Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at an event with President Donald Trump on the relocation of U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado to Alabama in the Oval Office of the White House, Sept. 2, in Washington.
Trump’s decision-making
The following is instructive on Trump’s decision-making process. He wants to move Space Command Headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, because Colorado has a mail-in voting system. He was advised by Putin last month that mail-in voting is a corrupt system. He redesignated the Department of Defense to the Department of War. The Department of Defense was established to put all the military branches under a single civilian leader and increase the focus on preventing war. Trump likes the name Department of War to justify military actions because he is so offensive. It appears Trump sold Ukraine down the river. Since the Putin/Trump meeting, Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine despite Vance’s assertions that Russia has made great concessions. Remember, Trump was a draft dodger and says all of us who served in the military are suckers and losers and that he knows more than the admirals and generals. As Bugs Bunny said, “What a Maroon!”
People are also reading…
Michael Mount
Foothills
Vaccinations
In view of the misinformation being promulgated by HHS Secretary Kennedy, it might be wise to explain how vaccines are evaluated for safety. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) collects data on any adverse event following a vaccine, whether or not it appears related. Anyone can submit a report. Epidemiologic and statistical patterns are investigated.
Kennedy said the COVID vaccine caused myocarditis (heart inflammation). Indeed, cases were reported following COVID vaccine administration; but Kennedy failed to report the denominator (millions) and a British study showed that getting COVID was 11 times more likely to cause myocarditis than getting the vaccine. Getting reliable data in the US will be much harder come by as Kennedy fired the whole Vaccine Advisory Panel so he could appoint vaccine deniers. Vaccines work. Period. It is personal for me: I lost seven patients to COVID — three before there was a vaccine, and four because they believed lies and chose witchcraft over science. All the science in the world will not protect you from stupidity.
Abraham R. Byrd III, M.D.
North side
Seeking happy Democrats
America elected a president — not a war hero, educator, lawyer, or career politician, but a real estate developer who views war as bad for business and styles himself as a peacemaker. Trump’s “Day 1” promise to end the war in Eastern Europe expired on Day 2. So, where are we?
Many Americans and European allies demand total Ukrainian victory, but Uncle Sam is no longer footing the bill. EU/NATO now buys U.S. arms at full price, and Trump signed a minerals deal with Ukraine to offset $175 billion in Biden-era aid. NATO partners, once reluctant to pay 2% of GDP for shared defense, now contribute 5%.
While not providing financial support for this protracted war, Trump has imposed punishing anti-Russia tariffs and after three years of one-sided engagement, he’s now talking with his other “good friend” Vladimir.
Is there just one Democrat Star reader who believes this policy may lead to peace without bankrupting America?
Jeffrey McConnell
West side
Colonel Kurtz wannabe
Donald Trump posted an “Apocalypse Now” parody showing helicopters and flames over Chicago, writing “I love the smell of deportations in the morning” and “Chicago about to find out why it’s called Department of WAR.” This childish, moronic, deranged and dangerous person is the president of the United States. Trump voters/supporters, are you the slightest bit embarrassed? You are not. Ashamed? You are not. You should be.
Deb Klumpp
Oro Valley
By any other name
Juveniles are running the country. One can’t help but imagine a spectacle of adolescent hoots and high-five-slapping congratulations as the Department of Defense scraps its title for the more sobering designation: the Department of War, and Pete Hegseth assumes the more formidable-sounding position of Secretary of War. It’s all so badass after all.
But as Putin’s war trundles on and Xi patiently awaits his moment to take Taiwan, the conspicuous reality is that this lame macho stunt — laughably intended to provoke concern within the developing alliance of Russia, China and North Korea — represents the most Trump “The Deal Maker” can muster. Such transparent braggadocio can only serve to strengthen the resolve of this authoritarian axis that Trump needs his bluff dismissively called.
As America blunders ahead with its self-imposed isolation in the interest of “Greatness” and its voluntary abandonment of its leadership role in the world, the forces of authoritarianism appear unfazed as they duly prepare to step in and fill the void.
Robert Gavlak
Midtown
Well-regulated militia
With the current administration shredding our Constitution, a well-regulated militia is necessary now, more than ever and publicly known, so this administration knows that there are Americans who will stop them from turning this country into an autocracy. This militia must be led by veterans as we have lived our lives protecting the Constitution including the First, Second, Fourth, Fifth, 14th, 22nd. Protesting was fine at the beginning, but “now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country,” and that is through a “well-regulated militia.” Many veterans have stepped forward as “anti-Trump veterans,” but now is the time for us to be armed, as we are the last protectors “to the security of a free State” for these United States and The Constitution from an administration that will shred The Constitution at every chance. USAF, 1978-82, Sgt.
