Tucson Speaks Out: Jan. 5 letters of the day

Hamas terrorists slaughtered more than 1,200 people and kidnapped 240 hostages on October 7. Three hostages who escaped their captors in Gaza were tragically shot by Israeli Defense Forces who thought them terrorists.

Hamas is fully and ultimately responsible for their tragic deaths. It was Hamas who kidnapped and imprisoned the captives, who masquerade as civilians, and who use innocent men, women, and children as human shields. Hamas shows no compunction about civilian deaths, whether Israeli or Palestinian.

Hamas lies compulsively to serve its own ends. Hamas falsely accused Israel of bombing Gaza’s Shifa Hospital, though a misfired terrorist missile irrefutably was the cause. Recently, a Gaza hospital director admitted — over Hamas’ claims to the contrary — that an entire medical complex was used as a Hamas operational hub.

The loss of civilian life anywhere is heartbreaking, but Americans must not forget that the conflict occurred because of Hamas’ utter depravity and brutality on October 7.

Kent Blumenthal

Green Valley

Supreme court

Re: the Dec. 18 letter “Supreme court”

In a letter to editor I suggested that Clarence Thomas should recuse himself from any decision involving Donald Trump. As of this date he has not done so. What is the punishment if he does not? None. Another issue before the court that will have a profound effect on this country is the issue of the separation of church and state. The Federalist Society run by Leonard Leo wants the federal government to fund a Catholic school. Already the state of Arizona gives vouchers to those who want to send their children to private schools. This is not a country that should favor one religion over another.

Sheldon Feldman

Marana

Peace

“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” — Gandhi

“All the unhappiness in the world comes from the desire for our own happiness; all the happiness in the world comes from the desire for other’s happiness” — Shantideva

May peace be with you!

Dean Pielstick

Midtown

Immigration shame

Re: the Jan. 1 letter “Shame.”

Thanks again to our friend on the north side that understands so little but complains so much about the southern border. The president hasn’t done enough according to our “loyal” friend. How about blaming Congress since it’s their job to write the bills and enact the policies regarding immigration? It’s the GOP that hasn’t offered a single solution to the border problem. But somehow when the former prez was in charge, they felt the border was secured by a multibillion-dollar waste of money called a wall. Then the governor went overboard to install millions of dollars’ worth of containers to keep the immigrants out. How much money was wasted on that fiasco? Don’t blame the president for the inactions of YOUR representatives.

John Bingham

Northwest side

I must respond

Re: the Dec. 23 letter “Biden vs Trump.”

This letter was a response to my letter Trump vs Biden on policies. The writer called it “Republican and Fox News falsehoods, a breathtaking disconnect from reality.” I cannot let that malicious attack on my letter go unanswered. The Star quickly posts snide liberal written letters attacking conservatives’ written letters. There was nothing in my letter that was not factual. I could have added that in October 2019, pre-COVID, the unemployment rate was at 3.5%, thanks to Trump’s tax cuts, which have continued to benefit the economy. COVID derailed the economy in 2020. Biden has added over a trillion to the federal deficit and most Americans hate Bidenomics. Under Biden, America surpassed one million COVID deaths. He should have resigned like he said of Trump at 200,000 deaths. In FY 2019 there were 860,000 illegal entries, in FY 2020, 405,000. Under three years of Biden, 7,000,000 and silence from liberal writers.

Dorothy Monroe

Sierra Vista

U

pdated antisemitism

The Hamas attack on Israel has flipped over a few rocks in this country, allowing those living beneath them a chance to crow. An example are the letters of one Jake Pickering who has expanded his antisemitism to a few new areas. Traditionally, we Jews are supposedly responsible for running the banks, newspapers, the entertainment industry and for killing Jesus by folks like Mr. Pickering. Now we are accused of raising a generation of entitled slacker drones who will receive our ill-gotten gains, a continuing insult to everyone else. A new Henry Ford for an old, hateful agenda.

Michael Lex

Downtown

Is antisemitism OK now?

I don’t know why I was shocked by two of Jake Pickering’s anti-semitic letters being published in the Star on the same day, but I was. I thought that whomever vets the letters for the Star would consider the notion of “Jewish supremacy in America,” as a non-starter for publication, as would calling Netanyahu a Jewish Nazi. Honestly, I was less surprised by the prejudice, than I was at the Star’s decision to print the letters. Substitute any other minority group and use vile language, and I doubt the letter would be published. Is anti-semitism acceptable now?

Pickering, does not live on the west side of Tucson, according to his muckrack website. He is a Californian who calls his letter to the editor writing “freelance journalism.” It’s not journalism. It is hate mail. The Star should do better in choosing letters to the editor.

Patricia Hale

Northwest side

There is no Jewish supremacy

My people have been vilified since they made it known, over 5,000 years ago, that they believed that there was only one God, a God you could not see.

This belief was completely contrary to the beliefs surrounding the myriad of gods being worshiped at that time and, as a result, through fear, ignorance and superstition, my people have been persecuted, misunderstood and scorned since.

Mr. Pickering’s letter is typical of the comments that have been espoused by Jew haters for over 5,000 years.

There was never, and is not now, a Jewish supremacy. Most Jews are average folks like me. The rich and influential account for less than 1% of the Jews in America.

When Mr. Pickering attacks the Jews, he is attacking my parents, my grandparents and all my generations going back for more than 5,000 years.

I find that a cowardly act and take great offense at his disparagement of my family.

You owe my family a sincere apology, Mr. Pickering.

Jeffrey Blackman

Downtown

The truth always emerges

Re: the Jan. 2 article “Truth about election ‘audit’ emerged through records fight”

Highest praise to Ryan Randazzo of The AZ Republic for this article. Highest accolades to those who persevered through the records fight to expose the truth about the sham “audit” conducted by Cyber Ninjas and AZ Republicans in Maricopa county. Randazzo’s article outlined the corrupt and treasonous inner workings of the “audit”, exposing the direct ties to Trump, the lies of Karen Fann, and a bevy of other incorrigible actions by Republicans — all with the end goal of overturning the 2020 election results and subverting democracy. I’d love to see the Trump apologists who regularly write The Star attempting to dispute the facts put forth in this article, and try to defend the rotten Republican corruption exposed by the records probe. These Trump apologists wonder why people despise most Republicans and express disdain for “all things Republican”. Really? Long live true journalism, a pillar of democracy. (Ours happens to be in dire peril).

Deb Klumpp

Oro Valley

How it feels to be dehumanized

Re: the Jan. 3 article “How it feels to be dehumanized”

Having read Emad Moussa’s article, it is impossible to see how anyone can support Israeli PM Netanyahu’s continuing genocide of innocent Palestinians. To begin with, Netanyahu was indicted on 21 November 2019 for breach of trust, accepting bribes and fraud. How he remained in office is difficult to fathom. The World Court has indicted Putin for war crimes, it is high time that Netanyahu be also so indicted. Yes, the October attack on innocent Israelis was horrific and warranted retaliation on those specifically responsible (Hamas terrorists), but not every innocent Palestinian most of whom have been women and children. When the U.S. was attacked on 9/11, some of the terrorists were known to be Saudis, but the U.S. did not go into Saudi Arabia with guns blazing; we did go into Afghanistan in an attempt to capture Osama Bin Laden (known terrorist leader), but again U.S. weaponry didn’t kill innocent Afghani civilians. It is time for this Administration to give Netanyahu an ultimatum.

Chuck Cabrera

Northwest side