Tucson speaks up: Letters to the editor for the week of Jul. 17, 2026
- Updated
Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Arizona Daily Star.
TSA or private airport screening?
I worked for the TSA at Ontario (CA) International Airport for a few years in the early 2000s. I enjoyed my time there. Despite the growing pains of a new government agency, we got the job done and helped keep the flying public safe.
Today, about 20 U.S. airports use private security companies instead of TSA screeners. These firms operate under strict TSA guidelines and face daily audits. Failure to perform can cost them their contracts.
Private security offers clear advantages: it is unaffected by politically driven government shutdowns, so screeners don’t miss paychecks like many TSA agents recently did. It also provides better staffing flexibility—personnel can be quickly shifted between locations during shortages.
The result is greater efficiency and shorter wait times. San Francisco International Airport (SFO), the largest hub using private contractors, handles 54.5 million passengers annually with peak wait times under 10 minutes.
Your tax dollars pay for airport security either way. The question is how that money can be spent most effectively.
Phil Atwood
Sierra Vista
Maine Dems do the right thing
Graham Platner has been forced out of Maine’s Senate race. He is accused of sexual abuse. Although not tried or convicted, there does seem to be ample evidence that he could be found liable. Maine democratic leadership felt he should not represent the party.
But, what should be done about a politician who has actually been found liable (guilty) of sexual abuse? Should that person’s party demand that he resign? Oh, wait! The republicans have that opportunity.
President Trump has been ordered by the court to pay $5 million to a woman for sexual assault. This went all the way to Trump’s handpicked Supreme Court, and he still lost. This means in the eyes of the law, he is a sexual abuser, but not in the eyes of the “we believe in the rule of law except for anything Trump does,” republicans.
The republican leadership villainizes Platner, but Trump is a Christian sent by God. WOW! Is there a patron saint of hypocrisy?
Gary Haslett
SaddleBrooke
What's up?
What's the deal with The Star giving us repeated reminders that the "once every 30 days" rule for LTEs will be strictly enforced, then we see two letters on the same day (July 11) from the same contributor? Why? There are not so many letters that this would be an easy oversight. In the contributor's second letter, she suggests our area's high number of traffic deaths are not so much caused by red light running, but more likely due to our close proximity to the border. She blames border crossers' "unfamiliarity with signage and the lay of the land". This is truly absurd. I think it's pretty safe to say, any person who is against red light cameras wants to be able to speed and maybe run lights with no consequence. To hell with endangering lives or causing needless deaths!
Deb Klumpp
San Manuel
Red light cameras
Re: letter from Patricia Cattani on July 11
Patricia correctly points out that drivers can be stuck inside an intersection when their green left-turn arrow turns red before they can complete the turn. In this case, they should not be penalized, but they may have to explain that to a judge.
However, in turning left on a green light without an arrow, many other people and I have learned it is safer to stay behind the crosswalk instead of poking out into the intersection waiting to turn. left. (The exception is when the green light is so short you MUST pull out, or you will never turn. I'm looking at you, Grant and Mountain!)
Holly P. B. Finstrom
West side
Independents against Biggs for Governor
Noticed Congressman Biggs is trying to pass himself off as nonpartisan when he runs against Governor Hobbs. As an Independent and having watched Biggs for years, one would have to look hard to find a more partisan Trump-supporting guy in Congress. He was also one of the Republicans who tried to steal our votes by being one of the fake electors during the past election for president. This was the Trump legal move in a number of states to change the election results, and change the result of the popular vote in AZ. With a Republican House and Senate in AZ, I think we in Tucson are fortunate to have Governor Hobbs. The partisan voting does not serve Tucson well!
Dave Locey
Foothills
Still backing Trump
One would think that after all of Trump’s malfeasances, like instigating the Jan. 6 attempted coup, that supporters would see how immoral he truly is and back away from him. But there are still millions supporting him. Why? They see themselves in Donald, which is known as identity fusion. By rejecting him, they would be acknowledging their own flaws to some degree, but their pride will not allow that, so they continue down his destructive path.
The other reason why people still back Trump has to do with distorted reality. Being a sociopath with magical thinking, Trump has his own reality. Followers, who base their reality on feelings rather than facts, tend to believe that Trump has the truth, but outsiders do not. This feelings-based truth is called post-truth. Historically, this unmooring from objective reality is the harbinger of authoritarianism. Trump is perceived as the only one holding the truth, so he still has strident followers.
Steve Rasmussen
Foothills
The ultimate cynic
Oscar Wilde wrote in Lady Windermere’s Fan: “A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing.” Our president is just such a man — his most recent destructive act is stripping the Environmental Protection Agency of its mandate to preserve endangered species by redefining what the word “harm” means. Apparently, he is fine with leasing or selling oil rights, mining rights, logging rights to lands that harbor endangered species — to him, there is no value in a beautiful animal or plant unless it can be turned into a dollar. Maybe there are Independents and Republicans who will finally feel disgust and dismay and do everything possible to strip him of his powers. Vote out all Republicans who support him in November, and donate to organizations that can fight this latest madness. He seems determined to destroy everything he touches.
Norman Esptein
Midtown
Citizen's safety
It is understandable why red light runners would not want the cameras back, But, studies and statistics have shown photo enforcement reduces dangerous intersection fatalities, by red light runners by about 28%. It's not about pedestrians; these cameras are for intersection safety and for reducing car crashes and related fatalities caused by red light runners
If you're worried about being rear-ended, check your mirror and then tap your brakes a few times. This is a heads-up to the speeder behind you that you do not intend to run the red light, even if he thought he would.
Emily Morrison
Midtown
Fetterman and Israel
Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) recently stated that he would leave the Democratic Party if it became anti-Israel and did not support Israel's right to defend itself.
But destroying the means of sustaining human life in Gaza is not self-defense. This includes Israel's devastation of Gaza's fields, orchards, greenhouses, water infrastructure and homes.
