Ciscomani
Latest Juan song
I am subjected to Juan Ciscomani's (the guy who does not represent us in Congress) weekly newsletter, and it was a beaut. He began, as he always does, by bragging about the money he personally brought into the state. The money that would have arrived anyway, and he does not mention the funds his leader has cut off.
Then he touted the latest Trumpian voter repression act, but then his last article was headlined: "President Trump Delivered Strong State of the Union Address." Two hours of irrelevant bragging, ignoring the problem MAGA has stirred up with wars abroad and civil rights busted at home. I have been watching State of the Union speeches since Eisenhower, and when he finds himself longing for the dignity of a George W. Bush. There is something wrong and something wrong with a representative who would praise that speech.
Steve Devitt
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East side
Props 418 & 419
I've been driving for 50-some years on streets and freeways of different materials, asphalt and concrete. My experience is that concrete far outperforms asphalt by many years. I researched the two and found this comparison. Asphalt life, 20-30 years. Concrete life, 30-40 years. Asphalt requires far more maintenance, crack sealing, pothole filling that never sticks, and the holes just keep getting bigger. Concrete may develop a hole due to an accident or other trauma. Initially, concrete is 10-15% more expensive. That is the tradeoff for longevity. Why not concrete roads that have more than 800 cars per hour. Less disturbing local businesses and better roadways. Asphalt neighborhood streets to offset some of the cost. Let's think smarter how we spend our money, and maybe we won't have to bicker every 20 years to fix our roads.
Daniel Poryanda
Southeast side
Iran conflict
What with all this turmoil and talk about Iran in the news lately and reasons for it, I am thinking, "What about North Korea?" There has been discord with them for about 60 years now, with minimal resolution and no threat of war from us. I believe that there is a greater threat from them to start a war, and they have nuclear capability. What is the difference we are not inciting a confrontation with them I ask myself. Well, for starters, they have no oil, and no real incentive to confront them, plus they would be much harder to bully and intimidate given their military strength. I guess that it's true that some general once said "It's better to pick the battle that you can win."
Fred Thompson
Midtown
So much for planning
Trump and his minions – Hegseth, Caine, Rubio – emphasized the intense and meticulous planning for Operation Epic Fury. It took thousands of hours over a year’s time to produce such a successful attack on hundreds of targets with great precision and attention to detail. Hegseth said it was unprecedented. The attention to detail and preplanning were main themes of press conferences and releases.
But then someone pointed out that, with all this planning, over 500,000 Americans were left stranded in the Middle East and told to get home using commercial flights. Commercial flights are nonexistent in a war zone. Oops!
When asked about this debacle, Trump said, “it happened so fast.” No, Teflon Don. You and your mini-mes bragged about the detailed planning that took over a year. You just forgot about your own people in your quest to distract us from Epstein and your miserable poll ratings.
Gary Haslett
SaddleBrooke
Elections have consequences
In 2015, 70,000 voters in three swing states sent our country on a path fraught with consequences. Too many to itemize, but in summary: Donald Trump’s first term, an insurrection on January 6th, 2021, Joe Biden’s reneging on his promise to be a “one term” transitional president to allow a new generation of Democratic leaders to emerge, Donald Trump's second term and now an (unauthorized) regional war started by Donald Trump that could very easily develop into World War III. Let’s all be mindful of the potential consequences of the upcoming midterms and 2028 presidential elections, and vote.
Paul Wunderlich
Foothills
Cavalier
Cavalier is the attitude of media reports on the Iranian conflict. Cavalier is the “lack of proper concern” or “dismissive” of actions taken.
No matter what the situation, the United States is the most powerful country on earth militarily. Applause for the military strikes on Iran is like a big bully beating up on a much smaller person in the schoolyard.
Oohs and aahs applaud the actions when a “lack of proper concern” should be first and foremost question.
The naval fleet “sits on the bottom of the ocean”, discounts the lives of the sailors lost and the effect it will have on their families. Hoorays for the carnage should be beneath the attitude of Americans.
Like the boats being blown up in the Caribbean, these boats could have been intercepted and held the occupants to face justice. Death by bombing should not be the first line of defense.
“Because we can” should not mean for us to do it. It is time to be temperate, not cavalier.
Ed LeGendre
East side
Legislators need to focus on important issues
The Star recently reported on Flagstaff Republican Sen. Wendy Rogers' fourth attempt to rename one of Arizona’s roads after Trump. Just a couple of months ago, Republican Rep. Nick Kupper from Surprise introduced a bill that would raise or eliminate speed limits on some of Arizona's rural highways. I’m sure it’s very comforting to Arizona constituents to know that some of our elected legislators are working so hard on these issues. Perhaps some meaningful discussions regarding water, cost of living, homelessness, and education, just to name a few, might be time better spent than wasting time on nonsensical and insignificant ideas.
Barb Hunsinger
Green Valley
America the Pariah
Does anyone remember Pearl Harbor? The deadly sneak attack while we were still negotiating with the Japanese? What Roosevelt called a "day that will live in infamy"?
Well, my fellow Americans, tell me the difference between December 7th, 1941 and February 28th, 2026. American forces attacked a country a quarter our size, during negotiations, on the order of one man. He ordered the intentional killing of their head of state, which I believe is a war crime.
The lawlessness, the bullying, and the economic thuggery of Trump has made us a pariah nation. Meanwhile, our leaders are basking in the smoke and rubble of Iran, Ukraine and Gaza, while thinking of potential development profits.
My hope is that after the midterms, we will have a Congress coequal in effect, a recognition that education and compassion can lead us out of the darkness that surrounds us.
Ted Morrison
Midtown
He had 'a feeling'
"I've got a feeling, a feeling deep inside, Oh yeah Oh yeah that's right
I've got a feeling, a feeling I can't hide Oh no, no" - The Beatles, "I've got a feeling."
Trump said he decided on attacking Iran based on "a feeling". Atty Gen'l Pam Bondi confirmed — going to war due to a feeling "based on facts". Who believes Trump's claim that Iran was within two weeks of attacking us? He had a feeling! Maybe this feeling came from a dream, as mentioned in the song. A dream that spawned excitement at the thought of big bombs, explosions, and utter destruction. Both Trump and Hegseth love talking and boasting about the devastation they are causing, while minimizing the human cost - including American deaths. Hegseth accused the media of wanting to "hurt Trump" by covering the deaths of American soldiers. He bragged "think you've seen something? Just wait". (You ain't seen nothin' yet.) Cover up the tragic reality, continue bombastic rhetoric. Strong man Trump, he had a feeling. Oh yeah.
Deb Klumpp
Oro Valley
The element of space
One has to respect the intelligence Sen. Kelly must have possessed during his Naval career. And greatly admired. However, becoming a politician seems to have deadened portions of his thought process. Claiming publicly today in his response to the current "war" in Iran that "you could round up a random group of people off the street and they could do a better job than the government" lacks a minimal level of critical thinking. Or, unfortunately, the difference between functioning in outer space or functioning in Washington space. Politics. As usual. Damned, but it happens.
Don Weaver
Midtown
