Tucson Speaks Out: March 16

Yes to women's power

If you were as angry as I was at Pam Bondi completely ignoring the survivors of Epstein during congressional hearings, here’s an idea that will really stir things up.

These women’s testimonies are evidence, on the books and being illegally hidden. Enough of the bullying and intimidation. This group has historic power. They should make a public announcement: “Release our testimony by April 1, or we will, with every name of every person we testified against.

Talk about empowering as the fur flies.

Nancy Jacques

Northeast side

The ugly Americans

Most of my life, I clung to the belief that our country led in democracy, decency, and innovation. That is negated with cabinet members’ blatant incompetency. Secretary of Health and Welfare spews dangerous falsehoods putting people at risk, Homeland Security policy disrupts communities, inhumanely detains people, and uses weapons on citizens and the Department of Justice refuses to investigate sexual predators named in the Epstein files. My grievance list is long but what alarms me the most today is the Department of Defense Secretary being more concerned with media taking flattering photos than taking responsibility for bombing a school of little girls. Most devastating of all is a POTUS dismissing military lives lost as “it happens in war” and his disrespect for dignified transfers of souls lost. He and Secretary Hegseth speak as if they are 10 years old playing a war video game. Our leaders reflect the nation’s values. This administration has made us “The Ugly Americans,” and I am fearful and ashamed.

Judy J. Gillies

Downtown

Expeditionary Force

Now we are going to send 2,500 Marines to Iran as an expeditionary force. A million years ago, we sent ground troops to Vietnam as instructors. Some time later, and 58,000 dead Americans, it was over, but with no real winner. Thank goodness Trump has it all in hand. The big boss is saying that the war will end "when I feel it in my bones." Not by hearing reports or listening to experts of going through statistics but when his bones tell him. Did you ever think that it is probably lumbago and not some secret sign telling you what to do?

Philip Reinecker

East side

America’s amnesia about Iran

One of the greatest weaknesses in American foreign policy is historical ignorance. Washington often speaks about Iran as if it were some newly invented rogue state. It is not. Iran is Persia, heir to one of the longest continuous civilizations in human history.

This does not excuse the brutality of Iran’s current regime. But it should shatter the fantasy that a nation with 2,500 years of imperial memory can be intimidated by slogans, chest-thumping, or leaders who treat war like a television segment or a video game.

When administrations stumble blindly into conflict without understanding the history of its adversary, it is American soldiers who pay the price.

We stand with our troops, but we should never excuse the ignorance from those in Washington sending them.

Lawrence Mazin

SaddleBrooke

How is he still in the White House?

If any other administration — Democrat or Republican — in the history of the U.S. mishandled their most important issues so badly they would be run out of town. Why is it that his administration can be so incompetent without suffering the normal consequences of such incompetence? He is disrespectful, has the worst, most unqualified people surrounding him. He does not compromise, he rules rather than governs, he is wrong on tariffs, he is unprofessional. He bypasses Congress and does whatever thought is "in his head." We don't need a border wall, it's an environmental disaster. (There was a plan for immigration supported by both parties that he nixed.) He is undoing environmental protections and selling out our public lands. He is a gift to oil and mining companies, and now military contractors. The right wing is willfully ignorant and hatefully spiteful. Their media, sorry, "the media" is focused on keeping things his way, and when the right sees people hurting they feel joy, not shame or empathy.

Peter Bisschop

East side

Don't be played

No wonder letter contributors haven’t a clue about Iran news if they’re only consuming Daily Star headlines:

March 9: Iran may seek civilian targets

March 10: Oil prices soar; Iran has new leader

March 11: Iran launches new attacks

March 12: Trump vague on endgame for Iran

March 13: Iran vows to keep up attacks

March 14: Blast rocks Tehran near mass rally

We conclude that Iran is a serious offensive force, and our president has no plan except to target civilians for endless war. No mention in these Associated Press articles that the U.S. is in the process of precision elimination of military threat from a theocratic regime that inscribes ‘Death to Israel’ in Hebrew on their warheads while telling our negotiators they have material for eleven nuclear bombs. Democrats can no longer fantasize that oil-rich Iran is pursuing peaceful nuclear enrichment.

The AP "reports" and the Star writes the headlines. Don’t be played.

Jeffrey McConnell

West side

Iran War ends

I and the rest of the American people can sleep like babies knowing that the Iranian war will end when the orange king feels it in his bones as he has stated recently. Add to that the "Emperor with No Clothes" danced to the YMCA disco song on stage at a rally in Kentucky this week while the Middle East is burning. Please let us get sanity and reality back into our government. Mark Kelly for President.

Sharon Winderl

Midtown

Hobbs' broken promise on wild horses

I think that the desires of the people of Arizona in regard to our wild horses is greatly underestimated. Millions, millions of Arizonans want our Salt River Wild Horses protected from removal. Katie Hobbs supported legislation already that protected them, and now she is reversing herself.

We vote, Ms. Hobbs. And if you betray our wishes about the Salt River Horses, we will do everything within our power as voters to hold you very accountable. Do not yield to special interests who want to financially benefit by the Salties being rounded up for removal.

Just do not do it.

Two factions are in this issue. One that protects, one that pretends to support them, but wants them sold. Choose carefully.

To know the truth, contact Simone Netherlands, (480) 868-9301 saltriverherd@respect4horses.com

Lee Mitchelson

Chino Valley

There was once a country ....

It was a special country. It was created collaboratively, by refugees who flocked to it from all over the world. Many were poor, desperate, many seeking a place marked out for them by God himself. There indeed had been native people living in this “wilderness”, but, tragically, the newcomers killed many of these and exiled many of the rest.

Through the intelligence and hard work of its new residents, the country gave itself birth and grew strong. It established a democracy. Its people built cities and won Nobel Prizes. The world marveled.

But then, in the 21st century, at its zenith, the country was confronted by a horrific attack on its soil from its enemies. It fought back. A corrupt, power-mad, xenophobic ruler, politically supported by religious right-wingers, took complete control of the country. He made ruthless war everywhere he could. By doing so, he betrayed the ideals of the country’s founders and doomed its citizens to eventual humiliation and decline.

God save Israel. God save America.

George Timson

Midtown