Tucson speaks up: Letters to the editor for the week of Mar. 1, 2024
- Updated
Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Arizona Daily Star.
- Eve Shapiro, MD,MPH, Foothills
Thank you, Tyna Callahan, for your excellent summary of the disadvantages associated with Medicare Advantage - limited choice of providers, requirements for prior authorization and other barriers to care. Traditional Medicare is a government-run program with extremely low administrative costs. Once a middleman is introduced, along with the need for profit, the amount of money going for actual health care is significantly reduced. Let's strengthen traditional Medicare so it works for all seniors!
Eve Shapiro, MD,MPH
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Rosalie Wright, Oro Valley
Wonder if some of the very frequent liberal writers to the Opinion Section are on the Arizona Daily Star’s payroll as I see the same names over and over again? Their inputs constantly call those who do not share their political views the most hateful and degrading names. Their theme is always the same against the “other side”: they are called a cult, stupid, insane, clowns, hypocrites, susceptible to lies, hypocritical, racist, and other very unkind terms.
These types of inputs ferment and exasperate the division now occurring among us and also show the level of coordination these writers seem to have as inputs tend to follow the “same theme” against their fellow Americans who have a different viewpoint than they do.
Rosalie Wright
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Chris Simenson, Green Valley
How does the Ukraine war end? Is it when the Russians withdraw their troops, return all occupied land, and admit that they were wrong?
The Sunday talk shows put the blame on the House Speaker stating that the future of the Ukraine and world was in his hands. As if releasing American funds will somehow solve what it now a US/Russia proxy war of attrition.
European nations, many of whom have coveted social welfare systems, are thousands of miles closer and do not seem to have the same sense of urgency. Also, we can provide conventional weapon systems which would allow the Ukrainians to bring the war to Russia. Cruise missiles to allow strikes in Russia itself. Moscow, refineries, military bases etc. Tanks and artillery are not going to defeat an adversary willing to accept extreme losses on Ukrainian soil.
If we are not going to give the Ukraine the tools to win decisively, perhaps we should find another solution.
Chris Simenson
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Michael Hamant, MD, East side
Re: the Feb. 27 article "Medicare needs reform, not Advantage plans."
This was an excellent opinion regarding the disadvantages of Medicare Advantage (MA) programs. MA is a misnomer since it is an insurance company product for Medicare eligible patients but it is not Medicare. The MA plans profits are excessive by even health insurance standards, double that of indemnity insurance. The MA plans across the board (8 of the 10 largest) have been accused of upcoding and overbilling with 4 of the 5 largest accursed of outright fraudulent practices. This has resulted in an estimated 22-35% excess billings which amounts to $88 to $140 BILLION per year, which is more than enough to provide all Medicare beneficiaries' vision, hearing, and dental care.
United Healthcare reports an expected profit of $27.5 billion in 2024, the majority due to their MA plans. Traditional Medicare (TM) has no profit motive and overhead operating expenses is about 3%. We need to greatly improve TM and take the profit incentive out of MA for the sake of patients and taxpayers.
Michael Hamant, MD
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Beth Dingman, Green Valley
According to the article in the Star recounting the tragic events at the Super Bowl parade in Kansas City, a fight broke out between two men (and isn’t it always men?) who didn’t even know each other. Somehow they felt that their disagreement was serious enough to warrant the discharge of bullets despite being in the middle of a crowd. The inevitable result, the death of innocent people.
Who was the bad guy with the gun, and who was the good guy? I can tell you who the bad guys are: the NRA and those members of Congress who refuse to pass gun control legislation, who still labor under the delusion (or profess to) that having a gun will make you safer. It is pure fiction. It is the simple truth that more guns equals more deaths. Period.
Beth Dingman
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Diane Dittemore, North side
In the 1970s when I first became involved in the pro-choice abortion issue, we imagined all sorts of scenarios if the U.S. or states were to ever assign personhood to fertilized eggs. (Every miscarriage scrutinized and requiring a death certificate?) Now some of these scenarios have become a reality, with laws banning abortions after six weeks, for example. Yet even in our wildest dreams, I don't know of anyone who envisioned that embryos used for IVF would be defined as children. And Republicans in the U.S. House so far rhave refused to guarantee the rights of families seeking IVF. If the anti-choice movement, flush with victory after the fall of Roe v. Wade, wishes to take their arguments to what they see as a "logical" conclusion, and promote personhood for IVF embryos, calling themselves pro-family will be an even more laughable misnomer than it has in the past.
Diane Dittemore
North side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Albrecht Classen, Midtown
Every day we hear of yet another absurd move by the Republicans who desperately try to gain points in public opinion ahead of the Nov. elections. And the closer we look, the more we recognize Putin’s handwriting all over the wall. Whether it’s the opposition to supporting the Ukrainians in their self-defense against Russian aggression, whether it’s the absurd attempts to impeach Pres. Biden, whether it’s the strategy to deny the outcomes of our elections, if not their manipulation, or whether it’s former Pres. Trump’s antics and gaslighting, we can recognize Russian influence. Putin is a former KGB man, and he knows that it is much more cost-effective to mesmerize or hypnotize the conservative masses in the USA than to confront our so-far still free democracy in military terms. Putin has his hands also in the pockets of many German politicians and others, but the buck should stop here. We can have disagreements, but any American supporting Putin is a traitor.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- William Garrity, Foothills
Putin's loyal followers, often called MAGA, have successfully implemented Putin's goals. The murdering dictator wants Ukraine for his domination. Only freedom loving Ukrainians stand in his way. What Ukrainians need is the means to defend themselves. What Putin needs is for the US to abandon Ukraine. The Donald with his Republican toadies have delivered for Putin-no additional US aid is forthcoming. The Donald's subservience to Putin remains intact. Of course Putin will stop with Ukraine. After all Hitler stopped with Czechoslovakia right? But with a MAGA education I doubt they know who Hitler was.
William Garrity
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Vincent Allen, Northwest side
Now that a state supreme court has ruled (essentially) that a woman's egg is a human being, one has to wonder if all of the eggs that a woman has and not yet delivered to her uterus are human being also. These eggs are clearly part of a human being, they are part of a WOMAN. They are not eligible to vote and the vast, vast majority of these eggs will never be delivered to the uterus. They are all the 'property' of the woman; not the property of government, nor that of a man, nor that of a court, nor that of any legislature. Why is it so hard for the 'Right' aligned control freaks to realize that they do not control a woman's body. It is her body to do what she believes is the right thing to do, HERS ALONE.
How would any man react if a court told you that all of your sperm are human beings and punishable by imprisonment if discarded?
Vincent Allen
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- John Bingham, Northwest side
Re: the Feb. 27 letter "Democrat prosecutors' persecution of Trump."
I just read an astonishing recount of a member of the Cult of Trump claiming that Democratic Prosecutors are persecuting the former twice impeached, self described sexual predator because they are democratic. The writer apparently forgot that there are laws in this country that we all need to adhere to. But that's not the concern of the letter writer. Her only concern is that her cult leader is being persecuted. She doesn't realize the difference between persecution and prosecution. Her "anointed one" did everything he's been prosecuted for. He sexually assaulted a woman in a dressing room and was found guilty of that. That's why there was no need for a jury trial. He was already found guilty.
John Bingham
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Rick Cohn, West side
Some prominent wealthy individuals in the financial world are complaining that Leticia James's successful prosecution and penalization of Trump is unfair.
Is it unfair that New York has a law requiring truthful valuations on a loan application? Is it unfair that that law provides for fines if an applicant deliberately lies and thereby commits fraud? Is it unfair that Trump got caught committing a crime and then got prosecuted for that behavior? Or is it unfair because Trump is not subject to the rule of law like other citizens? My inquiring mind wants to know.
Rick Cohn
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Anti-choice dilemma
In the 1970s when I first became involved in the pro-choice abortion issue, we imagined all sorts of scenarios if the U.S. or states were to ever assign personhood to fertilized eggs. (Every miscarriage scrutinized and requiring a death certificate?) Now some of these scenarios have become a reality, with laws banning abortions after six weeks, for example. Yet even in our wildest dreams, I don’t know of anyone who envisioned that embryos used for IVF would be defined as children. And Republicans in the U.S. House so far have refused to guarantee the rights of families seeking IVF. If the anti-choice movement, flush with victory after the fall of Roe v. Wade, wishes to take their arguments to what they see as a “logical” conclusion, and promote personhood for IVF embryos, calling themselves pro-family will be an even more laughable misnomer than it has been in the past.
Diane Dittemore
North side
Beliefs and politics upside down
So, now they want the freedom of only one religion’s adopted Ten Commandments in the public’s classrooms; these rules are attributed to Moses who was most likely born around 1,570 years BC, and thought to be the commandment’s author; he was a Jewish tribal leader of people who chose to believe in one God over the then believed Egyptian Pharaohs as Gods; the Bible is mainly about Jewish history, by Jewish authors and the Jewish God which was adopted as the Christian one (or three in one); now, several of this religious wing’s politicians, government officials and uninformed followers want to return to the 13th century BC (1300 to 1201 BC) pharaoh model of one man worship, power, control, and rule. May the good and benevolent God be with us.
Richard Packard
Oro Valley
Good guys vs. bad guys?
According to the article in the Star recounting the tragic events at the Super Bowl parade in Kansas City, a fight broke out between two men (and isn’t it always men?) who didn’t even know each other. Somehow they felt that their disagreement was serious enough to warrant the discharge of bullets despite being in the middle of a crowd. The inevitable result, the death of innocent people.
Who was the bad guy with the gun, and who was the good guy? I can tell you who the bad guys are: the NRA and those members of Congress who refuse to pass gun control legislation, who still labor under the delusion (or profess to) that having a gun will make you safer. It is pure fiction. It is the simple truth that more guns equals more deaths. Period.
Beth Dingman
Green Valley
Time to fish or cut bait
How does the Ukraine war end? Is it when the Russians withdraw their troops, return all occupied land, and admit that they were wrong?
The Sunday talk shows put the blame on the House Speaker stating that the future of Ukraine and world was in his hands. As if releasing American funds will somehow solve what it now a U.S./Russia proxy war of attrition.
European nations, many of whom have coveted social welfare systems, are thousands of miles closer and do not seem to have the same sense of urgency. Also, we can provide conventional weapon systems which would allow the Ukrainians to bring the war to Russia. Cruise missiles to allow strikes in Russia itself. Moscow, refineries, military bases etc. Tanks and artillery are not going to defeat an adversary willing to accept extreme losses on Ukrainian soil.
If we are not going to give the Ukraine the tools to win decisively, perhaps we should find another solution.
Chris Simenson
Green Valley
Rules and more foolish rules
Now that a state supreme court has ruled (essentially) that a woman’s egg is a human being, one has to wonder if all of the eggs that a woman has and not yet delivered to her uterus are human being also. These eggs are clearly part of a human being, they are part of a WOMAN. They are not eligible to vote and the vast, vast majority of these eggs will never be delivered to the uterus. They are all the ‘property’ of the woman; not the property of government, nor that of a man, nor that of a court, nor that of any legislature. Why is it so hard for the ‘Right’ aligned control freaks to realize that they do not control a woman’s body. It is her body to do what she believes is the right thing to do, HERS ALONE.
How would any man react if a court told you that all of your sperm are human beings and punishable by imprisonment if discarded?
Vincent Allen
Northwest side
Putin directing the Republican Party
Every day we hear of yet another absurd move by the Republicans who desperately try to gain points in public opinion ahead of the Nov. elections. And the closer we look, the more we recognize Putin’s handwriting all over the wall. Whether it’s the opposition to supporting the Ukrainians in their self-defense against Russian aggression, whether it’s the absurd attempts to impeach Pres. Biden, whether it’s the strategy to deny the outcomes of our elections, if not their manipulation, or whether it’s former Pres. Trump’s antics and gaslighting, we can recognize Russian influence. Putin is a former KGB man, and he knows that it is much more cost-effective to mesmerize or hypnotize the conservative masses in the USA than to confront our so-far still free democracy in military terms. Putin has his hands also in the pockets of many German politicians and others, but the buck should stop here. We can have disagreements, but any American supporting Putin is a traitor.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
The Party of Putin
Putin’s loyal followers, often called MAGA, have successfully implemented Putin’s goals. The murdering dictator wants Ukraine for his domination. Only freedom loving Ukrainians stand in his way. What Ukrainians need is the means to defend themselves. What Putin needs is for the U.S. to abandon Ukraine. The Donald with his Republican toadies have delivered for Putin-no additional U.S. aid is forthcoming. The Donald’s subservience to Putin remains intact. Of course Putin will stop with Ukraine. After all Hitler stopped with Czechoslovakia right? But with a MAGA education I doubt they know who Hitler was.
William Garrity
Foothills
Elections matter
I have heard multiple times we have problems in this country because of too much politics. I disagree, the problem is too little politics. I say that because we have not learned that elections have consequences.
We elect people by either voting for them or not voting at all. Then we complain about what they do.
We should not be surprised when we elect a President and he then appoints to the Supreme Court, justices who issue decisions we are vehemently opposed to.
We should not be surprised when we elect four members to the Arizona Corporate Commission who deny human-caused global climate change and who then pass rules that make that problem worse.
Simply put, elections matter. We should choose wisely.
Howard Strause
Foothills
Medicare Advantage
Re: the Feb. 27 article “Medicare needs reform, not Advantage plans.”
Thank you, Tyna Callahan, for your excellent summary of the disadvantages associated with Medicare Advantage — limited choice of providers, requirements for prior authorization and other barriers to care. Traditional Medicare is a government-run program with extremely low administrative costs. Once a middleman is introduced, along with the need for profit, the amount of money going for actual health care is significantly reduced. Let’s strengthen traditional Medicare so it works for all seniors!
Eve Shapiro, MD, MPH
Foothills
Democratic prosecutors’ persecution of #45
Re: the Feb. 27 letter “Democrat prosecutors’ persecution of Trump.”
I just read an astonishing recount of a member of the Cult of Trump claiming that Democratic prosecutors are persecuting the former twice-impeached, self-described sexual predator because they are Democrats. The writer apparently forgot that there are laws in this country that we all need to adhere to. But that’s not the concern of the letter writer. Her only concern is that her cult leader is being persecuted. She doesn’t realize the difference between persecution and prosecution. Her “anointed one” did everything he’s been prosecuted for. He sexually assaulted a woman in a dressing room and was found guilty of that. That’s why there was no need for a jury trial. He was already found guilty.
John Bingham
Northwest side
Different viewpoints
Wonder if some of the very frequent liberal writers to the Opinion Section are on the Arizona Daily Star’s payroll as I see the same names over and over again? Their inputs constantly call those who do not share their political views the most hateful and degrading names. Their theme is always the same against the “other side”: they are called a cult, stupid, insane, clowns, hypocrites, susceptible to lies, hypocritical, racist, and other very unkind terms.
These types of inputs ferment and exasperate the division now occurring among us and also show the level of coordination these writers seem to have as inputs tend to follow the “same theme” against their fellow Americans who have a different viewpoint than they do.
Rosalie Wright
Oro Valley
Medicare Advantage
Re: the Feb. 27 article “Medicare needs reform, not Advantage plans.”
This was an excellent opinion regarding the disadvantages of Medicare Advantage (MA) programs. MA is a misnomer since it is an insurance company product for Medicare eligible patients but it is not Medicare. The MA plans profits are excessive by even health insurance standards, double that of indemnity insurance. The MA plans across the board (eight of the 10 largest) have been accused of upcoding and overbilling with four of the five largest accursed of outright fraudulent practices. This has resulted in an estimated 22-35% excess billings which amounts to $88 to $140 BILLION per year, which is more than enough to provide all Medicare beneficiaries’ vision, hearing, and dental care.
United Healthcare reports an expected profit of $27.5 billion in 2024, the majority due to their MA plans. Traditional Medicare (TM) has no profit motive and overhead operating expenses is about 3%. We need to greatly improve TM and take the profit incentive out of MA for the sake of patients and taxpayers.
Michael Hamant, MD
East side
Funding for asylum seekers
Dear Congressman Ciscomani,
You were elected to serve your constituents in Southern Arizona. You recently voted to reject carefully thought-out bipartisan legislation to help solve our border issue. Not only did you reject the funding to increase staffing by the border patrol but even more devastating to Southern Arizona, you voted to stop the funding for folks who are applying for asylum. So in one month, the streets of Tucson will likely be flooded with those folks. The city of Tucson and Pima County will be paying for those services instead of the federal government, just as is happening in San Diego today. The faith groups like Catholic Relief Services and others will also be attempting to pay for this.
I understand that many Republicans see the border issue as a great thing in an election year. But you were elected to serve Southern Arizona not the RNC or candidate Trump.
Sincerely,
your constituent
Robert Beren, MD
Foothills
Lunacy
2-23-2024
AZ Senate: Your Sex is what’s set at birth
AZ Senate: Let students appeal grades over politics
Lawyer who’s worked with Lake, Gosar and Palin set for new AZ government job
Meghan McCain blasts Kari Lake over John McCain comments
2-25-2024
NGO stand between Tucson and chaos
AZ moving to require exit exam
2-27-2024
AZ Senate: Schools must tell parents about students’ gender identities
AZ’s Senate is paying state GOP chair $15K per month
Lawsuit seeks to open divorce records (Ruben Gallego)
Lake in line with GOP memo, backs IVF services
From Feb. 23-27, these headlines and articles in the Arizona Daily Star, available on the online AZ Daily Star, shocked me, illustrating the level of ignorance and vitriol spouted by Republican legislators. Our state and country cannot allow such myopic, backward thinking to drive the Legislature. Hopefully, the need to support Democratic candidates in the next election shouts out to voters.
Roger Shanley
East side
Please explain
Some prominent wealthy individuals in the financial world are complaining that Leticia James’s successful prosecution and penalization of Trump is unfair.
Is it unfair that New York has a law requiring truthful valuations on a loan application? Is it unfair that that law provides for fines if an applicant deliberately lies and thereby commits fraud? Is it unfair that Trump got caught committing a crime and then got prosecuted for that behavior? Or is it unfair because Trump is not subject to the rule of law like other citizens? My inquiring mind wants to know.
Rick Cohn
West side
- Phil "Bulldog" Bentley, Foothills
As I shake my head and try to endure the start of another endless contentious political season , I long for the leadership example of Obama: The Presiedent! The Man! The Husband! The Father! the Son-in-law! The Humanitarian! The Peacemaker! The Friend! The Environmentalist! I appreciate His Humor! His Compassion! His steadfastness! His Smile! His World View! His self-deprecation! His Honor! His Courage! His Integrity! His Veracity! His Respectfulness! His Patriotism! His Vision! His Thoughtfulness! His Kindness! His Sincerity! His Toughness! His Blackness! His Whiteness! His Greenness! His Inclusiveness! His Sensitivity! His Sportsmanship! His Statesmenship! We all can learn from the example of Barack Hussein Obama II, an individual of high moral character and demand such from those who are, or hope to be, in public office.
To Believe in the life of Love
To Walk in the way of Honor
To Serve in the light of Truth
Phil "Bulldog" Bentley
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Diane Nelson, Foothills
After reading numerous angry diatribes by liberals on Donald Trump and his comments about Putin, it's interesting to note than not one letter has mentioned former President Barack Obama's weak leadership towards Russia during his tenure. How convenient they forget it was during Obama's term that Russia invaded Crimea and parts of Eastern Ukraine and that his current rational for not taking any action during that time was that it "was not the Ukraine we are talking about today". Nor has there been any mention of Obama's comments caught on a "hot mic" to then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that he would have more flexibility to negotiate with Russia on issues, like missile defense, after the 2012 election. No, the letters to the editor are just the usual liberal nonsense, high on hyperbole while lacking any significant content.
Diane Nelson
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- James Mclin, East side
With the reversal of the Roe has opened up attacks on the rights of women medical rights. The states have been passing legislation to limit abortions from anywhere from 6 weeks to 16 weeks. Now the Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that embryos are people. This caused clinics to close down their IVF operations. In Texas they are trying to outlaw the use of an abortion pill to end a pregnancy. Other states are looking into birth control for women.
From my research on polls, about 85% of the country wants to have an abortion option for rape incest and the life of the mother. This is just basic women’s health care.
It reminds me of the old story of the dog catching the car and then not knowing what to do with it. As a husband and a father to my daughter and with a granddaughter I feel that the decision to either end the pregnancy or have the baby is up to the mother and her doctor.
James Mclin
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Linda Khumalo, East side, Medicare SHIP Supervisor at Pima Council on Aging
Re: the Feb. 23 article "Medicare Advantage benefits AZ seniors."
There are over 70 Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and twenty-one stand-alone prescription plans (Part D) to choose from in Pima County.
When choosing an MA plan, you must consider the yearly maximum out-of-pocket costs. Medical bills may change from month to month depending on the kind of health year you are having.
If you have specialists you prefer to work with, confirm they are in the plan's network before signing up. This step will ensure good continuity of care for your condition. The same goes for your medications; confirm they are covered in your plan's formulary at a cost that is manageable for you.
Traditional Medicare, on the other hand, ensures that your out-of-pocket costs do not fluctuate with your healthcare needs.
Consult your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselors at PCOA at (520) 546-2011 for free and unbiased assistance with choosing a plan that is right for you and your budget. You may also visit www.medicare.gov for more information.
Linda Khumalo
East side, Medicare SHIP Supervisor at Pima Council on Aging
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Thom Melendez M.Ed, Midtown
While Kyrsten Sinema practices her curtsies or trains to run from her actions, women continue to lose their reproductive rights . Whether it’s Looney Lake or Curtsy Sinema, women’s reproductive rights are in danger. Vote your future and the future of our daughters.
Thom Melendez M.Ed
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Cindy Soffrin, Northeast side
There is no doubt that we have a hierarchical society that is plagued by massive incarceration generated by our legal system and applied to the 99%.
I wonder, however, if that segment is actually moved to support Trump as a result of his pandering to them by emphasizing how many civil and criminal lawsuits have been filed against him. I would hope that the majority of all voters recognize that the crimes Trump has been convicted of committing, or is being accused of committing, is different from the crimes that are being perpetrated and punished by a lopsided justice system. Citizen Trump is claiming "witch hunt" even though there is a mountain of evidence that points to his guilt. He broke laws that were supposed to provide guardrails for the activities of the top 1% of which citizen Trump claims to be at the top.
Let no one be fooled.
Cindy Soffrin
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
The Obama example
As I shake my head and try to endure the start of another endless contentious political season, I long for the leadership example of Obama: The President, the man, the husband, the father, the son-in-law, the humanitarian, the peacemaker, the friend, the environmentalist. I appreciate his humor, his compassion, his steadfastness, his smile, his worldview, his self-deprecation, his honor, his courage, his integrity, his veracity, his respectfulness, his patriotism, his vision, his thoughtfulness, his kindness, his sincerity, his toughness, his Blackness, his whiteness, his greenness, his inclusiveness, his sensitivity, his sportsmanship, his Statesmenship! We all can learn from the example of Barack Hussein Obama II, an individual of high moral character and demand such from those who are, or hope to be, in public office.
To Believe in the life of Love
To Walk in the way of Honor
To Serve in the light of Truth
Phil “Bulldog” Bentley
Foothills
Snowbirds
Re: the Feb. 24 letter “Snowbirds.”
I believe that, as snowbirds, we contribute to Pima County. We bought a house in Tucson, and while we are only here 4-5 months a year, we pay property taxes, HOA dues, insurance, utilities, and landscaping services year-round.
We completely furnished our house by spending thousands of dollars locally. We bought a car and regularly patronize area stores and restaurants. We have memberships in a variety of local organizations, and I thought that our support was appreciated. We donate to national and state parks, and we do not trample things. We respect the environment. We visit museums. Supposedly, the museums would be fine without our dollars?
Having failed to recognize our “huge negative impact,” perhaps we should stay home on the Oregon coast, which incidentally is one of the most visited places in the United States.
Carolyn Neal
Northwest side
Sinema’s legacy
While Kyrsten Sinema practices her curtsies or trains to run from her actions, women continue to lose their reproductive rights. Whether it’s Looney Lake or Curtsy Sinema, women’s reproductive rights are in danger. Vote your future and the future of our daughters.
Thom Melendez M.Ed
Midtown
I wonder
There is no doubt that we have a hierarchical society that is plagued by massive incarceration generated by our legal system and applied to the 99%.
I wonder, however, if that segment is actually moved to support Trump as a result of his pandering to them by emphasizing how many civil and criminal lawsuits have been filed against him. I would hope that the majority of all voters recognize that the crimes Trump has been convicted of committing, or is being accused of committing, is different from the crimes that are being perpetrated and punished by a lopsided justice system. Citizen Trump is claiming “witch hunt” even though there is a mountain of evidence that points to his guilt. He broke laws that were supposed to provide guardrails for the activities of the top 1% of which citizen Trump claims to be at the top.
Let no one be fooled.
Cindy Soffrin
Northeast side
Contributing snowbirds
Re: the Feb. 24 letter “Snowbirds.”
Responding to the writer who blames the snowbirds for the impact they make on Arizona water and residents.
We understand you are happy when we leave. The writer doesn’t understand Econ 101 and should learn the importance of consumers. Without the money we spend in six months, would you have restaurants, drug stores, groceries, golf courses, churches, etc. the rest of the year? Ask the owners and employees if they agree with you.
Would you want to own a business here without the income brought in by the snowbirds?
