Republican Klan
Re: the Feb. 15 letter “Values revealed.”
The letter spoke of many things the Republicans fight against. A book by Timothy Egan “A Fever in the Heartland” terrified me with the parallel between the 1924 Grand Dragon DC Stephenson’s Indiana KKK and Trump’s MAGA. Both had thin sandy hair, a fleshy second chin, were well fed, well dressed, confident of their power. Both men claimed that they were the law. Both cried “witch hunt” when charged with crimes. Both threatened violence if things did not go their way. Both manipulated the Legislature by passing out ballots at their gatherings to show people who/what to vote for. Both admired dictators, studied Eugenics feeling that those not of strict Nordic stock were inferior, persecuted immigrants, Blacks, Catholics and Jews openly. Both claimed to be the party of Lincoln. The similarities are shocking and it’s terrifying to watch as history repeats itself 100 years later under a different name.
People are also reading…
Christie Cummins
Midtown
Swift conspiracy
Many adult Americans appear to believe in the tooth fairy, Santa Claus, aliens, the devil, or magic but they are too embarrassed to admit that. They need something bigger than their own mundane existence, so conspiracy theories have entered the picture to compensate for the banality of ordinary life. Their admiration for the former Pres. Trump might be a reflection of this deep-seated longing for King Arthur, the Führer, or whomever. Taylor Swift, enjoying enormous popularity today, dares to promote democracy and fair elections, so 18% of Americans believe that she is a plant to promote Pres. Biden and thus to undermine the democratic election in November. Granted, it takes some intellectual effort to face reality and to operate maturely, and since the masses in our country tend to be infantilized again, it is considerable relief for almost a quarter of adults to suspect Swift to be part of a huge conspiracy. Just imagine if she were a Jew; the extremist masses would howl and wallow in antisemitism.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
Democrat prosecutors’ persecution of Trump
Democrat Manhattan Judge Arthur Engoron ordered Trump to pay $350 million and barred him from doing business in NY for 3 years. Before the trial started, Engoron declared that Trump was guilty of fraud and did not allow a jury trial. No financial entity has claimed harm by Trump. Democrat prosecutor Leticia James ran for NY Attorney General promising to get Trump. Democrat Manhattan prosecutor Alvin Bragg has ridiculously charged Trump with 31 state felonies related to alleged false statements made in 2016 related to Stormy Daniels payments. A jury in Manhattan, likely comprised of Democrats, just insanely awarded E. Jean Carroll a $83 million settlement for an alleged sexual assault which she could not recall the year it happened. Her book was titled “What do we need men for?” Democrat prosecutor Fani Willis in Georgia allegedly had an affair with a married fellow prosecutor, then appointed him to persecute Trump. And then there is Special Counsel Jack Smith, whose wife in 2020 donated $2,000 to the Biden campaign.
Marsella Mavis
North side
Judicial rubbish
Provided that the Alabama Supreme Court judicial excrement masquerading as legal precedent is sustained on appeal, then I propose a solution. Enlist the support of every available woman and harvest her eggs. Then enlist the support of every available man and harvest his sperm. Unite the eggs and sperm, preserve the embryos, and ship them to Alabama. Hopefully tens of thousands will respond. The embryos will be protected! After arrival seek the appointment of a surrogate/voice for each embryo (in law called a Guardian ad Litem). Each surrogate will then demand that the State render “cradle to grave” care. Be careful what you wish for Alabama Supreme Court.
Kenneth Haber
Northwest side
Bring back red-light cameras
Never in all my years of driving have I witnessed so many drivers running red lights. I’m thinking “bring back the cameras.’ Are there any statistics available to show red-light accidents increasing since the cameras were removed?
Ron Wagner
East side
Sidelining Ciscomani and Speaker Johnson
Re: the Feb. 21 article “Johnson and Ciscomani should both be sidelined.”
Doug Pickrell’s outstanding guest opinion and common-sense plea for governance sanity cannot go quietly into the good night. Its message may sound aspirational to many and prompt another round of jokes about how the fools in charge are grinding our democracy to a halt. But neither Ciscomani nor Speaker Johnson are fools. They’re calculating and careful, with political anemometers firmly embedded into their DNAs to see which way the wind blows.
You want to see real change? Perspiration will turn aspiration into reality. It’s right there just out of couch potato reach. Malcom Gladwell’s seminal “tipping point” treatise should be your new political bible. Small numbers of people can create big change. And how quickly the conversation can change from oh my god what is going on to oh my god how quickly we were able to flip that script.
It starts and ends with voting. Stand by your man or woman. Help them win. Participate. Stop complaining.
Do something.
Rick Rappaport
Oro Valley
Rest in peace
It appears that a virus of darkness has infected the Grand Old Party and it is spreading. What else would explain the madness and political stupidity of the Republican Party today? The Putin wing of the party is a fifth column working to undermine our nation from within in favor of Russia. This wing exhibits a lack of morals and courage, and supports strongman wannabe Trump, who supports actual strongman Putin. Trump wants militarized mass deportations and has invited Putin to attack NATO countries. An FBI informant with ties to Russian intelligence lied about Hunter Biden. House Speaker Mike Johnson failed to act on the policies he claimed to support, including immigration reform and aid to Ukraine and Israel. And what else will come to light? Desmond Tutu said: “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Joe Biden is a bright light in all this insanity and his leadership gives me hope for a better future.
Cindy Bordelon
Downtown
Emily Bregel’s border stories
Re: the Feb. 18 article “Tucson area braces for homeless migrants as aid funds dry up.”