After the ceasefire began, Israel destroyed an additional 1,500 buildings in Gaza. Multiple United Nations agencies and humanitarian groups also report that Israel has blocked or severely restricted shelter supplies, including tarps, timber, plywood and sandbags, from entering the Gaza Strip. Families are forced to live in permanent tent cities, with their makeshift homes infested with rats and parasites.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, “We are disassembling Gaza, and leaving it as piles of rubble .. .And the world isn’t stopping us.”
Being pro-Israel should not mean downplaying or denying the atrocities Israel has committed.
Terry Hansen
Downtown
Platner is the latest example
Graham Platner is just the latest example, but both the Democrat and Republican parties are not performing a function they did so well before we opened primary elections to just anyone! Whether we liked the terminology or not, the proverbial smoke-filled room performed a service to the Country. So-called party hacks actually knew Americans and the issues we faced. Their job was to carefully screen potential candidates and decide which ones to support. This prime function of our political parties ended historically when we opened primary elections up to anyone who sought office. Because of this, the parties lost control of their candidates. It was called "democratization," but it actually resulted in enabling incompetent, ignorant, snake oil salespeople to emerge and tantalize the public with empty rhetoric. It also resulted in the parties' being unable to harness their candidates to resolve our issues. We need to rethink open primaries and regain control of our government!
Barbara Benjamin
Foothills
Why Juan has no primary opponent
Our Congressman is a weak man who succumbs to Trump’s threats. I urge everyone to remember Juan Ciscomani’s vote last year to defund public broadcasting. Trump bullied weak-kneed congressmen like Juan Ciscomani. He said, “Any Republican that votes to allow this monstrosity to continue broadcasting will not have my support or Endorsement.” Ciscomani obeyed Trump’s command and voted against independent journalism and children’s programming. That vote guaranteed he would not be primaried by a MAGA opponent. Ciscomani might define himself as a moderate, but that’s a joke. He marches in lockstep with Trump’s extremism.
John Stark
Southeast side
Same Salsa
Reading Jordan Ochoa's "Nana's Rights" platform gave me whiplash. For a moment, I thought I was reading a Democratic campaign.
Supporting home-based businesses? Tucson already has a Small Business Program and recently opened the Tucson Small Business Center to help local entrepreneurs grow. Affordable housing? The City has spent years implementing a Housing Affordability Strategy and expanding housing options. So what's new? The logo.
If your platform is built on ideas progressives have already been championing, maybe the problem isn't Tucson's direction. Maybe it's admitting who's been doing the work. Politics doesn't become Republican because you put a new label on the jar. It's still the same salsa.
This race is too important for rebranding. Give credit where it belongs, then tell us what you'd actually do differently.
Melissa Cordero
West side
Gun Rites, so to speak
Having studied and taught the Bible for many decades, I wondered about the idea that they were God-given: that's not in the Bible, but many seem to think it is. I thought I'd go right to The Man Upstairs. I said Big Guy, what's this stuff about God-given gun rights? He said, "muskets only."
Herbert Schneidau
Foothills
White House
You know, with this president, the "white" in White House stands for something completely different.
Duane Barbour
Midtown
ACC election important, but TEP stays out of it
We agree with a recent letter by Jerry Helm on one point: Arizona Corporation Commission elections are important. Because the ACC directly regulates utilities, however, it would be inappropriate for Tucson Electric Power or its parent company to participate in those races.
Claims that ACC candidates are supported by TEP are simply not accurate. Company policy prohibits political contributions to ACC candidates, sitting commissioners, or groups that seek to support or oppose ACC candidates. Our political action committee, which is funded solely through voluntary employee contributions and operates separately from the company, does not contribute to ACC candidates or to organizations that do not disclose their funding sources.
Voters should carefully evaluate all candidates for the ACC, but they should do so based on facts, not misinformation.
Steven Eddy
Downtown
Regarding support for Israel
The opinion piece Mr. Rogers wrote encouraging Democrats to support AIPAC and Israel omitted some hugely relevant and significant points:
Israel has slaughtered over 72,000 Palestinian civilians, of whom nearly 58,000 were children.
Israel has bombed Palestinian cities in Gaza to rubble. Photos of the bombed-out cities show devastation that resembles the results of WW2 carpet bombing.
Israeli settlers in the West Bank, acting with the apparent support of the Israeli government, continue to murder Palestinian residents, commit arson and drive them from their property.
No one denies that Hamas committed horrible, abominably cruel atrocities in October of 2023, but Israel's response of indiscriminately bombing civilians has been out-of-this-world disproportionate.
Mr. Rogers asks us to "condemn terrorists". What will it take for people to acknowledge that the Netanyahu/Likud government of Israel commits terrorism?
To paraphrase a well-known quote: Has Israel become the evil it deplores?
Fred D'Angelo
Green Valley
Flooding the zone
So many complaints about Katie Hobbs' vetoes! But none cited the reasons in Hobbs’ veto letters.
It’s MAGA dumpster diving. Old bills that Ducey vetoed, bills that are already covered in other laws, publicity bills that bring attention but no one takes seriously, bills from far-right organizations outside Arizona: ALEC, Heritage Foundation, the Koch Brothers.
The MAGA majority opens the deep six files at the beginning of the session and FLOODS THE ZONE with bills. Fifty Republicans introduced over 2,000 resolutions in the 2026 session. Does AZ need that many laws? With MAGAs, it's quantity, not quality. Meanwhile, 40 Democrats introduced 257 bills or resolutions in the 2026 session.
Out of those 2,000 MAGA bills, 350 bills made it to Hobbs' desk. 1,650 were dumpster bills and died along the way before Hobbs even got them, clogging the process, burning time. If their bills are vetoed, the MAGAS start whining, never mind the merits of the bill.
Cindy Doklan
Midtown
On the up and up
Up until now, I have kept quiet, but I have had it up to here. Now it is time for us to wake up, stand up and speak up. With the tariffs and the war, we are really up against it. They are not being upfront about it, and what they are telling us is not on the up and up. I am feeling up tight and up in arms because they have left us up in the air. What they cooked up is just not up to scratch or up to snuff. All it has done is to up the ante and drive up the prices. Since they messed up, they need to make changes, but I do not think they are up to it. They need to clean up their act, shape up and come up with something better. If not, they should face up to it, give it up, pack it up and resign.
