Letters to the editor Wednesday Sept. 6

Re: the Aug. 31 column “Statue marks a happy ending for Olson, city he empowered.”

I live in Utah, but was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints assigned to Tucson and El Paso from August 2001-2003. Long before I received my mission call, I always loved watching Lute Olson’s squads. They played with alacrity and aplomb and were always must-see TV during the NCAA Tournament. As soon as I got my mission call, I wanted to meet Lute. I was never able to do this, but I was in Tucson earlier this month when we dedicated our temple on Ina and Skyline, and this news of Lute’s statue does my heart good. He is the greatest Tucsonan in history, but all of you are great, so he’s in good company. I hope to visit again soon. Bear Down, Arizona!

Brad James

Manti, Utah

Re: the Aug. 31, article “Wells Fargo says 3.5 million accounts involved in scandal.”

How stupid do you have to be to run a bank? Every time I would go to the bank, I was asked about opening another account or modifying the old one, it was so irritating. All I really wanted to do was just grab some cash or make a deposit! Can you imagine if your health-care provider did the same thing — how about a triple bypass with that knee replacement?

Dana Powers

East side

I have been an independent voter for some time now. I find viewpoints in both major parties have become more extreme and also foster devisiveness. I like to think of myself as fair-minded. I urge your readers to take my test. After viewing a live presidential press conference, please do some channel surfing and check out the comments from major newscast pundits. There is more spinning going on than at the gym. President Trump is correct in his assessment concerning media coverage bias. Walter Cronkite would be rolling over in his grave.

Paula Sherrick

Northwest side

The Board of Regents and presidents of Arizona’s three public universities are impressive, dedicated people with critically important jobs and a soul-wracking challenge. They care deeply about providing the best education opportunities for our state’s youth, but they are appointed and employed by a governor and Legislature driven by political ideology to starve the system.

The regents and university presidents can’t complain about their bosses, so we citizens have to do it for them. The governor and Legislature brag about increasing university funding by 4.25 percent this year, and want us to forget that they have slashed the funding by 53.8 percent since 2008, the worst cuts in the U.S.

Arizona’s funding cuts are blamed on the Great Recession, but the other 49 states went through the same recession and all did much better at maintaining funding for education. A study by the Pew Foundation found that a series of Arizona tax cuts substantially reduced revenues for education.

Brooks Keenan

Oro Valley

In regard to the Sept. 1, 2017, letter comparing U.S. Army soldiers invading Normandy during World War II to the “Anitfa” movement, I can assure you that my grandfather, who was one of those soldiers, was the antithesis of today’s left-wing thugs who seek nothing more than to censor views about which they do not agree with violence. My grandfather, who raised me after my family split up, taught me that everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, no matter how much you might disagree with those opinions. No reasonable person could agree with the rhetoric emanating from these far-right extremist groups. I am sure, however, my grandfather would have said he fought to ensure these people, no matter how despicable, had the right to hold these views. That is what freedom is, and what he helped to fight for.

Dan Fapp

Oro Valley

Has everyone forgotten the Berlin Wall? What it stood for? What did it achieve? How much did it cost in lives and money? Does anyone remember?

I would be willing to bet that more people have an opinion about Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.” Very sad!

David Williams

East side

If government by the people and for the people is known as a democracy, what is government by the president and for the president known as?

Ted Gemoets

Northeast side

Re: the Aug. 27 article “Records: Detective failed to look into many abuse case.”

Former Tucson police detective Lisa Lopez’s story of failure is simply horrifying. How she continued her callous and unprofessional conduct for years is mystifying. Where was supervision and oversight? Why were there no effective follow-ups on dropped interviews, warrants, etcetera? Children and vulnerable adults were seriously harmed. Her behavior exceeds unethical, to immoral and extremely negligent. Any TPD retirement benefits she may have accrued belong in a fund for her victims. She ought never work in public safety again, ever. Are there others, like her, in the department? Thank you for your investigative reporting and pursuit of the facts.

Beth Miner

Northeast side

Don’t get me wrong. I have a lot of respect for Lute Olson. He has accomplished a great deal for our community and the UA. However, I feel that the money to be spent on his statue can be better used to assist student education. A statue is nice, especially for the pigeons. Lute and Bobbi already have McKale Court named after them. That should be enough.

Dennis Winsten

Northeast side