Tucson speaks up: Letters to the editor for the week of Oct. 7, 2022
- Updated
Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Arizona Daily Star.
- Carol King, West side
What people need to realize is that Pro Choice is just that. It’s not pro abortion it’s ProChoice. In the day, I probably would not have gotten an abortion but i would have wanted to have the option. It’s not for you are anyone else to tell me whether or I not I can get one. It’s my choice not yours or some politicians, especially men trying to put womens rights back decades.
Please vote accordingly.
Carol King
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Richard Tofel, Midtown
Negative political ads are historically inaccurate, but Kirsten Engels’ negative ad about Juan Ciscomani have reach a new low. She completely misstates Ciscomani’s position on abortion, a key hot button issue this election. She accuses him of being anti-abortion with no exceptions including rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at risk. I am a personal friend of Juan and have specifically asked him to clarify his position on abortion to avoid any misrepresentations on my part. It is true that Juan is strongly pro-life, but with exceptions, those being the three listed above; that is rape, incest and when the life of the mother is at risk. Kirsten Engel is strongly pro-abortion. Does she have any exceptions, like late term or partial birth abortion, one the most gruesome procedures imaginable?
Richard Tofel
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Melanie Bell, Midtown
The GOP talks about being the party of freedom, and their abhorrence of government overreach. How does this square, then, with forcing women to give birth? It doesn’t. Republicans have outlawed abortion in many states and have also attempted to restrict citizen initiatives to get the issue on the ballot.
Republican government has also inserted itself into medical decision making, and doctors are having to make women bleed for days and come close to death before they can induce medically necessary miscarriages. GOP state lawmakers have also attempted to restrict a person’s travel, if that travel involves getting an abortion in a state where it is legal.
The majority of Americans support reproductive freedom. They don’t want the government forcing women to give birth, being involved in their private medical care, and telling them when and why they can travel.
The GOP is not the party of freedom. Vote against these extreme positions.
Melanie Bell
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Daniel Poryanda, Southeast side
To all the letter writers who compare the Jan. 6th incident to the incidents across the country after George Floyd's and others deaths, I say this. I do , and all people of this country should condemn violence and try to cloak it as a demonstration of free speech. The two are not even close in their reason for being. Jan. 6th was an attempt to overthrow an election and trample on the rule of law and possibly the government. The Floyd incidents were protests against using unlawful and deadly force against a person. Neither case should been violent. You can stand in the street and make your point. Violence is where it ends.
Daniel Poryanda
Southeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Mary Beth Schneider, Northeast side
I think I read a idea put out for consideration in the editorial page a few days ago. Actually, I thought it was an excellent idea. Immigration affects California, Arizona, Texas plus New Mexico. I think that a committee of people from border towns along with New Mexico as the immigrants travel thru there also. These states know what is important to the citizens and what resources need to be in place. Most of the immigrants have traveled a long way. They as part of our human race and should be treated with respect. There are resources in each of these States to help the oppressed. Think about this… would you sell everything and bring your family, or come by yourself to improve your life and remove yourself and family? Very tough decisions worthy of our support.
We are a great, compassionate country can do what is right and just.
Mary Beth Schneider
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Tucson traffic and crime
Yesterday, around 5:30, I was driving home from work on East Broadway and noticed as I drove by North Craycroft Road that in the right lane there were about six motorcyclists and they were all doing wheelies. I have never seen that before in the middle of the work day traffic. Why were they doing this? Because they can. Our traffic is pretty much out of control.
Our local police force is being depleted as our police officers are fleeing Tucson for higher paying jobs in safer Arizona cities. Some of our policemen are driving around in old four-door sedans that would be hard to sell at a used car lot.
Let’s face it, Tucson has a crime/traffic problem, and our mayor needs to do something about it. In sports, if the coach loses control of the team, the coach gets fired. We are Tucson, and we can do better than this.
Pat Darcy
Midtown
Right before our eyes
I will not discuss the issue of border security, which is already politicized, but despite being only 60 miles from the border, it is primarily transparent to citizens of this city. That means we do not see it when we drive around our city. Tourism is important to our economy, and visitors do not see it, either.
What we and visitors do see is homeless people, surrounded by their few belongings and looking for aid. I am not a religious man, but while I wait for the light to change, I sometimes give loose change; I sometimes avert my eyes and fiddle with the radio. You might well act the same.
I do not have a solution, these people are Americans, and there seems to be no recognition of this situation even though it is visible to us and our visitors. A first step would be if our government in Phoenix recognized the issue.
Michael Burdoo
West side
How to handle water shortage
We are out of water.
The American northwest, however, including Alaska and Canada, have hundreds of rivers with excess water. The Columbia River, for example, has four times the volume of the Colorado River. Google says that 265,000 cubic feet of water from the Columbia flow into the Pacific every second. The Yukon River in Alaska has thousands of cubic feet that flow un-touched into the Pacific.
The government should get out of the picture and allow private enterprise to handle water supplies. Note that over 2 million miles of oil and gas pipelines were built by private oil companies. Rather than becoming a burden on taxpayers, the oil pipelines were another instrument in creating wealth. It can be so with construction of water pipelines. Like supplying oil, supplying water should be a business enterprise.
A discussion about water pipelines is decades overdue.
Jim Douthit
West side
Comprehension
Reading the Letters to the Editor, it is clear the Arizona school system is doing a wonderful job of teaching Arizonians how to read. Where the system is failing is in comprehension. “Now he has deemed 74 million that voted for Donald Trump as anarchists” as one writer stated. President Biden said “MAGA Republicans,” not all Republicans. Comprehension is the problem. Picking little bits here and there is not comprehension, it is propaganda at its finest. Propaganda is the dissemination of lies to influence and manipulate someone. There is a difference.
James Galvin
Sahuarita
Jan. 6th and George Floyd
To all the letter writers who compare the Jan. 6 incident to the incidents across the country after George Floyd’s and others’ deaths, I say this. I do, and all people of this country should, condemn violence and try to cloak it as a demonstration of free speech. The two are not even close in their reason for being. Jan. 6 was an attempt to overthrow an election and trample on the rule of law and possibly the government. The Floyd incidents were protests against using unlawful and deadly force against a person. Neither case should have been violent. You can stand in the street and make your point. Violence is where it ends.
Daniel Poryanda
Southeast side
Pro-choice
What people need to realize is that pro-choice is just that. It’s not pro-abortion, it’s pro-choice. In the day, I probably would not have gotten an abortion, but I would have wanted to have the option. It’s not for you or anyone else to tell me whether or not I can get one. It’s my choice — not yours or some politician’s, especially men trying to put women’s rights back decades.
Please vote accordingly.
Carol King
West side
Local school board elections
This November, Arizonans are voting on our education priorities. Several public school districts have candidates running for local school boards that do not support teachers, public education students’ success in those districts. It is important to research candidates because school boards are supposed to be non-partisan, but that is not the case this election. I live in the Marana Unified School District, where two governing board seats are up for election. After reviewing the candidates, I am impressed with Abbie Hlavacek and Kathryn Mikronis.
Both mothers with kids in MUSD who have served on the PTO at their kid’s schools and have been involved, advocating for their own kids and others with special needs. They strongly support public education and the teachers working hard in our classrooms daily. We need parents on our school board who support public education, our teachers and our students.
Please check out your local school board candidates and their endorsements. In MUSD, please vote for Abbie Hlavacek and Kathryn Mikronis.
Pauline Malcolm
Northwest side
Juan Ciscomani view on abortion
Negative political ads are historically inaccurate, but Kirsten Engel’s negative ad about Juan Ciscomani has reached a new low. She completely misstates Ciscomani’s position on abortion, a key hot button issue this election. She accuses him of being anti-abortion with no exceptions including rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at risk. I am a personal friend of Juan and have specifically asked him to clarify his position on abortion to avoid any misrepresentations on my part. It is true that Juan is strongly pro-life, but with exceptions, those being the three listed above; that is rape, incest and when the life of the mother is at risk. Kirsten Engel is strongly pro-abortion. Does she have any exceptions, like late-term or partial birth abortion, one of the most gruesome procedures imaginable?
Richard Tofel
Midtown
Gov’t overreach: forced birth
The GOP talks about being the party of freedom and their abhorrence of government overreach. How does this square, then, with forcing women to give birth? It doesn’t. Republicans have outlawed abortion in many states and have also attempted to restrict citizen initiatives to get the issue on the ballot.
Republican government has also inserted itself into medical decision making, and doctors are having to make women bleed for days and come close to death before they can induce medically necessary miscarriages. GOP state lawmakers have also attempted to restrict a person’s travel, if that travel involves getting an abortion in a state where it is legal.
The majority of Americans support reproductive freedom. They don’t want the government forcing women to give birth, being involved in their private medical care, and telling them when and why they can travel.
The GOP is not the party of freedom. Vote against these extreme positions.
Melanie Bell
Midtown
- Updated
Tucson traffic and crime
Yesterday, around 5:30, I was driving home from work on East Broadway and noticed as I drove by North Craycroft Road that in the right lane there were about six motorcyclists and they were all doing wheelies. I have never seen that before in the middle of the work day traffic. Why were they doing this? Because they can. Our traffic is pretty much out of control.
Our local police force is being depleted as our police officers are fleeing Tucson for higher paying jobs in safer Arizona cities. Some of our policemen are driving around in old four-door sedans that would be hard to sell at a used car lot.
Let's face it, Tucson has a crime/traffic problem, and our mayor needs to do something about it. In sports, if the coach loses control of the team, the coach gets fired. We are Tucson, and we can do better than this.
Pat Darcy
Midtown
Right before our eyes
I will not discuss the issue of border security, which is already politicized, but despite being only 60 miles from the border, it is primarily transparent to citizens of this city. That means we do not see it when we drive around our city. Tourism is important to our economy, and visitors do not see it, either.
What we and visitors do see is homeless people, surrounded by their few belongings and looking for aid. I am not a religious man, but while I wait for the light to change, I sometimes give loose change; I sometimes avert my eyes and fiddle with the radio. You might well act the same.
I do not have a solution, these people are Americans, and there seems to be no recognition of this situation even though it is visible to us and our visitors. A first step would be if our government in Phoenix recognized the issue.
Michael Burdoo
West side
How to handle water shortage
We are out of water.
The American northwest, however, including Alaska and Canada, have hundreds of rivers with excess water. The Columbia River, for example, has four times the volume of the Colorado River. Google says that 265,000 cubic feet of water from the Columbia flow into the Pacific every second. The Yukon River in Alaska has thousands of cubic feet that flow un-touched into the Pacific.
The government should get out of the picture and allow private enterprise to handle water supplies. Note that over 2 million miles of oil and gas pipelines were built by private oil companies. Rather than becoming a burden on taxpayers, the oil pipelines were another instrument in creating wealth. It can be so with construction of water pipelines. Like supplying oil, supplying water should be a business enterprise.
A discussion about water pipelines is decades overdue.
Jim Douthit
West side
Comprehension
Reading the Letters to the Editor, it is clear the Arizona school system is doing a wonderful job of teaching Arizonians how to read. Where the system is failing is in comprehension. "Now he has deemed 74 million that voted for Donald Trump as anarchists" as one writer stated. President Biden said "MAGA Republicans," not all Republicans. Comprehension is the problem. Picking little bits here and there is not comprehension, it is propaganda at its finest. Propaganda is the dissemination of lies to influence and manipulate someone. There is a difference.
James Galvin
Sahuarita
Jan. 6th and George Floyd
To all the letter writers who compare the Jan. 6 incident to the incidents across the country after George Floyd's and others' deaths, I say this. I do, and all people of this country should, condemn violence and try to cloak it as a demonstration of free speech. The two are not even close in their reason for being. Jan. 6 was an attempt to overthrow an election and trample on the rule of law and possibly the government. The Floyd incidents were protests against using unlawful and deadly force against a person. Neither case should have been violent. You can stand in the street and make your point. Violence is where it ends.
Daniel Poryanda
Southeast side
Pro-choice
What people need to realize is that pro-choice is just that. It’s not pro-abortion, it’s pro-choice. In the day, I probably would not have gotten an abortion, but I would have wanted to have the option. It’s not for you or anyone else to tell me whether or not I can get one. It’s my choice — not yours or some politician's, especially men trying to put women's rights back decades.
Please vote accordingly.
Carol King
West side
Local school board elections
This November, Arizonans are voting on our education priorities. Several public school districts have candidates running for local school boards that do not support teachers, public education students’ success in those districts. It is important to research candidates because school boards are supposed to be non-partisan, but that is not the case this election. I live in the Marana Unified School District, where two governing board seats are up for election. After reviewing the candidates, I am impressed with Abbie Hlavacek and Kathryn Mikronis.
Both mothers with kids in MUSD who have served on the PTO at their kid’s schools and have been involved, advocating for their own kids and others with special needs. They strongly support public education and the teachers working hard in our classrooms daily. We need parents on our school board who support public education, our teachers and our students.
Please check out your local school board candidates and their endorsements. In MUSD, please vote for Abbie Hlavacek and Kathryn Mikronis.
Pauline Malcolm
Northwest side
Juan Ciscomani view on abortion
Negative political ads are historically inaccurate, but Kirsten Engel's negative ad about Juan Ciscomani has reached a new low. She completely misstates Ciscomani’s position on abortion, a key hot button issue this election. She accuses him of being anti-abortion with no exceptions including rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at risk. I am a personal friend of Juan and have specifically asked him to clarify his position on abortion to avoid any misrepresentations on my part. It is true that Juan is strongly pro-life, but with exceptions, those being the three listed above; that is rape, incest and when the life of the mother is at risk. Kirsten Engel is strongly pro-abortion. Does she have any exceptions, like late-term or partial birth abortion, one of the most gruesome procedures imaginable?
Richard Tofel
Midtown
Gov't overreach: forced birth
The GOP talks about being the party of freedom and their abhorrence of government overreach. How does this square, then, with forcing women to give birth? It doesn’t. Republicans have outlawed abortion in many states and have also attempted to restrict citizen initiatives to get the issue on the ballot.
Republican government has also inserted itself into medical decision making, and doctors are having to make women bleed for days and come close to death before they can induce medically necessary miscarriages. GOP state lawmakers have also attempted to restrict a person’s travel, if that travel involves getting an abortion in a state where it is legal.
The majority of Americans support reproductive freedom. They don’t want the government forcing women to give birth, being involved in their private medical care, and telling them when and why they can travel.
The GOP is not the party of freedom. Vote against these extreme positions.
Melanie Bell
Midtown
- Susan VonKersburg, Foothills
Vote for trump if you: approve of a person who has been convicted of stealing from his own charity, ran a real estate school scam, patronized and bribed a prostitute during his campaign and forced his attorney to take the fall just after his wife had given birth, asked Russia for help in his campaign, ran his own business while President, begged/ threatened Georgia Secretary of State, and others, to find thousands of non-existent votes for him, made off with Top Security material claiming he could declassify telepathically, ditto hundred +/- boxes of papers belonging to the United States, simultaneously committing tax and bank fraud for years AND joining Q anon And threatening mayhem should he be indicted for some or all of the above, and twice impeached…
VOTE FOR TRUMP IN ‘24.
Susan VonKersburg
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Thomas McGorray, Northwest side
As a registered independent I have tried to find truth in politics - It has
been a frustrating effort. Everyone is biased — and that's okay. There's no
such thing as unbiased news.
A recent survey was conducted by the Knight Foundation and Gallup. Among its findings: About 49 percent of Americans see “a great deal” of political bias in news
coverage, while 37 percent see “a fair amount.”
The vast majority of Americans (81%) say that the news media is “critical” to democracy.
I have found the following to be true. On the far left you have the NY Times and CNN. Leaning left you have AP, The Washington Post, Insider and the Guardian.
On the far right you have Fox News, National Review and Newsmax.
Leaning to the right you have the NY Post and Epoch Times.
I personally find the least bias to be the Wall Street Journal, The Hill, Reuters and Newsweek.
These 4 appear to me to come closest to the truth.
Thomas McGorray
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Jack Walters, Northeast side
Like you, I can’t stand political ads. For the most part their only purpose is to scare us into voting for their candidate. If they do talk about issues they support they brag about what they will do. In days gone by this might have been true but not now. Remember when Mc Caine was a maverick? When you cast your vote don’t think about the candidate but about the party. With only rare exceptions does an elected person depart from the party line. Whether Senator or Representative they are required to toe the party line.
If you support the current Democratic programs then you need to vote for Kelly. If you don’t you must vote for Masters. I am not trying to persuade you either way. I am only trying to convince you what you should consider before voting and tune out all political ads.
Jack Walters
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Ke Chiang Hsieh, Midtown
Voting is basic to democracy as breathing is to life. I vote earnestly because it is forbidden in China, my birthplace. My choice of candidates and approval of propositions must be consistent with my core values and my understanding of the world around me. I, a Christian, a physicist, and an immigrant, all by choice, take living on a life-sustaining Earth of utmost value for all creatures on this planet, our only home. Without a supportive ecosystem, life is doomed; without human mutual caring, we’ll destroy ourselves. Therefore, I choose candidates who respect facts in the physical world as well as in human affairs and treat other human beings, regardless of race, gender, religion, or social status, as equals with compassion; and approve propositions that promote equality, freedom, and justice for all. Sadly, no Republican candidates fit my bill; and only Propositions 209, 210, 211,308, and 310 meet my approval. God have mercy!
Ke Chiang Hsieh
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Protect right to choose
In 1991, when I first took a job working at an early abortion clinic in Pennsylvania as a counselor, I was uncertain how I felt about it.
Then, the GYN doctor that I worked with described what it was like prior to Roe v. Wade, where 20 to 60 women per week showed up dying of septic abortions. “These were our friends, neighbors, people’s children and parents dying, even our co-workers at the hospital,” he sighed. He decided that when it was legal, he would do anything he could to keep women safe, no matter their choice.
Unfortunately, once again women are avoiding the hospital in life-threatening situations for fear of prosecution, and people who are dying of septic abortions are unable to get the treatment that they need to live. We will see massive unintended consequences if people aren’t allowed to make their own health care decisions, which is why we must see action at the state government level to help protect a woman’s right to choose.
Barbara McKean
Northwest side
Fascist letter writer
Re: the Sept. 12 letter “I am a fascist.”
The letter writer’s puff piece on being a fascist made me cringe. I wanted a better understanding of fascism, so I found an essay by Umberto Eco listing the 14 characteristics of fascism.
If you follow the letter writer’s usual two-week dump of vitriol comprised of his master list of grievances, you would expect to find it is from the likes of Jim Jordan, Fox News, and Ted Cruz’s talking points, it becomes very clear that he does fill a lot of boxes on Umberto’s list.
Meanwhile, Rusty Bowers (who served honorably for 30 years) explains how he derailed Republican legislation that in essence would allow the Republican legislature to override the will of the people and choose their party’s choice of presidential candidate.
Rusty is gone now, because he wasn’t Trump enough. In November, if we vote in a Republican legislature, and a Republican governor, we may get to find out what fascism really is all about.
Larry Robinson
Northwest side
Media bias and the truth
As a registered Independent, I have tried to find truth in politics. It has been a frustrating effort. Everyone is biased — and that’s OK. There’s no such thing as unbiased news.
A recent survey was conducted by the Knight Foundation and Gallup. Among its findings: About 49% of Americans see “a great deal” of political bias in news coverage, while 37% see “a fair amount.”
The vast majority of Americans (81%) say that the news media is “critical” to democracy.
I have found the following to be true. On the far left you have the New York Times and CNN. Leaning left you have AP, The Washington Post, Insider and the Guardian.
On the far right, you have Fox News, National Review and Newsmax.
Leaning to the right, you have the New York Post and Epoch Times.
I personally find the least biased to be the Wall Street Journal, The Hill, Reuters and Newsweek.
These four appear to me to come closest to the truth.
Thomas McGorray
Northwest side
Kelly vs. Masters
Like you, I can’t stand political ads. For the most part, their only purpose is to scare us into voting for their candidate. If they do talk about issues they support, they brag about what they will do. In days gone by this might have been true, but not now. Remember when McCain was a maverick? When you cast your vote, don’t think about the candidate but about the party. With only rare exceptions does an elected person depart from the party line. Whether senator or representative they are required to toe the party line.
If you support the current Democratic programs, then you need to vote for Kelly. If you don’t, you must vote for Masters. I am not trying to persuade you either way. I am only trying to convince you what you should consider before voting and tune out all political ads.
Jack Walters
Northeast side
Water in the Southwest
Re: the Sept. 18 article “Ways to solve crisis in affordable housing.”
This article ignores realities for long-term growth in our region. Better planning for housing can provide more homes affordable for more people. However, it cannot ensure they will have water.
The authors’ entire reference to that issue is “There’s also an impact on water supply in the Western States.” Government plans are underway for drastic reductions in use of Colorado River water. Groundwater use is almost always unsustainable. Desalinated groundwater from the Gulf of California would be very expensive.
Every time a new faucet is added, no matter how well planned, means increased water usage. In Cochise County, people are losing their homes because they cannot afford to extend wells needed for unsustainable and unregulated groundwater use. The pumping already is leading to ground subsidence and the crushing and elimination of aquifers.
No amount of planning will enable limitless growth with unsustainable resources.
Roger McManus
Midtown
Can’t trust Finchem
The campaign poster for Mark Finchem, the Republican candidate for secretary of state, says a lot about how he would fulfill his duties. “Election Integrity,” fine; it’s the primary duty of that office. But “Defend Gun Rights”? The Secretary of State has nothing to do with that. He is clearly appealing to and likely to act in lockstep with the fringe Republicans who deny the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election (a well-demonstrated lie), wish to deny a significant portion of the population of the right to vote, and seek to overturn election results if they don’t go their way. And elections are the primary responsibility of the office for which he is running. A Democrat and a Republican are on the ballot, but the winner must act in a strictly non-partisan manner. Mark Finchem shows us that we cannot trust him to do the job.
Joel Yelland
Northwest side
Applaud efforts by Grijalva
In a recent Politico story, Congressman Raul Grijalva, the long-standing chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, “asked the Department of Interior head Deb Haaland to step in and compel major water delivery cuts along the Colorado River in a bid to prevent a massive water and power crisis across the West.” Last Thursday, Grijalva wrote, “If all of the Basin states cannot meet the undeniable urgency of this moment, then the Department must provide the clarity and certainty of a federal plan to preserve our dwindling water resources for the tens of millions of Americans who rely on the Colorado River.”
Grijalva’s effort should be roundly applauded. While not perfect, bureaucratic expertise, rather than political might, can provide a more even-handed, near-term response to the depletion of the Colorado River’s former abundance. The dozens of writers to the editor in past months, calling for decisive action, have a reason finally to feel encouraged.
Richard Kaiset
Midtown
Vote for Trump?
