Spotlight
Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Arizona Daily Star.
1
Letter: Lgbtq+ rights
- Thomas Krahn, South Tucson
Re: the June 6 letter "Gay pride."
Dear Editor,
This is in answer to this letter (In a way it's kind of D-Day for us Gay people also).
The letter writer is like the people St. Paul writes about in Romans 1) 2: "For I bear the record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge."
And what knowledge could that be? Well, we could start with the three single Gay men in the Bible. Or we could talk about the two different kinds of Gay marriage in the Bible, which God approved of, by the way. Then we could go on to discuss the third great covenant - the Gay covenant- in the Bible. Or we could discuss the...
I can't really fault the letter writer for his attitude. For almost a thousand years we have been told by the Christian Churches that we were condemned in the Bible and I believed that until I was 43, almost 40 years ago.
Then I decided to read the whole Bible for myself. I was AMAZED at what I read. And it was all there in plain black and white and just as plain as the nose on my face.
If the letter writer would take the time to read his Bible - I'm talking about the King James version - he would readily discover what I did.
Now if anyone would care to debate me, all they would have to do is to name the time and the place. And, God willing I'll be there,
I would only have two requirements. 1. That I could have chair to sit on, and 2. that they bring their Bibles!
Thomas Krahn
South Tucson
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
2
Letter: American Party
- Rich Bailowitz, North side
Attention
Sometimes, for the greater good, drastic measures must be taken. My feeling is that we do not need a democratic or republican president come November. We need an American president. We need to keep Trump from a 2nd term at all costs. I suggest we do as follows: ask Kamala Harris to take a step aside for the next 4 years and replace her with Liz Cheney, and redub the party the American Party. The two former parties would unite against the common evil, Mr. Trump, a man without an inkling of what it truly means to be an American. If we unite in this drastic fashion, the Biden/Cheney ticket might just be able to hold onto the reins for another 4 years.
Rich Bailowitz
North Tucson
Rich Bailowitz
North side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
3
Letter: My Straightforward Election Decision
- Gary Simons, Oro Valley
My 2024 election decision is pretty straightforward for me. This election is too critical to consider a third party candidate. Both major candidates are close in age, so that’s not a factor. One is calm and compassionate, the other breeds chaos and hate. One plans to do what’s right for our country and future, and the other what’s right for himself. One attempts to maintain - or better - our foreign policy, healthcare, infrastructure, and promote a reasonable position on abortion, voters rights, and gun and climate control issues, economy and immigration (despite opposition from the other party, and at times factors beyond his control). The other promotes isolationism while fostering friendship with autocratic strongmen, fears science, speaks of law & order - but defies both, and who is the puppetmaster/ventriloquist to his cultist sycophants.
However, what scares me the most is the potential loss of our democracy - forever changed – if Trump wins (or refuses to concede a loss).
Gary Simons
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
4
Letter: Trump is Right
- Julian Donahue, Foothills
I never thought that I would agree with Mr. Trump, much less admit it, but he is absolutely right: the New York business fraud (“hush money”) trial was indeed rigged—rigged against criminals. Twelve of his Manhattan peers unanimously agreed. Thirty-four times.
Julian Donahue
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
5
Letter: The Ultimate Fixer
- Dianne Lethaby, East side
Trump had the opportunity to defend himself by taking the stand during the NY civil trial. All he had to do was raise his right hand and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Apparently, he was unable to do so. He SURRENDERED that right. Now he and others in HIS party are insisting the Supreme Court should be his "Fixer". This is just a taste of how he and his followers will use all aspects of government to do his bidding if re-elected. There will be no going back.
Dianne Lethaby
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
6
Letter: Trump era
- Bill Dowdall, Oro Valley
Everyone should dial back to 2016 up to 2020 before the pandemic. The U.S. economy was roaring, unemployment low for all, inflation around 2%, energy independent for the first time in 75 years, gas prices approx.$2.15/gallon. Trump will return to the same policies if re-elected. Ask the question - Were you better off four years ago? Most would reply yes. Biden is scrambling with a half baked border program purely for political reasons. He is pandering to the Black community as he is witnessing a decline in support. He cannot hide the failures from the public. Brace yourselves for a barrage of lies as we get closer to Nov 6. To make America Great Again is not a dirty phrase. It has meaning and merit. We have a long way to go to get the country back on track.
Bill Dowdall
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
7
Letter: INTROSPECT LACKING
- Jeff Rayner, SaddleBrooke
I wondered why the GOP was blaming Biden and the Dems for “Weaponizing” our gov’t. Besides the obvious projection, it dawned on me that this is exactly what they have done and would do if they were in power. It is impossible for an immoral person to predict how a moral person would act, as that is beyond the immoral’s view of the world. In their view it is what they would do, so why wouldn’t anyone do it? Not really projection, it is more a lack of vision/ownership of morality. If they do perceive what they do as immoral, they simply justify it as being needed to stop the Dems. The ends justify the means, is a theme used by the Nazis. I await the good people of conservative nature, waking up and facing what MAGA is doing in their names.
MAGA has no ability to see themselves as normal people see them. Most regular folks see them as radicals.
Jeff Rayner
SaddleBrooke
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
8
Letter: Gay Pride
- Frank Dahl, East side
The month of June was once a month for our children to begin summer fun. Now it is a month we are told to celebrate hom*osexuality.
The rainbow was once celebrated as Gods promise to us. Now is a sinful lifestyle symbol .
The word "Gay" was once thought of as happy but now really just a feel good word for the word "hom*osexual".
All now these words are all taken from us from the very loud minority....
Is Gay pride really something our society wants to have pride in or has it been forced upon us ?
As famous religious leaders remind us, for those of us who are bible believing Christians, that is, -- If God does not judge the hom*osexual behavior in our modern day society, will He then will have to go back to apologize to Sodom and Gomorra ?
Frank Dahl
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
9
Letter: Turning over in Their Graves
- David E. Leon, Vail
June 06, 1944 will be upon us. In case you have forgotten, 80 year's ago the largest invasion of WW11 took place. And I'm sure we don't want to forget that date! On a Hill overlooking Omaha Beach there are 9,388 U.S. Soldiers buried there, in Netluno, Italy there are 3,095 names on a wall of a chapel all missing in action from combat in Southern Italy. Only 17 have been located since 1944. 7,864 were KIA in Italy Luxembourg American Cemetery 5,074 Rest in Peace there. Including, General George S Patton. They all must be turning in their Graves after we had a Traitor, #45 showing no Respect to these men and Women who gave up there Lives and Future!! And fighting Facists for our Freedoms in our Great Country. God help us if there is a God? There must be a God only Humans can create the Hate and lies in our Country!
David E. Leon
Vail
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
10
Tucson Speaks Out: June 6 letters of the day
- Updated
Gay pride
The month of June was once a month for our children to begin summer fun. Now it is a month we are told to celebrate hom*osexuality.
The rainbow was once celebrated as God’s promise to us. Now is a sinful lifestyle symbol.
The word “gay” was once thought of as happy but now really just a feel-good word for “hom*osexual.”
All now these words are all taken from us from the very loud minority …
Is gay pride really something our society wants to have pride in or has it been forced upon us?
As famous religious leaders remind us — for those of us who are Bible-believing Christians, that is — if God does not judge the hom*osexual behavior in our modern-day society, will He then have to go back to apologize to Sodom and Gomorra?
Frank Dahl
East side
Turning over in their graves
June 06, 1944, is upon us. In case you have forgotten, 80 years ago the largest invasion of WWII took place. And I’m sure we don’t want to forget that date! On a hill overlooking Omaha Beach there are 9,388 U.S. Soldiers buried there, in Nettuno, Italy, there are 3,095 names on a wall of a chapel all missing in action from combat in Southern Italy. Only 17 have been located since 1944, 7,864 were KIA, in Italy Luxembourg American Cemetery 5,074 Rest in Peace there. Including, General George S. Patton. They all must be turning in their graves after we had a traitor, no. 45 showing no respect to these men and women who gave up their lives and future. And fighting fascists for our freedoms in our great country. God help us if there is a God. There must be a God, only humans can create the hate and lies in our country.
David E. Leon
Vail
Trump era
Everyone should dial back to 2016 up to 2020 before the pandemic. The U.S. economy was roaring, unemployment low for all, inflation around 2%, energy independent for the first time in 75 years, gas prices approximately $2.15/gallon. Trump will return to the same policies if re-elected. Ask the question — were you better off four years ago? Most would reply yes. Biden is scrambling with a half-baked border program purely for political reasons. He is pandering to the Black community as he is witnessing a decline in support. He cannot hide the failures from the public. Brace yourselves for a barrage of lies as we get closer to Nov 6. To make America Great Again is not a dirty phrase. It has meaning and merit. We have a long way to go to get the country back on track.
Bill Dowdall
Oro Valley
Conover cleaned up corruption
While Barbara LaWall was county attorney, I was the director of one of the largest Pima County government departments. When I made public extensive evidence that I was being pressured to award Pima County contracts to companies that had made campaign contributions and provided other inducements to the chairman of the board of supervisors, and that evidence was well reported by the Arizona Daily Star, LaWall’s office did not act to stop the violations of state laws regarding government contracting. Instead, LaWall’s office downplayed the revelations and supported retaliatory disciplinary actions against county employees who helped inform the public about the corruption.
I am very happy that Laura Conover was elected county attorney on a justice reform platform and has cleaned up the corrupt culture in the Pima County Attorney’s Office. I urge Pima County voters to re-elect Laura Conover.
Brooks Keenan
Oro Valley
Introspect lacking
I wondered why the GOP was blaming Biden and the Dems for “Weaponizing” our government. Besides the obvious projection, it dawned on me that this is exactly what they have done and would do if they were in power. It is impossible for an immoral person to predict how a moral person would act, as that is beyond the immoral view of the world. In their view it is what they would do, so why wouldn’t anyone do it? Not really projection, it is more a lack of vision/ownership of morality. If they do perceive what they do as immoral, they simply justify it as being needed to stop the Dems. The ends justify the means, is a theme used by the Nazis. I await the good people of conservative nature, waking up and facing what MAGA is doing in their names.
MAGA has no ability to see themselves as normal people see them. Most regular folks see them as radicals.
Jeff Rayner
SaddleBrooke
PCC and climate change
Re: the May 31 article “Colleges offer degrees on climate change.”
This article details the growing list of higher ed institutions offering programs and degrees in this crucial area. You may be surprised to learn that Pima Community College is a leader among colleges seeking to meet the challenges presented by climate change.
In 2022, Pima announced its Climate Action and Sustainability Plan (CASP) with the goals of minimizing Pima’s carbon footprint and infusing climate change and sustainability throughout the curriculum. Pima now has an Office of Sustainability with a full-time director, faculty fellowships charged with implementing the CASP, and a handful of new courses devoted to preparing the next generation for what lies ahead. New courses include Sustainable Futures; Food, People and the Planet; Environmental Explorations; and a course simply titled Climate Change.
I am fortunate to be part of the group advancing these necessary initiatives and to work for this forward-thinking institution.
Charles MacCabe, Adjunct Faculty, Pima Community College
East side
The ultimate fixer
Trump had the opportunity to defend himself by taking the stand during the NY civil trial. All he had to do was raise his right hand and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Apparently, he was unable to do so. He surrendered that right. Now he and others in HIS party are insisting the Supreme Court should be his “Fixer”. This is just a taste of how he and his followers will use all aspects of government to do his bidding if re-elected. There will be no going back.
Dianne Lethaby
East side
Trump is right
I never thought that I would agree with Mr. Trump, much less admit it, but he is absolutely right: the New York business fraud (“hush money”) trial was indeed rigged—rigged against criminals. Twelve of his Manhattan peers unanimously agreed. Thirty-four times.
Julian Donahue
Foothills
Great article by Mort Rosenblum
Re: the June 2 article “Devil is in the details for Copper World.”
I want to thank Mort Rosenblum for his great article covering the recent ADEQ Copper World meetings. I agree with his assessment that ADEQ presented as if the decision to grant had already been made.
It’s interesting that only two of the three planned tailing storage areas are included in the permit, yet the permit will be granted for the life of the mine without enough storage space for approximately 1/3 of the tailings. Hudbay will not line the tailing areas, but they will line the leach pad related to on-site cathode production which they removed from their plans in 2023. They will reevaluate whether to add that in year four of operations or simply continue shipping our copper to China for processing. Then China will sell the cathodes back to us for profit. It’s nice that our Legislature and our state agencies prioritize helping foreign companies make money. Don’t worry, we’ll even clean up the mess.
Cathy McGrath
Vail
American Party
Attention
Sometimes, for the greater good, drastic measures must be taken. My feeling is that we do not need a democratic or republican president come November. We need an American president. We need to keep Trump from a second term at all costs. I suggest we do as follows: ask Kamala Harris to take a step aside for the next four years and replace her with Liz Cheney, and redub the party the American Party. The two former parties would unite against the common evil, Mr. Trump, a man without an inkling of what it truly means to be an American. If we unite in this drastic fashion, the Biden/Cheney ticket might just be able to hold onto the reins for another four years.
Rich Bailowitz
North side
My straightforward election decision
My 2024 election decision is pretty straightforward for me. This election is too critical to consider a third-party candidate. Both major candidates are close in age, so that’s not a factor. One is calm and compassionate, the other breeds chaos and hate. One plans to do what’s right for our country and future, and the other what’s right for himself. One attempts to maintain — or better — our foreign policy, healthcare, infrastructure, and promote a reasonable position on abortion, voters rights, and gun and climate control issues, economy and immigration (despite opposition from the other party, and at times factors beyond his control). The other promotes isolationism while fostering friendship with autocratic strongmen, fears science, speaks of law and order — but defies both, and who is the puppetmaster/ventriloquist to his cultist sycophants.
However, what scares me the most is the potential loss of our democracy — forever changed — if Trump wins (or refuses to concede a loss).
Gary Simons
Oro Valley
11
Letter: What Am I Voting For
- Richard Bechtold, West side
The issues in America are Inflation, Immigration, NATO, Israel and Palestine, Climate Change, Women's Rights, Medical Care, Education for Everyone, Etc. I am not voting exclusively for any of those issues. I am voting for a government system that is able to solve all problems, now and in the future. The issues are not the problem. The inability to govern cooperatively is the problem. There is a Greek proverb that sums up what I am voting for. "A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know shall never sit". t's not our problems we should be fighting over. We need to fight for a system that allows us to solve problems together as a society.
Richard Bechtold
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
12
Letter: Don the "Con"
- Ron Rude, West side
Concupiscent narcissist
Conniving insurrectionist
Convicted felon
Congenital liar
Contemptable misogynist
Election Conspirator
Confederacy resurgent (along with today’s Republicans)
Saboteur of the Constitution
Conscience-less hoodlum
Misinformation Contagium
Consummate cheat
Hardly qualifications for public trust.
Trump’s schemes involve fabricating untrue accusations of criminal activity against opponents (such as Biden weaponizing the justice system?). Applying his unique/toxic mind, he then invents past, present, and future dictatorial justifications for fulfilling these very same crimes himself. Which his gullible base swallows.
Brilliant … if one considers depravity a sign of brilliance.
One slip-up occurred, however. It would have been smarter for Trump to commit his crimes in a Republican-controlled State. Then he could have been assured that the State’s public officials― including US Reps/Senators―would predictably (based on past behavior) abandon Oaths of Office, and a jury of peers would likely wriggle out of truth-seeking Civic Duty.
Ron Rude
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
13
Letter: Boomer
- Carl Foster, Green Valley
I am lucky to have lived in the best possible period in American history. Born immediately after WW2 my early years were when the United States was the most revered and envied place in the world. Our country had just saved the world from tyranny and madness. We had food aplenty and a modern infrastructure that provided sanitation and health care benefits better than any place on earth. As the decades flew past mistakes were made. But we overcame – and came out of it even better. But now we have a former President calling our country fascist, elected officials calling our entire judicial system rigged, half of the country and its leaders not accepting election results, college protesters supporting a violent terrorist organization, and we have news organizations and social media sites that knowingly lie. In a way I would love to come back in 100 years to see what we’ve become… But then again, I don’t think I’d want to see it.
Carl Foster
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
14
Letter: Was it rigged?
- Ella Suagee, Benson
The former president complains that he was brought into court only for political reasons, despite the fact that the attorney general of New York does not consult with the president in such matters. President Biden has had nothing to do with any of the cases against Trump.
The only political motivation in the Trump case is Trump’s. In both the 2016 and the 2020 elections, he tried to manipulate the system to assure that he won. Collecting evidence to prosecute such actions takes time, and the New York Attorney brought the case as soon as he could. For political reasons, Trump’s team delayed the trial. A jury selected by both prosecution and defense attorneys found Trump guilty, based on evidence presented. How is this rigged? Abetted by those who worked for him, Trump did the crimes. He should do the time. Politically motivated crimes are still crimes.
Ella Suagee
Benson
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
15
Letter: Above the Rule of Law
- Frank Parsons, Northeast side
We live under independent institutions long familiar to us. Trump has already told us he will use them to get even for the treatment he believes he received. They will most likely no longer be recognizable by us.
We have just seen a jury of his peers find Trump guilty. He is now a convicted felon, as are many others who naively followed him...representative of those he selects to mindlessly do his bidding.
Here is what this man would be doing to us:
- One found guilty of dishonest business practices directing our country's national and foreign financial affairs.
- One unable to communicate without lying deciding what is important to our lives.
- One found mishandling our country's secrets using them for personal gain.
- One found manipulating elections having no interest in our freedom to vote.... or for doing anything else!
- One admiring dictators choosing our allies.
Accountability...gone. Individual freedom...gone. Trust by us and other countries...gone. A future for our children...gone.
Is this really what you want?
Frank Parsons
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
16
Letter: Biden wasn't prosecuted due to being unfit to stand trial
- Ivan Stanski, Marana
Democrats are joyous that Trump is now a "convicted felon." But Joe Biden could be the same by now, a convicted felon, related to his "willful Mishandling of classified materials", but Special Counsel Hur deemed him unfit to Indict and stand trial due to his senility. No such mitigating determinations for Trump by Democrat prosecutors across the country. Biden kept classified documents all over the place and revealed classified information to his ghost book writer, who deliberately deleted evidence from his computer. No Obstruction charges were brought for that. Hunter Biden's criminal trial for illegally purchasing a firearm begins today, 6/3, in Delaware, a Democrat controlled state and Biden's home. I fully expect a jury of all Democrats, as in the New York trial of Trump, to acquit Biden or result in a hung jury. An important piece of evidence to be used by the prosecution are emails from Hunter's laptop, the same that 50 "intelligence experts" deemed as Russian "disinformation" to help Joe Biden before the 2020 election.
Ivan Stanski
Marana
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
17
Tucson Speaks Out: June 5 letters of the day
- Updated
U of A leadership
True leadership is doing what is right — “The time is always right to do what is right” (MLK) — and being able to separate and delineate issues. UA Senate Chair Leila Hudson’s behavior has truly illustrated her lack of being able to do so. Not separating a proper and valid antisemitism resolution to be brought to the Faculty Senate, from a police action of those violating the curfew rules of the University, illustrates the lack of good judgment and the inability to separate issues. The removal of protesters breaking the rules has no bearing on presenting a valid anti-ethnicism resolution.
Real and effective leadership would have been for the Chair of the Faculty Senate to be at the protest site with President Robbins after the curfew hours, requesting the protesters to cease the protest until the following morning, and have brought the antisemitism resolution to the Faculty Senate.
May the UA always support protests within the rules and valid resolutions of anti-ethnicism.
Tom Warne
Downtown
Conover doesn’t care
I am the former Chief Criminal Deputy of the Pima County Attorney’s Office and the facts presented are based on public records. PCAO is down over 30 experienced criminal prosecutors since Laura Conover took office. Her communications director earns over $100,000 to make Conover’s Facebook — Web page look nice. Meanwhile, half her prosecutors are making far less. Conover pleads serious repetitive home burglars to potential misdemeanors, domestic violence offenders with priors to misdemeanors, and those with multiple DUI convictions to almost nothing. Her office did not try one vehicular crime as a felony last year. Tucson is inundated with drunk and reckless drivers victimizing innocent citizens and she either pled or dismissed every case. In addition, Conover has the disturbing record for number of cases dismissed on the day of trial; an injustice to victims, a disruption of the criminal justice system, and a sign of total mismanagement. Conover doesn’t seem to care. Hopefully, the citizens of Pima County care. I will be voting for Mike Jette.
David Berkman
Northwest side
Minority rules at PAG/RTA
Thank you Mayor Romero and Supervisor Scott for speaking out against misinformation, manipulation and untruths by the executive Director Farhad Moghimi of PAG/RTA at the May 30 meeting. Both elected officials showed a thorough understanding of the agenda items and challenged the misrepresentations by Mr. Moghimi. You can watch the meeting on YouTube.
As I have commented on in the past in this newspaper, PAG is misusing millions of dollars of federal funds intended to reduce carbon emissions from motor vehicles. Mr. Moghimi unilaterally decided to use those federal funds for unrelated planning and data collection, rather than actual emission reduction programs.
Mayor Romero has led the Another way in questioning the use of those monies and now Supervisor Scott has joined her. City of Tucson and Pima County ultimately lost the vote on the carbon reduction plan, which demonstrates the fundamental flaw in the structure of our metropolitan planning organization/RTA, the minority rules; less than 15% of the population got what they wanted and 85% didn’t.
Ruth Reiman
Midtown
AZ delegation should overturn EPA gas car ban
President Biden’s EPA recently finalized a regulation that will, in practice, ban most new gas cars and trucks by 2032. The end game is to force American drivers into electric vehicles by taking away most non-plug-in vehicle options. This policy is unlawful. It’s bad for consumers, our economy and national security.
To comply, automakers will have to stop producing most traditional gas vehicles in less than eight years, leaving Arizonans with vastly restricted access to new gas cars and trucks they can afford. EPA’s own regulatory compliance scenarios acknowledge as much. Gas cars will be limited down from 84% of sales today to no more than 30% by 2032, regardless of whether those targets outpace consumers.
Senators Kelly and Sinema and Congressman Gallego will have an opportunity to overturn this regulation in upcoming Congressional Review Act votes. With 61% of Arizona’s likely voters opposed to gas car bans and EV mandates, voting to overturn EPA’s ban should be the obvious choice.
Chet Thompson, President and CEO American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, Washington, D.C.
Washington D.C.
Law and order
America must fight legally for law and order if it doesn’t want to become a third-world country. If you believe a situation is rigged than check out the facts. If it really is, then fight to change the laws or situation in a legal way. Attacking others verbally and physically is turning us into a Banana Republic. Fight for our democracy by supporting and voting for people who support the will of the people, and not those who are trying to take away our freedoms. We have been guided by our constitution, which is now in the process of a faction trying to discredit and destroy the values in which it was created. The dark money has gotten all the way up to the Supreme Court, making it necessary for us to be more proactive.
