Tucson Speaks Out: April 17

Dire straits for fossil energy?

Mr. Trump’s Iran “excursion” and subsequent closing of the Strait of Hormuz highlights the world’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy. For Trump, it’s about keeping the U.S. dependent on fossil fuels and paying back the industry for donating to his campaign. The President has slashed incentives for emergent renewables and dismantled environmental regulations for big polluters. Trump’s war has made gas unaffordable for everyday folks while allowing his oil buds to haul in hundreds of billions in windfall profits.

President Biden created a growing renewable economy — mainly solar and wind — that made America less dependent on fossil fuels and created affordable energy that didn't destroy the planet.

Meanwhile, the transition to renewable energy has made China the world’s leader in renewable energy infrastructure. As countries turn away from fossil fuel economies and the impact on climate change, U.S. policy supports dirty and unstable sources of energy. The last time I checked, solar and wind do not flow through the Strait of Hormuz.

Kathy Krucker

Midtown

TEP and Tucson’s Grid

We have a problem, Tucson.

Tucson’s electric grid is privately owned by TEP, but ratepayers already funded its construction and upkeep. Yet private utilities are legally guaranteed profits for shareholders—and those profits, plus executive pay, marketing, PR, and lobbyists, come out of your bill. You even cover the franchise fees the city charges TEP. Check your TEP bill.

Now TEP says it needs more from you — a 14% increase this year and potentially more next year — claiming it must recoup investments in infrastructure it insists is too costly for the public to buy. But that infrastructure was paid for by you. In effect, you’ve financed the system while shareholders reap guaranteed returns.

A public option would cut out that middle layer. It would reinvest your money back into the community, reduce monthly costs, and direct funds toward public priorities and charities. This time, the utility would truly belong to the people who already paid for it. Insist on public power before we can’t anymore.

Carissa Sipp

Midtown

Character matters

The true measure of human character is not conservative or liberal, Christian or non-Christian, white or non-white, capitalist or laborer, etc., but on how one cares for other human beings and for Earth, habitat for all creatures. The universal standards are the moral and scientific laws. The former is found in the wisdom of sages and prophets in all cultures: Treat others as you would treat yourself or love your neighbor as yourself — try to start no wars. The latter sustains the works of real scientists: the consequence of our treatment of the environment is scientifically predictable — try to stop the worsening climate change. Follow the true prophets and the real scientists or commit self-assured destruction (SAD). We, the voters of Earth’s richest and mightiest nation, must do our part by electing officers who earnestly care for others and for our Earth. Please fight for our voting rights, gauge all candidates by the universal standards, and vote.

Ke Chiang Hsieh

Midtown

Tax relief day

I’ve lived in Arizona for decades, raising a family, working hard and finally retiring. Even after careful planning, our resources are stretched thin because of significant cost increases in the past five years. Fortunately, Congressman Juan Ciscomani was the deciding vote for the Working Family Tax Cuts Act. He fought hard to pass the biggest tax cuts for seniors in Arizona. Juan understands that seniors have earned their retirement and that the government shouldn't tax it away.

Receiving a return this tax season provides a sense of security. It proves to us that our years of hard work and sacrifice are recognized by our representative. I want to thank Congressman Juan Ciscomani for being the voice we need in Washington, D.C. to fight for America’s seniors.

Mona Gibson

Northwest side

Re: 'AZ reviews sliver of 2024 ballots'

There is no discernible voter fraud in Arizona. Ballots from the last 2 presidential elections have been studied, inspected, taken to court, and selected by the Legislature, the private sector, or anybody. Nobody has found fraud worth prosecuting.

Recently, inspectors checked 3.6 million votes cast in 2024, with only 28 flagged as potential lillegal voting. That's not 28 bad votes, that's 28 "potential" votes cast. No one in Arizona is being charged because there are no cases to prosecute. The fraud alleged is invisible — it doesn't exist. Conspiracy theorists can blather all they want, and the facts will not change.

We all need to move on to important things.

John Yoakum

Midtown

Pardons

Donald Trump infamously pardoned 1500 convicted criminals who attacked the Capitol on January 6, trying to overthrow free and fair election results. He has also pardoned hundreds of other people who were tried and convicted by a jury of their peers, a bedrock policy of our democracy.

Those pardoned were Trump supporters who were convicted of crimes, including fraud, tax evasion, lying to Congress, criminal contempt, corruption, and a full pardon for the former president of Honduras for drug trafficking. Drug trafficking!

Recently, Trump said that, before he leaves office, he plans on issuing mass pardons for anyone who worked for and remained loyal to him. That makes one wonder what exactly does he plan on having these people do in the next 30 months? What he has done already is bad enough. Now, he is issuing a warning that he will have his minions do whatever he wants, laws be damned, because they will have full pardons for whatever nefarious acts they perform. That is scary.

Gary Haslett

SaddleBrooke

Credibility

April 15: The will of the people:

Passing a daylight savings time bill in Congress would not restore credibility to Congress. Passing the SAVE act would be a first step back to the good old days of Jim Crow and male-only suffrage.

To restore credibility to Congress, I would prefer to eliminate or minimize monetary influence of the ‘deep pockets’ in the form of campaign contributions. When SCOTUS recognized the personhood of noncorporeal entities, campaign contributions of significant amounts replaced bribes. Limiting campaign contributions to a reasonable amount ($10-20,000) during a rolling 12-month period for all adults, controlled and separate entities with independently earned income could greatly reduce corrupt influences. Public financing of all campaigns is preferable.

A federal ethics organization, employing civil service people only, with audit and enforcement authority, could restore confidence in Congress, federal and state officeholders and appointees.

James Abels

Midtown

Pope Leo

I am a 92-year-old agnostic with a new hero. Pope Leo, an American who came of age in our heartland, is a giant among men. All around the world what we believed to be good, courageous leaders have brought shame on themselves as they were cowered by a lunatic who dwarfs Mad King George, the man we defeated 250 years ago. Even bully fools with their finger too close to the red button have to be dealt with. Pope Leo, quite new in his role, has quickly ascended to become the most powerful human on Earth.

David Rollins

North side

Iran Nuke agreement

In 2015, there was an agreement with Iran and the United Nations called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. A 159-page agreement to limit what Iran could do.

Why not reinstate it? This should satisfy Trump and Iran.

Donald Plummer

Northwest side

Legacy media up to their usual antics

Thomas Friedman of the New York Times states that, though important for the U.S. to defeat Iran, he is hoping against victory because it gives Donald Trump a “win.” Meanwhile, media sources state that they were aware of allegations of Eric Swalwell’s abuse of young female staffers but did not want to report on rumors and speculation (though that issue never stopped them from reporting on spurious allegations directed towards Republicans and especially the president). No wonder the American public utterly distrusts the legacy media.

I wonder if the local and national media are either not investigating allegations of abuse or are sitting on stories connected to other elected Democrats, including a Senator who was nicknamed “Troll” due to his behavior towards female staffers while serving in both his state legislature and the U.S. Congress.

Tom Furlong

East side