Tucson Speaks Out: June 19

Federal funding vs. endowment

Reading the article “U Of A can’t use successful private fundraising to offset federal losses” had me scratching my head. $1.3 billion, and the university still needs federal funds? Maybe the University needs to do what the rest of us are doing these days, realigning our budgets and dipping into our savings to pay for the increasing costs of living. Our federal tax dollars should be prioritized for infrastructure like roads, bridges, basic healthcare and elementary/secondary education. If every institution of higher education started using its endowment funds to self-finance ongoing research, it would be a relief to most American taxpayers.

Sylvia Wavrin

Green Valley

District 7 elections

I watched the two debates for District 7. I would be all right with any of the Democrats to represent me. But the one who listened to the questions and answered the questions was Jose Malvido Jr. He listened to questions, so I believe he will listen to mine. I think his answers reflected what is best for our country. He is not charismatic, popular as some of the others; his answers aren’t one-liners that fit the sound bite. I’m trusting my vote to Jose Malvido, Jr. I hope many of you will give him a serious look and consider him. I have found the indigenous people to really fight for this magnificent country in spite of what true history has done to them.

Beverly Palermo

Southwest side

All ‘illegal’ entrants are not criminals

Contrary to the opinions of some letter writers, not all those who enter the country without permission or who overstay their permission are criminals. Indeed, most are not. There are only two so-called illegal immigrants who have violated the criminal laws: those who entered through other than a designated port of entry and those who have been deported and have re-entered without permission. All others, while they may have violated the law, are not criminals — they are guilty only of a civil offence and can be fined (hard to get blood from a turnip) and, of course, deported. So let’s stop calling those who have not been guilty of either of the two offenses noted above “criminals” — they are not.

Melvyn Durchslag

SaddleBrooke

Mayday, mayday, mayday

I can’t get my head around it.

He’s an educated man, father of five children, with strongly held religious and conservative beliefs. He targeted lawmakers because of their pro-choice stance.

How could he twist his pro-life beliefs into permitting him to snuff out the lives of those who had other views?

It frightens me.

I returned home feeling “American” and proud after standing with thousands of concerned citizens peacefully protesting the bullying, authoritarian stance of the current administration.

“Give me your tired, your poor,” Lady Liberty proclaims, not anymore.

America is a proud melting pot; our strength is our diversity: race, color, ethnicity, religious beliefs, personal choices.

We cannot fear to dissent when we know governmental treatment of marginalized persons is immoral and unlawful, when the pursuit of financial gain obliterates any responsibility to those without, when our beloved military is forced to assume the role of local law enforcement against our citizens.

This is America! “We, the people”.

Stand up.

Mary Richling

SaddleBrooke

Local public lands could be sold

Re: Local public lands could be sold under Senate bill

As we all know, the claim of need for the targeted local public lands for more housing in our area is a scam.

Our prime recreation areas such as Mount Lemmon, Sabino and Madera canyons in the Tucson area, and the Mount Graham area are not solutions to our housing issues.

According to former Arizona Gov. and Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, “There are several hundred thousand acres of undeveloped land with assured water supplies within the Phoenix and Tucson active management areas. Locating development on these lands will not have a significant effect on housing costs.” Arizona Daily Star January 2023.

We don’t need to sell our national (and most particularly local) treasures to find land for housing.

I hope everyone will encourage Sen. Gallego to have a conversation with Secretary Babbitt.

Fred Fiastro

Foothills

The king still rules

This is a private message to the few dozen political conservatives that read the Star.

We have lost the battle for U.S. sovereignty. Those 6 to 20 million uninvited guests are not going anywhere.

At the height, Biden was importing 6,000s illegal a day, and now on a good day, ICE may nab 100 of them in a jurisdiction while also dealing with all those who obstruct the performance of their duties and dox them and their families. The arrested are rewarded with get-out-of-jail-free cards and full access to the social safety net that used to be available only to U.S. citizens.

