Tucson speaks up: Letters to the editor for the week of Apr. 24, 2026
- Updated
Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Arizona Daily Star.
- Michael Lex, Downtown
On a trip to Quito, Ecuador last year I discovered after a day of local shopping something interesting in my change I received for my purchases; one dollar US coins bearing likenesses of Sacajawea and Susan B. Anthony. They were well-worn indicating long use and circulation. One merchant told me that Ecuadorans particularly liked the Sacajawea version, calling it “La Indita”. In 2000 Ecuador abandoned the Sucre, adopted the US dollar as its official currency and each year purchases millions of these coins from the US Treasury. I imagine that next year Ecuador will receive new coins bearing the image of a scowling American President rather than “La Indita”. I believe that this is the only country in which this dreadful coin will circulate.
Michael Lex
Downtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Lawrence E. Mazin, Ed.D., SaddleBrooke
As the United States enters high-stakes negotiations with Iran (Persia), a basic question should worry every American: Is Donald Trump negotiating for the country or for himself? Trump’s business record gives us the answer. Across six corporate bankruptcies, lenders took losses, shareholders were wiped out, and workers were left behind. Trump protected his name, preserved his upside, and moved on.
That same pattern defines his presidency. Facts bend, positions shift, and yesterday’s promises disappear. Credibility, essential in global negotiations, is treated as expendable. This is not deal-making; it is self-dealing. Meanwhile, Americans face rising costs, economic anxiety, and an uncertain future. Yet Trump’s attention remains fixed on his image, his grievances, and his personal advantage.
The presidency is not an ego branding exercise or a profit center for one. It is a responsibility to 342 million people whose lives depend on steady judgment and honest negotiations. The conclusion is unavoidable: in Trump’s deals, “We the People” comes second.
Lawrence E. Mazin, Ed.D.
SaddleBrooke
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Tom McGorray, Northwest side
I was sad to see the feud between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV break out recently.
The pope has been outspoken in his criticism of the war.
“Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain,” Pope Leo said.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Lebanon with a message of peace for the crisis-hit nation.
The Iranian war began with strikes on key Iranian targets, including attacks that killed the country’s longtime supreme leader.
Since the war began, more than 3,000 people have been killed in Iran.
Lebanese officials say at least 1,830 people have been killed there in
Israeli strikes. Thirteen U.S. service members were killed and hundreds
have been wounded.
I believe the threat against the entire people of Iran is wrong, and that all should work for peace and reject war.
"Only by returning to negotiations can the war come to an end," Leo said.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
Tom McGorray
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Tom McGorray, Northwest side
I believe that birth tourism is real.
Birth tourism is when pregnant women come to the U.S. on a tourism visa in order to obtain birthright U.S. citizenship for their newborn child.
Thousands of women stayed in hotels for their last few weeks of pregnancy to illegitimately and illegally obtain U.S. citizenship for the child.
The exact number is unknown.
In 2020, the Center for Immigration Studies estimated the possible number of birth tourism cases at 20,000 to 26,000 per year.
In 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 9,576
births in the U.S. to foreign residents.
In 2019, federal authorities indicted 19 people in connection with running
birth tourism operations in Southern California catering to Chinese
clients. The undercover operation detailed how operators coached pregnant
Chinese customers to trick consulate and customs officials and get tourism
visas, and to mask their pregnancies.
Other birth tourism operations have been identified in Miami.
I strongly think birth tourism should be investigated.
Tom McGorray
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
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- Michael Lex, Downtown
On a trip to Quito, Ecuador last year I discovered after a day of local shopping something interesting in my change I received for my purchases; one dollar US coins bearing likenesses of Sacajawea and Susan B. Anthony. They were well-worn indicating long use and circulation. One merchant told me that Ecuadorans particularly liked the Sacajawea version, calling it “La Indita”. In 2000 Ecuador abandoned the Sucre, adopted the US dollar as its official currency and each year purchases millions of these coins from the US Treasury. I imagine that next year Ecuador will receive new coins bearing the image of a scowling American President rather than “La Indita”. I believe that this is the only country in which this dreadful coin will circulate.
Michael Lex
Downtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Lawrence E. Mazin, Ed.D., SaddleBrooke
As the United States enters high-stakes negotiations with Iran (Persia), a basic question should worry every American: Is Donald Trump negotiating for the country or for himself? Trump’s business record gives us the answer. Across six corporate bankruptcies, lenders took losses, shareholders were wiped out, and workers were left behind. Trump protected his name, preserved his upside, and moved on.
That same pattern defines his presidency. Facts bend, positions shift, and yesterday’s promises disappear. Credibility, essential in global negotiations, is treated as expendable. This is not deal-making; it is self-dealing. Meanwhile, Americans face rising costs, economic anxiety, and an uncertain future. Yet Trump’s attention remains fixed on his image, his grievances, and his personal advantage.
The presidency is not an ego branding exercise or a profit center for one. It is a responsibility to 342 million people whose lives depend on steady judgment and honest negotiations. The conclusion is unavoidable: in Trump’s deals, “We the People” comes second.
Lawrence E. Mazin, Ed.D.
SaddleBrooke
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Tom McGorray, Northwest side
I was sad to see the feud between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV break out recently.
The pope has been outspoken in his criticism of the war.
“Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain,” Pope Leo said.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Lebanon with a message of peace for the crisis-hit nation.
The Iranian war began with strikes on key Iranian targets, including attacks that killed the country’s longtime supreme leader.
Since the war began, more than 3,000 people have been killed in Iran.
Lebanese officials say at least 1,830 people have been killed there in
Israeli strikes. Thirteen U.S. service members were killed and hundreds
have been wounded.
I believe the threat against the entire people of Iran is wrong, and that all should work for peace and reject war.
"Only by returning to negotiations can the war come to an end," Leo said.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
Tom McGorray
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Tom McGorray, Northwest side
I believe that birth tourism is real.
Birth tourism is when pregnant women come to the U.S. on a tourism visa in order to obtain birthright U.S. citizenship for their newborn child.
Thousands of women stayed in hotels for their last few weeks of pregnancy to illegitimately and illegally obtain U.S. citizenship for the child.
The exact number is unknown.
In 2020, the Center for Immigration Studies estimated the possible number of birth tourism cases at 20,000 to 26,000 per year.
In 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 9,576
births in the U.S. to foreign residents.
In 2019, federal authorities indicted 19 people in connection with running
birth tourism operations in Southern California catering to Chinese
clients. The undercover operation detailed how operators coached pregnant
Chinese customers to trick consulate and customs officials and get tourism
visas, and to mask their pregnancies.
Other birth tourism operations have been identified in Miami.
I strongly think birth tourism should be investigated.
Tom McGorray
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
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