Elain Geary
East side
Biden wasn’t prosecuted, unfit to stand trial
Democrats are joyous that Trump is now a “convicted felon.” But Joe Biden could be the same by now, a convicted felon, related to his “willful mishandling of classified materials”, but Special Counsel Hur deemed him unfit to indict and stand trial due to his senility. No such mitigating determinations for Trump by Democrat prosecutors across the country. Biden kept classified documents all over the place and revealed classified information to his ghost book writer, who deliberately deleted evidence from his computer. No obstruction charges were brought for that. Hunter Biden’s criminal trial for illegally purchasing a firearm begins June 3, in Delaware, a Democrat controlled state and Biden’s home. I fully expect a jury of all Democrats, as in the New York trial of Trump, to acquit Biden or result in a hung jury. An important piece of evidence to be used by the prosecution are emails from Hunter’s laptop, the same that 50 “intelligence experts” deemed as Russian “disinformation” to help Joe Biden before the 2020 election.
Ivan Stanski
Marana
Was it rigged?
The former president complains that he was brought into court only for political reasons, despite the fact that the attorney general of New York does not consult with the president in such matters. President Biden has had nothing to do with any of the cases against Trump.
The only political motivation in the Trump case is Trump’s. In both the 2016 and the 2020 elections, he tried to manipulate the system to assure that he won. Collecting evidence to prosecute such actions takes time, and the New York Attorney brought the case as soon as he could. For political reasons, Trump’s team delayed the trial. A jury selected by both prosecution and defense attorneys found Trump guilty, based on evidence presented. How is this rigged? Abetted by those who worked for him, Trump did the crimes. He should do the time. Politically motivated crimes are still crimes.
Ella Suagee
Benson
No one is above the law
I realize that the Star, and most newspapers in the country are controlled by liberal Democrats. Almost on a daily basis there is someone making derogatory remarks about Trump. One of the most common phrases repeated over and over is “Nobody is above the law”. Now a real felon, that being Hunter Biden is going on trial. I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for a well-deserved conviction.
Dennis Jacobsen
Northwest side
Above the rule of law
We live under independent institutions long familiar to us. Trump has already told us he will use them to get even for the treatment he believes he received. They will most likely no longer be recognizable by us.
We have just seen a jury of his peers find Trump guilty. He is now a convicted felon, as are many others who naively followed him, representative of those he selects to mindlessly do his bidding.
Here is what this man would be doing to us:
One found guilty of dishonest business practices directing our country’s national and foreign financial affairs.
One unable to communicate without lying deciding what is important to our lives.
One found mishandling our country’s secrets using them for personal gain.
One found manipulating elections having no interest in our freedom to vote.... or for doing anything else!
One admiring dictators choosing our allies.
Accountability ... gone. Individual freedom ... gone. Trust by us and other countries ... gone. A future for our children ... gone.
Is this really what you want?
Frank Parsons
Northeast side
Restitution not a fine
Re: the June 3 article “Former felons should now be allowed to vote.”
As the director of the Civil Rights Restoration Clinic at the Rogers College of Law since 2006, I read with keen interest the guest opinion by Kellie Wallenciak concerning the right of former felons to vote. I completely agree with Ms. Wallenciak. However, I would like to offer a couple corrections. She is correct that civil rights are automatically restored in Arizona for people with one felony conviction, but she indicated that the person needs to pay any “fine” they owe. It is not a fine that needs to be paid but restitution owed to a victim. She also mentioned that repeat offenders need to petition the court for restoration “after a waiting period.” After a person completes their sentence, there is no waiting period in Arizona to apply to have one’s civil rights restored which includes voting rights. Ms. Wallenciak is right that there is no better time to change the law and allow all ex-felons to vote.
Andy Silverman
Midtown
Mort Rosenblum’s column on Copper World
Re: the June 2 article “Devil is in the details for Copper World.”
The Star introduces native journalist Mort Rosenblum with great fanfare and prints his initial June 2 column. It’s a bomb, and it is nothing but a long, twisted and subtle hit-job on Copper World that ends with a typical doomsday “Details vary, but the upshot is constant. Nothing survives without water.”
Rosenblum needs to explain this from Tucson Water’s report to its customers the very next day on June 3. Quote: “The two questions we are most frequently asked at Tucson Water are: Does Tucson have enough water for the future? Is Tucson’s water safe to drink? The answer to both questions is yes.”
So my question to Rosenblum and ALL anti-mining southern Arizonans is this. How does modern civilization exist without copper? Let me save all of you and Rosenblum the trouble from answering. It doesn’t.
Steve Sollenberger
Foothills
18
Letter: Swearing alegencies
- John McConnaughey, Oro Valley
An open letter to Jaun Ciscomani: Dear Representative Ciscomani, I read where Trump is demanding Republicans to support him by attacking our justice system, and the verdict against him delivered by the New York court. Please think carefully about where your allegiances should lie. As my representative, please make sure your first allegiance is with the Constitution of the United States, and second to the citizens of Arizona's Congressional District #6. Somewhere down the list would be Donald Trump, if you conclude he is acting in a lawful manner and with the best interests of the American public in mind. I think his actions suggest his allegiances lie only with himself, and the verdicts against him suggest that he thinks laws are only for other people to follow.
John McConnaughey
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
19
Letter: Honoring trial by jury
- Ke Chiang Hsieh, Midtown
Our system of trial by jury (twelve selected from a pool of randomly summoned common citizens by consent of the plaintiff and the defense attorneys) began 300 and some years ago by English immigrants. The jury thusly chosen should deliver the least biased verdict; in criminal cases, however, the trial favors the defendant – a guilty verdict must be unanimous, but an acquittal needs just one vote. From my only experience as a juror (in a one-day civil case, with some jurors weeping during deliberation), I can imagine the enormous burden put on the jurors for the recent trial on the conduct of a former president to mislead the voters in 2016. Independent of their verdict, they deserve our gratitude and admiration for their courage, diligence and integrity to serve as jurors on an unprecedented case in our national history. They gave us common citizens confidence in our time-honored trial by jury.
Ke Chiang Hsieh
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
20
Letter: Tired of Lies
- Robert McNeil, Midtown
When I hear that Trump's legal problems are"election interference by Joe Biden's Justice Department" it is so stupid it makes my head hurt. I am also offended that anybody would try to p ass that off as fact to me.
Not so smart Trumpers might believe it but his back -up group,the Trumpettes are actually parroting this idiocy to the news while wearing their matching suits and ties and brown noses. It is a race to the bottom, how low will they go?
Robert McNeil
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
21
Letter: Re: the June 1. article “Letter: Hypocritical magas”
- Nancy Atherton, Foothills
It is clear that Republicans have lost all desire to support the mainstays of our Democracy, (rule of law, checks and balances and all citizens’ right to vote) shown by the fact that they are following in lock-step all of Trump’s lies and whining about being found guilty by a jury of his peers. He was given all the opportunities to present his case that any other defendant has in a country that believes in the rule of law, and he was found guilty. Nor only is he whining about the result, but he is doing it in such a way to present a real danger to the judge and his family, and potentially the jurors, from his totally crazed supporters. And of course he has done it in such a way that, like Pilate, he can claim innocence when others do awful things! Shame on him and all the Republicans that slavishly follow him for the cowards and hypocrites they are!
Nancy Atherton
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
22
Letter: Trump knows
- James Nesci, East side
In New York, ex-president Donald Trump was convicted of 34 criminal counts in the p*rn Star/Hush Money case that the he says was the “weakest of the cases” that he’s facing. As a retired criminal defense attorney, I tend to agree that it was the weakest of the cases--and that fact doesn’t bode well for his chances in the Washington DC January 6th case where he’s facing 4 criminal counts. And, it doesn’t bode well for the Georgia Election case where he’s facing 10 criminal counts. And it certainly doesn’t bode well for the strongest of the cases, the Classified Documents case in Florida, where he’s facing 40 criminal counts. The Hush Money case may have been the “weakest” of the cases, but it was clearly a very strong case as the verdict demonstrated, and as the ex-president clearly knows.
James Nesci
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
23
Letter: A Divided Country
- Toni Kane, Oro Valley
Abraham Lincoln stated that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Modern Republicans claim that they are the party of Lincoln. With a win in November, might a Republican President possibly destroy our country for the benefit of those with the most money? Once divided and then destroyed, will our country become whole? We may be rebuilt in the form of a dictatorship enjoyed by the few who stay in the good graces of the dictator. Knocking down the federal government may encourage others to strike down state governments. The future could be bleak for the majority of citizens in the United States.
Toni Kane
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
24
Letter: No one is above the LAW
- Dennis Jacobsen, Northwest side
I realize that the Star, and most newspapers in the country are controlled by liberal democrats. Almost on a daily basis there is someone making derogatory remarks about Trump. One of the most common phrases repeated over and over is "Nobody is above the law" Now a real felon, that being Hunter Biden is going on trial. I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for a well-deserved conviction.
Dennis Jacobsen
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
25
Tucson Speaks Out: June 4 letters of the day
- Updated
Land of opportunity
Cape Cod Massachusetts is a lot like Tucson. It’s a playground with tremendously fun and interesting people. Both places also attract a large homeless population. A recent letter to the Daily Star stood up for those people. I can’t agree with her more. I’m no expert. But based on my own firsthand experience, it seems like it’s more a matter of bad luck and bad parents than anything else. Some have checked out and might be beyond remediation. A majority seem to me to be funny, pretty smart, and entrepreneuring their way through a difficult environment. Giving them welfare probably is a dead-end street. Giving them a leg up makes better sense. Pay half their salary for six months. Get ’em going. The DNA pool isn’t that widespread. If these guys had the connections rich kids do, they’d do great.
Walter Ramsley
East side
Horne blows smoke
I keep seeing AZ Superintendent of Schools Tom Horne telling us how good the education system in our state. Unfortunately there are no metrics to support that. In nearly every type of ranking AZ finishes in the bottom three in the country. Right there with backward states like Mississippi and Alabama.
I guess that Horne feels that if he lies to the public over and over some will actually think it's true!?
Too bad for our students.
Scott Lukomski
Northeast side
Trump knows
In New York, ex-president Donald Trump was convicted of 34 criminal counts in the p*rn star/hush money case that he says was the “weakest of the cases” that he’s facing. As a retired criminal defense attorney, I tend to agree that it was the weakest of the cases — and that fact doesn’t bode well for his chances in the Washington DC January 6th case where he’s facing four criminal counts. And it doesn’t bode well for the Georgia election case where he’s facing 10 criminal counts. And it certainly doesn’t bode well for the strongest of the cases, the classified-documents case in Florida, where he’s facing 40 criminal counts. The hush money case may have been the “weakest” of the cases, but it was clearly a very strong case as the verdict demonstrated, and as the ex-president clearly knows.
James Nesci
East side
Corrective action
begins at home
Tucson Electric Power Company (TEP) is a valuable member of our community.
Disappointing that their management recognizes that greenhouse gases that take energy in our atmosphere, create premature heat related deaths, damages and cost to public infrastructure, but are not accelerating actions to reduce fossil-fueled generation. That taxpayer-funded Arizona Corporation Commission also continues to ignore its responsibility to optimize value to the public.
TEP 2023 SEC10k report indicates that they reduced, did not increase, electricity generated by fixed and lower cost solar/wind that uses no water, emits no GHG’s, to generate by 4.6% (2,115 to 2,017 MWh). Generation via solar and wind was only 13% of total (2,017 RE / 15, 308 total).
Very disappointing that TEP, ACC and local governments are not acting to acquire Federal IRA funds to replace 80% of their GHG emissions by 2030 and avoid rate increases and related costs, generate economic stimulus, higher wage jobs, to our community, taxpayers and ratepayers. Negligent.
Terry Finefrock
Foothills
Following Tump's lies
It is clear that Republicans have lost all desire to support the mainstays of our democracy, (rule of law, checks and balances and all citizens’ right to vote) shown by the fact that they are following in lockstep all of Trump’s lies and whining about being found guilty by a jury of his peers. He was given all the opportunities to present his case that any other defendant has in a country that believes in the rule of law, and he was found guilty. Not only is he whining about the result, but he is doing it in such a way to present a real danger to the judge and his family, and potentially the jurors, from his totally crazed supporters. And of course he has done it in such a way that, like Pilate, he can claim innocence when others do awful things! Shame on him and all the Republicans that slavishly follow him for the cowards and hypocrites they are!
Nancy Atherton
Foothills
Choose wisely
A recent letter to the Editor, suggested you can tell who gave money to Mr. Jette, currently a Democrat, running for county attorney office and I decided to do so. I know nothing about him, except he was a registered as Green Party, then as a Republican and now a Democrat. So I looked up his contributions.
Well he has received $25,000 (through his various employees) from a local developer who owns many properties and is currently being investigated by the Attorney General office as a slum landlord who raises tenants' rents without notice or opportunity to discuss the increase. Another contributor, also a land developer, who has given monies to the anti-abortion movement trying to stop the choice issue on this November's ballot. A large amount of money was received from a law firm specializing in defense, but then the money was refunded? So take some time to find out about Mr. Jette. You get to know who are his most fervent supporters. Choose wisely this election.
Melanie Heavilon
West side
Petty arguments for the County Attorney
Re: the June 1 article "Stand up for safer future — my wife, Laura Conover has."
With all due respect, how can Aubrey Conover, husband of Pima County Attorney Laura Conover, speak up in defense of his wife’s performance and justification to run again? Bringing in their son is just inappropriate in this debate. Their son’s valid question of why his mom wants to run for this job once again has nothing to do with Laura’s qualifications. Attacking her opponent, prosecutor Mike Jette, as if he has not had a long and respectable career in the legal field, adds insult to injury. If I were attacked for what I have done in my professional field, I would want my record and my peers to speak up for me. Of course, my spouse’s emotional support in private would be crucial, but not in the public arena. Do not blur the lines and appeal to the public with a reference to your precious family life. The issue is simply who is more qualified as County Attorney, Laura or Mike, irrespective of their political affiliation.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
ADUs
The problem with housing in this state is not ADUs but allowing investors to buy up houses on the market. If I had an ADU, I would rent it to supplement my social security. I stay in a lot of Airbnb guest houses and most are owner occupied in the main house. Investors/private equity have come in with cash offers inflating house prices. I bought my house in Tucson four years ago and it has gone up at 100K. I do not think this will change because the rich have gotten richer since the pandemic and nobody is regulating the housing market. Big investors are not adding ADUs, they are buying up house to inflate rent and housing prices to their massive benefit. Most Airbnbs are small change allowing homeowners to make a little extra money. Go after the big money. Hobbs did not missed the chance on this one. Other financial issues in this state are bigger, like vouchers and tax cuts for the rich killing our budget.
Noel Rosenberg
Southwest side
Honoring trial by jury
Our system of trial by jury (twelve selected from a pool of randomly summoned common citizens by consent of the plaintiff and the defense attorneys) began 300 and some years ago by English immigrants. The jury thusly chosen should deliver the least biased verdict; in criminal cases, however, the trial favors the defendant – a guilty verdict must be unanimous, but an acquittal needs just one vote. From my only experience as a juror (in a one-day civil case, with some jurors weeping during deliberation), I can imagine the enormous burden put on the jurors for the recent trial on the conduct of a former president to mislead the voters in 2016. Independent of their verdict, they deserve our gratitude and admiration for their courage, diligence and integrity to serve as jurors on an unprecedented case in our national history. They gave us common citizens confidence in our time-honored trial by jury.
Ke Chiang Hsieh
Midtown
Tired of lies
When I hear that Trump's legal problems are "election interference by Joe Biden's Justice Department" it is so stupid it makes my head hurt. I am also offended that anybody would try to pass that off as fact to me.
Not so smart Trumpers might believe it but his back-up group, the Trumpettes, are actually parroting this idiocy to the news while wearing their matching suits and ties and brown noses. It is a race to the bottom, how low will they go?
Robert McNeil
Midtown
Swearing allegiances
An open letter to Jaun Ciscomani: Dear Representative Ciscomani, I read where Trump is demanding Republicans to support him by attacking our justice system, and the verdict against him delivered by the New York court. Please think carefully about where your allegiances should lie. As my representative, please make sure your first allegiance is with the Constitution of the United States, and second to the citizens of Arizona's Congressional District No. 6. Somewhere down the list would be Donald Trump, if you conclude he is acting in a lawful manner and with the best interests of the American public in mind. I think his actions suggest his allegiances lie only with himself, and the verdicts against him suggest that he thinks laws are only for other people to follow.
John McConnaughey
Oro Valley
A divided country
Abraham Lincoln stated that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Modern Republicans claim that they are the party of Lincoln. With a win in November, might a Republican President possibly destroy our country for the benefit of those with the most money? Once divided and then destroyed, will our country become whole? We may be rebuilt in the form of a dictatorship enjoyed by the few who stay in the good graces of the dictator. Knocking down the federal government may encourage others to strike down state governments. The future could be bleak for the majority of citizens in the United States.
Toni Kane
Oro Valley
26
Letter: Moving On
- Jon Dorschner, Midtown
I have been reading Gil Shapiro’s repetitive columns in the Star for years. Ironically, his attacks on “faith” are a reflection of his own faith in mechanistic materialism. He, like Evangelical Christians, wants to spread his version of the one truth to the exclusion of all others. His is a 19th Century viewpoint. Science has moved on and discovered that that our universe is far too complex and beautiful to be contained within this mechanistic/materialistic paradigm. Contemporary scientists are open to the world. To accurately understand this new paradigm, many scientists are accepting and integrating a wide variety of ideas into their world view, including many from the world’s great religious traditions. Perhaps Gil should do likewise.
Jon Dorschner
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
27
Letter: Is Joe Biden a good guy or gutless guy?
- Vincent Alan, Northwest side
On the Star of May 26, John Bingham question why I would call Joe Biden gutless. My reasoning is that he is supposed to be our leader and he is not doing anything to get us out of the situation while we are accomplice to the genocide going on in Palestine. We that is you and I are the people who are buying the bombs to give to the Israelis to kill the Palestinians. You and I are responsible. We are culpable for what’s going on over there. And Joe is not doing anything fourth right to end it.
Honestly, Mr. John Bingham, you really need to brush up on the history of Palestine before you think the Hamas was acting unreasonably. You can start with the Balfour English amendment to establish the state for the Jews and follow through from 1947 to 2024 after you’ve done that I’d be seriously interested in what’s your point of view is
May God give Joe Biden courage
Vincent Alan
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
28
Letter: Choice?
- Chris pinhey, Foothills
Did I choose my gender? No. Did I choose my sexual orientation. No. Did I choose to be an American? Only if I am an immigrant. I am not proud of being male, it was bestowed upon me. I am not proud of being heterosexual, it's just the way I am. I am not proud of being an American, I did not choose it. . I was just born here. Don't get me wrong, I am quite happy with being male, heterosexual and an American. But sometimes people negatively judge people who have been dealt other cards. Some men have discriminated against women. Some people have judged people who are not heterosexual. Some people look down on people who are not Americans. If people do do wrong, they should be punished (ask my children). But other than that, we need to support everyone who has been placed in their positions by factors outside of their control.
Chris pinhey
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
29
Letter: Fantasy Island
- Deb Klumpp, Oro Valley
The letter "Any Apologies" asked, if Trump is elected and doesn't appoint himself forever dictator, doesn't shred the Constitution, and departs peacefully after four years, will Never Trumpers then apologize? What are the chances of Trump doing an about-face and becoming a reasonable and principled leader for all Americans? Zero! Think about what he has already shown us - his refusal to depart peacefully, inciting a violent insurrection, continued promotion of the Big Lie and a myriad of other egregious acts and lies. The answer to the question is a resounding NO. Apology? If someone supports Trump, they support what he is, what he has done, and intends to do. As Dr. Phil often says, the best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. If you have any doubts, just take a look at the manifesto Project 2025, where the plan for dismantling of our democracy by a future Trump administration is clearly laid out. Putting forth the fantasy of a Trump rule with integrity is laughable.
Deb Klumpp
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
30
Letter: It's unfair!
- Rick Cohn, West side
I agree with the MAGAs that it is unfair. I disagree with them as to what the nature of the unfairness is. The unfairness lies in the fact that we Americans had to wait so long for the devil to finally get his due!
Rick Cohn
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
31
Tucson Speaks Out: June 3 letters of the day
- Updated
Moving on
Re: the May 26 letter “Faith misleads, doesn’t deliver its promises.”
I have been reading Gil Shapiro’s repetitive columns in the Star for years. Ironically, his attacks on “faith” are a reflection of his own faith in mechanistic materialism. He, like Evangelical Christians, wants to spread his version of the one truth to the exclusion of all others. His is a 19th-century viewpoint. Science has moved on and discovered that our universe is far too complex and beautiful to be contained within this mechanistic/materialistic paradigm. Contemporary scientists are open to the world. To accurately understand this new paradigm, many scientists are accepting and integrating a wide variety of ideas into their worldview, including many from the world’s great religious traditions. Perhaps Gil should do likewise.
Jon Dorschner
Midtown
Is Biden a good guy or gutless guy?
Re: the May 26 letter “Biden is just a good guy.”
On the Star of May 26, John Bingham questions why I would call Joe Biden gutless. My reasoning is that he is supposed to be our leader, and he is not doing anything to get us out of the situation while we are accomplices to the genocide going on in Palestine. That is you and I are the people who are buying the bombs to give to the Israelis to kill the Palestinians. You and I are responsible. We are culpable for what’s going on over there. And Joe is not doing anything forthright to end it.
Honestly, Mr. John Bingham, you really need to brush up on the history of Palestine. You can start with the Balfour English amendment to establish the state for the Jews and follow through from 1947 to 2024. After you’ve done that, I’d be seriously interested in what your point of view is.
May God give Joe Biden courage.
Vincent Alan
Northwest side
Sharks of the athletics department
I can only scratch my head. Students attend a university to gain an education. If they play sports on the side, that’s just fine, and if the university makes money through them, OK. The primary objective, however, is nothing but education. The athletic department gets it all wrong; they are not there so that we gain fame and hence pay them. If there are expenditures, those need to be paid for by tickets or whatever, but not by the university. Students who want to be athletically involved deserve to be encouraged and supported, but not at the cost of the academic side of the game. We all know, capitalist business models have gotten hold of the university system and abuse it with no interest in education. Why does a university exist? For research and education; athletics is just a fun activity on the side. Money sharks have taken hold of the university and push unethically for money. Shut them down altogether. Remember, students ought to study! What a concept!
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
Fantasy Island
The letter “Any Apologies” asked, if Donald Trump is elected and doesn’t appoint himself forever dictator, doesn’t shred the Constitution, and departs peacefully after four years, will Never Trumpers then apologize? What are the chances of Trump doing an about-face and becoming a reasonable and principled leader for all Americans? Zero! Think about what he has already shown us — his refusal to depart peacefully, inciting a violent insurrection, continued promotion of the Big Lie and a myriad of other egregious acts and lies. The answer to the question is a resounding NO. Apology? If someone supports Trump, they support what he is, what he has done, and intends to do. As Dr. Phil often says, the best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. If you have any doubts, just take a look at the manifesto Project 2025, where the plan for dismantling of our democracy by a future Trump administration is clearly laid out. Putting forth the fantasy of a Trump rule with integrity is laughable.
Deb Klumpp
Oro Valley
Choice?