Those using your precious water include the builders who continue to add housing developments and swimming pools. Is it snowbirds who are allowing Hudbay to destroy the environment and use the precious water?
Come visit our states! You will be welcome to play golf, fish in the lakes and enjoy our restaurants and malls.
Robert and Louise Schwankl, Green Valley Snowbirds
Green Valley
Street names
Back when the cowboys ran Tucson, “Speedway Blvd.” probably made sense. These days, it’s an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms. It should just be called “Speedway.” What a great name for a road! “Broadway Blvd.,” while not an oxymoron, the two words are redundant. Just call it “Broadway.” That’s an iconic name! There are plenty of other streets where the names could be simplified. “Oracle Road?” Everyone calls it “Oracle.” Make it official. “Tanque Verde Road?” Drop the “Road” and maybe Google Maps will blow a gasket. Too bad. We don’t need that modifier. Tucson is a unique place. The names we have for our streets already are cool. Remove the conventionality, and they’d be even better.
Walter Ramsley
East side
Unmonitored wells
Re: the Feb. 25 article “Crowd grills officials on Copper World permit.”
Boy, I was expecting a cut-and-dried article on the front page of the Star having to do with the Copper World permit. But I was immediately drawn into the story by the drama and immediacy of Tony Davis. It was so interesting I couldn’t put it down. I can say I have become riveted by the prospect of unmonitored wells, so I’m starting to feel I also have no use for this mine. That’s not to say Tony didn’t put forth a defense for Copper World, but all in all, what’s to gain from unmonitored wells? We all need to stay hydrated with safe water.
Bobbe Trunzo
Green Valley
Graduation test
I don’t know if Superintendent Horne is just trying to irritate people, or he is still living in an unsuccessful bygone era. To believe that passing one test would prove proficiency isn’t educationally sound, which is why most states have eliminated it. As a former educator, I have seen teachers teaching only to the test. I have seen many students fail due to test anxiety. Horne would have these students throw away 12 years of successful education because they freeze up taking tests. Does he plan on having ALL students take the same test or just the public school students? I’m wondering what his next archaic directive will be.
Bill Hawk
Oracle
Posting commandments in our schools
Re: the Feb. 23 article “AZ Senate OKs Ten Commandments in classrooms.”
As A lifelong Christian, I would like to see posted John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” He said it twice, in case you didn’t get it.
Johanna Von Mayr
Northeast side
F-35s are not at Davis-Monthan AFB
Re: the Feb. 26 letter “F-35s flying over Tucson.”
F-35s are not at Davis-Monthan AFB, it was determined that the Base is too close to civilization. F-16s fly over Tucson. The Base was built during World War II and was in the middle of the desert. As for the A-7 that crashed at the UofA, the pilot directed the aircraft to a field, he ejected, the field was empty. The aircraft veered and crashed on the street. The pilot had severe remorse. One should realize that since 1978, Tucson has grown dramatically and the contractors in the ’40s did not know that it would grow so fast. How do I know? My grandfather was involved in the layout of the base. Personally I hope the aircraft continue to fly, they comfort me. If you would like more information, call Base Information.
Shiela Carlson, Retired 162nd ANG
Southeast side
Making an idol of the Ten Commandments
Re: the Feb. 23 article “AZ Senate OKs Ten Commandments in classrooms.”
The proposal to post the Ten Commandments in all classrooms is obviously from the anti-abortion lobby, counting on “thou shalt not kill.” But there are many laws that demand capital punishment, e.g., for devirginated daughters (Deuteronomy 22:21) and for disobedient sons (Deuteronomy 21:22), and plenty of others referred to in one of the great satires of our time.
“Dear Dr. Laura” (look it up). {The latter, like Swift’s “A Modest Proposal,” was originally anonymous.} Then, of course, there was frequent war and various crimes like homosexuality, fratricide and incest. Assassination and revenge are rife in the story of David and his sons (2 Samuel 11 and the many chapters following). So we can see that the commandment is easily stretched.
Also, the 10th commandment, if obeyed in modern America, would crash the economy in short order.
Herbert Schneidau
Foothills
Medicare options
Re: the Feb. 23 article “Medicare Advantage benefits AZ seniors.”
There are over 70 Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and 21 stand-alone prescription plans (Part D) to choose from in Pima County.
When choosing a MA plan, you must consider the yearly maximum out-of-pocket costs. Medical bills may change from month to month depending on the kind of health year you are having.
If you have specialists you prefer to work with, confirm they are in the plan’s network before signing up. This step will ensure good continuity of care for your condition. The same goes for your medications; confirm they are covered in your plan’s formulary at a cost that is manageable for you.
Traditional Medicare, on the other hand, ensures that your out-of-pocket costs do not fluctuate with your healthcare needs.
Consult your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselors at PCOA at 520-546-2011 for free and unbiased assistance with choosing a plan that is right for you and your budget. You may also visit www.medicare.gov for more information.
Linda Khumalo
East side, Medicare SHIP Supervisor at Pima Council on Aging
Opening Pandora’s box
The reversal of Roe has opened up attacks on the rights of women’s medical rights. The states have been passing legislation to limit abortions anywhere from 6-16 weeks. Now, the Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that embryos are people. This caused clinics to close down their IVF operations. In Texas, they are trying to outlaw the use of an abortion pill to end a pregnancy. Other states are looking into birth control for women.
From my research on polls, about 85% of the country wants to have an abortion option for rape, incest and the life of the mother. This is just basic women’s health care.
It reminds me of the old story of the dog catching the car and then not knowing what to do with it. As a husband and a father to my daughter and with a granddaughter, I feel that the decision to either end the pregnancy or have the baby is up to the mother and her doctor.
James Mclin
East side
Brava! Governor Hobbs is a gifted leader
Re: the Feb. 27 article “Hobbs again rips regents for ‘failed’ oversight of U of A finances.”
From Ellie Wolfe’s report, it’s evident that Governor Hobbs continues to exhibit brilliant leadership, which has resulted in her managing the affairs of our state with sagacity and insight as she steers Arizona to its deserved prominence in the U.S.
Hobbs’ most recent actions with regard to the chaotic discord and tarnished murky finances of the University of Arizona and its supposed overseer, the fumbling Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), by calling the key, apparently maleficent, individuals to an immediate meeting behind the proverbial woodshed is the most appropriate leadership move to reset the course of higher education not only in Tucson but also in all of Arizona. It is reasonable to expect that the outcome of that meeting may include recasting some malign higher education dramatis personae to assure more accountability and openness in serving the needs of Arizona’s students and employers.
Paul Morton Ganeles
Foothills
U of A donors and U of A debt
Re: the Feb. 22 article “UA donors to pay up to $12.8M for athletic positions.”
Athletics is getting its bills paid. Meanwhile, the academic colleges and programs are facing budget cuts that are a direct result of poor financial decisions made by athletics and by university administration. It is a shame that the $12.8 million could not be used to support the academic programs — and as a result — the undergraduate and graduate students who are at the U of A to get degrees and contribute to their communities.
Donna Jurich
East side
Liberals’ selective memory on Russia
After reading numerous angry diatribes by liberals on Donald Trump and his comments about Putin, it’s interesting to note that not one letter has mentioned former President Barack Obama’s weak leadership towards Russia during his tenure. How convenient they forget it was during Obama’s term that Russia invaded Crimea and parts of Eastern Ukraine and that his current rationale for not taking any action during that time was that it “was not the Ukraine we are talking about today.” Nor has there been any mention of Obama’s comments caught on a “hot mic” to then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that he would have more flexibility to negotiate with Russia on issues, like missile defense, after the 2012 election. No, the letters to the editor are just the usual liberal nonsense, high on hyperbole while lacking any significant content.
Diane Nelson
Foothills
- Albrecht Classen, Midtown
Many adult Americans appear to believe in the tooth fairy, Santa Claus, aliens, the devil, or magic but they are too embarrassed to admit that. They need something bigger than their own mundane existence, so conspiracy theories have entered the picture to compensate for the banality of ordinary life. Their admiration for the former Pres. Trump might be a reflection of this deep-seated longing for King Arthur, the Führer, or whomever. Taylor Swift, enjoying enormous popularity today, dares to promote democracy and fair elections, so 18% of Americans believe that she is a plant to promote Pres. Biden and thus to undermine the democratic election in November. Granted, it takes some intellectual effort to face reality and to operate maturely, and since the masses in our country tend to be infantilized again, it is considerable relief for almost a quarter of adults to suspect Swift to be part of a huge conspiracy. Just imagine if she were a Jew; the extremist masses would howl and wallow in antisemitism.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Christie Cummins, Midtown
Re: "Values Revealed" letter spoke of many things the Republicans fight against. A book by Timothy Egan “A Fever in the Heartland” terrified me with the parallel between the 1924 Grand Dragon DC Stephenson’s Indiana KKK and Trump’s MAGA. Both had thin sandy hair, a fleshy second chin, were well fed, well dressed, confident of their power. Both men claimed that they were the law. Both cried “witch hunt” when charged with crimes. Both threatened violence if things did not go their way. Both manipulated the Legislature by passing out ballots at their gatherings to show people who/what to vote for. Both admired dictators, studied Eugenics feeling that those not of strict Nordic stock were inferior, persecuted immigrants, Blacks, Catholics, Jews openly. Both claimed to be the party of Lincoln. The similarities are shocking and it's terrifying to watch as history repeats itself 100 years later under a different name.
Christie Cummins
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Kenneth Haber, Northwest side
Provided that the Alabama Supreme Court judicial excrement masquerading as legal precedent is sustained on appeal, then I propose a solution. Enlist the support of every available woman and harvest her eggs. Then enlist the support of every available man and harvest his sperm. Unite the eggs and sperm, preserve the embryos, and ship them to Alabama. Hopefully tens of thousands will respond. The embryos will be protected! After arrival seek the appointment a surrogate/voice for each embryo (in law called a Guardian ad Litem). Each surrogate will then demand that the State render "cradle to grave" care. Be careful what you wish for Alabama Supreme Court.
Kenneth Haber
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Marsella Mavis, North side
Democrat Manhattan Judge Arthur Engoron ordered Trump to pay $350 million and barred him from doing business in NY for 3 years. Before the trial started, Engoron declared that Trump was guilty of fraud and did not allow a jury trial. No financial entity has claimed harm by Trump. Democrat prosecutor Leticia James ran for NY Attorney General promising to get Trump. Democrat Manhattan prosecutor Alvin Bragg has ridiculously charged Trump with 31 state felonies related to alleged false statements made in 2016 related to Stormy Daniels payments. A jury in Manhattan, likely comprised of Democrats, just insanely awarded E. Jean Carrol a $83 million settlement for an alleged sexual assault which she could not recall the year it happened. Her book was titled' What do we need men for?" Democrat prosecutor Fannie Ellis in Georgia allegedly had an affair with a married fellow prosecutor, then appointed him to persecute Trump. And then there is Special Counsel Jack Smith, whose wife in 2020 donated $2,000 to the Biden campaign.
Marsella Mavis
North side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Cindy Bordelon, Downtown
It appears that a virus of darkness has infected the Grand Old Party and it is spreading. What else would explain the madness and political stupidity of the Republican Party today? The Putin wing of the party is a fifth column working to undermine our nation from within in favor of Russia. This wing exhibits a lack of morals and courage, and supports strongman wannabe Trump, who supports actual strongman Putin. Trump wants militarized mass deportations and has invited Putin to attack NATO countries. An FBI informant with ties to Russian intelligence lied about Hunter Biden. House Speaker Mike Johnson failed to act on the policies he claimed to support, including immigration reform and aid to Ukraine and Israel. And what else will come to light? Desmond Tutu said: “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Joe Biden is a bright light in all this insanity and his leadership gives me hope for a better future.
Cindy Bordelon
Downtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Dan Gipple, Southeast side
Trump is uniquely unfit to be Commander-in-Chief. His scorn of the military and veterans is widely known.
He continues to disparage John McCain, an American hero, for injuries McCain suffered from torture as a POW. He called those who gave everything “suckers” and “losers”, said at the grave-site of Gen. John Kelly’s son, “I don’t get it. What was in it for them”, and told Gen. Miley “No one wants to see that, the wounded”. Likely too afraid to confront the truly brave.
Daddy bought Trump a bogus deferment, thereby acquiring the sobriquet “cadet bone spurs”. He was too weak, too scared and too much of a coward to do what so many of us did – serve, fight, sacrifice. Not surprising as most bloviating bullies are cowards.
He has no concept of sacrifice or service, except service to himself. This guy doesn’t deserve one vote from those of us who respect and honor our military and veterans.
Vietnam Combat Infantry Veteran
Dan Gipple
Southeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Loran Hancock, Northwest side
Perhaps I am the only person to watch a commercial and see not only the image of the product or service, but also the images used to sell. Instead of simply detailing the quality and usefulness of the product or service, commercials today use the images to denigrate someone during the pitch. In much the same way Bud Light cast aspersions against consumers of their product, so many commercials find someone in the commercial to illustrate negatively hoping the viewer will connect with the positive one versus the other. The problem is that the commercial is intentionally leaving a negative image instead of treating everyone with respect. When watching a commercial, forget the product or service and consider the methods used to present the players in the drama. Does this company use positive images to build or negative images to denigrate? Take note of the negative images and associate those with the product, purchase products that build instead of tear down.
Loran Hancock
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Herbert Schneidau, Foothills
Re: the Feb. 23 article "AZ Senate OKs Ten Commandments in classrooms."
The proposal to post the Ten Commandments in all classrooms is obviously from the anti-abortion lobby, counting on "thou shalt not kill." But there are many laws that demand capital punishment, e.g. for devirginated daughters (Deut. 22:21) and for disobedient sons (Deut. 21:22), and plenty of others referred to in one of the great satires of our time,
"Dear Dr. Laura" (look it up). {The latter, like Swift's "A Modest Proposal," was originally anonymous.} Then of course there was frequent war, and various crimes like homosexuality. Fratricide, incest. assassination and revenge are rife in the story of David and his sons (2 Samuel 11 and the many chapters following). So we can see that the commandment is easily stretched..
Also, the tenth commandment, if obeyed in modern America, would crash the economy in short order.
Herbert Schneidau
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Republican Klan
Re: the Feb. 15 letter “Values revealed.”
The letter spoke of many things the Republicans fight against. A book by Timothy Egan “A Fever in the Heartland” terrified me with the parallel between the 1924 Grand Dragon DC Stephenson’s Indiana KKK and Trump’s MAGA. Both had thin sandy hair, a fleshy second chin, were well fed, well dressed, confident of their power. Both men claimed that they were the law. Both cried “witch hunt” when charged with crimes. Both threatened violence if things did not go their way. Both manipulated the Legislature by passing out ballots at their gatherings to show people who/what to vote for. Both admired dictators, studied Eugenics feeling that those not of strict Nordic stock were inferior, persecuted immigrants, Blacks, Catholics and Jews openly. Both claimed to be the party of Lincoln. The similarities are shocking and it’s terrifying to watch as history repeats itself 100 years later under a different name.
Christie Cummins
Midtown
Swift conspiracy
Many adult Americans appear to believe in the tooth fairy, Santa Claus, aliens, the devil, or magic but they are too embarrassed to admit that. They need something bigger than their own mundane existence, so conspiracy theories have entered the picture to compensate for the banality of ordinary life. Their admiration for the former Pres. Trump might be a reflection of this deep-seated longing for King Arthur, the Führer, or whomever. Taylor Swift, enjoying enormous popularity today, dares to promote democracy and fair elections, so 18% of Americans believe that she is a plant to promote Pres. Biden and thus to undermine the democratic election in November. Granted, it takes some intellectual effort to face reality and to operate maturely, and since the masses in our country tend to be infantilized again, it is considerable relief for almost a quarter of adults to suspect Swift to be part of a huge conspiracy. Just imagine if she were a Jew; the extremist masses would howl and wallow in antisemitism.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
Democrat prosecutors’ persecution of Trump
Democrat Manhattan Judge Arthur Engoron ordered Trump to pay $350 million and barred him from doing business in NY for 3 years. Before the trial started, Engoron declared that Trump was guilty of fraud and did not allow a jury trial. No financial entity has claimed harm by Trump. Democrat prosecutor Leticia James ran for NY Attorney General promising to get Trump. Democrat Manhattan prosecutor Alvin Bragg has ridiculously charged Trump with 31 state felonies related to alleged false statements made in 2016 related to Stormy Daniels payments. A jury in Manhattan, likely comprised of Democrats, just insanely awarded E. Jean Carroll a $83 million settlement for an alleged sexual assault which she could not recall the year it happened. Her book was titled “What do we need men for?” Democrat prosecutor Fani Willis in Georgia allegedly had an affair with a married fellow prosecutor, then appointed him to persecute Trump. And then there is Special Counsel Jack Smith, whose wife in 2020 donated $2,000 to the Biden campaign.
Marsella Mavis
North side
Judicial rubbish
Provided that the Alabama Supreme Court judicial excrement masquerading as legal precedent is sustained on appeal, then I propose a solution. Enlist the support of every available woman and harvest her eggs. Then enlist the support of every available man and harvest his sperm. Unite the eggs and sperm, preserve the embryos, and ship them to Alabama. Hopefully tens of thousands will respond. The embryos will be protected! After arrival seek the appointment of a surrogate/voice for each embryo (in law called a Guardian ad Litem). Each surrogate will then demand that the State render “cradle to grave” care. Be careful what you wish for Alabama Supreme Court.
Kenneth Haber
Northwest side
Bring back red-light cameras
Never in all my years of driving have I witnessed so many drivers running red lights. I’m thinking “bring back the cameras.’ Are there any statistics available to show red-light accidents increasing since the cameras were removed?
Ron Wagner
East side
Sidelining Ciscomani and Speaker Johnson
Re: the Feb. 21 article “Johnson and Ciscomani should both be sidelined.”
Doug Pickrell’s outstanding guest opinion and common-sense plea for governance sanity cannot go quietly into the good night. Its message may sound aspirational to many and prompt another round of jokes about how the fools in charge are grinding our democracy to a halt. But neither Ciscomani nor Speaker Johnson are fools. They’re calculating and careful, with political anemometers firmly embedded into their DNAs to see which way the wind blows.
You want to see real change? Perspiration will turn aspiration into reality. It’s right there just out of couch potato reach. Malcom Gladwell’s seminal “tipping point” treatise should be your new political bible. Small numbers of people can create big change. And how quickly the conversation can change from oh my god what is going on to oh my god how quickly we were able to flip that script.
It starts and ends with voting. Stand by your man or woman. Help them win. Participate. Stop complaining.
Do something.
Rick Rappaport
Oro Valley
Rest in peace
It appears that a virus of darkness has infected the Grand Old Party and it is spreading. What else would explain the madness and political stupidity of the Republican Party today? The Putin wing of the party is a fifth column working to undermine our nation from within in favor of Russia. This wing exhibits a lack of morals and courage, and supports strongman wannabe Trump, who supports actual strongman Putin. Trump wants militarized mass deportations and has invited Putin to attack NATO countries. An FBI informant with ties to Russian intelligence lied about Hunter Biden. House Speaker Mike Johnson failed to act on the policies he claimed to support, including immigration reform and aid to Ukraine and Israel. And what else will come to light? Desmond Tutu said: “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Joe Biden is a bright light in all this insanity and his leadership gives me hope for a better future.
Cindy Bordelon
Downtown
Emily Bregel’s border stories
Re: the Feb. 18 article “Tucson area braces for homeless migrants as aid funds dry up.”
The AZ Daily Star has found another liberal, Emily Bregel, to report on the border. Her latest story focused on how local Non Government Organizations (NGO) will run out of money in March. The Senate Border bill provided a whopping $2.8 billion in taxpayer money to NGOs. These groups have no accountability, they are not audited for expenditures. They collude with the Border Patrol to receive foreign nationals, who illegally entered the country, but have been released by the Border Patrol. NGOs shelter then transport them to places across America. Bregel said the Border Patrol does background checks on these people before being released, but NOT in their home country. Bregel does sympathetic stories about the tens of thousands entering illegally in Arizona seeking asylum. She has no journalistic interest in investigating their claims, of which I believe she knows many to be false. She has not interviewed any line Border Patrol Agents to get their perspectives or been critical of Biden’s border policies that caused this disaster.
Linda Kelly
East side
Advertising creates influences
Perhaps I am the only person to watch a commercial and see not only the image of the product or service, but also the images used to sell. Instead of simply detailing the quality and usefulness of the product or service, commercials today use the images to denigrate someone during the pitch. In much the same way Bud Light cast aspersions against consumers of their product, so many commercials find someone in the commercial to illustrate negatively hoping the viewer will connect with the positive one versus the other. The problem is that the commercial is intentionally leaving a negative image instead of treating everyone with respect. When watching a commercial, forget the product or service and consider the methods used to present the players in the drama. Does this company use positive images to build or negative images to denigrate? Take note of the negative images and associate those with the product, purchase products that build instead of tear down.
Loran Hancock
Northwest side
Trump unfit to be commander-in-chief
Trump is uniquely unfit to be commander-in-chief. His scorn of the military and veterans is widely known.
He continues to disparage John McCain, an American hero, for injuries McCain suffered from torture as a POW. He called those who gave everything “suckers” and “losers,” said at the gravesite of Gen. John Kelly’s son, “I don’t get it. What was in it for them,” and told Gen. Miley “No one wants to see that, the wounded.” Likely too afraid to confront the truly brave.
Daddy bought Trump a bogus deferment, thereby acquiring the sobriquet “cadet bone spurs.” He was too weak, too scared and too much of a coward to do what so many of us did — serve, fight, sacrifice. Not surprising as most bloviating bullies are cowards.
He has no concept of sacrifice or service, except service to himself. This guy doesn’t deserve one vote from those of us who respect and honor our military and veterans.
Dan Gipple, Vietnam combat infantry Veteran
Southeast side
UA Foundation, athletics and academics
Re: the Feb. 25 letter “Re-thinking donation.”
I share the concern of the letter writer regarding her rethinking a donation to the U of A Foundation to support the school of nursing. I am an emeritus professor of mathematics with two small endowments to support students in the mathematics department. The Star reported that .25 million of the salary of the new athletic director will be paid annually by the Foundation. Does the Foundation financially support the hiring of academic faculty in a similar manner?
Elias Toubassi
East side
ACC housecleaning
Re: the Feb. 25 article “ACC hot air, distractions, abuse of ratepayers” and the Feb. 25 letter “ACC commissioners are failing us.”
Thank you to Terry Finefrock and the letter writer for discussing our increasing problems with the Arizona Corporation Commission. The recent unjustified rate increases and the resultant impact on consumers’ monthly bills is obvious to anyone paying attention. The question that we should be asking ourselves is ‘why do we continue to elect commissioners who are devoted to the interests of the monopolistic utilities and not the consumers they should be serving? Further, the ACC effectively turns its back on and discourages an enthusiastic embrace of solar generation of electricity by individuals and the utilities and does so in Arizona of all places! Reverting to ongoing use of fossil fuels when worsening climate change would dictate the opposite course of action is the height of irresponsible public policy.
Arizonans, please vote your interests as consumers and citizens when electing the next set of ACC commissioners this year!
Terry McDaniel
North side
Welcome, snowbirds
Re: the Feb. 24 letter “Snowbirds.”
I read a letter about the negative impact snowbirds have on Tucson. This really bothered me because it is one person’s opinion. If I didn’t respond, I would be complicit in this very myopic view.
My husband is a native Tucsonan and I have lived here for over 30 years. Of course, we have seen an increase in traffic but we see that across the country. I still manage to get to my destination by making allowances for the traffic. Hospitals and doctors were dealing with overcrowding during COVID. Many of those patients were your Tucson neighbors who questioned vaccines and masks.
We look forward to seeing the snowbirds we have become acquainted with over the years. Many of them have a second home here. They contribute through taxes, shopping, dining out to name a few.
Our lives are enhanced by the people from other places. We welcome you!
Donna Pierce
Northeast side
Re: Snowbirds
Re: the Feb. 24 letter “Snowbirds.”
I would like to say that I don’t think the letter writer understands the huge POSITIVE impact snowbirds make on her and her fellow Tucsonans during their stay.
1. Snowbirds who own properties here pay taxes.
2. They contribute thousands of dollars to the local economy, spending on home improvements, local attractions, stores, restaurants and bars.
3. Those I know respect the natural environment.
Just curious, but would you really begrudge an ER visit to a person in need because he is not a year round resident?
In the community where I am fortunate to live for four months of the year, I have made many lasting friendships with the permanent residents as well as others who winter here from many other locations. I believe it is always positive when people from different backgrounds accept, get to know, and appreciate each other.
I’m from Illinois. You are welcome to come and stay a while.
Kathryn de Peso
East side
- Richard Bechtold, West side
It appears that American voters are going to get to choose between 2 candidates. Both are over 77 years old and mix up facts and details from time to time. One of the elders is 81 years old with over 50 years experience in government as a senator, vice president and president. The other elder is facing numerous felony charges, an adulterer, cheated hundreds of people out of money, and sells $400 golden sneakers in between campaign stops. The only presidential candidate that sells concessions on the campaign trail.(mug shot t-shirts, sneakers, etc)
Richard Bechtold
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Margaret Scott, Midtown
Re: the Feb. 9 letter "Migrants carrying contagious diseases."