Vote for Trump if you: approve of a person who has been convicted of stealing from his own charity, ran a real estate school scam, patronized and bribed a woman during his campaign and forced his attorney to take the fall just after his wife had given birth, asked Russia for help in his campaign, ran his own business while president, begged/threatened Georgia secretary of state, and others, to find thousands of non-existent votes for him, made off with Top Security material claiming he could declassify telepathically, ditto hundred (plus or minus) boxes of papers belonging to the United States, simultaneously committing tax and bank fraud for years and joining QAnon and threatening mayhem should he be indicted for some or all of the above, and twice impeached.
Vote for Trump in 2024.
Susan VonKersburg
Foothills
Vote for honesty and mercy
Voting is as basic to democracy as breathing is to life. I vote earnestly because it is forbidden in China, my birthplace. My choice of candidates and approval of propositions must be consistent with my core values and my understanding of the world around me. I, a Christian, a physicist, and an immigrant, all by choice, take living on a life-sustaining Earth of utmost value for all creatures on this planet, our only home. Without a supportive ecosystem, life is doomed; without human mutual caring, we’ll destroy ourselves. Therefore, I choose candidates who respect facts in the physical world as well as in human affairs and treat other human beings, regardless of race, gender, religion or social status, as equals with compassion; and approve propositions that promote equality, freedom and justice for all. Sadly, no Republican candidates fit my bill; and only Propositions 209, 210, 211, 308 and 310 meet my approval. God have mercy!
Ke Chiang Hsieh
Midtown
- Matt Somers, Midtown
With the falling of the leaves, the first hint of cool weather and shorter daytimes also comes the first week of October, when the United States Supreme Court is back in session.
This year the Samuel Alito court (Chief Justice John Roberts is an afterthought, like a used facial tissue) will continue its destruction of 231 years of court rulings. The court will make decisions that will be equal to or worse than Plessey v Ferguson (separate yet equal facilities and the codification of Jim Crow laws), Bush v Gore (which handed the presidency to George W Bush with the wording that Bush v Gore could not be precedent for future rulings, a legal mulligan) and Citizens United v FEC (which allowed the rich to scream and the poor to whimper political views through the size of their political donations).
The court's evangelical conservatives will strip human rights from the defenseless and support the moneyed classes. Their god, they believe, says to do so.
Matt Somers
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Vincent Allen, Northwest side
The absurdity of this 'report' is beyond compare. The reporter, Mike Schneider of the Associated Press fails completely to tell us what the scope relative to the entire Census operation and to previous Census operations is even in a vague way. The 'story' is alarmist BS. Plus the fact that the Star's editors failed to stop this 'story' from going into print, let alone on the Front Page does serious damage to the Star's editorial staff's reputation.
Please do due diligence and FIX this story so that it is reflective of the true dimensions of the problem.
Vincent Allen
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Wiliam Johnson, Northwest side
What has happened to the day when candidates for public office advertised their qualifications, and their philosophy, for consideration by the voting public. Today, political ads seem to consist mainly of efforts to tear down the opponent, often using content taken out of context. How can we make a decision on which candidate to choose, based on this kind of negative campaigning?
Wiliam Johnson
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Dan Pendergrass, West side
It’s pointless to try and explain adiabatic process to a lay person, so I’ll turn the letter writers request around ask why they think the monsoon would shutdown with global warming? Convection processes with “rain” occur on Venus with temps of 600C. Boiling doesn’t refer to temperature as such, but a change in state caused by increased energy. For instance liquid Nitrogen boils at minus 325F. The convection cell that runs the local monsoon will be around long after we've perished. At some point the micro bursts associated with it could hit speeds of 200 mph or more. Ten inches of rain or more could fall in 2 hours as the air will rise higher with more water vapor before condensing. This sounds bad, but don’t fret. By the time the “Monsoon” gets this bad we’ll be having 150 degrees in the shade and will most likely have already perished.
Dan Pendergrass
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Craig Whaley, Oro Valley
It is apparent that the idea of “Life Matters More” is determined only by the issue in question. If the issue is preventing abortion, the “life matters more” argument is used to prevent anyone from making an individual choice. However, if the issue is mandatory vaccinations to prevent illness and death, then many chose the position that this is a choice issue for individuals rather than mandating shots for the benefit of all. How do these people rationalize the difference? Just wondering.
Craig Whaley
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Miguel Herrera, East side
I believe it’s Congress's responsibility to ensure the U.S. healthcare system is as strong and accessible for our patients as possible. My daughter Sophia was born with extreme eczema, an itchy skin condition that causes rashes, dry patches, and even blistering. While eczema has no cure, we are fortunate that Sophia has access to treatments that manage her discomfort to help her live a relatively carefree life as children should.
Without the proper policies and support, we would have access to far fewer treatment and medication options—and that is unacceptable. There are other ways to ensure access to the right care while also helping alleviate costs, like Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reforms. These healthcare middlemen pocket savings that are supposed to be applied when picking up prescriptions at the pharmacy counter.
I hope Congress will protect our ability to continue finding the next best medical innovation.
Sincerely,
Miguel Herrera
Miguel Herrera
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Catey Bartolucci, Northeast side
The writer of this letter seems to suggest that there was too much coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II by our nation's networks. I believe one of the reasons our networks covered the death and funeral of this remarkable woman was because she was what virtually no American politician, past or present, has ever been - someone who dedicated her entire life to the service of her people, with selflessness, grace, dignity and kindness. Queen Elizabeth II never forgot who she worked for...our country's politicians would do well to heed her example.
Catey Bartolucci
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Gun rights vs. women’s rights
Re: the Sept. 23 letter “Women’s rights.”
My eyes are rolling at this letter. If life is so important, more important than a woman’s life, why isn’t she complaining about too many automatic weapons in this country? They’re being used to kill children in school! But I don’t hear anything from these religious hypocrites about taking the rights to purchase these awful weapons. Seriously?
Carol Allen-Rasoul
Green Valley
PCC Board Election
Voters should know more about PCC’s board before they cast ballots. A three-member bloc has made the board a rubber stamp for the chancellor and effectively silenced the two minority members.
The Higher Learning Commission, the college’s national accrediting body, came to investigate the board in March. The chancellor received a draft report months ago. He refuses to release it. The final vote occurs after our election.
KOLD reporter Valerie Cavazos obtained a leaked draft and reported on Aug. 29 that the HLC team found “the rift in the board severe enough to put the college at risk.”
I hope voters will give the board a new District 2 member, Theresa Riel, who taught mathematics at the college for 23 years. She insists on transparency, values diversity, and is dedicated to Pima. A vote for Riel is a vote for a functioning, open-minded, transparent board.
Kitty Reeve,
Retired PCC Faculty
Midtown
Absurd report
Re: the Sept. 19 article “Report: 1,400 census takers were ‘hard fails’.”
The absurdity of this “report” is beyond compare. The reporter, Mike Schneider of the Associated Press, fails completely to tell us what the scope relative to the entire Census operation and to previous Census operations is even in a vague way. The “story” is alarmist .
Vincent Allen
Northwest side
Monsoon answers aren’t enough
Re: the Sept. 21 letter “No answers to question.”
It’s pointless to try and explain adiabatic process to a lay person, so I’ll turn the letter writer’s request around and ask why they think the monsoon would shut down with global warming? Convection processes with “rain” occur on Venus with temps of 600 degrees Celsius. Boiling doesn’t refer to temperature as such, but a change in state caused by increased energy. For instance, liquid nitrogen boils at minus-325 degrees Fahrenheit. The convection cell that runs the local monsoon will be around long after we’ve perished. At some point the micro-bursts associated with it could hit speeds of 200 mph or more. Ten inches of rain or more could fall in two hours as the air will rise higher with more water vapor before condensing. This sounds bad, but don’t fret. By the time the “monsoon” gets this bad we’ll be having 150 degrees in the shade and will most likely have already perished.
Dan Pendergrass
West side
Congress must protect patients
I believe it’s the responsibility of Congress to ensure the U.S. health care system is as strong and accessible for our patients as possible. My daughter Sophia was born with extreme eczema, an itchy skin condition that causes rashes, dry patches, and even blistering. While eczema has no cure, we are fortunate that Sophia has access to treatments that manage her discomfort to help her live a relatively carefree life as children should.
Without the proper policies and support, we would have access to far fewer treatment and medication options — and that is unacceptable. There are other ways to ensure access to the right care while also helping alleviate costs, like Pharmacy Benefit Manager reforms. These health care middlemen pocket savings that are supposed to be applied when picking up prescriptions at the pharmacy counter.
I hope Congress will protect our ability to continue finding the next best medical innovation.
Miguel Herrera
East side
Elect Fontes to protect rights
We’re on the knife’s edge of losing our right to vote here in Arizona. Republican candidate for Arizona secretary of state Mark Finchem posts on social media using #FollowtheLaw — but he won’t. An ardent promoter of the Big Lie, he sends out frequent fundraising emails promising that, if elected, he will conduct “perp walks” for “fraudsters.” In fact, he’s never produced credible evidence of election fraud in Arizona in 2020. He’s made it clear that he will not accept the results of this election if he loses.
If elected, Finchem will strictly limit mail-in voting and require a hand count of ballots. His “reforms” will throw Arizona’s election system into chaos, giving him a pretext to disallow millions of ballots cast by Arizonans who disagree with him or allow him to argue that due to “concerns” about the results, a presidential election must be independently decided by the Arizona Legislature.
Protect our future right to vote. Elect Adrian Fontes for secretary of state.
Jacolyn Marshall
Oro Valley
Political advertisement
What has happened to the day when candidates for public office advertised their qualifications, and their philosophy, for consideration by the voting public? Today, political ads seem to consist mainly of efforts to tear down the opponent, often using content taken out of context. How can we make a decision on which candidate to choose, based on this kind of negative campaigning?
William Johnson
Northwest side
Learn from her life
Re: the Oct. 1 letter “Royal death obsession.”
The writer of this letter seems to suggest that there was too much coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II by our nation’s networks. I believe one of the reasons our networks covered the death and funeral of this remarkable woman was because she was what virtually no American politician, past or present, has ever been — someone who dedicated her entire life to the service of her people, with selflessness, grace, dignity and kindness. Queen Elizabeth II never forgot who she worked for. Our country’s politicians would do well to heed her example.
Catey Bartolucci
Northeast side
‘Life matters more’ depends on question
It is apparent that the idea of “life matters more” is determined only by the issue in question. If the issue is preventing abortion, the “life matters more” argument is used to prevent anyone from making an individual choice. However, if the issue is mandatory vaccinations to prevent illness and death, then many chose the position that this is a choice issue for individuals, rather than mandating shots for the benefit of all. How do these people rationalize the difference? Just wondering.
Craig Whaley
Oro Valley
Fentanyl problem
Re: the Oct. 2 column “Look beyond border to fix fentanyl problem.”
As an alcoholic with 43 years of recovery, I congratulate Tim Steller for his column. It is an axiom of treatment and recovery that if I have a problem, I must look within myself to fix it rather than blaming others. Steller implicitly raises a larger question, though: Why are so many Americans addicted to so many things, fentanyl among them? What are the conditions of life in America today that drive so many of us to drugs, alcohol, overeating or anorexia, even suicide? And once we identify these conditions, what can we do to change them, individually or as a society?
Sterling Vinson
Midtown
Pima Community College
Re: the Sept. 30 article “Group wants PCC chancellor’s resignation.”
As your recent article demonstrates, the Pima Community College, its Governing Board and upcoming election for two new board members are the subject of considerable interest. The League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson is sponsoring a PCC Governing Board Candidate Forum on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 5 p.m. on Zoom. Anyone interested in attending can sign up by going to our website, lwvtucson.org and go to Events Tab, or email communications@lwvtucson.com. Everyone is invited.
Nancy Hand, President of the League of Women Voters of Tucson
North side
- Ron Rude, West side
Numerous (and sometimes uncontrollable) forces have come together to fuel the economy’s current inflationary spike. Here are the standouts:
1. Trump/Ryan/McConnell tax cuts.
2. COVID pandemic—businesses making up for 2 years lost income.
3. Emergency Trump stimulus money. Emergency Biden stimulus money.
4. Unabated (reckless?) spending by consumers despite inflation.
5. Putin’s murderous war.
6. Pandemic related global shipping stoppages/bottlenecks/supply shortages.
7. Long overdue minimum wage increases.
8. Price gauging by some businesses who feel unconstrained by integrity or patriotism.
9. Multi-layered global inflationary forces.
10. Historically low interest rates.
In sharp contrast to the dishonest and hysterical politicizing by Conservative politicians, industry leaders, and media talking heads, it should come as no surprise to the astute among us that inflation is an expected result when forces such as these come together.
Ron Rude
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Dave Glicksman, Northwest side
As I begin my 92nd year I find it ironic that the two powers who tried to destroy our American way of life, that we fought in World War II in order to preserve it, are now this country's biggest allies, namely Germany and Japan. By contrast, there are three that helped fight to defend it then that are doing their best to destroy it now, namely Russia, China and the GOP.
Dave Glicksman
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Shaki Johnson, East side
The narrative from the Biden administration, Democrats and their many liberal biased news media allies is that Trump and Republicans caused the border crisis. How laughable! Only the ignorant would believe that. Under Trump's last year in office, the Border Patrol encountered 405,000 people illegally entering the country. This fiscal year under Biden, over 2,000,000 encountered. Many people coming here believe Biden invited them to do so. Within his first few days in office, he issued Executive Orders reversing Trump's asylum agreements with Central American countries, halted Remain in Mexico, stopped the pressure on Mexico, and re-instated "catch and release." Now Democrats and their regurgitating news media allies are blaming Trump and Republicans. They say we need Comprehensive Immigration Reform, to include legalization and citizenship for millions, liberalizing asylum requirements, billions to corrupt third world countries, etc. Do you really think it would secure our border when Biden and Democrats vehemently oppose further building of the border wall and refuse to enforce our current immigration laws?
Shaki Johnson
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Loran Hancock, Northwest side
During elections, it is reasonable to expect political advertising. What about advertising that misrepresents the truth? Consider the commercials supporting abortion. They claim women lost the Constitutional right to abortion. Sorry, there is no such Constitutional right. However, science proves that a new human life begins at conception and biology proves that every conception creates the DNA structure of a unique human being that just requires the opportunity and time to develop into another Albert Einstein or Michelangelo or William Shakespeare. But abortion puts an end to that life and the potential contributions to society. The advocates for abortion should consider how glad they are that their mothers didn’t get an abortion? What is wrong with expecting people (of both sexes) to take responsibility and avoid an unwanted pregnancy? There are a multitude of ways that decision can be made in advance! It is more than the loss of a fetus, it’s the loss of that potential person’s contribution to society.
Loran Hancock
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Lying about abortion
During elections, it is reasonable to expect political advertising. What about advertising that misrepresents the truth? Consider the commercials supporting abortion. They claim women lost the Constitutional right to abortion. Sorry, there is no such Constitutional right. However, science proves that a new human life begins at conception and biology proves that every conception creates the DNA structure of a unique human being that just requires the opportunity and time to develop into another Albert Einstein or Michelangelo or William Shakespeare. But abortion puts an end to that life and the potential contributions to society. The advocates for abortion should consider how glad they are that their mothers didn’t get an abortion? What is wrong with expecting people (of both sexes) to take responsibility and avoid an unwanted pregnancy? There are a multitude of ways that decision can be made in advance! It is more than the loss of a fetus, it’s the loss of that potential person’s contribution to society.
Loran Hancock
Northwest side
Dream on
Re: the Sept. 15 article “Hamadeh omitted details on father’s immigration history.”
Ironic? “Honest” Abe Hamadeh’s father overstayed his visa by seven years, thereby making him an undocumented entrant. Abe was born during this time, making him a Dreamer. If DACA is ever overturned, “Honest” will have to be returned to his “homeland” of Syria! Wonder what he’ll think of returning people to places they’ve either never seen or don’t have any relation to because their parents gave birth to them without being legal citizens, just like his father? Hamadeh is against immigration, but this would probably change his stance.
Barbara Mongan
West side
Candidate Ciscomani
It appears he has never taken a basic eighth-grade class in civics, to learn how the federal government functions. He first wanted to “fire” Nancy Pelosi, (Good luck) and then pushed back, to say, his first vote would be to replace Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. How does a freshman congressman perform either of these tasks, especially being in the opposite party? He is obviously totally unqualified for a congressional seat, and would be nothing more than a rubber stamp.
Bill Taylor, independent
Northwest side
10 reasons for “perfect storm” of inflation
Numerous (and sometimes uncontrollable) forces have come together to fuel the economy’s current inflationary spike. Here are the standouts:
1. Trump/Ryan/McConnell tax cuts
2. COVID pandemic — businesses making up for two years lost income
3. Emergency Trump stimulus money. Emergency Biden stimulus money
4. Unabated (reckless?) spending by consumers despite inflation
5. Putin’s murderous war
6. Pandemic-related global shipping stoppages/bottlenecks/supply shortages
7. Long overdue minimum wage increases
8. Price gouging by some businesses who feel unconstrained by integrity or patriotism
9. Multi-layered global inflationary forces
10. Historically low interest rates
In sharp contrast to the dishonest and hysterical politicizing by conservative politicians, industry leaders, and media talking heads, it should come as no surprise to the astute among us that inflation is an expected result when forces such as these come together.
Ron Rude
West side
Ironic reversal
As I begin my 92nd year I find it ironic that the two powers who tried to destroy our American way of life, that we fought in World War II in order to preserve it, are now this country’s biggest allies, namely Germany and Japan. By contrast, there are three that helped fight to defend it then that are doing their best to destroy it now, namely Russia, China and the GOP.
Dave Glicksman
Northwest side
Weapons made locally
Re: the Sept. 25 article “Weapons from Tucson’s Raytheon unit aid Ukraine.”
What a jolly round-up, wrangling Raytheon press releases into a glowing tribute to our local merchant of death! All Hail Saint Javelin, Apostate to the Prince of Peace!
But is arming Ukraine to the teeth and dancing the nuclear tango with Russia really worth a few trickle-down blood bucks for our local economy?
Has making sure more things will get broken and more people killed and generations will seek revenge become some sort of community development project, the consequences for other communities be damned?
Has helping allies and sometimes their enemies, too, pile up dead civilians and soldiers become the way we honor our veterans, educate our children, care for our neighbors and elevate local culture?
And why all the casual punditry about nuclear war, but nothing about the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, with 91 signatory nations so far showing the way out of this mess?
Jack Cohen-Joppa
Midtown
Dems blame border crisis on GOP
The narrative from the Biden administration, Democrats and their many liberal-biased news media allies is that Trump and Republicans caused the border crisis. How laughable! Only the ignorant would believe that. Under Trump’s last year in office, the Border Patrol encountered 405,000 people illegally entering the country. This fiscal year under Biden, over 2 million encountered. It seems many people coming here believe President Biden invited them to do so. Within his first few days in office, he issued executive orders reversing Trump’s asylum agreements with Central American countries, halted Remain in Mexico, stopped the pressure on Mexico, and reinstated “catch and release.” Now Democrats and their regurgitating news media allies are blaming Trump and Republicans. They say we need comprehensive immigration reform, to include legalization and citizenship for millions, liberalizing asylum requirements, billions to corrupt Third World countries, etc. Do you really think it would secure our border when Biden and Democrats vehemently oppose further building of the border wall and refuse to enforce our current immigration laws?
Shaki Johnson
East side
- Carol Allen-Rasoul, Green Valley
My eyes are rolling at the letter from L Stanford. If life is so important, more important than a woman’s life, why isn’t she complaining about too many automatic weapons in this country. They’re being used to kill children in school! But I don’t hear anything from these religious hypocrites about taking the rights to purchase these awful weapons. Seriously? These “pro-lifers” are unbalanced.
Carol Allen-Rasoul
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Bill Taylor, Northwest side
This individual does not disclose his educational background, however it appears he has never taken a basic eighth grade class in Civics, to learn how the Federal Government functions. He first wanted to "fire" Nancy Pelosi, (Good luck) and then pushed back, to say, his first vote would be to replace Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. How does a freshman congressman perform either of these tasks, especially being in the opposite party? He is obviously totally unqualified for a congressional seat, and would be nothing more than a rubber stamp.
Bill Taylor,
Independent, Northwest Tucson
Bill Taylor
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
What is Hobbs hiding?
Democrat candidate for governor Katie Hobbs has announced that she will not debate Republican candidate Kari Lake. What is Hobbs hiding? Maybe she does not want voters to know her gun control plans if elected, like banning semi-auto rifles and high-capacity magazines, applying to both future sales and currently in lawful possession. Maybe she does not want voters to know her sympathetic attitude towards people entering Arizona illegally or address the enormous quantities of fentanyl and meth being smuggled across the border, killing Arizonans, because of her guy Joe’s border policies. Or that she opposes expansion of the border wall in Arizona. Maybe Hobbs does not want to answer any questions about decades-high inflation under Democrats. Maybe she does not want people to know that she will eliminate private/religious school vouchers and impose higher taxes on hard-working small business owners.
Have no doubt, Hobbs is a far-left liberal Democrat and her refusal to debate Lake hides her agenda and is disrespectful to Arizona voters.
Haley Roberts
West side
More attention for homeless
Re: the Sept. 22 article “Homelessness easy to see all over Tucson’s streets.”
I would like to thank Cheryl Kelli for her insightful op-ed on homelessness in Tucson. I would also like to thank the Arizona Daily Star for publishing it. Here’s a human problem, right here, right now. Maybe the Star has staff that can enlarge our understanding.
I live in Green Valley, and for more than a month, I have watched a solitary woman camped under a tree on her little mattress in the monsoon rains (just north of the intersection of Valencia and Campbell). Every time I drive by, I have wondered: who is she, why is she homeless, how she gets by. She is older. And I wonder, how many older people are being priced out of accommodation?
I hope the Star can help so that, maybe we all can find ways to be good neighbors.
Claudette Haney
Green Valley
Who’s the threat?
Re: the Sept. 23 article “Raytheon awarded deal worth nearly $1B.”
A question for corporate participants in the global arms trade that fuels endless wars everywhere — that’s Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and all the rest: How do you do it? How do you look at the worldwide suffering caused by your deadly products and see only a business opportunity? What is the matter with you? You seem to expect us to believe you are performing a valuable service, fulfilling some human need. Nonsense! You serve nobody but yourselves, nothing but your addiction to profit. You’re sure right about one thing: “advanced threats emerging around the globe.” Look in the mirror. The threat is you.
Kim Mathews
East side
Don’t need that majority rule
I received and read a pamphlet from the Arizona Secretary of State’s office called, “What’s On My Ballot?,” containing information on state ballot propositions. Halloween came early! If you believe in “majority rule” democracy, this is scary!
Prop 128 provides that if any part of an initiative is ruled unconstitutional, the Legislature may tamper with the whole thing: amend, supersede, or withdraw funding. Prop 129 would enact stricter rules for subject matter and title of initiatives — food for the Arizona Supreme Court to kill an initiative.