Did I choose my gender? No. Did I choose my sexual orientation? No. Did I choose to be an American? Only if I am an immigrant. I am not proud of being male, it was bestowed upon me. I am not proud of being heterosexual, it’s just the way I am. I am not proud of being an American, I did not choose it. I was just born here. Don’t get me wrong, I am quite happy with being male, heterosexual and an American. But sometimes, people negatively judge people who have been dealt other cards. Some men have discriminated against women. Some people have judged people who are not heterosexual. Some people look down on people who are not Americans. If people do wrong, they should be punished (ask my children). But other than that, we need to support everyone who has been placed in their positions by factors outside of their control.
Chris Pinhey
Foothills
Drag down or rise up
I read the newspaper article about Sheriff Lamb being hounded by liberal lawyers, looking for legal ways to interfere with an opponent’s campaign efforts. The comments even go so far as to declare Sheriff Lamb the “defendant,” using the term to implicate him. These liberal attack claims refer to Lamb’s attendance at anti-immigration events, even though there are laws against illegal immigration that Biden does not enforce. Of course, the second claim refers to the sheriff, bound by laws, attending constitutional events, claiming a disturbing level of extremism. Why is it that liberals seem more interested in tearing down their opponents instead of building up their own candidate? What I want to know is how will each candidate vote instead of claims that are lies, predicting what will happen. Candidates use big words like “accountable” for impact not promises, knowing there are not specific actions. Electing Trump will destroy democracy, a Democrat claim, however Trump was President before, the Biden inflation is destroying the economy.
Loran Hanco*ck
Northwest side
It’s unfair!
I agree with the MAGAs that it is unfair. I disagree with them as to what the nature of the unfairness is. The unfairness lies in the fact that we Americans had to wait so long for the devil to finally get his due!
Rick Cohn
West side
False comparison
Re: the May 26 letter “Faith misleads, doesn’t deliver its promises.”
Faith and reason are twin wings? I’m sorry but if one wing is reason and the other faith flying on a straight course would be very difficult are faith would not be holding up its side. All one has to do is look around to see so much dysfunction as people of faith keeps trying to impose their faith on the rest of the country.
I actually believe this is a false comparison as reason can be abused by incorrect assumptions and because reason (does this mean logic?) relies upon the missing middle as developed by Aristotle. That is, logic is a linear either/or proposition not allowing for nuance. The concept of Fuzzy Logic that allows for probabilities rather than strict either/or is far superior for making decisions.
A better comparison would be faith and science. Science evolves as new information is received. Faith is stagnant based upon ancient mythologies. Can science lead to a wrong conclusion, yes. However, it can learn from its mistakes where faith cannot.
Jim Sanders
North side
Choose wisely, Juan
In the wake of the Trump conviction, the Trump media machine and this MAGA allies have been quick to denounce the trial and the verdict as rigged. Attacks on the judge and the jury — the bedrock of the rule of law — have begun. I wonder which side of this issue my Congressman, Juan Ciscomani, will land? Will he champion the rule of law? Or will he toe the GOP party line?
Sheldon Clark
Vail
32
Letter: Trump wasn't a student of Richard Nixon
- Matt Somers, Midtown
Here's a quote that's apropos.
"If you are ever going to lie, you go to jail for the lie rather than the crime. So believe me, don't ever lie."
Richard M. Nixon's remarks to John Dean (April 1973) as quoted in Nixon Tapes "Submission of Recorded Presidential Conversations to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives", 1974.
Matt Somers
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
33
Letter: Trump found guilty - still wants to be president
- Sheldon Metz, Northeast side
Trump supporters cry that their aspirational figure is being persecuted. In Thursday's unbiased jury verdict, all 34 counts were found guilty. Jurors listened closely to every word from attorneys and witnesses. THEY WERE THERE! While deliberating, they asked questions.
MAGA politicians-protesters and MAGATE supporters were not present at every court appearance. Neither evidence nor emails were seen. How do they KNOW he’s innocent? Because he TOLD them? They blindly believe in him, trusting his unsubstantiated claims without material proof.
In his unorthodox "podium," set up to obliterate everyone from Biden to Merchan to Garland, he only says "I am innocent." I did nothing wrong!” And they believe him? He eminently seeks power and wealth.
Trump uses the same words over and over because he has a limited vocabulary. "My Civil Rights have been totally violated with this highly political, unconstitutional and election interfering WITCH HUNT.... Our failing nation is being laughed at all over the world!”
Why does he still want to be president of all that?
Sheldon Metz
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
34
Letter: Re: the Feb. 20. article “Letter: Unions, not the NRA are "Buying" Politicians”
- Mary Schneider, East side
Now that Donald J Trump, the future Republican nominee, has been convicted of all 34 counts and is now a convicted felon. Should he be confirmed as the leader of their party? This is going to be a Hugh decision for the future and direction as a party. This should be interesting.
Mary Schneider
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
35
Letter: Fixing Societal Problems
- Michael Mount, Foothills
Our society is stressed. Income inequality, global warming, inadequate health care, discrimination, inflation, immigration, illegal drug use, skyrocketing deficits, represent some of the problems that we as a society need to solve if we are to survive. We have the resources to do exactly that. However, the problems need to be addressed jointly by all since no group has all the answers. They need input not only from both political parties but also that of independents, which represent a significant segment of our population. We don’t need political solutions, but workable solutions that have political support. However, I see today’s Trump sycophants as roadblocks to a civil and productive effort. They have put party before country. At Trump’s direction, they’ve become non-cooperative and uninterested in working with others. While both parties need to change, the chance that the GOP will is nil should Mr. Trump be elected again as president. God forbid.
Michael Mount
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
36
Letter: What About the Rest of Us?
- Fran McNeely, Northeast side
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has said in regard to his wife's flag flying, "my wife is an independently minded private citizen. She makes her own decisions, and I honor her right to do so."
I wish Justice Alito honored the rights of the millions of other women to make their own decisions when it comes to their bodies.
Fran McNeely
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
37
Letter: Own it.
- Dennis Rivera, Foothills
If President Trump would have accepted his 7 million vote loss in 2020 with any class,
our country would not be this divided raging mess. Instead we got a January 6th insurrection,
and 4 years of divisive hateful rhetoric that has taken our country to the edge. Mr. Trump could have
vowed in 2020 to come back in 2024 to take his crown back, and he still might, but the wreckage he has left
behind these last 4 years might just be enough to make the America we all love unrecognizable.
Dennis Rivera
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
38
Letter: Thankful
- Cindy Soffrin, Northeast side
It is with profound relief and sadness that I received the news about the verdict in the Trump NY State case. Relief that the system pulled our country from the abyss one more time. Sadness that so many people in our country do not feel the same way.
Cindy Soffrin
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
39
Letter: You Win..or
- Richard Aufmuth, Foothills
To the letter writers that permeate this forum every 10 days or so (against the Red Star's ground rules) I guess you are giddy about today's court verdict. But, consider whether this is good for our country. If the current regime can silence the opposition through the court rather than an election are we any different from Russia et.al. Also, you wind up with an infirm old old guy and a bobblehead for 4 years... your choice!
Richard Aufmuth
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
40
Tucson Speaks Out: June 2 letters of the day
- Updated
Faith delivers
Re: the May 26 article “Faith misleads, doesn’t deliver its promises.”
Gil Shapiro’s opinion piece in Sunday’s paper says, “Reason: the power of comprehending, inferring, or thinking, in orderly rational ways ... stands in strong opposition to faith.” I was a math major in college and have an orderly rational mind. As a way to relax, I work logic puzzles. I am also a woman of deep faith. As a teacher of math and religion, I saw no conflict between rational thinking and living by faith.
Shapiro calls faith an imposter for not delivering what it promises. He doesn’t understand that people pray not to change God’s mind, but because they understand prayer changes them. He also says, “Ask faith-based thinkers if they ever doubt their deeply held beliefs ... The answer will surely be ‘No’.” Of course, we have doubts! We also have the peace that comes with the ability to believe beyond understanding.
I remember the quote I posted in my math classroom many years ago: “Life is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived.”
Sister Karen Berry, OSF
Midtown
Wilson for Justice of the Peace
I will be voting for the Honorable Kendrick Wilson to remain as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 9. Judge Wilson is an experienced attorney and judge. Before taking the bench, he prosecuted domestic violence and animal abuse cases for Pima County and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. As a Justice of the Peace, he has presided over specialty courts addressing Domestic Violence and Animal Welfare, demonstrating compassion for crime victims and defendants, emphasizing offender treatment to avoid recidivism. He has done an outstanding job and is a model judge with the type of integrity, character, and judicial demeanor the position requires. I hope fellow residents of Precinct 9 will join me in voting to retain Judge Kendrick Wilson as our Justice of the Peace.
Amelia Craig Cramer
Downtown
Fixing societal problems
Our society is stressed. Income inequality, global warming, inadequate health care, discrimination, inflation, immigration, illegal drug use and skyrocketing deficits represent some of the problems that we as a society need to solve if we are to survive. We have the resources to do exactly that. However, the problems need to be addressed jointly by all since no group has all the answers. They need input not only from both political parties but also that of independents, which represent a significant segment of our population. We don’t need political solutions, but workable solutions that have political support. However, I see today’s Trump sycophants as roadblocks to a civil and productive effort. They have put party before country. At Trump’s direction, they’ve become non-cooperative and uninterested in working with others. While both parties need to change, the chance that the GOP will is nil should Mr. Trump be elected again as president. God forbid.
Michael Mount
Foothills
U of A farm system
Now that the University of Arizona has to pay its athletes and has become the ersatz AAA Farm team for Major League Baseball, the National Football League and the National Basketball Association, shouldn’t they be sending them a bill? Off the top of my head, maybe for about 20 million per year?
Jeffery Miller
Northwest side
Keep Conover
As a senior citizen who has lived in Tucson for over 50 years, I’ve seen politicians come and go. I’ve seen them make promises and, when elected, swiftly break them. I’ve seen politicians court us during their campaigns and ignore us once they’re in office.
Pima County Attorney Laura Conover somehow accomplished the exact opposite, despite COVID. She built a Fraud Unit. She began visiting Senior Living Facilities and neighborhoods, first virtually and then in person to instruct us, in English and Spanish, on how to protect ourselves and our neighbors. She delivers on her promises and keeps in touch with her constituents. It’s obvious that she cares.
Due to her effective, humane crime enforcement policies, we live in a safer community, with violent crime way down compared to other similar size cities.
As I said, I’ve seen politicians come and go. I definitely want Laura Conover to stay!
Miriam Furst
East side
What about the rest of us?
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has said in regard to his wife’s flag flying, “my wife is an independently minded private citizen. She makes her own decisions, and I honor her right to do so.”
I wish Justice Alito honored the rights of the millions of other women to make their own decisions when it comes to their bodies.
Fran McNeely
Northeast side
Republican leader?
Now that Donald J. Trump, the future Republican nominee, has been convicted of all 34 counts and is now a convicted felon. Should he be confirmed as the leader of their party? This is going to be a huge decision for the future and direction as a party. This should be interesting.
Mary Schneider
East side
Trump wasn’t a student of Nixon
Here’s a quote that’s apropos.
“If you are ever going to lie, you go to jail for the lie rather than the crime. So believe me, don’t ever lie.”
Richard M. Nixon’s remarks to John Dean (April 1973) as quoted in Nixon Tapes “Submission of Recorded Presidential Conversations to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives,” 1974.
Matt Somers
Midtown
Trump found guilty, still wants to be president
Trump supporters cry that their aspirational figure is being persecuted. In Thursday’s unbiased jury verdict, all 34 counts were found guilty. Jurors listened closely to every word from attorneys and witnesses. THEY WERE THERE! While deliberating, they asked questions.
MAGA politicians-protesters and MAGA supporters were not present at every court appearance. Neither evidence nor emails were seen. How do they KNOW he’s innocent? Because he TOLD them? They blindly believe in him, trusting his unsubstantiated claims without material proof.
In his unorthodox “podium,” set up to obliterate everyone from Biden to Merchan to Garland, he only says, “I am innocent.” I did nothing wrong!” And they believe him? He eminently seeks power and wealth.
Trump uses the same words over and over because he has a limited vocabulary. “My Civil Rights have been totally violated with this highly political, unconstitutional and election interfering WITCH HUNT .... Our failing nation is being laughed at all over the world!”
Why does he still want to be president of all that?
Sheldon Metz
Northeast side
You win ... or
To the letter writers that permeate this forum every 10 days or so (against the Red Star’s ground rules) I guess you are giddy about Thursday’s court verdict. But consider whether this is good for our country. If the current regime can silence the opposition through the court rather than an election are we any different from Russia et al. Also, you wind up with an infirm old old guy and a bobblehead for four years... your choice!
Richard Aufmuth
Foothills
Thankful
It is with profound relief and sadness that I received the news about the verdict in the Trump New York State case. Relief that the system pulled our country from the abyss one more time. Sadness that so many people in our country do not feel the same way.
Cindy Soffrin
Northeast side
League of Women Voters
Re: the May 29 letter “Citizen initiative process”
This letter to the editor does not represent the opinions or reflect any actions or decisions of the League of Women Voters of the United States or the League of Women Voters of Arizona. The League of Women Voters’ policy of “speaking with one voice” unequivocally states that only the president or designated spokesperson may represent the League’s position on any issue. The individual who submitted the letter was speaking on her own behalf and, as such, should not have referenced her former league affiliation.
As an all-volunteer organization, we deeply appreciate the work of our members in advancing our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy. However, all members are informed that they speak for themselves and not on behalf of the League unless authorized to do so, and may not reference their current or previous affiliation with the league when expressing their personal opinions, where this affiliation might be misunderstood to imply endorsem*nt or lend gravitas to their argument.
We appreciate the Star for providing a valuable platform for discussions on matters concerning Arizona citizens and applaud the public for sharing their views. The League will comment on legislative matters and ballot initiatives when appropriate. Opinions of current or past members are personal and do not reflect the League’s endorsem*nt.
Pinny Sheoran, League of Women Voters of Arizona, President
Arizona
Own it
If President Trump would have accepted his 7-million vote loss in 2020 with any class, our country would not be this divided, raging mess. Instead we got a Jan. 6 insurrection and four years of divisive, hateful rhetoric that has taken our country to the edge. Mr. Trump could have vowed in 2020 to come back in 2024 to take his crown back, and he still might, but the wreckage he has left behind these last four years might just be enough to make the America we all love unrecognizable.
Dennis Rivera
Foothills
41
Letter: Who are we?
- Spencer Elliott, Oro Valley
I think we need to take Mark Lamb’s question seriously and apply it nationally.
If you’re looking for a CEO to run a multitrillion-dollar enterprise, would you hire someone with no experience, or someone with “time in the trenches”? If the enterprise is a government, it includes ALL the people. If the enterprise is a business, the singular focus is profit margin. Running a government require balancing vision with jurisdictional stewardship and committing to public service. Running a business requires vision, committing to your investors (and not ”stiffing” your workers or contractors), avoiding ignorance, negligence, arrogance, misfeasance, destruction, and bankruptcy. Do you see the United States as a society or a business? Your answer will determine your vote. Remember our selections in 2016 and 2020? Remember the recent bi-partisan border bill? How have these turned out? Why?
Our choice, our vote, our children’s future.
Spencer Elliott
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
42
Letter: Ex President Convicted
- Philip Reinecker, East side
Today ex president Trump was convicted of 34 felonies. You read right (34) He is officially a convict. Of course the expected backlash is starting to arrive. The prosecutor was dishonest, the judge was biased, all the jurors looked the other way, the media couldn't face the truth. For those of you who believe he is the person for our next President will you please do me a small favor. Open your minds, just for a minute, and consider that he isn't who you thought he was. Consider that he is, in fact, a bigoted, low lever liar who cannot get out of the way of his crimes. Is this really who you want to lead our great country? Please don't, with a straight face, say yes. Maybe Biden is shaky and not as sharp as he once was but, he isn't a crook. Doesn't that mean something to you. Do all of us a favor and not allow this convict with a mile of our next presidency.
Philip Reinecker
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
43
Letter: Hypocritical magas
- David E. Leon, Vail
- Updated
Verdict in 34-0 Guilty! Donnie Jr. Is crying that the Democrats got their way!! Hello people, #45 threatened the judge and his daughter, constant death threats! But his puppets believe that's how you treat people of they don't agree with your lies! #45;gave the jurors death like stares to the jurors as they walked by him!! His puppets who sat at the trail wore their white shirts and Red ties trying to intimidate the jurors by stareing at them. Now we will see some violence, because they believe #45 telling his puppets over and over as President he is above the LAW!!! God help us now!! A Felon can't run for President!! All should know by now, the magas or Facists have backup plan to do a another 01/06 now with weapons!! God save our Country!! Good Luck to all of us at this historic event! A former President who new what he was doing, trying to overthrow the United States Government!!
David E. Leon
Vail
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
44
Letter: Re: the Feb. 20. article “Letter: Unions, not the NRA are "Buying" Politicians”
- jacques Fauxbel, Green Valley
I firmly believe that all these college protesters have gone over the laws of the USA. Since they feel that they can go above the law destroying college property that is giving them their Education, and Praising murdering Palestinians, as well as the Iranian Government, let them go live there and see what it is like over there.
Also, since they think that they are above the law, take away their student loans and do not let them apply for new student loans if they have been arrested for rioting since they feel that Palestine is a better place.
To let these students go on rampage over the war in Isarael, that most of them do not even know what it is all about is a crime against our Country and the freedom we live in.
We have fought hard for this freedom. We do not need young, unknowledgeable students try to take it away from us.
jacques Fauxbel
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
45
Letter: Our country has NOT gone to hell.
- Thea Chalow, Oro Valley
“Our country has gone to hell,” whined Donald Trump following his conviction on all 34 felony counts.
I disagree.
What I see is that our country and our judicial system is working. A jury of Donald Trump’s peers took a solemn oath pledging to act fairly and impartially and follow the law as explained by the judge. After carefully listening to and reviewing the evidence, they decided—without a shadow of doubt—that Donald Trump committed 34 felony crimes as part of a conspiracy to corruptly influence the 2016 presidential election.
What I see from that is hope. Hope that we will someday recover from the painful, partisan divisions that have been stoked by Donald Trump since he announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States in 2015.
What I see—more than at anytime in the past nine years—is that Abraham Lincoln was right when he said, “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.”
Thea Chalow
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
46
Letter: Trump’s Felony Conviction
- Michael Cravens, Northwest side
“A shameful day in American history”. House Speaker Johnson’s assessment couldn’t be more accurate. And, Donald Trump’s criminal conduct is solely responsible for bringing us to this junction.
As a retired senior military officer, educated to the ethos of our representative democracy, serving with women and men who commit to protecting this nation’s core values and concerned with our grandchildren’s future, I revel in today’s court decision as a moral victory for America. But, the only meaningful victory is preventing DJT from returning to the Oval Office. As our forefathers oft opined, only an internal force can destroy us. The divisive, chaotic and cancerous effect of Trump must be eliminated by caring, critical thinking Americans.
As a point of balance, the Biden Administration has been notably unfocused and ineffective on many critical fronts. But even in it’s most questionable policy actions, it maintains this nation’s most desired values.
Michael Cravens
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
47
Letter: 100% Correct
- Beth Dingman, Green Valley
I wonder whether any Trump supporters have asked themselves the question : Why is the electoral system and the judicial system rigged when Trump and other of his sycophants lose, but not rigged when they win? A lot of Republicans won in 2022, in fact a majority of the Arizona legislature is Republican, yet the system was rigged against Kari Lake, and against Trump in the 2020 election. Why not against all the rest of the Republicans?
And now a jury of twelve non-politicians, carefully screened to protect against biases, has looked at a lot of evidence and concluded that he was guilty. Is everyone else who has been found guilty also innocent, or only Trump?
Aren’t you the least bit suspicious of a person who is always right?
Beth Dingman
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
48
Tucson Speaks Out: June 1 letters of the day
- Updated
Who are we?
I think we need to take Mark Lamb’s question seriously and apply it nationally.
If you’re looking for a CEO to run a multitrillion-dollar enterprise, would you hire someone with no experience, or someone with “time in the trenches”? If the enterprise is a government, it includes all the people. If the enterprise is a business, the singular focus is profit margin. Running a government requires balancing vision with jurisdictional stewardship and committing to public service. Running a business requires vision, committing to your investors (and not ”stiffing” your workers or contractors), avoiding ignorance, negligence, arrogance, misfeasance, destruction, and bankruptcy. Do you see the United States as a society or a business? Your answer will determine your vote. Remember our selections in 2016 and 2020? Remember the recent bi-partisan border bill? How have these turned out? Why?
Our choice, our vote, our children’s future.
Spencer Elliott
Oro Valley
County Supervisor election
On several occasions since 2021 I’ve spoken with Supervisor Rex Scott about Pima County issues and I’ve seen him in action at board meetings. Based on these experiences I want to encourage District 1 voters to re-elect Rex Scott. From what I’ve seen, he gives serious and thoughtful consideration to all issues coming before the board, he is always willing to listen to his constituents, and he consistently exhibits kindness and decency. In short, Rex Scott is an outstanding public servant and an excellent representative for District 1. I encourage everyone to vote and to re-elect Rex Scott.
John Halliday
Oro Valley
Above the law
I firmly believe that all these college protesters have gone over the laws of the USA. Since they feel that they can go above the law destroying college property that is giving them their education, and praising murdering Palestinians, as well as the Iranian Government, let them go live there and see what it is like over there.
Also, since they think that they are above the law, take away their student loans and do not let them apply for new student loans if they have been arrested for rioting since they feel that Palestine is a better place.
To let these students go on rampage over the war in Israel, that most of them do not even know what it is all about is a crime against our Country and the freedom we live in.
We have fought hard for this freedom. We do not need young, unknowledgeable students try to take it away from us.
Jacques Fauxbel
Green Valley
Assisting those in need
We have all seen the encampments around town. Most of these people are simply broke, victims of violence or mentally/physically unwell. Many children live in these circ*mstances as well. I myself have been fighting SSDA for six years.
Government’s reaction is to clear them out and destroy their few belongings: shelter, food, clothing, etc. They need help, hope and respect for being human beings, just like the rest of us. How would you and your innocent children survive extreme heat 24 hours a day?
So my question is why don’t you just kill them? Instead of torturing them and stripping away their dignity? Sheesh. Think of the taxpayer money saved so it can fund current political shenanigans. No more blight on society.
America, with all of its wealth, should be able to afford its citizens basic needs and assist them in their times of dignity. Shame on us!
Kellie Gibson
Midtown
Those signs are everywhere
Judging by the dimensions of those Juan Ciscomani signs on every corner, he believes size matters. The only thing that doesn’t matter are the voters in his district. He voted for the Default on America Act that would have cut 10 billion dollars from federal law enforcement. He cheered the end of Roe v Wade. He refused to denounce the white nationalist rhetoric of fellow congressional colleagues from Arizona saying they just “reflected the people they represent.” He continually decries Washington spending too much money but had no trouble taking a $2,000 PPP loan for his consulting firm. He’s trying very hard to get voters to remember his name come election time. Let’s skip the name recognition and look at the issues and his voting record instead.