The writer of the letter based her argument about migrants carrying contagious diseases into the US on a CNN report that attributed the problem to a person ‘who had recently traveled outside the country.’ Clearly, that would be an ill American returning from abroad, not a migrant entering the country for the first time.
The author contends that this is a health care problem Biden continues to ignore. Not so. Biden has addressed border health care issues from the beginning of his presidency. According to a CNN report, as far back as 2021 Biden’s health order required migrants to wear face masks and if anyone exhibited signs of illness in CBP custody, they would be referred to a local facility for appropriate testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
It’s important to check one’s facts.
Margaret Scott
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Deb Klumpp, Oro Valley
I would like to thank the writer of "Another anti-Trump letter". Great job describing so accurately and eloquently the human malignancy who's hell-bent on destroying our country. No, it's not just you - you have plenty of company among critical thinking, democracy-loving citizens who don't live on social media, who aren't susceptible to lies, who have some understanding of what is going on in the world, and don't find a lying, angry criminal bully enthralling. Sanity exists and must prevail!
Deb Klumpp
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- James Nesci, East side
Donald Trump just released his new line of high-top shoes at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia. Fortunately for his supporters, they come in one-size-fits-all: clown size.
James Nesci
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- George Yost, Vail
I saw a man in the grocery store with a U.S. Army tee shirt in Army color, olive drab. It had an American flag on the back and the words “For this we fight.” D… straight. That’s the way it should be. Donald Trump could have a shirt like that, too. He could put a Russian flag on his.
George Yost
Vail
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Sheldon Metz, Northeast side
To the unreasonable, disorganized, inconsistent and hypocritical elected officials and citizens (Republicans), I ask a simple question - If leaders of any country in the world tried to tell Donald Trump what to do about a crisis, i.e., Israel/Gaza, what would he say to them in response?
The person your party exonerates for his crimes is the same one Benjamin Netanyahu models himself upon. You honor and respect him by choosing him to be your president. Netanyahu's own government can't tell him what to do either.
How can you criticize President Joe Biden over Israel’s incursions into Hamas territory to rid themselves of terrorists who interrupt their daily lives with threats of - and actual - attacks? He is not the president of Israel, a democracy, but we are allies. Yet you demand Biden “fix” the situation. How, when Congress is so antagonistic and discordant? Remember, Congress makes laws, the president enforces them. What laws has Congress created regarding the Mid-East crisis - or the border, for that matter?
Sheldon Metz
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Benjamin Nead, Northwest side
Re: "America" / Letters to The Editor, Feb. 16
Characterizing Biden as "an incompetent environmental specialist" and dredging up the old Solyndra yarn shows a poor understanding of this country's recent past, as well as our current energy and climate woes. It's knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Solyndra was a California solar startup that went belly up, defaulting on an Obama era DOE green tech loan. One of the many who didn't, interestingly enough, included an obscure EV hopeful named Tesla. What was known at the time as the Tea Party (MAGA's antecedent) relentlessly clutched their pearls in oil-drenched outrage of alleged government waste. Never mind that their much-beloved ongoing Iraq War (you know: the one that was actually an attempted oil grab disguised as an anti-terrorism operation) cost this country dearly, including about the same amount of cash as the entire much-ballyhooed Solyndra episode . . . but daily. So much for balanced budgets.
Benjamin Nead
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Don Ries, Southeast side
As a veteran of the US Air Force and a lover of democracy, I do not know how any veteran can support Trump. He was a draft dodger during the Vietnam war. As President he called military members losers and suckers because there was nothing in their service to benefit them. He skipped the memorial service for the fallen of WWI in 2018 because it was raining. Gen. John Kelly is the source for this. Trump supports Putin, a murderous dictator, who had numerous people assassinated, most recently Navalny in Russia because they opposed him. He took classified documents to his residence and left them unsecured for over a year. He opposes aide to Ukraine at Putin’s behest. He threatens not to support NATO allies if they are attacked by Russia. Yet this is who the Republican leadership and party bows down to. If you want a dictator, ask the victims of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, or any dictator how that worked.
Don Ries
Southeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Toni Kane, Oro Valley
Why would anyone be surprised by "No path....to fill teaching positions" in Arizona (and other states)? Arizona pales in comparison to my home state of Illinois for compensating educators. Teachers are undercompensated, overly criticized, and underappreciated in a country that seems to value how much a person earns a lot more than how well a person is educated. I am included in the 86% that would not recommend the job to others.
Toni Kane
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- John Kautz, Midtown
By what strange logic can a frozen embryo be considered a child? The recent ruling in Alabama reveals the duplicity and twisted mentality of the anti abortion movement. It actually prevents people from having children. For women it now becomes risky to use a fertility clinic. If the frozen embryo is not utilized to produce a baby, the parents could be charged with murder. Or women who get pregnant and develop a life threatening pregnancy without the option for abortion to save a mother’s life will cause some women to reconsider getting pregnant. So while the anti abortion crusaders think they are saving lives, they are actually working against life and procreation. There is no compassion in these actions by legislators and courts. The principle of allowing no abortions or declaring an embryo a child does not promote life. The principle seems to be all that matters .
John Kautz
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Trish Kimminau, Midtown
This article continued the mainstream media's one-sided approach to the transgender debate. Never have I seen an article in your paper that represents multiple sides of the conversation.
More and more organizations and therapists are advocating caution in how gender dysphoria is handled. Just one example is Genspect, an organization that urges evidence-based approaches to gender therapy. Another point: the World Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is losing members as more and more countries question their recommendations. And many “whistleblower” therapists are going public with concerns for the way U.S. clinics are treating gender dysphoria. Then there is the growing number of people regretting their decision to transition. I urge readers to find a few of those stories of pain and grief. It’s time for an honest conversation, and I'd love to see the Star be a part of that.
Trish Kimminau
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Gail Gibbons Pace, Foothills
It has been two years since Russia invaded the Ukraine. Initially, I felt very gratified by the support given to the Ukrainians. In time, however, I grew weary and came to believe we needed to do more. But what?
In Wednesday's Tucson Opinion column, Michael Judd answered my question. His point - stop Putin in his tracks. Stop him NOW! Read Judd's excellent article to learn the specifics of his strategy. I'd summarize his strategy here but that would spoil the impressive way he laid it out.
Gail Gibbons Pace
Sabino Canyon Road
Gail Gibbons Pace
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Sandra Hoboy, Vail
Don't think that defeating Trump in 2024 will stop MAGA madness. After his 2024 defeat, Trump and his ilk will focus their madness on a 2028 presidential run. Yikes! Will we ever be free of Trump and MAGA?
Yes, but we have work to do. We must become razor sharp voters by studying each candidate’s position on key points. We must defeat down ballot MAGA candidates and any new candidates leaning toward MAGA views. Ask questions of all candidates and demand answers. Study candidates’ websites! If these websites allow visitors to pose questions. do so and note which candidates don’t answer your questions! Read pre-election flyers! Make wise decisions when voting; don’t just check off a box!
We have 2 election cycles to root out MAGA candidates – the 2024 presidential election and the 2026 mid-term election. Getting rid of Trump, his followers and his sycophantic state and federal elected officials is possible. It can be done but only if we are up to the task!
Sandra Hoboy
Vail
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Solyndra? Really?
Re: the Feb. 16 letter “America.”
Characterizing Biden as “an incompetent environmental specialist” and dredging up the old Solyndra yarn shows a poor understanding of this country’s recent past, as well as our current energy and climate woes. It’s knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Solyndra was a California solar startup that went belly up, defaulting on an Obama era DOE green tech loan. One of the many who didn’t, interestingly enough, included an obscure EV hopeful named Tesla. What was known at the time as the Tea Party (MAGA’s antecedent) relentlessly clutched their pearls in oil-drenched outrage of alleged government waste. Never mind that their much-beloved ongoing Iraq War (you know: the one that was actually an attempted oil grab disguised as an anti-terrorism operation) cost this country dearly, including about the same amount of cash as the entire much-ballyhooed Solyndra episode ... but daily. So much for balanced budgets.
Benjamin Nead
Northwest side
A hypothetical question for the Hypocrite Party
To the unreasonable, disorganized, inconsistent and hypocritical elected officials and citizens (Republicans), I ask a simple question: If leaders of any country in the world tried to tell Donald Trump what to do about a crisis, i.e., Israel/Gaza, what would he say to them in response?
The person your party exonerates for his crimes is the same one Benjamin Netanyahu models himself upon. You honor and respect him by choosing him to be your president. Netanyahu’s own government can’t tell him what to do either.
How can you criticize President Joe Biden over Israel’s incursions into Hamas territory to rid themselves of terrorists who interrupt their daily lives with threats of — and actual — attacks? He is not the president of Israel, a democracy, but we are allies. Yet you demand Biden “fix” the situation. How, when Congress is so antagonistic and discordant? Remember, Congress makes laws, the president enforces them. What laws has Congress created regarding the Mid-East crisis — or the border, for that matter?
Sheldon Metz
Northeast side
Words paint an accurate picture
Re: the Feb. 17 article “Another anti-Trump letter.”
I would like to thank the writer. Great job describing so accurately and eloquently the human malignancy who’s hell-bent on destroying our country. No, it’s not just you — you have plenty of company among critical thinking, democracy-loving citizens who don’t live on social media, who aren’t susceptible to lies, who have some understanding of what is going on in the world, and don’t find a lying, angry criminal bully enthralling. Sanity exists and must prevail!
Deb Klumpp
Oro Valley
Clown Shoes
Donald Trump just released his new line of high-top shoes at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia. Fortunately for his supporters, they come in one-size-fits-all: clown size.
James Nesci
East side
Patriotism
I saw a man in the grocery store with a U.S. Army t-shirt in Army color, olive drab. It had an American flag on the back and the words “For this we fight.” D… straight. That’s the way it should be. Donald Trump could have a shirt like that, too. He could put a Russian flag on his.
George Yost
Vail
The choice
It appears that American voters are going to get to choose between two candidates. Both are over 77 years old and mix up facts and details from time to time. One of the elders is 81 years old with over 50 years experience in government as a senator, vice president and president. The other elder is facing numerous felony charges, an adulterer, cheated hundreds of people out of money, and sells $400 golden sneakers in between campaign stops. The only presidential candidate that sells concessions on the campaign trail.(mug shot t-shirts, sneakers, etc.)
Richard Bechtold
West side
Check the facts
Re: the Feb. 9 letter “Migrants carrying contagious diseases.”
The writer of the letter based her argument about migrants carrying contagious diseases into the US on a CNN report that attributed the problem to a person ‘who had recently traveled outside the country.’ Clearly, that would be an ill American returning from abroad, not a migrant entering the country for the first time.
The author contends that this is a health care problem Biden continues to ignore. Not so. Biden has addressed border health care issues from the beginning of his presidency. According to a CNN report, as far back as 2021 Biden’s health order required migrants to wear face masks and if anyone exhibited signs of illness in CBP custody, they would be referred to a local facility for appropriate testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
It’s important to check one’s facts.
Margaret Scott
Midtown
Transgender debate
Re: the Feb. 18 article “Transgender rights leaders play defense.”
This article continued the mainstream media’s one-sided approach to the transgender debate. Never have I seen an article in your paper that represents multiple sides of the conversation.
More and more organizations and therapists are advocating caution in how gender dysphoria is handled. Just one example is Genspect, an organization that urges evidence-based approaches to gender therapy. Another point: the World Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is losing members as more and more countries question their recommendations. And many “whistleblower” therapists are going public with concerns for the way U.S. clinics are treating gender dysphoria. Then there is the growing number of people regretting their decision to transition. I urge readers to find a few of those stories of pain and grief. It’s time for an honest conversation, and I’d love to see the Star be a part of that.
Trish Kimminau
Midtown
Anti-abortion is now anti-life
By what strange logic can a frozen embryo be considered a child? The recent ruling in Alabama reveals the duplicity and twisted mentality of the anti-abortion movement. It actually prevents people from having children. For women it now becomes risky to use a fertility clinic. If the frozen embryo is not utilized to produce a baby, the parents could be charged with murder. Or women who get pregnant and develop a life threatening pregnancy without the option for abortion to save a mother’s life will cause some women to reconsider getting pregnant. So while the anti-abortion crusaders think they are saving lives, they are actually working against life and procreation. There is no compassion in these actions by legislators and courts. The principle of allowing no abortions or declaring an embryo a child does not promote life. The principle seems to be all that matters.
John Kautz
Midtown
Regents’ report a disservice
I thank the Arizona Daily Star and the UA faculty for working to uncover the real story behind UA’s financial problems. They’ve had no help from the administration or, now, the Arizona Board of Regents. The Regents’ report to Governor Hobbs bursts with excuses and self-congratulation for the purchase of substandard Ashford University without including any financial metrics. A business plan without numbers is like a song without music.
Sadly, that unwise purchase is behind us. I loved my education at UA and wish only for the best for the school. That will only come about with transparency and honesty.
Kind regards,
Bruce Robinson
Foothills
Undervalued teachers
Re: the Feb. 22 article “No clear path to aid Arizona public schools to fill teaching positions.”
Why would anyone be surprised by “No path ... to fill teaching positions” in Arizona (and other states)? Arizona pales in comparison to my home state of Illinois for compensating educators. Teachers are under compensated, overly criticized, and under appreciated in a country that seems to value how much a person earns a lot more than how well a person is educated. I am included in the 86% that would not recommend the job to others.
Toni Kane
Oro Valley
Country club memberships, really?
With the enormous salaries paid to some of the top leaders at the University of Arizona, I am shocked that elite country club memberships are part of their total compensation package. With the millions they make, can’t they pay for their own memberships? How do they drive around the streets of this city without recognizing their absolute entitlement? This information both shocked and made me nauseous.
Ellen Hartline
Foothills
Sportsman’s fund send a kid to camp
Re: the Feb. 21 article “Envelope inside to help send kids to camp.”
I first heard about this organization many years ago at one of the first fundraisers at Jonathan’s Cork. This organization directly enables young children around Arizona to experience a camping experience. These children are from military and economically disadvantaged along with physically disadvantaged. This nonprofit organization was founded in 1947 and 97% of all dollars raised goes directly to these children. The Arizona Daily Star sent donation envelopes out in their physical paper distribution on Wednesday (Feb. 21). I remember the American Red Cross, after the devastating hurricane Katrina asked for $1 from every “family.” If every “family” in southern Arizona would donate $1 imagine how quickly that would accumulate. We all “squander” a few dollars each month. Think about helping our local “young neighbors”. Address PO Box 16141 Tucson, AZ 85732-6141 or online at azsendakidtocamp.org. Thank you in advance for your help.
Mary Beth Schneider
East side
The silly season
Arizona’s annual Silly Season has produced a virtual three-way tie for the dumbest, most outrageous proposed legislation. Senator Jake Hoffman has provided us with two of the early leaders.
The creation of a state gold and silver exchange, state currency and bullion depository and;
Prohibition of Satan and anything related to Satan from public spaces. This would, no doubt, engender a contest to rename the ASU Sun Devils, the removal of “The Black Stallion and Satan” from public libraries, the banning of “The Devil Went down to Georgia” by Charlie Daniels and the outlawing of deviled eggs.
Also in strong early contention is Senator Anthony Kern’s proposal to have state legislators instead of the voters choose presidential electors. A Putinesque proposal in violation of both state and federal constitutions.
I propose that the Star keep track of these and other legislative inanities submitted by readers and have an official vote at the end of the legislative session. The winner will, hopefully, be laughed out of office.
Todd Ackerman
Foothills
The time is now
Re: the Feb. 21 article “Another crossroads, America — which way?”
It has been two years since Russia invaded the Ukraine. Initially, I felt very gratified by the support given to the Ukrainians. In time, however, I grew weary and came to believe we needed to do more. But what?
In Wednesday’s Tucson Opinion column, Michael Judd answered my question. His point — stop Putin in his tracks. Stop him NOW! Read Judd’s excellent article to learn the specifics of his strategy. I’d summarize his strategy here but that would spoil the impressive way he laid it out.
Gail Gibbons Pace
Foothills
U of A sports
Arizona Athletic Department is commanding major media scrutiny focused on its fiscal woes — a subset to the school’s overall issues. To diffuse the sports issue the UA brain trust basically executed a quick reboot.
Previous AD, Dave Heeke is gone (likely having failed to retain Fisch or baseball coach, Johnson and not finalizing Lloyd’s contract extension). His hire, Kevin Sumlin single handedly demolished the entire UA football program plus Rich Rod’s personnel issues, Miller’s NCAA sanctions, athlete vs. coaching problems all impacted the department’s stature and earned income.
Instantly a new AD is hired, Lloyd is extended, a new football HC arrives (inheriting a top 20 program).
The spectre of losing Lloyd, Chip Hale, Shields, Busch, Barnes, etc. certainly contributed to a quick fix.
Supposedly, salary extensions, incentive bumps, added assistant coaches will all be covered by boosters
Perhaps those “donations” would more effective covering the overall debt of the UA first, then improving departments.
A similar reboot of UA administration may well be in order.
Baird Thompson
Foothills
Traitorship of Trump
As a veteran of the US Air Force and a lover of democracy, I do not know how any veteran can support Trump. He was a draft dodger during the Vietnam War. As president he called military members losers and suckers because there was nothing in their service to benefit them. He skipped the memorial service for the fallen of WWI in 2018 because it was raining. Gen. John Kelly is the source for this. Trump supports Putin, a murderous dictator, who had numerous people assassinated, most recently Navalny in Russia because they opposed him. He took classified documents to his residence and left them unsecured for over a year. He opposes aide to Ukraine at Putin’s behest. He threatens not to support NATO allies if they are attacked by Russia. Yet this is who the Republican leadership and party bows down to. If you want a dictator, ask the victims of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, or any dictator how that worked.
Don Ries
Southeast side
Defeating Trump and MAGA
Don’t think that defeating Trump in 2024 will stop MAGA madness. After his 2024 defeat, Trump and his ilk will focus their madness on a 2028 presidential run. Yikes! Will we ever be free of Trump and MAGA?
Yes, but we have work to do. We must become razor sharp voters by studying each candidate’s position on key points. We must defeat down ballot MAGA candidates and any new candidates leaning toward MAGA views. Ask questions of all candidates and demand answers. Study candidates’ websites! If these websites allow visitors to pose questions, do so and note which candidates don’t answer your questions! Read pre-election flyers! Make wise decisions when voting; don’t just check off a box.
We have 2 election cycles to root out MAGA candidates — the 2024 presidential election and the 2026 mid-term election. Getting rid of Trump, his followers and his sycophantic state and federal elected officials is possible. It can be done but only if we are up to the task!
Sandra Hoboy
Vail
F-35s flying over Tucson
Yesterday (Feb. 21) while raking our yard in Barrio Hollywood, I was jarred from my reverie by F-35s. The noise could not be ignored like that of earlier Davis-Monthan jets. Once again, while having breakfast at the Barista del Barrio this morning, we had to stop talking as the sound crashed down.
Many Tucsonans do not know of the military jet that crashed near to what is now the Recreation Center at the UA. Two students were killed in the crash on October 26, 1978.
At that time, DM pledged to fly over as little of Tucson as possible.
One of the reasons that Linda Ronstadt left Tucson was that the fighters flying over her midtown home made recording impossible.
Will it take another crash — perhaps at the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind — and more deaths for DM to change its flight path? Will more homeowners suffer a diminished quality of life?
DM officials owe Tucsonans an explanation, and city leaders need to give some orders.
Debbie Collazo
West side
- Phil Lyons, Foothills
Things I don't understand:
1. How can a party(Rep), once concerned with national defense. go on vacation rather than send needed funding for Ukraine to survive a brutal war?
2. Why is it that Biden has been concerned from day one of the invasion with not upsetting Putin, vs having Putin fearing NATO if IT went too far? Biden has over worried about Putin's "red-lines', rather than Putin worrying about ours.
3. The result of this has been for Biden to have been late on every major weapons system from HIMARS thru f-16s, not to mention the Patriot air defense, the delays for which 100's of needless civilians deaths rest.
4. Why are we denying Ukraine with missiles that can reach into Russia?
5. With the denial of the above, along with Ukraine being 30% of Russia's population,how can Ukraine win a war of attrition?
I remain confused and troubled.
Phil Lyons
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Phil "Bulldog" Bentley, Foothills
Juan...by your silence on the issue, you apparently approve of Trumps attack on NATO solidarity and his offering up various NATO member countries to Putin's aggression! During the Cold War, I flew the A10 Warthog for 3 years in Europe, 1979-82, based in the UK and spending many hours flying along the East German and Czech borders in support of NATO, doing what the A10 was designed to do....offsetting the Soviet Bloc threats. "We" and those that followed did our job and in 1989 "the Berlin wall" came down and in 1991 the Soviet Union was dissolved. I take great offense to YOUR apparent lack of historical perspective and lack of concern and your failure to counter Mr. Trump's dangerous and ignorant proposal and thereby supporting the possible resurgence of a "Soviet type" Russian Bloc. Why Juan? Speak up and show us your political courage and your promised "independent" representation in DC. Be a strong independent leader...... not a weak Speaker Johnson or Trump follower. Bulldog
Phil "Bulldog" Bentley
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Kathy Krucker, Midtown
The GOP House of Representatives has given up their responsibility of governing. The insurrectionists and election deniers running the show continue to support 45’s efforts to destabilize our national security and world order. They are OK with 45 selling out our allies, our democratic values, his disparagement of our military, and his pro Putin allegiance. They continue to create narratives that do not exist and find truth and facts inconvenient.
A majority of Americans want rational and coherent border policies and continual support for Ukraine: both issues critical to our national security and our economy. The Senate sent bipartisan bills addressing both of these vital issues to the House. Speaker Johnson called them dead on arrival and sent the House on a 2-week vacation.
Since House Republicans will not govern, House Democrats must bypass the Speaker and his minions and call for a discharge petition to bring these Senate bills to a full House vote.
I bet both bills would pass.
Kathy Krucker
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Donald Klein, Foothills
Recently, Donald Trump invited Russia to invade any NATO country that did not spend at least 2% of its Gross Domestic Product on National Defense. In doing so, it appears to me he is inviting Russia to invade Canada! Canada is a member of NATO. Its gross domestic product is $2.221 trillion. Its national defense budget is $26.5 billion. Thus, it is spending about 1.2% of its GDP on national defense. I hope that some Trump supporter can explain to me where I am wrong. Otherwise, it appears to me that he is encouraging Russia to invade Canada and if he was president he would do nothing to stop that. What a border crisis that would be! Or would he build a wall across our northern border to stop the Russians?
Donald Klein
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Hudbay aquifer protection permit
AZ Dept of Environmental Quality will be hosting two very important meetings for the communities surrounding the proposed Copper World mine.
The first was Feb. 20 at Corona Foothills Middle School. It was an informal meeting to explain the conditions included in the draft Permit for Copper World, followed by a Q&A session for the public.
The second one, on March 5, same time and location, is a formal meeting where public comments will be heard for the record, relating to the permit and the conditions and protections it includes. Will they be enough to keep our water and soil safe?
Please note: These meetings are focused on the Aquifer Protection Permit. This is not intended for general support or opposition questions and comments about the mine.
Please attend this upcoming meeting if at all possible; our future is on the line.
Tuesday, March 5, 6-8 p.m., Corona Foothills Middle School, 16705 S. Houghton Road, Vail.
Cathy McGrath
Vail
Love wins in Tucson with Matisyahu
Love prevailed and hate/fascism lost in Tucson.
Anti-Semitic, pro-Palestinian protesters, inspired by Hamas tactics, forced the Rialto theatre to cancel the long-scheduled Matisyahu concert on Feb. 15.
The Rialto said the concert was canceled with “the safety of the venue’s patrons, staff and community in mind.” The Gestapo tactics of the pro-Palestinian protesters should not be tolerated in Tucson.
Fortunately, Matisyahu played a free concert that same night at the Rock on Park Avenue for 300 people, and it was a magical experience. It shows that they can’t cancel us.
Matisyahu sings; “One day, we don’t wanna fight no more. There’ll be no more wars, and our children will play.”
Maybe one day, Hamas and all its enablers will stop the violence against Jews, and there can be peace.
Tony Zinman
Midtown
Freedom of speech
Students in the Education Department are demonstrating to reinstate two professors who spoke about the Israeli-Gaza situation. The students claim freedom of speech. Freedom of speech was stifled by the Rialto Theater by canceling the Matisyahu show. Matisyahu is a Jewish singer who sings about peace. Do the professors and students in the Education Department really want to LEARN about the Israel-Gaza situation or, as I suspect, are just following the ignorant ‘woke’ crowd in condemning Israel? The people in Israel who got slaughtered on Oct. 7 were peaceniks. However, the pro-Palestinians who call for the genocide of the Jews ignore the history of this conflict. Many Jews and Israelis do NOT support Netanyahu and his right-wing government but are fighting so that the Jewish state can survive. Granted, the Palestinians have not always been treated fairly, but the majority of Israelis want to live together in peace with them. There must be another way besides spouting Hamas propaganda and fomenting hatred between the two sides.
