Tucson Speaks Out: October 15

Resolution for the Arizona border wall

The Arizona Tohono O'odham tribe does not approve of the border wall that has been designed to control access to the United States. They want the borderland protected from destruction.

However, many other Americans believe a wall is vital for controlling illegal access and protecting all Americans.

A solution that would meet the needs of all Americans would be to build the wall around the reservation. This would keep the Mexico border open to the reservation, and thereafter the tribe would be in charge of controlling access to their reservation. Additional gates monitored by the tribe could be added to keep open access to the area around the reservation.

Cheryl Kelli

Downtown

Don’t skip the bottom of the ballot

Arizona voters elect the members of the Arizona Corporation Commission, unlike voters in many other states. Yet the commission’s races appear near the very bottom of our ballot, just before the propositions. By the time many voters reach that point, they may be ready to stop, unaware that they can vote for two candidates or uncertain about whom to choose.

These races deserve careful attention. The commission sets rates for water, electricity, telephone service and natural gas. Its decisions affect household budgets, public health and the carbon emissions associated with the energy we use.

The five-member commission has two seats on this year’s ballot, and its current leadership is sharply partisan. Before voting, learn about the candidates and complete the entire ballot. The Arizona Corporation Commission may appear last, but its decisions are far from least important.

Jain Barrett

Midtown

Bread and circuses?

Some commentators have suggested that the situation in the U.S. now resembles that of ancient Rome before its downfall. The parallels aren't exact, but one recent government action speaks eloquently to the case. Our "circus" now includes the live-streaming of an execution for the nation to watch, as suggested by Pete Hegseth and approved by President Trump. Instead of a Coliseum crowd watching bloody scenes of gladiators fighting other gladiators or wild animals or Christians, we can now watch an execution on TV in the comfort of our easy chairs, possibly with popcorn. The ancient Roman emperors provided these entertainments to divert their citizens from their concerns over hunger and poor living conditions. Our government provides the execution show to divert our attention from the useless war in Iran and the rising cost of living on all fronts. I would say that's a pretty good parallel!

Delores Keahey

Southeast side

Responsible congressional elections

We have a corrupt election system for congressional representatives. Between gerrymandered districts and district representatives who have been bought and paid for by wealthy donors funding their campaigns, there are few districts that are truly competitive. We need independent commissions to establish congressional districts and eliminate gerrymandering in any form. Limits should be placed on donations to a reasonable amount and should be given only by people who live in the congressional district. That should focus campaigns on the people they represent. Lastly, we should consider rank choice voting, which could really select the top candidate running in a multi-candidate race. Pie in the sky?

Michael Mount

Foothills

AI Threat

It wouldn't be hard to follow that if you asked AI to cure all the problems with the world, since humans commit 100% of all crime, wage all wars, and whose pollution is by far the leading cause of climate change. etc., it would come to the conclusion that the first step would be to get rid of humanity.

Michael Monahan

South side

Where to find new water

New water is found where it has always been, in the ocean. The Sea of Cortez has an unlimited supply of water. In the Pacific, there are underwater mountains that have peaks, going several hundred feet above sea level. These peaks or islands have green trees, bushes and white beaches. When sunlight hits the top surface of a quiet, warm ocean, good potable water evaporates and forms mist or moist air and then fog or clouds. When local winds push the moist air up on the peaks, the air cools, and the water in the air condenses to form clouds and rain. This creates green islands with plants, trees and water for animals and people. In the Southwest USA, like Arizona, we have peaks, cliffs and strong winds, but little moist air. With solar pumps, we bring in ocean water to open government land and ponds, carefully, to evaporate and increase the snowpack in the Rocky Mountains. To prevent brine, some water is returned to the Sea of Cortez.