Mary Zimmerman
SaddleBrooke
Hypocritical MAGAs
Verdict in — 34-0 guilty! Donnie Jr. is crying that the Democrats got their way! Hello people, No. 45 threatened the judge and his daughter with constant death threats. But his puppets believe that’s how you treat people of they don’t agree with your lies. No. 45 gave the jurors death-like stares as they walked by him. His puppets who sat at the trail wore their white shirts and red ties trying to intimidate the jurors by staring at them. Now we will see some violence, because they believe No. 45 telling his puppets over and over as President he is above the LAW. God help us now! A felon can’t run for President! All should know by now, the MAGA’s or Fascists have a backup plan to do another Jan. 6th now with weapons. God save our Country! Good luck to all of us at this historic event! A former President who knew what he was doing, trying to overthrow the United States government.
David E. Leon
Vail
Our country has not gone to hell
“Our country has gone to hell,” whined Donald Trump following his conviction on all 34 felony counts.
I disagree.
What I see is that our country and our judicial system is working. A jury of Donald Trump’s peers took a solemn oath pledging to act fairly and impartially and follow the law as explained by the judge. After carefully listening to and reviewing the evidence, they decided — without a shadow of doubt — that Donald Trump committed 34 felony crimes as part of a conspiracy to corruptly influence the 2016 presidential election.
What I see from that is hope. Hope that we will someday recover from the painful, partisan divisions that have been stoked by Donald Trump since he announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States in 2015.
What I see — more than at anytime in the past nine years — is that Abraham Lincoln was right when he said, “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.”
Thea Chalow
Oro Valley
Trump’s felony conviction
“A shameful day in American history.” House Speaker Johnson’s assessment couldn’t be more accurate. And Donald Trump’s criminal conduct is solely responsible for bringing us to this juncture.
As a retired senior military officer, educated to the ethos of our representative democracy, serving with women and men who commit to protecting this nation’s core values and concerned with our grandchildren’s future, I revel in today’s court decision as a moral victory for America. But the only meaningful victory is preventing DJT from returning to the Oval Office. As our forefathers oft opined, only an internal force can destroy us. The divisive, chaotic and cancerous effect of Trump must be eliminated by caring, critical thinking Americans.
As a point of balance, the Biden Administration has been notably unfocused and ineffective on many critical fronts. But even in its most questionable policy actions, it maintains this nation’s most desired values.
Michael Cravens
Northwest side
It is not acceptable
In Pima County there is a situation where one of the Democratic candidates for Pima County Attorney — Mike Jette — is accepting donations from some of Pima County’s most prominent contributors to candidates and policy positions that are totally contrary to what Democrats support. These contributors have donated to Trump, Ciscomani, Lake, Finchem and others including Wendy Rogers before and even after she was censured by the Arizona state senate for her comments and behavior in support of white nationalism. In addition, one of these contributors has donated to the “It Goes Too Far” committee whose purpose is to defeat the Arizona Abortion Access Act which will enshrine in the Arizona Constitution a woman’s right to choose and to determine her healthcare options.
Mike, do the right thing: do not take their money and condone who and what they support; walk away from them and return their contributions.
Contribution data available at the Arizona Secretary of State’s website and the Open Secrets website.
Sandy Salz
Oro Valley
Ex-President convicted
Today ex-President Trump was convicted of 34 felonies. You read right (34). He is officially a convict. Of course, the expected backlash is starting to arrive. The prosecutor was dishonest, the judge was biased, all the jurors looked the other way, the media couldn’t face the truth. For those of you who believe he is the person for our next President will you please do me a small favor. Open your minds, just for a minute, and consider that he isn’t who you thought he was. Consider that he is, in fact, a bigoted, low level liar who cannot get out of the way of his crimes. Is this really who you want to lead our great country? Please don’t, with a straight face, say yes. Maybe Biden is shaky and not as sharp as he once was but, he isn’t a crook. Doesn’t that mean something to you. Do all of us a favor and not allow this convict within a mile of our next presidency.
Philip Reinecker
East side
100% correct
I wonder whether any Trump supporters have asked themselves the question: Why is the electoral system and the judicial system rigged when Trump and other of his sycophants lose, but not rigged when they win? A lot of Republicans won in 2022, in fact a majority of the Arizona Legislature is Republican, yet the system was rigged against Kari Lake, and against Trump in the 2020 election. Why not against all the rest of the Republicans?
And now a jury of twelve non-politicians, carefully screened to protect against biases, has looked at a lot of evidence and concluded that he was guilty. Is everyone else who has been found guilty also innocent, or only Trump?
Aren’t you the least bit suspicious of a person who is always right?
Beth Dingman
Green Valley
49
Letter: Not a Solution to Mexico's Ills
- Tom Van Devender, North side
Keith Rosenblum’s editorial in the Star presented a list of national problems that his Mexican colleagues thought the United States would not allow, including the increasing narco influence throughout the country. Except for Mexican citizens crossing the northern border for work and asylum, the United States has no role in internal Mexican policies. He touted his friend Manuel Fabio Beltrones-Rivera (Governor of Sonora 1991-1997 and long-term Senator) as the only solution to Mexico’s narco problems. He failed to mention New York Times articles reporting DEA evidence of Beltrones accepting bribes from narcos in 1997 and arranging for a court to dismiss his arrest warrant in a corruption scandal in the Peña Nieto administration in 2018. Now he is a PRI-PAN candidate for Senator in the June 2 election. Beltones solving Mexico’s narco problems would be the proverbial fox guarding the hen house!!
Tom Van Devender
North side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
50
Letter: Assisting Palestinian suicide
- Cliff Pascal, Green Valley
A May 25th letter questions how the "Jewish people" treat the Palestinian people as they do? Is it the regret the Jews have that in 1948 Palestinians did not create their own country, as Israel did, but sought to destroy Israel. Is it the more than 2 million Palestinian people who are citizens of Israel, members of the Israeli Parliament, and prominent in all the professions? Or as Hilliary Clinton said of the Israeli peace plan in 2000, “an offer was made to the Palestinians for a state on 96% of the existing territory... with 4% of Israel to be given to reach 100% of the amount of territory that was hoped for.” The Palestinians refused it. Palestinians have rejected multiple peace plans, educate children to hate Jews, celebrate martyrs who kill Jews, and reward Palestinians that murder Jews. Letters like Ms Flores' occupy an alternate reality, don't help the average Palestinian, and serve a voice for the terrorist Hamas goal of Genocide of Jews.
Cliff Pascal
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
51
Tucson Speaks Out: June 7 letters of the day
- Updated
Bill Walton a one-of-a-kind human being
I met and spoke with Bill Walton on a handful of different occasions over the years. He was truly unique. But that’s just part of it. My twin sons had their picture taken with Bill (at a middle-school basketball camp he hosted with BJ Armstrong) and Bill stood between them with a hand on each their shoulders. My son met Bill again almost 25 years later while riding with Bill at a Challenged Athlete Foundation (CAF) ride along the California coast. After the race my son went up to Bill to say, “You might not remember me, but I met you at a basketball camp many years ago.” Bill’s response, “Of course I remember you, Tom.” That was just the kind of man he was. He made you feel like you mattered. He was truly a great man and person.
John Bingham
Northwest side
Trump trial
Why not mea culpa?
Having read the ex-president’s 34 factual criminal indictments, it is hard to understand why the defendant’s legal adviser didn’t recommend a plea of “nolo contendere” with a dash of “mea culpa” to a judge. A jury trial is wasteful. The judge could grant leniency showing the unbiased nature of the legal system.
Now, perverse conjecture kicks in. They want a jury trial. They win regardless of the verdict. Endless news-channel coverage, a forum for the defendant to claim legal evilness and to further polarize the voting public. Calling defendant witnesses that support the prosecutor, selecting lawyers on the jury making findings ironclad, and having the defendant pass on taking the witness stand; all guarantee a guilty finding.
What we have now is a fired-up Joan-of-Arc martyr to arouse voter sympathy wearing a “hair shirt” at the GOP convention; a sign of penance even under a biased legal system. This trial did one other thing. It delays the “executive privilege” decision.
John Foltz
Northeast side
Democracy
Supporting Donald Trump and supporting democracy are mutually exclusive.
Larry Gray
SaddleBrooke
Fauci was voice of reason
Re: the June 4 article “Fauci again in hot seat.”
Have they no shame? The one steady voice of reason during those first few terrifying months of 2020 was Dr. Anthony Fauci. And I have no dog in this political fight- I am an Independent. I let logic and reason guide my politics. And Dr. Fauci was the voice of reason during those terrifying Dark Ages.
For him to be vilified after guiding us through the darkest days of the pandemic is shameful.
And I can’t imagine a rational right-winger drinking bleach because his party leader told him to.
So let’s do the honorable thing. Build a statue to honor him. Believe me his name will live on as one of the true heroic visionaries of the 2020 pandemic.
Let’s put politics aside and let reason prevail in a tribute to a great man of science.
Karen Papagapitos
Northwest side
Enough
First it was assertions about mail-in ballot fraud, then “stop the steal” claims about voter fraud, now the criminal justice system is corrupt. I have had enough, Mr. Trump. I am not afraid of all your terroristic threats and neither are most of my fellow Americans. Bring it on Trump, we are ready to take you on and vote you out! I know I will anger many of my “Trumper” friends, but I still love all of you.
Corene Johnson
Foothills
Biden’s border executive orders
Yesterday, June 4, Biden signed executive orders limiting illegal entries to 2,500 a day who can then apply for asylum, others would be turned around and removed. That amounts to 912,000 a year. Combine that with the 1,500 allowed daily to apply for asylum at the ports of entry via CBP One, which totals 547,000 a year. Then add the 30,000 monthly allowed to enter from Haiti, Venezuela, and Cuba via commercial airlines under Biden’s Parole program and that equals 360,000 a year. All total a whopping 1,819,000 that will still be allowed entry under Biden’s Executive action on the border, something he said he did not have. Maybe he could not remember saying it? This is nothing but smoke and mirrors by Biden to fool the public into thinking he is serious about the border. A blatant political stunt done by him before the election. Biden created this border catastrophe by reversing Trump’s border policies on his first day in office.
Marty Jacobs
Green Valley
The trouble with faith
Re: the May 26 article “Faith misleads, doesn’t deliver its promises” and the May 31 article “Belief in reason and reason in belief.”
The thoughtful pieces by Gil Shapiro and Wade Thompson on the role of faith. To use Shapiro’s definition, faith is a “firm belief in something for which there is no proof.”
Thompson says “All of us take a position on faith … or feelings of ‘rightness’ if you prefer.” These “feelings of rightness” are most worrisome. When people are raised on the idea that it’s good to have faith in concepts for which there is no factual basis, then it becomes acceptable, even encouraged, to ignore facts that contradict established beliefs. This extends far beyond religious beliefs.
Today, our divided politics is driven by MAGA feelings of rightness despite the overwhelming evidence that their leader is a con-man, a pathological liar, and a convicted felon. This faith makes people vulnerable to disinformation that is causing serious damage, even to the point where some MAGA followers are rejecting our justice system and itching for civil war. In these contexts, faith is utterly irrational and dangerous.
Thomas Ryan
East side
Biden’s cognitive decline
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) spoke with 45 Congressional members, both Republican and Democrats, who reported on Biden’s cognitive decline. He is 81. In particular, the WSJ cited a meeting from last January where Biden met with Congressional members to negotiate a Ukraine deal. It was reported that Biden spoke so softly that he could barely be heard, read from notes, paused for extended periods of time, and closed his eyes for such a long time that people wondered if he fell asleep. The WSJ reported other incidents where Biden met with Congressional members and seemed to forget details, mumbled, and wandered off. All of this is more reaffirmation of what many Americans already believe about Biden’s cognitive decline based on their own observations of him. It is obvious that he is not cognitively fit for office and his decline will just get worse if re-elected for four more years. Remember, Special Counsel Robert Hur did not charge Biden for Mishandling Classified documents because of his cognitive issues.
Ardel Francis
Northwest side
Biden takes a step to fix what he broke
President Biden didn’t hesitate to use his executive power for such things like “forgiving” billions of dollars in student loans, and halting border wall construction. Now, 41 months into his term, he finally takes a step toward control of illegal border crossings which has been in crisis mode since he entered office. His handlers obviously realized the political implications of the total failure of the Biden-Harris-Mayorkas created disaster at our southern border and supplied Joe with an action plan to attempt to finally make him look concerned about the problem. Strictly a political motivated move. Sorry Joe, but 41 months of your administration’s total failure cannot be undone by claiming that the problem is the result of Republican inaction a few months ago. Your faithful will still make that claim, but there is actually no one to blame but you.
Matthew Scully
Sahuarita
What am I voting for?
The issues in America are inflation, immigration, NATO, Israel and Palestine, climate change, women’s rights, medical care, education for everyone, etc. I am not voting exclusively for any of those issues. I am voting for a government system that is able to solve all problems, now and in the future. The issues are not the problem. The inability to govern cooperatively is the problem. There is a Greek proverb that sums up what I am voting for. “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit.” It’s not our problems we should be fighting over. We need to fight for a system that allows us to solve problems together as a society.
Richard Bechtold
West side
Wool
I’ve been trying to figure out how to remove the wool that was pulled over the eyes of so many by the Don. If I succeed, there would be more than enough to knit sweaters for all America. To my companeros Hispanos: No dejes que Don poner la lana sobre tus ojos. Puedo escuchar a Hillary: “Encerrarlo, encerrarlo”.
Joe Sanchez
Marana
52
Letter: Opportunity Lost
- Jack Walters, Northeast side
June 6, 2024, D-Day was remembered. Eighty years ago the Allies landed on Normandy. Biden quite properly gave praise to the few remaining soldiers who were in attendance. He improperly compared the war between Russia and Ukraine as comparable to WWII with a call for the current generation to be ready to emulate.
Vladimir Putin was not invited. Over 20 million Russians were killed in WWII. This compares to 400,000 Americans. This could have been a coming together event between Russia and NATO with the objective of ending this tragic war. There was a time as NATO was being created that Russia wanted to be included. They were rejected and after the Berlin wall came down we assured that NATO wouldn’t expand towards Russia, but they did. Thirty Two nations are in NATO today. In the current conflict an estimated death count both sides is 500,000. It is unbelievable that this could be happening today.
Jack Walters
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
53
Letter: The Trouble With Faith
- Thomas Ryan, East side
Re: the thoughtful pieces by Gil Shapiro (5/26) and Wade Thompson (5/31) on the role of faith. To use Shapiro’s definition, faith is a "firm belief in something for which there is no proof.”
Thompson says“All of us take a position on faith… or feelings of‘rightness’ if you prefer.” These “feelings of rightness” are most worrisome. When people are raised on the idea that it's good to have faith in concepts for which there is no factual basis, then it becomes acceptable, even encouraged, to ignore facts that contradict established beliefs. This extends far beyond religious beliefs.
Today, our divided politics is driven by MAGA feelings of rightness despite the overwhelming evidence that their leader is a con-man, a pathological liar, and a convicted felon. This faith makes people vulnerable to disinformation that is causing serious damage, even to the point where some MAGA followers are rejecting our justice system and itching for civil war. In these contexts, faith is utterly irrational and dangerous.
Thomas Ryan
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
54
Letter: Biden's border Executive Orders
- Marty Jacobs, Green Valley
Yesterday, June 4, Biden signed Executive Orders limiting illegal entries to 2,500 a day who can then apply for asylum, others would be turned around and removed. That amounts to 912,000 a year. Combine that with the 1,500 allowed daily to apply for asylum at the ports of entry via CBP One, which totals 547,000 a year. Then add the 30,000 monthly allowed to enter from Haiti, Venezuela, and Cuba via commercial airlines under Biden's Parole program and that equals 360,000 a year. All total a whopping 1,819,000 that will still be allowed entry under Biden's Executive action on the border, something he said he did not have. Maybe he could not remember saying it? This is nothing but smoke and mirrors by Biden to fool the public into thinking he is serious about the border. A blatant political stunt done by him before the election. Biden created this border catastrophe by reversing Trump's border policies on his first day in office
Marty Jacobs
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
55
Letter: Biden FINALLY takes a step to fix what he broke
- Matthew Scully, Sahuarita
President Biden didn't hesitate to use his executive power for such things like "forgiving" billions of dollars in student loans, and halting border wall construction. Now, 41 months into his term he finally takes a step toward control of illegal border crossings which has been in crisis mode since he entered office. His handlers obviously realized the political implications of the total failure of the Biden/ Harris / Mayorkas created disaster at our southern border, and supplied Joe with an action plan to attempt to finally make him look concerned about the problem. Strictly a political motivated move. Sorry Joe, but 41 months of your administration's total failure can not be undone by claiming that the problem is the result of Republican inaction a few months ago. Your faithful will still make that claim, but there is actually no one to blame but you.
Matthew Scully
Sahuarita
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
56
Letter: Biden's blatant lies about not having border authority
- Boris Slovek, Green Valley
President Biden is expected to announce Executive Actions on the border. He repeatedly lied to the American people previously saying that he had done all he could do on the border and Congress needed to act. He already had broad border authority under 212(f) of the INA. Biden and Democrats wanted the Senate border bill passed, which was not a border security bill, but rather a codification of 5,000, who could enter daily illegally and apply for asylum. It excluded from the count, people entering from "non-contiguous countries." Biden and Democrats have no interest in the real border security bill, HR2, that already passed in the House of Representatives. Biden's interest now in reducing illegal entry numbers is blatantly political coming five months before the election. He could have announced these Executive actions three years ago, but instead, purposely engineered an open border allowing over 7,000,000+ from around the world to enter illegally. The damage has already been done jeopardizing our public and national security.
Boris Slovek
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
57
Letter: Trump caught red handed
- Mary Bradley, Northeast side
The jury has spoken, guilty on all counts. PERIOD. Here comes all the crying from his supporters, the process was rigged. Trump was found guilty by a jury of his peers. Not some rigged sham court, like we’ve seen in Russia. A jury of his peers, found this pitiful man guilty, because of all the compelling evidence, no rigging of the system, and you know what, foolish Trump supporters, if you were on that jury, you would have found him guilty, as well. That’s how GOOD, Alvin Bragg’s Prosecutors were. Trump paid to cover up his tawdry
affairs, now the world knows, what a sorry crooked, man he is. Jail time, yeah!
Mary Bradley
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
58
Letter: Wool
- Joe Sanchez, Marana
I've been trying to figure out how to remove the wool that was pulled over the eyes of so many by the Don. If I succeed, there would be more than enough to knit sweaters for all America. To my companeros Hispanos:No dejes que Don poner la lana sobre tus ojos..Puedo escuchar a Hillary: "Encerrarlo, encerrarlo".
Joe Sanchez
Marana
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
59
Letter: Enough
- Corene Johnson, Foothills
First it was assertions about mail in ballot fraud, then "stop the steal" claims about voter fraud, now the criminal justice system is corrupt. I have had enough Mr. Trump. I am not afraid of all your terroristic treats and neither are most of my fellow Americans. Bring it on Trump, we are ready to take you on and vote you out! I know I will anger many of my "Trumper" friends, but I still love all of you.
Corene Johnson
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
60
Letter: “Fauci again in hot seat”, June 4, 2024, pA7
- Karen Papagapitos, Northwest side
Have they no shame? The one steady voice of reason during those first few terrifying months of 2020 was Dr. Anthony Fauci. And I have no dog in this political fight- I am an Independent. I let logic and reason guide my politics. And Dr. Fauci was the voice of reason during those terrifying Dark Ages.
For him to be vilified after guiding us through the darkest days of the pandemic is shameful.
And I can’t imagine a rational Right Winger drinking bleach because his party leader told him to.
So let’s do the honorable thing.
Build a statue to honor him. Believe me his name will live on as one of the true heroic visionaries of the 2020 pandemic.
Let’s put politics aside and let reason prevail-in a tribute to a great man of science.
Karen Papagapitos
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
61
Letter: Congressional members report Biden's cognitive decline
- Ardel Francis, Northwest side
- Updated
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) spoke with 45 Congressional members, both Republican and Democrats, who reported of Biden's cognitive decline. He is age 81. In particular, the WSJ cited a meeting from last January where Biden met with Congressional members to negotiate a Ukraine deal. It was reported that Biden spoke so softly that he could barely be heard, read from notes, paused for extended periods of time, and closed his eyes for such a long time that people wondered if he fell asleep. The WSJ reported other incidents where Biden met with Congressional members and seemed to forget details, mumbled, and wandered off. All of this is more reaffirmation of what many Americans already believe about Biden's cognitive decline based on their own observations of him. It is obvious that he is not cognitively fit for office and his decline will just get worse if re-elected for four more years. Remember, Special Counsel Robert Hur did not charge Biden for Mishandling Classified documents because of his cognitive issues.
Ardel Francis
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
62
Letter: Democracy
- Larry Gray, SaddleBrooke
Supporting Donald Trump and supporting Democracy are mutually exclusive.
Larry Gray
SaddleBrooke
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
63
Letter: Trump Trial
- John Foltz, Northeast side
WHY NOT A MEA CULPA?
Having read the ex-president's 34 factual criminal
indictments, it is hard to understand why thedefendant's
legal adviserdidn't recommend a plea of"nolo contendere"
with a dash of "Mea Culpa" to a judge. A jury trial is wasteful.
The judge could grant leniency showing the unbiased nature
of the legal system.
Now, perverse conjecture kicks in. They want a jury trial.
They win regardless of the verdict. Endless newschannel
coverage, a forum for the defendant to claim legal evilness
and to further polarize the voting public. Calling defendant
witnesses that support the prosecutor, selecting lawyers on
the jury making findings ironclad, and having the defendant
pass on taking the witness stand; all guarantee a guilty finding.
What we have now is a fired-up Joan-of-Ark martyr to arouse
voter sympathy wearing a "hair shirt,"at the GOP Convention;
a sign of penance even under a biased legal system. This trial
did one other thing. It delays the "Executine Privilege" decision.
John Foltz
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
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Letter: Lgbtq+ rights
- Thomas Krahn, South Tucson
Re: the June 6 letter "Gay pride."
Dear Editor,
This is in answer to this letter (In a way it's kind of D-Day for us Gay people also).
The letter writer is like the people St. Paul writes about in Romans 1) 2: "For I bear the record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge."
And what knowledge could that be? Well, we could start with the three single Gay men in the Bible. Or we could talk about the two different kinds of Gay marriage in the Bible, which God approved of, by the way. Then we could go on to discuss the third great covenant - the Gay covenant- in the Bible. Or we could discuss the...
I can't really fault the letter writer for his attitude. For almost a thousand years we have been told by the Christian Churches that we were condemned in the Bible and I believed that until I was 43, almost 40 years ago.
Then I decided to read the whole Bible for myself. I was AMAZED at what I read. And it was all there in plain black and white and just as plain as the nose on my face.
If the letter writer would take the time to read his Bible - I'm talking about the King James version - he would readily discover what I did.
Now if anyone would care to debate me, all they would have to do is to name the time and the place. And, God willing I'll be there,
I would only have two requirements. 1. That I could have chair to sit on, and 2. that they bring their Bibles!
Thomas Krahn
South Tucson
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: American Party
- Rich Bailowitz, North side
Attention
Sometimes, for the greater good, drastic measures must be taken. My feeling is that we do not need a democratic or republican president come November. We need an American president. We need to keep Trump from a 2nd term at all costs. I suggest we do as follows: ask Kamala Harris to take a step aside for the next 4 years and replace her with Liz Cheney, and redub the party the American Party. The two former parties would unite against the common evil, Mr. Trump, a man without an inkling of what it truly means to be an American. If we unite in this drastic fashion, the Biden/Cheney ticket might just be able to hold onto the reins for another 4 years.