Prop 132 would increase from 50% to 60% the votes needed to raise taxes by initiative. Like the U.S. Senate filibuster, 41% can veto passage of a bill.
The Arizona Legislature needs a lesson that power flows from the people, rather than being imposed on the people, top down. Vote “No” on Propositions 128, 129, and 132. Majority rule, not minority rule.
Richard Sipan
Green Valley
The first week of October
With the falling of the leaves, the first hint of cool weather and shorter daytimes also comes the first week of October, when the United States Supreme Court is back in session.
This year the Samuel Alito court (Chief Justice John Roberts is an afterthought) will continue its destruction of 231 years of court rulings. The court will make decisions that will be equal to or worse than Plessy v. Ferguson (separate yet equal facilities and the codification of Jim Crow laws), Bush v. Gore (which handed the presidency to George W. Bush with the wording that Bush v. Gore could not be precedent for future rulings, a legal mulligan) and Citizens United v. FEC (which allowed the rich to scream and the poor to whimper political views through the size of their political donations).
The court’s evangelical conservatives will strip human rights from the defenseless and support the moneyed classes. It seems their god, they believe, says to do so.
Matt Somers
Midtown
Say NO to Highway 11
Re: the Sept. 22 article “Officials ask judge to toss I-11 lawsuit.”
Concerning a possible Interstate 11, the entire project seems like a terrible mistake. When will we stop tearing up pristine desert and destroying wildlife habitats just so cars and trucks can get to their destination faster? One claim is that I-11 will be needed for anticipated population growth in Arizona. Does that factor in the possible death of the Colorado River and the critical need to reduce water consumption? At some point, we will be forced to stop growing.
Peggy Sanders
East side
Thank you, Star!
Thank you for the Arizona Daily Star! I’m hearing so much criticism about what isn’t in the paper these days. In this very digital age, I really appreciate the “truth” in actual, factual print. It’s wonderful that we can share our opinions in letters, columns and Zoom discussions. I really enjoyed the virtual sharing about the Buffalo Soldiers a while back. We are even encouraged to share our spiritual thoughts in the Home and Life section on Sundays.
Puzzles, comics, and horoscopes are OK, even entertaining, but the open, honest and human sharing of transparency is what is really most important to me. I may not always agree with what others say, but I certainly value our right to join in on the current goings-on in this city and in this country.
Isn’t that what real freedom is? This newspaper is a gift for everyone who reads!
Janice Campos
Foothills
Investigative journalism
Re: the Sept. 11 article “Star co-owner boosts investigative journalism with new reporting team.”
I commend the Star and Lee Enterprises for committing to local investigative journalism. This article announced they were hiring a 12-member Public Service Journalism team to support their 77 local daily papers. Local newspapers serve a vital function in our democracy to gather information behind the scenes and hold local officials and organizations accountable. Radio won’t do it. TV won’t do it. National big-city newspapers won’t do it in cities all around the country. Only your local print journalists will, and for that I will continue to support the Star as long as I am able.
Meg Weesner
East side
- Linda Stanley, East side
Perhaps President Biden should repeat his speech on the rising tide of authoritarianism in the US while standing next to the Queen’s coffin in the UK That way the nation's TV networks would find it important enough to broadcast.
Linda Stanley
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Scott Lukomski, Northeast side
What's it like to be a long time, rational Republican watching the party eschew democracy and rally around extremists? Embracing thoroughly disproven claims about 2020 election validity? Welcoming white nationalist partners? Placing party far above country? Usurping the rights and freedoms of all to take control for the minority?
What does the long time, rational Republican think when their hero ex-president is shown to be a liar, a cheat, a thief, a traitor?
What does the long time, rational Republican think when they see their candidate slates filled with people committed to perpetuating right wing lunacy?
What does the long time, rational Republican think when they watch other long time, rational Republicans ostracized and berated for not supporting the ill-founded and spiteful party line?
From what I can tell the long time, rational Republican buries their collective head in the sand and hopes for the best.
Sad for the USA
Scott Lukomski
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Stuart Sellinger, Northwest side
The Ken Burns documentary, The United States and the Holocaust, was exceptional. It described in accurate detail Nazi Germany’s attempt to exterminate Europe’s Jews and the failure of the United States to save more Jewish refugees.
One aspect of Holocaust story was omitted. In 1951, West Germany acknowledged its sin of exterminating 6,000,000 jews and offered reparations to Jewish survivors. Reparations continue to be provided in 2022. This courageous and gracious deed should have been included to honor Germany and to provide an example of appropriate behavior for other nations which have committed crimes against humanity, including the United States.
The United States treatment of Native Americans and African Americans over the past four centuries has had a destructive impact on millions of human beings. It is time for our country to acknowledge its sins and take consequent action to improve the horrendous conditions in which the majority of Native Americans and African Americans presently live.
Stuart Sellinger
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Mike Gatton, Downtown
In 2019 Medicare quietly launched a scheme called Direct Contracting that inserts a for profit company between patients and medical providers.
Companies are paid a monthly fee to cover a patients expenses keeping 40% of the fee not spent on patient care. Beneficiaries can be enrolled without their full knowledge or consent. To opt out patients must change their primary care doctor.
The General Counsel for the Health and Human Services Department warned that it appeared the project was set up to benefit specific companies. Medicare expects to cover all traditional Medicare and Medicare Supplement beneficiaries with this plan by 2030, effectively privatizing Medicare. Medicare recently changed the name of the program to ACO REACH but the same flaws exist as in the Direct Contracting model.
With ACO REACH seniors will have their care radically changed, their choices undermined, services denied and care rationed while increasing the chance of bankrupting Medicare. Healthcare should be between patients and their doctors, not companies that have profit as their motive.
Mike Gatton
Downtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Sheldon Metz, Northeast side
We know all Trump "minimes" have entirely erased their beliefs from websites and replaced them with more centrist views to con the few voters who haven't heard their racist, anti-semitic, Pro-choice stances, cruel, bigoted, misogynistic points of view. Now, they might consider "liberal ideas." Today, they may be willing to discuss women's rights and the climate - if elected.
Most aware people know, on August 8, during a Sean Hannity interview on FOX, Trump unknowingly (stupidly?) blurted, "If you're the president of the United States, you can declassify just by saying: 'It's declassified.' Even by thinking about it. There doesn't have to be a process. There can be a process, but there doesn't have to be. You're the president. You make that decision…I declassified everything."
September 25's morning talk shows asked dozens of Republican Senators and Congress members if they believe, 'even by thinking about it.' John Barrasso said, "I've not heard that one before… I don't know the rules."
Not ONE said Trump's name.
Sheldon Metz
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Push the mute button
After the Kari Lake-Karrin Taylor Robson clown show debate, it’s no wonder Katie Hobbs is refusing to debate Lake. Here’s a simple solution: Each candidate is allotted a set time to answer questions and with no interrupting or overriding their opponent’s responses. If this rule is violated, after a firm warning, the moderator pushes a button that mutes their mic. A simple and quick solution.
Jeff Aronson
Northeast side
Royal death obsession
Perhaps President Biden should repeat his speech on the rising tide of authoritarianism in the U.S. while standing next to the Queen’s coffin in the UK. That way, the nation’s TV networks would find it important enough to broadcast.
Linda Stanley
East side
Sometime voters
Sometime voters, please don’t sit back and not vote in the upcoming election. This year’s Nov. 8 election is different. Your vote is needed now more than ever. The slate of candidates the Republican Party has put forward at both state and federal levels will negatively affect your lives if given the chance. Far-right Arizona state and U.S. federal majorities can wreak havoc with our democratic processes and more and more with the quality of our lives.
Sometime voters, and swing voters too, please be sure you’re registered to vote and arrange to obtain a ballot. As you quietly decide how to mark your ballot, be aware of how your chosen candidates will or will not contribute to far-right majorities that are more and more pushing undemocratic agendas. Don’t sit back because it doesn’t matter — it does matter. It matters a lot.
Donald Ijams
Midtown
Acknowledging our nation’s sins
The Ken Burns documentary, “The United States and the Holocaust,” was exceptional. It described in accurate detail Nazi Germany’s attempt to exterminate Europe’s Jews and the failure of the United States to save more Jewish refugees.
One aspect of the Holocaust story was omitted. In 1951, West Germany acknowledged its sin of exterminating 6 million Jews and offered reparations to Jewish survivors. Reparations continue to be provided in 2022. This courageous and gracious deed should have been included to honor Germany and to provide an example of appropriate behavior for other nations which have committed crimes against humanity, including the United States.
The United States’ treatment of Native Americans and African Americans over the past four centuries has had a destructive impact on millions of human beings. It is time for our country to acknowledge its sins and take consequent action to improve the horrendous conditions in which the majority of Native Americans and African Americans presently live.
Stuart Sellinger
Northwest side
Steller’s turn
Re: the Sept. 25 article “Stop demonizing political opposition.”
Gee, Tim, I really really enjoyed your “turn to the center” article Sunday. Responding to the turn of the screws that the rest of the paper is caving into, or maybe auditioning for the new Trump-friendly CNN?
Joe Reiman
SaddleBrooke
Camouflaging their extremist scam
We know all Donald Trump “mini-mes” have entirely erased their beliefs from websites and replaced them with more centrist views to con the few voters who haven’t heard their racist, anti-semitic, pro-choice stances, cruel, bigoted, misogynistic points of view. Now, they might consider “liberal ideas.” Today, they may be willing to discuss women’s rights and the climate — if elected.
Most aware people know during a Sean Hannity interview on FOX, Trump unknowingly (stupidly?) blurted, “If you’re the president of the United States, you can declassify just by saying: ‘It’s declassified.’ Even by thinking about it. There doesn’t have to be a process. There can be a process, but there doesn’t have to be. You’re the president. You make that decision … I declassified everything.”
Sept. 25’s morning talk shows asked dozens of Republican Senators and Congress members if they believe, “even by thinking about it.” John Barrasso said, “I’ve not heard that one before … I don’t know the rules.”
Not one said Trump’s name.
Sheldon Metz
Northeast side
Medicare privatization
In 2019, Medicare quietly launched a scheme called “direct contracting” that inserts a for-profit company between patients and medical providers.
Companies are paid a monthly fee to cover a patient’s expenses, keeping 40% of the fee not spent on patient care. Beneficiaries can be enrolled without their full knowledge or consent. To opt out, patients must change their primary care doctor.
The general counsel for the Health and Human Services Department warned that it appeared the project was set up to benefit specific companies. Medicare expects to cover all traditional Medicare and Medicare Supplement beneficiaries with this plan by 2030, effectively privatizing Medicare. Medicare recently changed the name of the program to ACO REACH but the same flaws exist as in the Direct Contracting model.
With ACO REACH seniors will have their care radically changed, their choices undermined, services denied and care rationed while increasing the chance of bankrupting Medicare. Health care should be between patients and their doctors, not companies that have profit as their motive.
Mike Gatton
Downtown
Rational Republicans just don’t care
What’s it like to be a longtime, rational Republican watching the party eschew democracy and rally around extremists? Embracing thoroughly disproven claims about 2020 election validity? Welcoming white nationalist partners? Placing party far above country? Usurping the rights and freedoms of all to take control for the minority?
What does the longtime, rational Republican think when their hero ex-president is shown to be a liar, a cheat, a thief, a traitor?
What does the longtime, rational Republican think when they see their candidate slates filled with people committed to perpetuating right-wing lunacy?
What does the longtime, rational Republican think when they watch other longtime, rational Republicans ostracized and berated for not supporting the ill-founded and spiteful party line?
From what I can tell the longtime, rational Republican buries their collective head in the sand and hopes for the best.
Sad for the USA.
Scott Lukomski
Northeast side
Dark money funding Kelly’s campaign
Mark Kelly has denounced dark money in politics and slammed SCOTUS’ decision on Citizens United. Last January, he tweeted, “Twelve years ago, Citizens United v. FEC allowed corporate special interests to flood our political system with dark money, drowning out the voices of everyday Arizonans. Reversing this decision is one of the most important things we can do to strengthen our democracy.” Since August, the leftist PAC Somos has dumped over $300,000 into Arizona supporting Kelly’s campaign. Somos receives millions in funding passed through nonprofit organizations such as North Fund, Change Now, Family Friendly Action Fund and the Sixteen Thirty Fund. All full of anonymous donors aka ‘dark money’ that Kelly has railed against. He is a hypocrite. If Kelly is re-elected his true self will be exposed. He will again vote to end the Senate filibuster and open the gates to the left’s full agenda on gun control, statehood for D.C. and Puerto Rico, packing the Supreme Court, climate, immigration, higher taxes and trillions in spending.
Gary Beachwood
Green Valley
Back to 1864
Buckle up, boys. And I mean that literally. It’s going to be a long, bumpy road; 21 years’ worth of long, bumpy road. Yes, that’s how long child support can last. Me? I’m going to ask my broker to find the labs that do paternity testing and buy, buy baby.
Janet Schaefer
Oro Valley
- Charles Schultz, Northeast side
I don't profess to be an expert in the field of public relations; however, the recent signing of the Inflation Reduction Act appears to be an obvious lesson in poor optics. President Biden was signing the Bill at the same time the stock market was plunging over 1,000 points. My advice to the person who planned the event: update your resume, check the help-wanted section of the Washington Post and leave the White House quietly and quickly.
Charles Schultz
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Loyal M Johnson Jr, Oro Valley
Several of your contributors have suggested that the only people Biden termed semi-fascists were MAGA supporters that promoted overthrow. To that I say baloney. He actually was referring to anyone disagreeing with the present policies of the Administration. That includes questioning the wisdom of the open border and the green energy policies. Also, anyone who suggests that the school system is not teaching the kids the fundamentals that will allow them to be successful in later life. Anyone who is concerned about raging inflation or the ballooning crime rate is obviously an enemy of the state. Those whom question free money for all. Biden campaigned on being the great uniter, but that obviously meant agreeing with the Democrats policies without discussion or compromise. By not supporting their policies blindly, you are obviously a threat to democracy.
Loyal M Johnson Jr
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Mary E Bradshaw, Northwest side
Republicans nationwide are deflecting attention from the critical issues of Trump's continuing sedition, women losing rights to healthcare, and our very democracy being undermined, by conjuring up the bogey man of inflation. Rising prices, being experienced worldwide, are the result of a global pandemic and unchecked corporate greed. Any hope of creating a healthy economy based on decent wages and local production, restoring sanity and decency to our political process, protecting our rights to safety and privacy, and saving our very democracy, lies with electing Democrats to every level of government. Arizona Democrats have a fine slate of ethical, experienced candidates up and down the line. Arizona Republicans have produced a frightening array of corporate puppets and sedition-mongers who believe they have a right to change our votes to create an autocratic process. Vote now, and vote Democratic, while we still have a vote and a democracy.
Mary E Bradshaw
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Peter Strauss, Marana
Re: Your opinion letter by Katharine Donahue in Monday 9/26 edition.
In my opinion you are completely correct in your thinking. We have allowed too many incompetent political party "followers" to determine what's best for all of us.
The ONLY thought I would add is:
Experience in, or empathy for, those protecting our freedoms: the U.S. Military!
Peter Strauss
Marana
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Walter Mann, Marana
Re: Marvin Montez’ Sep 24 letter, “Masters at projection.”
The author claims that Dems project their guilt for the BLM protests of 2020 onto the GOP riots of Jan. 6. I think Montez is suffering from another defense mechanism, denial. He sees the speck in the Dems’ eye, while ignoring the moat in his own eye.
He describes Jan. 6 as “one riot,” and the violence that accompanied the BLM protests of 2020 as “dozens of very violent riots.” As someone who has sworn allegiance to the US, I am shocked that someone would describe an attempt to overthrow the government of the United States as a mere riot. The comparison to the BLM protests of 2020 is bizarre. BLM is responsible for the marchers in the street, but the nearby violence could have been perpetrated by anyone. Perhaps it was a false flag operation by the GOP.
Walter Mann
Marana
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Floyd Newsom, Northwest side
The GOP Cult’s war on public education is not only infuriating, but also puzzling. I understand that they have become the party of ignorance, pushing emotional appeal and fear over reason, and that ignorant people are easier to manipulate than educated ones, but by eliminating an educated, trained middle class, they harm themselves.
If middle class students abandon public schools because the Trumplicans have driven away the teachers, then the students who can, will flock to private schools which will have to pay exorbitant salaries to the few teachers left, driving up their costs so that only the richest can afford them.
When the middle class shrivels up, when Americans can no longer compete in the world market, the rich will not be nearly as rich; they won’t be happy about that. The Cult is shooting themselves in the foot – of course, they’ll blame Biden for that, too.
Floyd Newsom
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Edward Weil, North side
I do not understand why the FBI did not arrest Trump after finding classified documents in their search of his home. If it were an ordinary citizen, I'm thinking the handcuffs would have been on in a flash. No one is above the law? Trump breaks laws with impunity.
Edward Weil
North side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Poor timing for new bill
I don’t profess to be an expert in the field of public relations; however, the recent signing of the Inflation Reduction Act appears to be an obvious lesson in poor optics. President Biden was signing the bill at the same time the stock market was plunging over 1,000 points. My advice to the person who planned the event: Update your résumé, check the help-wanted section of the Washington Post and leave the White House quietly and quickly.
Charles Schultz
Northeast side
Change is good, but...
Re: the Sept. 18 article “Middle class finding it difficult to buy a house.”
Local journalism is crucial. Without the Star, I wouldn’t have known about Chuck Huckelberry’s retirement scheme or Abraham Hamadeh’s father overstaying his visa. But is a front-page story about a home-buying couple in Napa really local news? Since the change, I’ve suffered trying to read the tiny print of the few comics which remain, and today, instead of a half-page, above the fold, New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle, I found a quarter-page Tribune Services substitute. I seem to be paying more and receiving less. The Star is straining my ability to feel good about supporting my hometown paper.
Suzi Hileman
Northwest side
You have got to be kidding
Several of your contributors have suggested that the only people President Biden termed semi-fascists were MAGA supporters that promoted overthrow. To that I say baloney. He actually was referring to anyone disagreeing with the present policies of the administration. That includes questioning the wisdom of the open border and the green energy policies. Also, anyone who suggests that the school system is not teaching the kids the fundamentals that will allow them to be successful in later life. Anyone who is concerned about raging inflation or the ballooning crime rate is obviously an enemy of the state. Those who question free money for all. Biden campaigned on being the great uniter, but that obviously meant agreeing with the Democrats’ policies without discussion or compromise. By not supporting their policies blindly, you are obviously a threat to democracy.
Loyal M. Johnson Jr.
Oro Valley
Open letter to Jim Click
Mr. Click,
Recent news reports indicate that you will be actively supporting Kari Lake for governor. You have been a pillar in our community for decades, having established thriving businesses here. You have gained our admiration for underwriting so many worthy causes every year. To think you would support someone who denies that President Biden won the 2020 election is disheartening. Moreover, Lake promotes the QAnon conspiracy theory. Your support of her candidacy would suggest you also believe these assertions and theories.
A guest opinion in the Sept. 21 Daily Star boosts the candidacy of another state Republican candidate, Blake Masters (“Despite his numerous flaws, Masters is best candidate”). Yet the author admits he will have to hold his nose to vote for Masters. And he goes on to state that “Kari Lake’s candidacy is an insult to thinking individuals.” Mr. Click, please reconsider your decision to support Lake.
Dale Keyes
Downtown
Breaking laws, but not arrested
I do not understand why the FBI did not arrest Donald Trump after finding classified documents in their search of his home. If it were an ordinary citizen, I’m thinking the handcuffs would have been on in a flash. No one is above the law? Trump breaks laws with impunity.
Edward Weil
North side
Don’t be confused
Arizona’s Republican-dominated Legislature has for years encroached upon its citizens’ right to make law, even though that right was enshrined in our constitution with statehood (1912). Not only have they made it excruciatingly hard to gather valid signatures for initiatives, but they also fight fang and claw to remove citizen initiatives from the ballot. They also refer their own ballot measures in order to confuse voters (there will be at least 11 propositions on the ballot this year).
Here’s a guide to simplify things:
The 100-series (128, 129, 131, 132) were generated by the R-Legislature and designed to restrict citizen rights, so vote NO (130 also expands legislature power)
The 200 series (209, 210, 211) were citizen-generated and intended to expand or protect our rights, so vote YES on all three
The 300-series originated in the Legislature, but it’s a mixed bag
308 and 310 had bipartisan support, so vote YES
309 infringes citizens’ rights, so vote NO
Jim Christ
East side
Let the truth be told
In light of the recent abortion ruling upholding an anti-abortion law dated 1864, let’s finally tell it like it is. What I’ve always called “old white men,” (knowing that they aren’t all white and old) and their “approved” female counterparts played the sham game of sharing power with Black men and a few anointed minority males in the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s. Now, however, the truth must be told: these “old white men” seem to have a strong feeling of inadequacy and fear of competing with women. Even those women like the judge who made the ruling must feel unworthy to compete with other women. So, let’s keep ’em barefoot and pregnant while the rest of us hope that these relics of the distant past realize that we’re now in the 21st century when every country’s progress and security demands that talents from everyone must be utilized.
Barbara Benjamin
Foothills
War on public education
The GOP cult’s war on public education is not only infuriating, but also puzzling. I understand that they have become the party of ignorance, pushing emotional appeal and fear over reason, and that ignorant people are easier to manipulate than educated ones, but by eliminating an educated, trained middle class, they harm themselves.
If middle-class students abandon public schools because the Trumplicans have driven away the teachers, then the students who can, will flock to private schools, which will have to pay exorbitant salaries to the few teachers left, driving up their costs so that only the richest can afford them.
When the middle class shrivels up, when Americans can no longer compete in the world market, the rich will not be nearly as rich; they won’t be happy about that. The cult is shooting themselves in the foot — of course, they’ll blame President Biden for that, too.
Floyd Newsom
Northwest side
Teachers and COVID
What a travesty that TUSD teachers are given no sick leave (other than two minor days) to keep from infecting their own staff and students when testing positive for COVID. We wonder why positions are unfilled by quality teachers and why they are leaving the profession. As a retired Arizona educator, it is plain to see why newly educated teachers are going elsewhere. Just when are the Arizona legislators, school boards and administrators going to wake up and realize teachers can’t survive this way?
Steve Poe
Midtown
Slow streets needed
Tucson would benefit from assigning some streets to be “slow streets.” These streets are designated to support alternative transportation where vehicles are only permitted as residential traffic.
Lately, while biking I have noticed a dramatic increase in speeding vehicles traveling very dangerously on Mountain Avenue, which is designated for bike traffic as a “Bike Boulevard — lower traffic, lower speed street with improvements that prioritize bike travel.” However, many drivers are using this street as their personal fast track to and from Speedway to Limberlost Road. Speeding vehicles can be extremely dangerous for cyclists riding in the bike lane as there are times when cyclists will have to suddenly pull out of the bike lane due to dangerous hazards.
