Tucson Speaks Out: Nov. 5 letters of the day

The brutality of Hamas on October 6, 2023 was despicable nor is IDF’s response of bombardment and invasion of Gaza humane. Killing a Palestinian infant is as evil as killing an Israeli baby. Calling for a ceasefire in Gaza is not anti semitism nor is remembering the Tiananmen massacre in 1989 anti-Chinese. Countless Chinese remember the massacre and many Jews call for a ceasefire.

Killing never solved any problems. We defeated Nazi with many killed on all sides, but the threat of neo-Nazi insurrection remains. Violence — physical or verbal at home or all levels of the public — comes from hate and hate from seeing others less than oneself. The antidote is love that yield care for others. Let’s be brave to love others as ourselves and care for their basic needs to be alive. Donate to Doctors without Borders and other life-saving organizations and vote for candidates for diversity, inclusiveness and equity!

Ke Chiang Hsieh

Midtown

Support animal shelters

I think that animal shelters are important because my family has rescued several dogs from these shelters in the past and it has really benefited me. I think that supporting the shelters is a good thing because you get the option of selecting a dog or cat or something else, but at the end you choose. And all the animals there don’t want to be there, they just want a home, so you are helping out two souls by rescuing one. But me personally, with the dogs I have adopted, they have taught me that everyone needs a pet that will keep you company no matter what.

Ethan Fyock, submitted to complete his Boy Scouts communication merit badge

Northeast side

Game day experience

I was in Tucson for the U of A versus OSU football game. I want to express my appreciation to the parking and security staff on campus and entering the game. Campus parking patrolman Oscar went out of his way to help me locate the outdoor general admission lot. The attendant was friendly and directed us to the area where other visiting fans were parked. The security staffer came by 3-4 times and was fun and pleasant while doing her job to ensure the lane was clear and lot was safe. Congratulations to Arizona on a great win and tough loss for my Beavers. However, our pregame experience and our treatment by the University of Arizona was the most positive we’ve had in being a visiting fan!

I am so disappointed this was probably the last of our Pac-12 visits to Tucson, but want to thank your community for the positive interactions we had during our stay!

Dan Harmond and friends Beaverton, Oregon

Downtown

Wake up parents!

Re: the oct. 29 article “Homeless problem demands attitude overhaul.”

“We the people” are NOT to blame for “homelessness as a mere economic system failure” as we already provide generous social services (now, you may wish to pay more — so, go ahead and donate more!). Start with Red Cross, or Wounded Warriors, or your own charity.

There are many critical issues/causes starting with individuals owning their own behavior ... a horrid thought! Oh, and parents failing to teach their offspring manners and caring. NOTE: street people with very low IQ (below 85) NEED to be cared for, since few jobs are available for them (maybe simple repetitive ones, like stacking bricks).

1. Bleeding hearts closed non-prison addiction facilities, shoving bodies onto streets and out in the cold (think — Northern states esp.).

Our lovely weather is a magnet, dear readers. Hmm ... new insane shelters adjacent to our Arizona prisons?

2. Drugs unregulated and unpunished.

3. Overly generous public-private freebies — making work look less necessary. Dole, for lazy and fraudsters.

4. Teachers who are ignorant about our economic, government and other types of “basic knowledge” systems — or do not know how to handle the topics or non-learners / “bad” students. I feel for those teachers who are trying sincerely.

I agree with Brent Harold’s opinion.

Wake up parents — education and humanizing YOUR kids — starts at home.

G*d Bless us as we ACT appropriately.

Charles R Meiselman, PhD

Midtown

Not a chance

Re: the Oct. 27 article “Republican can, and will, be elected mayor.”

It’s always good to hear the Saddlebrooke opinion complaining about Tucson problems and it’s elected officials. This opinion is more like a campaign pitch for a candidate for mayor of Tucson. Ironically, the writer can’t even vote for this person. For those of you that don’t know, Saddlebrooke is in Pinal county some 20 miles from Tucson city limits.

After some research, I learned that candidate Wittenbraker is endorsed by two MAGA Losers, Kari Lake and Blake Masters and MAGA State Senator “I ban books” Wadsack. If the writer thinks that Non-MAGA voters in Tucson will vote for her, he must have drank the “Kool-Aid” himself.

Terry Gruenenfelder

East side

Halloween

We didn’t have very many trick and treaters this year however we did have a great time at the Marana pumpkin patch, Boo at the Zoo, the Pima Air and Space Museum, and the trunk or treat at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 6901 E. Kenyon Dr. Many thanks to all those whose hard work made these things possible. My daughter and great granddaughter had an outstanding time! Thank you all again for outstanding work!

Jerry Ferguson

East side

YES on Prop 413

Tucson’s Mayor and Council Members are paid less than those in Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, and Glendale. Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona and the 33rd largest in the country. Las Adelitas Arizona believes the Mayor of Tucson is an executive position, and our City Charter even names our Mayor the CEO of Tucson. Tucsonans expect our elected officials to be available and responsible full-time and they ought to be compensated as such. We MUST pay our Mayor and Council a living wage as we have for every other worker in Tucson. Reasonable compensation is required to attract highly qualified, diverse candidates to serve in these important public offices. Currently, wages are an obstacle. This is particularly true for people who are working class, have families, or are people of color. The successful fight for $15 should apply to us all, vote YES on Prop 413.

Elvira Din, Vice Chair

Las Adelitas Arizona

South Tucson

Stop media exploitation

Every time there is a tragic event, mass shooting, war, natural disaster etc., once the initial gist of the story has been reported, within hours the media descends on the family members and friends of the victim to interview them about their reaction to the tragedy and their memories and description of that person. While this may offer some catharsis to the interviewee, I am offended by the way they are being exploited by the media. This is not news, it is sensationalism exploiting their pain for ratings and filler for time when there is nothing new to report. If anything tragic were to happen to me I would want my family to refuse to speak to the media under any circumstances. They would already have enough to deal with and shouldn’t themselves have to become victims of media exploitation.

Jeff Aronson

Northeast side

Tucson crime and traffic

Re: the Oct. 23 article “Increasing police budget would lower crime.”

A couple weeks ago I read the above referenced article. I have read letters about the the Tucson Police Department’s (TPD) lack of traffic enforcement and complaints by readers of tailgating and speeding all around town. Tim Steller did an article about traffic fatalities in Tucson. Hey folks, you get who you vote for! Mayor Romero and the majority members on the Tucson City Council and Pima Board of Supervisors are Progressive Democrats. The same Progressive Democrats who around the country have called for the defunding of police departments and no cash bail releasing criminals onto the street. The last thing they want is increased hiring of officers and vigorous enforcement of the law, traffic or otherwise. Mayor Romero wants to study the “holistic” reasons for crime. Pima County has a Progressive “restorative justice” Democrat Prosecutor who will not use the death penalty for heinous murderers. The same writers who complain about crime and traffic here likely voted for these Democrats.

Langhorne Bilby

Marana