Tucson Speaks Out: Oct. 12 letters of the day

A recent letter writer believed Democrats should have bailed out Speaker McCarthy. That would mean Democrats would have had to ignore his actions on Jan. 6, his post-insurrection sucking up to the former president at Mar-a-Lago, his attempts to discredit the Jan. 6 committee, his sham Biden impeachment inquiry, his reneging on a debt-limit deal, and his false claim that Democrats wanted to shutdown the government.

McCarthy took an oath to defend the U.S. Constitution when he was elected in 2006. He desecrated that oath and betrayed us all.

At all levels and branches of government, the current Republican Party is the key driver undermining the integrity of our country. Why would Democrats vote “yea” to retain this MAGA speaker in name only? His chaotic “leadership” is exactly why we need to elect more Democrats up and down the ballot.

Teresa Jenkins

SaddleBrooke

Trump’s gems of wisdom

The Star has published many letters lately from Trump supporters trying to convince us that Joe Biden is too mentally impaired to be president. To compare, let’s consider Donald Trump’s recent gems of wisdom:

On Sept. 17, Trump said of Biden, “He’s now in charge with dealing with Russia and possible nuclear war … just think of it, we would be in World War II.” In that same speech before the Pray, Vote, Stand Summit, Trump repeatedly slurred his words and confused Biden with Barack Obama.

In a May 23, 2023 deposition for the E. Jean Carroll defamation case, Trump defended celebrities grabbing women by the genitals with this rationale, “If you look over the last million years, I guess that’s been largely true, not always, but largely true — unfortunately. Or fortunately.”

I’m not sure what celebrities were around a million years ago, but I bet they were pretty hairy.

John Vornholt

Northeast side

Swift/Kelce relationship

Dear Editor,

Words are inadequate in describing the boredom I feel whenever I hear about the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce coupling. As if it isn’t enough to see them on every magazine cover and as the celebrity du jour on frivolous entertainment shows, they are now being featured on NFL games as well as the evening news. Enough already with the hype, even this cozy couple must realize by now that they’re taking up much too much airtime and available print space. I’m thinking that, together, they should make a public service announcement, reminding everyone that there are more important issues in the world than the status of their co-mingling. But on second thought, I can only imagine how many times that sound bite would be repeated on television and the radio. I fear we are doomed to watch this love match indefinitely, or until they grow weary of it all themselves. And wouldn’t that be a welcome relief to a nation longing for the latest updates on the Kardashians.

Bob Ory

Downtown

Ciscomani’s words, actions don’t match

Rep. Ciscomani touts his support for the working class in photo ops and words. His actions belie his words. As a member of the House Appropriations committee, he has voted for cuts to programs that help the working class. What are these programs? They include housing assistance, public education, women’s healthcare access, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, renewable energy, life-saving medical research and rural broadband.

These cuts and Republican proposals almost led to a government shutdown, which would have hurt our economy and left workers in federal government — secretaries, Border Patrol, Veterans Hospital aides — without a paycheck. He’s also voted for cuts to FEMA, small business grants to farmers and rural healthcare.

These actions don’t help Rep. Ciscomani’s constituents. These actions don’t protect the working Americans in his District. He needs to represent us with actions-not with meaningless pronouncements.

Sally Simmons

Foothills

Neighborhood trees

What a disappointment to read where our treasured neighborhoods and local owned businesses are forced to protect their safety and well being by removing important natural resources. I’m disgusted by City Council Member Kevin Dahl for not stepping up and resolving this issue before the chain saws took over. As a former Ward 3 representative, I made sure my staff and I were active with the residents and businesses and not sitting in our offices writing newsletters. We see the homeless camps in all areas of Tucson. Regina Romero continues to be a non leader, intent only on moving up the political pole, rather than getting her hands dirty with the real issues of our community. Ward One voters recently had a chance to support Miguel Ortega as an upgrade to the less than interested Lane Santa Cruz. But we too often show our disinterest in local affairs that directly impact our daily lives. Don’t give up Tucson!

Jerry Anderson

Downtown