Tucson Speaks Out: March 12

How many are enough?

Sgt. Benjamin Pennington was returned to U.S. soil on Monday. The seventh U.S. servicemember to lose his life in Trump’s aggression against Iran. How many more will it take before Congress stands up and stops Trump’s illegal war? It’s on Mr. Ciscomani and the pack of Trump sycophants in Congress.

When will it stop?

Bill Shipp

Marana

What Trump doesn't know about the US

The United States has never been a single culture, language or origin story. It is arguably the most diverse society ever assembled in human history — economically, linguistically, religiously, and culturally. The statistics below tell a story that today’s politics often ignores.

Key Facts About America’s Diversity

— More than 50 million U.S. residents are foreign-born, the largest immigrant population in the world.

— Between 350 and 430 languages are spoken across the United States.

— About 68 million Americans (22%) speak a language other than English at home.

— Immigrants from more than 190 countries live in the United States.

— The country contains more than 20 major religions and over 300 denominations.

— Nearly 400,000 churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, and other places of worship serve these communities.

— 44% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children.

— Immigrants produce roughly 25% of U.S. patents and 40% of Nobel Prizes.

America’s strength has always been diversity driving innovation, growth, and democratic vitality.

Lawrence Mazin

SaddleBrooke

Politics vs. morality

It's no longer politics. It's morality. Who is actually in favor of pedophilia, rape, murder, extortion? If you still support Trump, ask yourself this question. It is no accident that Trump is frantic to distract from the Epstein files with everything from closing the Kennedy Center, kidnapping Maduro, starting TrumpRx, to attacking Iran. When the truth is ultimately revealed, let's hope his diehard supporters will have a come-to-Jesus moment.

Sandra Katz

Foothills

War and prices

I was told that if I voted for Kamala, there would be war and rising prices. They were correct. I voted for Kamala and got just that.

Terry Louck

East side

When will they admit ...

Are Democrats ever going to admit that the Biden Administration allowing nearly 20 million unvetted illegal aliens into the country, defying existing law, was a serious error? Will they admit that criminal illegal aliens residing in this country should be removed? Will they ever admit that Iran is a clear and present danger to the entire world and that the existing government must be removed? Why does Iran have thousands of long-range ballistic missiles and drones and 60% enriched uranium when 4% is required for nuclear energy? Will they admit that there is extensive fraud and waste, and a total effort is required to ensure that tax dollars are spent as intended, in contrast to enriching individuals? Will they ever admit that the K-through-12 education system is in shambles, particularly in Democrat-controlled major cities? Will they admit that numerous universities allow and promote antisemitic actions? Will they admit that targeted tariffs encourage United States industry, thus jobs, instead of pushing those jobs offshore?

Loyal M. Johnson Jr.

Oro Valley

War and gasoline

No one likes war or the economic impact it has on us thousands of miles away (thankfully) from the action. Let's say gasoline goes up $50 a month. While still 50 bucks, that's almost lunch for two and cheaper than birrias and beers at McKale. I think we can agree that this would be a temporary price to pay for long-term global security.

Thomas Rothe

Foothills

Public power and lower bills

Within the opinion piece regarding public power, the writer states that a feasibility study found the average savings would be about $200 a year within the first five years. This is an insignificant amount if the user is currently paying $325 a month; the savings are less than $20 per month! I would not consider making a change unless my savings were closer to $100 a month. Sometimes people hear a number that sounds big, but they forget to consider the units. Maybe the writer was thinking he would save $200 each month instead of just $200 in a year.

Catherine Lurvey

Foothills

Swords to ploughshares

The biblical admonition of turning swords into plowshares makes me think of what could be done with the billion-dollar-per-day cost of the Iranian war.

Richard Pierson

Southwest side

TEP and the City of Tucson

Mr. Clifton Mays is experiencing high energy rates. We all are. He wants the City of Tucson to buy our electric utility so our rates will decrease. TEP, spawn of Canadian giant Fortis, loves a good ol' rate hike. I'm no fan of TEP, but I love my consistent electricity, unlike our California neighbors who experience frequent energy outages. It's the devil you know ...

