Tucson Speaks Out: Feb. 28 letters of the day

As I shake my head and try to endure the start of another endless contentious political season, I long for the leadership example of Obama: The President, the man, the husband, the father, the son-in-law, the humanitarian, the peacemaker, the friend, the environmentalist. I appreciate his humor, his compassion, his steadfastness, his smile, his worldview, his self-deprecation, his honor, his courage, his integrity, his veracity, his respectfulness, his patriotism, his vision, his thoughtfulness, his kindness, his sincerity, his toughness, his Blackness, his whiteness, his greenness, his inclusiveness, his sensitivity, his sportsmanship, his Statesmenship! We all can learn from the example of Barack Hussein Obama II, an individual of high moral character and demand such from those who are, or hope to be, in public office.

To Believe in the life of Love

To Walk in the way of Honor

To Serve in the light of Truth

Phil “Bulldog” Bentley

Foothills

Snowbirds

Re: the Feb. 24 letter “Snowbirds.”

I believe that, as snowbirds, we contribute to Pima County. We bought a house in Tucson, and while we are only here 4-5 months a year, we pay property taxes, HOA dues, insurance, utilities, and landscaping services year-round.

We completely furnished our house by spending thousands of dollars locally. We bought a car and regularly patronize area stores and restaurants. We have memberships in a variety of local organizations, and I thought that our support was appreciated. We donate to national and state parks, and we do not trample things. We respect the environment. We visit museums. Supposedly, the museums would be fine without our dollars?

Having failed to recognize our “huge negative impact,” perhaps we should stay home on the Oregon coast, which incidentally is one of the most visited places in the United States.

Carolyn Neal

Northwest side

Sinema’s legacy

While Kyrsten Sinema practices her curtsies or trains to run from her actions, women continue to lose their reproductive rights. Whether it’s Looney Lake or Curtsy Sinema, women’s reproductive rights are in danger. Vote your future and the future of our daughters.

Thom Melendez M.Ed

Midtown

I wonder

There is no doubt that we have a hierarchical society that is plagued by massive incarceration generated by our legal system and applied to the 99%.

I wonder, however, if that segment is actually moved to support Trump as a result of his pandering to them by emphasizing how many civil and criminal lawsuits have been filed against him. I would hope that the majority of all voters recognize that the crimes Trump has been convicted of committing, or is being accused of committing, is different from the crimes that are being perpetrated and punished by a lopsided justice system. Citizen Trump is claiming “witch hunt” even though there is a mountain of evidence that points to his guilt. He broke laws that were supposed to provide guardrails for the activities of the top 1% of which citizen Trump claims to be at the top.

Let no one be fooled.

Cindy Soffrin

Northeast side

Contributing snowbirds

Re: the Feb. 24 letter “Snowbirds.”

Responding to the writer who blames the snowbirds for the impact they make on Arizona water and residents.

We understand you are happy when we leave. The writer doesn’t understand Econ 101 and should learn the importance of consumers. Without the money we spend in six months, would you have restaurants, drug stores, groceries, golf courses, churches, etc. the rest of the year? Ask the owners and employees if they agree with you.

Would you want to own a business here without the income brought in by the snowbirds?

Those using your precious water include the builders who continue to add housing developments and swimming pools. Is it snowbirds who are allowing Hudbay to destroy the environment and use the precious water?

Come visit our states! You will be welcome to play golf, fish in the lakes and enjoy our restaurants and malls.

Robert and Louise Schwankl, Green Valley Snowbirds

Green Valley

Street names

Back when the cowboys ran Tucson, “Speedway Blvd.” probably made sense. These days, it’s an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms. It should just be called “Speedway.” What a great name for a road! “Broadway Blvd.,” while not an oxymoron, the two words are redundant. Just call it “Broadway.” That’s an iconic name! There are plenty of other streets where the names could be simplified. “Oracle Road?” Everyone calls it “Oracle.” Make it official. “Tanque Verde Road?” Drop the “Road” and maybe Google Maps will blow a gasket. Too bad. We don’t need that modifier. Tucson is a unique place. The names we have for our streets already are cool. Remove the conventionality, and they’d be even better.

Walter Ramsley

East side

Unmonitored wells

Re: the Feb. 25 article “Crowd grills officials on Copper World permit.”

Boy, I was expecting a cut-and-dried article on the front page of the Star having to do with the Copper World permit. But I was immediately drawn into the story by the drama and immediacy of Tony Davis. It was so interesting I couldn’t put it down. I can say I have become riveted by the prospect of unmonitored wells, so I’m starting to feel I also have no use for this mine. That’s not to say Tony didn’t put forth a defense for Copper World, but all in all, what’s to gain from unmonitored wells? We all need to stay hydrated with safe water.

Bobbe Trunzo

Green Valley

Graduation test

I don’t know if Superintendent Horne is just trying to irritate people, or he is still living in an unsuccessful bygone era. To believe that passing one test would prove proficiency isn’t educationally sound, which is why most states have eliminated it. As a former educator, I have seen teachers teaching only to the test. I have seen many students fail due to test anxiety. Horne would have these students throw away 12 years of successful education because they freeze up taking tests. Does he plan on having ALL students take the same test or just the public school students? I’m wondering what his next archaic directive will be.

Bill Hawk

Oracle

Posting commandments in our schools

Re: the Feb. 23 article “AZ Senate OKs Ten Commandments in classrooms.”

As A lifelong Christian, I would like to see posted John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” He said it twice, in case you didn’t get it.