There are several schools along Mountain Ave., with students of all ages walking to and from the school bus stops. Aside from the university, there is Salpointe Catholic High School, a Montessori school, and Rio Vista elementary school all contributing to Mountain Ave., foot and bike traffic.
Cheryl Kelli
Downtown
The blame game
Re: the Sept. 24 letter “Masters at projection.”
The author claims that Dems project their guilt for the BLM protests of 2020 onto the GOP riots of Jan. 6. I think the letter writer is suffering from another defense mechanism, denial. He sees the speck in the Dems’ eye, while ignoring the moat in his own eye.
He describes Jan. 6 as “one riot,” and the violence that accompanied the BLM protests of 2020 as “dozens of very violent riots.” As someone who has sworn allegiance to the U.S., I am shocked that someone would describe an attempt to overthrow the government of the United States as a mere riot. The comparison to the BLM protests of 2020 is bizarre. BLM is responsible for the marchers in the street, but the nearby violence could have been perpetrated by anyone. Perhaps it was a false-flag operation by the GOP.
Walter Mann
Marana
Purple makes GOP see red
I’ve seen this movie before. When I moved to California in 1974, Ronald Reagan was governor, and the state was red, red, red. When I left in 1992, California was blue, blue, blue. We could blame it on a couple of clueless Republican governors, but it was probably due to a huge influx of newcomers to the state.
Arizona Republicans have gone bonkers, because Arizona has turned purple. That’s why their candidates want to stop certifying elections. The GOP can tolerate blue states like New York, or blue voting districts if there aren’t too many, but becoming a purple state drives them crazy. The state of Georgia also turned purple in 2020, sending two Democrats to the U.S. Senate. But the Republican response in Georgia has been totally different, with the GOP backing candidates who stood up for democracy.
Purple is a vibrant color, and it doesn’t fade for a long time. Eventually it turns blue, and bogus lawsuits and fake electors won’t change that.
John Vornholt
Northeast side
Democracy — not inflation — on ballot
Republicans nationwide are deflecting attention from the critical issues of Trump’s continuing sedition, women losing rights to health care, and our very democracy being undermined, by conjuring up the bogey man of inflation. Rising prices, being experienced worldwide, are the result of a global pandemic and unchecked corporate greed. Any hope of creating a healthy economy based on decent wages and local production, restoring sanity and decency to our political process, protecting our rights to safety and privacy, and saving our very democracy, lies with electing Democrats to every level of government. Arizona Democrats have a fine slate of ethical, experienced candidates up and down the line. Arizona Republicans have produced a frightening array of corporate puppets and sedition-mongers who believe they have a right to change our votes to create an autocratic process. Vote now, and vote Democratic, while we still have a vote and a democracy.
Mary E. Bradshaw
Northwest side
Velodrome needed
To expand interest in Tucson’s bicycling community, perhaps it is time to convert the under-utilized Rillito Race Track into a velodrome racing track. A velodrome could welcome more bicycle enthusiasts and visitors to Tucson.
We have heartily embraced the Chuck Huckelberry Loop, which does not accommodate both bicycle racing groups and pedestrians well.
Dorothy Hornby
Northwest side
Toll on local auto shops
Re: the Sept. 26 letter “Dems’ EV push will harm auto shops.”
It’s too easy to brush aside the letter from the Vail writer condemning the Democrats for pushing the electric vehicle agenda as another partisan attack without merit. If the wind is blowing and the government pushes funding for wind-powered electricity generation, is that a Democrat thing? There will be no stopping (only slowing by moneyed interests) all out electrification. Renewable electric energy is already cheaper to transmit and cheaper to produce altogether.
But what about her husband’s repair shop in Vail? Is it just survival of the fittest? Or does society have an obligation to help people without the resources to re-train or re-imagine a way of making a living — as their way of making a living will be EV stampeded into oblivion? Sure, it’s a ways off yet, but that’s no comfort to the Vail writer or her husband’s repair shop.
I offer no answers here but I ask this question because it’s the only way forward to a fair and just transition away from fossil fuels.
Rick Rappaport
Oro Valley
Letter response
Re: the Sept. 26 letter “Attributes.”
In my opinion, the letter writer is completely correct in their thinking. We have allowed too many incompetent political party “followers” to determine what’s best for all of us.
The only thought I would add is: experience in, or empathy for, those protecting our freedoms: the U.S. Military!
Peter Strauss
Marana
- Hal Brown, East side
The DOJ and the January 6 Congressional Committee has more than enough evidence that Trump has committed crimes against the USA and the people. Anyone else would already have been arrested and charged.
Why the pussyfooting around. No one in our Country is supposed to be above the law.
There is no doubt that he had unauthorized Top secret and classified documents in his
Possession unsecured at his home. Why has he not been charged and is getting special treatment. he not been charged and is getting special treatment.
Hal Brown
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Burl Dunn, Downtown
On Saturday morning when Robinson Crusoe and Friday woke up, both were twice as rich as the morning before. Society creates wealth. The more workers a society has, the richer it becomes for most of its citizens. However, inevitably some people get richer than others. The super-rich use more of the infrastructure. They pollute more. In short, they also require more “his man Fridays” to do the work so that they can play.
No person is a billion times better than the average person. In that direction lie oligarchs and dictators. There should be no such thing as a billionaire. It’s antisocial.
We have never grown the economy fast enough to pay our debts or keep up with infrastructure needs, or pay for our wars. So where should the money come from? Tax the rich. Let’s start with the top 1%. Let’s bring the billionaires into the society of tax paying citizens. They will be richer for it.
Burl Dunn
Downtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Michael Hamant, MD, East side
Re: the Sept 26 letter "Who's the extremist?"
The author states multiple factual untruths. She accuses Democrats of supporting abortion for "any reason for all nine months of pregnancy and in some cases even after birth". She states that abortions are performed because a "helpless child is unwanted."
Abortion is performed only on previable fetuses and embryos, not children. Viability of a fetus outside the womb is at about the 24th week of gestational age. Prior to the reversal of Roe v. Wade, abortion was legally preformed up until about 20 weeks in Arizona, with the vast majority during the first trimester. Abortion does not occur after that point, only delivery of a premature infant who is cared for by all medical means available. Killing a child after delivery is infanticide and is not advocated by any sane person.
The authors views are extremist and not reality based.
Michael Hamant, MD
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Marsella Mavis, Northwest side
On 9/23, the Phoenix Police Department announced that they had seized about 1 million fentanyl pills. The largest fentanyl seizure in their history. The two suspects were arrested identified as Francisco Delgado, 26, and Jose Molina, 21. In August, the Border Patrol stopped a vehicle near Gila Bend and found 343 packages of fentanyl pills, weighing 187 pounds. In July, Customs and Border Protection officers seized 1,800 pounds of fentanyl at ports of entry and the Border Patrol seized 340 pounds. It can be assumed that much more fentanyl is being smuggled across the border due to Border Patrol Agents' pre-occupation with processing historic numbers of illegal entrants and several of their checkpoints on highways having been shut down. I believe the drug cartels are laughing themselves silly at the huge profits they are making under Biden's border policies. They garner more profits now from smuggling fentanyl than marijuana, thanks to Democrats' ballot initiatives legalizing the latter. The result, thousands of American deaths from fentanyl.
Marsella Mavis
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Joe Sanchez, Marana
Or is it leverendum? Coerced voting using fear leverage. Our way or the. die way.
Joe Sanchez
Marana
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Edward Espinoza, Southwest side
Tim Stellar naively thinks Republican MAGAS do not present a threat to our country, and President Biden’s extremism comments were demonizing. Stellar basis his opinion on the fact that he doesn’t know any Marxist-Communist-pedophilia-spreading Satanist as liberals are described by the right. I also do not know anyone that fits that label. However, I do know that only MAGA Republicans are aligned with para military groups such as the Proud Boys, and Oath Keepers. I know only MAGAS disputed the results of a legitimate presidential election and participated in a plot to kidnap the Governor of Michigan. Also, MAGAS were the ones threatening 2020 election officials and Judge Bruce Reinhart over the Mar-a-Lago warrant. I’m aware civil war is a common theme in rightwing social media. Lastly, only MAGAS participated in an organized insurrection against our government. If Biden wins in 2024 and/or Trump goes to jail, be prepared for insurrection 2.0. The authorities hopefully will be better prepared.
Edward Espinoza
Southwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Roy Gregston, Green Valley
I liked Phil Bentley;s comment on "truth soldiers" Sept 24, and took his advice to investigate issues for myself. Starting with the tenets of our Constitution. I found this in Article IV. "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government and shalll protect each of them against Invasion and......domestic Violence." Twenty million undocumented people is an invasion, and our government is not upholding one of the basic tenets of our Constitution. And THAT is the truth.
Roy Gregston
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- William Ohl, Marana
The letter writer complained that Black Lives Matter and other race-related riots throughout the country recently, have not received the requisite press which the January 6th has. Ostensibly he intimates that this is just another example of poor MAGA supporters being unfairly targeted..
Here's a newsflash for you: January 6th amounted to an attempted insurrection, the aim of which was to thwart the constitutional stipulations for the lawful certification of a presidential election. It was spearheaded by remarks from the president of the United States who violated his oath of office on tape. It jeopardized the lives of Congressional leaders and the Vice President of the United States not to mentional killing five people-four innocents. It has created divisions in this country not seen since the Civil War. And it has lead to the widespread lunacy associated with nonexistent voter fraud conspiracy across the country.
Sorry, no comparison.
William Ohl
Marana
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Our Flag
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Close your eyes now and repeat it. I bet that almost all Daily Star readers nailed it, but let’s parse our pledge.
Justice for all: No ethnic group or elite class gets special treatment. Justice is blind.
Liberty: Freedom from excessive governance. No law could be the best law.
God: Founding Father John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Reflect on that.
One nation, indivisible: Our 235-year-old Constitution is the world's longest surviving written charter of governance. It’s for “We the People” to decide if it will endure.
Jeffrey McConnell
West side
November's midterms
This year's midterms will decide what kind of a country we want to live in. It is about a Republican Party that has been hijacked and hoodwinked by the biggest con artist in history. And gullible Republican voters have lapped it up like hungry dogs. The Republican candidates have never given a platform on how they will solve the problems we all face today (they refuse to work with the Dems). They are a party of conspiracies, grievances and the desire to put our country backwards hundreds of years. Anti-abortion laws that will result in more children being put in "the system" at taxpayer's expense. Banning books so children can't learn to think for themselves. Voters need to elect candidates that are serious about helping our country, not those who want to destroy it. Policies can be debated. Authoritarian governments can't. To paraphrase Lindsey Graham, if we nominate MAGA Republicans, we will get destroyed and we will deserve it. Please vote Democrat on Nov. 8.
Ilene Scannell
Northeast side
What about Independent voters?
Re: the Sept. 27 letter "How to decide on candidates."
The letter writer endeavored to educate voters recently; however, she completely ignored voters such as myself that are neither Republican nor Democratic, but Independent. Perhaps she would be kind enough to provide information about:
1. Responsibility for what happened in Afghanistan.
2. Explain why every day thousands of undocumented people cross into America on our southern border and must be cared for at taxpayer expense.
3. Why I saved to put my children though college and now have to pay for someone else's children's college expenses.
4. Who is responsible for the highest inflation in many years?
5. Why Congress won't approve term limits similar to those of the president.
6. Why this president needs to go on vacation (almost every weekend) more than any president in history.
7. If we have access to all the oil we need, why won't the president let us get to it?
8. Why the president's son is not being prosecuted?
9. Why do hunters need automatic weapons?
10. Are sanctuary cities really sanctuaries?
There are many more questions to be answered. And more time before the election. Still time to fill in the blanks and learn more facts.
Larry A. Van Wanseele
Sahuarita
Sen. Sinema wins
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is definitely successful in defending her brand of "bipartisanship": Polling shows that she has earned bipartisanship disapproval. Yay! I guess she got what she wanted: not fitting in ... anywhere.
Eudene Lupino
Northwest side
Tucson recipes
Re: the Sept. 27 letter "Food and Life section."
The recent letter regarding our Food and Life section has prompted me to finally share my thoughts on that topic. Reading about cozy stews when it's still 95 degrees in the Ol' Pueblo is only one reason the Star's food journalism seems wholly disconnected from the region it serves. As Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, I've thought it senseless that our culinary news be so often sourced from the "Tribune Content Agency." Surely our own food-scape is newsworthy as well?
Paula Redinger
Downtown
Critical CFSD
board election
Our community is facing a critically important school board election. As a parent whose child was educated from kindergarten through graduation in the Catalina Foothills School District, I am proud of the accomplishments achieved in CFSD over the past 20 years. The recognition of — and respect for — diversity, equity and inclusion has never been more important than it is today.
Candidates Amy Bhola, Amy Krauss and Gina Mehmert recognize and celebrate diversity in our classrooms and as a part of our valued curriculum. CFSD educators, board members, and many parents have long recognized that our society is only made successful when we respect and learn from those who may look different from us. As parents, we strive to share with our children, many of whom are now young adults, how we may further the recognition and respect for those whose path may be different from ours — whether ethnically, religiously, or based on personal preferences. A vote for Bhola, Krauss and Mehmert is a vote for diversity, equity and inclusion.
Tracy Shake
Foothills
We need to prevent
another Trump
I expect Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema to work with all their might to pass legislation so that the cheating, theft of classified documents, and any of the other things the lying ex-president has done can never be done again. I’m so sick of our country's money being used for idiotic schemes that man has dreamed up, and for the terrible mess he has gotten our country into.
This affects every one of us, and it has to stop with that man. There will be other con artists like him, ready to fall into step, right behind him, and ready to break the law, over and over, like him. It has to stop.
Patty LeCompte
Foothills
Arizona Election
My late mother was a lifelong Republican; I doubt she ever voted outside the party. In 2016, she said she didn’t think she could vote for Donald Trump, but neither would she vote for Hillary Clinton. She thought she’d vote for Mickey Mouse. After she had mailed in her ballot, I asked her if she had voted for Mickey. She said, “No I voted for the Wizard of Oz. I thought he had more leadership experience,” a cute but sad story. I wonder what she would do this year with a whole slate of Trump-backed, election-denying candidates in major offices. Would she vote for the Winged Monkeys or would she “Pay no attention to the (orange) man behind the curtain”? I imagine many current Republicans are faced with this same dilemma. I can only hope they might make a good decision for the future of Arizona.
Laura McCammon
North side
Sources of Energy
Re: the Oct. 2 article "Nuclear and natural gas won't save us."
I found it interesting to read Lauren Kuby's comments on your opinion page concerning her thoughts on the preferred sources of energy in the future, which do not appear to include fossil fuels or nuclear energy.
I spent over 30 years working in the energy business so I have a reasonable understanding of the time and effort necessary to make significant changes in our sources of energy, i.e., wood to coal, coal to natural gas and oil, etc. I also believe that climate changes are happening as a result of human activities. What I don't believe is that we yet have a decent understanding of how or how fast these changes will occur and what the effects they will have on society.
It would be a strategic mistake to remove relatively easy development of energy resources, such as natural gas, from our potential sources.
However, I do thank Ms. Kuby for providing me information that will help me decide how to cast my vote for the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Terry Allen
East side
Immigration
I think I read an idea put out for consideration in the editorial page a few days ago. Actually, I thought it was an excellent idea. Immigration affects California, Arizona, Texas, plus New Mexico. I think we need a committee of people from border towns along with New Mexico as the immigrants travel thru there also. These states know what is important to the citizens and what resources need to be in place. Most of the immigrants have traveled a long way. They are a part of our human race and should be treated with respect. There are resources in each of these states to help the oppressed. Think about this … would you sell everything and bring your family, or come by yourself to improve your life and remove yourself and family? Very tough decisions worthy of our support.
We are a great, compassionate country that can do what is right and just.
Mary Beth Schneider
Northeast side
Save the Reid Park
baseball fields
I oppose the elimination of any Reid Park Baseball Fields.
In addition to local leagues, the fields are used by Korean Baseball and the Salpointe Baseball Tournament. These events attract out-of-town teams and parents/fans, and have a major economic impact on the City of Tucson and our local hotels and restaurants.
If the fields are eliminated, the city will lose revenue from the field rental fees, as well as lose sales tax and bed tax revenue from the displaced hotel rooms. Our local hotels and restaurants will also suffer from lost sales.
The proposed new uses for the eliminated baseball fields will generate no revenue for the city or its Hospitality Industry.
Tucson’s hotels suffered greatly during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are finally returning to normal.
Eliminating the Reid Park Baseball Fields will be another blow to Tucson’s Hospitality Industry. On behalf of the thousands of Tucson’s residents who work in Hospitality, please preserve all four of the Reid Park Baseball Fields!
Wes Clark
East side
Reason to be pro life
I am pro-life because I am against violence and abortion is one of the most violent acts against a human being. The fetus begins to feel pain by 12 weeks of gestation so the abortion procedure is especially violent in the second and third trimester.
Women are resilient. They will educate themselves about the abortion procedure. They will say no to sex if they are not ready to have a child. They will get on birth control and take it according to the directions and make sure the man wears a condom. They will obtain the morning after pill to have on hand before it's needed.
I am pro-choice and there are many choices to make when it comes to avoiding getting pregnant or after becoming pregnant. Abortion has never been and will never be a choice for me.
Helen Danahey Stewart, MD
Green Valley
Cost of having
child in US
The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any country in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Yet, childbirth and the costs that come with it are immense. National average costs of a vaginal birth is $13,024 and C-section is $22,646, including standard expenses such as facility and doctor fees, although this could vary by state.
While health insurance plans cover a significant amount, out-of-pocket costs would still be around $3,000. Uninsured and underinsured women are vulnerable to spend extraordinary amounts. Costs could also increase when health conditions of the mother and baby are factored in. Another option of home births is not covered by health insurance, and women must pay out-of-pocket if they require health care providers.
With the lack of predictability around health outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth and during the postpartum period, women and families need to plan months ahead for childbirth. A lack of access to abortion services could lead to worse maternal and child health outcomes.
Kiranmayee Muralidhar
Downtown
Give yourself a break
Ronald Reagan famously said "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help.” But when disaster strikes who are you going to call? Local, regional, state, and federal governments. Whose contribution is monetarily the largest? The federal government, with FEMA, the Coast Guard, and with the big money to hand out to local agencies including corporate recipients.
FEMA doesn’t see Republicans and Democrats; it sees people in need. It’s government “for the general welfare.” We don’t, as a nation rise up and tell Florida to handle its own damage or pay back the Fed. We give them a break.
Isn’t it funny that, as a nation, we won’t vote to fix our damaged health care system and give ourselves medicare for all? Why don’t we give ourselves a break?
Burl Dunn
Downtown
- Ilene Scannell, Northeast side
This year's midterms will decide what kind of a country we want to live in. It is about a Republican party that has been hijacked and hoodwinked by the biggest con artist in history. And gullible Republican voters have lapped it up like hungry dogs. The Republican candidates have never given a platform on how they will solve the problems we all face today (they refuse to work with the Dems). They are a party of conspiracies, grievances and the desire to put our country backwards hundreds of years. Anti-abortion laws that will result in more children being put in "the system" at taxpayer's expense. Banning books so children can't learn to think for themselves. Voters need to elect candidates that are serious about helping our country, not those who want to destroy it. Policies can be debated. Authoritarian governments can't. To paraphrase Lindsey Graham, if we nominate MAGA Republicans, we will get destroyed and we will deserve it. Please vote Democrat on November 8th.
Ilene Scannell
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Jeffrey McConnell, West side
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL.
Close your eyes now and repeat it. I bet that almost all Daily Star readers nailed it but let’s parse our pledge.
Justice for all: No ethnic group or elite class gets special treatment. Justice is blind.
Liberty: Freedom from excessive governance. No law could be the best law.
God: Founding Father John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Reflect on that.
One nation, indivisible: Our 235-year-old Constitution is the world's longest surviving written charter of governance. It’s for “We the People” to decide if it will endure.
Jeffrey McConnell
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Eudene Lupino, Northwest side
Sen. Sinema is definitely successful in defending her brand of "bipartisanship": polling shows that she has earned bipartisanship disapproval. Yay! I guess she got what she wanted: not fitting in--anywhere.
Eudene Lupino
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Patty LeCompte, Foothills
I expect Senators Kelly and Sinema to work with all their might to pass legislation so that the cheating, theft of classified documents, and any of the other things the lying ex-president has done can never be done again. I’m so sick of our country's money being used for idiotic schemes that man has dreamed up, and for the terrible mess he has gotten our country into.
This affects every one of us, and it has to stop with that man. There will be other con artists like him, ready to fall into step, right behind him, and ready to break the law, over and over, like him. It has to stop.
Patty LeCompte
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Terry Allen, East side
Re: the Oct. 2 article "Nuclear and natural gas won't save us."
I found it interesting to read Lauren Kuby's comments on your opinion page today concerning her thoughts on the preferred sources of energy in the future, which do not appear to include fossil fuels or nuclear energy.
I spent over 30 years working in the energy business so have a reasonable understanding of the time and effort necessary to make significant changes in our sources of energy, i.e., wood to coal, coal to natural gas and oil, etc. I also believe that climate changes are happening as a result of human activities. What I don't believe is that we yet have a decent understanding of how or how fast these changes will occur and what the effects they will have on society.
It would be a strategic mistake to remove relatively easy development of energy resources, such as natural gas, from our potential sources.
However, I do thank Ms Kuby for providing me information that will help me decide how to cast my vote for the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Terry Allen
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Kiranmayee Muralidhar, Downtown
The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any country in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD). Yet, childbirth and the costs that come with it are immense. National average costs of a vaginal birth is $13,024 and C-section is $22,646, including standard expenses such as facility and doctor fees, although this could vary by state.
While health insurance plans cover a significant amount, out-of-pocket costs would still be around $3000. Uninsured and underinsured women are vulnerable to spend extraordinary amounts. Costs could also increase when health conditions of the mother and baby are factored in. Another option of home births is not covered by health insurance, and women must pay out-of-pocket if they require health care providers.
With the lack of predictability around health outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth and during the postpartum period, women and families need to plan months ahead for childbirth. A lack of access to abortion services could lead to worse maternal and child health outcomes.
Kiranmayee Muralidhar
Downtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Burl Dunn, Downtown
Ronald Reagan famously said "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help.” But when disaster strikes who are you going to call? Local, regional, state, and federal governments. Whose contribution is monetarily the largest? The federal government, with FEMA, the Coast Guard, and with the big money to hand out to local agencies including corporate recipients.
FEMA doesn’t see Republicans and Democrats; it sees people in need. It’s government “for the general welfare.” We don’t, as a nation rise up and tell Florida to handle its own damage or pay back the Fed. We give them a break.