The AZ Daily Star has found another liberal, Emily Bregel, to report on the border. Her latest story focused on how local Non Government Organizations (NGO) will run out of money in March. The Senate Border bill provided a whopping $2.8 billion in taxpayer money to NGOs. These groups have no accountability, they are not audited for expenditures. They collude with the Border Patrol to receive foreign nationals, who illegally entered the country, but have been released by the Border Patrol. NGOs shelter then transport them to places across America. Bregel said the Border Patrol does background checks on these people before being released, but NOT in their home country. Bregel does sympathetic stories about the tens of thousands entering illegally in Arizona seeking asylum. She has no journalistic interest in investigating their claims, of which I believe she knows many to be false. She has not interviewed any line Border Patrol Agents to get their perspectives or been critical of Biden’s border policies that caused this disaster.
Linda Kelly
East side
Advertising creates influences
Perhaps I am the only person to watch a commercial and see not only the image of the product or service, but also the images used to sell. Instead of simply detailing the quality and usefulness of the product or service, commercials today use the images to denigrate someone during the pitch. In much the same way Bud Light cast aspersions against consumers of their product, so many commercials find someone in the commercial to illustrate negatively hoping the viewer will connect with the positive one versus the other. The problem is that the commercial is intentionally leaving a negative image instead of treating everyone with respect. When watching a commercial, forget the product or service and consider the methods used to present the players in the drama. Does this company use positive images to build or negative images to denigrate? Take note of the negative images and associate those with the product, purchase products that build instead of tear down.
Loran Hancock
Northwest side
Trump unfit to be commander-in-chief
Trump is uniquely unfit to be commander-in-chief. His scorn of the military and veterans is widely known.
He continues to disparage John McCain, an American hero, for injuries McCain suffered from torture as a POW. He called those who gave everything “suckers” and “losers,” said at the gravesite of Gen. John Kelly’s son, “I don’t get it. What was in it for them,” and told Gen. Miley “No one wants to see that, the wounded.” Likely too afraid to confront the truly brave.
Daddy bought Trump a bogus deferment, thereby acquiring the sobriquet “cadet bone spurs.” He was too weak, too scared and too much of a coward to do what so many of us did — serve, fight, sacrifice. Not surprising as most bloviating bullies are cowards.
He has no concept of sacrifice or service, except service to himself. This guy doesn’t deserve one vote from those of us who respect and honor our military and veterans.
Dan Gipple, Vietnam combat infantry Veteran
Southeast side
UA Foundation, athletics and academics
Re: the Feb. 25 letter “Re-thinking donation.”
I share the concern of the letter writer regarding her rethinking a donation to the U of A Foundation to support the school of nursing. I am an emeritus professor of mathematics with two small endowments to support students in the mathematics department. The Star reported that .25 million of the salary of the new athletic director will be paid annually by the Foundation. Does the Foundation financially support the hiring of academic faculty in a similar manner?
Elias Toubassi
East side
ACC housecleaning
Re: the Feb. 25 article “ACC hot air, distractions, abuse of ratepayers” and the Feb. 25 letter “ACC commissioners are failing us.”
Thank you to Terry Finefrock and the letter writer for discussing our increasing problems with the Arizona Corporation Commission. The recent unjustified rate increases and the resultant impact on consumers’ monthly bills is obvious to anyone paying attention. The question that we should be asking ourselves is ‘why do we continue to elect commissioners who are devoted to the interests of the monopolistic utilities and not the consumers they should be serving? Further, the ACC effectively turns its back on and discourages an enthusiastic embrace of solar generation of electricity by individuals and the utilities and does so in Arizona of all places! Reverting to ongoing use of fossil fuels when worsening climate change would dictate the opposite course of action is the height of irresponsible public policy.
Arizonans, please vote your interests as consumers and citizens when electing the next set of ACC commissioners this year!
Terry McDaniel
North side
Welcome, snowbirds
Re: the Feb. 24 letter “Snowbirds.”
I read a letter about the negative impact snowbirds have on Tucson. This really bothered me because it is one person’s opinion. If I didn’t respond, I would be complicit in this very myopic view.
My husband is a native Tucsonan and I have lived here for over 30 years. Of course, we have seen an increase in traffic but we see that across the country. I still manage to get to my destination by making allowances for the traffic. Hospitals and doctors were dealing with overcrowding during COVID. Many of those patients were your Tucson neighbors who questioned vaccines and masks.
We look forward to seeing the snowbirds we have become acquainted with over the years. Many of them have a second home here. They contribute through taxes, shopping, dining out to name a few.
Our lives are enhanced by the people from other places. We welcome you!
Donna Pierce
Northeast side
Re: Snowbirds
Re: the Feb. 24 letter “Snowbirds.”
I would like to say that I don’t think the letter writer understands the huge POSITIVE impact snowbirds make on her and her fellow Tucsonans during their stay.
1. Snowbirds who own properties here pay taxes.
2. They contribute thousands of dollars to the local economy, spending on home improvements, local attractions, stores, restaurants and bars.
3. Those I know respect the natural environment.
Just curious, but would you really begrudge an ER visit to a person in need because he is not a year round resident?
In the community where I am fortunate to live for four months of the year, I have made many lasting friendships with the permanent residents as well as others who winter here from many other locations. I believe it is always positive when people from different backgrounds accept, get to know, and appreciate each other.
I’m from Illinois. You are welcome to come and stay a while.
Kathryn de Peso
East side
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