Tucson speaks up: Letters to the editor for the week of Jan. 23, 2026
- Updated
Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Arizona Daily Star.
- Rahul Sivaprasad, Northwest side
It has been one year since the Trump presidency began. In those 365 days, the nation has experienced constant whiplash as we have been pushed from one crisis to the next. Our economy is faltering, our international standing has been weakened, and basic norms of leadership and accountability have eroded.
What has been most damaging is not any single controversy, but the accumulation of chaos. Americans have been forced to absorb daily outrage while real problems, such as rising costs, health care access, housing insecurity, and global instability, remain unresolved. Governance has been replaced by spectacle.
This is not sustainable. A functioning democracy requires steadiness, seriousness, and leadership focused on the public good rather than personal grievance and political theater. As we move into the next year, voters must demand competence, stability, and a return to responsible governing from those in power.
Rahul Sivaprasad
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Cynthia Schiesel, East side
Why is the money from the Venezuelan oil being sent to an account in Qatar on which Trump is the signer? Why isn't it going directly into the Treasury? Yeah, I'm suspicious that this is going to be more chicanery like the airplane he accepted as a gift which cost the US over $400 million to bring up to standard for him and him alone.
Cynthia Schiesel
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Bonnie Parsons, Southeast side
Have we not mistreated the indigenous Native Americans badly enough historically? We wondered after reading the 1/19/26 article in the Arizona Daily Star, by A.D Becenti, regarding the citizenship of a Navajo resident in the Phoenix area. He was simply filling his gas tank at a QT station when approached by ICE agents. Peter Yazzie explained to the ICE agents when he was aggressively accosted, that he was a U.S. citizen and had appropriate proof, that the ICE agents ignored as they shoved him to the ground. Yazzie told them he had bills and kids, to which the agent responded, âWeâre going to get them, tooâ. While incarcerated, Yazzie worried that they might take him away and he wouldnât see his family again. He was released four hours later after they verified his information, without apology or an offer to take him to his car.
He had to prove he lived here, when his ancestors had been here for approximately 12,000 years.
Bonnie Parsons
Southeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Craig Miller, Northwest side
Juan Ciscomani has consistently voted against health care for his constituents. He, being a member of Congress, has great health care. He should get endocrine and urology referrals for his testicular inadequacy, and a neurology consult to determine what's wrong with his spine.
Craig Miller
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Ed LeGendre, East side
Easy money, easy prey. The daycare scam in Minneapolis is the tip of the iceberg in the scamming of America brought on by a lackadaisical attitude of governmental regulators and employees.
Government waste and fraud happen at every agency the government has. In government, there are layers of bureaucracy that spread the responsibility over so many agencies that it is hard to tell where âthe buck stops.â Do not think for a moment that America is corruption free. Congressional people are enriched by favors, insider trading, campaign contributions, and cronyism.
Government waste. Government waste. Government waste. Government waste. Government waste. Government waste. Government waste. I have said this seven times. I get 170 words for this letter. Like a government agency, I use them all or lose them.
There are two classes of people. Those who want to be rich, and those who want to stay rich. Follow the money and you will find out where the icebergs are.
How many icebergs are there? The sea is afloat with them.
Ed LeGendre
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Michael Spragins, Oro Valley
President Trumpâs effort to âtakeâ Greenland against the wishes of its citizens and the government of Denmark is an incredibly reckless move. Such an action would be wrong legally, strategically, militarily, and economically.
Greenland and Denmark are allies of the United States. There is no legal justification to seize or invade an ally in peacetime without provocation or emergency. The United States already maintains a military presence in Greenland, and every objective the President claims to want â defense access or resource development â could be achieved through diplomacy.
Strategically, a hostile action would violate NATO obligations and trigger Article 5, destroy decades of cooperation and hand Putin a major victory.
Militarily, ordering U.S. troops to act against a NATO ally would be unlawful. Service members may refuse such illegal orders rather than fire on an ally.
Economically, conflict with Greenland would provoke severe EU retaliation and destabilize the U.S. economy.
Congress should finally rouse itself and act to prevent this.
Michael Spragins
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Daniel Pryor, West side
President Trump just might pull it off. If he were to buy Greenland, it wouldn't be much different than the Louisiana Purchase or Seward's Folly (Alaska). In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase gave us the earliest national security buffer from other colonizing nations sailing from Europe or anywhere else in the world. In 1823, President James Monroe initiated the Monroe Doctrine. Essentially, it established the Western Hemisphere as a sphere of United States influence, aiming to prevent European intervention into the affairs of the Americas.
