Tucson Speaks Out: Jan. 9

Red-light cameras

A recent letter stated that instead of red-light cameras all we have to do is “educate the public” and “increase awareness.” I guess the writer never read a driver’s manual or took the test to be a driver. Both clearly state running a red light is illegal.

As for Prop 201 on the ballot 9 years ago, remember it was supported by an ex-legislator who didn’t like getting a ticket. This was the same person who pleaded guilty to forgery charges related to the signatures on his nominating petition for the legislature.

The latest studies show that red-light cameras help prevent property damage, prevent injuries and even save lives. If you were the victim of a red-light runner, maybe you would accept red-light cameras.

Howard Strause

Foothills

I’ll take some toilet water, please

“Tucson plans toilet-to-tap plant.” So reads a front-page headline in Tuesday’s Arizona Daily Star. In mid-article, we read, “Please see TOILET, page A2”. Turn the page. And there we find “Toilet” in bold to mark the continuation.

Yet, the word “toilet” never appears in Tony Davis’s informative piece about Tucson working to solve our growing problem of water scarcity.

If the idea of drinking toilet water is repulsive, then consider this: The water in your coffee is older than the planet and has been in and out of the bodies of countless animals. It has been in the muddiest rivers and perhaps the finest champagne. All water is recycled water.

I find it unthinkable to imagine the city of Tucson would ever provide water that is anything but good to drink, so branding this story three times with the word “toilet” looks like the Star is trying to pollute a news story with its uninformed opinion.

Kevin Wohlford

Northeast side

2 + 2 = 5

According to DJT, January 6, 2021 was a day of love. By that logic, attacking and assaulting police officers; breaking windows and doors; stealing private property; trying to overthrow legitimate election results; trying to find the Vice-President and hang him; and all of the other criminal activities were acts of love. Then, what in the hell would a day of hate be? We are living George Orwell’s book, 1984, where War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength, and, most importantly as we look at DJT’s vision of January 6, 2021 and the future of the United States in his hands, “Who controls the past controls the future...”

Cynthia Schiesel

East side

A letter to every American

To those readers who continue to complain about the Arizona Daily Stars’ supposed “liberal bias”:

The job of any independent newspaper is to uncover the facts, tell truth to power, and keep its readers grounded in reality — three imperatives of a democratic society which the incoming president, who cares nothing for a democratic society, holds in complete contempt.

Consequently, he manufactures his own “alternative facts,” promotes his own media outlet “Truth Social” — a perfect example of Orwellian doublespeak at its most laughable — and invents his own reality in which everything that serves him is good and everything that doesn’t serve him is bad — the imperatives not of a democratic society but of a spoiled child. Or a communist dictator.

If every American, regardless of political ideology, does not care about the facts, the truth, and reality, uncovered and investigated by a free press, then our democratic society will disappear faster than you can say “Make America Great Again.”

Tom Dudley

East side

What would Jesus say?

I don’t know what to say about today’s state, but I have an idea of what Jesus would say to us. He would say things that carry the same tune as things he said before.

“If you acknowledge that neither riches nor works nor membership into an in-group will ever gain you God’s favor, yours is Freedom.

“If you are struggling against your enslavement to sin, you will receive liberty.

“If you are willing to learn about God’s word and works from God Himself, you will inherit the nations.

“If you want a right relationship with God and His creation, you will find happiness.

“If you do justice, love mercifully, and practice humility, you will receive peace.

“If you sincerely seek God’s glory through humanity’s flourishing, you will see truth and life.

“If you strive to create peace between people, you will be called champions of Christ.

“If you are called enemies of the people because of the way, then do not despair, for yours is freedom.”

Sarah Claasen

Northwest side

Political signs present new dangers

I finally getting used to being able to see more clearly at major intersections while driving. Those pesky political signs are in hibernation waiting until the next primary election ...

My biggest concern about these signs is how they distract and cover visual opportunities that would otherwise help people to avoid both minor and serious accidents.

Traveling south on Thornydale near the Linda Vista intersection is especially dangerous during “Political Sign Season.” This is an intersection where Mountain View High School is located. Many students cross this intersection to get to a strip mall that has a waiting McDonalds. Signs are even mounted on top of other signs to further block the ability of drivers to see while driving. Students are going to get hurt if this practice continues to be permitted.

It is for this reason that I hope our county or state legislators pass a law similar to our drug and alcohol zones around schools to forbid political sign to be erected at any intersection that borders a school!