Isn’t it funny that, as a nation, we won’t vote to fix our damaged health care system and give ourselves medicare for all? Why don’t we give ourselves a break?
Burl Dunn
Downtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
More like this...
- Carol King, West side
What people need to realize is that Pro Choice is just that. It’s not pro abortion it’s ProChoice. In the day, I probably would not have gotten an abortion but i would have wanted to have the option. It’s not for you are anyone else to tell me whether or I not I can get one. It’s my choice not yours or some politicians, especially men trying to put womens rights back decades.
Please vote accordingly.
Carol King
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Richard Tofel, Midtown
Negative political ads are historically inaccurate, but Kirsten Engels’ negative ad about Juan Ciscomani have reach a new low. She completely misstates Ciscomani’s position on abortion, a key hot button issue this election. She accuses him of being anti-abortion with no exceptions including rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at risk. I am a personal friend of Juan and have specifically asked him to clarify his position on abortion to avoid any misrepresentations on my part. It is true that Juan is strongly pro-life, but with exceptions, those being the three listed above; that is rape, incest and when the life of the mother is at risk. Kirsten Engel is strongly pro-abortion. Does she have any exceptions, like late term or partial birth abortion, one the most gruesome procedures imaginable?
Richard Tofel
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Melanie Bell, Midtown
The GOP talks about being the party of freedom, and their abhorrence of government overreach. How does this square, then, with forcing women to give birth? It doesn’t. Republicans have outlawed abortion in many states and have also attempted to restrict citizen initiatives to get the issue on the ballot.
Republican government has also inserted itself into medical decision making, and doctors are having to make women bleed for days and come close to death before they can induce medically necessary miscarriages. GOP state lawmakers have also attempted to restrict a person’s travel, if that travel involves getting an abortion in a state where it is legal.
The majority of Americans support reproductive freedom. They don’t want the government forcing women to give birth, being involved in their private medical care, and telling them when and why they can travel.
The GOP is not the party of freedom. Vote against these extreme positions.
Melanie Bell
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Daniel Poryanda, Southeast side
To all the letter writers who compare the Jan. 6th incident to the incidents across the country after George Floyd's and others deaths, I say this. I do , and all people of this country should condemn violence and try to cloak it as a demonstration of free speech. The two are not even close in their reason for being. Jan. 6th was an attempt to overthrow an election and trample on the rule of law and possibly the government. The Floyd incidents were protests against using unlawful and deadly force against a person. Neither case should been violent. You can stand in the street and make your point. Violence is where it ends.
Daniel Poryanda
Southeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Mary Beth Schneider, Northeast side
I think I read a idea put out for consideration in the editorial page a few days ago. Actually, I thought it was an excellent idea. Immigration affects California, Arizona, Texas plus New Mexico. I think that a committee of people from border towns along with New Mexico as the immigrants travel thru there also. These states know what is important to the citizens and what resources need to be in place. Most of the immigrants have traveled a long way. They as part of our human race and should be treated with respect. There are resources in each of these States to help the oppressed. Think about this… would you sell everything and bring your family, or come by yourself to improve your life and remove yourself and family? Very tough decisions worthy of our support.
We are a great, compassionate country can do what is right and just.
Mary Beth Schneider
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Tucson traffic and crime
Yesterday, around 5:30, I was driving home from work on East Broadway and noticed as I drove by North Craycroft Road that in the right lane there were about six motorcyclists and they were all doing wheelies. I have never seen that before in the middle of the work day traffic. Why were they doing this? Because they can. Our traffic is pretty much out of control.
Our local police force is being depleted as our police officers are fleeing Tucson for higher paying jobs in safer Arizona cities. Some of our policemen are driving around in old four-door sedans that would be hard to sell at a used car lot.
Let’s face it, Tucson has a crime/traffic problem, and our mayor needs to do something about it. In sports, if the coach loses control of the team, the coach gets fired. We are Tucson, and we can do better than this.
Pat Darcy
Midtown
Right before our eyes
I will not discuss the issue of border security, which is already politicized, but despite being only 60 miles from the border, it is primarily transparent to citizens of this city. That means we do not see it when we drive around our city. Tourism is important to our economy, and visitors do not see it, either.
What we and visitors do see is homeless people, surrounded by their few belongings and looking for aid. I am not a religious man, but while I wait for the light to change, I sometimes give loose change; I sometimes avert my eyes and fiddle with the radio. You might well act the same.
I do not have a solution, these people are Americans, and there seems to be no recognition of this situation even though it is visible to us and our visitors. A first step would be if our government in Phoenix recognized the issue.
Michael Burdoo
West side
How to handle water shortage
We are out of water.
The American northwest, however, including Alaska and Canada, have hundreds of rivers with excess water. The Columbia River, for example, has four times the volume of the Colorado River. Google says that 265,000 cubic feet of water from the Columbia flow into the Pacific every second. The Yukon River in Alaska has thousands of cubic feet that flow un-touched into the Pacific.
The government should get out of the picture and allow private enterprise to handle water supplies. Note that over 2 million miles of oil and gas pipelines were built by private oil companies. Rather than becoming a burden on taxpayers, the oil pipelines were another instrument in creating wealth. It can be so with construction of water pipelines. Like supplying oil, supplying water should be a business enterprise.
A discussion about water pipelines is decades overdue.
Jim Douthit
West side
Comprehension
Reading the Letters to the Editor, it is clear the Arizona school system is doing a wonderful job of teaching Arizonians how to read. Where the system is failing is in comprehension. “Now he has deemed 74 million that voted for Donald Trump as anarchists” as one writer stated. President Biden said “MAGA Republicans,” not all Republicans. Comprehension is the problem. Picking little bits here and there is not comprehension, it is propaganda at its finest. Propaganda is the dissemination of lies to influence and manipulate someone. There is a difference.
James Galvin
Sahuarita
Jan. 6th and George Floyd
To all the letter writers who compare the Jan. 6 incident to the incidents across the country after George Floyd’s and others’ deaths, I say this. I do, and all people of this country should, condemn violence and try to cloak it as a demonstration of free speech. The two are not even close in their reason for being. Jan. 6 was an attempt to overthrow an election and trample on the rule of law and possibly the government. The Floyd incidents were protests against using unlawful and deadly force against a person. Neither case should have been violent. You can stand in the street and make your point. Violence is where it ends.
Daniel Poryanda
Southeast side
Pro-choice
What people need to realize is that pro-choice is just that. It’s not pro-abortion, it’s pro-choice. In the day, I probably would not have gotten an abortion, but I would have wanted to have the option. It’s not for you or anyone else to tell me whether or not I can get one. It’s my choice — not yours or some politician’s, especially men trying to put women’s rights back decades.
Please vote accordingly.
Carol King
West side
Local school board elections
This November, Arizonans are voting on our education priorities. Several public school districts have candidates running for local school boards that do not support teachers, public education students’ success in those districts. It is important to research candidates because school boards are supposed to be non-partisan, but that is not the case this election. I live in the Marana Unified School District, where two governing board seats are up for election. After reviewing the candidates, I am impressed with Abbie Hlavacek and Kathryn Mikronis.
Both mothers with kids in MUSD who have served on the PTO at their kid’s schools and have been involved, advocating for their own kids and others with special needs. They strongly support public education and the teachers working hard in our classrooms daily. We need parents on our school board who support public education, our teachers and our students.
Please check out your local school board candidates and their endorsements. In MUSD, please vote for Abbie Hlavacek and Kathryn Mikronis.
Pauline Malcolm
Northwest side
Juan Ciscomani view on abortion
Negative political ads are historically inaccurate, but Kirsten Engel’s negative ad about Juan Ciscomani has reached a new low. She completely misstates Ciscomani’s position on abortion, a key hot button issue this election. She accuses him of being anti-abortion with no exceptions including rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at risk. I am a personal friend of Juan and have specifically asked him to clarify his position on abortion to avoid any misrepresentations on my part. It is true that Juan is strongly pro-life, but with exceptions, those being the three listed above; that is rape, incest and when the life of the mother is at risk. Kirsten Engel is strongly pro-abortion. Does she have any exceptions, like late-term or partial birth abortion, one of the most gruesome procedures imaginable?
Richard Tofel
Midtown
Gov’t overreach: forced birth
The GOP talks about being the party of freedom and their abhorrence of government overreach. How does this square, then, with forcing women to give birth? It doesn’t. Republicans have outlawed abortion in many states and have also attempted to restrict citizen initiatives to get the issue on the ballot.
Republican government has also inserted itself into medical decision making, and doctors are having to make women bleed for days and come close to death before they can induce medically necessary miscarriages. GOP state lawmakers have also attempted to restrict a person’s travel, if that travel involves getting an abortion in a state where it is legal.
The majority of Americans support reproductive freedom. They don’t want the government forcing women to give birth, being involved in their private medical care, and telling them when and why they can travel.
The GOP is not the party of freedom. Vote against these extreme positions.
Melanie Bell
Midtown
Tucson traffic and crime
Yesterday, around 5:30, I was driving home from work on East Broadway and noticed as I drove by North Craycroft Road that in the right lane there were about six motorcyclists and they were all doing wheelies. I have never seen that before in the middle of the work day traffic. Why were they doing this? Because they can. Our traffic is pretty much out of control.
Our local police force is being depleted as our police officers are fleeing Tucson for higher paying jobs in safer Arizona cities. Some of our policemen are driving around in old four-door sedans that would be hard to sell at a used car lot.
Let's face it, Tucson has a crime/traffic problem, and our mayor needs to do something about it. In sports, if the coach loses control of the team, the coach gets fired. We are Tucson, and we can do better than this.
Pat Darcy
Midtown
Right before our eyes
I will not discuss the issue of border security, which is already politicized, but despite being only 60 miles from the border, it is primarily transparent to citizens of this city. That means we do not see it when we drive around our city. Tourism is important to our economy, and visitors do not see it, either.
What we and visitors do see is homeless people, surrounded by their few belongings and looking for aid. I am not a religious man, but while I wait for the light to change, I sometimes give loose change; I sometimes avert my eyes and fiddle with the radio. You might well act the same.
I do not have a solution, these people are Americans, and there seems to be no recognition of this situation even though it is visible to us and our visitors. A first step would be if our government in Phoenix recognized the issue.
Michael Burdoo
West side
How to handle water shortage
We are out of water.
The American northwest, however, including Alaska and Canada, have hundreds of rivers with excess water. The Columbia River, for example, has four times the volume of the Colorado River. Google says that 265,000 cubic feet of water from the Columbia flow into the Pacific every second. The Yukon River in Alaska has thousands of cubic feet that flow un-touched into the Pacific.
The government should get out of the picture and allow private enterprise to handle water supplies. Note that over 2 million miles of oil and gas pipelines were built by private oil companies. Rather than becoming a burden on taxpayers, the oil pipelines were another instrument in creating wealth. It can be so with construction of water pipelines. Like supplying oil, supplying water should be a business enterprise.
A discussion about water pipelines is decades overdue.
Jim Douthit
West side
Comprehension
Reading the Letters to the Editor, it is clear the Arizona school system is doing a wonderful job of teaching Arizonians how to read. Where the system is failing is in comprehension. "Now he has deemed 74 million that voted for Donald Trump as anarchists" as one writer stated. President Biden said "MAGA Republicans," not all Republicans. Comprehension is the problem. Picking little bits here and there is not comprehension, it is propaganda at its finest. Propaganda is the dissemination of lies to influence and manipulate someone. There is a difference.
James Galvin
Sahuarita
Jan. 6th and George Floyd
To all the letter writers who compare the Jan. 6 incident to the incidents across the country after George Floyd's and others' deaths, I say this. I do, and all people of this country should, condemn violence and try to cloak it as a demonstration of free speech. The two are not even close in their reason for being. Jan. 6 was an attempt to overthrow an election and trample on the rule of law and possibly the government. The Floyd incidents were protests against using unlawful and deadly force against a person. Neither case should have been violent. You can stand in the street and make your point. Violence is where it ends.
Daniel Poryanda
Southeast side
Pro-choice
What people need to realize is that pro-choice is just that. It’s not pro-abortion, it’s pro-choice. In the day, I probably would not have gotten an abortion, but I would have wanted to have the option. It’s not for you or anyone else to tell me whether or not I can get one. It’s my choice — not yours or some politician's, especially men trying to put women's rights back decades.
Please vote accordingly.
Carol King
West side
Local school board elections
This November, Arizonans are voting on our education priorities. Several public school districts have candidates running for local school boards that do not support teachers, public education students’ success in those districts. It is important to research candidates because school boards are supposed to be non-partisan, but that is not the case this election. I live in the Marana Unified School District, where two governing board seats are up for election. After reviewing the candidates, I am impressed with Abbie Hlavacek and Kathryn Mikronis.
Both mothers with kids in MUSD who have served on the PTO at their kid’s schools and have been involved, advocating for their own kids and others with special needs. They strongly support public education and the teachers working hard in our classrooms daily. We need parents on our school board who support public education, our teachers and our students.
Please check out your local school board candidates and their endorsements. In MUSD, please vote for Abbie Hlavacek and Kathryn Mikronis.
Pauline Malcolm
Northwest side
Juan Ciscomani view on abortion
Negative political ads are historically inaccurate, but Kirsten Engel's negative ad about Juan Ciscomani has reached a new low. She completely misstates Ciscomani’s position on abortion, a key hot button issue this election. She accuses him of being anti-abortion with no exceptions including rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at risk. I am a personal friend of Juan and have specifically asked him to clarify his position on abortion to avoid any misrepresentations on my part. It is true that Juan is strongly pro-life, but with exceptions, those being the three listed above; that is rape, incest and when the life of the mother is at risk. Kirsten Engel is strongly pro-abortion. Does she have any exceptions, like late-term or partial birth abortion, one of the most gruesome procedures imaginable?
Richard Tofel
Midtown
Gov't overreach: forced birth
The GOP talks about being the party of freedom and their abhorrence of government overreach. How does this square, then, with forcing women to give birth? It doesn’t. Republicans have outlawed abortion in many states and have also attempted to restrict citizen initiatives to get the issue on the ballot.
Republican government has also inserted itself into medical decision making, and doctors are having to make women bleed for days and come close to death before they can induce medically necessary miscarriages. GOP state lawmakers have also attempted to restrict a person’s travel, if that travel involves getting an abortion in a state where it is legal.
The majority of Americans support reproductive freedom. They don’t want the government forcing women to give birth, being involved in their private medical care, and telling them when and why they can travel.
The GOP is not the party of freedom. Vote against these extreme positions.
Melanie Bell
Midtown
- Susan VonKersburg, Foothills
Vote for trump if you: approve of a person who has been convicted of stealing from his own charity, ran a real estate school scam, patronized and bribed a prostitute during his campaign and forced his attorney to take the fall just after his wife had given birth, asked Russia for help in his campaign, ran his own business while President, begged/ threatened Georgia Secretary of State, and others, to find thousands of non-existent votes for him, made off with Top Security material claiming he could declassify telepathically, ditto hundred +/- boxes of papers belonging to the United States, simultaneously committing tax and bank fraud for years AND joining Q anon And threatening mayhem should he be indicted for some or all of the above, and twice impeached…
VOTE FOR TRUMP IN ‘24.
Susan VonKersburg
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Thomas McGorray, Northwest side
As a registered independent I have tried to find truth in politics - It has
been a frustrating effort. Everyone is biased — and that's okay. There's no
such thing as unbiased news.
A recent survey was conducted by the Knight Foundation and Gallup. Among its findings: About 49 percent of Americans see “a great deal” of political bias in news
coverage, while 37 percent see “a fair amount.”
The vast majority of Americans (81%) say that the news media is “critical” to democracy.
I have found the following to be true. On the far left you have the NY Times and CNN. Leaning left you have AP, The Washington Post, Insider and the Guardian.
On the far right you have Fox News, National Review and Newsmax.
Leaning to the right you have the NY Post and Epoch Times.
I personally find the least bias to be the Wall Street Journal, The Hill, Reuters and Newsweek.
These 4 appear to me to come closest to the truth.
Thomas McGorray
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Jack Walters, Northeast side
Like you, I can’t stand political ads. For the most part their only purpose is to scare us into voting for their candidate. If they do talk about issues they support they brag about what they will do. In days gone by this might have been true but not now. Remember when Mc Caine was a maverick? When you cast your vote don’t think about the candidate but about the party. With only rare exceptions does an elected person depart from the party line. Whether Senator or Representative they are required to toe the party line.
If you support the current Democratic programs then you need to vote for Kelly. If you don’t you must vote for Masters. I am not trying to persuade you either way. I am only trying to convince you what you should consider before voting and tune out all political ads.
Jack Walters
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Ke Chiang Hsieh, Midtown
Voting is basic to democracy as breathing is to life. I vote earnestly because it is forbidden in China, my birthplace. My choice of candidates and approval of propositions must be consistent with my core values and my understanding of the world around me. I, a Christian, a physicist, and an immigrant, all by choice, take living on a life-sustaining Earth of utmost value for all creatures on this planet, our only home. Without a supportive ecosystem, life is doomed; without human mutual caring, we’ll destroy ourselves. Therefore, I choose candidates who respect facts in the physical world as well as in human affairs and treat other human beings, regardless of race, gender, religion, or social status, as equals with compassion; and approve propositions that promote equality, freedom, and justice for all. Sadly, no Republican candidates fit my bill; and only Propositions 209, 210, 211,308, and 310 meet my approval. God have mercy!
Ke Chiang Hsieh
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Protect right to choose
In 1991, when I first took a job working at an early abortion clinic in Pennsylvania as a counselor, I was uncertain how I felt about it.
Then, the GYN doctor that I worked with described what it was like prior to Roe v. Wade, where 20 to 60 women per week showed up dying of septic abortions. “These were our friends, neighbors, people’s children and parents dying, even our co-workers at the hospital,” he sighed. He decided that when it was legal, he would do anything he could to keep women safe, no matter their choice.
Unfortunately, once again women are avoiding the hospital in life-threatening situations for fear of prosecution, and people who are dying of septic abortions are unable to get the treatment that they need to live. We will see massive unintended consequences if people aren’t allowed to make their own health care decisions, which is why we must see action at the state government level to help protect a woman’s right to choose.
Barbara McKean
Northwest side
Fascist letter writer
Re: the Sept. 12 letter “I am a fascist.”
The letter writer’s puff piece on being a fascist made me cringe. I wanted a better understanding of fascism, so I found an essay by Umberto Eco listing the 14 characteristics of fascism.
If you follow the letter writer’s usual two-week dump of vitriol comprised of his master list of grievances, you would expect to find it is from the likes of Jim Jordan, Fox News, and Ted Cruz’s talking points, it becomes very clear that he does fill a lot of boxes on Umberto’s list.
Meanwhile, Rusty Bowers (who served honorably for 30 years) explains how he derailed Republican legislation that in essence would allow the Republican legislature to override the will of the people and choose their party’s choice of presidential candidate.
Rusty is gone now, because he wasn’t Trump enough. In November, if we vote in a Republican legislature, and a Republican governor, we may get to find out what fascism really is all about.
Larry Robinson
Northwest side
Media bias and the truth
As a registered Independent, I have tried to find truth in politics. It has been a frustrating effort. Everyone is biased — and that’s OK. There’s no such thing as unbiased news.
A recent survey was conducted by the Knight Foundation and Gallup. Among its findings: About 49% of Americans see “a great deal” of political bias in news coverage, while 37% see “a fair amount.”
The vast majority of Americans (81%) say that the news media is “critical” to democracy.
I have found the following to be true. On the far left you have the New York Times and CNN. Leaning left you have AP, The Washington Post, Insider and the Guardian.
On the far right, you have Fox News, National Review and Newsmax.
Leaning to the right, you have the New York Post and Epoch Times.
I personally find the least biased to be the Wall Street Journal, The Hill, Reuters and Newsweek.
These four appear to me to come closest to the truth.
Thomas McGorray
Northwest side
Kelly vs. Masters
Like you, I can’t stand political ads. For the most part, their only purpose is to scare us into voting for their candidate. If they do talk about issues they support, they brag about what they will do. In days gone by this might have been true, but not now. Remember when McCain was a maverick? When you cast your vote, don’t think about the candidate but about the party. With only rare exceptions does an elected person depart from the party line. Whether senator or representative they are required to toe the party line.
If you support the current Democratic programs, then you need to vote for Kelly. If you don’t, you must vote for Masters. I am not trying to persuade you either way. I am only trying to convince you what you should consider before voting and tune out all political ads.
Jack Walters
Northeast side
Water in the Southwest
Re: the Sept. 18 article “Ways to solve crisis in affordable housing.”
This article ignores realities for long-term growth in our region. Better planning for housing can provide more homes affordable for more people. However, it cannot ensure they will have water.
The authors’ entire reference to that issue is “There’s also an impact on water supply in the Western States.” Government plans are underway for drastic reductions in use of Colorado River water. Groundwater use is almost always unsustainable. Desalinated groundwater from the Gulf of California would be very expensive.
Every time a new faucet is added, no matter how well planned, means increased water usage. In Cochise County, people are losing their homes because they cannot afford to extend wells needed for unsustainable and unregulated groundwater use. The pumping already is leading to ground subsidence and the crushing and elimination of aquifers.
No amount of planning will enable limitless growth with unsustainable resources.
Roger McManus
Midtown
Can’t trust Finchem
The campaign poster for Mark Finchem, the Republican candidate for secretary of state, says a lot about how he would fulfill his duties. “Election Integrity,” fine; it’s the primary duty of that office. But “Defend Gun Rights”? The Secretary of State has nothing to do with that. He is clearly appealing to and likely to act in lockstep with the fringe Republicans who deny the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election (a well-demonstrated lie), wish to deny a significant portion of the population of the right to vote, and seek to overturn election results if they don’t go their way. And elections are the primary responsibility of the office for which he is running. A Democrat and a Republican are on the ballot, but the winner must act in a strictly non-partisan manner. Mark Finchem shows us that we cannot trust him to do the job.
Joel Yelland
Northwest side
Applaud efforts by Grijalva
In a recent Politico story, Congressman Raul Grijalva, the long-standing chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, “asked the Department of Interior head Deb Haaland to step in and compel major water delivery cuts along the Colorado River in a bid to prevent a massive water and power crisis across the West.” Last Thursday, Grijalva wrote, “If all of the Basin states cannot meet the undeniable urgency of this moment, then the Department must provide the clarity and certainty of a federal plan to preserve our dwindling water resources for the tens of millions of Americans who rely on the Colorado River.”
Grijalva’s effort should be roundly applauded. While not perfect, bureaucratic expertise, rather than political might, can provide a more even-handed, near-term response to the depletion of the Colorado River’s former abundance. The dozens of writers to the editor in past months, calling for decisive action, have a reason finally to feel encouraged.
Richard Kaiset
Midtown
Vote for Trump?