Rich Bailowitz
North Tucson
Rich Bailowitz
North side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: My Straightforward Election Decision
- Gary Simons, Oro Valley
My 2024 election decision is pretty straightforward for me. This election is too critical to consider a third party candidate. Both major candidates are close in age, so that’s not a factor. One is calm and compassionate, the other breeds chaos and hate. One plans to do what’s right for our country and future, and the other what’s right for himself. One attempts to maintain - or better - our foreign policy, healthcare, infrastructure, and promote a reasonable position on abortion, voters rights, and gun and climate control issues, economy and immigration (despite opposition from the other party, and at times factors beyond his control). The other promotes isolationism while fostering friendship with autocratic strongmen, fears science, speaks of law & order - but defies both, and who is the puppetmaster/ventriloquist to his cultist sycophants.
However, what scares me the most is the potential loss of our democracy - forever changed – if Trump wins (or refuses to concede a loss).
Gary Simons
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Trump is Right
- Julian Donahue, Foothills
I never thought that I would agree with Mr. Trump, much less admit it, but he is absolutely right: the New York business fraud (“hush money”) trial was indeed rigged—rigged against criminals. Twelve of his Manhattan peers unanimously agreed. Thirty-four times.
Julian Donahue
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: The Ultimate Fixer
- Dianne Lethaby, East side
Trump had the opportunity to defend himself by taking the stand during the NY civil trial. All he had to do was raise his right hand and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Apparently, he was unable to do so. He SURRENDERED that right. Now he and others in HIS party are insisting the Supreme Court should be his "Fixer". This is just a taste of how he and his followers will use all aspects of government to do his bidding if re-elected. There will be no going back.
Dianne Lethaby
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Trump era
- Bill Dowdall, Oro Valley
Everyone should dial back to 2016 up to 2020 before the pandemic. The U.S. economy was roaring, unemployment low for all, inflation around 2%, energy independent for the first time in 75 years, gas prices approx.$2.15/gallon. Trump will return to the same policies if re-elected. Ask the question - Were you better off four years ago? Most would reply yes. Biden is scrambling with a half baked border program purely for political reasons. He is pandering to the Black community as he is witnessing a decline in support. He cannot hide the failures from the public. Brace yourselves for a barrage of lies as we get closer to Nov 6. To make America Great Again is not a dirty phrase. It has meaning and merit. We have a long way to go to get the country back on track.
Bill Dowdall
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: INTROSPECT LACKING
- Jeff Rayner, SaddleBrooke
I wondered why the GOP was blaming Biden and the Dems for “Weaponizing” our gov’t. Besides the obvious projection, it dawned on me that this is exactly what they have done and would do if they were in power. It is impossible for an immoral person to predict how a moral person would act, as that is beyond the immoral’s view of the world. In their view it is what they would do, so why wouldn’t anyone do it? Not really projection, it is more a lack of vision/ownership of morality. If they do perceive what they do as immoral, they simply justify it as being needed to stop the Dems. The ends justify the means, is a theme used by the Nazis. I await the good people of conservative nature, waking up and facing what MAGA is doing in their names.
MAGA has no ability to see themselves as normal people see them. Most regular folks see them as radicals.
Jeff Rayner
SaddleBrooke
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Gay Pride
- Frank Dahl, East side
The month of June was once a month for our children to begin summer fun. Now it is a month we are told to celebrate hom*osexuality.
The rainbow was once celebrated as Gods promise to us. Now is a sinful lifestyle symbol .
The word "Gay" was once thought of as happy but now really just a feel good word for the word "hom*osexual".
All now these words are all taken from us from the very loud minority....
Is Gay pride really something our society wants to have pride in or has it been forced upon us ?
As famous religious leaders remind us, for those of us who are bible believing Christians, that is, -- If God does not judge the hom*osexual behavior in our modern day society, will He then will have to go back to apologize to Sodom and Gomorra ?
Frank Dahl
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Turning over in Their Graves
- David E. Leon, Vail
June 06, 1944 will be upon us. In case you have forgotten, 80 year's ago the largest invasion of WW11 took place. And I'm sure we don't want to forget that date! On a Hill overlooking Omaha Beach there are 9,388 U.S. Soldiers buried there, in Netluno, Italy there are 3,095 names on a wall of a chapel all missing in action from combat in Southern Italy. Only 17 have been located since 1944. 7,864 were KIA in Italy Luxembourg American Cemetery 5,074 Rest in Peace there. Including, General George S Patton. They all must be turning in their Graves after we had a Traitor, #45 showing no Respect to these men and Women who gave up there Lives and Future!! And fighting Facists for our Freedoms in our Great Country. God help us if there is a God? There must be a God only Humans can create the Hate and lies in our Country!
David E. Leon
Vail
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Tucson Speaks Out: June 6 letters of the day
Gay pride
The month of June was once a month for our children to begin summer fun. Now it is a month we are told to celebrate hom*osexuality.
The rainbow was once celebrated as God’s promise to us. Now is a sinful lifestyle symbol.
The word “gay” was once thought of as happy but now really just a feel-good word for “hom*osexual.”
All now these words are all taken from us from the very loud minority …
Is gay pride really something our society wants to have pride in or has it been forced upon us?
As famous religious leaders remind us — for those of us who are Bible-believing Christians, that is — if God does not judge the hom*osexual behavior in our modern-day society, will He then have to go back to apologize to Sodom and Gomorra?
Frank Dahl
East side
Turning over in their graves
June 06, 1944, is upon us. In case you have forgotten, 80 years ago the largest invasion of WWII took place. And I’m sure we don’t want to forget that date! On a hill overlooking Omaha Beach there are 9,388 U.S. Soldiers buried there, in Nettuno, Italy, there are 3,095 names on a wall of a chapel all missing in action from combat in Southern Italy. Only 17 have been located since 1944, 7,864 were KIA, in Italy Luxembourg American Cemetery 5,074 Rest in Peace there. Including, General George S. Patton. They all must be turning in their graves after we had a traitor, no. 45 showing no respect to these men and women who gave up their lives and future. And fighting fascists for our freedoms in our great country. God help us if there is a God. There must be a God, only humans can create the hate and lies in our country.
David E. Leon
Vail
Trump era
Everyone should dial back to 2016 up to 2020 before the pandemic. The U.S. economy was roaring, unemployment low for all, inflation around 2%, energy independent for the first time in 75 years, gas prices approximately $2.15/gallon. Trump will return to the same policies if re-elected. Ask the question — were you better off four years ago? Most would reply yes. Biden is scrambling with a half-baked border program purely for political reasons. He is pandering to the Black community as he is witnessing a decline in support. He cannot hide the failures from the public. Brace yourselves for a barrage of lies as we get closer to Nov 6. To make America Great Again is not a dirty phrase. It has meaning and merit. We have a long way to go to get the country back on track.
Bill Dowdall
Oro Valley
Conover cleaned up corruption
While Barbara LaWall was county attorney, I was the director of one of the largest Pima County government departments. When I made public extensive evidence that I was being pressured to award Pima County contracts to companies that had made campaign contributions and provided other inducements to the chairman of the board of supervisors, and that evidence was well reported by the Arizona Daily Star, LaWall’s office did not act to stop the violations of state laws regarding government contracting. Instead, LaWall’s office downplayed the revelations and supported retaliatory disciplinary actions against county employees who helped inform the public about the corruption.
I am very happy that Laura Conover was elected county attorney on a justice reform platform and has cleaned up the corrupt culture in the Pima County Attorney’s Office. I urge Pima County voters to re-elect Laura Conover.
Brooks Keenan
Oro Valley
Introspect lacking
I wondered why the GOP was blaming Biden and the Dems for “Weaponizing” our government. Besides the obvious projection, it dawned on me that this is exactly what they have done and would do if they were in power. It is impossible for an immoral person to predict how a moral person would act, as that is beyond the immoral view of the world. In their view it is what they would do, so why wouldn’t anyone do it? Not really projection, it is more a lack of vision/ownership of morality. If they do perceive what they do as immoral, they simply justify it as being needed to stop the Dems. The ends justify the means, is a theme used by the Nazis. I await the good people of conservative nature, waking up and facing what MAGA is doing in their names.
MAGA has no ability to see themselves as normal people see them. Most regular folks see them as radicals.
Jeff Rayner
SaddleBrooke
PCC and climate change
Re: the May 31 article “Colleges offer degrees on climate change.”
This article details the growing list of higher ed institutions offering programs and degrees in this crucial area. You may be surprised to learn that Pima Community College is a leader among colleges seeking to meet the challenges presented by climate change.
In 2022, Pima announced its Climate Action and Sustainability Plan (CASP) with the goals of minimizing Pima’s carbon footprint and infusing climate change and sustainability throughout the curriculum. Pima now has an Office of Sustainability with a full-time director, faculty fellowships charged with implementing the CASP, and a handful of new courses devoted to preparing the next generation for what lies ahead. New courses include Sustainable Futures; Food, People and the Planet; Environmental Explorations; and a course simply titled Climate Change.
I am fortunate to be part of the group advancing these necessary initiatives and to work for this forward-thinking institution.
Charles MacCabe, Adjunct Faculty, Pima Community College
East side
The ultimate fixer
Trump had the opportunity to defend himself by taking the stand during the NY civil trial. All he had to do was raise his right hand and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Apparently, he was unable to do so. He surrendered that right. Now he and others in HIS party are insisting the Supreme Court should be his “Fixer”. This is just a taste of how he and his followers will use all aspects of government to do his bidding if re-elected. There will be no going back.
Dianne Lethaby
East side
Trump is right
I never thought that I would agree with Mr. Trump, much less admit it, but he is absolutely right: the New York business fraud (“hush money”) trial was indeed rigged—rigged against criminals. Twelve of his Manhattan peers unanimously agreed. Thirty-four times.
Julian Donahue
Foothills
Great article by Mort Rosenblum
Re: the June 2 article “Devil is in the details for Copper World.”
I want to thank Mort Rosenblum for his great article covering the recent ADEQ Copper World meetings. I agree with his assessment that ADEQ presented as if the decision to grant had already been made.
It’s interesting that only two of the three planned tailing storage areas are included in the permit, yet the permit will be granted for the life of the mine without enough storage space for approximately 1/3 of the tailings. Hudbay will not line the tailing areas, but they will line the leach pad related to on-site cathode production which they removed from their plans in 2023. They will reevaluate whether to add that in year four of operations or simply continue shipping our copper to China for processing. Then China will sell the cathodes back to us for profit. It’s nice that our Legislature and our state agencies prioritize helping foreign companies make money. Don’t worry, we’ll even clean up the mess.
Cathy McGrath
Vail
American Party
Attention
Sometimes, for the greater good, drastic measures must be taken. My feeling is that we do not need a democratic or republican president come November. We need an American president. We need to keep Trump from a second term at all costs. I suggest we do as follows: ask Kamala Harris to take a step aside for the next four years and replace her with Liz Cheney, and redub the party the American Party. The two former parties would unite against the common evil, Mr. Trump, a man without an inkling of what it truly means to be an American. If we unite in this drastic fashion, the Biden/Cheney ticket might just be able to hold onto the reins for another four years.
Rich Bailowitz
North side
My straightforward election decision
My 2024 election decision is pretty straightforward for me. This election is too critical to consider a third-party candidate. Both major candidates are close in age, so that’s not a factor. One is calm and compassionate, the other breeds chaos and hate. One plans to do what’s right for our country and future, and the other what’s right for himself. One attempts to maintain — or better — our foreign policy, healthcare, infrastructure, and promote a reasonable position on abortion, voters rights, and gun and climate control issues, economy and immigration (despite opposition from the other party, and at times factors beyond his control). The other promotes isolationism while fostering friendship with autocratic strongmen, fears science, speaks of law and order — but defies both, and who is the puppetmaster/ventriloquist to his cultist sycophants.
However, what scares me the most is the potential loss of our democracy — forever changed — if Trump wins (or refuses to concede a loss).
Gary Simons
Oro Valley
Letter: What Am I Voting For
- Richard Bechtold, West side
The issues in America are Inflation, Immigration, NATO, Israel and Palestine, Climate Change, Women's Rights, Medical Care, Education for Everyone, Etc. I am not voting exclusively for any of those issues. I am voting for a government system that is able to solve all problems, now and in the future. The issues are not the problem. The inability to govern cooperatively is the problem. There is a Greek proverb that sums up what I am voting for. "A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know shall never sit". t's not our problems we should be fighting over. We need to fight for a system that allows us to solve problems together as a society.
Richard Bechtold
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Don the "Con"
- Ron Rude, West side
Concupiscent narcissist
Conniving insurrectionist
Convicted felon
Congenital liar
Contemptable misogynist
Election Conspirator
Confederacy resurgent (along with today’s Republicans)
Saboteur of the Constitution
Conscience-less hoodlum
Misinformation Contagium
Consummate cheat
Hardly qualifications for public trust.
Trump’s schemes involve fabricating untrue accusations of criminal activity against opponents (such as Biden weaponizing the justice system?). Applying his unique/toxic mind, he then invents past, present, and future dictatorial justifications for fulfilling these very same crimes himself. Which his gullible base swallows.
Brilliant … if one considers depravity a sign of brilliance.
One slip-up occurred, however. It would have been smarter for Trump to commit his crimes in a Republican-controlled State. Then he could have been assured that the State’s public officials― including US Reps/Senators―would predictably (based on past behavior) abandon Oaths of Office, and a jury of peers would likely wriggle out of truth-seeking Civic Duty.
Ron Rude
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Boomer
- Carl Foster, Green Valley
I am lucky to have lived in the best possible period in American history. Born immediately after WW2 my early years were when the United States was the most revered and envied place in the world. Our country had just saved the world from tyranny and madness. We had food aplenty and a modern infrastructure that provided sanitation and health care benefits better than any place on earth. As the decades flew past mistakes were made. But we overcame – and came out of it even better. But now we have a former President calling our country fascist, elected officials calling our entire judicial system rigged, half of the country and its leaders not accepting election results, college protesters supporting a violent terrorist organization, and we have news organizations and social media sites that knowingly lie. In a way I would love to come back in 100 years to see what we’ve become… But then again, I don’t think I’d want to see it.
Carl Foster
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Was it rigged?
- Ella Suagee, Benson
The former president complains that he was brought into court only for political reasons, despite the fact that the attorney general of New York does not consult with the president in such matters. President Biden has had nothing to do with any of the cases against Trump.
The only political motivation in the Trump case is Trump’s. In both the 2016 and the 2020 elections, he tried to manipulate the system to assure that he won. Collecting evidence to prosecute such actions takes time, and the New York Attorney brought the case as soon as he could. For political reasons, Trump’s team delayed the trial. A jury selected by both prosecution and defense attorneys found Trump guilty, based on evidence presented. How is this rigged? Abetted by those who worked for him, Trump did the crimes. He should do the time. Politically motivated crimes are still crimes.
Ella Suagee
Benson
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Above the Rule of Law
- Frank Parsons, Northeast side
We live under independent institutions long familiar to us. Trump has already told us he will use them to get even for the treatment he believes he received. They will most likely no longer be recognizable by us.
We have just seen a jury of his peers find Trump guilty. He is now a convicted felon, as are many others who naively followed him...representative of those he selects to mindlessly do his bidding.
Here is what this man would be doing to us:
- One found guilty of dishonest business practices directing our country's national and foreign financial affairs.
- One unable to communicate without lying deciding what is important to our lives.
- One found mishandling our country's secrets using them for personal gain.
- One found manipulating elections having no interest in our freedom to vote.... or for doing anything else!
- One admiring dictators choosing our allies.
Accountability...gone. Individual freedom...gone. Trust by us and other countries...gone. A future for our children...gone.
Is this really what you want?
Frank Parsons
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Biden wasn't prosecuted due to being unfit to stand trial
- Ivan Stanski, Marana
Democrats are joyous that Trump is now a "convicted felon." But Joe Biden could be the same by now, a convicted felon, related to his "willful Mishandling of classified materials", but Special Counsel Hur deemed him unfit to Indict and stand trial due to his senility. No such mitigating determinations for Trump by Democrat prosecutors across the country. Biden kept classified documents all over the place and revealed classified information to his ghost book writer, who deliberately deleted evidence from his computer. No Obstruction charges were brought for that. Hunter Biden's criminal trial for illegally purchasing a firearm begins today, 6/3, in Delaware, a Democrat controlled state and Biden's home. I fully expect a jury of all Democrats, as in the New York trial of Trump, to acquit Biden or result in a hung jury. An important piece of evidence to be used by the prosecution are emails from Hunter's laptop, the same that 50 "intelligence experts" deemed as Russian "disinformation" to help Joe Biden before the 2020 election.
Ivan Stanski
Marana
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Tucson Speaks Out: June 5 letters of the day
U of A leadership
True leadership is doing what is right — “The time is always right to do what is right” (MLK) — and being able to separate and delineate issues. UA Senate Chair Leila Hudson’s behavior has truly illustrated her lack of being able to do so. Not separating a proper and valid antisemitism resolution to be brought to the Faculty Senate, from a police action of those violating the curfew rules of the University, illustrates the lack of good judgment and the inability to separate issues. The removal of protesters breaking the rules has no bearing on presenting a valid anti-ethnicism resolution.
Real and effective leadership would have been for the Chair of the Faculty Senate to be at the protest site with President Robbins after the curfew hours, requesting the protesters to cease the protest until the following morning, and have brought the antisemitism resolution to the Faculty Senate.
May the UA always support protests within the rules and valid resolutions of anti-ethnicism.
Tom Warne
Downtown
Conover doesn’t care
I am the former Chief Criminal Deputy of the Pima County Attorney’s Office and the facts presented are based on public records. PCAO is down over 30 experienced criminal prosecutors since Laura Conover took office. Her communications director earns over $100,000 to make Conover’s Facebook — Web page look nice. Meanwhile, half her prosecutors are making far less. Conover pleads serious repetitive home burglars to potential misdemeanors, domestic violence offenders with priors to misdemeanors, and those with multiple DUI convictions to almost nothing. Her office did not try one vehicular crime as a felony last year. Tucson is inundated with drunk and reckless drivers victimizing innocent citizens and she either pled or dismissed every case. In addition, Conover has the disturbing record for number of cases dismissed on the day of trial; an injustice to victims, a disruption of the criminal justice system, and a sign of total mismanagement. Conover doesn’t seem to care. Hopefully, the citizens of Pima County care. I will be voting for Mike Jette.
David Berkman
Northwest side
Minority rules at PAG/RTA
Thank you Mayor Romero and Supervisor Scott for speaking out against misinformation, manipulation and untruths by the executive Director Farhad Moghimi of PAG/RTA at the May 30 meeting. Both elected officials showed a thorough understanding of the agenda items and challenged the misrepresentations by Mr. Moghimi. You can watch the meeting on YouTube.
As I have commented on in the past in this newspaper, PAG is misusing millions of dollars of federal funds intended to reduce carbon emissions from motor vehicles. Mr. Moghimi unilaterally decided to use those federal funds for unrelated planning and data collection, rather than actual emission reduction programs.
Mayor Romero has led the Another way in questioning the use of those monies and now Supervisor Scott has joined her. City of Tucson and Pima County ultimately lost the vote on the carbon reduction plan, which demonstrates the fundamental flaw in the structure of our metropolitan planning organization/RTA, the minority rules; less than 15% of the population got what they wanted and 85% didn’t.
Ruth Reiman
Midtown
AZ delegation should overturn EPA gas car ban
President Biden’s EPA recently finalized a regulation that will, in practice, ban most new gas cars and trucks by 2032. The end game is to force American drivers into electric vehicles by taking away most non-plug-in vehicle options. This policy is unlawful. It’s bad for consumers, our economy and national security.
To comply, automakers will have to stop producing most traditional gas vehicles in less than eight years, leaving Arizonans with vastly restricted access to new gas cars and trucks they can afford. EPA’s own regulatory compliance scenarios acknowledge as much. Gas cars will be limited down from 84% of sales today to no more than 30% by 2032, regardless of whether those targets outpace consumers.
Senators Kelly and Sinema and Congressman Gallego will have an opportunity to overturn this regulation in upcoming Congressional Review Act votes. With 61% of Arizona’s likely voters opposed to gas car bans and EV mandates, voting to overturn EPA’s ban should be the obvious choice.
Chet Thompson, President and CEO American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, Washington, D.C.
Washington D.C.
Law and order
America must fight legally for law and order if it doesn’t want to become a third-world country. If you believe a situation is rigged than check out the facts. If it really is, then fight to change the laws or situation in a legal way. Attacking others verbally and physically is turning us into a Banana Republic. Fight for our democracy by supporting and voting for people who support the will of the people, and not those who are trying to take away our freedoms. We have been guided by our constitution, which is now in the process of a faction trying to discredit and destroy the values in which it was created. The dark money has gotten all the way up to the Supreme Court, making it necessary for us to be more proactive.
Elain Geary
East side
Biden wasn’t prosecuted, unfit to stand trial
Democrats are joyous that Trump is now a “convicted felon.” But Joe Biden could be the same by now, a convicted felon, related to his “willful mishandling of classified materials”, but Special Counsel Hur deemed him unfit to indict and stand trial due to his senility. No such mitigating determinations for Trump by Democrat prosecutors across the country. Biden kept classified documents all over the place and revealed classified information to his ghost book writer, who deliberately deleted evidence from his computer. No obstruction charges were brought for that. Hunter Biden’s criminal trial for illegally purchasing a firearm begins June 3, in Delaware, a Democrat controlled state and Biden’s home. I fully expect a jury of all Democrats, as in the New York trial of Trump, to acquit Biden or result in a hung jury. An important piece of evidence to be used by the prosecution are emails from Hunter’s laptop, the same that 50 “intelligence experts” deemed as Russian “disinformation” to help Joe Biden before the 2020 election.
Ivan Stanski
Marana
Was it rigged?
The former president complains that he was brought into court only for political reasons, despite the fact that the attorney general of New York does not consult with the president in such matters. President Biden has had nothing to do with any of the cases against Trump.
The only political motivation in the Trump case is Trump’s. In both the 2016 and the 2020 elections, he tried to manipulate the system to assure that he won. Collecting evidence to prosecute such actions takes time, and the New York Attorney brought the case as soon as he could. For political reasons, Trump’s team delayed the trial. A jury selected by both prosecution and defense attorneys found Trump guilty, based on evidence presented. How is this rigged? Abetted by those who worked for him, Trump did the crimes. He should do the time. Politically motivated crimes are still crimes.
Ella Suagee
Benson
No one is above the law
I realize that the Star, and most newspapers in the country are controlled by liberal Democrats. Almost on a daily basis there is someone making derogatory remarks about Trump. One of the most common phrases repeated over and over is “Nobody is above the law”. Now a real felon, that being Hunter Biden is going on trial. I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for a well-deserved conviction.
Dennis Jacobsen
Northwest side
Above the rule of law
We live under independent institutions long familiar to us. Trump has already told us he will use them to get even for the treatment he believes he received. They will most likely no longer be recognizable by us.
