Letters to the editor - Friday, Nov. 3

So, a domestic terrorist kills eight people with a truck and we demonize his religion and millions of its followers, seek to severely limit or eliminate legal immigration for millions of people, and want to make it a little harder to rent a truck. Meanwhile, a domestic terrorist kills 59 with semi-automatic weapons and we do nothing. Which approach is more likely to save lives in the future?

Camille Guice

East side

I am officially notifying your newspaper that I am a Democratic candidate running for Congressional District 02 in the state of Arizona. I have filed with the Federal Election Commission and State Election Commission.

Your readers can visit my website www.barbarasherryforcongress.com to read my bio, see my platform and donate. I am first and foremost not a politician. I am a McNeal rancher who has sold my organic beef and pork at local farmers markets in the Tucson area and Sierra Vista.

Barbara Sherry

 Sierra Vista

Arizona is among 21 states with laws requiring state contractors to affirm that they will not boycott Israel. Two such states were in the news recently. In Dickinson, Texas, applicants for financial aid to rebuild their property after the disastrous floods in Harvey’s wake had to sign a pledge not to boycott Israel. The City Council just removed that requirement. The state requirement for contractors to sign still stands.

In Kansas, the ACLU filed a lawsuit when a Mennonite teacher refused to sign her new contract and lost her job for following her church’s position and her conscience. Such laws, they argue, violate free-speech rights.

As a Jewish woman who believes in Palestinian rights, I know this is not an easy issue. But the state has no right to curb our free speech and demand loyalty — to Israel. I oppose the occupation, but whatever your opinion, this is about our rights as Americans.

End anti-boycott laws.

Rachel Port

 Catalina

Re: the Oct. 31 guest column “Absent Arizona football fans: What are you waiting for?”

Could it be that football fans are abandoning our “national sport” because of reported injuries (long-term) and potential effects on our children who begin in the sport? I am a proponent of competitive athletic sports — former tennis player/coach, champ volleyball daughters, cyclists, etc. (I would also outlaw boxing!) Is something happening? I hope so.

Judy Dare

 Downtown

Re: the Oct. 31 letter to the editor “Loudspeaker noise mars UA football experience.”

The current university of Arizona team has the makings of a special season, and it is a shame the stadiums aren’t packed. I have been a season-ticket holder with my brother since 2006. Are there areas in the stadium that are antiquated? Yes, notably the restrooms on the west, east and south sides. The aisles are narrow and there’s little leg room, but that could be attributed to the expanding waistline of this country.

Now as far as the complaints about the sound and the PA announcer, what do you expect at the major college program? It gets me fired up and I know it gets many fired up. The student athletes need our support and a true fan will overlook minor shortcomings of a stadium. Bear down!

Gabriel M. Bustamante

 South side

Re: the Nov. 1 editorial cartoon by Lisa Benson.

Good try, Lisa Benson, in parroting the Trumpian narrative. So, special counsel Robert Mueller found only a mouse? I don’t think he’s completed his investigation. Don’t forget that mice and rats can lead him right to the Big Cheese.

Pam Parrish

 West side

Re: the Oct. 29 editorial “Republican voters have chance at polls to follow Flake’s lead.”

Many I know seem to think Sen. Jeff Flake’s statement was an act of courage. I am not so sure. If the senator was so concerned about awful things happening under our current president, why did he vote for nearly everything the president wanted? With the help of Flake we have Secretary of Education DeVos, EPA chief Scott Pruitt, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and, possibly the worst, Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.

After he gave his impassioned speech he voted for the bill to gut rules against the arbitration agreements forced on us by banks and other financial businesses. These rules would help the middle class and defeating them only helps organizations such as Equifax and Wells Fargo, allowing no recourse for those affected by their bad management.

I suspect the senator is not running because he is getting a primary challenge from the right. Some courage!

Alice Cave

 Foothills

As a mother and Tucson native, the Reid Park Zoo has given my daughter and I some of our fondest traditions. Giraffe feedings are one of our favorite activities that we love to take part in every time we visit! Experiencing a beautiful giant giraffe approach you, stick out its long purple-blue tongue and ever so gently wrap it around the carrot (you forgot you were holding) and remove it from your hand with little to no effort — amazing! Truly a magical memory.

The Reid Park Zoo has become more than simply a trip to the zoo, it’s an educational tradition and a treat for my daughter and I. Visiting the zoo has provided my daughter so much joy throughout the years and that’s why I support Propositions 202 and 203. If you value this wonderful community resource, please vote “yes.”

Jenny Martin

 Vail