Vote for Trump if you: approve of a person who has been convicted of stealing from his own charity, ran a real estate school scam, patronized and bribed a woman during his campaign and forced his attorney to take the fall just after his wife had given birth, asked Russia for help in his campaign, ran his own business while president, begged/threatened Georgia secretary of state, and others, to find thousands of non-existent votes for him, made off with Top Security material claiming he could declassify telepathically, ditto hundred (plus or minus) boxes of papers belonging to the United States, simultaneously committing tax and bank fraud for years and joining QAnon and threatening mayhem should he be indicted for some or all of the above, and twice impeached.
Vote for Trump in 2024.
Susan VonKersburg
Foothills
Vote for honesty and mercy
Voting is as basic to democracy as breathing is to life. I vote earnestly because it is forbidden in China, my birthplace. My choice of candidates and approval of propositions must be consistent with my core values and my understanding of the world around me. I, a Christian, a physicist, and an immigrant, all by choice, take living on a life-sustaining Earth of utmost value for all creatures on this planet, our only home. Without a supportive ecosystem, life is doomed; without human mutual caring, we’ll destroy ourselves. Therefore, I choose candidates who respect facts in the physical world as well as in human affairs and treat other human beings, regardless of race, gender, religion or social status, as equals with compassion; and approve propositions that promote equality, freedom and justice for all. Sadly, no Republican candidates fit my bill; and only Propositions 209, 210, 211, 308 and 310 meet my approval. God have mercy!
Ke Chiang Hsieh
Midtown
- Matt Somers, Midtown
With the falling of the leaves, the first hint of cool weather and shorter daytimes also comes the first week of October, when the United States Supreme Court is back in session.
This year the Samuel Alito court (Chief Justice John Roberts is an afterthought, like a used facial tissue) will continue its destruction of 231 years of court rulings. The court will make decisions that will be equal to or worse than Plessey v Ferguson (separate yet equal facilities and the codification of Jim Crow laws), Bush v Gore (which handed the presidency to George W Bush with the wording that Bush v Gore could not be precedent for future rulings, a legal mulligan) and Citizens United v FEC (which allowed the rich to scream and the poor to whimper political views through the size of their political donations).
The court's evangelical conservatives will strip human rights from the defenseless and support the moneyed classes. Their god, they believe, says to do so.
Matt Somers
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Vincent Allen, Northwest side
The absurdity of this 'report' is beyond compare. The reporter, Mike Schneider of the Associated Press fails completely to tell us what the scope relative to the entire Census operation and to previous Census operations is even in a vague way. The 'story' is alarmist BS. Plus the fact that the Star's editors failed to stop this 'story' from going into print, let alone on the Front Page does serious damage to the Star's editorial staff's reputation.
Please do due diligence and FIX this story so that it is reflective of the true dimensions of the problem.
Vincent Allen
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Wiliam Johnson, Northwest side
What has happened to the day when candidates for public office advertised their qualifications, and their philosophy, for consideration by the voting public. Today, political ads seem to consist mainly of efforts to tear down the opponent, often using content taken out of context. How can we make a decision on which candidate to choose, based on this kind of negative campaigning?
Wiliam Johnson
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Dan Pendergrass, West side
It’s pointless to try and explain adiabatic process to a lay person, so I’ll turn the letter writers request around ask why they think the monsoon would shutdown with global warming? Convection processes with “rain” occur on Venus with temps of 600C. Boiling doesn’t refer to temperature as such, but a change in state caused by increased energy. For instance liquid Nitrogen boils at minus 325F. The convection cell that runs the local monsoon will be around long after we've perished. At some point the micro bursts associated with it could hit speeds of 200 mph or more. Ten inches of rain or more could fall in 2 hours as the air will rise higher with more water vapor before condensing. This sounds bad, but don’t fret. By the time the “Monsoon” gets this bad we’ll be having 150 degrees in the shade and will most likely have already perished.
Dan Pendergrass
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Craig Whaley, Oro Valley
It is apparent that the idea of “Life Matters More” is determined only by the issue in question. If the issue is preventing abortion, the “life matters more” argument is used to prevent anyone from making an individual choice. However, if the issue is mandatory vaccinations to prevent illness and death, then many chose the position that this is a choice issue for individuals rather than mandating shots for the benefit of all. How do these people rationalize the difference? Just wondering.
Craig Whaley
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Miguel Herrera, East side
I believe it’s Congress's responsibility to ensure the U.S. healthcare system is as strong and accessible for our patients as possible. My daughter Sophia was born with extreme eczema, an itchy skin condition that causes rashes, dry patches, and even blistering. While eczema has no cure, we are fortunate that Sophia has access to treatments that manage her discomfort to help her live a relatively carefree life as children should.
Without the proper policies and support, we would have access to far fewer treatment and medication options—and that is unacceptable. There are other ways to ensure access to the right care while also helping alleviate costs, like Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reforms. These healthcare middlemen pocket savings that are supposed to be applied when picking up prescriptions at the pharmacy counter.
I hope Congress will protect our ability to continue finding the next best medical innovation.
Sincerely,
Miguel Herrera
Miguel Herrera
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Catey Bartolucci, Northeast side
The writer of this letter seems to suggest that there was too much coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II by our nation's networks. I believe one of the reasons our networks covered the death and funeral of this remarkable woman was because she was what virtually no American politician, past or present, has ever been - someone who dedicated her entire life to the service of her people, with selflessness, grace, dignity and kindness. Queen Elizabeth II never forgot who she worked for...our country's politicians would do well to heed her example.
Catey Bartolucci
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Gun rights vs. women’s rights
Re: the Sept. 23 letter “Women’s rights.”
My eyes are rolling at this letter. If life is so important, more important than a woman’s life, why isn’t she complaining about too many automatic weapons in this country? They’re being used to kill children in school! But I don’t hear anything from these religious hypocrites about taking the rights to purchase these awful weapons. Seriously?
Carol Allen-Rasoul
Green Valley
PCC Board Election
Voters should know more about PCC’s board before they cast ballots. A three-member bloc has made the board a rubber stamp for the chancellor and effectively silenced the two minority members.
The Higher Learning Commission, the college’s national accrediting body, came to investigate the board in March. The chancellor received a draft report months ago. He refuses to release it. The final vote occurs after our election.
KOLD reporter Valerie Cavazos obtained a leaked draft and reported on Aug. 29 that the HLC team found “the rift in the board severe enough to put the college at risk.”
I hope voters will give the board a new District 2 member, Theresa Riel, who taught mathematics at the college for 23 years. She insists on transparency, values diversity, and is dedicated to Pima. A vote for Riel is a vote for a functioning, open-minded, transparent board.
Kitty Reeve,
Retired PCC Faculty
Midtown
Absurd report
Re: the Sept. 19 article “Report: 1,400 census takers were ‘hard fails’.”
The absurdity of this “report” is beyond compare. The reporter, Mike Schneider of the Associated Press, fails completely to tell us what the scope relative to the entire Census operation and to previous Census operations is even in a vague way. The “story” is alarmist .
Vincent Allen
Northwest side
Monsoon answers aren’t enough
Re: the Sept. 21 letter “No answers to question.”
It’s pointless to try and explain adiabatic process to a lay person, so I’ll turn the letter writer’s request around and ask why they think the monsoon would shut down with global warming? Convection processes with “rain” occur on Venus with temps of 600 degrees Celsius. Boiling doesn’t refer to temperature as such, but a change in state caused by increased energy. For instance, liquid nitrogen boils at minus-325 degrees Fahrenheit. The convection cell that runs the local monsoon will be around long after we’ve perished. At some point the micro-bursts associated with it could hit speeds of 200 mph or more. Ten inches of rain or more could fall in two hours as the air will rise higher with more water vapor before condensing. This sounds bad, but don’t fret. By the time the “monsoon” gets this bad we’ll be having 150 degrees in the shade and will most likely have already perished.
Dan Pendergrass
West side
Congress must protect patients
I believe it’s the responsibility of Congress to ensure the U.S. health care system is as strong and accessible for our patients as possible. My daughter Sophia was born with extreme eczema, an itchy skin condition that causes rashes, dry patches, and even blistering. While eczema has no cure, we are fortunate that Sophia has access to treatments that manage her discomfort to help her live a relatively carefree life as children should.
Without the proper policies and support, we would have access to far fewer treatment and medication options — and that is unacceptable. There are other ways to ensure access to the right care while also helping alleviate costs, like Pharmacy Benefit Manager reforms. These health care middlemen pocket savings that are supposed to be applied when picking up prescriptions at the pharmacy counter.
I hope Congress will protect our ability to continue finding the next best medical innovation.
Miguel Herrera
East side
Elect Fontes to protect rights
We’re on the knife’s edge of losing our right to vote here in Arizona. Republican candidate for Arizona secretary of state Mark Finchem posts on social media using #FollowtheLaw — but he won’t. An ardent promoter of the Big Lie, he sends out frequent fundraising emails promising that, if elected, he will conduct “perp walks” for “fraudsters.” In fact, he’s never produced credible evidence of election fraud in Arizona in 2020. He’s made it clear that he will not accept the results of this election if he loses.
If elected, Finchem will strictly limit mail-in voting and require a hand count of ballots. His “reforms” will throw Arizona’s election system into chaos, giving him a pretext to disallow millions of ballots cast by Arizonans who disagree with him or allow him to argue that due to “concerns” about the results, a presidential election must be independently decided by the Arizona Legislature.
Protect our future right to vote. Elect Adrian Fontes for secretary of state.
Jacolyn Marshall
Oro Valley
Political advertisement
What has happened to the day when candidates for public office advertised their qualifications, and their philosophy, for consideration by the voting public? Today, political ads seem to consist mainly of efforts to tear down the opponent, often using content taken out of context. How can we make a decision on which candidate to choose, based on this kind of negative campaigning?
William Johnson
Northwest side
Learn from her life
Re: the Oct. 1 letter “Royal death obsession.”
The writer of this letter seems to suggest that there was too much coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II by our nation’s networks. I believe one of the reasons our networks covered the death and funeral of this remarkable woman was because she was what virtually no American politician, past or present, has ever been — someone who dedicated her entire life to the service of her people, with selflessness, grace, dignity and kindness. Queen Elizabeth II never forgot who she worked for. Our country’s politicians would do well to heed her example.
Catey Bartolucci
Northeast side
‘Life matters more’ depends on question
It is apparent that the idea of “life matters more” is determined only by the issue in question. If the issue is preventing abortion, the “life matters more” argument is used to prevent anyone from making an individual choice. However, if the issue is mandatory vaccinations to prevent illness and death, then many chose the position that this is a choice issue for individuals, rather than mandating shots for the benefit of all. How do these people rationalize the difference? Just wondering.
Craig Whaley
Oro Valley
Fentanyl problem
Re: the Oct. 2 column “Look beyond border to fix fentanyl problem.”
As an alcoholic with 43 years of recovery, I congratulate Tim Steller for his column. It is an axiom of treatment and recovery that if I have a problem, I must look within myself to fix it rather than blaming others. Steller implicitly raises a larger question, though: Why are so many Americans addicted to so many things, fentanyl among them? What are the conditions of life in America today that drive so many of us to drugs, alcohol, overeating or anorexia, even suicide? And once we identify these conditions, what can we do to change them, individually or as a society?
Sterling Vinson
Midtown
Pima Community College
Re: the Sept. 30 article “Group wants PCC chancellor’s resignation.”
As your recent article demonstrates, the Pima Community College, its Governing Board and upcoming election for two new board members are the subject of considerable interest. The League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson is sponsoring a PCC Governing Board Candidate Forum on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 5 p.m. on Zoom. Anyone interested in attending can sign up by going to our website, lwvtucson.org and go to Events Tab, or email communications@lwvtucson.com. Everyone is invited.
Nancy Hand, President of the League of Women Voters of Tucson
North side
- Ron Rude, West side
Numerous (and sometimes uncontrollable) forces have come together to fuel the economy’s current inflationary spike. Here are the standouts:
1. Trump/Ryan/McConnell tax cuts.
2. COVID pandemic—businesses making up for 2 years lost income.
3. Emergency Trump stimulus money. Emergency Biden stimulus money.
4. Unabated (reckless?) spending by consumers despite inflation.
5. Putin’s murderous war.
6. Pandemic related global shipping stoppages/bottlenecks/supply shortages.
7. Long overdue minimum wage increases.
8. Price gauging by some businesses who feel unconstrained by integrity or patriotism.
9. Multi-layered global inflationary forces.
10. Historically low interest rates.
In sharp contrast to the dishonest and hysterical politicizing by Conservative politicians, industry leaders, and media talking heads, it should come as no surprise to the astute among us that inflation is an expected result when forces such as these come together.
Ron Rude
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Dave Glicksman, Northwest side
As I begin my 92nd year I find it ironic that the two powers who tried to destroy our American way of life, that we fought in World War II in order to preserve it, are now this country's biggest allies, namely Germany and Japan. By contrast, there are three that helped fight to defend it then that are doing their best to destroy it now, namely Russia, China and the GOP.
Dave Glicksman
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Shaki Johnson, East side
The narrative from the Biden administration, Democrats and their many liberal biased news media allies is that Trump and Republicans caused the border crisis. How laughable! Only the ignorant would believe that. Under Trump's last year in office, the Border Patrol encountered 405,000 people illegally entering the country. This fiscal year under Biden, over 2,000,000 encountered. Many people coming here believe Biden invited them to do so. Within his first few days in office, he issued Executive Orders reversing Trump's asylum agreements with Central American countries, halted Remain in Mexico, stopped the pressure on Mexico, and re-instated "catch and release." Now Democrats and their regurgitating news media allies are blaming Trump and Republicans. They say we need Comprehensive Immigration Reform, to include legalization and citizenship for millions, liberalizing asylum requirements, billions to corrupt third world countries, etc. Do you really think it would secure our border when Biden and Democrats vehemently oppose further building of the border wall and refuse to enforce our current immigration laws?
Shaki Johnson
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Loran Hancock, Northwest side
During elections, it is reasonable to expect political advertising. What about advertising that misrepresents the truth? Consider the commercials supporting abortion. They claim women lost the Constitutional right to abortion. Sorry, there is no such Constitutional right. However, science proves that a new human life begins at conception and biology proves that every conception creates the DNA structure of a unique human being that just requires the opportunity and time to develop into another Albert Einstein or Michelangelo or William Shakespeare. But abortion puts an end to that life and the potential contributions to society. The advocates for abortion should consider how glad they are that their mothers didn’t get an abortion? What is wrong with expecting people (of both sexes) to take responsibility and avoid an unwanted pregnancy? There are a multitude of ways that decision can be made in advance! It is more than the loss of a fetus, it’s the loss of that potential person’s contribution to society.
Loran Hancock
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Lying about abortion
During elections, it is reasonable to expect political advertising. What about advertising that misrepresents the truth? Consider the commercials supporting abortion. They claim women lost the Constitutional right to abortion. Sorry, there is no such Constitutional right. However, science proves that a new human life begins at conception and biology proves that every conception creates the DNA structure of a unique human being that just requires the opportunity and time to develop into another Albert Einstein or Michelangelo or William Shakespeare. But abortion puts an end to that life and the potential contributions to society. The advocates for abortion should consider how glad they are that their mothers didn’t get an abortion? What is wrong with expecting people (of both sexes) to take responsibility and avoid an unwanted pregnancy? There are a multitude of ways that decision can be made in advance! It is more than the loss of a fetus, it’s the loss of that potential person’s contribution to society.
Loran Hancock
Northwest side
Dream on
Re: the Sept. 15 article “Hamadeh omitted details on father’s immigration history.”
Ironic? “Honest” Abe Hamadeh’s father overstayed his visa by seven years, thereby making him an undocumented entrant. Abe was born during this time, making him a Dreamer. If DACA is ever overturned, “Honest” will have to be returned to his “homeland” of Syria! Wonder what he’ll think of returning people to places they’ve either never seen or don’t have any relation to because their parents gave birth to them without being legal citizens, just like his father? Hamadeh is against immigration, but this would probably change his stance.
Barbara Mongan
West side
Candidate Ciscomani
It appears he has never taken a basic eighth-grade class in civics, to learn how the federal government functions. He first wanted to “fire” Nancy Pelosi, (Good luck) and then pushed back, to say, his first vote would be to replace Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. How does a freshman congressman perform either of these tasks, especially being in the opposite party? He is obviously totally unqualified for a congressional seat, and would be nothing more than a rubber stamp.
Bill Taylor, independent
Northwest side
10 reasons for “perfect storm” of inflation
Numerous (and sometimes uncontrollable) forces have come together to fuel the economy’s current inflationary spike. Here are the standouts:
1. Trump/Ryan/McConnell tax cuts
2. COVID pandemic — businesses making up for two years lost income
3. Emergency Trump stimulus money. Emergency Biden stimulus money
4. Unabated (reckless?) spending by consumers despite inflation
5. Putin’s murderous war
6. Pandemic-related global shipping stoppages/bottlenecks/supply shortages
7. Long overdue minimum wage increases
8. Price gouging by some businesses who feel unconstrained by integrity or patriotism
9. Multi-layered global inflationary forces
10. Historically low interest rates
In sharp contrast to the dishonest and hysterical politicizing by conservative politicians, industry leaders, and media talking heads, it should come as no surprise to the astute among us that inflation is an expected result when forces such as these come together.
Ron Rude
West side
Ironic reversal
As I begin my 92nd year I find it ironic that the two powers who tried to destroy our American way of life, that we fought in World War II in order to preserve it, are now this country’s biggest allies, namely Germany and Japan. By contrast, there are three that helped fight to defend it then that are doing their best to destroy it now, namely Russia, China and the GOP.
Dave Glicksman
Northwest side
Weapons made locally
Re: the Sept. 25 article “Weapons from Tucson’s Raytheon unit aid Ukraine.”
What a jolly round-up, wrangling Raytheon press releases into a glowing tribute to our local merchant of death! All Hail Saint Javelin, Apostate to the Prince of Peace!
But is arming Ukraine to the teeth and dancing the nuclear tango with Russia really worth a few trickle-down blood bucks for our local economy?
Has making sure more things will get broken and more people killed and generations will seek revenge become some sort of community development project, the consequences for other communities be damned?
Has helping allies and sometimes their enemies, too, pile up dead civilians and soldiers become the way we honor our veterans, educate our children, care for our neighbors and elevate local culture?
And why all the casual punditry about nuclear war, but nothing about the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, with 91 signatory nations so far showing the way out of this mess?
Jack Cohen-Joppa
Midtown
Dems blame border crisis on GOP
The narrative from the Biden administration, Democrats and their many liberal-biased news media allies is that Trump and Republicans caused the border crisis. How laughable! Only the ignorant would believe that. Under Trump’s last year in office, the Border Patrol encountered 405,000 people illegally entering the country. This fiscal year under Biden, over 2 million encountered. It seems many people coming here believe President Biden invited them to do so. Within his first few days in office, he issued executive orders reversing Trump’s asylum agreements with Central American countries, halted Remain in Mexico, stopped the pressure on Mexico, and reinstated “catch and release.” Now Democrats and their regurgitating news media allies are blaming Trump and Republicans. They say we need comprehensive immigration reform, to include legalization and citizenship for millions, liberalizing asylum requirements, billions to corrupt Third World countries, etc. Do you really think it would secure our border when Biden and Democrats vehemently oppose further building of the border wall and refuse to enforce our current immigration laws?
Shaki Johnson
East side
- Carol Allen-Rasoul, Green Valley
My eyes are rolling at the letter from L Stanford. If life is so important, more important than a woman’s life, why isn’t she complaining about too many automatic weapons in this country. They’re being used to kill children in school! But I don’t hear anything from these religious hypocrites about taking the rights to purchase these awful weapons. Seriously? These “pro-lifers” are unbalanced.
Carol Allen-Rasoul
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Bill Taylor, Northwest side
This individual does not disclose his educational background, however it appears he has never taken a basic eighth grade class in Civics, to learn how the Federal Government functions. He first wanted to "fire" Nancy Pelosi, (Good luck) and then pushed back, to say, his first vote would be to replace Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. How does a freshman congressman perform either of these tasks, especially being in the opposite party? He is obviously totally unqualified for a congressional seat, and would be nothing more than a rubber stamp.
Bill Taylor,
Independent, Northwest Tucson
Bill Taylor
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
What is Hobbs hiding?
Democrat candidate for governor Katie Hobbs has announced that she will not debate Republican candidate Kari Lake. What is Hobbs hiding? Maybe she does not want voters to know her gun control plans if elected, like banning semi-auto rifles and high-capacity magazines, applying to both future sales and currently in lawful possession. Maybe she does not want voters to know her sympathetic attitude towards people entering Arizona illegally or address the enormous quantities of fentanyl and meth being smuggled across the border, killing Arizonans, because of her guy Joe’s border policies. Or that she opposes expansion of the border wall in Arizona. Maybe Hobbs does not want to answer any questions about decades-high inflation under Democrats. Maybe she does not want people to know that she will eliminate private/religious school vouchers and impose higher taxes on hard-working small business owners.
Have no doubt, Hobbs is a far-left liberal Democrat and her refusal to debate Lake hides her agenda and is disrespectful to Arizona voters.
Haley Roberts
West side
More attention for homeless
Re: the Sept. 22 article “Homelessness easy to see all over Tucson’s streets.”
I would like to thank Cheryl Kelli for her insightful op-ed on homelessness in Tucson. I would also like to thank the Arizona Daily Star for publishing it. Here’s a human problem, right here, right now. Maybe the Star has staff that can enlarge our understanding.
I live in Green Valley, and for more than a month, I have watched a solitary woman camped under a tree on her little mattress in the monsoon rains (just north of the intersection of Valencia and Campbell). Every time I drive by, I have wondered: who is she, why is she homeless, how she gets by. She is older. And I wonder, how many older people are being priced out of accommodation?
I hope the Star can help so that, maybe we all can find ways to be good neighbors.
Claudette Haney
Green Valley
Who’s the threat?
Re: the Sept. 23 article “Raytheon awarded deal worth nearly $1B.”
A question for corporate participants in the global arms trade that fuels endless wars everywhere — that’s Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and all the rest: How do you do it? How do you look at the worldwide suffering caused by your deadly products and see only a business opportunity? What is the matter with you? You seem to expect us to believe you are performing a valuable service, fulfilling some human need. Nonsense! You serve nobody but yourselves, nothing but your addiction to profit. You’re sure right about one thing: “advanced threats emerging around the globe.” Look in the mirror. The threat is you.
Kim Mathews
East side
Don’t need that majority rule
I received and read a pamphlet from the Arizona Secretary of State’s office called, “What’s On My Ballot?,” containing information on state ballot propositions. Halloween came early! If you believe in “majority rule” democracy, this is scary!
Prop 128 provides that if any part of an initiative is ruled unconstitutional, the Legislature may tamper with the whole thing: amend, supersede, or withdraw funding. Prop 129 would enact stricter rules for subject matter and title of initiatives — food for the Arizona Supreme Court to kill an initiative.