We have just seen a jury of his peers find Trump guilty. He is now a convicted felon, as are many others who naively followed him, representative of those he selects to mindlessly do his bidding.
Here is what this man would be doing to us:
One found guilty of dishonest business practices directing our country’s national and foreign financial affairs.
One unable to communicate without lying deciding what is important to our lives.
One found mishandling our country’s secrets using them for personal gain.
One found manipulating elections having no interest in our freedom to vote.... or for doing anything else!
One admiring dictators choosing our allies.
Accountability ... gone. Individual freedom ... gone. Trust by us and other countries ... gone. A future for our children ... gone.
Is this really what you want?
Frank Parsons
Northeast side
Restitution not a fine
Re: the June 3 article “Former felons should now be allowed to vote.”
As the director of the Civil Rights Restoration Clinic at the Rogers College of Law since 2006, I read with keen interest the guest opinion by Kellie Wallenciak concerning the right of former felons to vote. I completely agree with Ms. Wallenciak. However, I would like to offer a couple corrections. She is correct that civil rights are automatically restored in Arizona for people with one felony conviction, but she indicated that the person needs to pay any “fine” they owe. It is not a fine that needs to be paid but restitution owed to a victim. She also mentioned that repeat offenders need to petition the court for restoration “after a waiting period.” After a person completes their sentence, there is no waiting period in Arizona to apply to have one’s civil rights restored which includes voting rights. Ms. Wallenciak is right that there is no better time to change the law and allow all ex-felons to vote.
Andy Silverman
Midtown
Mort Rosenblum’s column on Copper World
Re: the June 2 article “Devil is in the details for Copper World.”
The Star introduces native journalist Mort Rosenblum with great fanfare and prints his initial June 2 column. It’s a bomb, and it is nothing but a long, twisted and subtle hit-job on Copper World that ends with a typical doomsday “Details vary, but the upshot is constant. Nothing survives without water.”
Rosenblum needs to explain this from Tucson Water’s report to its customers the very next day on June 3. Quote: “The two questions we are most frequently asked at Tucson Water are: Does Tucson have enough water for the future? Is Tucson’s water safe to drink? The answer to both questions is yes.”
So my question to Rosenblum and ALL anti-mining southern Arizonans is this. How does modern civilization exist without copper? Let me save all of you and Rosenblum the trouble from answering. It doesn’t.
Steve Sollenberger
Foothills
Letter: Swearing alegencies
- John McConnaughey, Oro Valley
An open letter to Jaun Ciscomani: Dear Representative Ciscomani, I read where Trump is demanding Republicans to support him by attacking our justice system, and the verdict against him delivered by the New York court. Please think carefully about where your allegiances should lie. As my representative, please make sure your first allegiance is with the Constitution of the United States, and second to the citizens of Arizona's Congressional District #6. Somewhere down the list would be Donald Trump, if you conclude he is acting in a lawful manner and with the best interests of the American public in mind. I think his actions suggest his allegiances lie only with himself, and the verdicts against him suggest that he thinks laws are only for other people to follow.
John McConnaughey
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Honoring trial by jury
- Ke Chiang Hsieh, Midtown
Our system of trial by jury (twelve selected from a pool of randomly summoned common citizens by consent of the plaintiff and the defense attorneys) began 300 and some years ago by English immigrants. The jury thusly chosen should deliver the least biased verdict; in criminal cases, however, the trial favors the defendant – a guilty verdict must be unanimous, but an acquittal needs just one vote. From my only experience as a juror (in a one-day civil case, with some jurors weeping during deliberation), I can imagine the enormous burden put on the jurors for the recent trial on the conduct of a former president to mislead the voters in 2016. Independent of their verdict, they deserve our gratitude and admiration for their courage, diligence and integrity to serve as jurors on an unprecedented case in our national history. They gave us common citizens confidence in our time-honored trial by jury.
Ke Chiang Hsieh
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Tired of Lies
- Robert McNeil, Midtown
When I hear that Trump's legal problems are"election interference by Joe Biden's Justice Department" it is so stupid it makes my head hurt. I am also offended that anybody would try to p ass that off as fact to me.
Not so smart Trumpers might believe it but his back -up group,the Trumpettes are actually parroting this idiocy to the news while wearing their matching suits and ties and brown noses. It is a race to the bottom, how low will they go?
Robert McNeil
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Re: the June 1. article “Letter: Hypocritical magas”
- Nancy Atherton, Foothills
It is clear that Republicans have lost all desire to support the mainstays of our Democracy, (rule of law, checks and balances and all citizens’ right to vote) shown by the fact that they are following in lock-step all of Trump’s lies and whining about being found guilty by a jury of his peers. He was given all the opportunities to present his case that any other defendant has in a country that believes in the rule of law, and he was found guilty. Nor only is he whining about the result, but he is doing it in such a way to present a real danger to the judge and his family, and potentially the jurors, from his totally crazed supporters. And of course he has done it in such a way that, like Pilate, he can claim innocence when others do awful things! Shame on him and all the Republicans that slavishly follow him for the cowards and hypocrites they are!
Nancy Atherton
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Trump knows
- James Nesci, East side
In New York, ex-president Donald Trump was convicted of 34 criminal counts in the p*rn Star/Hush Money case that the he says was the “weakest of the cases” that he’s facing. As a retired criminal defense attorney, I tend to agree that it was the weakest of the cases--and that fact doesn’t bode well for his chances in the Washington DC January 6th case where he’s facing 4 criminal counts. And, it doesn’t bode well for the Georgia Election case where he’s facing 10 criminal counts. And it certainly doesn’t bode well for the strongest of the cases, the Classified Documents case in Florida, where he’s facing 40 criminal counts. The Hush Money case may have been the “weakest” of the cases, but it was clearly a very strong case as the verdict demonstrated, and as the ex-president clearly knows.
James Nesci
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: A Divided Country
- Toni Kane, Oro Valley
Abraham Lincoln stated that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Modern Republicans claim that they are the party of Lincoln. With a win in November, might a Republican President possibly destroy our country for the benefit of those with the most money? Once divided and then destroyed, will our country become whole? We may be rebuilt in the form of a dictatorship enjoyed by the few who stay in the good graces of the dictator. Knocking down the federal government may encourage others to strike down state governments. The future could be bleak for the majority of citizens in the United States.
Toni Kane
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: No one is above the LAW
- Dennis Jacobsen, Northwest side
I realize that the Star, and most newspapers in the country are controlled by liberal democrats. Almost on a daily basis there is someone making derogatory remarks about Trump. One of the most common phrases repeated over and over is "Nobody is above the law" Now a real felon, that being Hunter Biden is going on trial. I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for a well-deserved conviction.
Dennis Jacobsen
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Tucson Speaks Out: June 4 letters of the day
Land of opportunity
Cape Cod Massachusetts is a lot like Tucson. It’s a playground with tremendously fun and interesting people. Both places also attract a large homeless population. A recent letter to the Daily Star stood up for those people. I can’t agree with her more. I’m no expert. But based on my own firsthand experience, it seems like it’s more a matter of bad luck and bad parents than anything else. Some have checked out and might be beyond remediation. A majority seem to me to be funny, pretty smart, and entrepreneuring their way through a difficult environment. Giving them welfare probably is a dead-end street. Giving them a leg up makes better sense. Pay half their salary for six months. Get ’em going. The DNA pool isn’t that widespread. If these guys had the connections rich kids do, they’d do great.
Walter Ramsley
East side
Horne blows smoke
I keep seeing AZ Superintendent of Schools Tom Horne telling us how good the education system in our state. Unfortunately there are no metrics to support that. In nearly every type of ranking AZ finishes in the bottom three in the country. Right there with backward states like Mississippi and Alabama.
I guess that Horne feels that if he lies to the public over and over some will actually think it's true!?
Too bad for our students.
Scott Lukomski
Northeast side
Trump knows
In New York, ex-president Donald Trump was convicted of 34 criminal counts in the p*rn star/hush money case that he says was the “weakest of the cases” that he’s facing. As a retired criminal defense attorney, I tend to agree that it was the weakest of the cases — and that fact doesn’t bode well for his chances in the Washington DC January 6th case where he’s facing four criminal counts. And it doesn’t bode well for the Georgia election case where he’s facing 10 criminal counts. And it certainly doesn’t bode well for the strongest of the cases, the classified-documents case in Florida, where he’s facing 40 criminal counts. The hush money case may have been the “weakest” of the cases, but it was clearly a very strong case as the verdict demonstrated, and as the ex-president clearly knows.
James Nesci
East side
Corrective action
begins at home
Tucson Electric Power Company (TEP) is a valuable member of our community.
Disappointing that their management recognizes that greenhouse gases that take energy in our atmosphere, create premature heat related deaths, damages and cost to public infrastructure, but are not accelerating actions to reduce fossil-fueled generation. That taxpayer-funded Arizona Corporation Commission also continues to ignore its responsibility to optimize value to the public.
TEP 2023 SEC10k report indicates that they reduced, did not increase, electricity generated by fixed and lower cost solar/wind that uses no water, emits no GHG’s, to generate by 4.6% (2,115 to 2,017 MWh). Generation via solar and wind was only 13% of total (2,017 RE / 15, 308 total).
Very disappointing that TEP, ACC and local governments are not acting to acquire Federal IRA funds to replace 80% of their GHG emissions by 2030 and avoid rate increases and related costs, generate economic stimulus, higher wage jobs, to our community, taxpayers and ratepayers. Negligent.
Terry Finefrock
Foothills
Following Tump's lies
It is clear that Republicans have lost all desire to support the mainstays of our democracy, (rule of law, checks and balances and all citizens’ right to vote) shown by the fact that they are following in lockstep all of Trump’s lies and whining about being found guilty by a jury of his peers. He was given all the opportunities to present his case that any other defendant has in a country that believes in the rule of law, and he was found guilty. Not only is he whining about the result, but he is doing it in such a way to present a real danger to the judge and his family, and potentially the jurors, from his totally crazed supporters. And of course he has done it in such a way that, like Pilate, he can claim innocence when others do awful things! Shame on him and all the Republicans that slavishly follow him for the cowards and hypocrites they are!
Nancy Atherton
Foothills
Choose wisely
A recent letter to the Editor, suggested you can tell who gave money to Mr. Jette, currently a Democrat, running for county attorney office and I decided to do so. I know nothing about him, except he was a registered as Green Party, then as a Republican and now a Democrat. So I looked up his contributions.
Well he has received $25,000 (through his various employees) from a local developer who owns many properties and is currently being investigated by the Attorney General office as a slum landlord who raises tenants' rents without notice or opportunity to discuss the increase. Another contributor, also a land developer, who has given monies to the anti-abortion movement trying to stop the choice issue on this November's ballot. A large amount of money was received from a law firm specializing in defense, but then the money was refunded? So take some time to find out about Mr. Jette. You get to know who are his most fervent supporters. Choose wisely this election.
Melanie Heavilon
West side
Petty arguments for the County Attorney
Re: the June 1 article "Stand up for safer future — my wife, Laura Conover has."
With all due respect, how can Aubrey Conover, husband of Pima County Attorney Laura Conover, speak up in defense of his wife’s performance and justification to run again? Bringing in their son is just inappropriate in this debate. Their son’s valid question of why his mom wants to run for this job once again has nothing to do with Laura’s qualifications. Attacking her opponent, prosecutor Mike Jette, as if he has not had a long and respectable career in the legal field, adds insult to injury. If I were attacked for what I have done in my professional field, I would want my record and my peers to speak up for me. Of course, my spouse’s emotional support in private would be crucial, but not in the public arena. Do not blur the lines and appeal to the public with a reference to your precious family life. The issue is simply who is more qualified as County Attorney, Laura or Mike, irrespective of their political affiliation.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
ADUs
The problem with housing in this state is not ADUs but allowing investors to buy up houses on the market. If I had an ADU, I would rent it to supplement my social security. I stay in a lot of Airbnb guest houses and most are owner occupied in the main house. Investors/private equity have come in with cash offers inflating house prices. I bought my house in Tucson four years ago and it has gone up at 100K. I do not think this will change because the rich have gotten richer since the pandemic and nobody is regulating the housing market. Big investors are not adding ADUs, they are buying up house to inflate rent and housing prices to their massive benefit. Most Airbnbs are small change allowing homeowners to make a little extra money. Go after the big money. Hobbs did not missed the chance on this one. Other financial issues in this state are bigger, like vouchers and tax cuts for the rich killing our budget.
Noel Rosenberg
Southwest side
Honoring trial by jury
Our system of trial by jury (twelve selected from a pool of randomly summoned common citizens by consent of the plaintiff and the defense attorneys) began 300 and some years ago by English immigrants. The jury thusly chosen should deliver the least biased verdict; in criminal cases, however, the trial favors the defendant – a guilty verdict must be unanimous, but an acquittal needs just one vote. From my only experience as a juror (in a one-day civil case, with some jurors weeping during deliberation), I can imagine the enormous burden put on the jurors for the recent trial on the conduct of a former president to mislead the voters in 2016. Independent of their verdict, they deserve our gratitude and admiration for their courage, diligence and integrity to serve as jurors on an unprecedented case in our national history. They gave us common citizens confidence in our time-honored trial by jury.
Ke Chiang Hsieh
Midtown
Tired of lies
When I hear that Trump's legal problems are "election interference by Joe Biden's Justice Department" it is so stupid it makes my head hurt. I am also offended that anybody would try to pass that off as fact to me.
Not so smart Trumpers might believe it but his back-up group, the Trumpettes, are actually parroting this idiocy to the news while wearing their matching suits and ties and brown noses. It is a race to the bottom, how low will they go?
Robert McNeil
Midtown
Swearing allegiances
An open letter to Jaun Ciscomani: Dear Representative Ciscomani, I read where Trump is demanding Republicans to support him by attacking our justice system, and the verdict against him delivered by the New York court. Please think carefully about where your allegiances should lie. As my representative, please make sure your first allegiance is with the Constitution of the United States, and second to the citizens of Arizona's Congressional District No. 6. Somewhere down the list would be Donald Trump, if you conclude he is acting in a lawful manner and with the best interests of the American public in mind. I think his actions suggest his allegiances lie only with himself, and the verdicts against him suggest that he thinks laws are only for other people to follow.
John McConnaughey
Oro Valley
A divided country
Abraham Lincoln stated that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Modern Republicans claim that they are the party of Lincoln. With a win in November, might a Republican President possibly destroy our country for the benefit of those with the most money? Once divided and then destroyed, will our country become whole? We may be rebuilt in the form of a dictatorship enjoyed by the few who stay in the good graces of the dictator. Knocking down the federal government may encourage others to strike down state governments. The future could be bleak for the majority of citizens in the United States.
Toni Kane
Oro Valley
Letter: Moving On
- Jon Dorschner, Midtown
I have been reading Gil Shapiro’s repetitive columns in the Star for years. Ironically, his attacks on “faith” are a reflection of his own faith in mechanistic materialism. He, like Evangelical Christians, wants to spread his version of the one truth to the exclusion of all others. His is a 19th Century viewpoint. Science has moved on and discovered that that our universe is far too complex and beautiful to be contained within this mechanistic/materialistic paradigm. Contemporary scientists are open to the world. To accurately understand this new paradigm, many scientists are accepting and integrating a wide variety of ideas into their world view, including many from the world’s great religious traditions. Perhaps Gil should do likewise.
Jon Dorschner
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Is Joe Biden a good guy or gutless guy?
- Vincent Alan, Northwest side
On the Star of May 26, John Bingham question why I would call Joe Biden gutless. My reasoning is that he is supposed to be our leader and he is not doing anything to get us out of the situation while we are accomplice to the genocide going on in Palestine. We that is you and I are the people who are buying the bombs to give to the Israelis to kill the Palestinians. You and I are responsible. We are culpable for what’s going on over there. And Joe is not doing anything fourth right to end it.
Honestly, Mr. John Bingham, you really need to brush up on the history of Palestine before you think the Hamas was acting unreasonably. You can start with the Balfour English amendment to establish the state for the Jews and follow through from 1947 to 2024 after you’ve done that I’d be seriously interested in what’s your point of view is
May God give Joe Biden courage
Vincent Alan
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Choice?
- Chris pinhey, Foothills
Did I choose my gender? No. Did I choose my sexual orientation. No. Did I choose to be an American? Only if I am an immigrant. I am not proud of being male, it was bestowed upon me. I am not proud of being heterosexual, it's just the way I am. I am not proud of being an American, I did not choose it. . I was just born here. Don't get me wrong, I am quite happy with being male, heterosexual and an American. But sometimes people negatively judge people who have been dealt other cards. Some men have discriminated against women. Some people have judged people who are not heterosexual. Some people look down on people who are not Americans. If people do do wrong, they should be punished (ask my children). But other than that, we need to support everyone who has been placed in their positions by factors outside of their control.
Chris pinhey
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Fantasy Island
- Deb Klumpp, Oro Valley
The letter "Any Apologies" asked, if Trump is elected and doesn't appoint himself forever dictator, doesn't shred the Constitution, and departs peacefully after four years, will Never Trumpers then apologize? What are the chances of Trump doing an about-face and becoming a reasonable and principled leader for all Americans? Zero! Think about what he has already shown us - his refusal to depart peacefully, inciting a violent insurrection, continued promotion of the Big Lie and a myriad of other egregious acts and lies. The answer to the question is a resounding NO. Apology? If someone supports Trump, they support what he is, what he has done, and intends to do. As Dr. Phil often says, the best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. If you have any doubts, just take a look at the manifesto Project 2025, where the plan for dismantling of our democracy by a future Trump administration is clearly laid out. Putting forth the fantasy of a Trump rule with integrity is laughable.
Deb Klumpp
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: It's unfair!
- Rick Cohn, West side
I agree with the MAGAs that it is unfair. I disagree with them as to what the nature of the unfairness is. The unfairness lies in the fact that we Americans had to wait so long for the devil to finally get his due!
Rick Cohn
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Tucson Speaks Out: June 3 letters of the day
Moving on
Re: the May 26 letter “Faith misleads, doesn’t deliver its promises.”
I have been reading Gil Shapiro’s repetitive columns in the Star for years. Ironically, his attacks on “faith” are a reflection of his own faith in mechanistic materialism. He, like Evangelical Christians, wants to spread his version of the one truth to the exclusion of all others. His is a 19th-century viewpoint. Science has moved on and discovered that our universe is far too complex and beautiful to be contained within this mechanistic/materialistic paradigm. Contemporary scientists are open to the world. To accurately understand this new paradigm, many scientists are accepting and integrating a wide variety of ideas into their worldview, including many from the world’s great religious traditions. Perhaps Gil should do likewise.
Jon Dorschner
Midtown
Is Biden a good guy or gutless guy?
Re: the May 26 letter “Biden is just a good guy.”
On the Star of May 26, John Bingham questions why I would call Joe Biden gutless. My reasoning is that he is supposed to be our leader, and he is not doing anything to get us out of the situation while we are accomplices to the genocide going on in Palestine. That is you and I are the people who are buying the bombs to give to the Israelis to kill the Palestinians. You and I are responsible. We are culpable for what’s going on over there. And Joe is not doing anything forthright to end it.
Honestly, Mr. John Bingham, you really need to brush up on the history of Palestine. You can start with the Balfour English amendment to establish the state for the Jews and follow through from 1947 to 2024. After you’ve done that, I’d be seriously interested in what your point of view is.
May God give Joe Biden courage.
Vincent Alan
Northwest side
Sharks of the athletics department
I can only scratch my head. Students attend a university to gain an education. If they play sports on the side, that’s just fine, and if the university makes money through them, OK. The primary objective, however, is nothing but education. The athletic department gets it all wrong; they are not there so that we gain fame and hence pay them. If there are expenditures, those need to be paid for by tickets or whatever, but not by the university. Students who want to be athletically involved deserve to be encouraged and supported, but not at the cost of the academic side of the game. We all know, capitalist business models have gotten hold of the university system and abuse it with no interest in education. Why does a university exist? For research and education; athletics is just a fun activity on the side. Money sharks have taken hold of the university and push unethically for money. Shut them down altogether. Remember, students ought to study! What a concept!
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
Fantasy Island
The letter “Any Apologies” asked, if Donald Trump is elected and doesn’t appoint himself forever dictator, doesn’t shred the Constitution, and departs peacefully after four years, will Never Trumpers then apologize? What are the chances of Trump doing an about-face and becoming a reasonable and principled leader for all Americans? Zero! Think about what he has already shown us — his refusal to depart peacefully, inciting a violent insurrection, continued promotion of the Big Lie and a myriad of other egregious acts and lies. The answer to the question is a resounding NO. Apology? If someone supports Trump, they support what he is, what he has done, and intends to do. As Dr. Phil often says, the best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. If you have any doubts, just take a look at the manifesto Project 2025, where the plan for dismantling of our democracy by a future Trump administration is clearly laid out. Putting forth the fantasy of a Trump rule with integrity is laughable.
Deb Klumpp
Oro Valley
Choice?
Did I choose my gender? No. Did I choose my sexual orientation? No. Did I choose to be an American? Only if I am an immigrant. I am not proud of being male, it was bestowed upon me. I am not proud of being heterosexual, it’s just the way I am. I am not proud of being an American, I did not choose it. I was just born here. Don’t get me wrong, I am quite happy with being male, heterosexual and an American. But sometimes, people negatively judge people who have been dealt other cards. Some men have discriminated against women. Some people have judged people who are not heterosexual. Some people look down on people who are not Americans. If people do wrong, they should be punished (ask my children). But other than that, we need to support everyone who has been placed in their positions by factors outside of their control.
Chris Pinhey
Foothills
Drag down or rise up
I read the newspaper article about Sheriff Lamb being hounded by liberal lawyers, looking for legal ways to interfere with an opponent’s campaign efforts. The comments even go so far as to declare Sheriff Lamb the “defendant,” using the term to implicate him. These liberal attack claims refer to Lamb’s attendance at anti-immigration events, even though there are laws against illegal immigration that Biden does not enforce. Of course, the second claim refers to the sheriff, bound by laws, attending constitutional events, claiming a disturbing level of extremism. Why is it that liberals seem more interested in tearing down their opponents instead of building up their own candidate? What I want to know is how will each candidate vote instead of claims that are lies, predicting what will happen. Candidates use big words like “accountable” for impact not promises, knowing there are not specific actions. Electing Trump will destroy democracy, a Democrat claim, however Trump was President before, the Biden inflation is destroying the economy.
Loran Hanco*ck
Northwest side
It’s unfair!
I agree with the MAGAs that it is unfair. I disagree with them as to what the nature of the unfairness is. The unfairness lies in the fact that we Americans had to wait so long for the devil to finally get his due!
Rick Cohn
West side
False comparison
Re: the May 26 letter “Faith misleads, doesn’t deliver its promises.”
Faith and reason are twin wings? I’m sorry but if one wing is reason and the other faith flying on a straight course would be very difficult are faith would not be holding up its side. All one has to do is look around to see so much dysfunction as people of faith keeps trying to impose their faith on the rest of the country.
I actually believe this is a false comparison as reason can be abused by incorrect assumptions and because reason (does this mean logic?) relies upon the missing middle as developed by Aristotle. That is, logic is a linear either/or proposition not allowing for nuance. The concept of Fuzzy Logic that allows for probabilities rather than strict either/or is far superior for making decisions.