Roberta Kurtz
Northwest side
Trump, Ciscomani and NATO
Juan ... by your silence on the issue, you apparently approve of Trump’s attack on NATO solidarity and his offering up various NATO member countries to Putin’s aggression! During the Cold War, I flew the A10 Warthog for three hyears in Europe, 1979-82, based in the UK and spending many hours flying along the East German and Czech borders in support of NATO, doing what the A10 was designed to do — offsetting the Soviet Bloc threats. “We” and those that followed did our job, and in 1989 “the Berlin wall” came down, and in 1991 the Soviet Union was dissolved. I take great offense to your apparent lack of historical perspective and lack of concern and your failure to counter Mr. Trump’s dangerous and ignorant proposal and thereby supporting the possible resurgence of a “Soviet type” Russian Bloc. Why Juan? Speak up and show us your political courage and your promised “independent” representation in DC. Be a strong independent leader, not a weak Speaker Johnson or Trump follower.
Phil “Bulldog” Bentley
Foothills
ACC commissioners are failing us
Arizona Corporation Commissioners are supposed to protect the best interests of Arizonans by keeping corporate utilities from abusing their monopolies, but they are failing us miserably.
Last month, my Tucson Electric Power bill was three times higher than ever before. Convinced this was an error, I called customer service only to find out my electric rate had indeed tripled. One for the monopoly, zero for the consumer.
Adding insult to injury, this month, my Southwest Gas bill is two times higher than last month’s hefty amount. Once again, customer service confirmed my gas rate had more than doubled. Two for the price-gouging monopoly, zero for the unrepresented consumer.
If you too are unhappy with soaring utility bills, vote the current Republicans who approved these hikes out of office by electing the Democratic candidates running to replace them. If elected, they will represent us by keeping corporate utilities in check and preventing such abuses.
Jacolyn Marshall
Oro Valley
House Dems must bypass pro-Putin leadership
The GOP House of Representatives has given up its responsibility of governing. The insurrectionists and election deniers running the show continue to support 45’s efforts to destabilize our national security and world order. They are OK with 45 selling out our allies, our democratic values, his disparagement of our military, and his pro-Putin allegiance. They continue to create narratives that do not exist and find truth and facts inconvenient.
A majority of Americans want rational and coherent border policies and continual support for Ukraine: both issues critical to our national security and our economy. The Senate sent bipartisan bills addressing both of these vital issues to the House. Speaker Johnson called them dead on arrival and sent the House on a two-week vacation.
Since House Republicans will not govern, House Democrats must bypass the Speaker and his minions and call for a discharge petition to bring these Senate bills to a full House vote.
I bet both bills would pass.
Kathy Krucker
Midtown
EV curb weight
It’s appropriate for the Legislature to establish an annual fee for electric vehicles; it is long overdue. EV owners need to pay their fair share for the maintenance of our roadways because they do more damage than gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles. It’s common knowledge that heavier vehicles do more damage and most EVs are considerably heavier because of the battery weight. Here are examples of lowest curb weights according to manufacturer specifications: Tesla Air Pure, 4,630 lbs., BMW IX, 6,867 lbs., Audi e-tron, 7,066 lbs., Ford F-150 Lightning, 8,250 lbs., Cadillac Lyriq, 5,688 lbs. Mercedes EQS Sedan, 5,500 lbs. and our Arizona manufactured Lucid Gravity, 6,130 lbs. The average gasoline/diesel powered passenger vehicle has curb weights 3,000 to 4,000 lbs. according to Chat GPT. Based on this information, they should pay more; especially since we may have to replace roadside guardrails to protect EV passengers as reported last week.
Jerry Knoski
East side
Ukraine: Things I don’t understand
Things I don’t understand:
1. How can a party (Rep.), once concerned with national defense go on vacation rather than send needed funding for Ukraine to survive a brutal war?
2. Why is it that Biden has been concerned from Day 1 of the invasion with not upsetting Putin, vs. having Putin fearing NATO if it went too far? Biden has over worried about Putin’s “red-lines’, rather than Putin worrying about ours.
3. The result of this has been for Biden to have been late on every major weapons system from HIMARS through f-16s, not to mention the Patriot air defense, the delays for which 100’s of needless civilians deaths rest.
4. Why are we denying Ukraine with missiles that can reach into Russia?
5. With the denial of the above, along with Ukraine being 30% of Russia’s population, how can Ukraine win a war of attrition?
I remain confused and troubled.
Phil Lyons
Foothills
Re-thinking donation
Re: the Feb. 20 article “New deal for UA’s Lloyd: $5.25M in ’25.”
After reading this headline in the Star, I got mad.
Really? With all the financial problems the university has been having lately?
I had planned to leave part of my estate to the U of A Foundation to go to the school of nursing. I would like to know the annual salary of the Director of Nursing? Don’t we need more nurses than basketball players?
Something is wrong with this picture!
Judy Willmott
Green Valley
Fairly assessing costs for road maintenance
Re: the Feb. 19 article “Lawmakers consider new annual fee on EVs in AZ.”
Globe’s Representative Travis Grantham fears dangerous forces “with a dark agenda” want to base the costs of road maintenance on miles driven. He fears that will encourage such horrors as use of mass transit, walking, and bicycle riding. He knows that driving a fossil fuel-powered car is a freedom and a right. The Constitution’s Bill of Rights was drafted in the 1780s. There were no cars.
Individual freedom requires a respect for the freedom of others. Freedom to breathe clean air, to drink clean water, and to have a livable planet is not a “dark agenda.” Basing a price for road damage on mileage and weight is fair and reasonable. Owners of electric cars should pay taxes for road maintenance, but that should be based on the damage they cause. That is a fair and reasonable way to pay for road maintenance.
Mike Carran
East side
Trump invites Russia to invade Canada
Recently, Donald Trump invited Russia to invade any NATO country that did not spend at least 2% of its Gross Domestic Product on National Defense. In doing so, it appears to me he is inviting Russia to invade Canada. Canada is a member of NATO. Its gross domestic product is $2.221 trillion. Its national defense budget is $26.5 billion. Thus, it is spending about 1.2% of its GDP on national defense. I hope that some Trump supporter can explain to me where I am wrong. Otherwise, it appears to me that he is encouraging Russia to invade Canada, and if he was president he would do nothing to stop that. What a border crisis that would be! Or would he build a wall across our northern border to stop the Russians?
Donald Klein
Foothills
U of A finances
The faculty finance committee should be commended for shedding light on the lack of transparency and accountability in spending at the University of Arizona. The Arizona Daily Star has provided excellent reporting on the subject. I have one question. Did John Arnold resign his position as executive director of the Arizona Board of Regents to become Chief Financial Officer of the University? These are separate organizations with very different roles. To serve in both positions simultaneously is a clear conflict of interest. Who did he mean when he said, “How have we harmed the academic units?” Did he mean the university or the Board of Regents? I believe the University needs a fresh start if it is to clean up its financial mess.
Susan Blaney
Midtown
- Andrew Wilcox, Foothills
Like many Tucsonans, I am a veteran of military service ( Swift Boat skipper in Viet Nam, 1968-’69). It now appears that the Republican candidate for President will be someone who denigrates service at every opportunity. Although he avoided service during the Viet Nam conflict, he casts us who did serve as “suckers and losers,” called for the execution of a former Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff, refused to attend a memorial service for World War I soldiers in France because it was raining, expressed disdain for John McCain because he was a POW and objected to wounded veterans’ attendance at a parade because “no one wants to see that.”
Now, he calls for abandoning NATO and inviting Russia to continue its invasion of Ukraine and beyond.
I have discovered an organization titled Veterans for Responsible Leadership. Its name describes its mission. There is a web site. Check it out.
Andrew Wilcox
Foothills
Andrew Wilcox
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Kathleen Mayer, Northwest side
I sent an inquiry to Rep. Juan Ciscomani over 2 weeks ago about the failure of Congress to fund aid to Ukraine. I am still waiting for the response I requested. How many Ukranians have died in that time, Rep. Ciscomani?
Maybe he is waiting to hold a Town Hall so I can get an answer in person. Since he has never held one since his election, I am not going to hold my breath. Rep. Ciscomani: I want to know how you can go on vacation and abandon an ally in the face of Putin's brutal invasion of a sovereign nation.
Will there be any accountability to your constiuents for your failure to do your job? If you won't answer our questions, you don't deserve our vote.
Kathleen Mayer
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Mark Elson, West side
As reported by Azcentral, Kari Lake now says that her vicious and disrespectful attacks on John McCain, a deceased U.S. Senator and Vietnam war hero, were made in “jest.” Well that’s a really good joke, Kari, I haven’t laughed so hard in years. Maybe you should share this joke with your friend Mr. Trump, and the two of you can roll on the floor in hysterics together. C’mon, Kari, how dumb do you think we Arizonans are? Do you really think that we are dumb enough to elect you to represent us in the Senate in 2024? If so, the joke’s on you.
Mark Elson
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Biden family influence peddling corruption
Joe Biden’s brother, James Biden, just appeared before Congress giving sworn testimony about his business deals. In his opening statement, he said, “In every business venture in which I have been involved, I have relied on my own talent, judgment, skill, and personal relationships—and never my status as Joe Biden’s brother.” This is contradicted by representatives from Americore from which Biden was paid $600,000, and went bankrupt, causing crisis at many hospitals in rural communities. Americore’s subsidiaries defrauded Medicare of millions in false billing. From a 2/18/2024 POLITICO story, “Jim Biden invoked his brother’s name and clout in the course of his work with Americore. Jim Biden spoke of plans to give his brother equity in Americore, according to one former Americore executive, and install him on its board. The documents obtained by POLITICO demonstrate that Joe Biden was a central element of Jim Biden’s pitch to potential partners and investors during this period.” James Biden should be charged with lying to Congress!
Tom Galloway
North side
A shameful tradition
The Tucson Rodeo was just here. Many local schools dismiss students for two days during the rodeo. Media coverage features events as if they are just fine athletic contests. Civic leaders act as grand marshals. All of this is the veneer of ill concealed cruelty.
Rodeos are a disgraceful example of animal exploitation and high level abuse. Nothing involved in rodeos is commendable. Why a modern city continues to dishonor the present with this anachronistic event is beyond understanding.
A recent letter writer recounted excellent examples of ‘traditions” that were, or are, outdated and totally unacceptable. A rodeo is one of those odes to the past that needs to be extinguished.
Tucson has many traditions and cultural riches. Rodeos are definitely not among those aspects that deserve veneration.
Sandra Heater
Foothills
Student loan forgiveness
I wonder if those people who are outraged at proposed student loan forgiveness efforts on the part of the Biden administration are also outraged that businessmen, including Trump, readily avail themselves of loan forgiveness via the completely legal avenue of bankruptcy? Businesses fail for all the same reasons people get financially swamped by student loans: poor choices, overconfidence, inability to predict the market, economic forces beyond their control, personal setbacks, legal changes etc. At one time, student loans could be discharged in bankruptcy, but Congress changed that to make the bar extremely high. Isn’t taking out student loans the same kind of gamble an entrepreneur makes when starting up a business? Why is one group favored in the law but the other is punished for not succeeding?
Sally Wasielewski
East side
Legislative pay raises
Multiple bills have been introduced to raise lawmaker and state officials’ salaries. Accordingly, some salaries have not been modified since the 1990’s. I believe everyone is entitled to a fair and just compensation. Sure, I’ll support increased salaries for legislative members and state officials just as soon as public-school teachers and staff get their cut. Teachers provide a much more important service to the state than our elected legislature, who seems to focus their effort on the boogie man Culture Wars. Fund public schools, then we’ll talk. Until then, you can count on us public school supporters to oppose any salary increase.
Edward Espinoza
Southwest side
American Spirit
Resolute, unbound, always gung-Ho
Press on, optimistic, Westward Ho
Play ball! and never say no
Yippee- ka- yay, is the only way to go
Purple Mountains majesty, with amber fields of grain
Sandburg, Frost, Angelou, and Twain
Rockwell, Ansel Adams, Wyeth, and graffiti
Let’s roll, all you can be, with individual liberty
Stars and Stripes, red, white and blue
All of us are free to dream in our own way too
Breath it, believe it, and live it
Forever our American Spirit
Bill Senter
Foothills
Red: The new yellow
America-first members of the House of Representatives worked for months on a bipartisan plan to fund the border. Republicans got everything they wanted. Then Trump decided he wanted the border as a campaign issue so House Republicans put our country at risk to mollify the rantings of a wannabe dictator-for-a-day. When will House Republicans actually put America first? Same thing with last year’s economic package. It was a bipartisan deal until Trump demanded that Republicans turn it down without regard for the Americans who would be hurt by the delay. The Republican Party needs to change its color from red to yellow so the spineless weaklings in Congress can be appropriately represented.
For those with a short memory, January 6, 2021 was the day the election LOSER ignored his Oath of Office to defend the Constitution and tried to overthrow the American Government. Republicans in Congress still choose to obey this person’s demands? What happened to truth and honor? Yellow is the true Republican Congressional color.
Cynthia Schiesel
East side
Franklin’s border crusade is a travesty
As a Christian for more than 40 years, I appreciate the intention and spirit of an evangelistic crusade, and on March 6, the son of Billy Graham, America’s premier post-war evangelist, brings his “La Frontera Crusade” to Tucson.
But unlike his father, who preached Christ’s Gospel with remarkably little involvement in politics, Franklin Graham is a fervent supporter of the most racist president the US has ever had. Donald Trump’s filthy bigotry has been focused on the very border Franklin Graham shamelessly uses for his Crusade. His support of Trump is indefensible for a Christian.
I worked with undocumented immigrants in the 1990s, and was honored to share the Gospel as part of it. But Franklin Graham’s embrace of the most anti-immigrant president in our history disqualifies him from preaching to those on the border as a minister of Jesus. I pray Graham repents, and I pray Tucson’s Christian community makes known its concern.
Keely Emerine-Mix
South side
Stopping mutually assured destruction
The United States and other countries are faced with the existential threat of global warming. Instead of using all available resources to address it, however, they are spending trillions of dollars on needless weapons and wars. The $1.5 trillion the US plans to spend modernizing its nuclear weapons is MAD; those weapons can’t be used without destroying all higher forms of life on the planet.
The two conflicts in which the US is currently embroiled, Ukraine and Palestine, could have been avoided with collective security agreements. It is not too late to put Russia’s expressed national security concerns to the test with believable security guarantees for both Russia and Ukraine.
For Israel and the Palestinians, the task may be more difficult, but still possible. In exchange for credible security guarantees, both parties would be required to accept borders that make the two-state solution envisioned by the United Nations in 1948 viable.
Steven Lesh
East side
Russia and Trump
Re: the Feb. 28 letter “Liberals’ selective memory on Russia.”
A recent letter writer stated that liberals’ letters do not address former President Obama’s failed leadership toward Russia. To call attention to Obama’s failings ignores former President Trump’s response to Russia’s election interference in 2016 where he undermined the US intelligence community’s proof of such interference.
Trump now states if elected in 2024 he would encourage Russia to attack our NATO allies if he deemed their military budgets were insufficient. NATO is not a pay to play set up. It’s an alliance that is about US national security interests to prevent another world war. Trump already has served as an indispensable helpmate to Putin’s assault on our democracy. Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is horrifying as it endangers our national security.
Obama was not destructive, violent, impulsive, or bent on dismantling our constitutional system. Under Trump, the entire world could be plunged into war.
Teresa Jenkins
SaddleBrooke
Lawmakers stand with Robbins
Re: the Feb. 27 article “Hobbs again rips regents for ‘failed’ oversight of U of A finances.”
After reading the article that lawmakers are standing with Robbins. I was dumbfounded.
The whole mess started when it was reported that the U of A lost over $400 million. Kinda hard to keep that quiet. I don’t care who you are but losing $400 million. Come on give me a break. We were told the Finance director was fired, by Robbins, only to find out later she was only moved to a new position and kept her salary. That sounds a little fishy to me. Anyway we are also told that Heeke quit but later told he was paid for his full contract. Humm. Then we are told they really didn’t lose 400 million but less. Do you manage your finances that sloppily?
And after all that our lawmakers are standing with Robbins. That does not say much for them.
Jose Salgado
Northeast side
Opposition to the location
Re: the Feb. 23 Saddlebag Notes article “Senior Village Rezoning Request Receives Joint HOA-1 and HOA-2 Board Support.”
I hope that you will do an article on the opposition to the location they have chosen to try to build this. Not only from the nonresidents of Saddlebrooke but the Saddlebrooke residents that will be affected by this if it were to happen.
Mike Bartels
SaddleBrooke
Undocumented immigrant unemployment
Undocumented immigrants come to the US bringing professional and trade skills and willingness to do work that Americans won’t do.
This statement should be backed up with facts. Each month the government publishes a jobs and unemployment report. We need a separate report of how many of about 10 million, mostly undocumented young single males, who arrived at the border in the last several years without legal authorization are employed and the percentage of those who are unemployed. When society has high unemployment welfare recipients will increase and many will seek income other than a job. Future immigration policy decisions need this information.
Ken Smalley
Midtown
Landline decline
My experience with a local landline may give a clue about declining usage nationally. I had a landline with US West/Qwest/CenturyLink for nearly 50 years. I liked the added security. Where I’ve lived for about 13 years, the number of service outages kept increasing. Talking with the repairmen, I learned the cause was old wiring and junction boxes that were not being replaced as needed. To get a half-decent (temporary) connection it was necessary for them to hopscotch around numerous terminals to find continuity. With such unreliable infrastructure it made no sense to continue paying for a landline. I was able to keep that phone number by switching to a cellular home base station from my cell phone provider. The backup value is not the same, but at least I saved a number that I have used for many still-valid contacts. And I also saved money.
James Stevenson
Midtown
Naive
Even if you don’t like Biden but believe in the Constitution and in the rule of law, and want to live in a democracy, VOTE and VOTE FOR BIDEN! That is unless you want Trump to win knowing that everything he has said he will do when elected this time. He will get rid of the Constitution and the rule of law. These are just two of an unbelievable number of things he is already working on. How about the camps to put ‘those people’ that have said and/or written awful things about him like Anderson Cooper? How about Rachel Maddow? You know Hilary Clinton, and President Biden and his wife Dr. Biden will be the first to go behind the wire. I bet they have all considered a place to live outside the US. And, haven’t you already repeatedly heard that not voting is likened unto voting for Trump. Don’t believe it? Don’t be so naïve.
David ben Avram
Marana
SCOTUS to hear immunity case
With the February 28th SCOTUS decision to hear the Trump presidential immunity case, the democracy of the United States reached a tipping point. The Federal Courts will likely not hold Trump accountable before the 2024 election. Time has run out.
We, the people, must act now to save our democracy. It is too difficult to get back if lost.
In Ukraine, Putin installed Viktor Yanukovych, a useful fool using a disinformation campaign. In 2014 Ukraine threw him out. Then, Russia invaded eastern Ukraine.
In 2016 Putin found Trump, a useful fool in the US to weaken NATO. In 2022 Putin invaded Ukraine again. Ukraine stood up to him. We offered President Zelensky an evacuation. He replied: “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.”
Be brave like Ukraine. Stand up to MAGA disinformation. Stand up for truth, honesty, integrity and respect in our society and our government. Campaign for democracy and vote! It’s up to us now.
Daniel Mardock
Foothills
- Tom Galloway, North side
Joe Biden's brother, James Biden, just appeared before Congress giving sworn testimony about his business deals. In his opening statement, he said, "In every business venture in which I have been involved, I have relied on my own talent, judgment, skill, and personal relationships—and never my status as Joe Biden’s brother." This is contradicted by representatives from Americore from which Biden was paid $600,000, and went bankrupt, causing crisis at many hospitals in rural communities. Americore's subsidiaries defrauded Medicare of millions in false billing. From a 2/18/2024 POLITICO story, "Jim Biden invoked his brother’s name and clout in the course of his work with Americore. Jim Biden spoke of plans to give his brother equity in Americore, according to one former Americore executive, and install him on its board. The documents obtained by POLITICO demonstrate that Joe Biden was a central element of Jim Biden’s pitch to potential partners and investors during this period." James Biden should be charged with lying to Congress!
Tom Galloway
North side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Teresa Jenkins, SaddleBrooke
Re: Liberals’ selective memory on Russia
A recent letter writer stated that liberals’ letters do not address former President Obama’s failed leadership toward Russia. To call attention to Obama’s failings ignores former President Trump’s response to Russia’s election interference in 2016 where he undermined the US intelligence community’s proof of such interference.
Trump now states if elected in 2024 he would encourage Russia to attack our NATO allies if he deemed their military budgets were insufficient. NATO is not a pay to play set up. It’s an alliance that is about US national security interests to prevent another world war. Trump already has served as an indispensable helpmate to Putin’s assault on our democracy. Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is horrifying as it endangers our national security.
Obama was not destructive, violent, impulsive, or bent on dismantling our constitutional system. Under Trump, the entire world could be plunged into war.
Teresa Jenkins
SaddleBrooke
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Steven Lesh, East side
The United States and other countries are faced with the existential threat of global warming. Instead of using all available resources to address it, however, they are spending trillions of dollars on needless weapons and wars. The $1.5 trillion the US plans to spend modernizing its nuclear weapons*1 is MAD; those weapons can’t be used without destroying all higher forms of life on the planet.
The two conflicts in which the US is currently embroiled, Ukraine and Palestine, could have been avoided with collective security agreements. It is not too late to put Russia’s expressed national security concerns to the test with believable security guarantees for both Russia and Ukraine. For Israel and the Palestinians, the task may be more difficult, but still possible. In exchange for credible security guarantees, both parties would be required to accept borders that make the two-state solution envisioned by the United Nations in 1948 viable.
Steven Lesh
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Cynthia Schiesel, East side
America-first members of the House of Representatives worked for months on a bipartisan plan to fund the border. Republicans got everything they wanted. Then Trump decided he wanted the border as a campaign issue so House Republicans put our country at risk to mollify the rantings of a wannabe dictator-for-a-day. When will House Republicans actually put America first? Same thing with last year's economic package. It was a bipartisan deal until Trump demanded that Republicans turn it down without regard for the Americans who would be hurt by the delay. The Republican Party needs to change its color from red to yellow so the spineless weaklings in Congress can be appropriately represented.
For those with a short memory, January 6, 2021 was the day the election LOSER ignored his Oath of Office to defend the Constitution and tried to overthrow the American Government. Republicans in Congress still choose to obey this person's demands? What happened to truth and honor? Yellow is the true Republican Congressional color.
Cynthia Schiesel
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- sally wasielewski, East side
- Updated
I wonder if those people who are outraged at proposed student loan forgiveness efforts on the part of the Biden administration are also outraged that businessmen, including Trump, readily avail themselves of loan forgiveness via the completetly legal avenue of bankruptcy? Businesses fail for all the same reasons people get financially swamped by student loans: poor choices, overconfidence, inability to predict the market, economic forces beyond their control, personal setbacks, legal changes etc. At one time, student loans could be discharged in bankruptcy, but Congress changed that to make the bar extremely high. Isnt taking out student loans the same kind of gamble an entrapreneur makes when starting up a business? Why is one group favored in the law but the other is punished for not succeeding?
sally wasielewski
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- David ben Avram, Marana
Even if you don’t like Biden, but believe in the Constitution and in the rule of law, and want to live in a democracy, VOTE and VOTE FOR BIDEN! That is unless you want Trump to win knowing that everything he has said he will do when elected this time. He will get rid of the Constitution and the rule of law. These are just two of an unbelievable number of things he is already working on. How about the camps to put ‘those people’ that have said and/or written awful things about him like Anderson Cooper? How about Rachel Maddow? You know Hilary Clinton, and President Biden and his wife Dr. Biden will be the first to go behind the wire. I bet they have all considered a place to live outside the US. And, haven’t you already repeatedly heard that not voting is likened unto voting for Trump. Don’t believe it? Don’t be so naïve.
David ben Avram
Marana
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Daniel Mardock, Foothills
With the February 28th SCOTUS decision to hear the Trump presidential immunity case, the democracy of the United States reached a tipping point. The Federal Courts will likely not hold Trump accountable before the 2024 election. Time has run out.
We, the people, must act now to save our democracy. It is too difficult to get back if lost.
In Ukraine, Putin installed Viktor Yanukovych, a useful fool using a disinformation campaign. In 2014 Ukraine threw him out. Then, Russia invaded eastern Ukraine.
In 2016 Putin found Trump, a useful fool in the US to weaken NATO. In 2022 Putin invaded Ukraine again. Ukraine stood up to him. We offered President Zelensky an evacuation. He replied: “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.”
Be brave like Ukraine. Stand up to MAGA disinformation. Stand up for truth, honesty, integrity and respect in our society and our government. Campaign for democracy and vote! It’s up to us now.
Daniel Mardock
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Bill Senter, Foothills
American Spirit
Resolute, unbound, always gung-Ho
Press on, optimistic, Westward Ho
Play ball! and never say no
Yippee- ka- yay, is the only way to go
Purple Mountains majesty, with amber fields of grain
Sandburg, Frost, Angelou, and Twain
Rockwell, Ansel Adams, Wyeth, and graffiti
Let’s roll, all you can be, with individual liberty
Stars and Stripes, red, white and blue
All of us are free to dream in our own way too
Breath it, believe it, and live it
Forever our American Spirit
Bill Senter
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Ken Smalley, Midtown
Undocumented immigrants come to the US bringing professional and trade skills and willingness to do work that Americans won't do.
This statement should be backed up with facts. Each month the government publishes a jobs and unemployment report. We need a separate report of how many of about 10 million, mostly undocumented young single males, who arrived at the border in the last several years without legal authorization are employed and the percentage of those who are unemployed. When society has high unemployment welfare recipients will increase and many will seek income other than a job. Future immigration policy decisions need this information.