Good thing we bought Alaska from Russia. Try living without fear if Alaska was still Russian territory, with a major Russian military build-up right next to Canada and the US. Ownership of Greenland is strategic to national security. Russia and China's interest in the Western Hemisphere is a real and present danger. Greenland can be a US territory courtesy of the Donroe Doctrine.
Daniel Pryor
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Don Ries, Southeast side
How small a person do you have to be to whine about not receiving an award, and then threaten a group that has nothing to do with the award? That is exactly what Mr. Trump did when he complained that Norway, the country, did not give him the Nobel Peace Prize. Does he not know that the Nobel Committee awards the prizes, not the country of Norway? Does he not know that the committee awards prizes based on what individuals have done and not because the country of Norway is threatened or due to self-promotion? I guess not. If my six-year-old son had done anything similar he would have earned severe consequences.
Don Ries
Southeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Norman Patten, Midtown
What have we become? Why is Congress and the Supreme Court cowed by an overweight, self-aggrandizing, idiot? Why is his illegal kidnapping of the President of Venezuela permitted? Please, he just pardoned a President convicted of drug trafficking. Why are we even giving discussion to his seizing of Greenland any credit? He equates it to Britain returning Diego Garcia. Sorry, these are oceans apart. How are we allowing his nationalized police to invade our cities â to remove the worst of the worst? Seriously! A US citizen in his underwear is truly âthe worst of the worst.â Top it off with a delusional idiot who wants Greenland because he didnât get a Nobel Peace Prize (first-hand). Hey, Donald, Denmark bled in Afghanistan for us - get your crap together. But Donald is Donald. I want to know where Congress is. Why is Congress and the Supreme Court in âhull-deflate?â
Norman Patten
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Sally Wasielewski, East side
The Trumpers love their "strongman" who brags that the US is the most armed and most powerful nation on earth therefore he can do whatever he wants. He appears to think we are the only country that has nuclear/atomic weapons. Iran, North Korea, China, Russia and many others are quite capable of getting fed up with his grandiose delusions. All it is going to take is the first strike. Or is it that he hopes civilization survives and he will be forever remembered for causing WWIII.?
Sally Wasielewski
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Steven Gorenstein, Northeast side
How much more unhinged can things get?The most powerful man in the world with his three year-old infantile mind is he having a hissy fit about not getting his Nobel prize and the rest of us are left to suffer. Maybe this will be the final straw for some Republicans that still remember what sanity is supposed to look like and stop Agent Orange. Heâs given China every justification for taking Taiwan. Heâs doing his best to break up NATO. Heâs making hundreds of millions of dollars off of Venezuelaâs oil. What part of all of this donât you guys get?
Steven Gorenstein
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Roger Shanley, East side
The New Yorker's The Political Scene, âA Stark Warning About the 2026 Election,â with Robert Kagan, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, shook me. Kagan asserted âI don't want anyone to sleep well,â a fitting conclusion to a well-reasoned review of Trump and his advisers' efforts to sustain what Kagan suggests is the nearly completed Trump dictatorship. Mentioning the architects of Trump scripts, Russell Vought and Stephen Miller, Kagan posits their plan to overturn the âfounders' liberalismâ with no intention of free and fair elections. He criticizes Congress and the âcowardice of the American eliteâ for their unwillingness to defund ICE and its blanket immunity, adding Minnesota is a dress rehearsal for the use of the Insurrection Act and more egregious misuse of power. He urges ordinary citizens to follow their instinct of outrage by steadily contacting politicians by email, mail, phone, or personal office visits. After hearing Kagan, my sleep may suffer, but I'm more intent than ever on resisting the insidious virus infecting American democracy.
Roger Shanley
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Richard Wood, Midtown
Saturday 1/17/26 LTEâs âSubmit your applicationâ and âICE/immigrationâ. The âSubmitâ letter cynically portrays George Floyd and Renee Good and ends âAnd Yes folks, this is satire.â No, it is not, it is mocking the death of these people and mean-spirited. ICE letter implies Renee Good deserved to be killed because of her âagitator training.â Both LTEs demonstrate ways of thinking to justify ICE viciousness. First, dehumanize others who are different. Human beings become labels. Renee Good is not a young mother of three children she is an âaggressor,â or an âagitatorâ and therefore should be killed. Second, believe what you are told rather than trust your own eyes and judgment. In multiple videos of Renee Good she is not chanting or trying to run over the ICE agent. ICE rendered no aid and denied physicianâs care because ICE dehumanized her and every âotherâ as they have been told to do by Steven Miller.
