Tucson Speaks Out: April 19

Total victory

In the past year, the word “shambolic” has ingrained itself deeply into my consciousness — chaotic, disorganized or mismanaged. With the Iran War, Trump has brought new meaning to the word. He recently announced: “The war has been won.” This week, Stephen Miller said the U.S. can continue the embargo “indefinitely.” Trump has claimed that “moderate” Iranian leaders “very badly” wanted peace talks. When those failed, he announced a plan to annihilate Iranian bridges and power plants. Now, more talks.

He has created a situation that will destroy the U.S. and world economies with no clue how to resolve the issue.

Here is the simplest, and perhaps, only solution. He should declare total victory, abandon his blockade, withdraw all military assets from the region and have a celebratory military parade in D.C. His MAGA base will applaud, and the world can breathe a sigh of relief. As with his many bankruptcies, he can easily snatch “victory” from the jaws of defeat.

Bruce Hilpert

North side

Speaking of 'mantras'

Again, the predictable Trump "Loyalist" displays his cultish devotion to his dear leader. Mr. Johnson, please name any Democrat or mainstream media outlet that has called Trump a "coward" over his 2-week ceasefire. Or name any Democrat who's referred to Iran as "peace-loving." You can't because you're repeating lies from extremist right-wing media (like those saying "gas prices are plunging"). You never mention the Iran nuclear deal fashioned by President Obama, which, though not perfect, was an intelligent framework for dealing with Iran's nuclear aspirations. Trump tore it up because of his hatred for Barack Obama, a man whose shoes Trump is not fit to tie. Speaking of "mantras," Mr. Johnson, you represent perfectly the people Trump was referring to when he said there are those who could witness him "shoot someone on 5th Avenue" and still not lose their support. Is there any heinousness Trump could commit that would change your worshipping mantra of "love Trump, regardless?"

Hope Gastelum

East side

NATO

NATO was created after WWII as an alliance of European countries and the U.S. as a defense against Russian aggression. The U.S. set up bases throughout Europe in order to react quickly to any attacks. Europe over the years looked at the U.S. as its protector, while we have been the major financial contributor to the organization. The same attitude exists today during the Iran conflict. Europe receives most of its oil through the straits and as of yet has not offered any help. Collectively, it is arrogant and critical of Trump while at the same time, it is benefiting from the action and the defusing of Iran. Iran has developed LRBMs that can reach Europe, they should be very concerned and appreciative of the U.S, actions. Not allowing Iran to have nuclear weapons will stabilize the Middle East. For all those who are critical of Trump, remember Iran informed us they have enough uranium for 11 warheads. What do you think its endgame is?

Bill Dowdall

Oro Valley

The secret of birth tourism

I believe that birth tourism is real.

Birth tourism is when pregnant women come to the U.S. on a tourism visa in order to obtain birthright U.S. citizenship for their newborn child.

Thousands of women stayed in hotels for their last few weeks of pregnancy to illegitimately and illegally obtain U.S. citizenship for the child. The exact number is unknown.

In 2020, the Center for Immigration Studies estimated the possible number of birth tourism cases at 20,000 to 26,000 per year. In 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 9,576 births in the U.S. to foreign residents.

In 2019, federal authorities indicted 19 people in connection with running birth tourism operations in Southern California catering to Chinese clients. The undercover operation detailed how operators coached pregnant Chinese customers to trick consulate and customs officials and get tourism visas, and to mask their pregnancies.

Other birth tourism operations have been identified in Miami.

I strongly think birth tourism should be investigated.

Tom McGorray

Northwest side

Vanity wall dooms ecosystem

Thanks to Emily Bregel, Henry Brean and the Star for a thorough and factual article, “Second wall planned for across Arizona,” on April 12.

The double wall creates a bulldozed dead zone that traps animals, leading to slow, frantic death. Trans-boundary movement necessary for genetic health of pronghorns, antelope, jaguars, and black bears is blocked. Construction itself gobbles precious waters and jeopardizes Quitobaquito Springs, sacred to the O'odham and others and home to at least three endangered species. Once this happens, the ecosystem is doomed.

Additionally, the plan calls for a wall across the Tohono O'odham Nation — never mind that the Nation has treaty rights, connects populations on both sides of the national boundary, and has long denied wall construction.

Trump crony company Fisher Sand and Gravel has the contract — without bidding, since the border "Emergency" declaration has not been lifted, despite independent reviews and executive declarations that human migration is at a decades-long low.

Please urge Congress to block this travesty now. Write DHS, support lawsuits.

Ila Abernathy

Midtown

Deja vu

Working outside London in March 2003, I watched as the UK’s House of Commons leader resigned in opposition to their involvement in the Iraq War. Weeks later, with Baghdad captured & Saddam’s statue toppled, the Coalition Provisional Authority was established; Bush declared “end of major combat operations”. By the end of May, Bremer dissolved Iraq’s army, removing 400,000 military/police, unleashing decades of stifled tribal conflict.

Amid mortar fire, CPA transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi government in June 2004. Despite CPA efforts in “moderation”, January 2005 elections brought in conservative Shia and Iranian-linked parties. In 2008, Bush agreed to leave Iraq in 2011.

Following British withdrawal in 2009, families of the deceased demanded government accountability for its unsanctioned war. The Chilcot Inquiry was launched. Seven years, 2 million words later, “warts” regarding the war were exposed. Blair apologized, and the UK government promised it would never happen again.

Britain's unwillingness to join Trump’s war is understandable as the “warts” remain unchanged.

Sue Applegate

SaddleBrooke

May Day

After reading the opinion from Dr. Jim Driscoll, several times, on shutting down Tucson, I was left with the question; Why? In all his cheering for workers' rights, never once did he mention specific goals that the proletariat is supposed to put forth for political change. I guess that we readers are supposed to magically know what progressive ideas are and how to achieve the same, but I would urge the erudite Dr. Driscoll in his next missive to be a bit more specific with their aims so we can evaluate if they are worth taking off work, school or whatever.

Workers of the world unite. You have nothing to lose but your confusion.

Douglas Wolf

SaddleBrooke

Social Security is still taxable

As a retired CPA, I want to make it clear that, despite what President Trump may tell us, Social Security is still taxable. If your other income is over a relatively low threshold, you will likely pay tax on your Social Security income. You probably already found this out when you filed your 2025 federal return. Or if you haven't filed yet, just ask your tax preparer — or brace yourself if you prepare your own return.

Mike Kroichick

Northwest side

Karma works

Despite his amoral, brutal, sexual abuse of women and his 34 felony convictions, the electorates of Indiana, South Carolina and Florida opted for Trump in 2024.

Home mortgage foreclosures are currently up 26%. Those three states, in that order, top the list. Prior to the election, the excuse that I most often heard regarding choosing Trump was that, despite his moral bankruptcy, the man who filed for bankruptcy six times would be better for the economy. If I wanted to be smug, I could declare, without any proof, that Karma is responsible for what is occurring in those three states.

Anyway, since facts are decidedly inconsequential to MAGAs, I will eschew providing any facts and then smugly proclaim that Karma is at work in Trumptopia.

Rick Cohn

West side

Return to civility

The American people better get a "grip on" pretty soon, or our ruler will be able to permanently disfigure our democracy. It will take generations to overcome his destructive attitude and actions. It will take that long for us to, once again, be recognized as a people who are — deserve to be — respected and looked up to, who act civilly and engage with others in a constructive and respectful manner. May the true God help us.

Don Gerlach

East side