Tucson Speaks Out: October 26

Intelligence insult

Every morning as I watch the news on Channel 9, I am forced to watch a commercial from Kristi Noem and Homeland Security. The commercial is directed toward children who might be thinking about crossing the border illegally. It states how dangerous it would be, and all the horrors that may happen to them. Here’s the rub. The commercial is in English and broadcast on a television station inside the U.S.. Seriously, how many children in Mexico are watching television? How many of the children speak English? How many people in the U.S. know of a child in Mexico who might be thinking of crossing illegally? Who is this commercial really directed to? Are we being fed another lie about how concerned Trump and Noem are about the safety of immigrant children? How insulting to think that we don’t get it. Wake up.

Richard Bechtold

West side

Healthcare attack on seniors

The WISeR Pilot Program, due to begin in AZ, TX, OK, WA, OH, N.J. on Jan. 1, 2025, is a complete threat to anyone on traditional Medicare. It will privatize traditional Medicare by requiring previously unneeded prior authorization for certain common procedures recommended by physicians, such as steroid injections for back pain. Authorization would be determined by private companies using artificial intelligence. These companies will be paid based on how much money they save Medicare — so denials will be rampant. In Medicare Advantage plans offered by private insurance companies, where prior authorization is already prevalent, patients often face extended delays or denials for coverage. Profit-driven companies prioritize cost-saving measures over what is best for the patient.

About half the Medicare beneficiaries, including myself, have chosen traditional Medicare instead of Medicare Advantage because we trust our doctors with our healthcare more than private insurance companies.

This attack on traditional Medicare must be stopped. Contact all your legislators.

Katherine Hess

East side

Trump ballroom

I see that, contrary to his earlier proclamation, Trump has destroyed the East Wing of the White House, preparatory to building his $300 million ballroom. We know that federal workers aren’t being paid, that grocery prices are skyrocketing, but Trump’s main priority is to build a ballroom for him and his billionaire friends. I don’t care that he says others are paying for it. I care because a real President is supposed to be administering governmental issues and ensuring that his people are being productive. If you are one of those who still believe that this deranged individual cares about anything American, I wish you’d sit up and see what is really going on. It’s obvious to even the most casual observer that his only interest is himself, his pocketbook and his billionaire buddies. If it takes more marches and half the population in the streets, then let’s let it happen. This lunatic must be stopped.

Philip Reinecker

East side

Marine Corps birthday

On Oct. 18, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth celebrated the Marine Corps’ birthday by ordering an artillery live-fire exercise, closing miles of a California highway, although his real intent was to interfere with the protests on No Kings Day. It actually rained shrapnel on police cars. The Marine Corps’ birthday is Nov. 10. I know because, as a Foreign Service Officer, that is the day the Marine Corps Ball, the social event of the year in Embassies, is celebrated worldwide. It is so special that FSOs usually assume the duties of the Marine Security Guard 24 hours before and 24 hours after that day just so the Marines can celebrate their birthday. Was he confused? Why didn’t’ the Commandant of the Marine Corps correct Pete, was he cowed, as were other generals and admirals after recently being talked down to by the Secretary? How about celebrating the recent Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard birthdays? What are they, chopped liver?

Jerry Lujan

Oro Valley

The real enemy within

The wannabe king is absolutely right. There is a dangerous “enemy within”: He’s looking at him in the mirror, surrounded by a pathetically ignorant, unqualified band of sycophants. In the past 10 months, scarcely a day has gone by without lies, divisive insinuations, racial rants, paranoia and grandiosity poisoning every utterance, leading to violent public reactions. His disregard for laws and rules is unbelievably relentless. At least Nixon tried to pretend he wasn’t a crook; Trump basks in it.

The callous destruction of the East Wing, to be replaced by a 90,000 square foot ballroom, truly represents his antipathy and cruelty toward American families, even his own supporters, now unemployed and uninsured.

Given unlimited presidential power by the Supreme Court and the Republican Party, the guardrails removed, overreach and retribution prevail. Aren’t we a nation of law,s and aren’t we supposed to be treated equally? When will this injustice end? What’s it going to take?

Jeff Whitmore

Midtown

The dance of modernization

According to Sandra Katz (LTE on Oct. 23), Trump is destroying our White House.

Below is a list of taxpayer-funded renovations. Trump’s ballroom? Privately funded.

1829: Andrew Jackson added the North Portico.

1902: Roosevelt added the West Wing.

1909: Taft added the first Oval Office.

1927: Congress added the third floor.

1933: FDR added a second floor and built an indoor pool.

1948: Truman rebuilt the ENTIRE interior from the ground up.

1970: Nixon turned the pool into the press briefing room and added a bowling alley.

2009: Obama swapped the tennis court for a basketball court.