Ken Smalley
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
More like this...
- Eve Shapiro, MD,MPH, Foothills
Thank you, Tyna Callahan, for your excellent summary of the disadvantages associated with Medicare Advantage - limited choice of providers, requirements for prior authorization and other barriers to care. Traditional Medicare is a government-run program with extremely low administrative costs. Once a middleman is introduced, along with the need for profit, the amount of money going for actual health care is significantly reduced. Let's strengthen traditional Medicare so it works for all seniors!
Eve Shapiro, MD,MPH
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Rosalie Wright, Oro Valley
Wonder if some of the very frequent liberal writers to the Opinion Section are on the Arizona Daily Star’s payroll as I see the same names over and over again? Their inputs constantly call those who do not share their political views the most hateful and degrading names. Their theme is always the same against the “other side”: they are called a cult, stupid, insane, clowns, hypocrites, susceptible to lies, hypocritical, racist, and other very unkind terms.
These types of inputs ferment and exasperate the division now occurring among us and also show the level of coordination these writers seem to have as inputs tend to follow the “same theme” against their fellow Americans who have a different viewpoint than they do.
Rosalie Wright
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Chris Simenson, Green Valley
How does the Ukraine war end? Is it when the Russians withdraw their troops, return all occupied land, and admit that they were wrong?
The Sunday talk shows put the blame on the House Speaker stating that the future of the Ukraine and world was in his hands. As if releasing American funds will somehow solve what it now a US/Russia proxy war of attrition.
European nations, many of whom have coveted social welfare systems, are thousands of miles closer and do not seem to have the same sense of urgency. Also, we can provide conventional weapon systems which would allow the Ukrainians to bring the war to Russia. Cruise missiles to allow strikes in Russia itself. Moscow, refineries, military bases etc. Tanks and artillery are not going to defeat an adversary willing to accept extreme losses on Ukrainian soil.
If we are not going to give the Ukraine the tools to win decisively, perhaps we should find another solution.
Chris Simenson
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Michael Hamant, MD, East side
Re: the Feb. 27 article "Medicare needs reform, not Advantage plans."
This was an excellent opinion regarding the disadvantages of Medicare Advantage (MA) programs. MA is a misnomer since it is an insurance company product for Medicare eligible patients but it is not Medicare. The MA plans profits are excessive by even health insurance standards, double that of indemnity insurance. The MA plans across the board (8 of the 10 largest) have been accused of upcoding and overbilling with 4 of the 5 largest accursed of outright fraudulent practices. This has resulted in an estimated 22-35% excess billings which amounts to $88 to $140 BILLION per year, which is more than enough to provide all Medicare beneficiaries' vision, hearing, and dental care.
United Healthcare reports an expected profit of $27.5 billion in 2024, the majority due to their MA plans. Traditional Medicare (TM) has no profit motive and overhead operating expenses is about 3%. We need to greatly improve TM and take the profit incentive out of MA for the sake of patients and taxpayers.
Michael Hamant, MD
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Beth Dingman, Green Valley
According to the article in the Star recounting the tragic events at the Super Bowl parade in Kansas City, a fight broke out between two men (and isn’t it always men?) who didn’t even know each other. Somehow they felt that their disagreement was serious enough to warrant the discharge of bullets despite being in the middle of a crowd. The inevitable result, the death of innocent people.
Who was the bad guy with the gun, and who was the good guy? I can tell you who the bad guys are: the NRA and those members of Congress who refuse to pass gun control legislation, who still labor under the delusion (or profess to) that having a gun will make you safer. It is pure fiction. It is the simple truth that more guns equals more deaths. Period.
Beth Dingman
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Diane Dittemore, North side
In the 1970s when I first became involved in the pro-choice abortion issue, we imagined all sorts of scenarios if the U.S. or states were to ever assign personhood to fertilized eggs. (Every miscarriage scrutinized and requiring a death certificate?) Now some of these scenarios have become a reality, with laws banning abortions after six weeks, for example. Yet even in our wildest dreams, I don't know of anyone who envisioned that embryos used for IVF would be defined as children. And Republicans in the U.S. House so far rhave refused to guarantee the rights of families seeking IVF. If the anti-choice movement, flush with victory after the fall of Roe v. Wade, wishes to take their arguments to what they see as a "logical" conclusion, and promote personhood for IVF embryos, calling themselves pro-family will be an even more laughable misnomer than it has in the past.
Diane Dittemore
North side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Albrecht Classen, Midtown
Every day we hear of yet another absurd move by the Republicans who desperately try to gain points in public opinion ahead of the Nov. elections. And the closer we look, the more we recognize Putin’s handwriting all over the wall. Whether it’s the opposition to supporting the Ukrainians in their self-defense against Russian aggression, whether it’s the absurd attempts to impeach Pres. Biden, whether it’s the strategy to deny the outcomes of our elections, if not their manipulation, or whether it’s former Pres. Trump’s antics and gaslighting, we can recognize Russian influence. Putin is a former KGB man, and he knows that it is much more cost-effective to mesmerize or hypnotize the conservative masses in the USA than to confront our so-far still free democracy in military terms. Putin has his hands also in the pockets of many German politicians and others, but the buck should stop here. We can have disagreements, but any American supporting Putin is a traitor.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- William Garrity, Foothills
Putin's loyal followers, often called MAGA, have successfully implemented Putin's goals. The murdering dictator wants Ukraine for his domination. Only freedom loving Ukrainians stand in his way. What Ukrainians need is the means to defend themselves. What Putin needs is for the US to abandon Ukraine. The Donald with his Republican toadies have delivered for Putin-no additional US aid is forthcoming. The Donald's subservience to Putin remains intact. Of course Putin will stop with Ukraine. After all Hitler stopped with Czechoslovakia right? But with a MAGA education I doubt they know who Hitler was.
William Garrity
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Vincent Allen, Northwest side
Now that a state supreme court has ruled (essentially) that a woman's egg is a human being, one has to wonder if all of the eggs that a woman has and not yet delivered to her uterus are human being also. These eggs are clearly part of a human being, they are part of a WOMAN. They are not eligible to vote and the vast, vast majority of these eggs will never be delivered to the uterus. They are all the 'property' of the woman; not the property of government, nor that of a man, nor that of a court, nor that of any legislature. Why is it so hard for the 'Right' aligned control freaks to realize that they do not control a woman's body. It is her body to do what she believes is the right thing to do, HERS ALONE.
How would any man react if a court told you that all of your sperm are human beings and punishable by imprisonment if discarded?
Vincent Allen
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- John Bingham, Northwest side
Re: the Feb. 27 letter "Democrat prosecutors' persecution of Trump."
I just read an astonishing recount of a member of the Cult of Trump claiming that Democratic Prosecutors are persecuting the former twice impeached, self described sexual predator because they are democratic. The writer apparently forgot that there are laws in this country that we all need to adhere to. But that's not the concern of the letter writer. Her only concern is that her cult leader is being persecuted. She doesn't realize the difference between persecution and prosecution. Her "anointed one" did everything he's been prosecuted for. He sexually assaulted a woman in a dressing room and was found guilty of that. That's why there was no need for a jury trial. He was already found guilty.
John Bingham
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Rick Cohn, West side
Some prominent wealthy individuals in the financial world are complaining that Leticia James's successful prosecution and penalization of Trump is unfair.
Is it unfair that New York has a law requiring truthful valuations on a loan application? Is it unfair that that law provides for fines if an applicant deliberately lies and thereby commits fraud? Is it unfair that Trump got caught committing a crime and then got prosecuted for that behavior? Or is it unfair because Trump is not subject to the rule of law like other citizens? My inquiring mind wants to know.
Rick Cohn
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Anti-choice dilemma
In the 1970s when I first became involved in the pro-choice abortion issue, we imagined all sorts of scenarios if the U.S. or states were to ever assign personhood to fertilized eggs. (Every miscarriage scrutinized and requiring a death certificate?) Now some of these scenarios have become a reality, with laws banning abortions after six weeks, for example. Yet even in our wildest dreams, I don’t know of anyone who envisioned that embryos used for IVF would be defined as children. And Republicans in the U.S. House so far have refused to guarantee the rights of families seeking IVF. If the anti-choice movement, flush with victory after the fall of Roe v. Wade, wishes to take their arguments to what they see as a “logical” conclusion, and promote personhood for IVF embryos, calling themselves pro-family will be an even more laughable misnomer than it has been in the past.
Diane Dittemore
North side
Beliefs and politics upside down
So, now they want the freedom of only one religion’s adopted Ten Commandments in the public’s classrooms; these rules are attributed to Moses who was most likely born around 1,570 years BC, and thought to be the commandment’s author; he was a Jewish tribal leader of people who chose to believe in one God over the then believed Egyptian Pharaohs as Gods; the Bible is mainly about Jewish history, by Jewish authors and the Jewish God which was adopted as the Christian one (or three in one); now, several of this religious wing’s politicians, government officials and uninformed followers want to return to the 13th century BC (1300 to 1201 BC) pharaoh model of one man worship, power, control, and rule. May the good and benevolent God be with us.
Richard Packard
Oro Valley
Good guys vs. bad guys?
According to the article in the Star recounting the tragic events at the Super Bowl parade in Kansas City, a fight broke out between two men (and isn’t it always men?) who didn’t even know each other. Somehow they felt that their disagreement was serious enough to warrant the discharge of bullets despite being in the middle of a crowd. The inevitable result, the death of innocent people.
Who was the bad guy with the gun, and who was the good guy? I can tell you who the bad guys are: the NRA and those members of Congress who refuse to pass gun control legislation, who still labor under the delusion (or profess to) that having a gun will make you safer. It is pure fiction. It is the simple truth that more guns equals more deaths. Period.
Beth Dingman
Green Valley
Time to fish or cut bait
How does the Ukraine war end? Is it when the Russians withdraw their troops, return all occupied land, and admit that they were wrong?
The Sunday talk shows put the blame on the House Speaker stating that the future of Ukraine and world was in his hands. As if releasing American funds will somehow solve what it now a U.S./Russia proxy war of attrition.
European nations, many of whom have coveted social welfare systems, are thousands of miles closer and do not seem to have the same sense of urgency. Also, we can provide conventional weapon systems which would allow the Ukrainians to bring the war to Russia. Cruise missiles to allow strikes in Russia itself. Moscow, refineries, military bases etc. Tanks and artillery are not going to defeat an adversary willing to accept extreme losses on Ukrainian soil.
If we are not going to give the Ukraine the tools to win decisively, perhaps we should find another solution.
Chris Simenson
Green Valley
Rules and more foolish rules
Now that a state supreme court has ruled (essentially) that a woman’s egg is a human being, one has to wonder if all of the eggs that a woman has and not yet delivered to her uterus are human being also. These eggs are clearly part of a human being, they are part of a WOMAN. They are not eligible to vote and the vast, vast majority of these eggs will never be delivered to the uterus. They are all the ‘property’ of the woman; not the property of government, nor that of a man, nor that of a court, nor that of any legislature. Why is it so hard for the ‘Right’ aligned control freaks to realize that they do not control a woman’s body. It is her body to do what she believes is the right thing to do, HERS ALONE.
How would any man react if a court told you that all of your sperm are human beings and punishable by imprisonment if discarded?
Vincent Allen
Northwest side
Putin directing the Republican Party
Every day we hear of yet another absurd move by the Republicans who desperately try to gain points in public opinion ahead of the Nov. elections. And the closer we look, the more we recognize Putin’s handwriting all over the wall. Whether it’s the opposition to supporting the Ukrainians in their self-defense against Russian aggression, whether it’s the absurd attempts to impeach Pres. Biden, whether it’s the strategy to deny the outcomes of our elections, if not their manipulation, or whether it’s former Pres. Trump’s antics and gaslighting, we can recognize Russian influence. Putin is a former KGB man, and he knows that it is much more cost-effective to mesmerize or hypnotize the conservative masses in the USA than to confront our so-far still free democracy in military terms. Putin has his hands also in the pockets of many German politicians and others, but the buck should stop here. We can have disagreements, but any American supporting Putin is a traitor.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
The Party of Putin
Putin’s loyal followers, often called MAGA, have successfully implemented Putin’s goals. The murdering dictator wants Ukraine for his domination. Only freedom loving Ukrainians stand in his way. What Ukrainians need is the means to defend themselves. What Putin needs is for the U.S. to abandon Ukraine. The Donald with his Republican toadies have delivered for Putin-no additional U.S. aid is forthcoming. The Donald’s subservience to Putin remains intact. Of course Putin will stop with Ukraine. After all Hitler stopped with Czechoslovakia right? But with a MAGA education I doubt they know who Hitler was.
William Garrity
Foothills
Elections matter
I have heard multiple times we have problems in this country because of too much politics. I disagree, the problem is too little politics. I say that because we have not learned that elections have consequences.
We elect people by either voting for them or not voting at all. Then we complain about what they do.
We should not be surprised when we elect a President and he then appoints to the Supreme Court, justices who issue decisions we are vehemently opposed to.
We should not be surprised when we elect four members to the Arizona Corporate Commission who deny human-caused global climate change and who then pass rules that make that problem worse.
Simply put, elections matter. We should choose wisely.
Howard Strause
Foothills
Medicare Advantage
Re: the Feb. 27 article “Medicare needs reform, not Advantage plans.”
Thank you, Tyna Callahan, for your excellent summary of the disadvantages associated with Medicare Advantage — limited choice of providers, requirements for prior authorization and other barriers to care. Traditional Medicare is a government-run program with extremely low administrative costs. Once a middleman is introduced, along with the need for profit, the amount of money going for actual health care is significantly reduced. Let’s strengthen traditional Medicare so it works for all seniors!
Eve Shapiro, MD, MPH
Foothills
Democratic prosecutors’ persecution of #45
Re: the Feb. 27 letter “Democrat prosecutors’ persecution of Trump.”
I just read an astonishing recount of a member of the Cult of Trump claiming that Democratic prosecutors are persecuting the former twice-impeached, self-described sexual predator because they are Democrats. The writer apparently forgot that there are laws in this country that we all need to adhere to. But that’s not the concern of the letter writer. Her only concern is that her cult leader is being persecuted. She doesn’t realize the difference between persecution and prosecution. Her “anointed one” did everything he’s been prosecuted for. He sexually assaulted a woman in a dressing room and was found guilty of that. That’s why there was no need for a jury trial. He was already found guilty.
John Bingham
Northwest side
Different viewpoints
Wonder if some of the very frequent liberal writers to the Opinion Section are on the Arizona Daily Star’s payroll as I see the same names over and over again? Their inputs constantly call those who do not share their political views the most hateful and degrading names. Their theme is always the same against the “other side”: they are called a cult, stupid, insane, clowns, hypocrites, susceptible to lies, hypocritical, racist, and other very unkind terms.
These types of inputs ferment and exasperate the division now occurring among us and also show the level of coordination these writers seem to have as inputs tend to follow the “same theme” against their fellow Americans who have a different viewpoint than they do.
Rosalie Wright
Oro Valley
Medicare Advantage
Re: the Feb. 27 article “Medicare needs reform, not Advantage plans.”
This was an excellent opinion regarding the disadvantages of Medicare Advantage (MA) programs. MA is a misnomer since it is an insurance company product for Medicare eligible patients but it is not Medicare. The MA plans profits are excessive by even health insurance standards, double that of indemnity insurance. The MA plans across the board (eight of the 10 largest) have been accused of upcoding and overbilling with four of the five largest accursed of outright fraudulent practices. This has resulted in an estimated 22-35% excess billings which amounts to $88 to $140 BILLION per year, which is more than enough to provide all Medicare beneficiaries’ vision, hearing, and dental care.
United Healthcare reports an expected profit of $27.5 billion in 2024, the majority due to their MA plans. Traditional Medicare (TM) has no profit motive and overhead operating expenses is about 3%. We need to greatly improve TM and take the profit incentive out of MA for the sake of patients and taxpayers.
Michael Hamant, MD
East side
Funding for asylum seekers
Dear Congressman Ciscomani,
You were elected to serve your constituents in Southern Arizona. You recently voted to reject carefully thought-out bipartisan legislation to help solve our border issue. Not only did you reject the funding to increase staffing by the border patrol but even more devastating to Southern Arizona, you voted to stop the funding for folks who are applying for asylum. So in one month, the streets of Tucson will likely be flooded with those folks. The city of Tucson and Pima County will be paying for those services instead of the federal government, just as is happening in San Diego today. The faith groups like Catholic Relief Services and others will also be attempting to pay for this.
I understand that many Republicans see the border issue as a great thing in an election year. But you were elected to serve Southern Arizona not the RNC or candidate Trump.
Sincerely,
your constituent
Robert Beren, MD
Foothills
Lunacy
2-23-2024
AZ Senate: Your Sex is what’s set at birth
AZ Senate: Let students appeal grades over politics
Lawyer who’s worked with Lake, Gosar and Palin set for new AZ government job
Meghan McCain blasts Kari Lake over John McCain comments
2-25-2024
NGO stand between Tucson and chaos
AZ moving to require exit exam
2-27-2024
AZ Senate: Schools must tell parents about students’ gender identities
AZ’s Senate is paying state GOP chair $15K per month
Lawsuit seeks to open divorce records (Ruben Gallego)
Lake in line with GOP memo, backs IVF services
From Feb. 23-27, these headlines and articles in the Arizona Daily Star, available on the online AZ Daily Star, shocked me, illustrating the level of ignorance and vitriol spouted by Republican legislators. Our state and country cannot allow such myopic, backward thinking to drive the Legislature. Hopefully, the need to support Democratic candidates in the next election shouts out to voters.
Roger Shanley
East side
Please explain
Some prominent wealthy individuals in the financial world are complaining that Leticia James’s successful prosecution and penalization of Trump is unfair.
Is it unfair that New York has a law requiring truthful valuations on a loan application? Is it unfair that that law provides for fines if an applicant deliberately lies and thereby commits fraud? Is it unfair that Trump got caught committing a crime and then got prosecuted for that behavior? Or is it unfair because Trump is not subject to the rule of law like other citizens? My inquiring mind wants to know.
Rick Cohn
West side
- Phil "Bulldog" Bentley, Foothills
As I shake my head and try to endure the start of another endless contentious political season , I long for the leadership example of Obama: The Presiedent! The Man! The Husband! The Father! the Son-in-law! The Humanitarian! The Peacemaker! The Friend! The Environmentalist! I appreciate His Humor! His Compassion! His steadfastness! His Smile! His World View! His self-deprecation! His Honor! His Courage! His Integrity! His Veracity! His Respectfulness! His Patriotism! His Vision! His Thoughtfulness! His Kindness! His Sincerity! His Toughness! His Blackness! His Whiteness! His Greenness! His Inclusiveness! His Sensitivity! His Sportsmanship! His Statesmenship! We all can learn from the example of Barack Hussein Obama II, an individual of high moral character and demand such from those who are, or hope to be, in public office.
To Believe in the life of Love
To Walk in the way of Honor
To Serve in the light of Truth
Phil "Bulldog" Bentley
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Diane Nelson, Foothills
After reading numerous angry diatribes by liberals on Donald Trump and his comments about Putin, it's interesting to note than not one letter has mentioned former President Barack Obama's weak leadership towards Russia during his tenure. How convenient they forget it was during Obama's term that Russia invaded Crimea and parts of Eastern Ukraine and that his current rational for not taking any action during that time was that it "was not the Ukraine we are talking about today". Nor has there been any mention of Obama's comments caught on a "hot mic" to then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that he would have more flexibility to negotiate with Russia on issues, like missile defense, after the 2012 election. No, the letters to the editor are just the usual liberal nonsense, high on hyperbole while lacking any significant content.
Diane Nelson
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- James Mclin, East side
With the reversal of the Roe has opened up attacks on the rights of women medical rights. The states have been passing legislation to limit abortions from anywhere from 6 weeks to 16 weeks. Now the Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that embryos are people. This caused clinics to close down their IVF operations. In Texas they are trying to outlaw the use of an abortion pill to end a pregnancy. Other states are looking into birth control for women.
From my research on polls, about 85% of the country wants to have an abortion option for rape incest and the life of the mother. This is just basic women’s health care.
It reminds me of the old story of the dog catching the car and then not knowing what to do with it. As a husband and a father to my daughter and with a granddaughter I feel that the decision to either end the pregnancy or have the baby is up to the mother and her doctor.
James Mclin
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Linda Khumalo, East side, Medicare SHIP Supervisor at Pima Council on Aging
Re: the Feb. 23 article "Medicare Advantage benefits AZ seniors."
There are over 70 Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and twenty-one stand-alone prescription plans (Part D) to choose from in Pima County.
When choosing an MA plan, you must consider the yearly maximum out-of-pocket costs. Medical bills may change from month to month depending on the kind of health year you are having.
If you have specialists you prefer to work with, confirm they are in the plan's network before signing up. This step will ensure good continuity of care for your condition. The same goes for your medications; confirm they are covered in your plan's formulary at a cost that is manageable for you.
Traditional Medicare, on the other hand, ensures that your out-of-pocket costs do not fluctuate with your healthcare needs.
Consult your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselors at PCOA at (520) 546-2011 for free and unbiased assistance with choosing a plan that is right for you and your budget. You may also visit www.medicare.gov for more information.
Linda Khumalo
East side, Medicare SHIP Supervisor at Pima Council on Aging
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Thom Melendez M.Ed, Midtown
While Kyrsten Sinema practices her curtsies or trains to run from her actions, women continue to lose their reproductive rights . Whether it’s Looney Lake or Curtsy Sinema, women’s reproductive rights are in danger. Vote your future and the future of our daughters.
Thom Melendez M.Ed
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Cindy Soffrin, Northeast side
There is no doubt that we have a hierarchical society that is plagued by massive incarceration generated by our legal system and applied to the 99%.
I wonder, however, if that segment is actually moved to support Trump as a result of his pandering to them by emphasizing how many civil and criminal lawsuits have been filed against him. I would hope that the majority of all voters recognize that the crimes Trump has been convicted of committing, or is being accused of committing, is different from the crimes that are being perpetrated and punished by a lopsided justice system. Citizen Trump is claiming "witch hunt" even though there is a mountain of evidence that points to his guilt. He broke laws that were supposed to provide guardrails for the activities of the top 1% of which citizen Trump claims to be at the top.
Let no one be fooled.
Cindy Soffrin
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
The Obama example
As I shake my head and try to endure the start of another endless contentious political season, I long for the leadership example of Obama: The President, the man, the husband, the father, the son-in-law, the humanitarian, the peacemaker, the friend, the environmentalist. I appreciate his humor, his compassion, his steadfastness, his smile, his worldview, his self-deprecation, his honor, his courage, his integrity, his veracity, his respectfulness, his patriotism, his vision, his thoughtfulness, his kindness, his sincerity, his toughness, his Blackness, his whiteness, his greenness, his inclusiveness, his sensitivity, his sportsmanship, his Statesmenship! We all can learn from the example of Barack Hussein Obama II, an individual of high moral character and demand such from those who are, or hope to be, in public office.
To Believe in the life of Love
To Walk in the way of Honor
To Serve in the light of Truth
Phil “Bulldog” Bentley
Foothills
Snowbirds
Re: the Feb. 24 letter “Snowbirds.”
I believe that, as snowbirds, we contribute to Pima County. We bought a house in Tucson, and while we are only here 4-5 months a year, we pay property taxes, HOA dues, insurance, utilities, and landscaping services year-round.
We completely furnished our house by spending thousands of dollars locally. We bought a car and regularly patronize area stores and restaurants. We have memberships in a variety of local organizations, and I thought that our support was appreciated. We donate to national and state parks, and we do not trample things. We respect the environment. We visit museums. Supposedly, the museums would be fine without our dollars?
Having failed to recognize our “huge negative impact,” perhaps we should stay home on the Oregon coast, which incidentally is one of the most visited places in the United States.
Carolyn Neal
Northwest side
Sinema’s legacy
While Kyrsten Sinema practices her curtsies or trains to run from her actions, women continue to lose their reproductive rights. Whether it’s Looney Lake or Curtsy Sinema, women’s reproductive rights are in danger. Vote your future and the future of our daughters.
Thom Melendez M.Ed
Midtown
I wonder
There is no doubt that we have a hierarchical society that is plagued by massive incarceration generated by our legal system and applied to the 99%.
I wonder, however, if that segment is actually moved to support Trump as a result of his pandering to them by emphasizing how many civil and criminal lawsuits have been filed against him. I would hope that the majority of all voters recognize that the crimes Trump has been convicted of committing, or is being accused of committing, is different from the crimes that are being perpetrated and punished by a lopsided justice system. Citizen Trump is claiming “witch hunt” even though there is a mountain of evidence that points to his guilt. He broke laws that were supposed to provide guardrails for the activities of the top 1% of which citizen Trump claims to be at the top.
Let no one be fooled.
Cindy Soffrin
Northeast side
Contributing snowbirds
Re: the Feb. 24 letter “Snowbirds.”
Responding to the writer who blames the snowbirds for the impact they make on Arizona water and residents.
We understand you are happy when we leave. The writer doesn’t understand Econ 101 and should learn the importance of consumers. Without the money we spend in six months, would you have restaurants, drug stores, groceries, golf courses, churches, etc. the rest of the year? Ask the owners and employees if they agree with you.
Would you want to own a business here without the income brought in by the snowbirds?
