Tucson Speaks Out: April 9

Two messages

I was struck by the dichotomy of two Easter messages — one from the Artemis II astronauts, the other from Donald Trump. The crew of Artemis II sent a message of universal love and togetherness, and thankfulness for our unique home, planet Earth. In stark contrast, Donald Trump sent a profane message of promised violence and threats of massive destruction. These two messages on Easter — a glaring display of intelligence versus deranged belligerence. Trump supporters who call themselves Christians, which message is in line with the teachings of your Lord and Savior?

Deb Klumpp

Oro Valley

Deranged

During Holy Week and over the Easter weekend, the President of the United States posted his holiday message(s) to the nation. He wrote, "Open the f--kin' strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in hell--JUST WATCH!" He threatened that he would "bomb Iran back into the stone ages where you belong!" He mocked Islam with a sarcastic "Praise Allah".

For those Americans who identify as Christians and those who celebrate Easter out of faith or simply cultural tradition, do you support the depth of depravity shown by this man? If you voted for him, do you still support this level of immorality, callousness and self-interest? Be a human being, wake up and take responsibility! There will come a day when we will all be judged for what we did or did not do.

Paul Simon

Northwest side

Pray for the workers

Reading books and articles opens doors to unfamiliar lifestyles. Recently, I’ve been reading stories of hidden patriots: White House domestic staff, CIA agents, soldiers, munitions manufacturers and other civil servants who keep things running. America’s government workers who do their bosses’ bidding live interesting lives.

2026, the year of the Fire Horse, is sure to bring chaos and destruction as well as opportunities for creative collaboration to us all. Astrologers observe Pluto is moving into Aquarius. Pluto is transformation, death/rebirth energy to the extreme, while Aquarius is all about community, ingenuity, collaboration and idealism.

It must be difficult to depend on crumbling structures to provide your paychecks. Sadly, many decent government workers are tasked with pleasing some unpleasant leaders by undertaking odious assignments. My thoughts and prayers go out to the many, many unsung heroes who struggle to carry out the dictates of the current kakistocracy.

Mary DeCamp

Downtown

How much

It would be illuminating to add up the millions the current administration has spent on the incarceration of nonviolent immigrants, including U.S. citizens wrongly forced into detention. This accounting should include the millions spent on the warehouses purchased across the country, the cost of flights to nowhere for immigrants, the cost of $50,000 signing bonuses to ICE recruits. I seriously doubt the average taxpayer would consider the money well spent. If conservatives and Republicans want smaller government and less fraud waste and abuse, why are they silently supporting this bloated bureaucracy which benefits no one? Congressional Republicans "have some splainin to do."

Barbara Moore

East side

Supervisor Matt Heinz

I don't know why Supervisor Matt Heinz attacks Sheriff Nanos for incidents that occurred 40-plus years ago. I do know that Heinz voted against the wishes of the people of Tucson, Pima County and the Tucson City Council when he voted for Project Blue. Tucson is in a broad valley and we already have dust pollution. Project Blue, as the evidence shows data centers do, will pollute our valley further. It will also use huge amounts of water in an area where water is dwindling, and we can no longer count on the Colorado River for our supply. In my view, Supervisor Heinz is the one who should be subject to a recall effort. He voted against us. Republican Daniel Butierez appears to be using the recall to get publicity for his run against our Congresswoman, Adelita Grijalva. Both men waste our time when there are real problems to solve.

Johnna Matthews

Midtown

So you voted for Trump

Many voters find themselves regretting their 2024 presidential election choice. If you feel this way, you’re one of many. One of millions. Only 23% of Americans rate the national economy positively.

Politicians are known for making unrealistic promises. And maybe you didn’t take time to look into the character and accomplishments of the candidates. A mistake, for sure, but not irredeemable. You're still welcome to join the majority who oppose this lawless administration. You deserve a path forward, not hate.

What's the path forward? Call or email a local, regional, state, or federal lawmaker. You can find your Arizona, city, county and federal legislators with a simple search online. They want to hear from citizens.

Talk to friends and family. Tell them you didn’t want high prices, defunded healthcare, or desecration of cherished public lands. Americans agree on far more than we disagree on. Opposition to Trump is growing, and everyone can help as Americans strive to save our democracy. We can save the country. Join us.

Teresa Goodell

Oro Valley

Let's get this straight

By definition, “a terrorist state is a government that employs terroristic tactics, such as violence against civilians, to achieve political goals, either directly or by supporting violent non-state actors.” What does that make our government?

Paul Wunderlich

Foothills

Bad times for all

Hegseth calls himself a Christian Crusader: Christian? His own mother called him "an abuser of women" (why Trump likes him, no doubt.) The old Crusaders did more pillaging of Christian cities en route than victorious fighting. They failed in their purpose. (Again, very Trumpian.) That's why Ferdinand and Isabella decided to try Columbus, to find a back door route to the East.

We all came where we are from this. Now Trump's zigging and zagging. And we will not like the result. Whatever Trump does will be disaster: war crimes, and worse, economic roller coaster.

Herbert Schneidau

Foothills

It is against the law

It is against U.S. and international law to:

1. Break into a residence in the U. S. without a judicial warrant.

2. Detain people in this country without access to legal representation.

3. Bomb boats in international waters.

4. Murder survivors of the bombing.

5. Abduct a ruler of a sovereign nation and his wife.

6. Attack a sovereign nation.

7. Destroy the infrastructure of a nation by bombing bridges, power sources and water supplies.

To say “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again” may not be illegal, but the action of doing it is genocide. That is against the law of humanity since Hitler tried to eliminate the Jewish race.

Many of our news providers are reporting these actions as though all is normal. This may be normal in Russia, but it is outrageous in the “Land of the Free”. This country’s administration is a group of outlaws. The Republicans in Congress (Ciscomani) have the power to stop this bunch of criminals.

Ray Omdahl

Green Valley

An entire civilization will die

Spiritually, it might be our own.

Alan Doan

SaddleBrooke

A whole civilization will die

Trump mouthed the words, "A whole civilization will die, never to be brought back again." That was in response to his demand that Iran capitulate. Much discussion has afterward been bandied about as to exactly what he meant. What he said was that he would destroy everyone and everything in Iran to prove his so-far-nebulous point. Some said it was just his blustering, obnoxious way of making his thoughts known. Most of us understand that he truly meant it when he uttered it and still may feel that way. To me, it doesn't matter. That a president would say this out loud for the whole world to hear is beyond comprehension. What's next with this demented person? If North Korea says something that offends his precious ego, recall that he has the presidential football with him at all times. Do you truly doubt that he would push the button in a second? This has gone past anything defensible. Stop this lunatic now.

Philip Reinecker

East side