Albert Hanson

Northwest side

History can be ironic

On November 4, 1979 the Iranian Revolution stormed the U.S. Embassy in Iran and took 60+ American hostages. One-term President Jimmy Carter was viewed as a great humanitarian but a weak leader. The hostages were imprisoned for 444 days only being released minutes after tough-talking Ronald Reagan was inaugurated.

On October 7, 2023 Hamas attacked Israel killing 1200 and taking 251 hostages including Americans that have now been held for 475 days with perhaps 50+ still alive. One-term President Joe Biden was viewed as senile and therefore weak. Incoming Donald Trump, vigorous and unpredictable, demands that Hamas release all living and dead hostages before he retakes office. We hope that history repeats itself.

Forty years apart Carter and Trump are linked in history as our only lifelong non-smokers and non-drinkers presidents and flags will fly at half mast as they should for Carter at Trump’s swearing in.

RIP Jimmy and good luck Donald.

Jeffrey McConnell

West side

The Gulf of America?

Over 90 first-term Trump administration members have warned that our President-elect is unfit to serve. These include a former vice president, secretary of state, chief of staff, national security adviser and secretary of defense.

Since the election Trump has aggravated these concerns. His threats to militarily seize the Panama Canal and Greenland, and to economically coerce Canada to become a state, are insane. Trump has become a copycat of Vladimir Putin.

One of Trump’s most consequential acts on January 21 may revolve around his promise to “end the war in Ukraine in one day,” which taken literally must mean immediately ending our commitment to help Ukraine defend itself against Putin’s genocidal invasion. Of course someone might suggest to Trump that Putin is desperate and willing to make concessions: Putin gets Ukraine, we get Greenland and Canada.

One can only hope that on the 21st Trump may have something else on his mind, like golf or crowd size or the appearances of his assistants. The man is sick.

Doug Pickrell

Midtown

Trump’s lunacy

In an hour-long news conference, President-elect Trump suggested redrawing maps, renaming gulfs, and hinting at the lunacy his tenure will likely bring. He suggested the use of force to regain the Panama Canal and acquire Greenland. He stated “all hell will break out in the Middle East” if Hamas-held hostages are not released by Inauguration Day. There was more, but surely this is enough to portend upcoming disasters during Trump’s term in office.

Roger Shanley

East side

Growing America?

I’m wondering exactly how the purchases of Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal are going to improve the lives of everyday Americans. And similarly the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. All this is so obviously about feathering the Trump cap, his desire to come shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Putin and Xi as they land grab or threaten to. He’s a wannabe big boy as he shamelessly idolizes these authoritarians. I hope the MAGA voters are taking note of, as well as responsibility for, the direction in which the incoming administration plans to take our country. I don’t recall hearing about any of these proposals/priorities during his campaign. Was I missing something?

Sharon Jones

North side

Tim Steller’s recent column

Poor Tim Steller, in his Jan 5th opinion column, is crying in his beer because most of the liberal mainstream print, broadcast and cable media are losing their influence/subscribers and sometimes getting sued. He then proceeds to point a finger at the latest media lawsuit plaintiff, none other than the evil threat to democracy, President-elect Trump.

Newsflash, Mr. Steller. Because of constitutional freedom of speech and press, the US has the highest legal standards in the world to prove libel and slander. This has worked to the media’s advantage nearly always for generations, as it should. Mr. Steller then laments that Trump won a major libel lawsuit against ABC News. Then why doesn’t he put his knowledge of the law and tell us why Trump shouldn’t have won? He can’t because ABC News broke the law.

It’s high time that all courts start smacking down liberals for their lawless behavior.

Steve Sollenberger

Foothills

Changing names

Trump wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America. Don’t know if he realizes that all residents of this Hemisphere are Americans, but greater question is how is he going to rename New Mexico?

Craig Miller

Northwest side

State-sponsored religion

In response to Barbara Benjamin “Enlighten me”: The state can use funds to provide vouchers to parents of students. The parents then spend that money with religion-tied schools to indoctrinate their children. Arizona State Supreme Court said this one simple trick separates church and state. Earlier version of the program, where state funds would be dispersed to schools directly was found to be unconstitutional, so our legislature under Ducey corrected the constitutional issue. They also ensured that the voucher program specifically exempted private schools from meeting any academic requirements or reporting any results. Parents will soon be stuck with adult children who “fail to launch” when their kids’ lack of useful education relegates them to being failures at life. If this upsets you as a private school, or private school parent, prove me wrong! Submit to the same standardized testing as the public schools and publish your results.

Eric Witherspoon

Northwest side