Richard Wood
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Don Gerlach, East side
Through the distorted reasoning of our ruler, we are now finding that his actions are creating a hardened federal force that he freely uses for otherwise domestic issues throughout the United States. While it's bad enough that he uses federal forces to respond to areas of responsibility that belong to the states, he is additionally creating a dangerous atmosphere where local people are beginning to distrust all police forces. It also misleads personnel within the federal forces to believe this is normal policing of citizens, that it's normal within a democracy.
Don Gerlach
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Gary Townsend, Sahuarita
Yes. History demonstrates that protests do have an impact and can lead to meaningful change.
Those from lower economic classes are taught âKeep your heads down.â Avoid becoming targets for those that might do harm. That's hard to ignore and to overcome.
When core rights are under attack, let's lift our gaze, face our attackers directly and stand up. Not cower and hide but stand up and demonstrate to all that which we hold as right and just.
Many may say âI can vote and that's my voice.â But our right to vote and to
have it be counted and meaningful is under extreme attack throughout the US.
When we demonstrate, in support of Y or against X, we demonstrate our conviction to the world. Cowering neighbors may realize they are not alone.
As citizens, most of us do not have great power or influence. We have our bodies and voices. If we fail to use those towards defense of democracy, then we submit to the whims of bullies.
Gary Townsend
Sahuarita
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- David E. Leon, Vail
Our bigoted dictator did not honor MLK.
I believe this speech fits for what's going on now: "Somewhere I read of the Freedom of Assembly, Somewhere I read the Freedom of speech, Somewhere I read the Freedom of the Press, Somewhere I read that the Greatness of America is the right to protest for Rights." This so up to date for what is going on now. Why is it happening in Minnesota, Illinois, California and other blue states? Crime is higher in Missouri, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Alaska, most all red states. Oh yeah -- they voted in America's first dictator. Not even half the country voted. You deserve what you get. A dictator stealing our rights, with taxpayer money and now Venezuela's oil money into his offshore accounts.
David E. Leon
Vail
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Eugene Kubina, Green Valley
What is the way out of our national crisis before our democracy and maybe even the world is driven to absolute catastrophe? The only way is for the Republican Congress to stop being cowards, stand up and impeach this President the next time he even threatens Greenland or especially Canada with military force. The Senate must then get up the nerve to convict him. Remember, if not for a few Republican Senators who refused to convict him five years ago because they thought he would be gone forever, he could not have run for office again. Whatever happens in the future is all on them.
Eugene Kubina
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Bruce Hilpert, North side
In a recent NYTimes interview Trump confessed that his real desire to own Greenland is because it is âpsychologically important.â Asked the reporter:â...to you or the U.S.?â âFor me,â said Trump.
This is insane. But the real reason may be that he is criminally insane. It has come to light that the push to own Greenland is backed by an oligarchy of American billionaire investors backing mineral investment companies including KoBold Metals and Critical Metals Corp. With the flow of hundreds of millions of dollars from these same investors into Trump's coffers, the crimes of bribery and/or insider trading certainly bear investigation.
While Trump is immune from prosecution when in office, there are other options for dealing with a President who conducts foreign policy for personal gain and psychological deviance: Impeachment or the 25th Amendment.
Bruce Hilpert
North side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- David Becker, Oro Valley
As is frequently the case with MAGA supporters, the author of the subject letter fails to rely on any factual evidence to support his claim. Instead he relies upon fiction. Independent research organizations with no political bias conclude Biden did not have an open-border policy. The Cato Institute, for example, drew this conclusion:
Illegal immigration had already increased to a 21-year high before Biden entered office.
Biden immediately started increasing expulsions from his first day in office.
Biden tripled interior detention and increased border detention 12-fold.
Biden increased air removal flights by 55 percent over 2020 levels.
Biden negotiated broader expulsion deals with foreign countries than Trump.
Biden got many foreign countries to carry out crackdowns on illegal and legal migration.
Biden removed or expelled 3.3 million border crossers â three times as many as Trump.
But, again, let's not let facts intrude upon the delusions of MAGA supporters.
By the way, where are the Epstein files?
David Becker
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Regula Case, Midtown
Terry Bracy's timely article "Ballots or bullets? It's time to choose" proves that we have a domestic terrorist at work in Trump.
Domestically, his use of ICE is sowing fear and murder in American cities, especially blue ones.
Abroad, Trump's designs to buy or invade Greenland threaten to destroy NATO, since his assault upon the island would require other NATO members to defend it, imploding the alliance.
Thirdly, do we think Putin is idly standing by? If Trump goes after Greenland militarily, could not Putin reconsider his nation's sale of Alaska to the U.S.? After all, Alaska is closer to Russia than Greenland is to the U.S., and resource-laden too.