A better comparison would be faith and science. Science evolves as new information is received. Faith is stagnant based upon ancient mythologies. Can science lead to a wrong conclusion, yes. However, it can learn from its mistakes where faith cannot.
Jim Sanders
North side
Choose wisely, Juan
In the wake of the Trump conviction, the Trump media machine and this MAGA allies have been quick to denounce the trial and the verdict as rigged. Attacks on the judge and the jury — the bedrock of the rule of law — have begun. I wonder which side of this issue my Congressman, Juan Ciscomani, will land? Will he champion the rule of law? Or will he toe the GOP party line?
Sheldon Clark
Vail
Letter: Trump wasn't a student of Richard Nixon
- Matt Somers, Midtown
Here's a quote that's apropos.
"If you are ever going to lie, you go to jail for the lie rather than the crime. So believe me, don't ever lie."
Richard M. Nixon's remarks to John Dean (April 1973) as quoted in Nixon Tapes "Submission of Recorded Presidential Conversations to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives", 1974.
Matt Somers
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Trump found guilty - still wants to be president
- Sheldon Metz, Northeast side
Trump supporters cry that their aspirational figure is being persecuted. In Thursday's unbiased jury verdict, all 34 counts were found guilty. Jurors listened closely to every word from attorneys and witnesses. THEY WERE THERE! While deliberating, they asked questions.
MAGA politicians-protesters and MAGATE supporters were not present at every court appearance. Neither evidence nor emails were seen. How do they KNOW he’s innocent? Because he TOLD them? They blindly believe in him, trusting his unsubstantiated claims without material proof.
In his unorthodox "podium," set up to obliterate everyone from Biden to Merchan to Garland, he only says "I am innocent." I did nothing wrong!” And they believe him? He eminently seeks power and wealth.
Trump uses the same words over and over because he has a limited vocabulary. "My Civil Rights have been totally violated with this highly political, unconstitutional and election interfering WITCH HUNT.... Our failing nation is being laughed at all over the world!”
Why does he still want to be president of all that?
Sheldon Metz
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Re: the Feb. 20. article “Letter: Unions, not the NRA are "Buying" Politicians”
- Mary Schneider, East side
Now that Donald J Trump, the future Republican nominee, has been convicted of all 34 counts and is now a convicted felon. Should he be confirmed as the leader of their party? This is going to be a Hugh decision for the future and direction as a party. This should be interesting.
Mary Schneider
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Fixing Societal Problems
- Michael Mount, Foothills
Our society is stressed. Income inequality, global warming, inadequate health care, discrimination, inflation, immigration, illegal drug use, skyrocketing deficits, represent some of the problems that we as a society need to solve if we are to survive. We have the resources to do exactly that. However, the problems need to be addressed jointly by all since no group has all the answers. They need input not only from both political parties but also that of independents, which represent a significant segment of our population. We don’t need political solutions, but workable solutions that have political support. However, I see today’s Trump sycophants as roadblocks to a civil and productive effort. They have put party before country. At Trump’s direction, they’ve become non-cooperative and uninterested in working with others. While both parties need to change, the chance that the GOP will is nil should Mr. Trump be elected again as president. God forbid.
Michael Mount
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: What About the Rest of Us?
- Fran McNeely, Northeast side
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has said in regard to his wife's flag flying, "my wife is an independently minded private citizen. She makes her own decisions, and I honor her right to do so."
I wish Justice Alito honored the rights of the millions of other women to make their own decisions when it comes to their bodies.
Fran McNeely
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Own it.
- Dennis Rivera, Foothills
If President Trump would have accepted his 7 million vote loss in 2020 with any class,
our country would not be this divided raging mess. Instead we got a January 6th insurrection,
and 4 years of divisive hateful rhetoric that has taken our country to the edge. Mr. Trump could have
vowed in 2020 to come back in 2024 to take his crown back, and he still might, but the wreckage he has left
behind these last 4 years might just be enough to make the America we all love unrecognizable.
Dennis Rivera
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Thankful
- Cindy Soffrin, Northeast side
It is with profound relief and sadness that I received the news about the verdict in the Trump NY State case. Relief that the system pulled our country from the abyss one more time. Sadness that so many people in our country do not feel the same way.
Cindy Soffrin
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: You Win..or
- Richard Aufmuth, Foothills
To the letter writers that permeate this forum every 10 days or so (against the Red Star's ground rules) I guess you are giddy about today's court verdict. But, consider whether this is good for our country. If the current regime can silence the opposition through the court rather than an election are we any different from Russia et.al. Also, you wind up with an infirm old old guy and a bobblehead for 4 years... your choice!
Richard Aufmuth
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Tucson Speaks Out: June 2 letters of the day
Faith delivers
Re: the May 26 article “Faith misleads, doesn’t deliver its promises.”
Gil Shapiro’s opinion piece in Sunday’s paper says, “Reason: the power of comprehending, inferring, or thinking, in orderly rational ways ... stands in strong opposition to faith.” I was a math major in college and have an orderly rational mind. As a way to relax, I work logic puzzles. I am also a woman of deep faith. As a teacher of math and religion, I saw no conflict between rational thinking and living by faith.
Shapiro calls faith an imposter for not delivering what it promises. He doesn’t understand that people pray not to change God’s mind, but because they understand prayer changes them. He also says, “Ask faith-based thinkers if they ever doubt their deeply held beliefs ... The answer will surely be ‘No’.” Of course, we have doubts! We also have the peace that comes with the ability to believe beyond understanding.
I remember the quote I posted in my math classroom many years ago: “Life is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived.”
Sister Karen Berry, OSF
Midtown
Wilson for Justice of the Peace
I will be voting for the Honorable Kendrick Wilson to remain as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 9. Judge Wilson is an experienced attorney and judge. Before taking the bench, he prosecuted domestic violence and animal abuse cases for Pima County and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. As a Justice of the Peace, he has presided over specialty courts addressing Domestic Violence and Animal Welfare, demonstrating compassion for crime victims and defendants, emphasizing offender treatment to avoid recidivism. He has done an outstanding job and is a model judge with the type of integrity, character, and judicial demeanor the position requires. I hope fellow residents of Precinct 9 will join me in voting to retain Judge Kendrick Wilson as our Justice of the Peace.
Amelia Craig Cramer
Downtown
Fixing societal problems
Our society is stressed. Income inequality, global warming, inadequate health care, discrimination, inflation, immigration, illegal drug use and skyrocketing deficits represent some of the problems that we as a society need to solve if we are to survive. We have the resources to do exactly that. However, the problems need to be addressed jointly by all since no group has all the answers. They need input not only from both political parties but also that of independents, which represent a significant segment of our population. We don’t need political solutions, but workable solutions that have political support. However, I see today’s Trump sycophants as roadblocks to a civil and productive effort. They have put party before country. At Trump’s direction, they’ve become non-cooperative and uninterested in working with others. While both parties need to change, the chance that the GOP will is nil should Mr. Trump be elected again as president. God forbid.
Michael Mount
Foothills
U of A farm system
Now that the University of Arizona has to pay its athletes and has become the ersatz AAA Farm team for Major League Baseball, the National Football League and the National Basketball Association, shouldn’t they be sending them a bill? Off the top of my head, maybe for about 20 million per year?
Jeffery Miller
Northwest side
Keep Conover
As a senior citizen who has lived in Tucson for over 50 years, I’ve seen politicians come and go. I’ve seen them make promises and, when elected, swiftly break them. I’ve seen politicians court us during their campaigns and ignore us once they’re in office.
Pima County Attorney Laura Conover somehow accomplished the exact opposite, despite COVID. She built a Fraud Unit. She began visiting Senior Living Facilities and neighborhoods, first virtually and then in person to instruct us, in English and Spanish, on how to protect ourselves and our neighbors. She delivers on her promises and keeps in touch with her constituents. It’s obvious that she cares.
Due to her effective, humane crime enforcement policies, we live in a safer community, with violent crime way down compared to other similar size cities.
As I said, I’ve seen politicians come and go. I definitely want Laura Conover to stay!
Miriam Furst
East side
What about the rest of us?
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has said in regard to his wife’s flag flying, “my wife is an independently minded private citizen. She makes her own decisions, and I honor her right to do so.”
I wish Justice Alito honored the rights of the millions of other women to make their own decisions when it comes to their bodies.
Fran McNeely
Northeast side
Republican leader?
Now that Donald J. Trump, the future Republican nominee, has been convicted of all 34 counts and is now a convicted felon. Should he be confirmed as the leader of their party? This is going to be a huge decision for the future and direction as a party. This should be interesting.
Mary Schneider
East side
Trump wasn’t a student of Nixon
Here’s a quote that’s apropos.
“If you are ever going to lie, you go to jail for the lie rather than the crime. So believe me, don’t ever lie.”
Richard M. Nixon’s remarks to John Dean (April 1973) as quoted in Nixon Tapes “Submission of Recorded Presidential Conversations to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives,” 1974.
Matt Somers
Midtown
Trump found guilty, still wants to be president
Trump supporters cry that their aspirational figure is being persecuted. In Thursday’s unbiased jury verdict, all 34 counts were found guilty. Jurors listened closely to every word from attorneys and witnesses. THEY WERE THERE! While deliberating, they asked questions.
MAGA politicians-protesters and MAGA supporters were not present at every court appearance. Neither evidence nor emails were seen. How do they KNOW he’s innocent? Because he TOLD them? They blindly believe in him, trusting his unsubstantiated claims without material proof.
In his unorthodox “podium,” set up to obliterate everyone from Biden to Merchan to Garland, he only says, “I am innocent.” I did nothing wrong!” And they believe him? He eminently seeks power and wealth.
Trump uses the same words over and over because he has a limited vocabulary. “My Civil Rights have been totally violated with this highly political, unconstitutional and election interfering WITCH HUNT .... Our failing nation is being laughed at all over the world!”
Why does he still want to be president of all that?
Sheldon Metz
Northeast side
You win ... or
To the letter writers that permeate this forum every 10 days or so (against the Red Star’s ground rules) I guess you are giddy about Thursday’s court verdict. But consider whether this is good for our country. If the current regime can silence the opposition through the court rather than an election are we any different from Russia et al. Also, you wind up with an infirm old old guy and a bobblehead for four years... your choice!
Richard Aufmuth
Foothills
Thankful
It is with profound relief and sadness that I received the news about the verdict in the Trump New York State case. Relief that the system pulled our country from the abyss one more time. Sadness that so many people in our country do not feel the same way.
Cindy Soffrin
Northeast side
League of Women Voters
Re: the May 29 letter “Citizen initiative process”
This letter to the editor does not represent the opinions or reflect any actions or decisions of the League of Women Voters of the United States or the League of Women Voters of Arizona. The League of Women Voters’ policy of “speaking with one voice” unequivocally states that only the president or designated spokesperson may represent the League’s position on any issue. The individual who submitted the letter was speaking on her own behalf and, as such, should not have referenced her former league affiliation.
As an all-volunteer organization, we deeply appreciate the work of our members in advancing our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy. However, all members are informed that they speak for themselves and not on behalf of the League unless authorized to do so, and may not reference their current or previous affiliation with the league when expressing their personal opinions, where this affiliation might be misunderstood to imply endorsem*nt or lend gravitas to their argument.
We appreciate the Star for providing a valuable platform for discussions on matters concerning Arizona citizens and applaud the public for sharing their views. The League will comment on legislative matters and ballot initiatives when appropriate. Opinions of current or past members are personal and do not reflect the League’s endorsem*nt.
Pinny Sheoran, League of Women Voters of Arizona, President
Arizona
Own it
If President Trump would have accepted his 7-million vote loss in 2020 with any class, our country would not be this divided, raging mess. Instead we got a Jan. 6 insurrection and four years of divisive, hateful rhetoric that has taken our country to the edge. Mr. Trump could have vowed in 2020 to come back in 2024 to take his crown back, and he still might, but the wreckage he has left behind these last four years might just be enough to make the America we all love unrecognizable.
Dennis Rivera
Foothills
Letter: Who are we?
- Spencer Elliott, Oro Valley
I think we need to take Mark Lamb’s question seriously and apply it nationally.
If you’re looking for a CEO to run a multitrillion-dollar enterprise, would you hire someone with no experience, or someone with “time in the trenches”? If the enterprise is a government, it includes ALL the people. If the enterprise is a business, the singular focus is profit margin. Running a government require balancing vision with jurisdictional stewardship and committing to public service. Running a business requires vision, committing to your investors (and not ”stiffing” your workers or contractors), avoiding ignorance, negligence, arrogance, misfeasance, destruction, and bankruptcy. Do you see the United States as a society or a business? Your answer will determine your vote. Remember our selections in 2016 and 2020? Remember the recent bi-partisan border bill? How have these turned out? Why?
Our choice, our vote, our children’s future.
Spencer Elliott
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Ex President Convicted
- Philip Reinecker, East side
Today ex president Trump was convicted of 34 felonies. You read right (34) He is officially a convict. Of course the expected backlash is starting to arrive. The prosecutor was dishonest, the judge was biased, all the jurors looked the other way, the media couldn't face the truth. For those of you who believe he is the person for our next President will you please do me a small favor. Open your minds, just for a minute, and consider that he isn't who you thought he was. Consider that he is, in fact, a bigoted, low lever liar who cannot get out of the way of his crimes. Is this really who you want to lead our great country? Please don't, with a straight face, say yes. Maybe Biden is shaky and not as sharp as he once was but, he isn't a crook. Doesn't that mean something to you. Do all of us a favor and not allow this convict with a mile of our next presidency.
Philip Reinecker
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Hypocritical magas
- David E. Leon, Vail
Verdict in 34-0 Guilty! Donnie Jr. Is crying that the Democrats got their way!! Hello people, #45 threatened the judge and his daughter, constant death threats! But his puppets believe that's how you treat people of they don't agree with your lies! #45;gave the jurors death like stares to the jurors as they walked by him!! His puppets who sat at the trail wore their white shirts and Red ties trying to intimidate the jurors by stareing at them. Now we will see some violence, because they believe #45 telling his puppets over and over as President he is above the LAW!!! God help us now!! A Felon can't run for President!! All should know by now, the magas or Facists have backup plan to do a another 01/06 now with weapons!! God save our Country!! Good Luck to all of us at this historic event! A former President who new what he was doing, trying to overthrow the United States Government!!
David E. Leon
Vail
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Re: the Feb. 20. article “Letter: Unions, not the NRA are "Buying" Politicians”
- jacques Fauxbel, Green Valley
I firmly believe that all these college protesters have gone over the laws of the USA. Since they feel that they can go above the law destroying college property that is giving them their Education, and Praising murdering Palestinians, as well as the Iranian Government, let them go live there and see what it is like over there.
Also, since they think that they are above the law, take away their student loans and do not let them apply for new student loans if they have been arrested for rioting since they feel that Palestine is a better place.
To let these students go on rampage over the war in Isarael, that most of them do not even know what it is all about is a crime against our Country and the freedom we live in.
We have fought hard for this freedom. We do not need young, unknowledgeable students try to take it away from us.
jacques Fauxbel
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Our country has NOT gone to hell.
- Thea Chalow, Oro Valley
“Our country has gone to hell,” whined Donald Trump following his conviction on all 34 felony counts.
I disagree.
What I see is that our country and our judicial system is working. A jury of Donald Trump’s peers took a solemn oath pledging to act fairly and impartially and follow the law as explained by the judge. After carefully listening to and reviewing the evidence, they decided—without a shadow of doubt—that Donald Trump committed 34 felony crimes as part of a conspiracy to corruptly influence the 2016 presidential election.
What I see from that is hope. Hope that we will someday recover from the painful, partisan divisions that have been stoked by Donald Trump since he announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States in 2015.
What I see—more than at anytime in the past nine years—is that Abraham Lincoln was right when he said, “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.”
Thea Chalow
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Trump’s Felony Conviction
- Michael Cravens, Northwest side
“A shameful day in American history”. House Speaker Johnson’s assessment couldn’t be more accurate. And, Donald Trump’s criminal conduct is solely responsible for bringing us to this junction.
As a retired senior military officer, educated to the ethos of our representative democracy, serving with women and men who commit to protecting this nation’s core values and concerned with our grandchildren’s future, I revel in today’s court decision as a moral victory for America. But, the only meaningful victory is preventing DJT from returning to the Oval Office. As our forefathers oft opined, only an internal force can destroy us. The divisive, chaotic and cancerous effect of Trump must be eliminated by caring, critical thinking Americans.
As a point of balance, the Biden Administration has been notably unfocused and ineffective on many critical fronts. But even in it’s most questionable policy actions, it maintains this nation’s most desired values.
Michael Cravens
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: 100% Correct
- Beth Dingman, Green Valley
I wonder whether any Trump supporters have asked themselves the question : Why is the electoral system and the judicial system rigged when Trump and other of his sycophants lose, but not rigged when they win? A lot of Republicans won in 2022, in fact a majority of the Arizona legislature is Republican, yet the system was rigged against Kari Lake, and against Trump in the 2020 election. Why not against all the rest of the Republicans?
And now a jury of twelve non-politicians, carefully screened to protect against biases, has looked at a lot of evidence and concluded that he was guilty. Is everyone else who has been found guilty also innocent, or only Trump?
Aren’t you the least bit suspicious of a person who is always right?
Beth Dingman
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Tucson Speaks Out: June 1 letters of the day
Who are we?
I think we need to take Mark Lamb’s question seriously and apply it nationally.
If you’re looking for a CEO to run a multitrillion-dollar enterprise, would you hire someone with no experience, or someone with “time in the trenches”? If the enterprise is a government, it includes all the people. If the enterprise is a business, the singular focus is profit margin. Running a government requires balancing vision with jurisdictional stewardship and committing to public service. Running a business requires vision, committing to your investors (and not ”stiffing” your workers or contractors), avoiding ignorance, negligence, arrogance, misfeasance, destruction, and bankruptcy. Do you see the United States as a society or a business? Your answer will determine your vote. Remember our selections in 2016 and 2020? Remember the recent bi-partisan border bill? How have these turned out? Why?
Our choice, our vote, our children’s future.
Spencer Elliott
Oro Valley
County Supervisor election
On several occasions since 2021 I’ve spoken with Supervisor Rex Scott about Pima County issues and I’ve seen him in action at board meetings. Based on these experiences I want to encourage District 1 voters to re-elect Rex Scott. From what I’ve seen, he gives serious and thoughtful consideration to all issues coming before the board, he is always willing to listen to his constituents, and he consistently exhibits kindness and decency. In short, Rex Scott is an outstanding public servant and an excellent representative for District 1. I encourage everyone to vote and to re-elect Rex Scott.
John Halliday
Oro Valley
Above the law
I firmly believe that all these college protesters have gone over the laws of the USA. Since they feel that they can go above the law destroying college property that is giving them their education, and praising murdering Palestinians, as well as the Iranian Government, let them go live there and see what it is like over there.
Also, since they think that they are above the law, take away their student loans and do not let them apply for new student loans if they have been arrested for rioting since they feel that Palestine is a better place.
To let these students go on rampage over the war in Israel, that most of them do not even know what it is all about is a crime against our Country and the freedom we live in.
We have fought hard for this freedom. We do not need young, unknowledgeable students try to take it away from us.
Jacques Fauxbel
Green Valley
Assisting those in need
We have all seen the encampments around town. Most of these people are simply broke, victims of violence or mentally/physically unwell. Many children live in these circ*mstances as well. I myself have been fighting SSDA for six years.
Government’s reaction is to clear them out and destroy their few belongings: shelter, food, clothing, etc. They need help, hope and respect for being human beings, just like the rest of us. How would you and your innocent children survive extreme heat 24 hours a day?
So my question is why don’t you just kill them? Instead of torturing them and stripping away their dignity? Sheesh. Think of the taxpayer money saved so it can fund current political shenanigans. No more blight on society.
America, with all of its wealth, should be able to afford its citizens basic needs and assist them in their times of dignity. Shame on us!
Kellie Gibson
Midtown
Those signs are everywhere
Judging by the dimensions of those Juan Ciscomani signs on every corner, he believes size matters. The only thing that doesn’t matter are the voters in his district. He voted for the Default on America Act that would have cut 10 billion dollars from federal law enforcement. He cheered the end of Roe v Wade. He refused to denounce the white nationalist rhetoric of fellow congressional colleagues from Arizona saying they just “reflected the people they represent.” He continually decries Washington spending too much money but had no trouble taking a $2,000 PPP loan for his consulting firm. He’s trying very hard to get voters to remember his name come election time. Let’s skip the name recognition and look at the issues and his voting record instead.
Mary Zimmerman
SaddleBrooke
Hypocritical MAGAs
Verdict in — 34-0 guilty! Donnie Jr. is crying that the Democrats got their way! Hello people, No. 45 threatened the judge and his daughter with constant death threats. But his puppets believe that’s how you treat people of they don’t agree with your lies. No. 45 gave the jurors death-like stares as they walked by him. His puppets who sat at the trail wore their white shirts and red ties trying to intimidate the jurors by staring at them. Now we will see some violence, because they believe No. 45 telling his puppets over and over as President he is above the LAW. God help us now! A felon can’t run for President! All should know by now, the MAGA’s or Fascists have a backup plan to do another Jan. 6th now with weapons. God save our Country! Good luck to all of us at this historic event! A former President who knew what he was doing, trying to overthrow the United States government.
David E. Leon
Vail
Our country has not gone to hell
“Our country has gone to hell,” whined Donald Trump following his conviction on all 34 felony counts.
I disagree.
What I see is that our country and our judicial system is working. A jury of Donald Trump’s peers took a solemn oath pledging to act fairly and impartially and follow the law as explained by the judge. After carefully listening to and reviewing the evidence, they decided — without a shadow of doubt — that Donald Trump committed 34 felony crimes as part of a conspiracy to corruptly influence the 2016 presidential election.
What I see from that is hope. Hope that we will someday recover from the painful, partisan divisions that have been stoked by Donald Trump since he announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States in 2015.
What I see — more than at anytime in the past nine years — is that Abraham Lincoln was right when he said, “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.”
Thea Chalow
Oro Valley
Trump’s felony conviction
“A shameful day in American history.” House Speaker Johnson’s assessment couldn’t be more accurate. And Donald Trump’s criminal conduct is solely responsible for bringing us to this juncture.
As a retired senior military officer, educated to the ethos of our representative democracy, serving with women and men who commit to protecting this nation’s core values and concerned with our grandchildren’s future, I revel in today’s court decision as a moral victory for America. But the only meaningful victory is preventing DJT from returning to the Oval Office. As our forefathers oft opined, only an internal force can destroy us. The divisive, chaotic and cancerous effect of Trump must be eliminated by caring, critical thinking Americans.
As a point of balance, the Biden Administration has been notably unfocused and ineffective on many critical fronts. But even in its most questionable policy actions, it maintains this nation’s most desired values.