William Brandt
Oro Valley
Big Tent? Not so much
The recent opinion piece by Jeffery Rogers represents his fear of losing the “Status Quo” to the Democratic Socialist. What really doesn’t make sense is that progressives, along with center-right-leaning Democrats, like Jeffery, want universal healthcare and reform for immigration laws. They all want corporations and the wealthy to pay their share of taxes. Climate and sustainable energy are something we would all strive for.
That being said, that is where similarity ends. Status quo dems enrich themselves with lobbyist money and insider information to become wealthy from stock trades. Some members of Congress take large campaign contributions from foreign governments, which influence how they vote. Alma Hernandez accepts such money. Adilita Grijalva and Johana Mendoza don’t take money from a foreign government that influences U.S. policy. Both our Democrat senators take foreign lobby money as well.
It's time to stop electing politicians working for their own self-interest, corporations, and foreign nationals while “We The People” are struggling to make ends meet.
Larry Robinson
Midtown
Climate change a hoax?
For those who still believe that climate change is a hoax or simply a Democratic straw man, I present the following.
Data published by NASA Earth Observatory compares Landsat 8 and 9 images between 2023 and 2026 of the San Carlos Reservoir. It shows the 2026 level at 1% capacity compared to 60% in 2023.
Although some may think that the rise and fall of reservoirs represents normal fluctuation, it needs to be understood in the context of the rest of the world. Other reservoirs around the world show similar drought-induced conditions. The largest lake in the Middle East and the largest in China have both become dry lake beds, and Lake Mead is at the lowest level since 1937.
Just in case you might have forgotten, we need water to survive. It’s time that everyone pulls their heads out of the sand because you can’t drink it!
George Ball, Natural Resources Professor and concerned citizen
Midtown
Cupidity at the helm
Years ago, when Bill Gates was a young "whiz kid" and on his way to becoming a billionaire, there was a public billboard with a "real-time" changing estimate of his worth. This was fascinating to people, since the accumulation of such wealth, at such a pace, was a new phenomenon.
I would like to see a similar billboard for our president. This would show the accumulating total from all his various enterprises: Sales of Presidential Pardons. Increases in asset valuation immediately after government announcements, "Deals" from foreign potentates to his various real estate and other enterprises. Change in value of the various financial instruments he has sold to the fawning public. And, any other emoluments I have failed to mention but which are to the credit(?) of our president.
Bryan Silva
SaddleBrooke
Life is too short
Life is too short to watch a Trump Speech — the lowlights on the news and comedy shows are OK — but even those are a bit much. It takes a special person who enjoys the speeches and actually takes time out of their day to attend one. When i do watch a lowlight or two, i am most interested in checking out the audience shots. I wonder if, 50 years from now, strident Trump supporters will be viewed like we view the crowd scenes of screaming white segregationists in the Jim Crow South.
Dave Abbott
Southeast side
Local newspaper
I grew up in Tucson when it was a small town and remember when I was young, having two newspapers. One newspaper was the morning paper, the Star. The other newspaper was the afternoon paper, the Citizen. My family subscribed to the Citizen. Since then, the city of Tucson has multiplied many times over. My husband and I enjoy reading the Star every morning while having our coffee.. However, we find that some of the news articles are a day or two old. With the population of Tucson and surrounding areas, it seems that Tucson would have enough support to print our newspaper locally.
Kathleen Fordney
Green Valley
Mendoza is the leader Southern Arizona needs
As a student at the University of Arizona, I've been paying attention to who represents us, and JoAnna Mendoza is the right choice for CD-6.
She is running to actually lower costs for working families, keep our communities safe, and bring a level of honesty that has been missing from Congressman Juan Ciscomani. Ciscomani is going after her because he can't run on his own record, and he knows it.
Her military service shows she understands what an oath means. And her most recent TV ad explains how it never expires. Don't be fooled by Ciscomani’s carefully staged and performative appearances in social media and throughout the district lately. Vote for the candidate who has already spent a lifetime serving.
Aglae E
Midtown
Trump and 'Blazing Saddles'
As I observe the current Trump administration, I am reminded of the movie "Blazing Saddles." Trump is the character portrayed by Mel Brooks, Governor William Le Petomane. And Trump's advisor, Stephan Miller is the character portrayed by Harvey Korman, State Procurer Hedley Lamarr.
If you've seen the movie, maybe you agree with me. If you haven't seen it, watch it and decide for yourself. Either way, it's a great movie!
Larry Hammond
Southwest side
TD Confirmed
TD? That would be Trump Derangement. Trump confirmed it at the NATO summit. How else do you explain Trump opening with a demand for Greenland, the single most toxic and polarizing topic of the Summit? Trump follows that with derogatory comments and insults of Europe, NATO and finally its leaders. His ego is never satisfied, so Trump proceeds to call Iran scum, announces an end to the ceasefire and orders the bombing of Iran. While this is but the tip of the iceberg, it is proof positive that Trump Derangement, TD, does exist.
Brode Meyer
Midtown
Crippled by Crypto
It’s all over the news: Almost a million folks who bought into Mr. Trump’s meme coins have lost $3.81 billion. That averages out to losing $3,810 per person at minimum — a tidy sum no longer padding a pocket.
Once priced at $75.35 per coin, the value has plummeted to $1.76 as of July 3. Unlike the losses by mere mortals, Mr. Trump himself made $636 million on his own meme coins. But then, he profits whether the meme coin prices rise or fall because if his eager followers trade the tokens, he ends up collecting the returns on every trade. It’s also handy that the President and his administration have restricted regulatory oversight of crypto.
It’s win-win for the President — and lose-lose for we peasants.
Melody Sears
Northeast side
Voucher article errors
I am compelled to point out two serious and misleading errors in the Tucson/Region section article titled "Proposal would Put Voucher Changes on Ballot" published on July 4, and written by the usually accurate Howard Fischer.
