Tucson Speaks Out: Dec. 15 letters of the day

A recent spate of letters to the editor protested attacks and prejudice towards Donald Trump. The threats posed by him are real. Donald Trump appears destined to be the Republican nominee for President. Current polls show he could return to the presidency. He has clearly stated his intention to form an authoritarian government. His speeches purpose punishment to those who oppose him, the prohibition of opposing views, and breaking up of the existing national order.

It appears that some conservatives, fearful of prevailing social values, seek to change the social discourse to conform to their views. Conservative organizations such as the Heritage Foundation have helped develop his radicalized agenda. These groups propose, through Trump’s influence, the process to dismantle democratic institutions and replace them with authoritarianism. Making political “points” trumps (pun intended) dialogue and compromise.

Playing to conservative insecurities, Trump’s plan to demolish our political heritage is advancing. Once our democratic institutions are dismantled, they are gone!

Steven LeGendre

Foothills

Number please

Eight billion people on planet Earth. How many do we allow into the US? One billion, 500 million, 100 million? You get the picture. And should these people enhance and contribute to our nation and in what way? If not, why not? I don’t care what happened 100 years ago regarding immigration. We are in the here and now. These are questions that need to be answered, and soon.

Mark Moral

East side

Holy moly

We’re watching “Rise of the Nazis” on PBS, and it’s curling our hair! I think it’s a repeat, but we never saw it before. The words and actions of Adolf Hitler are chilling, of course, and unfortunately resonate in today’s news. Almost all the words spoken could be taken right out of Mr. Trump’s playbook. Take a look if you can, we are amazed and saddened with the dialogue, perhaps you will be too.

Binky Luckhurst

Woodward

Foothills

Tim Steller on free speech

Re: the Dec. 10 article “Conflict shouldn’t change UA speech rules.”

Editor,

Tim Steller’s thoughtful column discussed many points of view and exposed possible double standards regarding free speech on college campuses.

Steller’s column should be widely read and discussed. It reminded me of my American Government class at the U of A in the 1960’s taught by the outstanding professor, Dr. Clifford Lytle in which he defined politics thusly: “It all depends on whose ox is being gored.”

Perhaps the answer is for us to stop the goring and to develop respect for all sentient beings.

Dave Gallagher

Foothills

Academics

Re: the Dec. 11 letter “An academic playoff.”

The letter writer had a fine idea of colleges competing academically in “bowl” games, so to speak. Starting in the late 1950’s the “GE College Bowl” aired on weekends doing exactly that. A panel of four students from two schools answered questions and scored or lost points. The winners moving on and losers going home. As a retired teacher, I would like to see that again. It was an interesting competition.

Duane Barbour

Midtown

Not “him”, but “us”

Much of the media ... and Mr. Trump directly ... are warning us of life under a Trump presidency. Unfortunately, many of us remain oblivious to the incredible and terrible change in their lives these warnings imply.

Apparently, we are a people too used to the freedom and choice our unique democracy offers ... too used to how its carefully structured checks and balances work to guarantee our invaluable rights. What Trump wants to change will destroy those safeguards to allow him to do what he wants — not for us, but for him — leaving us no way of regaining what makes us uniquely “US”.

Very recently on a news broadcast. I saw photocopies of our newspapers reporting the German accounts of how their governmental system would render harmless the “idiosyncrasies” of that guy just elected in Germany in 1933. Do we not understand how we can cause that same destruction to our very way of life in our very near future?

These are by no means just scare noises, but will they be enough?

Frank Parsons

Northeast side

Star climate reporting doesn’t “denigrate” Tucson

Re: the Dec. 10 letter “Tucson warming.”

While I appreciate the author’s interest in climate change, I respectfully disagree with him that Tucson is “denigrated” by the Dec. 5 AZ Daily Star article “Tucson’s Novembers warmed fastest since 1970.” While data written in his letter cannot be verified without valid references, I’ve found the climate reporting in the AZ Daily Star to be highly accurate and to be a clarion call to action.

Few Americans still dismiss climate change. To quote well respected Texas Tech University climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe, “Climate change is real, it’s human-caused, its impacts are serious ... and there are solutions if we act now.”

Since the Dec. 5 AZ Daily Star article, data has revealed November 2023 to be the warmest ever November globally, the 6th consecutive 2023 record warmest month ever, establishing 2023 as the warmest year ever in recorded history (climate.copernicus.eu).

Mark Peterson

Foothills

Not again, please!

Usually I look at life from an optimistic vantage point. However, the possibility of the former president being elected again keeps me awake at night. I’m worried about the health of our democracy as never before in my long lifetime. The Republican Party should be embarrassed to even consider Donald Trump a candidate, let alone endorse him. Republican legislators should have the courage of someone like Liz Cheney and publicly denounce Mr. Trump for what he has already done and what he has threatened to do “on day one”. Despite all its faults our country deserves better, doesn’t it?

Noreen Nelson

Foothills

Editorial board member response to support for peace process

Re: the Dec. 6 letter “Peace, but not at any price.”

AZ Daily Star editorial board member Wade Thompson replied to Trayce Peterson’s powerful and balanced guest opinion, ‘U.S. should support inclusive peace process.’ Thompson claims Ms. Peterson’s piece shows little comprehension of reality and misstates what she writes. No where in the piece does she say ‘Israel is bad’ or ‘no arms for Israel’ nor does she parrot Hamas leaders. Mr. Thompson should read the piece again, and update his understanding of the facts on the ground. Illegal settlements have taken over much of the West Bank, the area that was to become a Palestinian state. Who constructed the illegal settlements in the West Bank and in violation of international law, UN Resolution 242? Israeli Jews, with the support of the Israeli government. This sabotaged the two state solution. As Ms. Peterson states, ‘Financing peace and reconstruction is a better use of US taxpayer dollars for both Palestinians and Israelis.’

