Tucson Speaks Out: September 22

Facts or fear?

As the rhetoric escalates over the issue of political violence, Trump and his supporters have made vitriolic claims about the prevalence of violent attacks by the “radical left” individuals and organizations while largely dismissing incidents of right-wing domestic terrorist attacks. Accusations are many, but facts are few.

Fortunately, the National Institute of Justice, a division of the Department of Justice devoted “to improving knowledge and understanding of crime and justice issues through science,” has completed an extensive study on this issue. In a report published in June 2024, it found that since 1990, far-right extremists committed 227 incidents that killed 520 people; far-left radicals committed 42 acts that killed 78.

Will these facts play a role in this debate? Probably not. Especially since Pam Bondi’s Justice Dept. recently removed this report from the Justice Department’s website. So much for a factual debate.

Bruce Hilpert

North side

LTEs by Dems

I appreciate your attempts to defend your party.

But where were you when Biden allowed thousands of evil people to just walk into our country? Where were you when Biden did little to stop the flow of deadly drugs into America? Where were you when Biden tried to destroy women’s sports? Where were you when Biden (the racist) said that he would only name a Black or African American woman to the Supreme Court?

Too many politicians are egocentric narcissists.

James McFarren

East side

Free speech cuts both ways

I never heard of Charlie Kirk until he was killed. Since, I have read a number of his quotes that thoroughly convinced me that he was a racist, a bigot, a misogynist and an idiot when it came to defending the Second Amendment. A few must die to defend it? I bet he didn’t think he’d be one of the defenders.

I understand that Kirk was an advocate for totally free speech. So when he spewed hate, it was protected speech. Imagine that. But hate speech is indeed protected speech.

But now that Kirk is a far-right hero, anyone who doesn’t view him that way is damned for not doing so. School districts, governors, the Secret Service and the hillbilly VP, who wants all who speak against Mr. Kirk to be fired, hanged, pilloried or whatever, have determined that free speech is only available to those who agree with them. Welcome to Trump’s world.

Jim Rapp

Southeast side

Give despotism a chance, people

Far-right leaders are having “fun, fun, fun ’til Daddy takes the T-bird away.”

One of the great things about being a popular dictator is that you can perform gymnastic feats that ordinary citizens could never get away with.

For instance, Israel’s far-right Benjamin Netanyahu recently argued in an Israeli court that he can’t be held accountable at this time for the three major domestic crimes he has been charged with because he is in the middle of important foreign affairs. He is too busy committing international war crimes in Gaza.

This is the same argument Trump convinced Chief Justice John Roberts to make in America in SCOTUS’ presidential immunity decision. While he is in office for four years, Roberts says President Trump can’t be held accountable for crimes he commits during the course of his official duties.

You gotta give despotism a chance to do its thing before making judgments.

Kimball Shinkoskey

Woods Cross, Utah

‘Calling out ...’ called out well

Kudos to Melissa Cordero for her piece, “Calling out those who fan flames” (Star, Sept. 18). The well-written piece addressed a serious matter at hand today. Attacks on a council member showed just how convoluted the rhetoric from the right has gotten. Deflecting via projecting seems to be the M.O. of the day for so many of them. Sure, there’s enough to go around on all, but we’re seeing this more and more as the base premise coming out of (take your pick ...) the right, the GOP, MAGA, Fox, etc. But to call people out for speech “violations,” while so actively pouncing on as many as possible themselves, in an effort to control or dominate news cycles, get away with rants, or just re-flavor the cult cocktails being guzzled endlessly is plain old hypocrisy. Period. This needs calling out. Again, thanks, Melissa, for your spot-on piece.

Neil Commenator

East side

Chaos in the United States

I grew up as a Democrat. I changed my affiliation in the ’80s to Republican. In the very late ’90s, I changed again to Independent because I felt it was important to vote for the person, not the party. But now, I am changing again to Democrat and I will vote a straight ticket as a Democrat. Our United States is no longer united; it is divided, and it is totally due to one person and his minions. Our country is now laughable with China, Russia and Israel. I cannot condone the Nazi behavior taking place by the President’s administration. It is shameful. I do not have many years left, but I fear for my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Wake up, America. Do something.

