Letters to the editor - Monday, Nov. 27

Amid the ruckus caused by our current president and cowardly Republican Congress who seemingly are changing our democracy into some hybrid with authoritarian strains, we lose the fact this is nothing less than America deserves. For years our military has pushed around anyone that got in our way, brought down governments we did not like, interfered in foreign elections, and even invaded countries under a weak premise.

We have condoned slavery, had goons in police costumes beat and kill with impunity black and Latino people. Our politicians and business executives have colluded to keep the poor in their place as they mollified the middle class with paper-thin promises of better days.

We are not, nor ever been, a beacon of welcoming light for incoming minorities, who always had to fight for a place here. So, as a country, given our history as world bully, we deserve Donald Trump and his tribe of sycophants and the trouble they bring.

Ron Lancaster

North side

Fall bird-watching is one reason I love living here. The vermillion flycatchers seem to follow me as I play golf at the course on Davis-Monthan AFB. Cooper’s hawks sit high in the Arizona sycamore trees. Anna’s hummingbirds sip from our feeder outside our kitchen window and we are careful to brake for the almost cartoonish Gambel’s quail. But the cutest birds are the snowbirds in their new sun hats and short outfits. They can usually be seen moving slowly in the left lane on Oracle Road.

Bob Mohelnitzky

North side

I am shocked and disappointed to see that Sen. Flake voted for the nomination of Brett J. Talley to the federal bench. Mr. Talley has only three years of legal experience and is rated “not qualified” by the American Bar Association. He may be the least qualified person ever to be approved for such a role. Being a conservative is insufficient; competence and experience matter. Given his announced retirement and strong condemnations of the president, we at least expected that he would be able to resist voting “party line.” I guess we were wrong. Shame.

Joshua Freeman

North side

Re: the Nov. 19 article “Foes of Trump seek to nullify his election, Bannon says here.”

The award given to Steve Bannon is for courage in journalism and reporting. The word courage comes from the Latin “cor,” meaning heart. But a person who plays on people’s fears to promote racism, sexism, etc. should be the least deserving of this award. Mark Twain called courage “the resistance to fear.” Our hearts will outlast Bannon’s hate.

Patrick Hynes

Midtown

As a retired civics teacher, informed voting is very important to me. Recently, I had to opportunity to talk with a candidate for the Arizona House of Representatives in LD11 (not even my district!) I came away with lots of food for thought. Holly Lyon is articulate and, more importantly, very smart.

She is a retired Air Force colonel and has an interesting background. I don’t want to say too much, just want to encourage people to reach out to her and listen to what she has to say, whether you live in her district or not.

You may not agree with everything she says, but she listens and converses with both sides of the aisle openly and candidly. Contact her at info@LyonforAZ.com and find out where she will be speaking. It is well worth the time and effort.

Guy van Zijll

Northwest side

Re: the Nov. 14 article “Court asked to cut fee for AZ pot permits.”

I have said for some time (since I got my first card, in fact), that $150 was way too high for a one-year card. In Arizona we have a huge amount of retirees, who are: a) On fixed incomes, making state fees prohibitive; b) Spending copious amounts on insurance, prescriptions, etc.; c) The very people who would benefit most from cannabis (in all its forms).

It is true that the state is overfunded by card cost. At the same time, no thought has (apparently) been given to the elderly, the military or others who cannot afford the relief they so desperately need. 

Thomas Sheldon

Southeast side