Letters to the editor - Wednesday, Nov. 22

As a former federal prosecutor, defense lawyer and Pima County Superior Court judge with more than 10 years of experience on the criminal bench, I believe the Star does a disservice to its readers by publishing articles stating that UA assistant basketball coach Book Richardson is facing up to 60 years of imprisonment and a $1.5 million fine if convicted.

While technically true, this rather sensational statement of his maximum sentencing exposure should be accompanied with the additional information that such a sentence is highly unlikely. The reality is that federal judges are bound by U.S. sentencing guidelines. The offenses lodged against Richardson are rather petty when compared to the severity of other crimes typically charged in federal court. Should he be convicted, his previous exemplary record, community and family support, general good character and remorse would make him a very good candidate for probation with little or no incarceration.

Charles S. Sabalos

Foothills

I am asking Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake to vote “no” on the tax bill, which not only benefits the wealthy but treats with disdain those who are struggling financially. How can taking away the ability for a teacher to deduct $250 for classroom expenditures, taking away the ability to deduct interest on student loans and taking away state and local tax deductions — not to mention the individual mandate from the Affordable Care Act — be called tax reform? Cutting taxes to the wealthy and to large businesses is not cutting taxes for the middle and lower earners. Soon there will be no middle class.

Mary Daly

Green Valley

Re: the Nov. 18 letter to the editor “Misogyny seems to be the wrong term.”

Touching, groping, kissing, exposing oneself or making sexual comments without a woman’s permission is not a sign of “liking women too much,” as the letter writer asserts. Sexual assault and harassment are about power, not sex, and indicate total contempt for women. Pretty much the dictionary definition of misogyny, I’d say.

Carol Conniff

Foothills

I am a graduate student at the University of Arizona with a pre-exisiting autoimmune disorder. I didn’t get sick out of freedom of choice or lack of moral responsibility, or whatever some Republicans say causes illness amongst the poor and sick. I spend $6,000 a year on medical expenses, which I will no longer be able to deduct under the tax-reform bill on which Rep. Martha McSally voted “yes.”

Analyses suggest 13 million people will lose their health care and we’ll see $25 billion cuts to Medicare (which both my parents rely on), to say nothing of cuts to Medicaid. All of this to pay for tax cuts for the richest Americans. This is a tax on being poor and a tax on being sick. Shame on McSally and the Arizona Republicans who voted yes.

Alessondra Springmann

Midtown

The classic illustration of “chutzpah” (loosely translated from Yiddish: “Now that’s nerve!”) is the man who kills his parents then throws himself on the court’s mercy because he’s an orphan. Let’s replace that with the assaulter-in-chief trolling Sen. Al Franken for a stupid, tasteless encounter with a USO performer. Franken mock-grabbed her breasts and deep-kissed her during a rehearsal. (Leann Tweeden accepted Franken’s apology. He agreed to an ethics investigation).Yet 16 women accuse the president of far worse, including sexual assault. “Liars!” says he who bragged on tape about grabbing women. If by some miracle Congress launches an ethics investigation in his case, remember their names: Cathy Heller, Jill Harth, Temple Taggart, Cassandra Searles, Kristin Anderson, Lisa Boyne, Karena Virginia, Mindy McGillivray, Rachel Crooks, Natasha Stoynoff, Jessica Drake, Tasha Dixon, Samantha, Holvey, Ninni Laaksonen, Summer Zervos.

Elinor Brecher

Foothills

Re: the Nov. 15 letter to the editor “Steve Bannon is not welcome in Tucson!”

The letter writer, Tucson’s self-appointed welcoming committee of one, condemned Steve Bannon’s visit on Nov. 18th and issued a challenge “Who’s up for a demonstration?” Here’s my demonstration in writing.

The shock of Hillary Clinton’s defeat has destroyed your rational thinking. Bannon came to Tucson at the invitation of the Brian Terry Foundation, an organization that raises money for college scholarships intended for law-enforcement-oriented students and support of families of Border Patrol agents killed or injured.

Bannon was recognized for refusing to allow the Fast and Furious operation (guns to Mexico) orchestrated by Obama’s Justice Department and Attorney General Eric Holder, from being swept under the rug. Punishing deserving children and families to vent your hate of Bannon is sad. The Brian Terry Foundation is contributing more to Tucson than petty protests will ever do.

Brian Rolfe

SaddleBrooke

Re: the Nov. 19 guest column “Dear leaders: I’m indigenous — and I’m a voter, so hear me.”

The disrespect shown to Gabriella Cazares-Kelly at a Democratic congressional forum poses a problem for Democratic voters.

The Democratic Party of President Obama urged acceptance and diversity.

When candidates show their bias, by the way they treat people who attend such events, it sends a definite message that some members of our society are suspect and unwelcome. Candidate Ann Kirkpatrick would be well-served to look into why she is running for this office and who she believes she will be serving.

Felicia Aparicio

Marana