Johanna Von Mayr

Northeast side

F-35s are not at Davis-Monthan AFB

Re: the Feb. 26 letter “F-35s flying over Tucson.”

F-35s are not at Davis-Monthan AFB, it was determined that the Base is too close to civilization. F-16s fly over Tucson. The Base was built during World War II and was in the middle of the desert. As for the A-7 that crashed at the UofA, the pilot directed the aircraft to a field, he ejected, the field was empty. The aircraft veered and crashed on the street. The pilot had severe remorse. One should realize that since 1978, Tucson has grown dramatically and the contractors in the ’40s did not know that it would grow so fast. How do I know? My grandfather was involved in the layout of the base. Personally I hope the aircraft continue to fly, they comfort me. If you would like more information, call Base Information.

Shiela Carlson, Retired 162nd ANG

Southeast side

Making an idol of the Ten Commandments

Re: the Feb. 23 article “AZ Senate OKs Ten Commandments in classrooms.”

The proposal to post the Ten Commandments in all classrooms is obviously from the anti-abortion lobby, counting on “thou shalt not kill.” But there are many laws that demand capital punishment, e.g., for devirginated daughters (Deuteronomy 22:21) and for disobedient sons (Deuteronomy 21:22), and plenty of others referred to in one of the great satires of our time.

“Dear Dr. Laura” (look it up). {The latter, like Swift’s “A Modest Proposal,” was originally anonymous.} Then, of course, there was frequent war and various crimes like homosexuality, fratricide and incest. Assassination and revenge are rife in the story of David and his sons (2 Samuel 11 and the many chapters following). So we can see that the commandment is easily stretched.

Also, the 10th commandment, if obeyed in modern America, would crash the economy in short order.

Herbert Schneidau

Foothills

Medicare options

Re: the Feb. 23 article “Medicare Advantage benefits AZ seniors.”

There are over 70 Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and 21 stand-alone prescription plans (Part D) to choose from in Pima County.

When choosing a MA plan, you must consider the yearly maximum out-of-pocket costs. Medical bills may change from month to month depending on the kind of health year you are having.

If you have specialists you prefer to work with, confirm they are in the plan’s network before signing up. This step will ensure good continuity of care for your condition. The same goes for your medications; confirm they are covered in your plan’s formulary at a cost that is manageable for you.

Traditional Medicare, on the other hand, ensures that your out-of-pocket costs do not fluctuate with your healthcare needs.

Consult your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselors at PCOA at 520-546-2011 for free and unbiased assistance with choosing a plan that is right for you and your budget. You may also visit www.medicare.gov for more information.

Linda Khumalo

East side, Medicare SHIP Supervisor at Pima Council on Aging

Opening Pandora’s box

The reversal of Roe has opened up attacks on the rights of women’s medical rights. The states have been passing legislation to limit abortions anywhere from 6-16 weeks. Now, the Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that embryos are people. This caused clinics to close down their IVF operations. In Texas, they are trying to outlaw the use of an abortion pill to end a pregnancy. Other states are looking into birth control for women.

From my research on polls, about 85% of the country wants to have an abortion option for rape, incest and the life of the mother. This is just basic women’s health care.

It reminds me of the old story of the dog catching the car and then not knowing what to do with it. As a husband and a father to my daughter and with a granddaughter, I feel that the decision to either end the pregnancy or have the baby is up to the mother and her doctor.

James Mclin

East side

Brava! Governor Hobbs is a gifted leader

Re: the Feb. 27 article “Hobbs again rips regents for ‘failed’ oversight of U of A finances.”

From Ellie Wolfe’s report, it’s evident that Governor Hobbs continues to exhibit brilliant leadership, which has resulted in her managing the affairs of our state with sagacity and insight as she steers Arizona to its deserved prominence in the U.S.

Hobbs’ most recent actions with regard to the chaotic discord and tarnished murky finances of the University of Arizona and its supposed overseer, the fumbling Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), by calling the key, apparently maleficent, individuals to an immediate meeting behind the proverbial woodshed is the most appropriate leadership move to reset the course of higher education not only in Tucson but also in all of Arizona. It is reasonable to expect that the outcome of that meeting may include recasting some malign higher education dramatis personae to assure more accountability and openness in serving the needs of Arizona’s students and employers.

Paul Morton Ganeles

Foothills

U of A donors and U of A debt

Re: the Feb. 22 article “UA donors to pay up to $12.8M for athletic positions.”

Athletics is getting its bills paid. Meanwhile, the academic colleges and programs are facing budget cuts that are a direct result of poor financial decisions made by athletics and by university administration. It is a shame that the $12.8 million could not be used to support the academic programs — and as a result — the undergraduate and graduate students who are at the U of A to get degrees and contribute to their communities.

Donna Jurich

East side

Liberals’ selective memory on Russia

After reading numerous angry diatribes by liberals on Donald Trump and his comments about Putin, it’s interesting to note that not one letter has mentioned former President Barack Obama’s weak leadership towards Russia during his tenure. How convenient they forget it was during Obama’s term that Russia invaded Crimea and parts of Eastern Ukraine and that his current rationale for not taking any action during that time was that it “was not the Ukraine we are talking about today.” Nor has there been any mention of Obama’s comments caught on a “hot mic” to then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that he would have more flexibility to negotiate with Russia on issues, like missile defense, after the 2012 election. No, the letters to the editor are just the usual liberal nonsense, high on hyperbole while lacking any significant content.

Diane Nelson

Foothills