Thomas Bohan

Foothills

Do not forget

Andy Biggs’ signs remind us not to forget. Don’t worry, Andy, we will never forget your and Warren Peterson’s efforts to overthrow the democracy that so many Americans sacrificed everything to preserve. The failed attempt to nullify the results of an election that you had not a shred of evidence to prove was “stolen” was the worst act of treason in U.S. history. Over six years have passed since you and the rest of your cabal promised absolute proof that would blow our minds that the Democrats were so brilliant they could somehow enlist several Republican Secretaries of State and numerous Trump-appointed judges and pull off the hoax of the century, but inexplicably failed to do it in 2016 and again in ‘24. Or give Joe Biden a Democratic Congress. Do you just assume the voters are stupid?

Bill Jenney

Bisbee

Time to make a difference

Mary Ellen Klas's recent article states that Latino voters have officially become the deciding factor in American politics.

This isn't really news to anyone who's been paying attention. Jorge Ramos called this exact moment over two decades ago in his book “The Latino Wave,” making it clear that neither party can simply count on Latino voters as a sure thing.

The reality is that our community isn't a monolith. We care about the exact same practical, kitchen-table issues as everyone else — grocery bills, decent healthcare, affordable housing, fair wages, and meaningful immigration reform.

In Arizona, where elections are won and lost on thin margins, our collective voice carries real weight. This November, we can shape the outcome for everyone’s benefit.

Stan Paz

Northeast side

Pima County: show up and be heard

Pima County, your ballots are in the mail. Exercise your constitutional right to vote. Midterms typically draw about half the voters, yet they decide the issues that hit closest to home — our governor, attorney general, congressional representative, and many ballot measures that will have a direct effect on your utility services and local sales and property taxes.

I’m not here to tell you how to mark that ballot, though I hold my own views. If you stay home, you hand the outcome to someone else. And to those who say “it doesn’t matter, they cheat” or “my voice gets drowned out,” I ask: How would you ever know if you don't cast a vote? The last midterms were razor-close. Local government shapes our daily lives more than most realize. Please show up and have your voice be heard.

Janet Wittenbraker

Midtown

To the undecided voter

If you’re an Independent and/or undecided voter who can’t choose between Katie Hobbs and Andy Biggs, look no further than this moderate Independent. In an interview this past week, Biggs mocked Hobbs voice, saying “I’m just little Katie,” and has spent this election attacking her instead of talking about his plan for our state. He would cut 30% of our state budget to pay for his $6 billion tax plan. He is deep in the pockets of Turning Point. Last, but not least, he has yet to apologize for his role in the violence that occurred on Jan. 6, 2021. Please vote for the candidate who acts with decency and civility. Dozens of prominent Republican and Independent leaders are on her side, and polls show that about 70% of Independents will vote for her. Join us.

Wyatt Kanyer

Midtown

Our president

Like it or not, the guy in the White House was elected. President Trump has the support of millions, including many in Tucson who defend him vehemently. I just read two letters to the editor that tried to either say, “Don’t say bad things about the prez because he can’t defend himself and do the job he was elected to do,” or stated that he’s the best prez ever because they got a big tax break (somehow) this year due to his Big Beautiful Bill.

I don’t support him. But I’m one of the few, it seems, since Tucson and Arizona, for that matter, believe what this man spews.

We had a term in the Marine Corps, “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,” which I harken back to when I read letters to the editor like these.

How can one look at this criminal and say, “He’s the best ever?” I'm a veteran.

John Bingham

Northwest side

Trump National Park

Organ Pipe National Park’s denial of permits to the humanitarian organization Humane Borders is the latest move by the Trump administration to politicize the National Park Service. Humane Borders places water barrels in the desert in and around Pima County where thousands of people have died from dehydration. Apparently, saving lives doesn’t align with Trump priorities.

The Park Service is no longer politically neutral. An Olympian was falsely prosecuted for touching the Park Service reflecting pool while border wall construction desecrates Big Bend and Organ Pipe National Parks. Donald Trump’s face appears on park passes. Material about slavery, the Indian wars, and climate change has been removed from national parks per Trump’s “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” executive order.

The Park Service removing Humane Borders water barrels from public lands is their latest regrettable political act. People will die.

John Stark

Southeast side