Those using your precious water include the builders who continue to add housing developments and swimming pools. Is it snowbirds who are allowing Hudbay to destroy the environment and use the precious water?
Come visit our states! You will be welcome to play golf, fish in the lakes and enjoy our restaurants and malls.
Robert and Louise Schwankl, Green Valley Snowbirds
Green Valley
Street names
Back when the cowboys ran Tucson, “Speedway Blvd.” probably made sense. These days, it’s an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms. It should just be called “Speedway.” What a great name for a road! “Broadway Blvd.,” while not an oxymoron, the two words are redundant. Just call it “Broadway.” That’s an iconic name! There are plenty of other streets where the names could be simplified. “Oracle Road?” Everyone calls it “Oracle.” Make it official. “Tanque Verde Road?” Drop the “Road” and maybe Google Maps will blow a gasket. Too bad. We don’t need that modifier. Tucson is a unique place. The names we have for our streets already are cool. Remove the conventionality, and they’d be even better.
Walter Ramsley
East side
Unmonitored wells
Re: the Feb. 25 article “Crowd grills officials on Copper World permit.”
Boy, I was expecting a cut-and-dried article on the front page of the Star having to do with the Copper World permit. But I was immediately drawn into the story by the drama and immediacy of Tony Davis. It was so interesting I couldn’t put it down. I can say I have become riveted by the prospect of unmonitored wells, so I’m starting to feel I also have no use for this mine. That’s not to say Tony didn’t put forth a defense for Copper World, but all in all, what’s to gain from unmonitored wells? We all need to stay hydrated with safe water.
Bobbe Trunzo
Green Valley
Graduation test
I don’t know if Superintendent Horne is just trying to irritate people, or he is still living in an unsuccessful bygone era. To believe that passing one test would prove proficiency isn’t educationally sound, which is why most states have eliminated it. As a former educator, I have seen teachers teaching only to the test. I have seen many students fail due to test anxiety. Horne would have these students throw away 12 years of successful education because they freeze up taking tests. Does he plan on having ALL students take the same test or just the public school students? I’m wondering what his next archaic directive will be.
Bill Hawk
Oracle
Posting commandments in our schools
Re: the Feb. 23 article “AZ Senate OKs Ten Commandments in classrooms.”
As A lifelong Christian, I would like to see posted John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” He said it twice, in case you didn’t get it.
Johanna Von Mayr
Northeast side
F-35s are not at Davis-Monthan AFB
Re: the Feb. 26 letter “F-35s flying over Tucson.”
F-35s are not at Davis-Monthan AFB, it was determined that the Base is too close to civilization. F-16s fly over Tucson. The Base was built during World War II and was in the middle of the desert. As for the A-7 that crashed at the UofA, the pilot directed the aircraft to a field, he ejected, the field was empty. The aircraft veered and crashed on the street. The pilot had severe remorse. One should realize that since 1978, Tucson has grown dramatically and the contractors in the ’40s did not know that it would grow so fast. How do I know? My grandfather was involved in the layout of the base. Personally I hope the aircraft continue to fly, they comfort me. If you would like more information, call Base Information.
Shiela Carlson, Retired 162nd ANG
Southeast side
Making an idol of the Ten Commandments
Re: the Feb. 23 article “AZ Senate OKs Ten Commandments in classrooms.”
The proposal to post the Ten Commandments in all classrooms is obviously from the anti-abortion lobby, counting on “thou shalt not kill.” But there are many laws that demand capital punishment, e.g., for devirginated daughters (Deuteronomy 22:21) and for disobedient sons (Deuteronomy 21:22), and plenty of others referred to in one of the great satires of our time.
“Dear Dr. Laura” (look it up). {The latter, like Swift’s “A Modest Proposal,” was originally anonymous.} Then, of course, there was frequent war and various crimes like homosexuality, fratricide and incest. Assassination and revenge are rife in the story of David and his sons (2 Samuel 11 and the many chapters following). So we can see that the commandment is easily stretched.
Also, the 10th commandment, if obeyed in modern America, would crash the economy in short order.
Herbert Schneidau
Foothills
Medicare options
Re: the Feb. 23 article “Medicare Advantage benefits AZ seniors.”
There are over 70 Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and 21 stand-alone prescription plans (Part D) to choose from in Pima County.
When choosing a MA plan, you must consider the yearly maximum out-of-pocket costs. Medical bills may change from month to month depending on the kind of health year you are having.
If you have specialists you prefer to work with, confirm they are in the plan’s network before signing up. This step will ensure good continuity of care for your condition. The same goes for your medications; confirm they are covered in your plan’s formulary at a cost that is manageable for you.
Traditional Medicare, on the other hand, ensures that your out-of-pocket costs do not fluctuate with your healthcare needs.
Consult your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselors at PCOA at 520-546-2011 for free and unbiased assistance with choosing a plan that is right for you and your budget. You may also visit www.medicare.gov for more information.
Linda Khumalo
East side, Medicare SHIP Supervisor at Pima Council on Aging
Opening Pandora’s box
The reversal of Roe has opened up attacks on the rights of women’s medical rights. The states have been passing legislation to limit abortions anywhere from 6-16 weeks. Now, the Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that embryos are people. This caused clinics to close down their IVF operations. In Texas, they are trying to outlaw the use of an abortion pill to end a pregnancy. Other states are looking into birth control for women.
From my research on polls, about 85% of the country wants to have an abortion option for rape, incest and the life of the mother. This is just basic women’s health care.
It reminds me of the old story of the dog catching the car and then not knowing what to do with it. As a husband and a father to my daughter and with a granddaughter, I feel that the decision to either end the pregnancy or have the baby is up to the mother and her doctor.
James Mclin
East side
Brava! Governor Hobbs is a gifted leader
Re: the Feb. 27 article “Hobbs again rips regents for ‘failed’ oversight of U of A finances.”
From Ellie Wolfe’s report, it’s evident that Governor Hobbs continues to exhibit brilliant leadership, which has resulted in her managing the affairs of our state with sagacity and insight as she steers Arizona to its deserved prominence in the U.S.
Hobbs’ most recent actions with regard to the chaotic discord and tarnished murky finances of the University of Arizona and its supposed overseer, the fumbling Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), by calling the key, apparently maleficent, individuals to an immediate meeting behind the proverbial woodshed is the most appropriate leadership move to reset the course of higher education not only in Tucson but also in all of Arizona. It is reasonable to expect that the outcome of that meeting may include recasting some malign higher education dramatis personae to assure more accountability and openness in serving the needs of Arizona’s students and employers.
Paul Morton Ganeles
Foothills
U of A donors and U of A debt
Re: the Feb. 22 article “UA donors to pay up to $12.8M for athletic positions.”
Athletics is getting its bills paid. Meanwhile, the academic colleges and programs are facing budget cuts that are a direct result of poor financial decisions made by athletics and by university administration. It is a shame that the $12.8 million could not be used to support the academic programs — and as a result — the undergraduate and graduate students who are at the U of A to get degrees and contribute to their communities.
Donna Jurich
East side
Liberals’ selective memory on Russia
After reading numerous angry diatribes by liberals on Donald Trump and his comments about Putin, it’s interesting to note that not one letter has mentioned former President Barack Obama’s weak leadership towards Russia during his tenure. How convenient they forget it was during Obama’s term that Russia invaded Crimea and parts of Eastern Ukraine and that his current rationale for not taking any action during that time was that it “was not the Ukraine we are talking about today.” Nor has there been any mention of Obama’s comments caught on a “hot mic” to then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that he would have more flexibility to negotiate with Russia on issues, like missile defense, after the 2012 election. No, the letters to the editor are just the usual liberal nonsense, high on hyperbole while lacking any significant content.
Diane Nelson
Foothills
- Albrecht Classen, Midtown
Many adult Americans appear to believe in the tooth fairy, Santa Claus, aliens, the devil, or magic but they are too embarrassed to admit that. They need something bigger than their own mundane existence, so conspiracy theories have entered the picture to compensate for the banality of ordinary life. Their admiration for the former Pres. Trump might be a reflection of this deep-seated longing for King Arthur, the Führer, or whomever. Taylor Swift, enjoying enormous popularity today, dares to promote democracy and fair elections, so 18% of Americans believe that she is a plant to promote Pres. Biden and thus to undermine the democratic election in November. Granted, it takes some intellectual effort to face reality and to operate maturely, and since the masses in our country tend to be infantilized again, it is considerable relief for almost a quarter of adults to suspect Swift to be part of a huge conspiracy. Just imagine if she were a Jew; the extremist masses would howl and wallow in antisemitism.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Christie Cummins, Midtown
Re: "Values Revealed" letter spoke of many things the Republicans fight against. A book by Timothy Egan “A Fever in the Heartland” terrified me with the parallel between the 1924 Grand Dragon DC Stephenson’s Indiana KKK and Trump’s MAGA. Both had thin sandy hair, a fleshy second chin, were well fed, well dressed, confident of their power. Both men claimed that they were the law. Both cried “witch hunt” when charged with crimes. Both threatened violence if things did not go their way. Both manipulated the Legislature by passing out ballots at their gatherings to show people who/what to vote for. Both admired dictators, studied Eugenics feeling that those not of strict Nordic stock were inferior, persecuted immigrants, Blacks, Catholics, Jews openly. Both claimed to be the party of Lincoln. The similarities are shocking and it's terrifying to watch as history repeats itself 100 years later under a different name.
Christie Cummins
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Kenneth Haber, Northwest side
Provided that the Alabama Supreme Court judicial excrement masquerading as legal precedent is sustained on appeal, then I propose a solution. Enlist the support of every available woman and harvest her eggs. Then enlist the support of every available man and harvest his sperm. Unite the eggs and sperm, preserve the embryos, and ship them to Alabama. Hopefully tens of thousands will respond. The embryos will be protected! After arrival seek the appointment a surrogate/voice for each embryo (in law called a Guardian ad Litem). Each surrogate will then demand that the State render "cradle to grave" care. Be careful what you wish for Alabama Supreme Court.
Kenneth Haber
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Marsella Mavis, North side
Democrat Manhattan Judge Arthur Engoron ordered Trump to pay $350 million and barred him from doing business in NY for 3 years. Before the trial started, Engoron declared that Trump was guilty of fraud and did not allow a jury trial. No financial entity has claimed harm by Trump. Democrat prosecutor Leticia James ran for NY Attorney General promising to get Trump. Democrat Manhattan prosecutor Alvin Bragg has ridiculously charged Trump with 31 state felonies related to alleged false statements made in 2016 related to Stormy Daniels payments. A jury in Manhattan, likely comprised of Democrats, just insanely awarded E. Jean Carrol a $83 million settlement for an alleged sexual assault which she could not recall the year it happened. Her book was titled' What do we need men for?" Democrat prosecutor Fannie Ellis in Georgia allegedly had an affair with a married fellow prosecutor, then appointed him to persecute Trump. And then there is Special Counsel Jack Smith, whose wife in 2020 donated $2,000 to the Biden campaign.
Marsella Mavis
North side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Cindy Bordelon, Downtown
It appears that a virus of darkness has infected the Grand Old Party and it is spreading. What else would explain the madness and political stupidity of the Republican Party today? The Putin wing of the party is a fifth column working to undermine our nation from within in favor of Russia. This wing exhibits a lack of morals and courage, and supports strongman wannabe Trump, who supports actual strongman Putin. Trump wants militarized mass deportations and has invited Putin to attack NATO countries. An FBI informant with ties to Russian intelligence lied about Hunter Biden. House Speaker Mike Johnson failed to act on the policies he claimed to support, including immigration reform and aid to Ukraine and Israel. And what else will come to light? Desmond Tutu said: “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Joe Biden is a bright light in all this insanity and his leadership gives me hope for a better future.
Cindy Bordelon
Downtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Dan Gipple, Southeast side
Trump is uniquely unfit to be Commander-in-Chief. His scorn of the military and veterans is widely known.
He continues to disparage John McCain, an American hero, for injuries McCain suffered from torture as a POW. He called those who gave everything “suckers” and “losers”, said at the grave-site of Gen. John Kelly’s son, “I don’t get it. What was in it for them”, and told Gen. Miley “No one wants to see that, the wounded”. Likely too afraid to confront the truly brave.
Daddy bought Trump a bogus deferment, thereby acquiring the sobriquet “cadet bone spurs”. He was too weak, too scared and too much of a coward to do what so many of us did – serve, fight, sacrifice. Not surprising as most bloviating bullies are cowards.
He has no concept of sacrifice or service, except service to himself. This guy doesn’t deserve one vote from those of us who respect and honor our military and veterans.
Vietnam Combat Infantry Veteran
Dan Gipple
Southeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Loran Hancock, Northwest side
Perhaps I am the only person to watch a commercial and see not only the image of the product or service, but also the images used to sell. Instead of simply detailing the quality and usefulness of the product or service, commercials today use the images to denigrate someone during the pitch. In much the same way Bud Light cast aspersions against consumers of their product, so many commercials find someone in the commercial to illustrate negatively hoping the viewer will connect with the positive one versus the other. The problem is that the commercial is intentionally leaving a negative image instead of treating everyone with respect. When watching a commercial, forget the product or service and consider the methods used to present the players in the drama. Does this company use positive images to build or negative images to denigrate? Take note of the negative images and associate those with the product, purchase products that build instead of tear down.
Loran Hancock
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Herbert Schneidau, Foothills
Re: the Feb. 23 article "AZ Senate OKs Ten Commandments in classrooms."
The proposal to post the Ten Commandments in all classrooms is obviously from the anti-abortion lobby, counting on "thou shalt not kill." But there are many laws that demand capital punishment, e.g. for devirginated daughters (Deut. 22:21) and for disobedient sons (Deut. 21:22), and plenty of others referred to in one of the great satires of our time,
"Dear Dr. Laura" (look it up). {The latter, like Swift's "A Modest Proposal," was originally anonymous.} Then of course there was frequent war, and various crimes like homosexuality. Fratricide, incest. assassination and revenge are rife in the story of David and his sons (2 Samuel 11 and the many chapters following). So we can see that the commandment is easily stretched..
Also, the tenth commandment, if obeyed in modern America, would crash the economy in short order.
Herbert Schneidau
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Republican Klan
Re: the Feb. 15 letter “Values revealed.”
The letter spoke of many things the Republicans fight against. A book by Timothy Egan “A Fever in the Heartland” terrified me with the parallel between the 1924 Grand Dragon DC Stephenson’s Indiana KKK and Trump’s MAGA. Both had thin sandy hair, a fleshy second chin, were well fed, well dressed, confident of their power. Both men claimed that they were the law. Both cried “witch hunt” when charged with crimes. Both threatened violence if things did not go their way. Both manipulated the Legislature by passing out ballots at their gatherings to show people who/what to vote for. Both admired dictators, studied Eugenics feeling that those not of strict Nordic stock were inferior, persecuted immigrants, Blacks, Catholics and Jews openly. Both claimed to be the party of Lincoln. The similarities are shocking and it’s terrifying to watch as history repeats itself 100 years later under a different name.
Christie Cummins
Midtown
Swift conspiracy
Many adult Americans appear to believe in the tooth fairy, Santa Claus, aliens, the devil, or magic but they are too embarrassed to admit that. They need something bigger than their own mundane existence, so conspiracy theories have entered the picture to compensate for the banality of ordinary life. Their admiration for the former Pres. Trump might be a reflection of this deep-seated longing for King Arthur, the Führer, or whomever. Taylor Swift, enjoying enormous popularity today, dares to promote democracy and fair elections, so 18% of Americans believe that she is a plant to promote Pres. Biden and thus to undermine the democratic election in November. Granted, it takes some intellectual effort to face reality and to operate maturely, and since the masses in our country tend to be infantilized again, it is considerable relief for almost a quarter of adults to suspect Swift to be part of a huge conspiracy. Just imagine if she were a Jew; the extremist masses would howl and wallow in antisemitism.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
Democrat prosecutors’ persecution of Trump
Democrat Manhattan Judge Arthur Engoron ordered Trump to pay $350 million and barred him from doing business in NY for 3 years. Before the trial started, Engoron declared that Trump was guilty of fraud and did not allow a jury trial. No financial entity has claimed harm by Trump. Democrat prosecutor Leticia James ran for NY Attorney General promising to get Trump. Democrat Manhattan prosecutor Alvin Bragg has ridiculously charged Trump with 31 state felonies related to alleged false statements made in 2016 related to Stormy Daniels payments. A jury in Manhattan, likely comprised of Democrats, just insanely awarded E. Jean Carroll a $83 million settlement for an alleged sexual assault which she could not recall the year it happened. Her book was titled “What do we need men for?” Democrat prosecutor Fani Willis in Georgia allegedly had an affair with a married fellow prosecutor, then appointed him to persecute Trump. And then there is Special Counsel Jack Smith, whose wife in 2020 donated $2,000 to the Biden campaign.
Marsella Mavis
North side
Judicial rubbish
Provided that the Alabama Supreme Court judicial excrement masquerading as legal precedent is sustained on appeal, then I propose a solution. Enlist the support of every available woman and harvest her eggs. Then enlist the support of every available man and harvest his sperm. Unite the eggs and sperm, preserve the embryos, and ship them to Alabama. Hopefully tens of thousands will respond. The embryos will be protected! After arrival seek the appointment of a surrogate/voice for each embryo (in law called a Guardian ad Litem). Each surrogate will then demand that the State render “cradle to grave” care. Be careful what you wish for Alabama Supreme Court.
Kenneth Haber
Northwest side
Bring back red-light cameras
Never in all my years of driving have I witnessed so many drivers running red lights. I’m thinking “bring back the cameras.’ Are there any statistics available to show red-light accidents increasing since the cameras were removed?
Ron Wagner
East side
Sidelining Ciscomani and Speaker Johnson
Re: the Feb. 21 article “Johnson and Ciscomani should both be sidelined.”
Doug Pickrell’s outstanding guest opinion and common-sense plea for governance sanity cannot go quietly into the good night. Its message may sound aspirational to many and prompt another round of jokes about how the fools in charge are grinding our democracy to a halt. But neither Ciscomani nor Speaker Johnson are fools. They’re calculating and careful, with political anemometers firmly embedded into their DNAs to see which way the wind blows.
You want to see real change? Perspiration will turn aspiration into reality. It’s right there just out of couch potato reach. Malcom Gladwell’s seminal “tipping point” treatise should be your new political bible. Small numbers of people can create big change. And how quickly the conversation can change from oh my god what is going on to oh my god how quickly we were able to flip that script.
It starts and ends with voting. Stand by your man or woman. Help them win. Participate. Stop complaining.
Do something.
Rick Rappaport
Oro Valley
Rest in peace
It appears that a virus of darkness has infected the Grand Old Party and it is spreading. What else would explain the madness and political stupidity of the Republican Party today? The Putin wing of the party is a fifth column working to undermine our nation from within in favor of Russia. This wing exhibits a lack of morals and courage, and supports strongman wannabe Trump, who supports actual strongman Putin. Trump wants militarized mass deportations and has invited Putin to attack NATO countries. An FBI informant with ties to Russian intelligence lied about Hunter Biden. House Speaker Mike Johnson failed to act on the policies he claimed to support, including immigration reform and aid to Ukraine and Israel. And what else will come to light? Desmond Tutu said: “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Joe Biden is a bright light in all this insanity and his leadership gives me hope for a better future.
Cindy Bordelon
Downtown
Emily Bregel’s border stories
Re: the Feb. 18 article “Tucson area braces for homeless migrants as aid funds dry up.”
The AZ Daily Star has found another liberal, Emily Bregel, to report on the border. Her latest story focused on how local Non Government Organizations (NGO) will run out of money in March. The Senate Border bill provided a whopping $2.8 billion in taxpayer money to NGOs. These groups have no accountability, they are not audited for expenditures. They collude with the Border Patrol to receive foreign nationals, who illegally entered the country, but have been released by the Border Patrol. NGOs shelter then transport them to places across America. Bregel said the Border Patrol does background checks on these people before being released, but NOT in their home country. Bregel does sympathetic stories about the tens of thousands entering illegally in Arizona seeking asylum. She has no journalistic interest in investigating their claims, of which I believe she knows many to be false. She has not interviewed any line Border Patrol Agents to get their perspectives or been critical of Biden’s border policies that caused this disaster.
Linda Kelly
East side
Advertising creates influences
Perhaps I am the only person to watch a commercial and see not only the image of the product or service, but also the images used to sell. Instead of simply detailing the quality and usefulness of the product or service, commercials today use the images to denigrate someone during the pitch. In much the same way Bud Light cast aspersions against consumers of their product, so many commercials find someone in the commercial to illustrate negatively hoping the viewer will connect with the positive one versus the other. The problem is that the commercial is intentionally leaving a negative image instead of treating everyone with respect. When watching a commercial, forget the product or service and consider the methods used to present the players in the drama. Does this company use positive images to build or negative images to denigrate? Take note of the negative images and associate those with the product, purchase products that build instead of tear down.
Loran Hancock
Northwest side
Trump unfit to be commander-in-chief
Trump is uniquely unfit to be commander-in-chief. His scorn of the military and veterans is widely known.
He continues to disparage John McCain, an American hero, for injuries McCain suffered from torture as a POW. He called those who gave everything “suckers” and “losers,” said at the gravesite of Gen. John Kelly’s son, “I don’t get it. What was in it for them,” and told Gen. Miley “No one wants to see that, the wounded.” Likely too afraid to confront the truly brave.
Daddy bought Trump a bogus deferment, thereby acquiring the sobriquet “cadet bone spurs.” He was too weak, too scared and too much of a coward to do what so many of us did — serve, fight, sacrifice. Not surprising as most bloviating bullies are cowards.
He has no concept of sacrifice or service, except service to himself. This guy doesn’t deserve one vote from those of us who respect and honor our military and veterans.
Dan Gipple, Vietnam combat infantry Veteran
Southeast side
UA Foundation, athletics and academics
Re: the Feb. 25 letter “Re-thinking donation.”
I share the concern of the letter writer regarding her rethinking a donation to the U of A Foundation to support the school of nursing. I am an emeritus professor of mathematics with two small endowments to support students in the mathematics department. The Star reported that .25 million of the salary of the new athletic director will be paid annually by the Foundation. Does the Foundation financially support the hiring of academic faculty in a similar manner?
Elias Toubassi
East side
ACC housecleaning
Re: the Feb. 25 article “ACC hot air, distractions, abuse of ratepayers” and the Feb. 25 letter “ACC commissioners are failing us.”
Thank you to Terry Finefrock and the letter writer for discussing our increasing problems with the Arizona Corporation Commission. The recent unjustified rate increases and the resultant impact on consumers’ monthly bills is obvious to anyone paying attention. The question that we should be asking ourselves is ‘why do we continue to elect commissioners who are devoted to the interests of the monopolistic utilities and not the consumers they should be serving? Further, the ACC effectively turns its back on and discourages an enthusiastic embrace of solar generation of electricity by individuals and the utilities and does so in Arizona of all places! Reverting to ongoing use of fossil fuels when worsening climate change would dictate the opposite course of action is the height of irresponsible public policy.
Arizonans, please vote your interests as consumers and citizens when electing the next set of ACC commissioners this year!
Terry McDaniel
North side
Welcome, snowbirds
Re: the Feb. 24 letter “Snowbirds.”
I read a letter about the negative impact snowbirds have on Tucson. This really bothered me because it is one person’s opinion. If I didn’t respond, I would be complicit in this very myopic view.
My husband is a native Tucsonan and I have lived here for over 30 years. Of course, we have seen an increase in traffic but we see that across the country. I still manage to get to my destination by making allowances for the traffic. Hospitals and doctors were dealing with overcrowding during COVID. Many of those patients were your Tucson neighbors who questioned vaccines and masks.
We look forward to seeing the snowbirds we have become acquainted with over the years. Many of them have a second home here. They contribute through taxes, shopping, dining out to name a few.
Our lives are enhanced by the people from other places. We welcome you!
Donna Pierce
Northeast side
Re: Snowbirds
Re: the Feb. 24 letter “Snowbirds.”
I would like to say that I don’t think the letter writer understands the huge POSITIVE impact snowbirds make on her and her fellow Tucsonans during their stay.
1. Snowbirds who own properties here pay taxes.
2. They contribute thousands of dollars to the local economy, spending on home improvements, local attractions, stores, restaurants and bars.
3. Those I know respect the natural environment.
Just curious, but would you really begrudge an ER visit to a person in need because he is not a year round resident?
In the community where I am fortunate to live for four months of the year, I have made many lasting friendships with the permanent residents as well as others who winter here from many other locations. I believe it is always positive when people from different backgrounds accept, get to know, and appreciate each other.
I’m from Illinois. You are welcome to come and stay a while.
Kathryn de Peso
East side
- Richard Bechtold, West side
It appears that American voters are going to get to choose between 2 candidates. Both are over 77 years old and mix up facts and details from time to time. One of the elders is 81 years old with over 50 years experience in government as a senator, vice president and president. The other elder is facing numerous felony charges, an adulterer, cheated hundreds of people out of money, and sells $400 golden sneakers in between campaign stops. The only presidential candidate that sells concessions on the campaign trail.(mug shot t-shirts, sneakers, etc)
Richard Bechtold
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Margaret Scott, Midtown
Re: the Feb. 9 letter "Migrants carrying contagious diseases."
The writer of the letter based her argument about migrants carrying contagious diseases into the US on a CNN report that attributed the problem to a person ‘who had recently traveled outside the country.’ Clearly, that would be an ill American returning from abroad, not a migrant entering the country for the first time.
