Tucson Speaks Out: April 20 letters of the day

Increasingly, our GOP has embraced fascist politics, especially at the Arizona legislature and state Supreme Court level. With the state Supreme Court ban on abortion, this aligns with the fascist thinking of extreme social hierarchy. People are sorted into groups based on worth. Women are placed low on the pecking order, so we see their rights being diminished. Fascist leaders have long been fascinated by the monarchies of old and the “divine right of kings.” This retrograde thinking reverses progress in an attempt to turn back the clock to the days of mediocrity. Our abortion decision aligns quite well with fascist thinking that has a lineage back to medieval days. Who will be the next group in our society to be given diminished rights? Those who strive for democracy?

Steve Rasmussen

Foothills

Politics and fortune

Dave Efnor asked how politicians (the ones that actually help and/or helped our country for more than 20 years) became rich when working for the government doesn’t really pay that much. He goes on to attribute anything negative he can to describe these men to help his argument. He blames Obama for Syria and the invasion of Crimea. But he doesn’t understand how they got rich. They got famous by being great politicians sure, and because of their great service to the country they make speeches and write books that millions of people want to pay to see and read. It’s very common for politicians to write about their time in office, but for some reason Dave thinks, “they accumulated, personally, multimillions of dollars of wealth from a relatively modest salary.” They didn’t make multi-millions of dollars in office, they made it after they left office, Dave.

John Bingham

Northwest side

Science denial = bad public policy

Re: the April 17 article “Science should not be public policy.”

America was made great by heroes of science and industry.

America is not made great when we follow leaders and influencers who seek power and money for themselves at our expense. Denying that masks and vaccines save lives, denying women healthcare, defunding public health and public education all weaken our country and increase suffering.

Mr. Garwood is correct that “values must be added to the equation.” Unfortunately, one of our political parties has been hijacked by right-leaning extremists. The “values” of that party include discrimination, election interference, incitement of violence and science denial.

Please make sure that your candidates this November value science, education and good health for all of us.

Steven Oscherwitz, MD,

Infectious Disease Tucson

East side

Senate Democrats kill Mayorkas impeachment

For months, the House of Representatives conducted hearings about how DHS Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas’ has abused his position and not enforced Immigration laws. Under Mayorkas, a historic 7 to 8 million foreign nationals have entered the country illegally in between the ports of entry. A historic number of unaccompanied children have been allowed entry. And over one million have entered, eluding Border Patrol apprehension. Mayorkas has repeatedly appeared before Congress and given testimony under oath that the border was secure, a blatant falsehood. The FBI Director and our intelligence agency directors have testified that the border is open to criminals and terrorists. Mayorkas was impeached for “willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law” that he oversaw a “breach of public trust.” All Democrats voted that the charges were unconstitutional, thus no trial. The House of Representatives determines what is and is not impeachable. Trump’s first partisan impeachment by Democrats was for Abuse of Power, not enumerated in the Constitution. Not one Senate Democrat called for Mayorkas to resign.

Janice DeAngelo

Tubac

Ukraine funding

Put yourself in another’s shoes; in other words, suppose you live in Ukraine. You live in fear that you, your family, friends and neighbors may be obliterated at any time or that if you were left homeless and grieving for those you had lost.

Imagine you were injured or dying from a drone attack and couldn’t find medical care. If men you know are sent back to the front even after having been there before. Imagine that you have no heat or lights due to bombing of the country’s infrastructure. Your car has been destroyed. You just learned that your best friend had been killed.

Your ability to purchase food and medicine is very limited. Your plans for the future are in jeopardy. Your biggest fear is that your country might be taken over by a brutal dictator.

And the U.S. Congress, in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, could not or would not pass a bill to send armaments to Ukraine.

Sandra Bunker

Foothills

Biggs is small once again

Re: the April 17 article “Biggs ready for his day in impeachment spotlight, even if it’s short-lived.”

Poetic justice visited Gilbert Republican Andy Biggs this week. Revved to deliver the “historical basis” of high crimes and misdemeanors in the impeachment trial of Alexander Mayorkas, the hot air-filling Biggs’ political sails evaporated. Ever eager to gain publicity for his extremist views as one of the leaders for the Freedom Caucus, Biggs poised himself to take center stage and pontificate about Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas’ grievous shortcomings. “For Congressman Biggs, this is as close to political nirvana as it gets,” noted Jason Rose, Arizona political consultant. Ironically, Biggs’ shining moment dimmed when the Senate declined charges against Mayorkas. With this appropriate outcome for Mayorkas, Representative Biggs’ is relegated to the shaky shadows of election denying. Karma at its best.

Roger Shanley

East side

Vote qualifies you for Darwin Award

Look at the women in your life. Your mother, your sisters, your wife, your aunts and your daughters.

Statistically, each of them has a high probability of needing the healthcare your ideology rejects.

By restricting healthcare options for them you are condemning them.