Prop 132 would increase from 50% to 60% the votes needed to raise taxes by initiative. Like the U.S. Senate filibuster, 41% can veto passage of a bill.
The Arizona Legislature needs a lesson that power flows from the people, rather than being imposed on the people, top down. Vote “No” on Propositions 128, 129, and 132. Majority rule, not minority rule.
Richard Sipan
Green Valley
The first week of October
With the falling of the leaves, the first hint of cool weather and shorter daytimes also comes the first week of October, when the United States Supreme Court is back in session.
This year the Samuel Alito court (Chief Justice John Roberts is an afterthought) will continue its destruction of 231 years of court rulings. The court will make decisions that will be equal to or worse than Plessy v. Ferguson (separate yet equal facilities and the codification of Jim Crow laws), Bush v. Gore (which handed the presidency to George W. Bush with the wording that Bush v. Gore could not be precedent for future rulings, a legal mulligan) and Citizens United v. FEC (which allowed the rich to scream and the poor to whimper political views through the size of their political donations).
The court’s evangelical conservatives will strip human rights from the defenseless and support the moneyed classes. It seems their god, they believe, says to do so.
Matt Somers
Midtown
Say NO to Highway 11
Re: the Sept. 22 article “Officials ask judge to toss I-11 lawsuit.”
Concerning a possible Interstate 11, the entire project seems like a terrible mistake. When will we stop tearing up pristine desert and destroying wildlife habitats just so cars and trucks can get to their destination faster? One claim is that I-11 will be needed for anticipated population growth in Arizona. Does that factor in the possible death of the Colorado River and the critical need to reduce water consumption? At some point, we will be forced to stop growing.
Peggy Sanders
East side
Thank you, Star!
Thank you for the Arizona Daily Star! I’m hearing so much criticism about what isn’t in the paper these days. In this very digital age, I really appreciate the “truth” in actual, factual print. It’s wonderful that we can share our opinions in letters, columns and Zoom discussions. I really enjoyed the virtual sharing about the Buffalo Soldiers a while back. We are even encouraged to share our spiritual thoughts in the Home and Life section on Sundays.
Puzzles, comics, and horoscopes are OK, even entertaining, but the open, honest and human sharing of transparency is what is really most important to me. I may not always agree with what others say, but I certainly value our right to join in on the current goings-on in this city and in this country.
Isn’t that what real freedom is? This newspaper is a gift for everyone who reads!
Janice Campos
Foothills
Investigative journalism
Re: the Sept. 11 article “Star co-owner boosts investigative journalism with new reporting team.”
I commend the Star and Lee Enterprises for committing to local investigative journalism. This article announced they were hiring a 12-member Public Service Journalism team to support their 77 local daily papers. Local newspapers serve a vital function in our democracy to gather information behind the scenes and hold local officials and organizations accountable. Radio won’t do it. TV won’t do it. National big-city newspapers won’t do it in cities all around the country. Only your local print journalists will, and for that I will continue to support the Star as long as I am able.
Meg Weesner
East side
- Linda Stanley, East side
Perhaps President Biden should repeat his speech on the rising tide of authoritarianism in the US while standing next to the Queen’s coffin in the UK That way the nation's TV networks would find it important enough to broadcast.
Linda Stanley
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Scott Lukomski, Northeast side
What's it like to be a long time, rational Republican watching the party eschew democracy and rally around extremists? Embracing thoroughly disproven claims about 2020 election validity? Welcoming white nationalist partners? Placing party far above country? Usurping the rights and freedoms of all to take control for the minority?
What does the long time, rational Republican think when their hero ex-president is shown to be a liar, a cheat, a thief, a traitor?
What does the long time, rational Republican think when they see their candidate slates filled with people committed to perpetuating right wing lunacy?
What does the long time, rational Republican think when they watch other long time, rational Republicans ostracized and berated for not supporting the ill-founded and spiteful party line?
From what I can tell the long time, rational Republican buries their collective head in the sand and hopes for the best.
Sad for the USA
Scott Lukomski
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Stuart Sellinger, Northwest side
The Ken Burns documentary, The United States and the Holocaust, was exceptional. It described in accurate detail Nazi Germany’s attempt to exterminate Europe’s Jews and the failure of the United States to save more Jewish refugees.
One aspect of Holocaust story was omitted. In 1951, West Germany acknowledged its sin of exterminating 6,000,000 jews and offered reparations to Jewish survivors. Reparations continue to be provided in 2022. This courageous and gracious deed should have been included to honor Germany and to provide an example of appropriate behavior for other nations which have committed crimes against humanity, including the United States.
The United States treatment of Native Americans and African Americans over the past four centuries has had a destructive impact on millions of human beings. It is time for our country to acknowledge its sins and take consequent action to improve the horrendous conditions in which the majority of Native Americans and African Americans presently live.
Stuart Sellinger
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Mike Gatton, Downtown
In 2019 Medicare quietly launched a scheme called Direct Contracting that inserts a for profit company between patients and medical providers.
Companies are paid a monthly fee to cover a patients expenses keeping 40% of the fee not spent on patient care. Beneficiaries can be enrolled without their full knowledge or consent. To opt out patients must change their primary care doctor.
The General Counsel for the Health and Human Services Department warned that it appeared the project was set up to benefit specific companies. Medicare expects to cover all traditional Medicare and Medicare Supplement beneficiaries with this plan by 2030, effectively privatizing Medicare. Medicare recently changed the name of the program to ACO REACH but the same flaws exist as in the Direct Contracting model.
With ACO REACH seniors will have their care radically changed, their choices undermined, services denied and care rationed while increasing the chance of bankrupting Medicare. Healthcare should be between patients and their doctors, not companies that have profit as their motive.
Mike Gatton
Downtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Sheldon Metz, Northeast side
We know all Trump "minimes" have entirely erased their beliefs from websites and replaced them with more centrist views to con the few voters who haven't heard their racist, anti-semitic, Pro-choice stances, cruel, bigoted, misogynistic points of view. Now, they might consider "liberal ideas." Today, they may be willing to discuss women's rights and the climate - if elected.
Most aware people know, on August 8, during a Sean Hannity interview on FOX, Trump unknowingly (stupidly?) blurted, "If you're the president of the United States, you can declassify just by saying: 'It's declassified.' Even by thinking about it. There doesn't have to be a process. There can be a process, but there doesn't have to be. You're the president. You make that decision…I declassified everything."
September 25's morning talk shows asked dozens of Republican Senators and Congress members if they believe, 'even by thinking about it.' John Barrasso said, "I've not heard that one before… I don't know the rules."
Not ONE said Trump's name.
Sheldon Metz
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Push the mute button
After the Kari Lake-Karrin Taylor Robson clown show debate, it’s no wonder Katie Hobbs is refusing to debate Lake. Here’s a simple solution: Each candidate is allotted a set time to answer questions and with no interrupting or overriding their opponent’s responses. If this rule is violated, after a firm warning, the moderator pushes a button that mutes their mic. A simple and quick solution.
Jeff Aronson
Northeast side
Royal death obsession
Perhaps President Biden should repeat his speech on the rising tide of authoritarianism in the U.S. while standing next to the Queen’s coffin in the UK. That way, the nation’s TV networks would find it important enough to broadcast.
Linda Stanley
East side
Sometime voters
Sometime voters, please don’t sit back and not vote in the upcoming election. This year’s Nov. 8 election is different. Your vote is needed now more than ever. The slate of candidates the Republican Party has put forward at both state and federal levels will negatively affect your lives if given the chance. Far-right Arizona state and U.S. federal majorities can wreak havoc with our democratic processes and more and more with the quality of our lives.
Sometime voters, and swing voters too, please be sure you’re registered to vote and arrange to obtain a ballot. As you quietly decide how to mark your ballot, be aware of how your chosen candidates will or will not contribute to far-right majorities that are more and more pushing undemocratic agendas. Don’t sit back because it doesn’t matter — it does matter. It matters a lot.
Donald Ijams
Midtown
Acknowledging our nation’s sins
The Ken Burns documentary, “The United States and the Holocaust,” was exceptional. It described in accurate detail Nazi Germany’s attempt to exterminate Europe’s Jews and the failure of the United States to save more Jewish refugees.
One aspect of the Holocaust story was omitted. In 1951, West Germany acknowledged its sin of exterminating 6 million Jews and offered reparations to Jewish survivors. Reparations continue to be provided in 2022. This courageous and gracious deed should have been included to honor Germany and to provide an example of appropriate behavior for other nations which have committed crimes against humanity, including the United States.
The United States’ treatment of Native Americans and African Americans over the past four centuries has had a destructive impact on millions of human beings. It is time for our country to acknowledge its sins and take consequent action to improve the horrendous conditions in which the majority of Native Americans and African Americans presently live.
Stuart Sellinger
Northwest side
Steller’s turn
Re: the Sept. 25 article “Stop demonizing political opposition.”
Gee, Tim, I really really enjoyed your “turn to the center” article Sunday. Responding to the turn of the screws that the rest of the paper is caving into, or maybe auditioning for the new Trump-friendly CNN?
Joe Reiman
SaddleBrooke
Camouflaging their extremist scam
We know all Donald Trump “mini-mes” have entirely erased their beliefs from websites and replaced them with more centrist views to con the few voters who haven’t heard their racist, anti-semitic, pro-choice stances, cruel, bigoted, misogynistic points of view. Now, they might consider “liberal ideas.” Today, they may be willing to discuss women’s rights and the climate — if elected.
Most aware people know during a Sean Hannity interview on FOX, Trump unknowingly (stupidly?) blurted, “If you’re the president of the United States, you can declassify just by saying: ‘It’s declassified.’ Even by thinking about it. There doesn’t have to be a process. There can be a process, but there doesn’t have to be. You’re the president. You make that decision … I declassified everything.”
Sept. 25’s morning talk shows asked dozens of Republican Senators and Congress members if they believe, “even by thinking about it.” John Barrasso said, “I’ve not heard that one before … I don’t know the rules.”
Not one said Trump’s name.
Sheldon Metz
Northeast side
Medicare privatization
In 2019, Medicare quietly launched a scheme called “direct contracting” that inserts a for-profit company between patients and medical providers.
Companies are paid a monthly fee to cover a patient’s expenses, keeping 40% of the fee not spent on patient care. Beneficiaries can be enrolled without their full knowledge or consent. To opt out, patients must change their primary care doctor.
The general counsel for the Health and Human Services Department warned that it appeared the project was set up to benefit specific companies. Medicare expects to cover all traditional Medicare and Medicare Supplement beneficiaries with this plan by 2030, effectively privatizing Medicare. Medicare recently changed the name of the program to ACO REACH but the same flaws exist as in the Direct Contracting model.
With ACO REACH seniors will have their care radically changed, their choices undermined, services denied and care rationed while increasing the chance of bankrupting Medicare. Health care should be between patients and their doctors, not companies that have profit as their motive.
Mike Gatton
Downtown
Rational Republicans just don’t care
What’s it like to be a longtime, rational Republican watching the party eschew democracy and rally around extremists? Embracing thoroughly disproven claims about 2020 election validity? Welcoming white nationalist partners? Placing party far above country? Usurping the rights and freedoms of all to take control for the minority?
What does the longtime, rational Republican think when their hero ex-president is shown to be a liar, a cheat, a thief, a traitor?
What does the longtime, rational Republican think when they see their candidate slates filled with people committed to perpetuating right-wing lunacy?
What does the longtime, rational Republican think when they watch other longtime, rational Republicans ostracized and berated for not supporting the ill-founded and spiteful party line?
From what I can tell the longtime, rational Republican buries their collective head in the sand and hopes for the best.
Sad for the USA.
Scott Lukomski
Northeast side
Dark money funding Kelly’s campaign
Mark Kelly has denounced dark money in politics and slammed SCOTUS’ decision on Citizens United. Last January, he tweeted, “Twelve years ago, Citizens United v. FEC allowed corporate special interests to flood our political system with dark money, drowning out the voices of everyday Arizonans. Reversing this decision is one of the most important things we can do to strengthen our democracy.” Since August, the leftist PAC Somos has dumped over $300,000 into Arizona supporting Kelly’s campaign. Somos receives millions in funding passed through nonprofit organizations such as North Fund, Change Now, Family Friendly Action Fund and the Sixteen Thirty Fund. All full of anonymous donors aka ‘dark money’ that Kelly has railed against. He is a hypocrite. If Kelly is re-elected his true self will be exposed. He will again vote to end the Senate filibuster and open the gates to the left’s full agenda on gun control, statehood for D.C. and Puerto Rico, packing the Supreme Court, climate, immigration, higher taxes and trillions in spending.
Gary Beachwood
Green Valley
Back to 1864
Buckle up, boys. And I mean that literally. It’s going to be a long, bumpy road; 21 years’ worth of long, bumpy road. Yes, that’s how long child support can last. Me? I’m going to ask my broker to find the labs that do paternity testing and buy, buy baby.
Janet Schaefer
Oro Valley
- Charles Schultz, Northeast side
I don't profess to be an expert in the field of public relations; however, the recent signing of the Inflation Reduction Act appears to be an obvious lesson in poor optics. President Biden was signing the Bill at the same time the stock market was plunging over 1,000 points. My advice to the person who planned the event: update your resume, check the help-wanted section of the Washington Post and leave the White House quietly and quickly.
Charles Schultz
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Loyal M Johnson Jr, Oro Valley
Several of your contributors have suggested that the only people Biden termed semi-fascists were MAGA supporters that promoted overthrow. To that I say baloney. He actually was referring to anyone disagreeing with the present policies of the Administration. That includes questioning the wisdom of the open border and the green energy policies. Also, anyone who suggests that the school system is not teaching the kids the fundamentals that will allow them to be successful in later life. Anyone who is concerned about raging inflation or the ballooning crime rate is obviously an enemy of the state. Those whom question free money for all. Biden campaigned on being the great uniter, but that obviously meant agreeing with the Democrats policies without discussion or compromise. By not supporting their policies blindly, you are obviously a threat to democracy.
Loyal M Johnson Jr
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Mary E Bradshaw, Northwest side
Republicans nationwide are deflecting attention from the critical issues of Trump's continuing sedition, women losing rights to healthcare, and our very democracy being undermined, by conjuring up the bogey man of inflation. Rising prices, being experienced worldwide, are the result of a global pandemic and unchecked corporate greed. Any hope of creating a healthy economy based on decent wages and local production, restoring sanity and decency to our political process, protecting our rights to safety and privacy, and saving our very democracy, lies with electing Democrats to every level of government. Arizona Democrats have a fine slate of ethical, experienced candidates up and down the line. Arizona Republicans have produced a frightening array of corporate puppets and sedition-mongers who believe they have a right to change our votes to create an autocratic process. Vote now, and vote Democratic, while we still have a vote and a democracy.
Mary E Bradshaw
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Peter Strauss, Marana
Re: Your opinion letter by Katharine Donahue in Monday 9/26 edition.
In my opinion you are completely correct in your thinking. We have allowed too many incompetent political party "followers" to determine what's best for all of us.
The ONLY thought I would add is:
Experience in, or empathy for, those protecting our freedoms: the U.S. Military!
Peter Strauss
Marana
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Walter Mann, Marana
Re: Marvin Montez’ Sep 24 letter, “Masters at projection.”
The author claims that Dems project their guilt for the BLM protests of 2020 onto the GOP riots of Jan. 6. I think Montez is suffering from another defense mechanism, denial. He sees the speck in the Dems’ eye, while ignoring the moat in his own eye.
He describes Jan. 6 as “one riot,” and the violence that accompanied the BLM protests of 2020 as “dozens of very violent riots.” As someone who has sworn allegiance to the US, I am shocked that someone would describe an attempt to overthrow the government of the United States as a mere riot. The comparison to the BLM protests of 2020 is bizarre. BLM is responsible for the marchers in the street, but the nearby violence could have been perpetrated by anyone. Perhaps it was a false flag operation by the GOP.
Walter Mann
Marana
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Floyd Newsom, Northwest side
The GOP Cult’s war on public education is not only infuriating, but also puzzling. I understand that they have become the party of ignorance, pushing emotional appeal and fear over reason, and that ignorant people are easier to manipulate than educated ones, but by eliminating an educated, trained middle class, they harm themselves.
If middle class students abandon public schools because the Trumplicans have driven away the teachers, then the students who can, will flock to private schools which will have to pay exorbitant salaries to the few teachers left, driving up their costs so that only the richest can afford them.
When the middle class shrivels up, when Americans can no longer compete in the world market, the rich will not be nearly as rich; they won’t be happy about that. The Cult is shooting themselves in the foot – of course, they’ll blame Biden for that, too.
Floyd Newsom
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Edward Weil, North side
I do not understand why the FBI did not arrest Trump after finding classified documents in their search of his home. If it were an ordinary citizen, I'm thinking the handcuffs would have been on in a flash. No one is above the law? Trump breaks laws with impunity.
Edward Weil
North side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Poor timing for new bill
I don’t profess to be an expert in the field of public relations; however, the recent signing of the Inflation Reduction Act appears to be an obvious lesson in poor optics. President Biden was signing the bill at the same time the stock market was plunging over 1,000 points. My advice to the person who planned the event: Update your résumé, check the help-wanted section of the Washington Post and leave the White House quietly and quickly.
Charles Schultz
Northeast side
Change is good, but...
Re: the Sept. 18 article “Middle class finding it difficult to buy a house.”
Local journalism is crucial. Without the Star, I wouldn’t have known about Chuck Huckelberry’s retirement scheme or Abraham Hamadeh’s father overstaying his visa. But is a front-page story about a home-buying couple in Napa really local news? Since the change, I’ve suffered trying to read the tiny print of the few comics which remain, and today, instead of a half-page, above the fold, New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle, I found a quarter-page Tribune Services substitute. I seem to be paying more and receiving less. The Star is straining my ability to feel good about supporting my hometown paper.
Suzi Hileman
Northwest side
You have got to be kidding
Several of your contributors have suggested that the only people President Biden termed semi-fascists were MAGA supporters that promoted overthrow. To that I say baloney. He actually was referring to anyone disagreeing with the present policies of the administration. That includes questioning the wisdom of the open border and the green energy policies. Also, anyone who suggests that the school system is not teaching the kids the fundamentals that will allow them to be successful in later life. Anyone who is concerned about raging inflation or the ballooning crime rate is obviously an enemy of the state. Those who question free money for all. Biden campaigned on being the great uniter, but that obviously meant agreeing with the Democrats’ policies without discussion or compromise. By not supporting their policies blindly, you are obviously a threat to democracy.
Loyal M. Johnson Jr.
Oro Valley
Open letter to Jim Click
Mr. Click,
Recent news reports indicate that you will be actively supporting Kari Lake for governor. You have been a pillar in our community for decades, having established thriving businesses here. You have gained our admiration for underwriting so many worthy causes every year. To think you would support someone who denies that President Biden won the 2020 election is disheartening. Moreover, Lake promotes the QAnon conspiracy theory. Your support of her candidacy would suggest you also believe these assertions and theories.
A guest opinion in the Sept. 21 Daily Star boosts the candidacy of another state Republican candidate, Blake Masters (“Despite his numerous flaws, Masters is best candidate”). Yet the author admits he will have to hold his nose to vote for Masters. And he goes on to state that “Kari Lake’s candidacy is an insult to thinking individuals.” Mr. Click, please reconsider your decision to support Lake.
Dale Keyes
Downtown
Breaking laws, but not arrested
I do not understand why the FBI did not arrest Donald Trump after finding classified documents in their search of his home. If it were an ordinary citizen, I’m thinking the handcuffs would have been on in a flash. No one is above the law? Trump breaks laws with impunity.
Edward Weil
North side
Don’t be confused
Arizona’s Republican-dominated Legislature has for years encroached upon its citizens’ right to make law, even though that right was enshrined in our constitution with statehood (1912). Not only have they made it excruciatingly hard to gather valid signatures for initiatives, but they also fight fang and claw to remove citizen initiatives from the ballot. They also refer their own ballot measures in order to confuse voters (there will be at least 11 propositions on the ballot this year).
Here’s a guide to simplify things:
The 100-series (128, 129, 131, 132) were generated by the R-Legislature and designed to restrict citizen rights, so vote NO (130 also expands legislature power)
The 200 series (209, 210, 211) were citizen-generated and intended to expand or protect our rights, so vote YES on all three
The 300-series originated in the Legislature, but it’s a mixed bag
308 and 310 had bipartisan support, so vote YES
309 infringes citizens’ rights, so vote NO
Jim Christ
East side
Let the truth be told
In light of the recent abortion ruling upholding an anti-abortion law dated 1864, let’s finally tell it like it is. What I’ve always called “old white men,” (knowing that they aren’t all white and old) and their “approved” female counterparts played the sham game of sharing power with Black men and a few anointed minority males in the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s. Now, however, the truth must be told: these “old white men” seem to have a strong feeling of inadequacy and fear of competing with women. Even those women like the judge who made the ruling must feel unworthy to compete with other women. So, let’s keep ’em barefoot and pregnant while the rest of us hope that these relics of the distant past realize that we’re now in the 21st century when every country’s progress and security demands that talents from everyone must be utilized.
Barbara Benjamin
Foothills
War on public education
The GOP cult’s war on public education is not only infuriating, but also puzzling. I understand that they have become the party of ignorance, pushing emotional appeal and fear over reason, and that ignorant people are easier to manipulate than educated ones, but by eliminating an educated, trained middle class, they harm themselves.
If middle-class students abandon public schools because the Trumplicans have driven away the teachers, then the students who can, will flock to private schools, which will have to pay exorbitant salaries to the few teachers left, driving up their costs so that only the richest can afford them.
When the middle class shrivels up, when Americans can no longer compete in the world market, the rich will not be nearly as rich; they won’t be happy about that. The cult is shooting themselves in the foot — of course, they’ll blame President Biden for that, too.
Floyd Newsom
Northwest side
Teachers and COVID
What a travesty that TUSD teachers are given no sick leave (other than two minor days) to keep from infecting their own staff and students when testing positive for COVID. We wonder why positions are unfilled by quality teachers and why they are leaving the profession. As a retired Arizona educator, it is plain to see why newly educated teachers are going elsewhere. Just when are the Arizona legislators, school boards and administrators going to wake up and realize teachers can’t survive this way?
Steve Poe
Midtown
Slow streets needed
Tucson would benefit from assigning some streets to be “slow streets.” These streets are designated to support alternative transportation where vehicles are only permitted as residential traffic.
Lately, while biking I have noticed a dramatic increase in speeding vehicles traveling very dangerously on Mountain Avenue, which is designated for bike traffic as a “Bike Boulevard — lower traffic, lower speed street with improvements that prioritize bike travel.” However, many drivers are using this street as their personal fast track to and from Speedway to Limberlost Road. Speeding vehicles can be extremely dangerous for cyclists riding in the bike lane as there are times when cyclists will have to suddenly pull out of the bike lane due to dangerous hazards.
