Tucson Speaks Out: July 2

Gordon Hirabayashi

The Star's 16-page Sunday Supplement for our 250th was excellent. Thank you. Henry Brean, my favorite reporter, will get both kudos and grief on his leadoff article, "Leaving Their Mark." Maybe Father Kino? But my LTE focus, however, is a lesser-known Gordon Hirabayashi; born in Washington, a Quaker, a Conscientious Objector. He was one of the 120,000 Japanese-Americans shamefully in '"our concentration camps" in WWII. In 1942 and a Test Case of Civil Disobedience, his crime was "curfew violation." Indicted, the Judge agreed to a road work camp. None were available in Washington, so he HITCHHIKED 1500 miles to the Prison Camp on Mt. Lemmon. In 1943, Hirabayashi v. U.S. went to the Supreme Court, he lost; but vacated in 1983. Earned a PhD in Sociology; taught in Lebanon, Egypt and Canada. Posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His former 'prison camp' in the Catalinas is now the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site. Google him!

Butch Farabee

Oro Valley

Corruption and insider trading

Dear Congressman Ciscomani,

I have viewed your recent campaign ad where you stated you entered into politics to stop corruption in Washington and stop insider trading. As I share those same ideals, I would like to assist you in fulfilling your quest. You are probably unaware, or I am sure you would have acted on this, that those problems are presently rampant in Washington now.

The President of the United States, his family and friends are presently making billions of dollars on insider trading right before our eyes. The president himself has made millions if not more since his 18-month return to office. Of course, you are not aware of this, because your moral compass would have put forth action to quickly stop this egregious action emanating from the Oval Office.

This information is available from many reliable, sources and not murky like the reflecting pool.

Fred DiNoto

Northwest side

America at 250

250 years ago, the Patriots of the American Colonies declared their Independence from the tyranny of King George. These Patriots fought to create a democracy to establish a "Government of the People, by the People, for the People, that shall not perish from the Earth" (Lincoln Gettysburg 1863). Those Patriots fought and won our Independence.

This 4th of July, I celebrate the opportunity to fight for our freedom again. This time we fight against King Donald, the Tory MAGAS, and the criminally complicit Republican Congress who support King Donald's maniacal behavior allowing him to defile, debase and exploit our Nation.

I relish the chance to fight to regain control of our country from a corrupt king. I will fight back with my Constitutional rights to free speech, the free press and my right to vote. If we need to rid our nation of a king every 250 years, Bring It!

Richard Bechtold

West side

Save Our Schools initiative

Although we all get protective when it comes to our kids, Dreama Peterson’s June 28 op-ed on the Protect Education school voucher initiative is flat-out wrong. The Protect Ed initiative sponsored by Save Our Schools does not eliminate vouchers for disabled students. Households earning $150,000 or more would be ineligible for vouchers unless the student is disabled. The initiative would require spending oversight, ban spending on luxury items and mandate staff safety standards like background checks for private schools taking voucher money. As I understand her situation, children like hers would not lose voucher eligibility if the Protect Ed initiative becomes law. Her opposition to the Protect Ed initiative is unfounded.

Mary Beth Livingston

Oro Valley

ACC

Like many Arizona voters, for a long time I did not understand the role of the ACC (Arizona Corporation Commission) in this state: those candidates were so far down the ballot, and I did not recognize the Commission’s anti-solar bias. But that has changed in recent years, as I watch the weather get hotter, and the wildfires and storms increase. Rick Rappaport’s opinion piece on Monday brought into sharp focus for me the problems that the ACC has allowed to grow. That’s why, as a scientist, I am so encouraged by Jonathon Hill and Clara Pratte, ACC Candidates with the experience and commitment to support environmentally sustainable energy and water in the state. They have my vote!

Katy Garmany

West side

250th anniversary

Happy birthday, America! I pray the USA will soon reject current manosphere values and bro culture. I am aware history is replete with depravity, mostly due to male leadership, but this last decade's decadence is intolerable. Harvey Weinstein, Jeffrey Epstein, Bill O'Reilly, Bill Cosby, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Sean Combs, Roger Ailes, Matt Lauer, Charlie Rose, Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh, Larry Nassar. I could go on, but LTE space is shrinking. Power couples with corruption when concentrated in too few hands. Get involved locally and spread that power to Tucson's moms, aunties, grannies, sisters, daughters, and to those decent men who choose to honor rather than to abuse females.

Mary DeCamp

Downtown

Stolen seats

The corruption, chaos, lawlessness and lost war. The senseless healthcare elimination for millions, including children, cruel detention of innocents in inhumane conditions, including children, the depravity of taking food from the most vulnerable, including mothers and infants, are all traced to one man — Mitch McConnell.

He stole two Supreme Court nominations/seats, from Obama and Biden. He wouldn’t give Merrick Garland a hearing 9 months before the 2016 election but rammed through Amy Barrett 2 months before Biden’s inauguration.

Without McConnell, it’s 5-4 moderate/liberal, not 6-3 MAGA; 5-4 means no Presidential immunity. Trump is then tried for illegally retaining highly classified documents and attempting to overturn the 2020 election. He’s likely found guilty on one or both charges and not re-elected.

It means Renee Good and Alex Pretti are alive, tens of thousands of families are together, no war or devastated economy. America retains its allies and the world's respect.

If only.

Dan Gipple

Southeast side

A long weekend challenge

Over the past decade, I have explored nearly every state and national park in Arizona. As reported in "These 5 Arizona state parks get the most visitors,” our public lands are more than beautiful landscapes. They attract visitors from all over the world.

This long weekend, I challenge our community to experience these natural treasures firsthand. We are incredibly fortunate to have Saguaro National Park in our backyard, offering some of the best trails I have ever hiked. Setting out for an early morning hike is one of the best ways to kickstart your day and boost your mood. In fact, public health research shows that spending just 20 minutes in nature significantly lowers cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone.

Taking to the trails does more than combat personal stress. It also builds community and social connection. I encourage everyone to hit the trails, stay safe, and let's build a healthier, more connected community together.

Wesley Peng

Downtown

Fix the intersections

Several years ago, I attended traffic school for a red‑light violation and learned two points that have stayed with me. First, it is entirely legal to enter an intersection on a yellow light. Second, most intersections have no clear markings indicating where the intersection actually begins.

When the start of an intersection is not visibly defined, drivers cannot reliably judge where they will be in violation once the light turns red. Clear, consistent markings would give drivers the information they need to make safer decisions. In fact, simply identifying the violation zone would, on its own, discourage red‑light running.

Before considering the reinstatement of red‑light cameras, it would be far fairer — and far more effective — to give drivers a reasonable opportunity to comply with the law by properly marking intersection boundaries.

Tony Kuyper

Foothills

Mendoza's radical stance on prostitution

I recently saw that Juan Ciscomani was endorsed by a few police organizations, and it made me wonder: what do they think about JoAnna Mendoza’s stance on legalizing prostitution?

For law enforcement, it's going to be a nightmare ... not only is TPD already understaffed, now they would have to combat a historic increase in sex trafficking if JoAnna Mendoza has her way. Tucson Can't Afford JoAnna Mendoza's Radical Stance on Prostitution

This would make unsafe areas in Tucson even more dangerous. Decriminalizing prostitution would have devastating impacts on our communities. I do not understand why JoAnna Mendoza would advocate for such out-of-touch policies. Who even wants this stuff?

Pamela Furrie

Oro Valley