First, in the section called "Meteoric Growth in Voucher Spending" on B4, the article says that vouchers now have an annual cost of $1 million. The actual current cost is $1 billion. A considerable difference and serious, misleading error.
Second, the very last paragraph in the article states that "Approval of the initiative would be the first time such a program was eliminated." This statement is flat wrong. The Protect Education Act will not eliminate vouchers. It establishes common-sense reforms. Vouchers will remain available to all families making $150,000 or less annually.
These kinds of errors mislead voters. I believe the Star is supposed to be accurate and unbiased. Please retract the statements, preferably on the front page.
Nancy Smith
Midtown
Time to switch?
Graham Platner has gotten into trouble with his fellow Democrats over allegations of rape and Nazi sympathies. My suggestion is that he switch to the Republican Party, where he likely will be welcomed with open arms.
Steven Brown
Midtown
Pickleball pay your way
For those who are not aware, the pickleball courts at Udall Park were installed with money from the 407 bond issue. This came about as a result of an agreement between the city, pickleball players and tennis players of Tucson. Currently, and for many years, the tennis players of Tucson who use the public parks such as Fort Lowell Park and Reffkin Tennis Center pay a fee to use the courts to help offset the cost of maintenance. What I find interesting is that the many pickleball players who use the Udall courts (again, a Tucson City park) do not pay a fee to use those courts. I've heard the argument that the pickleball players are financing the courts at Udall, but in reality, the major cost for those courts was money from the 407 bond issue.
My question to the many pickleball players of Tucson is, why should you get off not paying for use of the courts? And to the city alone, you can't have it both ways.
Frank Flasch
North side
Ciscomani left us behind
Now more than ever, Arizona needs leaders in Washington who will fight for the people who sent them there. As a resident of Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, I am increasingly disappointed in our Congressman, Juan Ciscomani, who is more focused on appeasing his party than listening to the concerns of his constituents. These constituents are my family, friends, classmates, and larger community, each with issues not being heard or addressed. Since taking office over three years ago, Ciscomani has not held a single town hall.
I’m eager to cast my vote for JoAnna Mendoza, someone who cares and listens to people. She has shown up, embraced difficult conversations, and lives up to the standards that we should set for people in elected office. As a Marine who served our country, she embodies what it means to be a public servant and a leader. She is what we need for Arizona and America.
Lila Smith
North side
Commercials for politics
Did you ever watch a political commercial and wonder what the point is? Business commercials are designed to present only one point of view, but I wish that political candidates would show more integrity and truthfulness. I figured out that I need to stay tuned into the topics that are important to me. Everyone has specific topics that they want at the top of the priority list. Take a minute to think about what traits each elected official should have, relevant to your priorities. For example, consider the office of sheriff. I prefer a sheriff who knows what he is doing and has an exemplary history, unlike what Pima County has now. We need people in office who understand the problems with viable solutions, not someone who is anti-Trump. Voters can fix the problems we have by selecting the best person to fill the position without regard to the party they represent. We need the best leaders, not voters who blindly follow how they are told to vote
Loran Hancock
Northwest side
Corruption in soccer
The U.S. soccer team lost its game against the Belgian team during the World Cup on July 7. Well, that was fair and square; the opponents were simply better. The American players deserve our respect, having accomplished so much until now. Nevertheless, this game was a catastrophe for the United States because we not only lost a game, but we also lost our honor and dignity. Whatever happened behind closed doors, we know that Pres. Trump had called Gianni Infantino, the President of FIFA, on Thursday before that game and pushed him to lift the red card that had blocked the excellent scorer Folarin Balogun from participating in that match. Since when can a U.S. president influence the decision of a soccer umpire? How much money had passed hands in that process? Was it hence divine retribution for this act of corruption that the US team lost? The entire world has observed this political maneuver and now thinks quite differently about the U.S.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
Socialists and capitalists
In the dictionary, “socialism” is defined as a system in which “government owns the means of production” (factories, businesses, utilities, etc.). By that definition, there are zero socialists in the U.S. Not even Bernie Sanders believes in that.
The enlightened, successful and famously happy governments in Scandinavia are called “democratic socialist,” but they actually just practice a capitalism regulated to make sure that the employees and communities benefit from the privately-owned businesses, not just the CEO and stockholders.
On the Hallmark Channel, the elderly couple who own the factory that employs most of the residents of the American town wishes to retire, advertises the factory for sale and receives a nice offer. But when the handsome young representative of the buyers arrives to sign the deal (and fall in love with the attractive daughter of the owners), they learn the buyers wish to close the factory and move it. The whole town mobilizes to keep the factory there. I’m a Hallmark Channel capitalist.
Brooks Keenan
Oro Valley
What Vance doesn't understand
J.D. Vance was right. By today's standards, Nixon's crimes are one day's shenanigans. Vance misses the irony that this only stresses the true venality and criminality of the current administration. He also misses the fact that it was Nixon's party that dealt with Nixon's crimes. At least eight members of Nixon's administration did jail time; Congressional members of Nixon's own party forced him to resign.
The current GOP, led by Mitch McConnell and Mike Johnson, far from bringing people to account, have been complicit in the administration's criminality. RIP GOP.
Beth Grindell
Midtown
The new LTE policy
The Star implemented a new LTE policy approximately one month ago that limited one printed opinion per month. Ostensibly, this was to ensure that more readers had the opportunity to be heard. I evaluated the results of this new policy for the first 33 days, and the results are as follows: 61% of opinions were Democrat, 30% neutral, and 9% conservative. 70% of the contributors were male, 30% female. The Star was true to its word of one print per month. However, as has been their past history, there was a dearth of conservative opinions. Why is that? Are conservative rednecks so illiterate and brainwashed that they cannot construct an intelligible sentence any better than Kamala Harris? Or, have conservatives just given up knowing they will not be published, even though 42% of Pima County voters selected Trump? Or is the Star just so liberal-leaning that they will not print conservative opinions, fearing that common sense and facts will actually taint the convoluted beliefs of the liberal sycophants?
