Tucson Speaks Out: March 14

Israel, Iran, America

Last time Congress declared war was about 85 years ago. Since then, how many Democratic presidents waged war without congressional consent? So why all the uproar about President Trump "eliminating" America's most evil enemy without congressional consent? Partisan politics maybe? Is Trump's war on the "Axis of Resistance" defying rules of a justifiable war? The Constitution does not provide a specific definition of a justified war. But the Catholic Catechism does. In part, Paragraph # 2309: "...the use of arms must not produce evil and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated."

Think 9/11 and Iran's perennial chant "Death to America." Also, the chant "river to the sea" has been co-opted by the radical proxies of Iran to mean the "extermination" of the Jewish people from the "river to the sea." If Iran's proxies' de-armed there would be peace. If Israel laid down its weapons, Iran and its proxies would "exterminate" the entire Jewish population in Israel.

Daniel Pryor

West side

Thousand-word pictures

Either title, Secretary of War or Secretary of Defense, suits Pete Hegseth. Hegseth's need to defend his actions since his use of Signal to share classified information about airstrikes in Yemen, resulted in denied access to selected reporters from the Pentagon. He increased restrictions for media coverage due to “security risks,” allowing pro-Trump reporters to replace the reporters who resigned in protest from such media censorship. With the latest war frenzy, Pete Hegseth has snarled his comments during press briefings and has complained that photos of his “performances” are unflattering, resulting in the use of a “pool camera” for major TV networks. Like President Donald Trump's evasion of the Epstein file contents, Hegseth continues to fumble through his defense of military actions like the death of 165 Iranian school children. Hegseth will learn no amount of restricted media coverage can provide sufficient defense for this catastrophic war with Iran.

Roger Shanley

East side

Trump's January 6 pardons

During his State of the Union Address, Trump described crimes committed by illegal aliens. His logic is that they cannot commit crimes if they are deported or are in prison.

He needed to apply the same logic to Andrew Johnson. Johnson was convicted of crimes committed during the January 6 insurrection and given a prison sentence. He was pardoned by Trump, along with over 1500 others.

Less than six months after his release, he began sexually molesting two 12-year-old boys. He told the boys to not bother to turn him in because he had been pardoned by Trump and was “untouchable” and he was going to be a millionaire because Trump’s people were going to sue for false imprisonment on his behalf.

Johnson was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. However, two young boys will bear the scar of his actions for the rest of their lives.

There are several other pardoned January 6 criminals who have committed crimes after being released. None are illegal aliens.

Gary Haslett

SaddleBrooke

Why bother

I’ve written a few letters to the editor concerning the current administration, and I’ve come to the conclusion that they are pointless. Even Trump's social media post about ‘how we make lots of money’ off higher oil prices will never make it to Fox, Newsmax or any other MAGA-leaning networks or even some influential social media accounts won’t quote him. As I’ve come to the conclusion that those who still support his latest folly don’t care or don’t have the desire to find out the truth. Because any reasonable person would see what this is all leading us and how much this will cost this nation in blood and treasure. And, mostly who will be the big winner out of this conflict: Russia and its oil supply.

Mike Burton

Midtown

Causes and effects

Donald Trump’s immigration “policy” is chaotic violence fueled by lies and ignorance — that is, chaotic violence (an effect) produced by Donald’s massive ignorance and mendacity (a cause). It need not have happened. President Biden’s immigration reform plan, negotiated in the Senate in early 2024, blocked by congressional Republicans at candidate Donald Trump’s direction, fully satisfied almost no one but was a start, subject to amendment via democratic lawmaking.

Donald has started a war against Iran, which, he fantasizes, is about to build a nuclear weapon—that is, war (an effect) produced by, well, Donald’s massive ignorance and mendacity (a cause). It need not have happened. In 2015, the Obama administration negotiated an agreement with Iran, five other countries, and the EU, ensuring a peaceful nuclear program for Iran in exchange for sanctions relief, compliance monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency. In 2018, Donald withdrew from the pact (a cause), which Iran then terminated in October 2025 (an effect).

Stephen Ford

Midtown

Crowd heaven?

I read a bumper sticker that read "Crowd Heaven." I thought it meant to be a good person so at death you, and everyone else heeding the sign, would land in a preferable afterlife site. Reading the news, others must interpret the advice to kill poor innocent children and use those souls to populate heaven instead.

Mary DeCamp

Downtown

Arizona must do more for renewable energy

In light of the current state of international relations, the importance of implementing renewable energy sources is once again being emphasized. Mr. Carran’s article discussed how solar is not only a more environmentally conscious form of energy, but it's also cheaper for the average ratepayer. While gas prices skyrocket and directly affect individuals' pockets, our overreliance on gas as an energy source, which is slowly killing the environment, is once again evident. As a high school student, I’m conscious of how our actions can harm the environment for decades to come, and how we still haven't taken enough precautions to protect future generations against climate change. I mean, how is it possible that Arizona is the sunniest state in the country, yet less than 20% of our energy comes from solar power? Ultimately, it's clear that a change must be made in the ways we power our state to ensure a livable future for the next generation.

Sofia Garcia

Marana

TEP’s averages

TEP recently cited a study by Charles River Associates wherein the author, Mr. Matthew DeCourcey, states “Trends that use national averages can be misleading because those data obscure important differences among the different rates that comprise the average.” The same cautionary principles should be applied to TEP’s use of average annual utility bills, which likewise can be misleading because those data obscure important differences among ratepayers and the months of year that comprise the average. If the AZ Corporation Commission approves TEP’s 14% rate increase the real pain will be felt next summer when the average summer electric bills will likely range from $180 to $240 per month.

Sheldon Clark

Vail

Response to Bisbee opinion

Excuse me, Mr. Miller. The U.S. president does not wear baggy suits. He is overweight and must adorn his body with very large, nicely tailored suits to hide the fat. Now, about his headgear. He must wear the baseball caps until his orange hair dye fully grows out. This is why we see orange when light reflects on his golden crown. Chins up! Hopefully, we will be able to vote in someone new during the next presidential election in 2028. Hopefully.

Alison M Hughes

Midtown

Preserving cultural heritage

I lead the organization responsible for preserving the historic buildings at Mission San Xavier. I am in shock as we pound Iran with indiscriminate regard for centuries-old buildings constituting that country’s historic heritage. If a girl's elementary school is considered “collateral damage,” then centuries-old buildings are mere inconveniences.

I visited Isfahan years ago and have vivid memories of what was the most beautiful city square imaginable; magnificent, blue-tiled mosques, the mysterious bazaar, sun filtering through the domed ceiling, the covered bridges, arcades filled with carpets. It was ethereal in its beauty.

People were horrified when the Taliban followed through with their plan to blow up centuries-old statues of the Buddha in Bamiyan, Afghanistan and, when ISIS armies destroyed the ancient Greco-Roman city of Palmyra, Syria. But those were violent terrorist organizations. Yet our philistine-in-chief is doing the same. If the East Wing of the White House can be knocked down without debate, why would the finest examples of Persian Islamic architecture matter?

Miles Green

Foothills