1. Partnering with the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) guarantees higher taxes, fewer choices, and increased government red tape.

2. Given the challenge, the city will spend untold sums of our tax dollars acquiring infrastructure, expertise, and attorneys to navigate the 10- to 15-year journey necessary to become a utility owner.

3. In the end, we'll still be drawing most of our electricity from a legacy coal fire plant and choking on what the DSA and City leaders promised.

Scott Thompson

East side

TEP’s Integrated Resource Plan

I hope TEP’s 2026 IRP includes a discussion of oil market disruptions and resulting price shocks for natural gas, along with the social and long-term economic benefits of decarbonization. The assumptions around low natural gas prices in the 2023 IRP missed that risk analysis.

Sheldon Clark

Vail

FBI and 2020 election

I just read in the news that the FBI is still investigating any criminal defects in the vote count in the 2020 Arizona election for President. I want to help all I can. So I have a list of 13 fake electors that have been named right here in Arizona. Their names were printed in our local newspaper. I would gladly provide them to the FBI, as I am sure they will need the information to prosecute them.

Jose Salgado

East side

The other Epstein files

Although Iran dominates today's news, investigations into the Epstein files continue. CBS recently reported that a heavily redacted document shows that, from 2010-15, a DEA taskforce investigated Epstein and fourteen other people for drug trafficking, prostitution, and money laundering — separate from the well-known sex trafficking case.

Senator Ron Wyden, who has been examining the finances behind Epstein’s operation, has requested an unredacted copy of the document along with investigation details and results. The Trump administration shut down the task force in 2025.

These records, along with leads from overseas investigations, suggest Epstein was involved in a broad range of criminal activity beyond sex trafficking. Following the money could reveal the network that supported and enabled him.

Wyden reports finding more than $4 billion in suspicious transactions at JPMorgan linked to Epstein. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declined to release the transaction records. Wyden has introduced the Produce Epstein Treasury Records Act (PETRA) to obtain them. The administration should release all Epstein-related files it holds.

Barbara Hall

Midtown

Voters said legalize, not recriminalize

Senator J.D. Mesnard’s proposal to criminalize cannabis odor on private property isn’t just an overreach — it’s a direct assault on the will of Arizona voters. In 2020, Arizonans mandated an end to the era of incarcerating cannabis consumers, even making public smoking a mere civil fine.

But under Sen. Mesnard’s proposal, smoking cannabis at your own home could result in months in jail if your neighbors can smell even a faint whiff of it. Outrageously, the bill grants a free pass to tobacco, despite the well-documented links between secondhand tobacco smoke and premature death, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer in non-smoking adults.

Singling out cannabis use for criminal penalties while ignoring the actual public health threat of tobacco is logically inconsistent and a step backward for Arizona’s justice system.

When Arizona voters legalized adult-use cannabis, we prioritized sensible regulation over incarceration. We shouldn't be wasting taxpayer dollars on criminalizing a smell that voters already decided to stop policing.

Violet Cavendish

Phoenix

Patrick Henry warns of an absolute chief

Before the Bill of Rights was added to our Constitution, Patrick Henry made the following point: "Your American chief be a man of ambition and abilities, how easy is it for him to render himself absolute! The army is in his hands, and if he be a man of address, it will be attached to him, and it will be the subject of long meditation with him to seize the first auspicious moment to accomplish his design; and, sir, will the American spirit solely relieve you when this happens? ... Away with your President! We shall have a king; the army will salute him monarch: your militia will leave you, and assist in making him king, and fight against you, and what have you to oppose this force? What will then become of you and your rights? Will not absolute despotism ensue?

Trump sees himself as an absolute ruler and the military is in his hands governed by his own morality.

Don Dickinson

Oro Valley