No one could speak or act against him. It was a wonderful world.

Mimi Pollow

East side

Freeway entrances do not define a city

I disagree with the “crummy first impression” guest opinion about how Tucson looks getting off the I-10 at Speedway. As a transplant from Detroit 47 years ago, and having driven through every city on my way here, freeway entrances do not determine a city. Sometimes you have to drive in a mile or two to get to the heart of a city. Tucson is the same way. But there are several entrances to Tucson. Each unique. Actually, some of the best artwork in the city is at these entrances.

However, there is no shortage of visitors. That number increases each year. I’ve actually never heard any visitor say “Tucson is run down and dirty.”

There is no shortage of students applying to the UA. It actually needs to be capped.

Bulldozing buildings for empty lots is done because of taxes. I agree that looks bad. Perhaps politicians can require empty lots be created into landscaped mini-parks in order to get those tax breaks.

No we’re not Phoenix. I’m OK with that!

Matt Welch

Northeast side

It’s child abuse on a massive scale

Child abuse is defined as the “physical, sexual or emotional ill treatment or neglect of a child.” By any objective look at what has been going on in this country in the last two months, it is clear that the Republican Party and its leader, Donald Trump, have been committing and continue to commit child abuse on a massive scale. This abuse will continue until every child they have taken is returned to their parents.

You can try and say this is all on Trump, but the Republican Party could have stopped this abuse on day one. And you can agree with the stated rationale for this abuse “to terrorize refugees into not coming to this country.” But it’s still child abuse. In November you can choose to vote for Republicans, and you can choose to vote for family and Judeo-Christian values, but you can’t do both.

Robert Mackay

North side

History shows civility might not be way to go

He has disparaged women, immigrants and the disabled. He has disrespected a war hero. He is suspected of colluding with a foreign power. He described white nationalists as “nice people.” He has undone most of the safeguards on environmental issues and climate change. He has repeatedly lied and switched positions on major issues. He forcefully separated children from their parents. Plus, his tariffs are costing American jobs. Yet, his supporters continue to adore him. Now, my leaders say I’m supposed to remain civil. The population in Germany, predominantly educated Christians, remained civil during Hitler’s rise to power and we know how that turned out. DJT uses the same strategy of scapegoating, fear, divisiveness, media manipulation and nationalism to maintain power. Based on history, I’m not so sure civility is the way to go.

Edward Espinoza

Southwest side

Trump folks, there’s plenty of jobs in fields

Last week, I was in Yuma and El Centro, California, and read their classified ads. You folks who have said the undocumented immigrants (illegals to you) stole your job — well farmers are looking for field workers. The farms will supply the tools and lodging if you don’t live near by! Fresno, California, needs you too! So quickly pack up your work clothes thank #45 the farmers are waiting for you, Trump folks! Good luck and have fun!

David E Leon

Northeast side

Zero tolerance leads to zero trust

National security will not be preserved by zero tolerance. The chaos it creates with respect to the refugees from South of the USA will become uncontrollable and adversely influence generations of individuals who are either aggrieved with “felt injustice” or who live with hatred and fear of people whom they objectify as “them” versus “us.” With guns readily available to both sides in our society, it is only a matter of time before someone pulls a trigger. If shooting begins, more chaos will emerge and disintegrate this nation. Zero tolerance divides national security.

Arthur Espelage

South side

Harley-Davidson plant outside of U.S.?

If Harley-Davidson is serious about building a new manufacturing plant outside of the United States, I recommend it consider locating its new plant in Canada.

Not only would this allow Harley to export to the EU without burdensome tariffs, it would allow it to obtain tariff free aluminum and steel from Canadian sources. Moreover, Canada is much closer to Milwaukee than are Thailand and Australia.

This would also signal Harley’s willingness to locate in a relatively liberal and friendly country governed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. I bet a lot of the hundreds of workers laid off by the closing of Harley’s Kansas City plant would be happy to move to Canada to work for Harley there.

Jeff Dean

Northwest side

Days of nice-guy liberals could be coming to end

How ironic that Krauthammer’s opinion piece “Conservatives Agree That Liberals Are Stupid” was recently run. He wrote “liberals tend to be nice, and they believe … that everybody else is nice too.”

I think liberals have finally realized after many years that our “niceness” was taken advantage of by some not-very-nice people. Some of us liberals no longer want to be held hostage to the pretense that push-back, speaking out, and yes — even “uncivility” will make us “un-nice” and unlikable.

Usually the right are the ones doing the pushing. But trying to appease the right and being nice has not gotten us anywhere. Once-nice people are finally vigorously pushing back; vocally, in demonstrations (organized or impromptu); much to the amazement, astonishment, and exasperation of the right.

I predict there’s going to be a lot of pearl clutching in the future.

Lynda Franka

Southwest side

No confirmation until investigation is over

The so-called President of the United States has disgraced the word “American.”

Never mind his racist, sexist, hate-speak, or the rapid descent into totalitarianism his rule has led to. The fact is he has been implicated in, and is under investigation for collusion with a foreign adversary and obstruction of justice. In addition, he is involved in multiple lawsuits over business practices, illegal gifts and payments, sexual harassment, and hush-money over extramarital affairs. This is in no way normal or acceptable.

Arizonans demand there be no SCOTUS replacement until he’s been cleared. And we are watching the votes of Senators Flake and McCain very carefully.

Melanie Cooley

Northwest side

Time for Washington to step up on gun issue

Trump and every member of Congress unwilling to engage in meaningful discussion about sensible gun regulations are cowards. Cowed by their big donors and lobbyists, they refuse to protect the citizens of this country from the use of weapons to inflict mass casualties. Every politician who fails to work toward ending these all too frequent mass shootings should be voted out of office and replaced with those who recognize the danger of a society in which anyone can buy a weapon at anytime. Universal background checks are one small step that would help. The cowards in Washington, and our own craven state legislators, are more concerned with support from gun lobbyists than in protecting those they are meant to serve. Sadness and anger are not enough. Vote!

Rick Unklesbay

Downtown

Let’s compromise, not polarize

Look beyond the headlines and rhetoric that use words and phrases like “opposite opinions,” “two sides to the issue,” “polarized,” etc. If we take news and politicians at face value, we would believe that there are only two solutions to any problem. Only two ways to approach any argument.

Nothing could be further than the truth! Take the time to talk with anyone, and you will discover many more common ideas and philosophies than we are led to believe exist. Don’t fall for the old and tired belief that we are so different. We are much more the same than those in power want us to believe.

Choose to read and think, talk and listen, and solve problems instead of create them.

Rick Castellini

Foothills

First lady should impart some of her wisdom

I think it’s wonderful that Melania Trump traveled to Tucson to visit with immigrant detainees to learn more about their plight. She’s not only a representative of the Trump administration, but also a fellow immigrant. I hope she had the opportunity to impart her vast wisdom to the detainees, such as how to get that “smoky eye” shadow just right. Or, perhaps, she shared her other fashion secrets such as how to choose just the right message to wear on your jacket. But more importantly, I hope she gave them advice on immigration and employment: How to get a modeling job as an immigrant, get immigrant visas for your parents, and how to marry a billionaire! Who says she doesn’t really care?

James Nesci

East side