Tucson Speaks Out: Nov. 18 letters of the day

When people, including Tom Horne, maintain that criticism of the way the country of Israel treats the country of Palestine is anti-Semitic they are wrong. If this were so, then criticism of the country of the United States could be considered anti-Christian, or criticism of Italy could be considered anti-Catholic, etc. In both Israel and Palestine, some citizens practice their religion, some don’t. Some practice religions that are other than Hebrew or Islam. The oppression of one country’s politicians over the people of another country usually has nothing to do with religion. It is just a power play by politicians. Over the years, I have known many Jews who want Palestine to be a separate country from Israel managed by its own people and not Israel. There are many political problems with this war that our government must consider, but calling any criticism of Israel anti semitic is not one of them.

Bette E. Richards

Northwest side

Federal funding and Congressional pay

If Congressional pay was tied to the passing of a funding bill, we might see more serious movement on the part of the House of Representatives. Main Street federal and military employees should not pay for the ineptitude of our Legislature.

Paula Palotay

Marana

Thanks TEP, now do the right thing!

I just received a box of LED light bulbs from TEP that I don’t really need but will pass on to people who do.

But no matter what, TEP, those light bulbs will work much better when their power is transmitted via the future underground power lines on Campbell Ave.

Remember, we have zoning laws for a reason. Please respect them, this is our city.

Michael Seibold

Midtown

Republicans lack humor

Having waded through the historically inaccurate, racist-tinged vitriol from the Republic Party (the entirety of the Nov. 9 Star), I — as a former Republican Party member, but thanks to education now a Democrat, must respond with my haymaker.

The Republic Party lost its sense of humor around the Nixon era. Their glass jaw can’t take a funny jab. They fold defenseless in the face of humor. Their continual moroseness must wear them out. No wonder they are cranky. So they choose the internet over reading a good book.

Spending time on the ideological wrong side of history and pinning their hopes on Trump seeking revenge, Lake seeking relevance, and DeSantis seeking a personality — are good reasons to feel depressed.

There is a cure, though ... “The Truth shall set you free”. Look for the good in your fellow man, even some Democrats. We are people, too.

Ted Morrison

Midtown

UA overspending

I think the only overspending the University has done is on Robbins paycheck. He has employees on welfare and wants to punish the students with good grades with less scholarships. The obvious answer to me is to cut the bloat from the top and fire Robbins.

Kristina Wise

South side

University budget shortfalls

May I suggest your newspaper refuse to allow the university to purchase any more advertising space until they can demonstrate better financial responsibility.

Joe Flannery

Northwest side

Re: ‘Tucson streets’

Re: the Nov. 13 letter “Tucson streets.”

So, you want a NEW bicycle registration fee enacted as the sole funding source to provide and maintain the “free” bike lanes cyclists benefit from.

Currently, federally raised grants provide Tucson millions to improve toads and overpasses, including sidewalks, buffered bike lanes, sheltered bus stops, etc.

From “Tucson Delivers” — funded by Tucson’s half-cent sales tax — improvements will be made to systemwide street safety, including street lighting, sidewalks, bicycle network enhancements, etc.

Additionally, Statewide hurf revenue from gasoline sales, vehicle registration fees, motor carrier taxes, marijuana excise taxes and other sources are distributed to cities for roads — including bike paths — based on the city’s share of tax collections.

Those city-earned funds come from those choosing to live within the city and pay city taxes in various forms. So, an Oro Valley resident who resides and buys geographically to avoid paying city taxes, whose postal designation does not make a city dweller, has no place in our city discussions on how the city funds bicycle safety improvements!

John Roldan

West side

Thanks, Gil Shapiro

Re: the Nov. 12 article “Reason, not faith, is the cornerstone of secular government.”

Dear Gil Shapiro —

Thank you for the insight and courage you displayed in writing the guest opinion.

The separation of church and state is one of the most important principles of our democracy.

And thank you to the editors of our newspaper for publishing Gil’s excellent editorial. It is why I support the local newspaper.

Keith Gentzler

Marana

Why are Democrats in control?

Re: the Nov. 12 article “Tucson voters back Dems’ governance.”

According to Tim Stellar in this article, Tucson “prefers” Democrat leadership. What his article failed to include is what have the Democrats done to improve this city? He mentions lots of things the city needs to have improved, but those items have been empty promises for years now. We have poor roads and “free” bus transportation, both of which have come to haunt us. The only logic he includes is that there are more registered Democrats here than Republican voters. To that end, the money Democrats have for their campaigns is much higher. But Tucson still sees no progress to the issues at hand. And now the democrats have voted these so-called leaders a huge pay raise using taxpayer money. We aren’t “fine” with paying more taxes for nothing. How many people out there have gotten a huge pay raise for doing a poor job? The voters may have spoken, but the logic just doesn’t exist. Liberal leadership has never worked, and we’re seeing it again.

Nate Baker

Northwest side

Personal beliefs

Re: the Nov. 12 article “Reason, not faith, is the cornerstone of secular government.”

A letter writer writes that Mr. Shapiro’s spot-on extremely insightful commentary. He urges Mr. Shapiro to study a little history regarding the founding fathers. I urge the letter writer to “practice what he preaches.” Many of the founding fathers felt that religion would corrupt the government, not that the government would corrupt religion. If you want to believe in some mythical “God Like” entity, they have that right. But they don’t have the right to foist that ill-believed concept on the rest of us who understand that we make our lives what they are, not some belief in a god-like entity that makes our lives better. If Mike Johnson wants to believe that, fine, but he can’t use his platform to make the rest of us believe the same falsehoods he believes in.

John Bingham

Northwest side

Democracy in peril

On Nov. 11, I attended a tribute to veterans and heard some of the most inspiring accounts of individuals who defended our democracy and were willing to give their lives for it. One veteran of WWII recounted how his troop ship was sunk and in an instant hundreds of soldiers lost their lives. Those who survived went on to fight in Europe to defend our freedom. Every individual who spoke affirmed their belief in our democracy. It was difficult to listen to their stories when our democracy is currently being threatened. When we have someone running for the highest office of our land willing to ignore our Constitution if elected. Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.“ Now, it is only one election away.

Jerry Fay

SaddleBrooke

Defang every MAGA conspirator

The indictments of the former MAGA president are just the start. The downfall of the “head of the snake” is symbolically satisfying at best; we still must tackle the flourishing, systemic corruption that empowered him. The 11 Arizona fake electors from 2020, finally under investigation, represent broader issues.

As we head toward our next presidential election, we must be wary of those malefactors who still wield influence. This network, eroding national values for decades, exemplifies entrenched deceit and lawlessness. Confronting it isn’t just a legal responsibility; it’s a moral imperative.

As democracy’s defenders, we can’t afford to rest while we celebrate current victories. The struggle is broader; it’s against a pervasive, untrustworthy community fixated on winning at any cost, often betraying public trust. Commitment to accountability is vital, but it’s just the beginning of our journey to protect our future.

Kim Miklofsky Bayne

Foothills