Alexander Maldonado
Midtown
International power shift
A historic shift in the world power structure occurred this week. The strongmen of three powerful countries, Putin, Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping met, deliberately omitting D.J.T. They obviously are planning to become the world’s most influential financial and military powers. Our bungling President probably doesn’t realize the significance of their meeting. We are now in a position where our allies don’t trust us, our enemies smell blood in the water, and we have cut off aid to countries that desperately need our help.
Trump’s “deals” are making him wealthy, but they are dragging our country down and dividing us by race, religion, bitter politics, wealth and now access to medical care. For students of recent history (all Americans should be well aware), a century ag,o the Axis powers of Germany, Japan and Italy (all now allies) almost destroyed Europe and Asia. Back then, the US was heroic. I hope we can recover from this mess.
Morton Cederbaum
Green Valley
Ciscomani and DACA
Juan Ciscomani’s half-hearted support for DACA recipients belies his record of voting in favor of President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” He evaded journalists’ questions about how his support of DACA aligns with Trump’s deportation policy of immigrants. One can only view his current position on DACA recipients as hypocrisy.
Roberto Martinez
South side
Woeful broadcast
I don’t know where the fault lies, but Cox’s ESPN+ broadcast of the Weber State-UA football game was woefully inadequate. I tried to watch the game from the delayed start until the end, but because the signal was lost following nearly every commercial break, I missed more than I saw. During what I did see, there were continual audio and video interruptions. I’d expect better service from both Cox and ESPN. I hope their service is vastly improved before the next streaming broadcast of a University of Arizona athletic event.
Barclay Dick
Midtown
Kennedy’s folly
If you took your car in for repair of a hard-to-diagnose issue, wouldn’t you be concerned when the mechanic first wants to replace the interior upholstery because some unqualified source thinks it might work? How is this different from what Kennedy is doing with vaccines?
Richard Eaton
West side
Sunday Star’s A6 ‘training’
What kind of a joke is this? I mean, what are they training for? Preparing for violence? That makes me laugh. The only demonstrations I see are mostly peaceful. Violent protest is more of the “J6ers” style. (Any idea how many of those are now ICE agents?) It has been documented since George Floyd that far-right-wing radicals were the main instigators of violence during protests.
So what makes this so funny? Those defenders of the 2nd Amendment who swore they needed all that cosplay military equipment and 30-round clips, to overthrow a tyrannical government? Well, here we are with a tyrannical government, and they all voted for him, and cheer him on as he continues his path of destruction. Remember how the Supreme Court said he could do illegal acts, as official business? Eleven humans out on a boat just lost their lives, they were executed by “God’s” chosen executioner. And you’re OK with that?
Larry Robinson
Northwest side
Women’s health deserves better
The New York Times reports that prostate cancer rates are rising, and the cancers are frequently at a serious stage before they are detected. They say it is because screening frequency has changed. It’s admirable that the Times is concerned about prostate cancer rates but why haven’t they delved into the rise in undetected women’s breast cancer rates, which are also due to changes in screening? Some of us had mammograms every two years beginning in our 20s. Today a woman cannot get a mammogram until age 40 unless they can demonstrate family history. And they wonder why breast cancers go undetected until it’s almost too late. Once again, women are relegated to second place.
Barbara Benjamin
Foothills
Release the files
Congressman Ciscomani:
It is time for you to take a stand. You must either insist on holding accountable the pedophiles who were responsible for the emotional, physical and psychological trauma inflicted on the victims of Brian Epstein, or stand on the sidelines, confirm your complicity with the rich and powerful, and shamefully continue to do their bidding.
Congressman … what are your personal values, ethics and convictions? What kind of person are you, and why the prolonged silence on this matter, which shows no sign of resolution? Your constituents want to know your character or your cowardice.
Release the Epstein files.
J. Scott Feierabend
Northeast side
Rolex’s attempt at censorship
Rolex, sponsor of big tennis matches, wants the media to stop showing Trump being booed when he is put on screen at the games. Don’t show the boos or else.
TV outlets broadcasting the U.S. Open were told not to air any boos or cheers for President Trump during his attendance at the match. Easy solution, he and his entourage can watch the game on TV instead. Rolex invited this over-privileged man to their special box seat area. People noticed DT and his team, as well as all the extra security and inconveniences. Once put on the stadium screen, what did they expect? There are people in the stadium, are they supposed to remain mum? Solution, don’t show the “president” on screen during a broadcast game.
Someone that possesses excessive or disproportionate advantages, money, possessions, or opportunities compared to others in their society, to a degree considered undeserved or excessive. He got the best seats in the house. They put him on the stadium screen. He is not popular. Boom. Boos.
Peter Bisschop
East side