Loyal M Johnson Jr
Oro Valley
More like this...
TSA or private airport screening?
I worked for the TSA at Ontario (CA) International Airport for a few years in the early 2000s. I enjoyed my time there. Despite the growing pains of a new government agency, we got the job done and helped keep the flying public safe.
Today, about 20 U.S. airports use private security companies instead of TSA screeners. These firms operate under strict TSA guidelines and face daily audits. Failure to perform can cost them their contracts.
Private security offers clear advantages: it is unaffected by politically driven government shutdowns, so screeners don’t miss paychecks like many TSA agents recently did. It also provides better staffing flexibility—personnel can be quickly shifted between locations during shortages.
The result is greater efficiency and shorter wait times. San Francisco International Airport (SFO), the largest hub using private contractors, handles 54.5 million passengers annually with peak wait times under 10 minutes.
Your tax dollars pay for airport security either way. The question is how that money can be spent most effectively.
Phil Atwood
Sierra Vista
Maine Dems do the right thing
Graham Platner has been forced out of Maine’s Senate race. He is accused of sexual abuse. Although not tried or convicted, there does seem to be ample evidence that he could be found liable. Maine democratic leadership felt he should not represent the party.
But, what should be done about a politician who has actually been found liable (guilty) of sexual abuse? Should that person’s party demand that he resign? Oh, wait! The republicans have that opportunity.
President Trump has been ordered by the court to pay $5 million to a woman for sexual assault. This went all the way to Trump’s handpicked Supreme Court, and he still lost. This means in the eyes of the law, he is a sexual abuser, but not in the eyes of the “we believe in the rule of law except for anything Trump does,” republicans.
The republican leadership villainizes Platner, but Trump is a Christian sent by God. WOW! Is there a patron saint of hypocrisy?
Gary Haslett
SaddleBrooke
What's up?
What's the deal with The Star giving us repeated reminders that the "once every 30 days" rule for LTEs will be strictly enforced, then we see two letters on the same day (July 11) from the same contributor? Why? There are not so many letters that this would be an easy oversight. In the contributor's second letter, she suggests our area's high number of traffic deaths are not so much caused by red light running, but more likely due to our close proximity to the border. She blames border crossers' "unfamiliarity with signage and the lay of the land". This is truly absurd. I think it's pretty safe to say, any person who is against red light cameras wants to be able to speed and maybe run lights with no consequence. To hell with endangering lives or causing needless deaths!
Deb Klumpp
San Manuel
Red light cameras
Re: letter from Patricia Cattani on July 11
Patricia correctly points out that drivers can be stuck inside an intersection when their green left-turn arrow turns red before they can complete the turn. In this case, they should not be penalized, but they may have to explain that to a judge.
However, in turning left on a green light without an arrow, many other people and I have learned it is safer to stay behind the crosswalk instead of poking out into the intersection waiting to turn. left. (The exception is when the green light is so short you MUST pull out, or you will never turn. I'm looking at you, Grant and Mountain!)
Holly P. B. Finstrom
West side
Independents against Biggs for Governor
Noticed Congressman Biggs is trying to pass himself off as nonpartisan when he runs against Governor Hobbs. As an Independent and having watched Biggs for years, one would have to look hard to find a more partisan Trump-supporting guy in Congress. He was also one of the Republicans who tried to steal our votes by being one of the fake electors during the past election for president. This was the Trump legal move in a number of states to change the election results, and change the result of the popular vote in AZ. With a Republican House and Senate in AZ, I think we in Tucson are fortunate to have Governor Hobbs. The partisan voting does not serve Tucson well!
Dave Locey
Foothills
Still backing Trump
One would think that after all of Trump’s malfeasances, like instigating the Jan. 6 attempted coup, that supporters would see how immoral he truly is and back away from him. But there are still millions supporting him. Why? They see themselves in Donald, which is known as identity fusion. By rejecting him, they would be acknowledging their own flaws to some degree, but their pride will not allow that, so they continue down his destructive path.
The other reason why people still back Trump has to do with distorted reality. Being a sociopath with magical thinking, Trump has his own reality. Followers, who base their reality on feelings rather than facts, tend to believe that Trump has the truth, but outsiders do not. This feelings-based truth is called post-truth. Historically, this unmooring from objective reality is the harbinger of authoritarianism. Trump is perceived as the only one holding the truth, so he still has strident followers.
Steve Rasmussen
Foothills
The ultimate cynic
Oscar Wilde wrote in Lady Windermere’s Fan: “A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing.” Our president is just such a man — his most recent destructive act is stripping the Environmental Protection Agency of its mandate to preserve endangered species by redefining what the word “harm” means. Apparently, he is fine with leasing or selling oil rights, mining rights, logging rights to lands that harbor endangered species — to him, there is no value in a beautiful animal or plant unless it can be turned into a dollar. Maybe there are Independents and Republicans who will finally feel disgust and dismay and do everything possible to strip him of his powers. Vote out all Republicans who support him in November, and donate to organizations that can fight this latest madness. He seems determined to destroy everything he touches.
Norman Esptein
Midtown
Citizen's safety
It is understandable why red light runners would not want the cameras back, But, studies and statistics have shown photo enforcement reduces dangerous intersection fatalities, by red light runners by about 28%. It's not about pedestrians; these cameras are for intersection safety and for reducing car crashes and related fatalities caused by red light runners
If you're worried about being rear-ended, check your mirror and then tap your brakes a few times. This is a heads-up to the speeder behind you that you do not intend to run the red light, even if he thought he would.
Emily Morrison
Midtown
Fetterman and Israel
Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) recently stated that he would leave the Democratic Party if it became anti-Israel and did not support Israel's right to defend itself.
But destroying the means of sustaining human life in Gaza is not self-defense. This includes Israel's devastation of Gaza's fields, orchards, greenhouses, water infrastructure and homes.
