Tucson Speaks Out: May 23

Uplifting day at 'Antiques Roadshow' filming

I recently volunteered at the filming of PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow” at “Old Tucson.” What a delightfully inspiring event — a day of goodwill, patience and appreciation! Although it was a 12-hour day for volunteers, our spirits were buoyed by the atmosphere around us.

Attendees were excited to learn about their treasures, whether inherited or purchased. They pulled carts loaded with paintings, furniture, books, pottery, jewelry or textiles and remained agreeable, even in long queues. Even people who were disappointed by their appraisals were still upbeat as they departed. The appraisers deserve high praise not just for their knowledge but also for their empathy, especially when delivering unwelcome news. I cannot remember the last time I was in a group of thousands who exuded such positive energy. And the old west charm of “Old Tucson” was perfect.

This episode of “Antiques Roadshow” will air in January 2027. PBS, WGBH, AZPM and Old Tucson deserve a round of applause and support for bringing this uplifting day of kindness and fun to Tucson.

Eloise Gore

Northeast side

AIPAC lost its way

As an American Jew, I call shame on AIPAC for doing Trump's bidding by mixing into the Kentucky congressional race to support Trump's endorsed candidate by pouring millions of dollars into a negative advertising campaign against the incumbent Thomas Massie. Why? Because Massie had the chutzpah to refuse to give total allegiance to Trump and disagreed publicly. This is not consistent with AIPAC's mission. And even more importantly, it is not Jewish. If you contribute to AIPAC, is this the cause you had in mind?

Paul Simon

Northwest side

Continuation of Epstein files episode No. 56

The fact that Thomas Massie, a hard-right conservative who feels that lynching is not a hate crime, lost a Republican primary only because he wanted pedophiles to face justice tells you everything about what the Republican Party has become. The man just wasn't cruel or corrupt enough for his loyalty to the Epstein victims. Never vote Republican. Most of them are pedophile protectors.

Terry Louck

East side

AI denying Medicare claims

I am an 85-year-old female. I have had Medicare coverage for more than 20 years and have never had a Medicare claim denied. Recently, I had two claims denied. One of the claims was for a needed MRI. I am told by Medicare that I may be billed $3,312. The reason Medicare denied my MRI claim was they believed it wasn’t needed. I am appealing their decision.

I have been reading in the Daily Star that several states are having their Medicare claims handled by AI. I have more than 60 years of medical history that Medicare doesn’t have. My primary doctor gave me six pages of single-spaced, small-print medical history to use in the appeal I am sending to Medicare.

I suggest we all write our congressional members and explain to them what is already happening with AI making Medicare decisions before all the states are put on this AI-Medicare program.

Linda Olsoe

Green Valley

Religion and war

“The purpose of the separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries.” —James Madison, 1803, from a letter objecting to the use of government land for churches.

If you look at wars throughout history, there are hundreds, and many have been fought over religion. I find this deeply difficult to understand, and I no longer know how to make sense of it.

Margaret Gordon Magruder

Downtown

It can’t happen here

Definition: A cult of personality is when a leader is promoted in an idealized way with media, propaganda, slogans, symbols and public rituals.

The leader becomes a focus of loyalty and admiration, beyond their actual policies or achievements. The leader is uniquely wise, clever, heroic and infallible. Images, speeches, quotes and stories are constantly repeated. Criticism is discouraged or punished; setbacks are blamed on others or redefined as successes. Loyalty to the leader is more important than to institutions or ideology. The population is subjected to public displays of greatness. Images, flags, banners and slogans abound. New and existing structures may acquire the leader’s name.

Examples include Adolf Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Mao Zedong and the Kim dynasty in North Korea. The history of many developing nations includes too many to mention.

We are clever and can recognize such an obvious ruse. It can’t happen here.

Michael Burdoo

West side

Honoring those who serve and protect?

In his newsletter this week, Rep. Ciscomani “honored” police officers who serve and protect society.

Yet the Republican Party leader, Donald Trump, is preparing to give pardoned Jan. 6 attackers (and others) unknown amounts of money to “thank them for their service to the country,” and the Republican Party is fine with this expenditure.

Please note a few things:

• Pardoned individuals did commit their crimes and still have criminal records.

• These criminals may honestly state and their records may also state that they have been pardoned for their crimes.

There is a huge difference between pardoned criminals and those who have been exonerated or found innocent of their crimes. We can and should assume that Rep. Ciscomani is fine with these expenditures (as he is with all Trump expenditures), so what does this say about honoring those who serve and protect our society? Just a question.

Craig Whaley

Oro Valley

$1.8 billion?

I would like someone to help me understand this slush fund Trump wants taxpayers to give to the domestic terrorists, also known as white Christian nationalists, of Jan. 6. The amount of this slush fund seems to be around $1.8 billion.

1. Trump flew, bused or sent an Uber to transport 2,000/2,500 terrorists to Washington to overthrow the United States government. This was paid for with taxpayers’ dollars.

2. U.S. taxpayers paid judges, juries and many employee hours under the rule of law to convict 1,500 terrorists.

3. Trump pardoned 1,000 convicted criminals. He needed them as new employees for the new killing organizations, also known as ICE. Their transportation home was again paid for with U.S. taxpayers’ dollars.

4. Trump now wants to divide the $1.8 billion between 22,000 territories, also known as ICE. Will the terrorists who killed or were involved in killings receive a little extra?

Mary Ann Rombough

Oro Valley

It’s puzzling

Arizona, a state known for its sunshine, generates less solar energy than Vermont.

And why is that? Barbara Ligori’s fine May 21 op-ed points to the problem and the direction we need to go.

Our continued dependence on fossil fuels is bad for our health and our pocketbooks. We need to embrace our best and healthiest energy source, the sun, with solar expansion. It’s clean, economical and renewable. We have great opportunities here.

Arizonans can do this with the political will to elect Arizona Corporation Commission members and government officials who place our well-being and future over corporate profits. We must take a stand.

Linda Karl

Northeast side

How much is he stealing today?

Being an American right now is waking up, being told how much more money our president is allegedly stealing, and then having to go about your day like everything is normal.

Terry Louck

East side

Government redress

Inasmuch as President Trump believes the Jan. 6 “patriots” suffered unfair criminalization and incarceration, the DOJ has made $1,776 billion available to correct this injustice after those individuals received pardons for their actions. Since this fund is open to anyone, I would respectfully suggest that every man, woman and child (with their parents’ support) also consider applying for this financial redress against the criminal and unethical actions — i.e., “lawfare” — of the Trump administration, his appointees, his administrators and anyone who is or was part of his administration that carried out unlawful actions against you. Certainly, accepting financial compensation for your grievances against a corrupt government is gratifying, but more importantly, seeking justice against the unlawful actions of a rogue government — no matter how large — is what this country was founded on and which we will rebuild it upon when President Trump leaves office, is removed or is impeached.

Richard Rebl

East side