Tucson Speaks Out: April 18

Are you kidding?

A second border wall?? For what? If illegal border crossings are down to nearly zero, as we are led to believe, then why, in heaven's name, would we spend billions of dollars for a second wall — one parallel to and within feet of a recently constructed wall? Aren’t we just lining the pockets of construction companies who built the first wall?

Here’s a better idea. Use the money to build desalination plants and pipelines to bring much-needed water to areas suffering from water shortage — a shortage brought on by severe droughts caused by well-documented climate change. Or how about more spending for streets, roads and other infrastructure desperately in need of repair?

Money for a second wall seems like sheer craziness. We the voters should be electing officials who spend wisely to serve the needs of hard-working taxpayers instead of electing politicians who choose to foolishly spend our limited tax dollars on projects that make little sense.

Robert Holl

Foothills

People, open your eyes

I am very tired of the whiny, vindictive, narcissist who cannot deal with anyone unwilling to kneel before him. He cuts the Forest Service right at the beginning of fire season. He stops FEMA payments to states with Democratic governors. He cuts health care to support his illegal action in the Middle East. He bows down before Putin instead of supporting Ukraine. He promotes his self-proclaimed personal relationship with Jesus while sending out an Easter message that is despicable, denigrating, and racist. He ignores mandates from the courts and overrides every Constitutional protection including free speech. If you haven't figured out where he is taking this country and are unwilling to speak out, you deserve what is coming.

Cynthia Schiesel

East side

College basketball transfer costs

A recent article states that college basketball transfer costs have risen 65% over the last year. Besides the absurdity of having to pay players to play, the NBA must be laughing all the way to the bank. They have a free farm system paid for by our universities under the guise of alumni pride. Rah rah rah.

Jeffery Miller

Northwest side

Christian Wilson and TPD Crime Lab

One of the reasons the Tucson Police Department has such an excellent reputation both here in our city and across the nation is because of the people who work there. Included in that is the Tucson Police Department crime lab. The TPD forensic examiners work to establish truths about case evidence using the scientific principles of chemistry, biology, and physics, connecting the dots between the person and the crime. Their testimony is critical to the successful prosecution of violent crime cases. One of these scientists was Christian Wilson, who lost his battle to cancer this past weekend. Christian dedicated 25 years to our city working in the toxicology unit and the DNA unit. He testified in over 500 criminal cases and was considered an expert in DNA analysis. In addition, Christian was a teacher at Pima College and the University of Arizona. His students gained valuable insights into the world of forensics through his expertise and mentoring. We have lost a diamond. Now he belongs to the ages.

Richard Harper

Northeast side

Blockade?

General Caine and Pete Hegseth need to return to War College. The definition of a Naval Blockade is based on the use of force. You don’t ask your opponents and neutrals to play nice and comply, “or else.” The seriousness and consequence of this action is why it is rarely employed. As a retired Naval Officer, I’m embarrassed for this unprofessional leadership of the U.S. Department of Defense.

Mark Cochran

Sahuarita

Single-issue voter

Affordability matters.

If the Democrats can win, most all issues can be determined in a bipartisan/democratic method.

The lack of affordability is what should unite us. President Trump has failed in most all areas involving affordability.

Pat Bannon

Midtown

A good book on the Good Book

The outpouring of letters and columns provoked by Trump donning Jesus-costume was encouraging. I hope the idiocy of such ideas as "God-given gun rights" will be next. I also recommend a book, "Separation of Church and Hate," by John Fugelsang. He is a Christian comedian (who knew?), born of a marriage between an ex-nun and an ex-friar. He knows the Bible very, very well and usefully (though he's a little hard on Paul) and it's one of the funniest books I ever read, and if your knowledge is limited to Sunday School sentimentality or televangelist nonsense, you will learn a tremendous amount.

Herbert Schneidau

Foothills

Choose your attitude

The best advice I’ve received was to choose to approach life with a good attitude. My Dad pointed out that everyone gets to choose their own attitude; if you choose to be miserable, then you’re stuck with that person around the clock. Today my thoughts and prayers go out to Melania, White House domestic staff, low-ranking political aides, Mar-a-Lago employees and all others who must abide close encounters with anyone who chooses a hateful, fear-based coercive approach. That mindset isn’t good for the person, the neighborhood, the country, the Western hemisphere, the world, or the universe. Today, I hope loads of people choose actions that promote kindness and goodwill.

Mary DeCamp

Downtown

Ciscomani and AIDS

The latest TV ad for Juan Ciscomani claims he "helped save over 26 million lives by fighting the global AIDS epidemic.” An impressive number, and it deserves context.

The figure is real. It reflects the success of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), launched in 2003 and supported by both parties over multiple administrations.

But that impact comes from more than 20 years of sustained work, not a single recent vote. Rep. Ciscomani wasn’t in Congress when the program began. His role has been to support its continuation.

That’s meaningful, but not the same as claiming the full outcome.

It’s like joining a relay race for the final lap and posing alone with the trophy. You still ran, but others carried the baton first. Voters can appreciate the program’s success without rewriting how it happened.

He could save even hundreds of thousands more by voting for a War Powers Act limiting President Trump from starting more wars.

Frank Hagel

SaddleBrooke

Blessed are the peacemakers

I was sad to see the feud between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV break out recently.

The pope has been outspoken in his criticism of the war.

“Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain,” Pope Leo said.

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Lebanon with a message of peace for the crisis-hit nation.

The Iranian war began with strikes on key Iranian targets, including attacks that killed the country’s longtime supreme leader. Since the war began, more than 3,000 people have been killed in Iran.

Lebanese officials say at least 1,830 people have been killed there in Israeli strikes. Thirteen U.S. service members were killed, and hundreds have been wounded.

I believe the threat against the entire people of Iran is wrong, and that all should work for peace and reject war.

"Only by returning to negotiations can the war come to an end," Leo said.

Blessed are the peacemakers.

Tom McGorray

Northwest side

Sam Lena South Tucson Library

I've had a wonderful experience showing my art at the Sam Lena Library, South Tucson Municipal Complex, 1607 S. 6th Ave. The space is attractive and inviting.

I'm a working artist, with membership in the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild, Tucson Barrio Painters and the Sonoran Plein Air Painters. The library wants more artists to show their art. They have two gallery walls, a 4' x 24' and a 4' x 12', with a permanent professional hanging system for art. I exhibited 26 paintings of watercolor, oil, acrylic and pen and ink.

The library provides several rows of computers as well as information and resources to learn English, get a GED, get support and food if you are homeless, and much more. The staff is friendly, courteous, and helpful. When the walls are filled with color and scenes, the patrons and staff all benefit. The library is a great example of a free, informed and cooperative society.

Sandra Montgomery

Northeast side

Another war?

I just read in the Arizona Daily Star that North Korea has made serious advances in its ability to turn out nuclear weapons. Does this mean that our leader is going to start another war? God help us.

Jose Salgado

Northeast side