Tucson Speaks Out: November 3

Trump’s motive in terrifying Venezuela

Why is Trump ordering airstrikes on unidentified people in international waters, then gleefully releasing videos of their executions?

Why did he order our bombers to approach Venezuelan airspace and conduct a “bomber attack demonstration”? Why did he order troops to staging areas in the Caribbean? Why did he order an American carrier strike group to depart European waters and move toward Venezuela? Why is he suddenly so obsessed with Venezuela? Simple. It’s the oil, stupid.

Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world. Trump wants it. So do his billionaire buddies. And Trump is the Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful military in the world. And he has made it clear that he is willing to order that military to kill civilians without provocation. And his orders are followed.

Weaver Barkman

Midtown

More cows in US

John Leos’s article in the Daily Star reported efforts to remove grazing restrictions on public lands — the latest example of ‘bovine imperialism’. For thousands of years, cultures worldwide have favored domestic grazing animals with profound impacts on native vegetation.

Annual net productivity from cattle is often matched by government subsidies (low grazing rates on public lands, roads, water developments, etc.). In the 1800s, southeastern Arizona grasslands were lush. After Apache threats ended in the 1870s, cattle ranches flourished, and ranges were very quickly overgrazed.

The “onerous” regulations were put in place to protect grasslands. Without external grazing limits, cattlemen are often not good land stewards — ranches are for-profit businesses. Increasing cattle on public lands by slashing regulations while importing Argentine beef, along with punishing tariffs and unintentional painful impacts on U.S. businesses with no concern for the environment instead of careful planning is typical Trump chaotic leadership.

Tom Van Devender

North side

East wing demolition

The first iteration of the east wing of the White House was a terrace to accommodate guests, built during Theodore Roosevelt’s term in 1902.

White House social secretaries have long lamented the lack of entertainment space for large state dinner affairs, dating back to President Benjamin Harrison in 1891. Every piece of artwork and artifact were meticulously digitally documented by White House historical/preservationist staff before the east wing project began.

The reaction to this “demolition” has been hysterical by certain people. Hilary Clinton: “it’s not his house. It’s your house. And he’s destroying it.” Gavin Newsom: “literally destroying the White House.” Even the Star’s Rick Rappaport wrote that he “teared up” in a recent column.

Of all the battles to pick with Trump and his administration, this must count as the most puerile. Altering the most modern part of the White House is not its destruction. Good Heavens, people. Get a grip.

Dewey Bidwell

Northeast side

Respect is earned

I don’t give a bloody damn whether you call yourself a Republican or a Democrat or an Independent or anything else. When something is wrong and harms children, the working poor, our military, and others who depend on the government for assistance, get off your collective behinds and demand that it be rectified immediately.

Call your idle Congressional representatives and tell them to represent you because you are a person of conscience and character and not some fake, fawning loser who doesn’t care about others.

It’s a matter of respect and, if you want respect, then earn it.

Cynthia Schiesel

East side

Two peas in a pod

Both authoritarians, Trump and Netanyahu, seek to avoid jail and further court decisions against them by hurting others (Hispanics, Latinos and Palestinians), through diversions. Trump illegally kills South Americans because he believes they transport drugs — without proof. Maybe, but “where’s the beef?” (It’s in Argentina, or on its way here).

Trump and Netanyahu share another trait. Neither one can be trusted to not renege on any agreement, whether signed or not.

A Palestinian, most likely Hamas, shot and killed an Israeli soldier. Israel responded in kind by carrying out heavy airstrikes, killing 104 civilians (47 children).

We are the United States of America, not Israel. While I am an American Jewish patriot, I’m not an Israeli. But October 7 still hurts, as does 68,631 Palestinians and 6M Jews, because I am a human being and care about what happens to others.

But I cannot defend those masked men who assault us on our own streets, attacking democracy, from without or within, as we’re seeing now.

Sheldon Metz

Northeast side

Courage for our TUSD kids

It’s easy to say “no” from behind a screen. What takes real courage is standing up for our kids and saying “yes” to a stronger future. Proposition 414 isn’t just about funding — it’s about values, priorities, and trust.

TUSD has made real progress in financial transparency and accountability. From launching its first digital budget book to earning national recognition for financial reporting, TUSD shows its taxpayers that every dollar is accounted for.

Prop 414 builds on that commitment by helping attract and retain quality teachers, and by protecting programs in fine arts, preschool, and career and technical education. As a TUSD parent, I’ve seen firsthand how my boys have thrived because of these opportunities — and every child deserves that same chance.

Saying “no” for the same tired reasons is easy, especially when misinformation spreads online, but our students — my kids, your kids — deserve better. Real courage means believing in public education and investing in our kids’ futures.

Vote YES on Proposition 414 — because our kids are worth it!

Ricky Hernandez

Sahuarita

IQ tests

Trump has repeatedly accused Congresswomen AOC and Crockett of being dumb and said they should take an IQ test. Jimmy Kimmel has offered to host a real IQ test, not the one Trump took that identifies dementia. Crockett has accepted the challenge.

Do Loyal, McConnell et al, believe the self-described genius would actually dare to show up? When I grew up, one was told to put your money where your mouth is. Trump will chicken out.

Craig Miller

Northwest side

He crossed that line

I used to take some comfort in the fact that Donald. Trump wasn’t a full-blown dictator because he didn’t have inconvenient people killed like his hero, Putin. Those days are over.

Now, Trump is having boaters executed in the Caribbean because he can. Why does the military go along with it?

Robert McNeil

Midtown

Wiffle ball

After wincing at articles like “Cops fortify deportation dragnet,” describing the use of local police, state troopers, university law enforcement and lottery investigators for immigration control, “Carrier move marks shift,” reporting the removal of one of America’s most advanced aircraft carriers from the Mediterranean Sea to fight drug cartels, and “Trump suggests US will resume nuclear testing,” detailing President Trump’s worrisome plan to restart nuclear testing, I chuckled reading “Wiffle ball pro league launches.”

The article explains Logan Rose’s passion for Wiffle ball, resulting in America’s first wiffle ball league. I remembered my brother and I spending hours as kids working on wiffle curve balls and changing the distance for base hits and home runs.

I relived my sons and I filling fishing intervals with wiffle ball games during a Madison River vacation, happily heckling the batter or pitcher. I welcomed this brief therapeutic break from the dismal local, national, and international news, like “U.S. asks judge to toss AZ’s suit over food stamps.”

Roger Shanley

East side

Dia de los Muertos

Thanks to the Star’s Caliente front page coverage in the Oct 30 issue.

It stated, “A TIME FOR LOVE AND CELEBRATION.” This weekend’s Dia de los Muertos. It says it all, and we must not forget the importance of love, celebration and memorials. We live in dark times, and I encourage all to participate.

Dan Bannon

Midtown