After the ceasefire began, Israel destroyed an additional 1,500 buildings in Gaza. Multiple United Nations agencies and humanitarian groups also report that Israel has blocked or severely restricted shelter supplies, including tarps, timber, plywood and sandbags, from entering the Gaza Strip. Families are forced to live in permanent tent cities, with their makeshift homes infested with rats and parasites.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, “We are disassembling Gaza, and leaving it as piles of rubble .. .And the world isn’t stopping us.”
Being pro-Israel should not mean downplaying or denying the atrocities Israel has committed.
Terry Hansen
Downtown
Platner is the latest example
Graham Platner is just the latest example, but both the Democrat and Republican parties are not performing a function they did so well before we opened primary elections to just anyone! Whether we liked the terminology or not, the proverbial smoke-filled room performed a service to the Country. So-called party hacks actually knew Americans and the issues we faced. Their job was to carefully screen potential candidates and decide which ones to support. This prime function of our political parties ended historically when we opened primary elections up to anyone who sought office. Because of this, the parties lost control of their candidates. It was called "democratization," but it actually resulted in enabling incompetent, ignorant, snake oil salespeople to emerge and tantalize the public with empty rhetoric. It also resulted in the parties' being unable to harness their candidates to resolve our issues. We need to rethink open primaries and regain control of our government!
Barbara Benjamin
Foothills
Why Juan has no primary opponent
Our Congressman is a weak man who succumbs to Trump’s threats. I urge everyone to remember Juan Ciscomani’s vote last year to defund public broadcasting. Trump bullied weak-kneed congressmen like Juan Ciscomani. He said, “Any Republican that votes to allow this monstrosity to continue broadcasting will not have my support or Endorsement.” Ciscomani obeyed Trump’s command and voted against independent journalism and children’s programming. That vote guaranteed he would not be primaried by a MAGA opponent. Ciscomani might define himself as a moderate, but that’s a joke. He marches in lockstep with Trump’s extremism.
John Stark
Southeast side
Same Salsa
Reading Jordan Ochoa's "Nana's Rights" platform gave me whiplash. For a moment, I thought I was reading a Democratic campaign.
Supporting home-based businesses? Tucson already has a Small Business Program and recently opened the Tucson Small Business Center to help local entrepreneurs grow. Affordable housing? The City has spent years implementing a Housing Affordability Strategy and expanding housing options. So what's new? The logo.
If your platform is built on ideas progressives have already been championing, maybe the problem isn't Tucson's direction. Maybe it's admitting who's been doing the work. Politics doesn't become Republican because you put a new label on the jar. It's still the same salsa.
This race is too important for rebranding. Give credit where it belongs, then tell us what you'd actually do differently.
Melissa Cordero
West side
Gun Rites, so to speak
Having studied and taught the Bible for many decades, I wondered about the idea that they were God-given: that's not in the Bible, but many seem to think it is. I thought I'd go right to The Man Upstairs. I said Big Guy, what's this stuff about God-given gun rights? He said, "muskets only."
Herbert Schneidau
Foothills
White House
You know, with this president, the "white" in White House stands for something completely different.
Duane Barbour
Midtown
ACC election important, but TEP stays out of it
We agree with a recent letter by Jerry Helm on one point: Arizona Corporation Commission elections are important. Because the ACC directly regulates utilities, however, it would be inappropriate for Tucson Electric Power or its parent company to participate in those races.
Claims that ACC candidates are supported by TEP are simply not accurate. Company policy prohibits political contributions to ACC candidates, sitting commissioners, or groups that seek to support or oppose ACC candidates. Our political action committee, which is funded solely through voluntary employee contributions and operates separately from the company, does not contribute to ACC candidates or to organizations that do not disclose their funding sources.
Voters should carefully evaluate all candidates for the ACC, but they should do so based on facts, not misinformation.
Steven Eddy
Downtown
Regarding support for Israel
The opinion piece Mr. Rogers wrote encouraging Democrats to support AIPAC and Israel omitted some hugely relevant and significant points:
Israel has slaughtered over 72,000 Palestinian civilians, of whom nearly 58,000 were children.
Israel has bombed Palestinian cities in Gaza to rubble. Photos of the bombed-out cities show devastation that resembles the results of WW2 carpet bombing.
Israeli settlers in the West Bank, acting with the apparent support of the Israeli government, continue to murder Palestinian residents, commit arson and drive them from their property.
No one denies that Hamas committed horrible, abominably cruel atrocities in October of 2023, but Israel's response of indiscriminately bombing civilians has been out-of-this-world disproportionate.
Mr. Rogers asks us to "condemn terrorists". What will it take for people to acknowledge that the Netanyahu/Likud government of Israel commits terrorism?
To paraphrase a well-known quote: Has Israel become the evil it deplores?
Fred D'Angelo
Green Valley
Flooding the zone
So many complaints about Katie Hobbs' vetoes! But none cited the reasons in Hobbs’ veto letters.
It’s MAGA dumpster diving. Old bills that Ducey vetoed, bills that are already covered in other laws, publicity bills that bring attention but no one takes seriously, bills from far-right organizations outside Arizona: ALEC, Heritage Foundation, the Koch Brothers.
The MAGA majority opens the deep six files at the beginning of the session and FLOODS THE ZONE with bills. Fifty Republicans introduced over 2,000 resolutions in the 2026 session. Does AZ need that many laws? With MAGAs, it's quantity, not quality. Meanwhile, 40 Democrats introduced 257 bills or resolutions in the 2026 session.
Out of those 2,000 MAGA bills, 350 bills made it to Hobbs' desk. 1,650 were dumpster bills and died along the way before Hobbs even got them, clogging the process, burning time. If their bills are vetoed, the MAGAS start whining, never mind the merits of the bill.
Cindy Doklan
Midtown
On the up and up
Up until now, I have kept quiet, but I have had it up to here. Now it is time for us to wake up, stand up and speak up. With the tariffs and the war, we are really up against it. They are not being upfront about it, and what they are telling us is not on the up and up. I am feeling up tight and up in arms because they have left us up in the air. What they cooked up is just not up to scratch or up to snuff. All it has done is to up the ante and drive up the prices. Since they messed up, they need to make changes, but I do not think they are up to it. They need to clean up their act, shape up and come up with something better. If not, they should face up to it, give it up, pack it up and resign.