But then again, your actions are simply Darwinian in nature. You are reducing the propagation of your own genes.

Keep up the good work, as you are the least fit for survival and your actions prove that.

Sadly, you will hurt and kill those you say you love in the process.

(David) Brooke Hatfield

Oracle

Uhlich for Tucson City Council

As a 40-plus year resident of Ward 6 in Tucson, I urge the Council to appoint Karin Uhlich to fill the Ward 6 vacancy. Karin provided leadership on the Council in the more than 12 years she represented Ward 3. She is deeply knowledgeable of the processes and procedures of City Government, and in particular has budget experience and expertise. In her years on the Council, Karin was a consistent leader, mediator, and an effective and respectful collaborator with colleagues and constituents. Karin has been a true advocate for prosperity for all in our community. She has extensive experience in the areas of housing and homelessness. She was a tireless advocate for early education as the most effective intervention in intergenerational poverty, supports accessible and affordable public transit, and understands the many ways economic development and environmental responsibility can proceed hand in hand. Karin Uhlich brings a depth and breadth of skill, knowledge, and demonstrated commitment to the people of Tucson. Please appoint her!

Penelope Jacks

Midtown

Trump blunders

Donald Trump brags about phantom accomplishments. When COVID came he floundered with no idea how to lead. One of his greatest failures at our moment of need. He told us it would go away because of a miracle. When he was told how many people were dying, he said, “It is what it is.” There was not even an attempt to bring it under control, and when doctors advised what to do he refused them with contempt, disparaging medical competence and its practitioners. Inject much bleach, Mr. Trump? More than a million COVID Americans have gone to their graves, thanks in part to his incapability.

When president, he removed restrictions on Iran, enabling them to start an atomic bomb program. An atomic bomb. I read that they may be close to ready. I can imagine what Israeli citizens must think about that. Iran has talked about sending one to Washington, D.C. That must be one of the most serious foreign policy blunders any American president has ever made.

George Yost

Vail

Where are the Goldwater Republicans?

Met the Senator many times working with him as USAF Director of Budget. Sat with him on dais when he was honored by Birmingham, Alabama’s annual two day Vets Day celebration, which I hosted. Great rapport — he complimented my Democrat sister Marcia Weeks on her chairmanship of the AZ Corp Commission. Last time we chatted was at a PLANNED PARENTHOOD (my emphasis) event. His wife, Peggy, was a co-founder of the PP of Northern and Central AZ. No doubt in my mind, Senator Goldwater would have supported replacing the 1864 Abortion law, as he was a fair-minded, practical person. I’m an Independent registered as Dem to vote in primaries.

Truman Spangrud

Foothills

Gas prices and Biden

Re: the April 18 letter “Back to $4 a gallon of gasoline.”

According to eia.gov, U.S. Field Production of Crude Oil has increased 19% under Biden from 2020-23. I also recall in the news that Biden tapped our reserves to help lower the cost when gas peaked around $5 per gallon in June 2022 because of world events. Please check facts before blasting someone. None of us like to see prices go up (unless it’s our income) but giving one person blame or credit for inflation is short-sighted.

Tiffany Johnson

East side

Jette has handled many important trials

Re: the April 17 letter “County Attorney needs experience.”

A recent letter to the editor stated that candidate for Pima County Attorney “Mike Jette has very little experience prosecuting serious crime, the kind that makes up much of the County Attorney’s docket.” This statement is completely untrue.

Mike Jette is prosecuting a murder trial in Santa Cruz County right now as a specially deputized county attorney.

Jette has tried all manner of serious criminal cases as a Deputy County Attorney, an Assistant Arizona Attorney General, and an Assistant U.S. Attorney, including cases of homicide, sexual assault, fraud, and more. I have personally witnessed Jette handling many of these important criminal trials as the prosecutor. By contrast, his opponent, the incumbent county attorney has never handled a single criminal prosecution trial. Not one. Experience matters.

Jose A. Vazquez

East side

Arizona GOP’s brazen ballot scheme exposed

I am utterly disgusted by the sleazy tactics Arizona’s Republican leaders are considering to derail the abortion initiative, as reported by various media outlets. The Arizona for Abortion Access initiative, bolstered by massive public support, has collected more than 500,000 signatures for a ballot referendum aimed at protecting abortion rights up to fetal viability.

Yet, here we are again. Arizona House Republicans will stop at nothing to thwart progress. They’re floating counter-measures, like ballot proposals with misleadingly similar wording, designed to confuse voters and disrupt the democratic process. These vile maneuvers include dodges and shimmies right out of the GOP playbook.

The Arizona GOP’s aggressive attack on reproductive rights and bodily autonomy, cloaked under the pretense of safeguarding children, morality, and public health, is deeply distressing. Enough already! Arizona voters deserve clear and honest voting options, not dirty tricks.

Kim Miklofsky Bayne

Foothills