Sarah Roberts

West side

Childcare is a parental responsibility

Re: the Dec. 11 article “Childcare costs tough on working moms.”

This morning I was greeted by a headline which read, “Childcare costs tough on working moms.” Once again I have to question why our society attributes childcare to mothers, and not parents. When we ignore fathers as equal parents, we diminish a father’s contribution to raising his child. At the same time we overload mothers by assigning to them more than their share of responsibility for raising a child. Neither of these phenomena serve our society well.

As a grandmother, sometimes I take or pick up my youngest grandchild at a midtown preschool. I am pleased to see at least as many fathers picking up or taking their children as I see mothers there. This is very encouraging, and should be acknowledged by the media.

Imagine if our societal expectations changed such that fathers and mothers were considered parents who equally share responsibilities of raising their children.

Nancy Rochman

Midtown

Government

What is the worst form of government? I would suggest theocracy. People who think they are enforcing God’s will have no reason to negotiate, compromise, or tolerate practices they think sinful. One example of such a government is Iran. One closer to home might be Texas.

Betty Feinberg

Southeast side

Gaza cease fire

I don’t have a solution to the Arab/Israel conflict, and I hate the civilian casualties on both sides, but if I were in Israel’s shoes I would say: “We would have been happy to agree to a cease-fire on October 6th. Where were you then?”

Sidney Hall

Oro Valley

Anti-semitic rants, Steller and the U of A

Re: the Dec. 10 article “Conflict shouldn’t change UA speech rules.”

I am Jewish, oppose Netanyahu and support a two state solution. However, I was appalled at Tim Steller’s conclusion that marching down campuses screaming genocide for the Jews is acceptable “free speech” and should be tolerated by university officials. When the National Lawyers Guild letter from law students demanded the elimination of Jewish people in Israel the law school dean Mark Miller did nothing. When a Jewish law professor called the letter anti-semitic, Miller meddled with the professor’s ability to conduct his class. Incredibly, Arizona’s head of student affairs Ron Marx opined that calling for the death of all Jews was protected speech. Steller, Marx, and Miller giving entitlement to this conduct should be abhorrent to everyone. Perhaps someone more thoughtful should take over student affairs and the law school. Steller needs to understand that Jewish students hearing a crowd yelling for their death is terrifying and harassment. Remember, the Holocaust started with Nazis screaming for the elimination of all Jews. We will never forget.

David Berkman

Northwest side

Ask Ciscomani to support education

Juan Ciscomani sits on the Appropriations subcommittee for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education. In line with Republicans’ constant clamor to cut spending, this subcommittee’s bill will drastically cut education funding. Some educational programs are slated to be cut by 80%! Ciscomani’s office assistant waffles when asked if Ciscomani supports the bill, claiming schools have billions in unspent COVID funds. Some schools have no funds left. Schools with funds on hand have mostly allocated them for ongoing programs.

And because of misuse of private school vouchers, AZ schools need every dime they can get.

Call Juan Ciscomani’s office (202-225-2542). Voice your concern that the subcommittee’s bill cuts the deficit by cheating children out of an education.

And next time, vote for Kirsten Engel.

Lisa Wolfe

North side

Hardly a win ...

The great state of Texas is now the great state of Gilead. The Texas Supreme Court sought to prevent a handmaid from exercising her right to try to ensure her continued fertility via directing her own healthcare. Ironically, the court was seeking a moral victory by adjudicating a misogynistic, amoral travesty.

Regardless, the handmaid got the healthcare she needed in more enlightened environs, thereby relegating the court’s decision moot. Sadly, she may now be sued for $10,000.

Rick Cohn

West side

Support Ukraine against the invasion

Weakening support by the United States to Ukraine is the same as giving aid and comfort to Russia and the Vladimir Putin regime. There is no middle ground. Russia invaded a sovereign nation and we, along with all our allies and other free nations, support Ukraine.

Let us not grow weak — and give Putin his victory. We oppose attacking across borders recognized by every nation in the world. Let us remain strong.

John Yoakum

Midtown

Dog pile on the little guy

I must have really touched a nerve. Here’s another guy upset with my explanation of AR.

People, the information I’ve put out is totally factual. It was my job to know all of this and more. The author talks about the shockwave and the intensive force of the bullet. I wonder if he knows the AR comes in many different calibers. No matter. He goes on to talk about info from the Washington Post. I wouldn’t trust that left wing liberal rag as far as I could throw it. He also mentions the, “Blast Effect” of the round. Unless you are shooting explosive rounds, there is no blast effect. On impact the little bullet can produce what’s called Hyrdo Static Shock.

Indeed, it is a little bullet. Only .224” in diameter. Weight is 55gr. There are 7,000 grains to the pound.

Any more? I can do this all day.

Steven Barker

East side

You stood up and were counted!

Just wanted to say how grateful I feel for all the letter writers who take the time to spill their guts on these pages. Their letters are often profound, compelling and disturbing, sometimes all three at once. Participating in a democracy is real work, often scary in these turbulent times and it takes courage to take a stand. Bravo to all!

Rick Rappaport

Oro Valley