William Brandt
Oro Valley
Big Tent? Not so much
The recent opinion piece by Jeffery Rogers represents his fear of losing the “Status Quo” to the Democratic Socialist. What really doesn’t make sense is that progressives, along with center-right-leaning Democrats, like Jeffery, want universal healthcare and reform for immigration laws. They all want corporations and the wealthy to pay their share of taxes. Climate and sustainable energy are something we would all strive for.
That being said, that is where similarity ends. Status quo dems enrich themselves with lobbyist money and insider information to become wealthy from stock trades. Some members of Congress take large campaign contributions from foreign governments, which influence how they vote. Alma Hernandez accepts such money. Adilita Grijalva and Johana Mendoza don’t take money from a foreign government that influences U.S. policy. Both our Democrat senators take foreign lobby money as well.
It's time to stop electing politicians working for their own self-interest, corporations, and foreign nationals while “We The People” are struggling to make ends meet.
Larry Robinson
Midtown
Climate change a hoax?
For those who still believe that climate change is a hoax or simply a Democratic straw man, I present the following.
Data published by NASA Earth Observatory compares Landsat 8 and 9 images between 2023 and 2026 of the San Carlos Reservoir. It shows the 2026 level at 1% capacity compared to 60% in 2023.
Although some may think that the rise and fall of reservoirs represents normal fluctuation, it needs to be understood in the context of the rest of the world. Other reservoirs around the world show similar drought-induced conditions. The largest lake in the Middle East and the largest in China have both become dry lake beds, and Lake Mead is at the lowest level since 1937.
Just in case you might have forgotten, we need water to survive. It’s time that everyone pulls their heads out of the sand because you can’t drink it!
George Ball, Natural Resources Professor and concerned citizen
Midtown
Cupidity at the helm
Years ago, when Bill Gates was a young "whiz kid" and on his way to becoming a billionaire, there was a public billboard with a "real-time" changing estimate of his worth. This was fascinating to people, since the accumulation of such wealth, at such a pace, was a new phenomenon.
I would like to see a similar billboard for our president. This would show the accumulating total from all his various enterprises: Sales of Presidential Pardons. Increases in asset valuation immediately after government announcements, "Deals" from foreign potentates to his various real estate and other enterprises. Change in value of the various financial instruments he has sold to the fawning public. And, any other emoluments I have failed to mention but which are to the credit(?) of our president.
Bryan Silva
SaddleBrooke
Life is too short
Life is too short to watch a Trump Speech — the lowlights on the news and comedy shows are OK — but even those are a bit much. It takes a special person who enjoys the speeches and actually takes time out of their day to attend one. When i do watch a lowlight or two, i am most interested in checking out the audience shots. I wonder if, 50 years from now, strident Trump supporters will be viewed like we view the crowd scenes of screaming white segregationists in the Jim Crow South.
Dave Abbott
Southeast side
Local newspaper
I grew up in Tucson when it was a small town and remember when I was young, having two newspapers. One newspaper was the morning paper, the Star. The other newspaper was the afternoon paper, the Citizen. My family subscribed to the Citizen. Since then, the city of Tucson has multiplied many times over. My husband and I enjoy reading the Star every morning while having our coffee.. However, we find that some of the news articles are a day or two old. With the population of Tucson and surrounding areas, it seems that Tucson would have enough support to print our newspaper locally.
Kathleen Fordney
Green Valley
Mendoza is the leader Southern Arizona needs
As a student at the University of Arizona, I've been paying attention to who represents us, and JoAnna Mendoza is the right choice for CD-6.
She is running to actually lower costs for working families, keep our communities safe, and bring a level of honesty that has been missing from Congressman Juan Ciscomani. Ciscomani is going after her because he can't run on his own record, and he knows it.
Her military service shows she understands what an oath means. And her most recent TV ad explains how it never expires. Don't be fooled by Ciscomani’s carefully staged and performative appearances in social media and throughout the district lately. Vote for the candidate who has already spent a lifetime serving.
Aglae E
Midtown
Trump and 'Blazing Saddles'
As I observe the current Trump administration, I am reminded of the movie "Blazing Saddles." Trump is the character portrayed by Mel Brooks, Governor William Le Petomane. And Trump's advisor, Stephan Miller is the character portrayed by Harvey Korman, State Procurer Hedley Lamarr.
If you've seen the movie, maybe you agree with me. If you haven't seen it, watch it and decide for yourself. Either way, it's a great movie!
Larry Hammond
Southwest side
TD Confirmed
TD? That would be Trump Derangement. Trump confirmed it at the NATO summit. How else do you explain Trump opening with a demand for Greenland, the single most toxic and polarizing topic of the Summit? Trump follows that with derogatory comments and insults of Europe, NATO and finally its leaders. His ego is never satisfied, so Trump proceeds to call Iran scum, announces an end to the ceasefire and orders the bombing of Iran. While this is but the tip of the iceberg, it is proof positive that Trump Derangement, TD, does exist.
Brode Meyer
Midtown
Crippled by Crypto
It’s all over the news: Almost a million folks who bought into Mr. Trump’s meme coins have lost $3.81 billion. That averages out to losing $3,810 per person at minimum — a tidy sum no longer padding a pocket.
Once priced at $75.35 per coin, the value has plummeted to $1.76 as of July 3. Unlike the losses by mere mortals, Mr. Trump himself made $636 million on his own meme coins. But then, he profits whether the meme coin prices rise or fall because if his eager followers trade the tokens, he ends up collecting the returns on every trade. It’s also handy that the President and his administration have restricted regulatory oversight of crypto.
It’s win-win for the President — and lose-lose for we peasants.
Melody Sears
Northeast side
Voucher article errors
I am compelled to point out two serious and misleading errors in the Tucson/Region section article titled "Proposal would Put Voucher Changes on Ballot" published on July 4, and written by the usually accurate Howard Fischer.