Vicky Smith

Marana

Pro cycling’s local rider

Tucson-born Matthew Riccitello, 23, recently came in fifth place in the three-week Pro Cycling Grand Tour La Vuelta A Espana (Tour of Spain). He also won the white jersey as best young rider. These are major accomplishments in the world of pro cycling. Tucson claims to be a cycling city, and I was extremely disappointed that there was not one mention of Matthew’s accomplishments during the entire three weeks of the race. Matthew deserves some recognition from his hometown.

Sheelagh Riekena

Oro Valley

Don’t you sometimes wish

Be honest with me, folks, don’t you sometimes wish that you could turn on the news without a threat, bluster, brag or promise from our fearless leader? Maybe a president who explains the good things about our country and doesn’t lie about how wonderful it’s going to be next week when he eliminates crime, immigration, malcontents or anyone who has the audacity to dispute any little thing he mutters. I know perfection isn’t possible, but why promise Eden when so much less is accomplished? Why say you will improve the economy when the reverse happens? Why brag that you can or will halt wars when they continue unabated? All I want is simplicity, not theatrics. Will it ever come to pass?

Philip Reinecker

East side

Jill Biden’s travels

Regarding Jack Walter’s LTE on Sept. 20: A quick search reveals how misinformed he is: No, Jill Biden did not fly back and forth from Normandy every day for Hunter’s trial. The First Lady did make a specific trip from France to the U.S. and back during her husband’s official visit for the D-Day anniversary.

Timeline of Jill Biden’s travel in June 2024:

June 4: Jill Biden, along with President Biden, departed for France to attend the D-Day 80th-anniversary commemorations in Normandy.

June 6: The First Lady flew from France to Wilmington, Delaware, to be present for Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial. She had to miss some D-Day events to do this.

June 8: She flew back to Paris to join President Biden for a state dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Democratic National Committee stated it would reimburse the government for the travel costs of this portion of the trip.

Bill Boaz

SaddleBrooke

Misguided politicians

I was turned away from my Walgreens appointment for my COVID shot last week because I did not have a prescription. Meanwhile, millions of mentally unstable Americans are allowed to buy guns. Politicians have very confusing priorities.

Russell Bonn

SaddleBrooke

Free speech is a two-way street

I don’t normally agree with Ted Cruz, but these are not normal times. I find myself in total agreement with Cruz that recent threats made by FCC Chair Brendan Carr related to Jimmy Kimmel’s show are in fact “dangerous as hell.” On his recent podcast, Cruz explained: “I think it is unbelievably dangerous for government to put itself in the position of saying we’re going to decide what speech we like and what we don’t, and we’re going to threaten to take you off air if we don’t like what you’re saying.” Having spent part of my professional life working among broadcast television news professionals, I couldn’t agree more. Again, Cruz’s words: “It might feel good right now to threaten Jimmy Kimmel, yeah, but when it is used to silence every conservative in America, we will regret it.” Free speech works both ways. If you want it to keep working, think hard about who you vote for in the coming elections.

Thea Chalow

Oro Valley

Facts are facts

How is it that you can slander someone by using their own words against them? If I call the prez a liar and sexual predator by reciting what he said like, “the election was stolen,” and “you can grab them by the “P***y,” am I slandering the convicted felon? I don’t think so. If I say that Charlie Kirk was a racist by posting what he stated on numerous occasions, am I slandering him? No. But for some who hold racism and being white in such high regard disagree vehemently with me.

I am pointing out a simple fact. Facts aren’t someone’s opinion. They are facts. Kirk was a racist, that’s a fact. If you don’t like it, well, you can write an LTE trying to explain how facts can be looked at as “alternative facts.”

John Bingham

Northwest side