There’s no way in these four years that Trump can erase the fiscal and social damage inflicted by Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. during his four-year autocratic reign.

The Democrats always win, even when they are not in power. They are the true kings.

Jeffrey McConnell

West side

Blind Loyal T

I find it interesting that Loyal cannot perceive the hypocrisy of what he writes. Trump, as directed by Project 2025 and its supporters, has violated many laws and presidential norms to accrue power, without authority. There are numerous court cases, with standing, pending against the administration seeking to restrain Trump’s abuse of power.

The “flood the zone” precept is promoted by Project 2025 to overload the effectiveness of the judicial branch. Much of Project 2025 is based on “unitary executive theory” which has no basis in law or case history. It is magical thinking of the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation.

Also, civil disobedience is another way to change unjust laws. Trump is not engaged in civil disobedience. He is showboating by going after low-hanging immigration fruit. The golf course is still Trump’s first priority.

James Abels

Midtown

The other side of the coin

Interesting questions are raised by Mort Ganeles in his June 17 column, “Israel’s correct approach on Iran.”

There are other interesting questions about this issue. Why, even as President Trump criticizes European nations for not enough defense spending, does the U.S. annually provide Israel with several billion dollars of military support? Why does the Trump administration hate poor, starving children as it guts USAID programs that fed them worldwide while also supplying Israel with bombs to drop on them in Gaza? Why does Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proclaim Iran had enough material to make eight nuclear weapons without stating his nation has 100 or more of them?

Finally, why does Ganeles describe Palestinian shepherds removed from their land by Zionist “settlers” as “nomadic and relatively unproductive Arab inhabitants…”? Maybe the answer is because in the United States, criticizing Israel in considered antisemitic but labeling Palestinians as “relatively unproductive” is just business as usual.

David Devine

Midtown

More honesty, less duplicity at CFSD

It is very telling that Ms. Krauss fails to answer the questions posed in, “Human Development Confusion at CFSD” on June 8, and instead resorts to schoolyard (pun intended) taunts. The CFHS human growth and development class teaches — amongst other things — that traditional Bible teaching about sex is wrong, pastors incite violence, and, most importantly, that parents shouldn’t be trusted. For the reader’s benefit, I’ll repeat the questions I posed on June 8 that President Krauss and the board refuse to honestly and forthrightly answer:

1. Regarding each of the assertions made by the teacher, as quoted previously, do they align with CFSD’s “non-discrimination” policy?

2. Do those same assertions align with the CFSD health curriculum?

3. Which of the governing board members agree with those assertions, and which do not?

Bart Pemberton

Northwest side

Life Lessons

Too many times, I have read Loyal, Loran and Jeffery ask for help in understanding a position of the left. I believe each of them to be of an age where these questions have been answered many times. So my mind has to resolve whether they are simple-minded to the point of not understanding, or simply not accepting the truth.

I do not think any of these writers are stupid, so the latter reason makes better sense,” we just reject all which does not conform to what we choose to believe”.

I think the idea of a debate between Star contributors is fantastic. Please substitute Jerry Wilkerson for G. Farrington. Mr. Wilkerson demonstrates a knowledge of the priorities for everyday folks.

Jeff Rayner

SaddleBrooke

Champions, not lip service

As a trans person, I am no stranger to challenges in my everyday life. From legal barriers, to personally paying for health care, to discrimination on the job — I am reminded daily of how hard it is for me and my community to simply be.

In this political environment, the LGBTQ+ community needs champions, not lip service.

I was disappointed to learn about Daniel Hernandez’s legacy as a state legislator. Daniel missed votes on covering gender reassignment care for minors and banning transgender-youth from participating in sports.

Hernandez also championed a problematic bill in 2022 that would have exempted some institutions who say their faith prevents them from serving certain customers. This could include the classic example of Christian bakers who don’t want to make cakes for same-sex weddings. Thankfully, this bill never became law.

Identity is one thing — leadership and courage is another. I challenge all candidates for public office to stand up on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. We deserve it!

Winona Harmon

Midtown