Tucson Speaks Out: July 23 letters of the day

Re: the June 25 article “Supreme Court to take up trans minors’ rights” and “Ruling on TN transgender law could affect Arizona.”

The Star continues to publish articles that ignore critical aspects of the transgender care debate. This article did not mention a single reason for opposition to transgender care for minors. The article on page B1 did give some of Ducey’s reasons for signing the AZ laws, but ignored the current evidence that is causing many in the medical community to rethink their positions. I urge readers to google the Cass Review, for a start. And the April University of Texas study showing increased suicide risk after surgical transitioning. The “science” behind the current U.S. model of transgender care is very young, and many European nations are questioning the treatments that your paper continues to promote. One day our nation will look back on current practices with the same horror that we now have for the lobotomies that were done in the 1940’s and 50’s.

Trish Kimminau

Midtown

Why I can’t vote for Trump

Today I am following up an earlier letter with half a dozen very simple reasons I could not ever support Donald Trump for President (aside from the evidence of worsening mental instability in his ranting, divorced-from-reality diatribes):

His loaded Supreme Court has gutted women’s rights (and he brags about it)

He calls climate change a hoax and promises to strongly support fossil fuel development

He denies that the 2020 election was fair and square, though none of his cronies has presented in court any feasible evidence of voter irregularities

He denigrates, ridicules, and insults people of color, veterans, and desperate people seeking asylum

His 2019 tax cut for the very wealthy has created the largest debt in US history and if retained will make a further $3.9 trillion addition to the national debt

He has announced his plans to sell out Ukraine to his buddy Putin.

Suzanne Ferguson

Southeast side

Rex Scott

I live on River Road and wanted to purchase some land from the County that had been vacated earlier because of potential county road work that never materialized. The vacated land was very detrimental to my property value. I made a request to Supervisor Scott who helped me through the process of purchasing the no-longer-needed land back from the County which was good for the County and good for me. I was impressed with the help of his staff, and the much-needed help they gave me. He knew where my house was, because he drove by it. Great to have a person that knew where I lived and understood my problem. Supervisor Scott is the kind of county supervisor that residents should have!

Terry Bowman

Foothills

What is the basis for Project 2025/Agenda 47

I would recommend viewing the film “Bad Faith” on Prime you can rent it for 99 cents. It is free on the Tubi Channel. You will be shocked. It explains what is driving Agenda 47, otherwise known as Project 2025, despite Trump claiming to have no knowledge of Project 2025. The basis for Project 2025 and Agenda 47 is Christian fundamentalism. It is an attempt to gain political power to destroy democracy, destroy the administrative state. It will change American life and affect every one of us. The goal is to make this a “Christian Nation.” It is a movement that has gained momentum and has seen a number of conservative players move the agenda forward, the repeal of Roe v. Wade for example. Trump has sold out to the Evangelicals/Christian Fundamentalists for their support and adoration but, he is being used to further their agenda because as they say, “he is a useful idiot.”

Rosalinda Barrios

Southeast side

It’s go time

Now that Biden has succumbed to the pressure of his party to drop out of the presidential race, I hope the Democrats go full bore in their support of Kamala Harris who was a major player on Biden’s team and believes in the party platform.

Harris has worked to bring people together, led the fight for a woman’s right to decide on issues that concern her own body; cares that all people have clean water and air; believes we and our children should live without the fear of experiencing gun violence; and that all people deserve the opportunity to contribute to the success of the democracy experiment in our United States.

If allowed, I’m sure that history will judge President Biden’s administration as one that navigated our country through a very rough patch and against serious odds. The U.S. came out stronger and more respected by the world. Our foes hoped that Joe would lose because the opposition wants to go back to the future.

Cindy Soffrin

Northeast side

Whining about gasoline prices and inflation

In 1980 I was paying $1 per gallon for gasoline and was driving a sedan that averaged 10 miles per gallon. Now I am driving a truck that averages 40 miles per gallon. Factoring in inflation from 1980 through 2023, the $1 per gallon gas in 1980 should now cost about $3.70 per gallon, which is close (or below) what is being paid in Tucson today. So if you are still driving a vehicle that averages 10 mph you have not been harmed by the current cost of gasoline. Presidents do not control inflation. This recent bout of inflation is due to the pandemic, as well as both Trump and Biden doling out money to help Americans deal with the financial impact caused by the pandemic. Additionally, the Federal Reserve holds some blame for inflation for keeping interest rates low for too long. Stop whining about gas prices.

Andrew Walker

Downtown

Thank you, Pres. Biden!

Dear President Biden:

With a grateful heart I admire your wisdom and courage to gracefully pass the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris as our candidate for President in November.

History will show that you have done more than most of the past presidents for the poor, needy and oppressed, here and abroad, under the most difficult conditions created by all the autocrats and dictators around the world and their aspirant here at home.

May God continue to bless and guide you in everything you do. Your office may come to an end, but your wisdom will continue to inspire and inform our next president, Kamala Harris. Thank you!