2025: Trump is breaking ground on a grand ballroom.

When strong personal feelings — such as your dislike for Trump — enter the equation, perhaps it’s time to consider whether those emotions might influence your views more than the facts themselves.

Linda Schaub

Southeast side

A mirror of our times

History is not a mere collection of dates, battles, and forgotten rulers. It is the memory of humanity, a mirror in which every generation can see its own reflection. To ignore history is to blindfold ourselves. When societies fail to learn from the past, they repeat the very mistakes that once brought ruin upon nations, empires, and communities.

The Quran advises: “Travel through the earth and see what was the end of those who rejected the truth.” This is not just a command to wander, but to reflect: to see that arrogance and injustice lead to ruin, while fairness and compassion lead to flourishing. Similar teachings are found in the Bible and other sacred texts.

To learn from history is to honor those who came before us. It is to prevent their struggles and sacrifices from being in vain. And most importantly, it is to chart a wiser, nobler path for those who come after us. For history is not just behind us — it is alive in our choices today.

Sohail Qureshi

Downtown

TEP is sweating competition

Private company TEP is really worried.

Another advertisement/opinion piece from another high-paid TEP VP was published recently.

TEP knows public power can be both cheaper and more reliable. That is why the barrage. The noise. The panic.

Let’s look at facts on privately owned power companies and TEP:

— Is privately owned, through a web of companies, by a Canadian company, Fortis. Much of TEP’s financials are not disclosed publicly.

— Uses its PR and marketing slush fund to overwhelm the public power grassroots.

— Spends millions on CEOs, VP, lawyers and lobbyists at the state, local and federal level.

Imagine the lobbying cost of bringing a lawyer, CEO and VP to meet with politicians and funding their first-class daily travel expenses. Add money for advertisements everywhere, and TEP customers (you) are funding hundreds of millions a year to protect TEP’s bottom-line profit and bonuses.

How about TEP cease the noise, millionaire Op-Eds and not push for 15% rate increases?

Better yet, vote for public power.

Carissa Sipp

Midtown

King of belligerence

It’s obvious from his recent letter that our local Loyalist was quite bothered by the No Kings Day protesters. He sees them as “sour grapers” and “belligerent”. Is the extreme, constant belligerence of his adored leader lost on Mr. Johnson? No one embodies the word more perfectly than Donald Trump, King of belligerence. What does he think of Trump’s recent posting of himself (The King) flying a plane and dropping excrement onto protesters? Does he think it’s funny? Clever? Cute? Just Trump practicing freedom of speech? Certainly, it can’t be belligerent! I really must question the mental status of a “leader” who would post such a thing, and also wonder about anyone who would support such a pathetic, obviously sick individual and think such a person is fit for any office, let alone POTUS.

Deb Klumpp

Oro Valley

Demolition of the East Wing

The nauseating video of Trump taking a wrecking ball to the East Wing of the White House, “the People’s House,” reminded me of the respective reactions of the Obamas and the Trumps upon moving into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Michelle Obama, descended from slaves, was moved to recall that slaves had helped to build her new home. The Trumps, of a different view, were reported to have looked around and said, “What a dump.”

Who are we? What has happened to our democracy? Have we voted to demolish it?

Regula Case

Midtown

Loyal’s observations

People may receive shorter sentences or no sentence at all due to a variety of reasons, including a shift in public policy towards reduced incarceration, laws that allow for more judicial discretion, or rehabilitation-focused alternatives to prison. Then there are budget considerations. But for high-level crimes, like January 6 crimes, the acts were more than illegal, and they should get more punishment than someone who commits petty theft, or drunk and disorderly. Santos committed multiple crimes and deserved to remain in jail. (Also, if the wealthy in our community would stop whining about taxes, maybe the budget in Tucson and Pima County would be what is needed.) More crime deserves more time. The January 6 participants subjected to very “hard time?” and rightfully so. Their actions were of the highest crimes. Biden’s final pardons were justified due to the king who was about to take office. And the autopen thing, get over it.

Peter Bisschop

East side

Israel 10, Palestine 0

While Trump’s agreement to release hostages is touted as the“greatest peace plan in history,” it is really little different from former President Biden’s previous hostage releases.

After the hostage/prisoner exchange, Hamas will be banished from a leadership role in Gaza, but Israel is bound by no concessions whatsoever. Israel is not even required to clean up the toxic rubble left from destroying most of the homes, businesses and hospitals in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israel has denied aid deliveries to Gazan residents and the Knesset has approved 22 new unlawful Israeli settlements on the West Bank.

The second phase of the plan for actual peace in the Middle East is not even a plan, just another Trumpian illusion and self-aggrandizing hype.

Bruce Hilpert

North side