The author contends that this is a health care problem Biden continues to ignore. Not so. Biden has addressed border health care issues from the beginning of his presidency. According to a CNN report, as far back as 2021 Biden’s health order required migrants to wear face masks and if anyone exhibited signs of illness in CBP custody, they would be referred to a local facility for appropriate testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
It’s important to check one’s facts.
Margaret Scott
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Deb Klumpp, Oro Valley
I would like to thank the writer of "Another anti-Trump letter". Great job describing so accurately and eloquently the human malignancy who's hell-bent on destroying our country. No, it's not just you - you have plenty of company among critical thinking, democracy-loving citizens who don't live on social media, who aren't susceptible to lies, who have some understanding of what is going on in the world, and don't find a lying, angry criminal bully enthralling. Sanity exists and must prevail!
Deb Klumpp
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- James Nesci, East side
Donald Trump just released his new line of high-top shoes at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia. Fortunately for his supporters, they come in one-size-fits-all: clown size.
James Nesci
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- George Yost, Vail
I saw a man in the grocery store with a U.S. Army tee shirt in Army color, olive drab. It had an American flag on the back and the words “For this we fight.” D… straight. That’s the way it should be. Donald Trump could have a shirt like that, too. He could put a Russian flag on his.
George Yost
Vail
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Sheldon Metz, Northeast side
To the unreasonable, disorganized, inconsistent and hypocritical elected officials and citizens (Republicans), I ask a simple question - If leaders of any country in the world tried to tell Donald Trump what to do about a crisis, i.e., Israel/Gaza, what would he say to them in response?
The person your party exonerates for his crimes is the same one Benjamin Netanyahu models himself upon. You honor and respect him by choosing him to be your president. Netanyahu's own government can't tell him what to do either.
How can you criticize President Joe Biden over Israel’s incursions into Hamas territory to rid themselves of terrorists who interrupt their daily lives with threats of - and actual - attacks? He is not the president of Israel, a democracy, but we are allies. Yet you demand Biden “fix” the situation. How, when Congress is so antagonistic and discordant? Remember, Congress makes laws, the president enforces them. What laws has Congress created regarding the Mid-East crisis - or the border, for that matter?
Sheldon Metz
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Benjamin Nead, Northwest side
Re: "America" / Letters to The Editor, Feb. 16
Characterizing Biden as "an incompetent environmental specialist" and dredging up the old Solyndra yarn shows a poor understanding of this country's recent past, as well as our current energy and climate woes. It's knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Solyndra was a California solar startup that went belly up, defaulting on an Obama era DOE green tech loan. One of the many who didn't, interestingly enough, included an obscure EV hopeful named Tesla. What was known at the time as the Tea Party (MAGA's antecedent) relentlessly clutched their pearls in oil-drenched outrage of alleged government waste. Never mind that their much-beloved ongoing Iraq War (you know: the one that was actually an attempted oil grab disguised as an anti-terrorism operation) cost this country dearly, including about the same amount of cash as the entire much-ballyhooed Solyndra episode . . . but daily. So much for balanced budgets.
Benjamin Nead
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Don Ries, Southeast side
As a veteran of the US Air Force and a lover of democracy, I do not know how any veteran can support Trump. He was a draft dodger during the Vietnam war. As President he called military members losers and suckers because there was nothing in their service to benefit them. He skipped the memorial service for the fallen of WWI in 2018 because it was raining. Gen. John Kelly is the source for this. Trump supports Putin, a murderous dictator, who had numerous people assassinated, most recently Navalny in Russia because they opposed him. He took classified documents to his residence and left them unsecured for over a year. He opposes aide to Ukraine at Putin’s behest. He threatens not to support NATO allies if they are attacked by Russia. Yet this is who the Republican leadership and party bows down to. If you want a dictator, ask the victims of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, or any dictator how that worked.
Don Ries
Southeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Toni Kane, Oro Valley
Why would anyone be surprised by "No path....to fill teaching positions" in Arizona (and other states)? Arizona pales in comparison to my home state of Illinois for compensating educators. Teachers are undercompensated, overly criticized, and underappreciated in a country that seems to value how much a person earns a lot more than how well a person is educated. I am included in the 86% that would not recommend the job to others.
Toni Kane
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- John Kautz, Midtown
By what strange logic can a frozen embryo be considered a child? The recent ruling in Alabama reveals the duplicity and twisted mentality of the anti abortion movement. It actually prevents people from having children. For women it now becomes risky to use a fertility clinic. If the frozen embryo is not utilized to produce a baby, the parents could be charged with murder. Or women who get pregnant and develop a life threatening pregnancy without the option for abortion to save a mother’s life will cause some women to reconsider getting pregnant. So while the anti abortion crusaders think they are saving lives, they are actually working against life and procreation. There is no compassion in these actions by legislators and courts. The principle of allowing no abortions or declaring an embryo a child does not promote life. The principle seems to be all that matters .
John Kautz
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Trish Kimminau, Midtown
This article continued the mainstream media's one-sided approach to the transgender debate. Never have I seen an article in your paper that represents multiple sides of the conversation.
More and more organizations and therapists are advocating caution in how gender dysphoria is handled. Just one example is Genspect, an organization that urges evidence-based approaches to gender therapy. Another point: the World Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is losing members as more and more countries question their recommendations. And many “whistleblower” therapists are going public with concerns for the way U.S. clinics are treating gender dysphoria. Then there is the growing number of people regretting their decision to transition. I urge readers to find a few of those stories of pain and grief. It’s time for an honest conversation, and I'd love to see the Star be a part of that.
Trish Kimminau
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Gail Gibbons Pace, Foothills
It has been two years since Russia invaded the Ukraine. Initially, I felt very gratified by the support given to the Ukrainians. In time, however, I grew weary and came to believe we needed to do more. But what?
In Wednesday's Tucson Opinion column, Michael Judd answered my question. His point - stop Putin in his tracks. Stop him NOW! Read Judd's excellent article to learn the specifics of his strategy. I'd summarize his strategy here but that would spoil the impressive way he laid it out.
Gail Gibbons Pace
Sabino Canyon Road
Gail Gibbons Pace
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Sandra Hoboy, Vail
Don't think that defeating Trump in 2024 will stop MAGA madness. After his 2024 defeat, Trump and his ilk will focus their madness on a 2028 presidential run. Yikes! Will we ever be free of Trump and MAGA?
Yes, but we have work to do. We must become razor sharp voters by studying each candidate’s position on key points. We must defeat down ballot MAGA candidates and any new candidates leaning toward MAGA views. Ask questions of all candidates and demand answers. Study candidates’ websites! If these websites allow visitors to pose questions. do so and note which candidates don’t answer your questions! Read pre-election flyers! Make wise decisions when voting; don’t just check off a box!
We have 2 election cycles to root out MAGA candidates – the 2024 presidential election and the 2026 mid-term election. Getting rid of Trump, his followers and his sycophantic state and federal elected officials is possible. It can be done but only if we are up to the task!
Sandra Hoboy
Vail
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Solyndra? Really?
Re: the Feb. 16 letter “America.”
Characterizing Biden as “an incompetent environmental specialist” and dredging up the old Solyndra yarn shows a poor understanding of this country’s recent past, as well as our current energy and climate woes. It’s knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Solyndra was a California solar startup that went belly up, defaulting on an Obama era DOE green tech loan. One of the many who didn’t, interestingly enough, included an obscure EV hopeful named Tesla. What was known at the time as the Tea Party (MAGA’s antecedent) relentlessly clutched their pearls in oil-drenched outrage of alleged government waste. Never mind that their much-beloved ongoing Iraq War (you know: the one that was actually an attempted oil grab disguised as an anti-terrorism operation) cost this country dearly, including about the same amount of cash as the entire much-ballyhooed Solyndra episode ... but daily. So much for balanced budgets.
Benjamin Nead
Northwest side
A hypothetical question for the Hypocrite Party
To the unreasonable, disorganized, inconsistent and hypocritical elected officials and citizens (Republicans), I ask a simple question: If leaders of any country in the world tried to tell Donald Trump what to do about a crisis, i.e., Israel/Gaza, what would he say to them in response?
The person your party exonerates for his crimes is the same one Benjamin Netanyahu models himself upon. You honor and respect him by choosing him to be your president. Netanyahu’s own government can’t tell him what to do either.
How can you criticize President Joe Biden over Israel’s incursions into Hamas territory to rid themselves of terrorists who interrupt their daily lives with threats of — and actual — attacks? He is not the president of Israel, a democracy, but we are allies. Yet you demand Biden “fix” the situation. How, when Congress is so antagonistic and discordant? Remember, Congress makes laws, the president enforces them. What laws has Congress created regarding the Mid-East crisis — or the border, for that matter?
Sheldon Metz
Northeast side
Words paint an accurate picture
Re: the Feb. 17 article “Another anti-Trump letter.”
I would like to thank the writer. Great job describing so accurately and eloquently the human malignancy who’s hell-bent on destroying our country. No, it’s not just you — you have plenty of company among critical thinking, democracy-loving citizens who don’t live on social media, who aren’t susceptible to lies, who have some understanding of what is going on in the world, and don’t find a lying, angry criminal bully enthralling. Sanity exists and must prevail!
Deb Klumpp
Oro Valley
Clown Shoes
Donald Trump just released his new line of high-top shoes at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia. Fortunately for his supporters, they come in one-size-fits-all: clown size.
James Nesci
East side
Patriotism
I saw a man in the grocery store with a U.S. Army t-shirt in Army color, olive drab. It had an American flag on the back and the words “For this we fight.” D… straight. That’s the way it should be. Donald Trump could have a shirt like that, too. He could put a Russian flag on his.
George Yost
Vail
The choice
It appears that American voters are going to get to choose between two candidates. Both are over 77 years old and mix up facts and details from time to time. One of the elders is 81 years old with over 50 years experience in government as a senator, vice president and president. The other elder is facing numerous felony charges, an adulterer, cheated hundreds of people out of money, and sells $400 golden sneakers in between campaign stops. The only presidential candidate that sells concessions on the campaign trail.(mug shot t-shirts, sneakers, etc.)
Richard Bechtold
West side
Check the facts
Re: the Feb. 9 letter “Migrants carrying contagious diseases.”
The writer of the letter based her argument about migrants carrying contagious diseases into the US on a CNN report that attributed the problem to a person ‘who had recently traveled outside the country.’ Clearly, that would be an ill American returning from abroad, not a migrant entering the country for the first time.
The author contends that this is a health care problem Biden continues to ignore. Not so. Biden has addressed border health care issues from the beginning of his presidency. According to a CNN report, as far back as 2021 Biden’s health order required migrants to wear face masks and if anyone exhibited signs of illness in CBP custody, they would be referred to a local facility for appropriate testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
It’s important to check one’s facts.
Margaret Scott
Midtown
Transgender debate
Re: the Feb. 18 article “Transgender rights leaders play defense.”
This article continued the mainstream media’s one-sided approach to the transgender debate. Never have I seen an article in your paper that represents multiple sides of the conversation.
More and more organizations and therapists are advocating caution in how gender dysphoria is handled. Just one example is Genspect, an organization that urges evidence-based approaches to gender therapy. Another point: the World Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is losing members as more and more countries question their recommendations. And many “whistleblower” therapists are going public with concerns for the way U.S. clinics are treating gender dysphoria. Then there is the growing number of people regretting their decision to transition. I urge readers to find a few of those stories of pain and grief. It’s time for an honest conversation, and I’d love to see the Star be a part of that.
Trish Kimminau
Midtown
Anti-abortion is now anti-life
By what strange logic can a frozen embryo be considered a child? The recent ruling in Alabama reveals the duplicity and twisted mentality of the anti-abortion movement. It actually prevents people from having children. For women it now becomes risky to use a fertility clinic. If the frozen embryo is not utilized to produce a baby, the parents could be charged with murder. Or women who get pregnant and develop a life threatening pregnancy without the option for abortion to save a mother’s life will cause some women to reconsider getting pregnant. So while the anti-abortion crusaders think they are saving lives, they are actually working against life and procreation. There is no compassion in these actions by legislators and courts. The principle of allowing no abortions or declaring an embryo a child does not promote life. The principle seems to be all that matters.
John Kautz
Midtown
Regents’ report a disservice
I thank the Arizona Daily Star and the UA faculty for working to uncover the real story behind UA’s financial problems. They’ve had no help from the administration or, now, the Arizona Board of Regents. The Regents’ report to Governor Hobbs bursts with excuses and self-congratulation for the purchase of substandard Ashford University without including any financial metrics. A business plan without numbers is like a song without music.
Sadly, that unwise purchase is behind us. I loved my education at UA and wish only for the best for the school. That will only come about with transparency and honesty.
Kind regards,
Bruce Robinson
Foothills
Undervalued teachers
Re: the Feb. 22 article “No clear path to aid Arizona public schools to fill teaching positions.”
Why would anyone be surprised by “No path ... to fill teaching positions” in Arizona (and other states)? Arizona pales in comparison to my home state of Illinois for compensating educators. Teachers are under compensated, overly criticized, and under appreciated in a country that seems to value how much a person earns a lot more than how well a person is educated. I am included in the 86% that would not recommend the job to others.
Toni Kane
Oro Valley
Country club memberships, really?
With the enormous salaries paid to some of the top leaders at the University of Arizona, I am shocked that elite country club memberships are part of their total compensation package. With the millions they make, can’t they pay for their own memberships? How do they drive around the streets of this city without recognizing their absolute entitlement? This information both shocked and made me nauseous.
Ellen Hartline
Foothills
Sportsman’s fund send a kid to camp
Re: the Feb. 21 article “Envelope inside to help send kids to camp.”
I first heard about this organization many years ago at one of the first fundraisers at Jonathan’s Cork. This organization directly enables young children around Arizona to experience a camping experience. These children are from military and economically disadvantaged along with physically disadvantaged. This nonprofit organization was founded in 1947 and 97% of all dollars raised goes directly to these children. The Arizona Daily Star sent donation envelopes out in their physical paper distribution on Wednesday (Feb. 21). I remember the American Red Cross, after the devastating hurricane Katrina asked for $1 from every “family.” If every “family” in southern Arizona would donate $1 imagine how quickly that would accumulate. We all “squander” a few dollars each month. Think about helping our local “young neighbors”. Address PO Box 16141 Tucson, AZ 85732-6141 or online at azsendakidtocamp.org. Thank you in advance for your help.
Mary Beth Schneider
East side
The silly season
Arizona’s annual Silly Season has produced a virtual three-way tie for the dumbest, most outrageous proposed legislation. Senator Jake Hoffman has provided us with two of the early leaders.
The creation of a state gold and silver exchange, state currency and bullion depository and;
Prohibition of Satan and anything related to Satan from public spaces. This would, no doubt, engender a contest to rename the ASU Sun Devils, the removal of “The Black Stallion and Satan” from public libraries, the banning of “The Devil Went down to Georgia” by Charlie Daniels and the outlawing of deviled eggs.
Also in strong early contention is Senator Anthony Kern’s proposal to have state legislators instead of the voters choose presidential electors. A Putinesque proposal in violation of both state and federal constitutions.
I propose that the Star keep track of these and other legislative inanities submitted by readers and have an official vote at the end of the legislative session. The winner will, hopefully, be laughed out of office.
Todd Ackerman
Foothills
The time is now
Re: the Feb. 21 article “Another crossroads, America — which way?”
It has been two years since Russia invaded the Ukraine. Initially, I felt very gratified by the support given to the Ukrainians. In time, however, I grew weary and came to believe we needed to do more. But what?
In Wednesday’s Tucson Opinion column, Michael Judd answered my question. His point — stop Putin in his tracks. Stop him NOW! Read Judd’s excellent article to learn the specifics of his strategy. I’d summarize his strategy here but that would spoil the impressive way he laid it out.
Gail Gibbons Pace
Foothills
U of A sports
Arizona Athletic Department is commanding major media scrutiny focused on its fiscal woes — a subset to the school’s overall issues. To diffuse the sports issue the UA brain trust basically executed a quick reboot.
Previous AD, Dave Heeke is gone (likely having failed to retain Fisch or baseball coach, Johnson and not finalizing Lloyd’s contract extension). His hire, Kevin Sumlin single handedly demolished the entire UA football program plus Rich Rod’s personnel issues, Miller’s NCAA sanctions, athlete vs. coaching problems all impacted the department’s stature and earned income.
Instantly a new AD is hired, Lloyd is extended, a new football HC arrives (inheriting a top 20 program).
The spectre of losing Lloyd, Chip Hale, Shields, Busch, Barnes, etc. certainly contributed to a quick fix.
Supposedly, salary extensions, incentive bumps, added assistant coaches will all be covered by boosters
Perhaps those “donations” would more effective covering the overall debt of the UA first, then improving departments.
A similar reboot of UA administration may well be in order.
Baird Thompson
Foothills
Traitorship of Trump
As a veteran of the US Air Force and a lover of democracy, I do not know how any veteran can support Trump. He was a draft dodger during the Vietnam War. As president he called military members losers and suckers because there was nothing in their service to benefit them. He skipped the memorial service for the fallen of WWI in 2018 because it was raining. Gen. John Kelly is the source for this. Trump supports Putin, a murderous dictator, who had numerous people assassinated, most recently Navalny in Russia because they opposed him. He took classified documents to his residence and left them unsecured for over a year. He opposes aide to Ukraine at Putin’s behest. He threatens not to support NATO allies if they are attacked by Russia. Yet this is who the Republican leadership and party bows down to. If you want a dictator, ask the victims of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, or any dictator how that worked.
Don Ries
Southeast side
Defeating Trump and MAGA
Don’t think that defeating Trump in 2024 will stop MAGA madness. After his 2024 defeat, Trump and his ilk will focus their madness on a 2028 presidential run. Yikes! Will we ever be free of Trump and MAGA?
Yes, but we have work to do. We must become razor sharp voters by studying each candidate’s position on key points. We must defeat down ballot MAGA candidates and any new candidates leaning toward MAGA views. Ask questions of all candidates and demand answers. Study candidates’ websites! If these websites allow visitors to pose questions, do so and note which candidates don’t answer your questions! Read pre-election flyers! Make wise decisions when voting; don’t just check off a box.
We have 2 election cycles to root out MAGA candidates — the 2024 presidential election and the 2026 mid-term election. Getting rid of Trump, his followers and his sycophantic state and federal elected officials is possible. It can be done but only if we are up to the task!
Sandra Hoboy
Vail
F-35s flying over Tucson
Yesterday (Feb. 21) while raking our yard in Barrio Hollywood, I was jarred from my reverie by F-35s. The noise could not be ignored like that of earlier Davis-Monthan jets. Once again, while having breakfast at the Barista del Barrio this morning, we had to stop talking as the sound crashed down.
Many Tucsonans do not know of the military jet that crashed near to what is now the Recreation Center at the UA. Two students were killed in the crash on October 26, 1978.
At that time, DM pledged to fly over as little of Tucson as possible.
One of the reasons that Linda Ronstadt left Tucson was that the fighters flying over her midtown home made recording impossible.
Will it take another crash — perhaps at the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind — and more deaths for DM to change its flight path? Will more homeowners suffer a diminished quality of life?
DM officials owe Tucsonans an explanation, and city leaders need to give some orders.
Debbie Collazo
West side
- Phil Lyons, Foothills
Things I don't understand:
1. How can a party(Rep), once concerned with national defense. go on vacation rather than send needed funding for Ukraine to survive a brutal war?
2. Why is it that Biden has been concerned from day one of the invasion with not upsetting Putin, vs having Putin fearing NATO if IT went too far? Biden has over worried about Putin's "red-lines', rather than Putin worrying about ours.
3. The result of this has been for Biden to have been late on every major weapons system from HIMARS thru f-16s, not to mention the Patriot air defense, the delays for which 100's of needless civilians deaths rest.
4. Why are we denying Ukraine with missiles that can reach into Russia?
5. With the denial of the above, along with Ukraine being 30% of Russia's population,how can Ukraine win a war of attrition?
I remain confused and troubled.
Phil Lyons
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Phil "Bulldog" Bentley, Foothills
Juan...by your silence on the issue, you apparently approve of Trumps attack on NATO solidarity and his offering up various NATO member countries to Putin's aggression! During the Cold War, I flew the A10 Warthog for 3 years in Europe, 1979-82, based in the UK and spending many hours flying along the East German and Czech borders in support of NATO, doing what the A10 was designed to do....offsetting the Soviet Bloc threats. "We" and those that followed did our job and in 1989 "the Berlin wall" came down and in 1991 the Soviet Union was dissolved. I take great offense to YOUR apparent lack of historical perspective and lack of concern and your failure to counter Mr. Trump's dangerous and ignorant proposal and thereby supporting the possible resurgence of a "Soviet type" Russian Bloc. Why Juan? Speak up and show us your political courage and your promised "independent" representation in DC. Be a strong independent leader...... not a weak Speaker Johnson or Trump follower. Bulldog
Phil "Bulldog" Bentley
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Kathy Krucker, Midtown
The GOP House of Representatives has given up their responsibility of governing. The insurrectionists and election deniers running the show continue to support 45’s efforts to destabilize our national security and world order. They are OK with 45 selling out our allies, our democratic values, his disparagement of our military, and his pro Putin allegiance. They continue to create narratives that do not exist and find truth and facts inconvenient.
A majority of Americans want rational and coherent border policies and continual support for Ukraine: both issues critical to our national security and our economy. The Senate sent bipartisan bills addressing both of these vital issues to the House. Speaker Johnson called them dead on arrival and sent the House on a 2-week vacation.
Since House Republicans will not govern, House Democrats must bypass the Speaker and his minions and call for a discharge petition to bring these Senate bills to a full House vote.
I bet both bills would pass.
Kathy Krucker
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Donald Klein, Foothills
Recently, Donald Trump invited Russia to invade any NATO country that did not spend at least 2% of its Gross Domestic Product on National Defense. In doing so, it appears to me he is inviting Russia to invade Canada! Canada is a member of NATO. Its gross domestic product is $2.221 trillion. Its national defense budget is $26.5 billion. Thus, it is spending about 1.2% of its GDP on national defense. I hope that some Trump supporter can explain to me where I am wrong. Otherwise, it appears to me that he is encouraging Russia to invade Canada and if he was president he would do nothing to stop that. What a border crisis that would be! Or would he build a wall across our northern border to stop the Russians?
Donald Klein
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Hudbay aquifer protection permit
AZ Dept of Environmental Quality will be hosting two very important meetings for the communities surrounding the proposed Copper World mine.
The first was Feb. 20 at Corona Foothills Middle School. It was an informal meeting to explain the conditions included in the draft Permit for Copper World, followed by a Q&A session for the public.
The second one, on March 5, same time and location, is a formal meeting where public comments will be heard for the record, relating to the permit and the conditions and protections it includes. Will they be enough to keep our water and soil safe?
Please note: These meetings are focused on the Aquifer Protection Permit. This is not intended for general support or opposition questions and comments about the mine.
Please attend this upcoming meeting if at all possible; our future is on the line.
Tuesday, March 5, 6-8 p.m., Corona Foothills Middle School, 16705 S. Houghton Road, Vail.
Cathy McGrath
Vail
Love wins in Tucson with Matisyahu
Love prevailed and hate/fascism lost in Tucson.
Anti-Semitic, pro-Palestinian protesters, inspired by Hamas tactics, forced the Rialto theatre to cancel the long-scheduled Matisyahu concert on Feb. 15.
The Rialto said the concert was canceled with “the safety of the venue’s patrons, staff and community in mind.” The Gestapo tactics of the pro-Palestinian protesters should not be tolerated in Tucson.
Fortunately, Matisyahu played a free concert that same night at the Rock on Park Avenue for 300 people, and it was a magical experience. It shows that they can’t cancel us.
Matisyahu sings; “One day, we don’t wanna fight no more. There’ll be no more wars, and our children will play.”
Maybe one day, Hamas and all its enablers will stop the violence against Jews, and there can be peace.
Tony Zinman
Midtown
Freedom of speech
Students in the Education Department are demonstrating to reinstate two professors who spoke about the Israeli-Gaza situation. The students claim freedom of speech. Freedom of speech was stifled by the Rialto Theater by canceling the Matisyahu show. Matisyahu is a Jewish singer who sings about peace. Do the professors and students in the Education Department really want to LEARN about the Israel-Gaza situation or, as I suspect, are just following the ignorant ‘woke’ crowd in condemning Israel? The people in Israel who got slaughtered on Oct. 7 were peaceniks. However, the pro-Palestinians who call for the genocide of the Jews ignore the history of this conflict. Many Jews and Israelis do NOT support Netanyahu and his right-wing government but are fighting so that the Jewish state can survive. Granted, the Palestinians have not always been treated fairly, but the majority of Israelis want to live together in peace with them. There must be another way besides spouting Hamas propaganda and fomenting hatred between the two sides.