First, in the section called "Meteoric Growth in Voucher Spending" on B4, the article says that vouchers now have an annual cost of $1 million. The actual current cost is $1 billion. A considerable difference and serious, misleading error.
Second, the very last paragraph in the article states that "Approval of the initiative would be the first time such a program was eliminated." This statement is flat wrong. The Protect Education Act will not eliminate vouchers. It establishes common-sense reforms. Vouchers will remain available to all families making $150,000 or less annually.
These kinds of errors mislead voters. I believe the Star is supposed to be accurate and unbiased. Please retract the statements, preferably on the front page.
Nancy Smith
Midtown
Time to switch?
Graham Platner has gotten into trouble with his fellow Democrats over allegations of rape and Nazi sympathies. My suggestion is that he switch to the Republican Party, where he likely will be welcomed with open arms.
Steven Brown
Midtown
Pickleball pay your way
For those who are not aware, the pickleball courts at Udall Park were installed with money from the 407 bond issue. This came about as a result of an agreement between the city, pickleball players and tennis players of Tucson. Currently, and for many years, the tennis players of Tucson who use the public parks such as Fort Lowell Park and Reffkin Tennis Center pay a fee to use the courts to help offset the cost of maintenance. What I find interesting is that the many pickleball players who use the Udall courts (again, a Tucson City park) do not pay a fee to use those courts. I've heard the argument that the pickleball players are financing the courts at Udall, but in reality, the major cost for those courts was money from the 407 bond issue.
My question to the many pickleball players of Tucson is, why should you get off not paying for use of the courts? And to the city alone, you can't have it both ways.
Frank Flasch
North side
Ciscomani left us behind
Now more than ever, Arizona needs leaders in Washington who will fight for the people who sent them there. As a resident of Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, I am increasingly disappointed in our Congressman, Juan Ciscomani, who is more focused on appeasing his party than listening to the concerns of his constituents. These constituents are my family, friends, classmates, and larger community, each with issues not being heard or addressed. Since taking office over three years ago, Ciscomani has not held a single town hall.
I’m eager to cast my vote for JoAnna Mendoza, someone who cares and listens to people. She has shown up, embraced difficult conversations, and lives up to the standards that we should set for people in elected office. As a Marine who served our country, she embodies what it means to be a public servant and a leader. She is what we need for Arizona and America.
Lila Smith
North side
Commercials for politics
Did you ever watch a political commercial and wonder what the point is? Business commercials are designed to present only one point of view, but I wish that political candidates would show more integrity and truthfulness. I figured out that I need to stay tuned into the topics that are important to me. Everyone has specific topics that they want at the top of the priority list. Take a minute to think about what traits each elected official should have, relevant to your priorities. For example, consider the office of sheriff. I prefer a sheriff who knows what he is doing and has an exemplary history, unlike what Pima County has now. We need people in office who understand the problems with viable solutions, not someone who is anti-Trump. Voters can fix the problems we have by selecting the best person to fill the position without regard to the party they represent. We need the best leaders, not voters who blindly follow how they are told to vote
Loran Hancock
Northwest side
Corruption in soccer
The U.S. soccer team lost its game against the Belgian team during the World Cup on July 7. Well, that was fair and square; the opponents were simply better. The American players deserve our respect, having accomplished so much until now. Nevertheless, this game was a catastrophe for the United States because we not only lost a game, but we also lost our honor and dignity. Whatever happened behind closed doors, we know that Pres. Trump had called Gianni Infantino, the President of FIFA, on Thursday before that game and pushed him to lift the red card that had blocked the excellent scorer Folarin Balogun from participating in that match. Since when can a U.S. president influence the decision of a soccer umpire? How much money had passed hands in that process? Was it hence divine retribution for this act of corruption that the US team lost? The entire world has observed this political maneuver and now thinks quite differently about the U.S.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
Socialists and capitalists
In the dictionary, “socialism” is defined as a system in which “government owns the means of production” (factories, businesses, utilities, etc.). By that definition, there are zero socialists in the U.S. Not even Bernie Sanders believes in that.
The enlightened, successful and famously happy governments in Scandinavia are called “democratic socialist,” but they actually just practice a capitalism regulated to make sure that the employees and communities benefit from the privately-owned businesses, not just the CEO and stockholders.
On the Hallmark Channel, the elderly couple who own the factory that employs most of the residents of the American town wishes to retire, advertises the factory for sale and receives a nice offer. But when the handsome young representative of the buyers arrives to sign the deal (and fall in love with the attractive daughter of the owners), they learn the buyers wish to close the factory and move it. The whole town mobilizes to keep the factory there. I’m a Hallmark Channel capitalist.
Brooks Keenan
Oro Valley
What Vance doesn't understand
J.D. Vance was right. By today's standards, Nixon's crimes are one day's shenanigans. Vance misses the irony that this only stresses the true venality and criminality of the current administration. He also misses the fact that it was Nixon's party that dealt with Nixon's crimes. At least eight members of Nixon's administration did jail time; Congressional members of Nixon's own party forced him to resign.
The current GOP, led by Mitch McConnell and Mike Johnson, far from bringing people to account, have been complicit in the administration's criminality. RIP GOP.
Beth Grindell
Midtown
The new LTE policy
The Star implemented a new LTE policy approximately one month ago that limited one printed opinion per month. Ostensibly, this was to ensure that more readers had the opportunity to be heard. I evaluated the results of this new policy for the first 33 days, and the results are as follows: 61% of opinions were Democrat, 30% neutral, and 9% conservative. 70% of the contributors were male, 30% female. The Star was true to its word of one print per month. However, as has been their past history, there was a dearth of conservative opinions. Why is that? Are conservative rednecks so illiterate and brainwashed that they cannot construct an intelligible sentence any better than Kamala Harris? Or, have conservatives just given up knowing they will not be published, even though 42% of Pima County voters selected Trump? Or is the Star just so liberal-leaning that they will not print conservative opinions, fearing that common sense and facts will actually taint the convoluted beliefs of the liberal sycophants?
Loyal M Johnson Jr
Oro Valley
$25M distribution center to be built in Tucson
