Tucson Speaks Out: Dec. 9 letters of the day

Few solutions offered for the post-war future of Gaza and its displaced inhabitants seem promising. Let me suggest one to spark imagination that is feasible, affords a pathway to economic prosperity and dignity for the Palestinian people, and might well offer hope for peace in the region.

The entire Gaza strip will be reconstructed as the largest theme park in the world. Called Abraham Land, the latest and best story-telling technology will immerse visitors within the history, legends, customs and practices of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In short time, it will become a must-visit location for tourists and pilgrims from across the world, rich and poor alike. Abraham Land will be the primary driver of the Palestinian economy. Gazans and other Palestinians will be fully employed in well-paying jobs in the construction, hospitality, and entertainment sectors. Investors from all three faiths, from sheiks to you and I, will take pride in its co-creation. Just imagine.

Barry Kibel

Northeast side

Actually, I AM better off

Re: the Dec. 5 letter “Adjectives to describe Trump.”

Thank you for a well-written letter. You are correct that mud-slinging and name calling are unproductive when engaging in public discourse. It is much better to support your arguments with facts and examples, and to ask thoughtful questions as you have done. Please let me respond to your thoughtful question. I am better off now because I am reassured that violence is not becoming an acceptable means of dealing with those who don’t agree. I can go out in public without fear of catching COVID, given the current availability of vaccines and treatments. I am no longer embarrassed to be an American when I travel to a foreign country. I feel safer in a country with strong allies and friends. I have hope that we are addressing climate change and will leave a livable world for my grandchildren and great-grandchildren ….

Sally Lee

Foothills

No lack of hypocrisy

As the body count in Gaza rises exponentially, America doubles-down on Netanyahu’s “screw-Palestine” carnage. And we do it in the name of democracy, justice, and religious freedom. What immense hypocrites we are.

Where are America’s Christian leaders who say they love Jesus, God and the scripture? The scripture says “an eye for an eye” as the standard for punishment of criminal acts. But Netanyahu has already exacted 15 Palestinian eyes for one Israeli eye in this war. We are proving God’s warning to Ezekiel, “Are not my ways equal, are not your ways unequal?”

It is absurd for any democratic nation to believe one Palestinian Muslim life is not worth one Israeli Jewish life. Shame, shame, shame on American Congressional leaders, CEOs, education and church leaders, and media moguls. History will remember your shallow self-interest in a time of humanitarian crisis. You did nothing.

Kimball Shinkoskey

Downtown

Enough is enough

Since Nov. 7, UA president Robbins has offered up every excuse except the dog ate his homework, for the financial mess the U of A has become on his watch. Today, Dec. 6, we also got a look at what is going on at UACG, which was formerly Ashford University, whose acquisition was pushed by Robbins. In my view he was never qualified to be the president of U of A. He had run a hospital in Houston and was a department head at Stanford’s med school. Hardly a background for leading a public university of U of A’s stature. He, the ABOR are incapable of solving this problem. Same goes for the state legislature. We need an experienced financial expert to develop a recovery plan. I feel AG Mayes should determine the root cause of this mess and take action, as appropriate.

Bruce Wysocki

Southwest side

Dear Israel

You took the opportunity to look into your soul where boxes of learning could be opened. There were boxes labeled love, forgiveness, compassion, etc. and one labeled rationalization. You chose rationalization. Here you learned to figure out how you can live with yourselves despite knowing what you are doing. All this proves is you are the same as all the rationalizers who came before you.

Gene Wilcox

North side

Appointing a member to District 3 Board of Supervisors

Re: the Dec. 4 article “Eight applicants seek seat on Pima board.”

The Star reports that eight people have applied for appointment to the District 3 vacancy created by the resignation of Sharon Bronson who represented District 3. Who should be appointed is a no brainer. The Board must absolutely appoint April Hiosik Ignacio. It is imperative that the Tohono O’odham nation have representation on the Board of Supervisors. The Nation and its people have been ignored for too long. The businesses created by the nation employ large numbers of residents here and in western pima county. They pay enormous amounts taxes of taxes both State and Pima County. And not all members live on the reservation. Many of them live here, work here and support our local economy. It is an opportunity for the Board to appoint to do something special and appoint the first indigenous person to the Pima County Board of Supervisors. Make history.

Manuel Hernandez Garcia

Midtown

Gunlocks

Re: the Dec. 6 article “Gunlocks to be given free to TUSD families.”

The provision of gunlocks by County Attorney Conover to TUSD is commendable but not new. Her predecessor, Barbara LaWall, provided gunlocks for years to pediatricians and other primary care physicians to be given out free of charge. Accordingly, I had a sign up in my medical office: “If you have firearms in your home and are concerned about their being used inappropriately in your absence, these high quality gunlocks are available at no charge from the County Attorney’s office.” Mostly they were given out one at a time but sometimes three or four, with no questions asked; we gave out hundreds over the years. We also had the posters showing that children at very young age can pull a trigger and know where their parents’ guns are. If the purpose is to promote gun safety, why restrict gunlocks to TUSD or to the school safety officer’s control, or require “conversations” before giving them out? Would it not be better to make them as available as possible?

Abraham R. Byrd III (M.D.)

North side

District 3 County Supervisor appointment

Re: the Dec. 4 article “Eight applicants seek seat on Pima board.”

The Pima County Board of Supervisors has an opportunity to appoint an interim supervisor who will be ready to tackle the job on day one. My friend and former colleague, Dr. Sylvia Lee, will bring an educated and non-politically driven agenda to making decisions. While serving with Dr. Lee on the PCC Governing Board, I observed both the intellect and compassion she exhibited in her duties.

Her reputation as a fair and effective administrator is well known. Dr. Lee’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion has been evident in her long career. Sylvia’s family are pioneers in our county’s history and broke barriers in racial and immigrant discrimination, a proud legacy that she carries on today.

Sylvia has indicated that she is not interested in running for the District 3 seat in a future election. She seeks an opportunity to serve our county in an interim position that will result in an effective and fair transition until the voters can have their say.

Mark Hanna, former Chair of the PCC Governing Board

Foothills

Businesses providing child care for employees

I read recently about the high cost of childcare. Some people imply that taxes should be used to subsidize childcare while parents work. I suggest a different solution: Employers offer on-site childcare as a benefit just as they offer health insurance and other benefits.

It’s clearly a business expense, not mine. I have a relative who runs a professional office with several employees; he started offering on-site childcare about twenty-five years ago. It has been very successful. The benefit to the employee is obvious. The benefits to the business are also tangible: very low staff turnover, happy employees etc. The business community could benefit and the taxpayer wouldn’t be involved.

In my opinion, the businesses and families have a problem, they can fix it without my help.

Tom Howes

Northwest side