In 1776, members of the Second Continental Congress began attaching their signatures to the Declaration of Independence.
America that was promised
I have been closely watching the politics of our country. Only one of our two major political parties believes in our Declaration of Independence today.
One party wants to reduce or eliminate the death penalty. The other party executes people. One party supports people's choices on how to live their personal choices without constant government interference into their personal and private lives. The other party wants to directly regulate your personal health, lifestyle and security choices. One party supports diversity and choice and the other party demonizes everyone who is not a white, straight, ultraconservative male.
One party supports a version of America I can support, and the other party wants a country that is not the America we were promised in 1776.
Graeme Williams
People are also reading…
Southeast side
History and the Israel-Hamas War
Jews were thrown out of their country (Israel) by their conquerors (Romans) and for almost 2,000 years could not return. In exile, Jews faced persecution, massacres, pogroms, and the holocaust. In 1948, the door opened and Jews returned to Israel. The UN's plan was a two-state solution. But, instead of Jews and Arabs living side-by-side, neighboring countries incited Palestinians to flee, then attacked Israel. Since then, Israelis have been repeatedly attacked by war and suicide bombings.
History includes Israeli attempts toward peace (Oslo Accords and Gaza withdrawal) followed by Palestinian attacks and followed by Israeli reaction. An Israeli I know wanted peace and then her father was killed by a suicide bomber. If you were an Israeli, what would you do? How do you have peace and protection?
Hamas was elected by Gazans and Hamas has stated that they want to kill all Israelis and “throw them into the sea”. Find a two-state solution that provides protection and Jerusalem to both sides and I will listen.
Linda Horowitz
Foothills
Where is your outrage?
Why does the media keep sympathizing with Hamas (including this paper)? The Israelites were forced out of Egypt and wandered the desert for 40 years before being allowed into the “Promised” land. The Israelites were promised this land, not the Palestinians. Unfortunately, the Palestinians bought into Hamas’ lies and let them in. The media keeps framing the assault in Gaza as atrocious. They are complicit! Their so called journalism fuels naive people and college students worldwide to hate Israel, advance antisemitism and sympathize with the Palestinians. What is beyond atrocious is Hamas’ raping, killing, mutilating and burning babies, putting babies in ovens while raping their mothers, cutting babies out of their mothers then beheading them, using the Palestinians as human shields, hiding behind or near the hospitals, etc. Where is your outrage? Israel has the right to revenge and to defend their land. God will not allow Israel to be defeated and he will wipe out her enemies!
Linda Schaub
East side
Climate change policy
It's counterintuitive. When Donald Trump was president the electric car industry was booming and more wind and solar investment took place than ever before. Interest rates were low. Overall support for business was high. The American people ignored the president's yada-yada and voted with their wallets.
Electric vehicle and green energy stocks rallied higher still when Joe Biden was elected. The "TAN" solar ETF traded at 120 a share. Remarkably, it's 40 today (down 67%). Offshore wind projects are being scrapped. Ford postponed an entire model year of electric vehicles. Tesla's stock is down 50%. In spite of the "Inflation Reduction Act" incentives, the cost of producing EV's and green energy has gone through the roof. China is poised to conquer both markets. See for yourself — ENPH, TSLA, SPWR, FSLR, SEDG. They're getting crushed. "I'm from the government and I'm here to help." Thank you. But no.
Walter Ramsley
East side
Coal is the fossil fuel that emits the most CO2
Re: the Oct. 30 letter "Carbon facts."
It's commendable that the writer of this letter to the editor supports a carbon fee and dividend approach to the climate crisis, as this nonpartisan free market solution advocated by numerous economists and others worldwide is our best solution to this critical problem.
In terms of the emission coefficients of carbon dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas air pollutant, combustion of coal of all types releases the greatest amount of CO2 per energy output of all fossil fuels at 211.47 pounds of CO2 per million BTUs, versus 155.77 pounds of CO2 per million BTUs for gasoline (U.S. Energy Information Administration, eia.gov). Only coke (250.59 pounds of CO2 per million BTUs) is a dirtier fossil fuel than coal.
Let's fight the climate crisis and advocate for a cleaner and healthier America through a carbon fee and dividend program. Ask your congressman today to support the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2023 (HB5744).
Mark Peterson
Foothills
Speaker of the House
OMG, the new Speaker of the House released the Republican bill to aid Israel. The Republicans want to protect the billionaires here, by not allowing for new IRS agents to catch the massive cheaters. They are telling our president, Jews for Cheaters. And they call themselves American ….
Mary Bradley
Northeast side
A Centennial Hall solution
I just purchased tickets to the upcoming Chicago and MJ presentations at Centennial Hall. I was a bit hesitant since when I attended the Tina presentation, I heard little of the dialog. My receipt for the two upcoming performances says, "Assisted listening devices are available on a first come first served basis in the lobby of theater". Since Centennial Hall is renowned for its poor acoustics, why not provide "assisted listening devices" to everyone. In fact, make them "highly recommended". Include the device as an option in the ticket price for all who attend.
A Jay Gandolfi
Northeast side
Palestine
Re: the Nov. 1 article "Israelis have only one choice to survive: Leave."
In his op-ed Mr. Shairo presents a reasonable and plausible analysis of the Palestine conflict. I agree with his conclusion but I am not convinced with his proposed solution. I have a comment and a question. This area was dominated by Palestinians for eons and remained a non-productive desert. In about 70 years, the Israelis morphed the land into a productive country with enough water for luxurious fruit, vegetable and flower production for export and enough excess water also for export. The questions is where would a new Israel be located?
Art Di Salvo
Northwest side
Follow these steps to easily submit a letter to the editor or guest opinion to the Arizona Daily Star.
