Higher learning indoctrination
Re: the Jan. 5 article “President Gay is a symptom not the cause.”
Cal Thomas, in his characteristically simplistic style, glibly equates higher education with “secular progressive” indoctrination that churns out godless Democrats as if institutions of higher learning were purposefully engineered to be liberal brainwashing camps. This presumption of such a persuadable malleability of intellect in those who pursue a college education is as pathetic as it is insulting. Can anybody really be so cynical as to claim that the majority of students entering college arrive like blank slates, not to be enriched by expanding their intellectual experience and nurturing their social maturity, but to submit, like sheep to the slaughter, to a scheming program committed to their secular conversion? Predictably, his remedy for this devious malady is to shun this perilous environment and remain in a preferable native state of ignorance: Beware dangerous ideas. Talk about brainwashing!
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To his credit, though, his argument positing a direct correlation between level of education and a consequential partitioning into Democratic and Republican affiliation is especially insightful, but hardly for the reasons he imagines.
Robert Gavlak
Midtown
Thomas’ ‘symptoms’ column
Re: the Jan. 5 article “President Gay is a symptom not the cause.”
The lack of logic in Cal Thomas’ recent column is disappointing. Mr. Thomas suggests public schools, and various colleges and universities, are indoctrinating young people and then cites statistics regarding voters with college degrees in 2022 favoring Democrats as proof of this. This is a classic mistake of improperly assuming cause and effect. While an op-ed is expected to be opinion, for a paid national columnist to make this type of error is disturbing. There are other possible reasons for the relationship of his opinion and a fact — for example perhaps as people attend college they are exposed to new ideas and critical thinking skills that “result” in voting Democratic. Furthermore, it is disturbing that Mr. Thomas suggests parents should expect their children to unquestioningly absorb their parents’ views and values as their own — as children become adults, they should develop their own views.
Sonja Stupel
North side
Plight of Palestinians
The death toll now stands at more than 22,000 confirmed and 7,000 missing and presumed dead — 70% are women and children. The living risk their lives to recover and bury their dead as the Israeli barbarity continues. Consider for a moment what it would be like to be trapped for days in your home with the corpse of your child.
The Israeli people, overwhelmingly Jewish, largely support the atrocity and degradation we witness in Gaza. This signals the extent of their calculated, systematic dehumanization of Palestinians. The State of Israel has lost its legitimacy in this unfolding genocide. There is a growing cultural rift among Americans between those who support this holocaust and seek to justify it and those who declare that this is wrong and must stop. Stand and be counted, my friends.
James Hannley
Midtown
Publish voting records
In the past the Star published weekly voting summaries for our Congressional delegation, I urge that this practice be resumed, particularly for such votes as the continuing budget resolutions and other bills related to the ongoing, essential functions of government. The public will benefit from quickly knowing who has been drinking the MAGA Kool-Aid at the national suicide party, and who is willing to work collaboratively on actually solving problems.
James Stevenson
Midtown
Diversity of thought
I respect the Daily Star for publishing an array of letters and op-eds from all parts of the political spectrum. Even letters that I disagree with, or think are uninformed. This disproves the recent claims that the Star is biased on the right or the left. Rather, it proves their statement on the top of the Opinion page: “Diversity of thought is critical for democracy.”
If I read something that angers me, or I think is wrong, I do some research, sit down at the keyboard, and write a rebuttal.
Martin Plocke
Southwest side
Borderline
In London, it’s Donald; in Moscow, it’s Donal’d; in Rome it’s Donato; in Madrid, it’s Donaldo; in my house it’s Don’t believe a word he says. If Moses came down from Mt. Sinai today and came to the U.S. he’d be shocked and would chastise all those engaging in borderline idolatry. The Don’s ardent followers seem to be borderliners. His rhetoric (propaganda) has them in a fog. Hoping they see the sunlight soon and find the defogger Trumphobia (fear of authoritarianism).
Joe Sanchez
Marana
Response to Twisted Words
Re: the Jan. 21 letter “Twisted words.”
A point-by-point refutation to the letter writer.
1. Mask and Vaccine Mandate. No, not a mandate as in ‘you will’, but a strong plea to help yourself and the country by taking a rational, proven step to protect your health and those around you.
2. Billions of dollars to Iran. Again, no. A release of frozen funds to a neutral third party to ensure the money returned to Iran is to be used for the benefit of the citizens of that country, not for use in building a nuclear arsenal.
3. Tax money to pay off student loans. Yes, this is true. Money from you and me to forgive the loans needed to get an education for self-sufficiency. Mostly due to predatory lenders.
4. Refusing to enforce immigration laws. No, attempts to enforce and enhance immigration laws have been stymied by the opposing party to gain political points.
5. Shutting down pipelines and drilling. Keystone Pipeline? Yes, due to best practice and greedy corporation malfeasance.
Lee Jette
East side
ESAs at work
Re: the Jan. 22 article “TUSD ups spending to get needed cafeteria workers.”
Finally we get to see ESAs (vouchers) are actually benefiting underserved and special-needs students in Arizona.
One hard-working senior attending the private (St.) Gregory school has won a well-deserved full four-year scholarship to some world-famous caddy school. They obviously offer AP (advanced placement) courses such as math and physics of ball trajectory, or how to effectively carry a heavy golf bag or how to pull and offer the correct club to your highly skilled ball whacker. A thank you letter from the lucky student should be sent to all taxpayers.
Since the pandemic, we have shortages of doctors, PA’s, Ma’s and other related jobs. Now we learn, caddies have been added to the list of skilled shortages.
Just think of all the poor pro golfers having to carry his or her own bag. Thank you Tom Horne.
Terry Gruenenfelder
East side
Trump’s cult
The following are the definitions of a cult: 1. Obey the leader who has authoritarian control 2. Believe in extremist beliefs 3. The leader is your God. For his followers, Trump is their God, and they will do anything he desires. Once we accept this premise, we can deal with it. Hitler and Mussolini had their cult and Trump has his MAGA cult. Our democracy will be a thing of the past if we let this man gain power, so VOTE for the only person democratically legitimate in our democratic system who can stop Trump and save our democracy, President Joe Biden!
Mark Adams
Northwest side
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