Letters to the editor - Tuesday, Oct. 3

Once again we find ourselves at the morning after a horrific shooting incident, this time the worst in modern American history. How long does this have to go on before we take measures so we can put an end to these kinds of incidents? I’m not saying that we should go door-to-door and take away people’s guns. No one is.

But we must pull together to make sure that gun regulation is responsible and prudent. Our Founding Fathers never envisioned this kind of weaponry available to the American public, any more than they could have visualized the internet or the Mars Rover. Our Congress must say no to the NRA and say yes to controlled gun registration and sales. We have lost too many lives already.

Gayla Gongwer

East side

The massacre in Las Vegas, along with shootings everywhere, shows the need for gun control. Weapons appropriate for the military do not belong in the hands of the average citizen. The fact the National Riffle Association cannot guarantee such weapons will not be used to harm others shows it to be no different than any terrorist organization. They must be stopped! Laws must be enacted to reduce the availability of guns in America.

Jim Dreis

East side

There is going to be a loud call for some kind of gun control after the Las Vegas shooting, but please don’t bow to the tyranny of the unarmed. Fast-track that silencer bill, maybe add something about crew-served and belt-fed weapons — and don’t forget an ammunition subsidy for the middle class because brass is expensive! If that’s too much, just keep doing nothing. After all, that’s the most we can expect.

Kevin Henderson

Foothills

Re: the Sept. 28 letter to the editor “Don’t make such a big deal over UA troubles.”

I was a bit shocked by the letter questioning the emphasis on the story of a University of Arizona assistant basketball coach being arrested for alleged crimes committed while acting in an official capacity. The author wants to know why this is such a big deal? It’s a big deal because the highest-paid public employee in Arizona was this person’s direct supervisor — and has been for 11 years! Where was the oversight?

Arizona is in good company, one of 39 states that have a coach as the highest-paid public employee. I think this is a huge deal worthy of the large headline, on the front page above the fold. It begs the question of where are our priorities as a culture when we place such value on entertainment at the expense of education.

John Sartin

Midtown

What makes America great is its diversity; its Constitution that gives all Americans the right to have differing opinions, the right to disagree, the right to speak up, the right to challenge our government and even our president. Evidently Donald Trump doesn’t understand that. How can the president of the United States claim to love America but clearly can’t stand Americans who disagree with him?

If the president really wants to make America great, he can stop making derogatory comments about Americans who disagree with him and start welcoming, valuing, and in fact cherishing differences of opinion. After all, he is the president of all Americans, not just those who agree with him.

Dennis Widman

Northeast side

Sen. John McCain’s support for improving health care for all has been a pleasant surprise. I wondered for many years, if he was no longer running for office, would he be a more considerate and even-handed representative for all Americans?

Now is his time to show his intent without the consideration of wealthy donors who decide who is elected and even who can afford to run. Voters can overcome the billionaire political candidates by voting. I think Sen. McCain is a much better person than he has appeared to be while intending to run again and again. Watch closely. He may leave the Senate with a better reputation if he continues.

Linda Sharp

Ajo

The direction and performance during opening night of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra was stunning in its beauty and technical skill! We are blessed with Jose Luis Gomez’s world-class, sensational direction, full of energy and passion, all supported by his experience and awards! Zhang Zuo’s piano took our breath away and brought the house down. The orchestra individuals were magnificent! Thank you!

Katherine Hoskinson

Midtown

Re: the Sept. 26 letter to the editor “Tired of Fitz’s antics.”

The letter writer said editorial cartoonist David Fitzsimmons “is irrelevant and has been for years.” I beg to differ. Fitz’s cartoons are spot-on and are about local and national issues. Perhaps the writer doesn’t like Fitz’s cartoons because he is an admitted conservative.

Many of the Star’s readers enjoy the cartoons and will be sad when he retires. I hope his retirement is many years in the future.

Carol Borges

East side

It appears the Republican Party has become a magnate for weirdos. Even a candidate who is only “Strange” can’t get elected to the Senate. Guess he wasn’t strange enough.

President Trump has opened the hatch for all manner of odd characters to bubble up and make an America other nations can look down on with disappointment and puzzlement.

We are being led by people with big mouths and little sense. Everything seems askew, off-balance and dangerous.

Ron Lancaster

North side