Wishing you all the very best,

With gratitude and admiration,

Ke Chiang Hsieh

Midtown

Harris for President

I am shocked and saddened by today’s decision by President Biden to drop out of the race. Almost 17 million people voted in the primary to back the Biden-Harris ticket. So what is the issue?

In my 82 years, I have never seen a party abandon its candidate as the Democrats have done. Now it seems that they want to do the same to Harris. It is time for the party to stop the hand-wringing and whining and listen to the people. They made their choice. It is now time for the party to fully and eagerly back Kamala Harris for President of the United States.

Norma Guest

East side

Spirit of Antichrist?

The following comparison between the spirit of the Christ and the spirit of hate anti-Christ came through Edgar Cayce, [1877-1945]; American Christian Mystic, while he did a subconscious psychic reading for a prayer group in 1933.

Edgar Cayce in trance: “The fruits of the spirit of the Christ are love, joy, obedience, long-suffering, brotherly love and kindness. Against such there is no law. The spirit of hate, the anti-Christ, is contention, strife, fault-finding, lovers of self and lovers of praise. Those are the anti-Christ and take possession of groups, masses and show themselves even in the life of men.”

This spirit of hate is, to me, a strikingly similar and sinister description of Don Trump. Has this darkness of hate possessed the US Supreme Court, most republican candidates and those who vote for them already?

Encourage others to vote for the Democratic Party ticket.

John Patrick Murphy,

Edgar Cayce Scholar

Midtown

Biden leaving the campaign

I think Kamala Harris on the democratic ticket is an energizing engine. Our president, when he picked her as his running mate, gave her every opportunity to learn on the job as Obama gave to Biden. I love that she has been a strong voice for women’s rights. I have faith in our country to not stoop to electing a felon and liar. I also think her running will energize the younger voters. Go Kamala!!

Mary Beth Schneider

East side

Be careful what you wish for

If considering Kamala as the possible Chief Executive Officer of the United States Government, one should consider her background and accomplishments leading up to this formidable task. A quick check of her stint as CA Attorney General shows no remarkable legal activity. In CA politics she was tied with Gavin Newsom. She was elected senator running against another Democrat. Again, this short period recorded nothing notable in legislative accomplishment. The cornerstone of her presidential nomination run seemed to be based upon deserving consideration as the “first black woman” for office, and we all know how successful that turned out. With this election we are selecting an executive not a DEI fill in. Be careful.

Don Flood

Green Valley

Arizona representatives

The commercials have started with Democrats trying to sell someone else to fill the openings in Congress from Arizona, the latest Democrat is Yassamin Ansari. Another candidate that is not a native Arizonian, another immigrant that is bringing foreign political attitudes with her. The primary plank in the platform is the right to murder fetuses — Reproduction Rights — which is Democrat speak for women killing mistakes. Seems like for Democrats, Reproduction means stopping new pregnancies not making intelligent decisions. Other than abortion, the rest of the Democratic platform is more about inflation, undocumented immigrants, and crime in the streets, making life for the average person worse, not better. Ask yourself, what about the Democratic platform is what you want in your life?

Loran Hancock

Northwest side

Make elections fair proposition

As a lifetime Arizonan, I care deeply about our state and country. Often, no candidate or party aligns with my views, and many others feel the same. A third of Arizona voters are independent. In 80% of Arizona’s voting districts, one party dominates, making the primary election the real decider while the general election is just a formality. Only 27% of voters typically participate in primaries, so a small group decides most races. The Make Elections Fair Act proposes a single nonpartisan primary open to all candidates and voters, with standardized requirements for candidates to qualify. This would encourage more candidates to run and let voters choose candidates from any party without committing to an entire party platform or ballot. It would prevent a minority of voters from punishing incumbents for prioritizing the country over their party. Elections will be decided in the general election by a majority vote rather than in the primaries by a minority. Vote for change.

Mike LeSueur

Benson

We cannot leave this to chance ...

Kamala Harris becoming the nominee, so we will have to put our efforts forth more than ever because there is still a bias against women in occupying the highest position in the United States. We hear the pundits say it is a 50/50 or similar split amongst the voters but that may not be the case with the electoral vote. Think back to the 2016 general election when Hillary Clinton, who won the popular vote, had to give her concession speech. Why? Because she lost the Electoral College vote. And let’s not forget about the last general election — CLOSE! Arizona residents, if you value our democracy, please figure out how you can help. Because doing nothing is a threat to our way of life, not just for those of us of a certain age (I am 77 years old) but for our children and grandchildren.

Patricia Artman

Green Valley

Thank you, my dear Joe Biden!

There is a sense of calm, this morning. We have who it takes to slay the dragon. Thank you, Kamala.

Mary Bradley

Northeast side

Gerontocracy?

I was disappointed to see President Biden drop out of the 2024 Presidential race. His accomplishments are many and the economy is measurably doing very well by every standard. Many supported him, including myself.

I endorse Kamala Harris as his top choice for replacement. Nevertheless, is this not a moment in American history when we can stop our penchant for gerontocracy? Can we now stop voting for old, white men to run our nation?

That, in my opinion, would be a wonderful idea.

John Yoakum

Midtown