There are several schools along Mountain Ave., with students of all ages walking to and from the school bus stops. Aside from the university, there is Salpointe Catholic High School, a Montessori school, and Rio Vista elementary school all contributing to Mountain Ave., foot and bike traffic.
Cheryl Kelli
Downtown
The blame game
Re: the Sept. 24 letter “Masters at projection.”
The author claims that Dems project their guilt for the BLM protests of 2020 onto the GOP riots of Jan. 6. I think the letter writer is suffering from another defense mechanism, denial. He sees the speck in the Dems’ eye, while ignoring the moat in his own eye.
He describes Jan. 6 as “one riot,” and the violence that accompanied the BLM protests of 2020 as “dozens of very violent riots.” As someone who has sworn allegiance to the U.S., I am shocked that someone would describe an attempt to overthrow the government of the United States as a mere riot. The comparison to the BLM protests of 2020 is bizarre. BLM is responsible for the marchers in the street, but the nearby violence could have been perpetrated by anyone. Perhaps it was a false-flag operation by the GOP.
Walter Mann
Marana
Purple makes GOP see red
I’ve seen this movie before. When I moved to California in 1974, Ronald Reagan was governor, and the state was red, red, red. When I left in 1992, California was blue, blue, blue. We could blame it on a couple of clueless Republican governors, but it was probably due to a huge influx of newcomers to the state.
Arizona Republicans have gone bonkers, because Arizona has turned purple. That’s why their candidates want to stop certifying elections. The GOP can tolerate blue states like New York, or blue voting districts if there aren’t too many, but becoming a purple state drives them crazy. The state of Georgia also turned purple in 2020, sending two Democrats to the U.S. Senate. But the Republican response in Georgia has been totally different, with the GOP backing candidates who stood up for democracy.
Purple is a vibrant color, and it doesn’t fade for a long time. Eventually it turns blue, and bogus lawsuits and fake electors won’t change that.
John Vornholt
Northeast side
Democracy — not inflation — on ballot
Republicans nationwide are deflecting attention from the critical issues of Trump’s continuing sedition, women losing rights to health care, and our very democracy being undermined, by conjuring up the bogey man of inflation. Rising prices, being experienced worldwide, are the result of a global pandemic and unchecked corporate greed. Any hope of creating a healthy economy based on decent wages and local production, restoring sanity and decency to our political process, protecting our rights to safety and privacy, and saving our very democracy, lies with electing Democrats to every level of government. Arizona Democrats have a fine slate of ethical, experienced candidates up and down the line. Arizona Republicans have produced a frightening array of corporate puppets and sedition-mongers who believe they have a right to change our votes to create an autocratic process. Vote now, and vote Democratic, while we still have a vote and a democracy.
Mary E. Bradshaw
Northwest side
Velodrome needed
To expand interest in Tucson’s bicycling community, perhaps it is time to convert the under-utilized Rillito Race Track into a velodrome racing track. A velodrome could welcome more bicycle enthusiasts and visitors to Tucson.
We have heartily embraced the Chuck Huckelberry Loop, which does not accommodate both bicycle racing groups and pedestrians well.
Dorothy Hornby
Northwest side
Toll on local auto shops
Re: the Sept. 26 letter “Dems’ EV push will harm auto shops.”
It’s too easy to brush aside the letter from the Vail writer condemning the Democrats for pushing the electric vehicle agenda as another partisan attack without merit. If the wind is blowing and the government pushes funding for wind-powered electricity generation, is that a Democrat thing? There will be no stopping (only slowing by moneyed interests) all out electrification. Renewable electric energy is already cheaper to transmit and cheaper to produce altogether.
But what about her husband’s repair shop in Vail? Is it just survival of the fittest? Or does society have an obligation to help people without the resources to re-train or re-imagine a way of making a living — as their way of making a living will be EV stampeded into oblivion? Sure, it’s a ways off yet, but that’s no comfort to the Vail writer or her husband’s repair shop.
I offer no answers here but I ask this question because it’s the only way forward to a fair and just transition away from fossil fuels.
Rick Rappaport
Oro Valley
Letter response
Re: the Sept. 26 letter “Attributes.”
In my opinion, the letter writer is completely correct in their thinking. We have allowed too many incompetent political party “followers” to determine what’s best for all of us.
The only thought I would add is: experience in, or empathy for, those protecting our freedoms: the U.S. Military!
Peter Strauss
Marana
- Hal Brown, East side
The DOJ and the January 6 Congressional Committee has more than enough evidence that Trump has committed crimes against the USA and the people. Anyone else would already have been arrested and charged.
Why the pussyfooting around. No one in our Country is supposed to be above the law.
There is no doubt that he had unauthorized Top secret and classified documents in his
Possession unsecured at his home. Why has he not been charged and is getting special treatment. he not been charged and is getting special treatment.
Hal Brown
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Burl Dunn, Downtown
On Saturday morning when Robinson Crusoe and Friday woke up, both were twice as rich as the morning before. Society creates wealth. The more workers a society has, the richer it becomes for most of its citizens. However, inevitably some people get richer than others. The super-rich use more of the infrastructure. They pollute more. In short, they also require more “his man Fridays” to do the work so that they can play.
No person is a billion times better than the average person. In that direction lie oligarchs and dictators. There should be no such thing as a billionaire. It’s antisocial.
We have never grown the economy fast enough to pay our debts or keep up with infrastructure needs, or pay for our wars. So where should the money come from? Tax the rich. Let’s start with the top 1%. Let’s bring the billionaires into the society of tax paying citizens. They will be richer for it.
Burl Dunn
Downtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Michael Hamant, MD, East side
Re: the Sept 26 letter "Who's the extremist?"
The author states multiple factual untruths. She accuses Democrats of supporting abortion for "any reason for all nine months of pregnancy and in some cases even after birth". She states that abortions are performed because a "helpless child is unwanted."
Abortion is performed only on previable fetuses and embryos, not children. Viability of a fetus outside the womb is at about the 24th week of gestational age. Prior to the reversal of Roe v. Wade, abortion was legally preformed up until about 20 weeks in Arizona, with the vast majority during the first trimester. Abortion does not occur after that point, only delivery of a premature infant who is cared for by all medical means available. Killing a child after delivery is infanticide and is not advocated by any sane person.
The authors views are extremist and not reality based.
Michael Hamant, MD
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Marsella Mavis, Northwest side
On 9/23, the Phoenix Police Department announced that they had seized about 1 million fentanyl pills. The largest fentanyl seizure in their history. The two suspects were arrested identified as Francisco Delgado, 26, and Jose Molina, 21. In August, the Border Patrol stopped a vehicle near Gila Bend and found 343 packages of fentanyl pills, weighing 187 pounds. In July, Customs and Border Protection officers seized 1,800 pounds of fentanyl at ports of entry and the Border Patrol seized 340 pounds. It can be assumed that much more fentanyl is being smuggled across the border due to Border Patrol Agents' pre-occupation with processing historic numbers of illegal entrants and several of their checkpoints on highways having been shut down. I believe the drug cartels are laughing themselves silly at the huge profits they are making under Biden's border policies. They garner more profits now from smuggling fentanyl than marijuana, thanks to Democrats' ballot initiatives legalizing the latter. The result, thousands of American deaths from fentanyl.
Marsella Mavis
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Edward Espinoza, Southwest side
Tim Stellar naively thinks Republican MAGAS do not present a threat to our country, and President Biden’s extremism comments were demonizing. Stellar basis his opinion on the fact that he doesn’t know any Marxist-Communist-pedophilia-spreading Satanist as liberals are described by the right. I also do not know anyone that fits that label. However, I do know that only MAGA Republicans are aligned with para military groups such as the Proud Boys, and Oath Keepers. I know only MAGAS disputed the results of a legitimate presidential election and participated in a plot to kidnap the Governor of Michigan. Also, MAGAS were the ones threatening 2020 election officials and Judge Bruce Reinhart over the Mar-a-Lago warrant. I’m aware civil war is a common theme in rightwing social media. Lastly, only MAGAS participated in an organized insurrection against our government. If Biden wins in 2024 and/or Trump goes to jail, be prepared for insurrection 2.0. The authorities hopefully will be better prepared.
Edward Espinoza
Southwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Roy Gregston, Green Valley
I liked Phil Bentley;s comment on "truth soldiers" Sept 24, and took his advice to investigate issues for myself. Starting with the tenets of our Constitution. I found this in Article IV. "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government and shalll protect each of them against Invasion and......domestic Violence." Twenty million undocumented people is an invasion, and our government is not upholding one of the basic tenets of our Constitution. And THAT is the truth.
Roy Gregston
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- William Ohl, Marana
The letter writer complained that Black Lives Matter and other race-related riots throughout the country recently, have not received the requisite press which the January 6th has. Ostensibly he intimates that this is just another example of poor MAGA supporters being unfairly targeted..
Here's a newsflash for you: January 6th amounted to an attempted insurrection, the aim of which was to thwart the constitutional stipulations for the lawful certification of a presidential election. It was spearheaded by remarks from the president of the United States who violated his oath of office on tape. It jeopardized the lives of Congressional leaders and the Vice President of the United States not to mentional killing five people-four innocents. It has created divisions in this country not seen since the Civil War. And it has lead to the widespread lunacy associated with nonexistent voter fraud conspiracy across the country.
Sorry, no comparison.
William Ohl
Marana
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Our Flag
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Close your eyes now and repeat it. I bet that almost all Daily Star readers nailed it, but let’s parse our pledge.
Justice for all: No ethnic group or elite class gets special treatment. Justice is blind.
Liberty: Freedom from excessive governance. No law could be the best law.
God: Founding Father John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Reflect on that.
One nation, indivisible: Our 235-year-old Constitution is the world's longest surviving written charter of governance. It’s for “We the People” to decide if it will endure.
Jeffrey McConnell
West side
November's midterms
This year's midterms will decide what kind of a country we want to live in. It is about a Republican Party that has been hijacked and hoodwinked by the biggest con artist in history. And gullible Republican voters have lapped it up like hungry dogs. The Republican candidates have never given a platform on how they will solve the problems we all face today (they refuse to work with the Dems). They are a party of conspiracies, grievances and the desire to put our country backwards hundreds of years. Anti-abortion laws that will result in more children being put in "the system" at taxpayer's expense. Banning books so children can't learn to think for themselves. Voters need to elect candidates that are serious about helping our country, not those who want to destroy it. Policies can be debated. Authoritarian governments can't. To paraphrase Lindsey Graham, if we nominate MAGA Republicans, we will get destroyed and we will deserve it. Please vote Democrat on Nov. 8.
Ilene Scannell
Northeast side
What about Independent voters?
Re: the Sept. 27 letter "How to decide on candidates."
The letter writer endeavored to educate voters recently; however, she completely ignored voters such as myself that are neither Republican nor Democratic, but Independent. Perhaps she would be kind enough to provide information about:
1. Responsibility for what happened in Afghanistan.
2. Explain why every day thousands of undocumented people cross into America on our southern border and must be cared for at taxpayer expense.
3. Why I saved to put my children though college and now have to pay for someone else's children's college expenses.
4. Who is responsible for the highest inflation in many years?
5. Why Congress won't approve term limits similar to those of the president.
6. Why this president needs to go on vacation (almost every weekend) more than any president in history.
7. If we have access to all the oil we need, why won't the president let us get to it?
8. Why the president's son is not being prosecuted?
9. Why do hunters need automatic weapons?
10. Are sanctuary cities really sanctuaries?
There are many more questions to be answered. And more time before the election. Still time to fill in the blanks and learn more facts.
Larry A. Van Wanseele
Sahuarita
Sen. Sinema wins
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is definitely successful in defending her brand of "bipartisanship": Polling shows that she has earned bipartisanship disapproval. Yay! I guess she got what she wanted: not fitting in ... anywhere.
Eudene Lupino
Northwest side
Tucson recipes
Re: the Sept. 27 letter "Food and Life section."
The recent letter regarding our Food and Life section has prompted me to finally share my thoughts on that topic. Reading about cozy stews when it's still 95 degrees in the Ol' Pueblo is only one reason the Star's food journalism seems wholly disconnected from the region it serves. As Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, I've thought it senseless that our culinary news be so often sourced from the "Tribune Content Agency." Surely our own food-scape is newsworthy as well?
Paula Redinger
Downtown
Critical CFSD
board election
Our community is facing a critically important school board election. As a parent whose child was educated from kindergarten through graduation in the Catalina Foothills School District, I am proud of the accomplishments achieved in CFSD over the past 20 years. The recognition of — and respect for — diversity, equity and inclusion has never been more important than it is today.
Candidates Amy Bhola, Amy Krauss and Gina Mehmert recognize and celebrate diversity in our classrooms and as a part of our valued curriculum. CFSD educators, board members, and many parents have long recognized that our society is only made successful when we respect and learn from those who may look different from us. As parents, we strive to share with our children, many of whom are now young adults, how we may further the recognition and respect for those whose path may be different from ours — whether ethnically, religiously, or based on personal preferences. A vote for Bhola, Krauss and Mehmert is a vote for diversity, equity and inclusion.
Tracy Shake
Foothills
We need to prevent
another Trump
I expect Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema to work with all their might to pass legislation so that the cheating, theft of classified documents, and any of the other things the lying ex-president has done can never be done again. I’m so sick of our country's money being used for idiotic schemes that man has dreamed up, and for the terrible mess he has gotten our country into.
This affects every one of us, and it has to stop with that man. There will be other con artists like him, ready to fall into step, right behind him, and ready to break the law, over and over, like him. It has to stop.
Patty LeCompte
Foothills
Arizona Election
My late mother was a lifelong Republican; I doubt she ever voted outside the party. In 2016, she said she didn’t think she could vote for Donald Trump, but neither would she vote for Hillary Clinton. She thought she’d vote for Mickey Mouse. After she had mailed in her ballot, I asked her if she had voted for Mickey. She said, “No I voted for the Wizard of Oz. I thought he had more leadership experience,” a cute but sad story. I wonder what she would do this year with a whole slate of Trump-backed, election-denying candidates in major offices. Would she vote for the Winged Monkeys or would she “Pay no attention to the (orange) man behind the curtain”? I imagine many current Republicans are faced with this same dilemma. I can only hope they might make a good decision for the future of Arizona.
Laura McCammon
North side
Sources of Energy
Re: the Oct. 2 article "Nuclear and natural gas won't save us."
I found it interesting to read Lauren Kuby's comments on your opinion page concerning her thoughts on the preferred sources of energy in the future, which do not appear to include fossil fuels or nuclear energy.
I spent over 30 years working in the energy business so I have a reasonable understanding of the time and effort necessary to make significant changes in our sources of energy, i.e., wood to coal, coal to natural gas and oil, etc. I also believe that climate changes are happening as a result of human activities. What I don't believe is that we yet have a decent understanding of how or how fast these changes will occur and what the effects they will have on society.
It would be a strategic mistake to remove relatively easy development of energy resources, such as natural gas, from our potential sources.
However, I do thank Ms. Kuby for providing me information that will help me decide how to cast my vote for the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Terry Allen
East side
Immigration
I think I read an idea put out for consideration in the editorial page a few days ago. Actually, I thought it was an excellent idea. Immigration affects California, Arizona, Texas, plus New Mexico. I think we need a committee of people from border towns along with New Mexico as the immigrants travel thru there also. These states know what is important to the citizens and what resources need to be in place. Most of the immigrants have traveled a long way. They are a part of our human race and should be treated with respect. There are resources in each of these states to help the oppressed. Think about this … would you sell everything and bring your family, or come by yourself to improve your life and remove yourself and family? Very tough decisions worthy of our support.
We are a great, compassionate country that can do what is right and just.
Mary Beth Schneider
Northeast side
Save the Reid Park
baseball fields
I oppose the elimination of any Reid Park Baseball Fields.
In addition to local leagues, the fields are used by Korean Baseball and the Salpointe Baseball Tournament. These events attract out-of-town teams and parents/fans, and have a major economic impact on the City of Tucson and our local hotels and restaurants.
If the fields are eliminated, the city will lose revenue from the field rental fees, as well as lose sales tax and bed tax revenue from the displaced hotel rooms. Our local hotels and restaurants will also suffer from lost sales.
The proposed new uses for the eliminated baseball fields will generate no revenue for the city or its Hospitality Industry.
Tucson’s hotels suffered greatly during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are finally returning to normal.
Eliminating the Reid Park Baseball Fields will be another blow to Tucson’s Hospitality Industry. On behalf of the thousands of Tucson’s residents who work in Hospitality, please preserve all four of the Reid Park Baseball Fields!
Wes Clark
East side
Reason to be pro life
I am pro-life because I am against violence and abortion is one of the most violent acts against a human being. The fetus begins to feel pain by 12 weeks of gestation so the abortion procedure is especially violent in the second and third trimester.
Women are resilient. They will educate themselves about the abortion procedure. They will say no to sex if they are not ready to have a child. They will get on birth control and take it according to the directions and make sure the man wears a condom. They will obtain the morning after pill to have on hand before it's needed.
I am pro-choice and there are many choices to make when it comes to avoiding getting pregnant or after becoming pregnant. Abortion has never been and will never be a choice for me.
Helen Danahey Stewart, MD
Green Valley
Cost of having
child in US
The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any country in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Yet, childbirth and the costs that come with it are immense. National average costs of a vaginal birth is $13,024 and C-section is $22,646, including standard expenses such as facility and doctor fees, although this could vary by state.
While health insurance plans cover a significant amount, out-of-pocket costs would still be around $3,000. Uninsured and underinsured women are vulnerable to spend extraordinary amounts. Costs could also increase when health conditions of the mother and baby are factored in. Another option of home births is not covered by health insurance, and women must pay out-of-pocket if they require health care providers.
With the lack of predictability around health outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth and during the postpartum period, women and families need to plan months ahead for childbirth. A lack of access to abortion services could lead to worse maternal and child health outcomes.
Kiranmayee Muralidhar
Downtown
Give yourself a break
Ronald Reagan famously said "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help.” But when disaster strikes who are you going to call? Local, regional, state, and federal governments. Whose contribution is monetarily the largest? The federal government, with FEMA, the Coast Guard, and with the big money to hand out to local agencies including corporate recipients.
FEMA doesn’t see Republicans and Democrats; it sees people in need. It’s government “for the general welfare.” We don’t, as a nation rise up and tell Florida to handle its own damage or pay back the Fed. We give them a break.
Isn’t it funny that, as a nation, we won’t vote to fix our damaged health care system and give ourselves medicare for all? Why don’t we give ourselves a break?
Burl Dunn
Downtown
- Ilene Scannell, Northeast side
This year's midterms will decide what kind of a country we want to live in. It is about a Republican party that has been hijacked and hoodwinked by the biggest con artist in history. And gullible Republican voters have lapped it up like hungry dogs. The Republican candidates have never given a platform on how they will solve the problems we all face today (they refuse to work with the Dems). They are a party of conspiracies, grievances and the desire to put our country backwards hundreds of years. Anti-abortion laws that will result in more children being put in "the system" at taxpayer's expense. Banning books so children can't learn to think for themselves. Voters need to elect candidates that are serious about helping our country, not those who want to destroy it. Policies can be debated. Authoritarian governments can't. To paraphrase Lindsey Graham, if we nominate MAGA Republicans, we will get destroyed and we will deserve it. Please vote Democrat on November 8th.
Ilene Scannell
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Jeffrey McConnell, West side
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL.
Close your eyes now and repeat it. I bet that almost all Daily Star readers nailed it but let’s parse our pledge.
Justice for all: No ethnic group or elite class gets special treatment. Justice is blind.
Liberty: Freedom from excessive governance. No law could be the best law.
God: Founding Father John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Reflect on that.
One nation, indivisible: Our 235-year-old Constitution is the world's longest surviving written charter of governance. It’s for “We the People” to decide if it will endure.
Jeffrey McConnell
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Eudene Lupino, Northwest side
Sen. Sinema is definitely successful in defending her brand of "bipartisanship": polling shows that she has earned bipartisanship disapproval. Yay! I guess she got what she wanted: not fitting in--anywhere.
Eudene Lupino
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Patty LeCompte, Foothills
I expect Senators Kelly and Sinema to work with all their might to pass legislation so that the cheating, theft of classified documents, and any of the other things the lying ex-president has done can never be done again. I’m so sick of our country's money being used for idiotic schemes that man has dreamed up, and for the terrible mess he has gotten our country into.
This affects every one of us, and it has to stop with that man. There will be other con artists like him, ready to fall into step, right behind him, and ready to break the law, over and over, like him. It has to stop.
Patty LeCompte
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Terry Allen, East side
Re: the Oct. 2 article "Nuclear and natural gas won't save us."
I found it interesting to read Lauren Kuby's comments on your opinion page today concerning her thoughts on the preferred sources of energy in the future, which do not appear to include fossil fuels or nuclear energy.
I spent over 30 years working in the energy business so have a reasonable understanding of the time and effort necessary to make significant changes in our sources of energy, i.e., wood to coal, coal to natural gas and oil, etc. I also believe that climate changes are happening as a result of human activities. What I don't believe is that we yet have a decent understanding of how or how fast these changes will occur and what the effects they will have on society.
It would be a strategic mistake to remove relatively easy development of energy resources, such as natural gas, from our potential sources.
However, I do thank Ms Kuby for providing me information that will help me decide how to cast my vote for the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Terry Allen
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Kiranmayee Muralidhar, Downtown
The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any country in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD). Yet, childbirth and the costs that come with it are immense. National average costs of a vaginal birth is $13,024 and C-section is $22,646, including standard expenses such as facility and doctor fees, although this could vary by state.
While health insurance plans cover a significant amount, out-of-pocket costs would still be around $3000. Uninsured and underinsured women are vulnerable to spend extraordinary amounts. Costs could also increase when health conditions of the mother and baby are factored in. Another option of home births is not covered by health insurance, and women must pay out-of-pocket if they require health care providers.
With the lack of predictability around health outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth and during the postpartum period, women and families need to plan months ahead for childbirth. A lack of access to abortion services could lead to worse maternal and child health outcomes.
Kiranmayee Muralidhar
Downtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Burl Dunn, Downtown
Ronald Reagan famously said "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help.” But when disaster strikes who are you going to call? Local, regional, state, and federal governments. Whose contribution is monetarily the largest? The federal government, with FEMA, the Coast Guard, and with the big money to hand out to local agencies including corporate recipients.
FEMA doesn’t see Republicans and Democrats; it sees people in need. It’s government “for the general welfare.” We don’t, as a nation rise up and tell Florida to handle its own damage or pay back the Fed. We give them a break.
Isn’t it funny that, as a nation, we won’t vote to fix our damaged health care system and give ourselves medicare for all? Why don’t we give ourselves a break?
Burl Dunn
Downtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
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