Michael Cravens
Northwest side
It is not acceptable
In Pima County there is a situation where one of the Democratic candidates for Pima County Attorney — Mike Jette — is accepting donations from some of Pima County’s most prominent contributors to candidates and policy positions that are totally contrary to what Democrats support. These contributors have donated to Trump, Ciscomani, Lake, Finchem and others including Wendy Rogers before and even after she was censured by the Arizona state senate for her comments and behavior in support of white nationalism. In addition, one of these contributors has donated to the “It Goes Too Far” committee whose purpose is to defeat the Arizona Abortion Access Act which will enshrine in the Arizona Constitution a woman’s right to choose and to determine her healthcare options.
Mike, do the right thing: do not take their money and condone who and what they support; walk away from them and return their contributions.
Contribution data available at the Arizona Secretary of State’s website and the Open Secrets website.
Sandy Salz
Oro Valley
Ex-President convicted
Today ex-President Trump was convicted of 34 felonies. You read right (34). He is officially a convict. Of course, the expected backlash is starting to arrive. The prosecutor was dishonest, the judge was biased, all the jurors looked the other way, the media couldn’t face the truth. For those of you who believe he is the person for our next President will you please do me a small favor. Open your minds, just for a minute, and consider that he isn’t who you thought he was. Consider that he is, in fact, a bigoted, low level liar who cannot get out of the way of his crimes. Is this really who you want to lead our great country? Please don’t, with a straight face, say yes. Maybe Biden is shaky and not as sharp as he once was but, he isn’t a crook. Doesn’t that mean something to you. Do all of us a favor and not allow this convict within a mile of our next presidency.
Philip Reinecker
East side
100% correct
I wonder whether any Trump supporters have asked themselves the question: Why is the electoral system and the judicial system rigged when Trump and other of his sycophants lose, but not rigged when they win? A lot of Republicans won in 2022, in fact a majority of the Arizona Legislature is Republican, yet the system was rigged against Kari Lake, and against Trump in the 2020 election. Why not against all the rest of the Republicans?
And now a jury of twelve non-politicians, carefully screened to protect against biases, has looked at a lot of evidence and concluded that he was guilty. Is everyone else who has been found guilty also innocent, or only Trump?
Aren’t you the least bit suspicious of a person who is always right?
Beth Dingman
Green Valley
Letter: Not a Solution to Mexico's Ills
- Tom Van Devender, North side
Keith Rosenblum’s editorial in the Star presented a list of national problems that his Mexican colleagues thought the United States would not allow, including the increasing narco influence throughout the country. Except for Mexican citizens crossing the northern border for work and asylum, the United States has no role in internal Mexican policies. He touted his friend Manuel Fabio Beltrones-Rivera (Governor of Sonora 1991-1997 and long-term Senator) as the only solution to Mexico’s narco problems. He failed to mention New York Times articles reporting DEA evidence of Beltrones accepting bribes from narcos in 1997 and arranging for a court to dismiss his arrest warrant in a corruption scandal in the Peña Nieto administration in 2018. Now he is a PRI-PAN candidate for Senator in the June 2 election. Beltones solving Mexico’s narco problems would be the proverbial fox guarding the hen house!!
Tom Van Devender
North side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Assisting Palestinian suicide
- Cliff Pascal, Green Valley
A May 25th letter questions how the "Jewish people" treat the Palestinian people as they do? Is it the regret the Jews have that in 1948 Palestinians did not create their own country, as Israel did, but sought to destroy Israel. Is it the more than 2 million Palestinian people who are citizens of Israel, members of the Israeli Parliament, and prominent in all the professions? Or as Hilliary Clinton said of the Israeli peace plan in 2000, “an offer was made to the Palestinians for a state on 96% of the existing territory... with 4% of Israel to be given to reach 100% of the amount of territory that was hoped for.” The Palestinians refused it. Palestinians have rejected multiple peace plans, educate children to hate Jews, celebrate martyrs who kill Jews, and reward Palestinians that murder Jews. Letters like Ms Flores' occupy an alternate reality, don't help the average Palestinian, and serve a voice for the terrorist Hamas goal of Genocide of Jews.
Cliff Pascal
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Tucson Speaks Out: June 7 letters of the day
Bill Walton a one-of-a-kind human being
I met and spoke with Bill Walton on a handful of different occasions over the years. He was truly unique. But that’s just part of it. My twin sons had their picture taken with Bill (at a middle-school basketball camp he hosted with BJ Armstrong) and Bill stood between them with a hand on each their shoulders. My son met Bill again almost 25 years later while riding with Bill at a Challenged Athlete Foundation (CAF) ride along the California coast. After the race my son went up to Bill to say, “You might not remember me, but I met you at a basketball camp many years ago.” Bill’s response, “Of course I remember you, Tom.” That was just the kind of man he was. He made you feel like you mattered. He was truly a great man and person.
John Bingham
Northwest side
Trump trial
Why not mea culpa?
Having read the ex-president’s 34 factual criminal indictments, it is hard to understand why the defendant’s legal adviser didn’t recommend a plea of “nolo contendere” with a dash of “mea culpa” to a judge. A jury trial is wasteful. The judge could grant leniency showing the unbiased nature of the legal system.
Now, perverse conjecture kicks in. They want a jury trial. They win regardless of the verdict. Endless news-channel coverage, a forum for the defendant to claim legal evilness and to further polarize the voting public. Calling defendant witnesses that support the prosecutor, selecting lawyers on the jury making findings ironclad, and having the defendant pass on taking the witness stand; all guarantee a guilty finding.
What we have now is a fired-up Joan-of-Arc martyr to arouse voter sympathy wearing a “hair shirt” at the GOP convention; a sign of penance even under a biased legal system. This trial did one other thing. It delays the “executive privilege” decision.
John Foltz
Northeast side
Democracy
Supporting Donald Trump and supporting democracy are mutually exclusive.
Larry Gray
SaddleBrooke
Fauci was voice of reason
Re: the June 4 article “Fauci again in hot seat.”
Have they no shame? The one steady voice of reason during those first few terrifying months of 2020 was Dr. Anthony Fauci. And I have no dog in this political fight- I am an Independent. I let logic and reason guide my politics. And Dr. Fauci was the voice of reason during those terrifying Dark Ages.
For him to be vilified after guiding us through the darkest days of the pandemic is shameful.
And I can’t imagine a rational right-winger drinking bleach because his party leader told him to.
So let’s do the honorable thing. Build a statue to honor him. Believe me his name will live on as one of the true heroic visionaries of the 2020 pandemic.
Let’s put politics aside and let reason prevail in a tribute to a great man of science.
Karen Papagapitos
Northwest side
Enough
First it was assertions about mail-in ballot fraud, then “stop the steal” claims about voter fraud, now the criminal justice system is corrupt. I have had enough, Mr. Trump. I am not afraid of all your terroristic threats and neither are most of my fellow Americans. Bring it on Trump, we are ready to take you on and vote you out! I know I will anger many of my “Trumper” friends, but I still love all of you.
Corene Johnson
Foothills
Biden’s border executive orders
Yesterday, June 4, Biden signed executive orders limiting illegal entries to 2,500 a day who can then apply for asylum, others would be turned around and removed. That amounts to 912,000 a year. Combine that with the 1,500 allowed daily to apply for asylum at the ports of entry via CBP One, which totals 547,000 a year. Then add the 30,000 monthly allowed to enter from Haiti, Venezuela, and Cuba via commercial airlines under Biden’s Parole program and that equals 360,000 a year. All total a whopping 1,819,000 that will still be allowed entry under Biden’s Executive action on the border, something he said he did not have. Maybe he could not remember saying it? This is nothing but smoke and mirrors by Biden to fool the public into thinking he is serious about the border. A blatant political stunt done by him before the election. Biden created this border catastrophe by reversing Trump’s border policies on his first day in office.
Marty Jacobs
Green Valley
The trouble with faith
Re: the May 26 article “Faith misleads, doesn’t deliver its promises” and the May 31 article “Belief in reason and reason in belief.”
The thoughtful pieces by Gil Shapiro and Wade Thompson on the role of faith. To use Shapiro’s definition, faith is a “firm belief in something for which there is no proof.”
Thompson says “All of us take a position on faith … or feelings of ‘rightness’ if you prefer.” These “feelings of rightness” are most worrisome. When people are raised on the idea that it’s good to have faith in concepts for which there is no factual basis, then it becomes acceptable, even encouraged, to ignore facts that contradict established beliefs. This extends far beyond religious beliefs.
Today, our divided politics is driven by MAGA feelings of rightness despite the overwhelming evidence that their leader is a con-man, a pathological liar, and a convicted felon. This faith makes people vulnerable to disinformation that is causing serious damage, even to the point where some MAGA followers are rejecting our justice system and itching for civil war. In these contexts, faith is utterly irrational and dangerous.
Thomas Ryan
East side
Biden’s cognitive decline
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) spoke with 45 Congressional members, both Republican and Democrats, who reported on Biden’s cognitive decline. He is 81. In particular, the WSJ cited a meeting from last January where Biden met with Congressional members to negotiate a Ukraine deal. It was reported that Biden spoke so softly that he could barely be heard, read from notes, paused for extended periods of time, and closed his eyes for such a long time that people wondered if he fell asleep. The WSJ reported other incidents where Biden met with Congressional members and seemed to forget details, mumbled, and wandered off. All of this is more reaffirmation of what many Americans already believe about Biden’s cognitive decline based on their own observations of him. It is obvious that he is not cognitively fit for office and his decline will just get worse if re-elected for four more years. Remember, Special Counsel Robert Hur did not charge Biden for Mishandling Classified documents because of his cognitive issues.
Ardel Francis
Northwest side
Biden takes a step to fix what he broke
President Biden didn’t hesitate to use his executive power for such things like “forgiving” billions of dollars in student loans, and halting border wall construction. Now, 41 months into his term, he finally takes a step toward control of illegal border crossings which has been in crisis mode since he entered office. His handlers obviously realized the political implications of the total failure of the Biden-Harris-Mayorkas created disaster at our southern border and supplied Joe with an action plan to attempt to finally make him look concerned about the problem. Strictly a political motivated move. Sorry Joe, but 41 months of your administration’s total failure cannot be undone by claiming that the problem is the result of Republican inaction a few months ago. Your faithful will still make that claim, but there is actually no one to blame but you.
Matthew Scully
Sahuarita
What am I voting for?
The issues in America are inflation, immigration, NATO, Israel and Palestine, climate change, women’s rights, medical care, education for everyone, etc. I am not voting exclusively for any of those issues. I am voting for a government system that is able to solve all problems, now and in the future. The issues are not the problem. The inability to govern cooperatively is the problem. There is a Greek proverb that sums up what I am voting for. “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit.” It’s not our problems we should be fighting over. We need to fight for a system that allows us to solve problems together as a society.
Richard Bechtold
West side
Wool
I’ve been trying to figure out how to remove the wool that was pulled over the eyes of so many by the Don. If I succeed, there would be more than enough to knit sweaters for all America. To my companeros Hispanos: No dejes que Don poner la lana sobre tus ojos. Puedo escuchar a Hillary: “Encerrarlo, encerrarlo”.
Joe Sanchez
Marana
Letter: Opportunity Lost
- Jack Walters, Northeast side
June 6, 2024, D-Day was remembered. Eighty years ago the Allies landed on Normandy. Biden quite properly gave praise to the few remaining soldiers who were in attendance. He improperly compared the war between Russia and Ukraine as comparable to WWII with a call for the current generation to be ready to emulate.
Vladimir Putin was not invited. Over 20 million Russians were killed in WWII. This compares to 400,000 Americans. This could have been a coming together event between Russia and NATO with the objective of ending this tragic war. There was a time as NATO was being created that Russia wanted to be included. They were rejected and after the Berlin wall came down we assured that NATO wouldn’t expand towards Russia, but they did. Thirty Two nations are in NATO today. In the current conflict an estimated death count both sides is 500,000. It is unbelievable that this could be happening today.
Jack Walters
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: The Trouble With Faith
- Thomas Ryan, East side
Re: the thoughtful pieces by Gil Shapiro (5/26) and Wade Thompson (5/31) on the role of faith. To use Shapiro’s definition, faith is a "firm belief in something for which there is no proof.”
Thompson says“All of us take a position on faith… or feelings of‘rightness’ if you prefer.” These “feelings of rightness” are most worrisome. When people are raised on the idea that it's good to have faith in concepts for which there is no factual basis, then it becomes acceptable, even encouraged, to ignore facts that contradict established beliefs. This extends far beyond religious beliefs.
Today, our divided politics is driven by MAGA feelings of rightness despite the overwhelming evidence that their leader is a con-man, a pathological liar, and a convicted felon. This faith makes people vulnerable to disinformation that is causing serious damage, even to the point where some MAGA followers are rejecting our justice system and itching for civil war. In these contexts, faith is utterly irrational and dangerous.
Thomas Ryan
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Biden's border Executive Orders
- Marty Jacobs, Green Valley
Yesterday, June 4, Biden signed Executive Orders limiting illegal entries to 2,500 a day who can then apply for asylum, others would be turned around and removed. That amounts to 912,000 a year. Combine that with the 1,500 allowed daily to apply for asylum at the ports of entry via CBP One, which totals 547,000 a year. Then add the 30,000 monthly allowed to enter from Haiti, Venezuela, and Cuba via commercial airlines under Biden's Parole program and that equals 360,000 a year. All total a whopping 1,819,000 that will still be allowed entry under Biden's Executive action on the border, something he said he did not have. Maybe he could not remember saying it? This is nothing but smoke and mirrors by Biden to fool the public into thinking he is serious about the border. A blatant political stunt done by him before the election. Biden created this border catastrophe by reversing Trump's border policies on his first day in office
Marty Jacobs
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Biden FINALLY takes a step to fix what he broke
- Matthew Scully, Sahuarita
President Biden didn't hesitate to use his executive power for such things like "forgiving" billions of dollars in student loans, and halting border wall construction. Now, 41 months into his term he finally takes a step toward control of illegal border crossings which has been in crisis mode since he entered office. His handlers obviously realized the political implications of the total failure of the Biden/ Harris / Mayorkas created disaster at our southern border, and supplied Joe with an action plan to attempt to finally make him look concerned about the problem. Strictly a political motivated move. Sorry Joe, but 41 months of your administration's total failure can not be undone by claiming that the problem is the result of Republican inaction a few months ago. Your faithful will still make that claim, but there is actually no one to blame but you.
Matthew Scully
Sahuarita
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Biden's blatant lies about not having border authority
- Boris Slovek, Green Valley
President Biden is expected to announce Executive Actions on the border. He repeatedly lied to the American people previously saying that he had done all he could do on the border and Congress needed to act. He already had broad border authority under 212(f) of the INA. Biden and Democrats wanted the Senate border bill passed, which was not a border security bill, but rather a codification of 5,000, who could enter daily illegally and apply for asylum. It excluded from the count, people entering from "non-contiguous countries." Biden and Democrats have no interest in the real border security bill, HR2, that already passed in the House of Representatives. Biden's interest now in reducing illegal entry numbers is blatantly political coming five months before the election. He could have announced these Executive actions three years ago, but instead, purposely engineered an open border allowing over 7,000,000+ from around the world to enter illegally. The damage has already been done jeopardizing our public and national security.
Boris Slovek
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Trump caught red handed
- Mary Bradley, Northeast side
The jury has spoken, guilty on all counts. PERIOD. Here comes all the crying from his supporters, the process was rigged. Trump was found guilty by a jury of his peers. Not some rigged sham court, like we’ve seen in Russia. A jury of his peers, found this pitiful man guilty, because of all the compelling evidence, no rigging of the system, and you know what, foolish Trump supporters, if you were on that jury, you would have found him guilty, as well. That’s how GOOD, Alvin Bragg’s Prosecutors were. Trump paid to cover up his tawdry
affairs, now the world knows, what a sorry crooked, man he is. Jail time, yeah!
Mary Bradley
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Wool
- Joe Sanchez, Marana
I've been trying to figure out how to remove the wool that was pulled over the eyes of so many by the Don. If I succeed, there would be more than enough to knit sweaters for all America. To my companeros Hispanos:No dejes que Don poner la lana sobre tus ojos..Puedo escuchar a Hillary: "Encerrarlo, encerrarlo".
Joe Sanchez
Marana
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Enough
- Corene Johnson, Foothills
First it was assertions about mail in ballot fraud, then "stop the steal" claims about voter fraud, now the criminal justice system is corrupt. I have had enough Mr. Trump. I am not afraid of all your terroristic treats and neither are most of my fellow Americans. Bring it on Trump, we are ready to take you on and vote you out! I know I will anger many of my "Trumper" friends, but I still love all of you.
Corene Johnson
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: “Fauci again in hot seat”, June 4, 2024, pA7
- Karen Papagapitos, Northwest side
Have they no shame? The one steady voice of reason during those first few terrifying months of 2020 was Dr. Anthony Fauci. And I have no dog in this political fight- I am an Independent. I let logic and reason guide my politics. And Dr. Fauci was the voice of reason during those terrifying Dark Ages.
For him to be vilified after guiding us through the darkest days of the pandemic is shameful.
And I can’t imagine a rational Right Winger drinking bleach because his party leader told him to.
So let’s do the honorable thing.
Build a statue to honor him. Believe me his name will live on as one of the true heroic visionaries of the 2020 pandemic.
Let’s put politics aside and let reason prevail-in a tribute to a great man of science.
Karen Papagapitos
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Congressional members report Biden's cognitive decline
- Ardel Francis, Northwest side
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) spoke with 45 Congressional members, both Republican and Democrats, who reported of Biden's cognitive decline. He is age 81. In particular, the WSJ cited a meeting from last January where Biden met with Congressional members to negotiate a Ukraine deal. It was reported that Biden spoke so softly that he could barely be heard, read from notes, paused for extended periods of time, and closed his eyes for such a long time that people wondered if he fell asleep. The WSJ reported other incidents where Biden met with Congressional members and seemed to forget details, mumbled, and wandered off. All of this is more reaffirmation of what many Americans already believe about Biden's cognitive decline based on their own observations of him. It is obvious that he is not cognitively fit for office and his decline will just get worse if re-elected for four more years. Remember, Special Counsel Robert Hur did not charge Biden for Mishandling Classified documents because of his cognitive issues.
Ardel Francis
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Democracy
- Larry Gray, SaddleBrooke
Supporting Donald Trump and supporting Democracy are mutually exclusive.
Larry Gray
SaddleBrooke
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Letter: Trump Trial
- John Foltz, Northeast side
WHY NOT A MEA CULPA?
Having read the ex-president's 34 factual criminal
indictments, it is hard to understand why thedefendant's
legal adviserdidn't recommend a plea of"nolo contendere"
with a dash of "Mea Culpa" to a judge. A jury trial is wasteful.
The judge could grant leniency showing the unbiased nature
of the legal system.
Now, perverse conjecture kicks in. They want a jury trial.
They win regardless of the verdict. Endless newschannel
coverage, a forum for the defendant to claim legal evilness
and to further polarize the voting public. Calling defendant
witnesses that support the prosecutor, selecting lawyers on
the jury making findings ironclad, and having the defendant
pass on taking the witness stand; all guarantee a guilty finding.
What we have now is a fired-up Joan-of-Ark martyr to arouse
voter sympathy wearing a "hair shirt,"at the GOP Convention;
a sign of penance even under a biased legal system. This trial
did one other thing. It delays the "Executine Privilege" decision.
John Foltz
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
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'; oEngagementContainer_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44.append(sHTML_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44); } }); } // Build engagement set $.each(oResponse.assets, function(index) { if (index == 1 && sOriginID_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 == null) { sOriginID_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 = oResponse.assets[0].id; } // Display assets once origin is found // Find origin then begin displaying assets if (bFoundOrigin_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 == true) { if (this.id == sOriginID_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44) { // Found orgin a second time. Stop gathering assets and kill next_url bStop_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 = true; sNextUrl_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 = null; oEngagementMore_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44.remove(); } else if (bStop_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 == false && this.id != '69d6e373-293f-5263-907f-81a38a181c44') { // Display asset var sHTML_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 = ''; if (this.content.includes('engagement-asset') && iDisplayCount_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 < iMaxDisplay_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44) { iDisplayCount_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 ++; sHTML_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 += '
' + this.content + '
'; } } } else { if (this.id == sOriginID_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44) { // Origin found. Begin displaying assets bFoundOrigin_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 = true; } else { // Origin found is false. Skip asset // Fail-safe in case origin is not present in set. This can be removed when origin is fixed. if (bFirstRun_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 == true) { // Stored first id sFirstID_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 = this.id; bFirstRun_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 = false; } else if (this.id == sFirstID_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44) { // We've started again. Force origin sOriginID_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 = sFirstID_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44; bFoundOrigin_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 = true; } // end Fail-safe } } // Append engagement assets to container oEngagementContainer_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44.append(sHTML_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44); // Stop traversing asset array if (iDisplayCount_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 >= iMaxDisplay_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44) { bStop_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 = true; return false; } }); // Include block_id on newly added list items oEngagementContainer_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44.find('.engagement-item.original').each(function() { var sHref_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 = scrubURL($(this).find("a.centered-content-link").attr("href")); if(sHref_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44!="javascript:void(0)"){ // Add content discovery tracking sHref_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 += '#tncms-source=endcard-gallery'; // Add to image and headlines links $(this).removeClass('original').find("a.centered-content-link").attr("href", sHref_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44); } }); // Check next URL if (sNextUrl_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 && bStop_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 == false) { // if origin hasn't been found yet and we hit next_url. Trigger the set to pull in again. if (bFoundOrigin_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 == false) { // No origin yet. Call the populate function __tnt.engagement.assets["69d6e373-293f-5263-907f-81a38a181c44"].populate(sNextUrl_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44); } else { // Append sNextUrl_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 to engagement set oEngagementContainer_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44.append('
'); if (iDisplayCount_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 < iMaxDisplay_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44) { // Get next url and request more assets __tnt.engagement.assets["69d6e373-293f-5263-907f-81a38a181c44"].populate(oEngagementMore_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44.data('next-url')); } } } // Add total count to container if (bStop_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 == true) { // Add total count to container oEngagementContainer_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44.attr("data-engagement-total", iDisplayCount_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44); // Remove engagement loading spinner oEngagementSpinner_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44.remove(); return false; } } else { // Empty asset set returned. Go back in for a real set if(__tnt.engagement.assets["69d6e373-293f-5263-907f-81a38a181c44"].attempts<2){ if(sNextUrl_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44==null||sNextUrl_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44==""){ sNextUrl_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44 = "/news/local/tucson-speaks-up-letters-to-the-editor-for-the-week-of-jun-7-2024/collection_69d6e373-293f-5263-907f-81a38a181c44.html"; } __tnt.engagement.assets["69d6e373-293f-5263-907f-81a38a181c44"].populate(sNextUrl_69d6e373_293f_5263_907f_81a38a181c44); __tnt.engagement.assets["69d6e373-293f-5263-907f-81a38a181c44"].attempts++; } } }); } } // Rewrite URL for preview // TODO move to one location function scrubURL(sURL) { if (typeof sURL != 'undefined'){ return sURL; } }
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'); var s = document.createElement('script'); s.setAttribute('src', 'https://assets.revcontent.com/master/delivery.js'); document.body.appendChild(s); window.removeEventListener('scroll', throttledRevContent); __tnt.log('Load Rev Content'); } } }, 100); window.addEventListener('scroll', throttledRevContent); }