Roberta Kurtz
Northwest side
Trump, Ciscomani and NATO
Juan ... by your silence on the issue, you apparently approve of Trump’s attack on NATO solidarity and his offering up various NATO member countries to Putin’s aggression! During the Cold War, I flew the A10 Warthog for three hyears in Europe, 1979-82, based in the UK and spending many hours flying along the East German and Czech borders in support of NATO, doing what the A10 was designed to do — offsetting the Soviet Bloc threats. “We” and those that followed did our job, and in 1989 “the Berlin wall” came down, and in 1991 the Soviet Union was dissolved. I take great offense to your apparent lack of historical perspective and lack of concern and your failure to counter Mr. Trump’s dangerous and ignorant proposal and thereby supporting the possible resurgence of a “Soviet type” Russian Bloc. Why Juan? Speak up and show us your political courage and your promised “independent” representation in DC. Be a strong independent leader, not a weak Speaker Johnson or Trump follower.
Phil “Bulldog” Bentley
Foothills
ACC commissioners are failing us
Arizona Corporation Commissioners are supposed to protect the best interests of Arizonans by keeping corporate utilities from abusing their monopolies, but they are failing us miserably.
Last month, my Tucson Electric Power bill was three times higher than ever before. Convinced this was an error, I called customer service only to find out my electric rate had indeed tripled. One for the monopoly, zero for the consumer.
Adding insult to injury, this month, my Southwest Gas bill is two times higher than last month’s hefty amount. Once again, customer service confirmed my gas rate had more than doubled. Two for the price-gouging monopoly, zero for the unrepresented consumer.
If you too are unhappy with soaring utility bills, vote the current Republicans who approved these hikes out of office by electing the Democratic candidates running to replace them. If elected, they will represent us by keeping corporate utilities in check and preventing such abuses.
Jacolyn Marshall
Oro Valley
House Dems must bypass pro-Putin leadership
The GOP House of Representatives has given up its responsibility of governing. The insurrectionists and election deniers running the show continue to support 45’s efforts to destabilize our national security and world order. They are OK with 45 selling out our allies, our democratic values, his disparagement of our military, and his pro-Putin allegiance. They continue to create narratives that do not exist and find truth and facts inconvenient.
A majority of Americans want rational and coherent border policies and continual support for Ukraine: both issues critical to our national security and our economy. The Senate sent bipartisan bills addressing both of these vital issues to the House. Speaker Johnson called them dead on arrival and sent the House on a two-week vacation.
Since House Republicans will not govern, House Democrats must bypass the Speaker and his minions and call for a discharge petition to bring these Senate bills to a full House vote.
I bet both bills would pass.
Kathy Krucker
Midtown
EV curb weight
It’s appropriate for the Legislature to establish an annual fee for electric vehicles; it is long overdue. EV owners need to pay their fair share for the maintenance of our roadways because they do more damage than gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles. It’s common knowledge that heavier vehicles do more damage and most EVs are considerably heavier because of the battery weight. Here are examples of lowest curb weights according to manufacturer specifications: Tesla Air Pure, 4,630 lbs., BMW IX, 6,867 lbs., Audi e-tron, 7,066 lbs., Ford F-150 Lightning, 8,250 lbs., Cadillac Lyriq, 5,688 lbs. Mercedes EQS Sedan, 5,500 lbs. and our Arizona manufactured Lucid Gravity, 6,130 lbs. The average gasoline/diesel powered passenger vehicle has curb weights 3,000 to 4,000 lbs. according to Chat GPT. Based on this information, they should pay more; especially since we may have to replace roadside guardrails to protect EV passengers as reported last week.
Jerry Knoski
East side
Ukraine: Things I don’t understand
Things I don’t understand:
1. How can a party (Rep.), once concerned with national defense go on vacation rather than send needed funding for Ukraine to survive a brutal war?
2. Why is it that Biden has been concerned from Day 1 of the invasion with not upsetting Putin, vs. having Putin fearing NATO if it went too far? Biden has over worried about Putin’s “red-lines’, rather than Putin worrying about ours.
3. The result of this has been for Biden to have been late on every major weapons system from HIMARS through f-16s, not to mention the Patriot air defense, the delays for which 100’s of needless civilians deaths rest.
4. Why are we denying Ukraine with missiles that can reach into Russia?
5. With the denial of the above, along with Ukraine being 30% of Russia’s population, how can Ukraine win a war of attrition?
I remain confused and troubled.
Phil Lyons
Foothills
Re-thinking donation
Re: the Feb. 20 article “New deal for UA’s Lloyd: $5.25M in ’25.”
After reading this headline in the Star, I got mad.
Really? With all the financial problems the university has been having lately?
I had planned to leave part of my estate to the U of A Foundation to go to the school of nursing. I would like to know the annual salary of the Director of Nursing? Don’t we need more nurses than basketball players?
Something is wrong with this picture!
Judy Willmott
Green Valley
Fairly assessing costs for road maintenance
Re: the Feb. 19 article “Lawmakers consider new annual fee on EVs in AZ.”
Globe’s Representative Travis Grantham fears dangerous forces “with a dark agenda” want to base the costs of road maintenance on miles driven. He fears that will encourage such horrors as use of mass transit, walking, and bicycle riding. He knows that driving a fossil fuel-powered car is a freedom and a right. The Constitution’s Bill of Rights was drafted in the 1780s. There were no cars.
Individual freedom requires a respect for the freedom of others. Freedom to breathe clean air, to drink clean water, and to have a livable planet is not a “dark agenda.” Basing a price for road damage on mileage and weight is fair and reasonable. Owners of electric cars should pay taxes for road maintenance, but that should be based on the damage they cause. That is a fair and reasonable way to pay for road maintenance.
Mike Carran
East side
Trump invites Russia to invade Canada
Recently, Donald Trump invited Russia to invade any NATO country that did not spend at least 2% of its Gross Domestic Product on National Defense. In doing so, it appears to me he is inviting Russia to invade Canada. Canada is a member of NATO. Its gross domestic product is $2.221 trillion. Its national defense budget is $26.5 billion. Thus, it is spending about 1.2% of its GDP on national defense. I hope that some Trump supporter can explain to me where I am wrong. Otherwise, it appears to me that he is encouraging Russia to invade Canada, and if he was president he would do nothing to stop that. What a border crisis that would be! Or would he build a wall across our northern border to stop the Russians?
Donald Klein
Foothills
U of A finances
The faculty finance committee should be commended for shedding light on the lack of transparency and accountability in spending at the University of Arizona. The Arizona Daily Star has provided excellent reporting on the subject. I have one question. Did John Arnold resign his position as executive director of the Arizona Board of Regents to become Chief Financial Officer of the University? These are separate organizations with very different roles. To serve in both positions simultaneously is a clear conflict of interest. Who did he mean when he said, “How have we harmed the academic units?” Did he mean the university or the Board of Regents? I believe the University needs a fresh start if it is to clean up its financial mess.
Susan Blaney
Midtown
- Andrew Wilcox, Foothills
Like many Tucsonans, I am a veteran of military service ( Swift Boat skipper in Viet Nam, 1968-’69). It now appears that the Republican candidate for President will be someone who denigrates service at every opportunity. Although he avoided service during the Viet Nam conflict, he casts us who did serve as “suckers and losers,” called for the execution of a former Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff, refused to attend a memorial service for World War I soldiers in France because it was raining, expressed disdain for John McCain because he was a POW and objected to wounded veterans’ attendance at a parade because “no one wants to see that.”
Now, he calls for abandoning NATO and inviting Russia to continue its invasion of Ukraine and beyond.
I have discovered an organization titled Veterans for Responsible Leadership. Its name describes its mission. There is a web site. Check it out.
Andrew Wilcox
Foothills
Andrew Wilcox
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Kathleen Mayer, Northwest side
I sent an inquiry to Rep. Juan Ciscomani over 2 weeks ago about the failure of Congress to fund aid to Ukraine. I am still waiting for the response I requested. How many Ukranians have died in that time, Rep. Ciscomani?
Maybe he is waiting to hold a Town Hall so I can get an answer in person. Since he has never held one since his election, I am not going to hold my breath. Rep. Ciscomani: I want to know how you can go on vacation and abandon an ally in the face of Putin's brutal invasion of a sovereign nation.
Will there be any accountability to your constiuents for your failure to do your job? If you won't answer our questions, you don't deserve our vote.
Kathleen Mayer
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Mark Elson, West side
As reported by Azcentral, Kari Lake now says that her vicious and disrespectful attacks on John McCain, a deceased U.S. Senator and Vietnam war hero, were made in “jest.” Well that’s a really good joke, Kari, I haven’t laughed so hard in years. Maybe you should share this joke with your friend Mr. Trump, and the two of you can roll on the floor in hysterics together. C’mon, Kari, how dumb do you think we Arizonans are? Do you really think that we are dumb enough to elect you to represent us in the Senate in 2024? If so, the joke’s on you.
Mark Elson
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Biden family influence peddling corruption
Joe Biden’s brother, James Biden, just appeared before Congress giving sworn testimony about his business deals. In his opening statement, he said, “In every business venture in which I have been involved, I have relied on my own talent, judgment, skill, and personal relationships—and never my status as Joe Biden’s brother.” This is contradicted by representatives from Americore from which Biden was paid $600,000, and went bankrupt, causing crisis at many hospitals in rural communities. Americore’s subsidiaries defrauded Medicare of millions in false billing. From a 2/18/2024 POLITICO story, “Jim Biden invoked his brother’s name and clout in the course of his work with Americore. Jim Biden spoke of plans to give his brother equity in Americore, according to one former Americore executive, and install him on its board. The documents obtained by POLITICO demonstrate that Joe Biden was a central element of Jim Biden’s pitch to potential partners and investors during this period.” James Biden should be charged with lying to Congress!
Tom Galloway
North side
A shameful tradition
The Tucson Rodeo was just here. Many local schools dismiss students for two days during the rodeo. Media coverage features events as if they are just fine athletic contests. Civic leaders act as grand marshals. All of this is the veneer of ill concealed cruelty.
Rodeos are a disgraceful example of animal exploitation and high level abuse. Nothing involved in rodeos is commendable. Why a modern city continues to dishonor the present with this anachronistic event is beyond understanding.
A recent letter writer recounted excellent examples of ‘traditions” that were, or are, outdated and totally unacceptable. A rodeo is one of those odes to the past that needs to be extinguished.
Tucson has many traditions and cultural riches. Rodeos are definitely not among those aspects that deserve veneration.
Sandra Heater
Foothills
Student loan forgiveness
I wonder if those people who are outraged at proposed student loan forgiveness efforts on the part of the Biden administration are also outraged that businessmen, including Trump, readily avail themselves of loan forgiveness via the completely legal avenue of bankruptcy? Businesses fail for all the same reasons people get financially swamped by student loans: poor choices, overconfidence, inability to predict the market, economic forces beyond their control, personal setbacks, legal changes etc. At one time, student loans could be discharged in bankruptcy, but Congress changed that to make the bar extremely high. Isn’t taking out student loans the same kind of gamble an entrepreneur makes when starting up a business? Why is one group favored in the law but the other is punished for not succeeding?
Sally Wasielewski
East side
Legislative pay raises
Multiple bills have been introduced to raise lawmaker and state officials’ salaries. Accordingly, some salaries have not been modified since the 1990’s. I believe everyone is entitled to a fair and just compensation. Sure, I’ll support increased salaries for legislative members and state officials just as soon as public-school teachers and staff get their cut. Teachers provide a much more important service to the state than our elected legislature, who seems to focus their effort on the boogie man Culture Wars. Fund public schools, then we’ll talk. Until then, you can count on us public school supporters to oppose any salary increase.
Edward Espinoza
Southwest side
American Spirit
Resolute, unbound, always gung-Ho
Press on, optimistic, Westward Ho
Play ball! and never say no
Yippee- ka- yay, is the only way to go
Purple Mountains majesty, with amber fields of grain
Sandburg, Frost, Angelou, and Twain
Rockwell, Ansel Adams, Wyeth, and graffiti
Let’s roll, all you can be, with individual liberty
Stars and Stripes, red, white and blue
All of us are free to dream in our own way too
Breath it, believe it, and live it
Forever our American Spirit
Bill Senter
Foothills
Red: The new yellow
America-first members of the House of Representatives worked for months on a bipartisan plan to fund the border. Republicans got everything they wanted. Then Trump decided he wanted the border as a campaign issue so House Republicans put our country at risk to mollify the rantings of a wannabe dictator-for-a-day. When will House Republicans actually put America first? Same thing with last year’s economic package. It was a bipartisan deal until Trump demanded that Republicans turn it down without regard for the Americans who would be hurt by the delay. The Republican Party needs to change its color from red to yellow so the spineless weaklings in Congress can be appropriately represented.
For those with a short memory, January 6, 2021 was the day the election LOSER ignored his Oath of Office to defend the Constitution and tried to overthrow the American Government. Republicans in Congress still choose to obey this person’s demands? What happened to truth and honor? Yellow is the true Republican Congressional color.
Cynthia Schiesel
East side
Franklin’s border crusade is a travesty
As a Christian for more than 40 years, I appreciate the intention and spirit of an evangelistic crusade, and on March 6, the son of Billy Graham, America’s premier post-war evangelist, brings his “La Frontera Crusade” to Tucson.
But unlike his father, who preached Christ’s Gospel with remarkably little involvement in politics, Franklin Graham is a fervent supporter of the most racist president the US has ever had. Donald Trump’s filthy bigotry has been focused on the very border Franklin Graham shamelessly uses for his Crusade. His support of Trump is indefensible for a Christian.
I worked with undocumented immigrants in the 1990s, and was honored to share the Gospel as part of it. But Franklin Graham’s embrace of the most anti-immigrant president in our history disqualifies him from preaching to those on the border as a minister of Jesus. I pray Graham repents, and I pray Tucson’s Christian community makes known its concern.
Keely Emerine-Mix
South side
Stopping mutually assured destruction
The United States and other countries are faced with the existential threat of global warming. Instead of using all available resources to address it, however, they are spending trillions of dollars on needless weapons and wars. The $1.5 trillion the US plans to spend modernizing its nuclear weapons is MAD; those weapons can’t be used without destroying all higher forms of life on the planet.
The two conflicts in which the US is currently embroiled, Ukraine and Palestine, could have been avoided with collective security agreements. It is not too late to put Russia’s expressed national security concerns to the test with believable security guarantees for both Russia and Ukraine.
For Israel and the Palestinians, the task may be more difficult, but still possible. In exchange for credible security guarantees, both parties would be required to accept borders that make the two-state solution envisioned by the United Nations in 1948 viable.
Steven Lesh
East side
Russia and Trump
Re: the Feb. 28 letter “Liberals’ selective memory on Russia.”
A recent letter writer stated that liberals’ letters do not address former President Obama’s failed leadership toward Russia. To call attention to Obama’s failings ignores former President Trump’s response to Russia’s election interference in 2016 where he undermined the US intelligence community’s proof of such interference.
Trump now states if elected in 2024 he would encourage Russia to attack our NATO allies if he deemed their military budgets were insufficient. NATO is not a pay to play set up. It’s an alliance that is about US national security interests to prevent another world war. Trump already has served as an indispensable helpmate to Putin’s assault on our democracy. Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is horrifying as it endangers our national security.
Obama was not destructive, violent, impulsive, or bent on dismantling our constitutional system. Under Trump, the entire world could be plunged into war.
Teresa Jenkins
SaddleBrooke
Lawmakers stand with Robbins
Re: the Feb. 27 article “Hobbs again rips regents for ‘failed’ oversight of U of A finances.”
After reading the article that lawmakers are standing with Robbins. I was dumbfounded.
The whole mess started when it was reported that the U of A lost over $400 million. Kinda hard to keep that quiet. I don’t care who you are but losing $400 million. Come on give me a break. We were told the Finance director was fired, by Robbins, only to find out later she was only moved to a new position and kept her salary. That sounds a little fishy to me. Anyway we are also told that Heeke quit but later told he was paid for his full contract. Humm. Then we are told they really didn’t lose 400 million but less. Do you manage your finances that sloppily?
And after all that our lawmakers are standing with Robbins. That does not say much for them.
Jose Salgado
Northeast side
Opposition to the location
Re: the Feb. 23 Saddlebag Notes article “Senior Village Rezoning Request Receives Joint HOA-1 and HOA-2 Board Support.”
I hope that you will do an article on the opposition to the location they have chosen to try to build this. Not only from the nonresidents of Saddlebrooke but the Saddlebrooke residents that will be affected by this if it were to happen.
Mike Bartels
SaddleBrooke
Undocumented immigrant unemployment
Undocumented immigrants come to the US bringing professional and trade skills and willingness to do work that Americans won’t do.
This statement should be backed up with facts. Each month the government publishes a jobs and unemployment report. We need a separate report of how many of about 10 million, mostly undocumented young single males, who arrived at the border in the last several years without legal authorization are employed and the percentage of those who are unemployed. When society has high unemployment welfare recipients will increase and many will seek income other than a job. Future immigration policy decisions need this information.
Ken Smalley
Midtown
Landline decline
My experience with a local landline may give a clue about declining usage nationally. I had a landline with US West/Qwest/CenturyLink for nearly 50 years. I liked the added security. Where I’ve lived for about 13 years, the number of service outages kept increasing. Talking with the repairmen, I learned the cause was old wiring and junction boxes that were not being replaced as needed. To get a half-decent (temporary) connection it was necessary for them to hopscotch around numerous terminals to find continuity. With such unreliable infrastructure it made no sense to continue paying for a landline. I was able to keep that phone number by switching to a cellular home base station from my cell phone provider. The backup value is not the same, but at least I saved a number that I have used for many still-valid contacts. And I also saved money.
James Stevenson
Midtown
Naive
Even if you don’t like Biden but believe in the Constitution and in the rule of law, and want to live in a democracy, VOTE and VOTE FOR BIDEN! That is unless you want Trump to win knowing that everything he has said he will do when elected this time. He will get rid of the Constitution and the rule of law. These are just two of an unbelievable number of things he is already working on. How about the camps to put ‘those people’ that have said and/or written awful things about him like Anderson Cooper? How about Rachel Maddow? You know Hilary Clinton, and President Biden and his wife Dr. Biden will be the first to go behind the wire. I bet they have all considered a place to live outside the US. And, haven’t you already repeatedly heard that not voting is likened unto voting for Trump. Don’t believe it? Don’t be so naïve.
David ben Avram
Marana
SCOTUS to hear immunity case
With the February 28th SCOTUS decision to hear the Trump presidential immunity case, the democracy of the United States reached a tipping point. The Federal Courts will likely not hold Trump accountable before the 2024 election. Time has run out.
We, the people, must act now to save our democracy. It is too difficult to get back if lost.
In Ukraine, Putin installed Viktor Yanukovych, a useful fool using a disinformation campaign. In 2014 Ukraine threw him out. Then, Russia invaded eastern Ukraine.
In 2016 Putin found Trump, a useful fool in the US to weaken NATO. In 2022 Putin invaded Ukraine again. Ukraine stood up to him. We offered President Zelensky an evacuation. He replied: “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.”
Be brave like Ukraine. Stand up to MAGA disinformation. Stand up for truth, honesty, integrity and respect in our society and our government. Campaign for democracy and vote! It’s up to us now.
Daniel Mardock
Foothills
- Tom Galloway, North side
Joe Biden's brother, James Biden, just appeared before Congress giving sworn testimony about his business deals. In his opening statement, he said, "In every business venture in which I have been involved, I have relied on my own talent, judgment, skill, and personal relationships—and never my status as Joe Biden’s brother." This is contradicted by representatives from Americore from which Biden was paid $600,000, and went bankrupt, causing crisis at many hospitals in rural communities. Americore's subsidiaries defrauded Medicare of millions in false billing. From a 2/18/2024 POLITICO story, "Jim Biden invoked his brother’s name and clout in the course of his work with Americore. Jim Biden spoke of plans to give his brother equity in Americore, according to one former Americore executive, and install him on its board. The documents obtained by POLITICO demonstrate that Joe Biden was a central element of Jim Biden’s pitch to potential partners and investors during this period." James Biden should be charged with lying to Congress!
Tom Galloway
North side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Teresa Jenkins, SaddleBrooke
Re: Liberals’ selective memory on Russia
A recent letter writer stated that liberals’ letters do not address former President Obama’s failed leadership toward Russia. To call attention to Obama’s failings ignores former President Trump’s response to Russia’s election interference in 2016 where he undermined the US intelligence community’s proof of such interference.
Trump now states if elected in 2024 he would encourage Russia to attack our NATO allies if he deemed their military budgets were insufficient. NATO is not a pay to play set up. It’s an alliance that is about US national security interests to prevent another world war. Trump already has served as an indispensable helpmate to Putin’s assault on our democracy. Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is horrifying as it endangers our national security.
Obama was not destructive, violent, impulsive, or bent on dismantling our constitutional system. Under Trump, the entire world could be plunged into war.
Teresa Jenkins
SaddleBrooke
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Steven Lesh, East side
The United States and other countries are faced with the existential threat of global warming. Instead of using all available resources to address it, however, they are spending trillions of dollars on needless weapons and wars. The $1.5 trillion the US plans to spend modernizing its nuclear weapons*1 is MAD; those weapons can’t be used without destroying all higher forms of life on the planet.
The two conflicts in which the US is currently embroiled, Ukraine and Palestine, could have been avoided with collective security agreements. It is not too late to put Russia’s expressed national security concerns to the test with believable security guarantees for both Russia and Ukraine. For Israel and the Palestinians, the task may be more difficult, but still possible. In exchange for credible security guarantees, both parties would be required to accept borders that make the two-state solution envisioned by the United Nations in 1948 viable.
Steven Lesh
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Cynthia Schiesel, East side
America-first members of the House of Representatives worked for months on a bipartisan plan to fund the border. Republicans got everything they wanted. Then Trump decided he wanted the border as a campaign issue so House Republicans put our country at risk to mollify the rantings of a wannabe dictator-for-a-day. When will House Republicans actually put America first? Same thing with last year's economic package. It was a bipartisan deal until Trump demanded that Republicans turn it down without regard for the Americans who would be hurt by the delay. The Republican Party needs to change its color from red to yellow so the spineless weaklings in Congress can be appropriately represented.
For those with a short memory, January 6, 2021 was the day the election LOSER ignored his Oath of Office to defend the Constitution and tried to overthrow the American Government. Republicans in Congress still choose to obey this person's demands? What happened to truth and honor? Yellow is the true Republican Congressional color.
Cynthia Schiesel
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- sally wasielewski, East side
I wonder if those people who are outraged at proposed student loan forgiveness efforts on the part of the Biden administration are also outraged that businessmen, including Trump, readily avail themselves of loan forgiveness via the completetly legal avenue of bankruptcy? Businesses fail for all the same reasons people get financially swamped by student loans: poor choices, overconfidence, inability to predict the market, economic forces beyond their control, personal setbacks, legal changes etc. At one time, student loans could be discharged in bankruptcy, but Congress changed that to make the bar extremely high. Isnt taking out student loans the same kind of gamble an entrapreneur makes when starting up a business? Why is one group favored in the law but the other is punished for not succeeding?
sally wasielewski
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- David ben Avram, Marana
Even if you don’t like Biden, but believe in the Constitution and in the rule of law, and want to live in a democracy, VOTE and VOTE FOR BIDEN! That is unless you want Trump to win knowing that everything he has said he will do when elected this time. He will get rid of the Constitution and the rule of law. These are just two of an unbelievable number of things he is already working on. How about the camps to put ‘those people’ that have said and/or written awful things about him like Anderson Cooper? How about Rachel Maddow? You know Hilary Clinton, and President Biden and his wife Dr. Biden will be the first to go behind the wire. I bet they have all considered a place to live outside the US. And, haven’t you already repeatedly heard that not voting is likened unto voting for Trump. Don’t believe it? Don’t be so naïve.
David ben Avram
Marana
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Daniel Mardock, Foothills
With the February 28th SCOTUS decision to hear the Trump presidential immunity case, the democracy of the United States reached a tipping point. The Federal Courts will likely not hold Trump accountable before the 2024 election. Time has run out.
We, the people, must act now to save our democracy. It is too difficult to get back if lost.
In Ukraine, Putin installed Viktor Yanukovych, a useful fool using a disinformation campaign. In 2014 Ukraine threw him out. Then, Russia invaded eastern Ukraine.
In 2016 Putin found Trump, a useful fool in the US to weaken NATO. In 2022 Putin invaded Ukraine again. Ukraine stood up to him. We offered President Zelensky an evacuation. He replied: “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.”
Be brave like Ukraine. Stand up to MAGA disinformation. Stand up for truth, honesty, integrity and respect in our society and our government. Campaign for democracy and vote! It’s up to us now.
Daniel Mardock
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Bill Senter, Foothills
American Spirit
Resolute, unbound, always gung-Ho
Press on, optimistic, Westward Ho
Play ball! and never say no
Yippee- ka- yay, is the only way to go
Purple Mountains majesty, with amber fields of grain
Sandburg, Frost, Angelou, and Twain
Rockwell, Ansel Adams, Wyeth, and graffiti
Let’s roll, all you can be, with individual liberty
Stars and Stripes, red, white and blue
All of us are free to dream in our own way too
Breath it, believe it, and live it
Forever our American Spirit
Bill Senter
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Ken Smalley, Midtown
Undocumented immigrants come to the US bringing professional and trade skills and willingness to do work that Americans won't do.
This statement should be backed up with facts. Each month the government publishes a jobs and unemployment report. We need a separate report of how many of about 10 million, mostly undocumented young single males, who arrived at the border in the last several years without legal authorization are employed and the percentage of those who are unemployed. When society has high unemployment welfare recipients will increase and many will seek income other than a job. Future immigration policy decisions need this information.
Ken Smalley
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
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