This madness must stop. Trump's boast that the only limit on his behavior is "my own morality" is revelatory, and remarkably accurate.
The 25th Amendment requires a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress to impeach the president. But we have a better, cleaner, quicker option: To vote his enablers out of office in November. As Terry Bracy says, "Time to choose."
Regula Case
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Scott Hunt, Oro Valley
Trump wants Greenland for its extensive Rare Earth Elements, not because heâs worried about the strategic defense importance of the island/continent to the US.
REEâs are critical for electronics manufacture in the USA and the world. Large deposits of iron, copper, uranium and titanium donât hurt either.
The current treaty with Greenland/Denmark permits the USA to put whatever defense infrastructure on the island as we wish; there is no limit in the treaty. So there is no defense justification for our ownership of the island. In fact, as is apparent, our acquisitive action may severely weaken NATO, hurting our defense.
Just as we learned with Venezuela, the reason for military action was not really drugs but Oil. In the same way, Trump is justifying the action in Greenland using defense as a ruse to secure significant mining resources for the USA and its companies.
Scott Hunt
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Gary Haslett, SaddleBrooke
FOX News ran a segment where David Marcus said that there is a âgang of wine moms using Antifa tactics to harass ICE agents.â He went to on say that the women were âself-important white womenâ who were protesting with âweird and disturbing glee.â He seemed very upset about the whole thing and I donât blame him.
This is a most scary situation. Next we will have Antifa Aunties or Gewurztaminer Grannies taking to the streets with charcuterie boards, frightening those masked and armed ICE thugs with leftover brie. They need to stopped! I am sure Kristi Noem will put those dastardly women on the domestic terrorist list.
Gary Haslett
SaddleBrooke
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- S. Ross Emmanuel, Southeast side
Just a note to counter Mr. Wolf's comments of January 18th about Trump's potential 3rd impeachment, which I believe the country absolutely does "have the stomach for" as Trump is clearly now more insane and demented than ever. Of course, it takes a 2/3 vote in the Senate to convict - that "math" is widely known. The only "fact" that truly matters in this process is the ongoing sycophantic cowardice of the current crop of weak-minded congressional Republicans who do not "have the stomach" (translation: courage and integrity) to remove this vile and dangerous criminal from the presidency (even though I imagine most of them wish he would just disappear and let them off the hook for their pathetic inaction). That is the sad "reality."
S. Ross Emmanuel
Southeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Roger Voelker, Southeast side
A January 18 LTE stated that FDR passed the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 as part of the New Deal legislation âthat Americans take for granted now.â G-S separated risky investment banking from traditional commercial banking, outlawing banks from gambling with depositorsâ money, which was a major factor in the bank failures that helped bring on the Great Depression.
The letter writer should know that, far from being taken for granted, Glass-Steagall was repealed by the Republican-controlled Congress in 1999.
Todayâs hard-right Republicans seem determined to also repeal the rest of FDRâs New Deal, and thus return us to the Robber Baron era of the late 19th century.
Roger Voelker
Southeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Ed LeGendre, East side
In the early 1970s, I took Economics 101-102. We learned how monetary and fiscal policies manipulated the economy by using various techniques of interest rates, to control the money supply, and the use of tariffs and legislation to control commerce and trade.
The Duck is now using tariffs to punish countries to bend to his will. This is grade-school antics. I will take my ball home and youâll be sorry. I am bigger than you and will beat you up.
Conservatives do not like uncertainty. How do you plan the course of your business if the rules can be changed by the whiff of presidential flatulence?
Blusterous rants and raves on whatever the subjects of the day, illustrate a shoot from the hip mentality. Shooting from the hip usually means you miss the mark of what you really want the outcome to be.
There are many like me who are tired of the Duck mucking up the world order.
Beware the Ides of March.
Ed LeGendre
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Craig Miller, Northwest side
During Obama's first term he deported 3.2 million, another 2.1 in second term. Trump in first term deported 2 million, per Department of Homeland Security. Obama deported more without the craziness of Trump.
Craig Miller
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Larry DeWitt, Northeast side
The sane parts of the world are opposed to Trumpâs insane fantasy about the U.S. taking over Greenland. Several European nations have openly voiced their opposition. These include: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the United Kingdom.
So Trump just announced that he will raise the tariffs on these countries another 10%â to bring the total to 25% â and he will keep them that high until they yield to him on Greenland.
This is, I believe, how the Mafia practices extortion.
Either that, or it is the pouting of a stunted adolescent who throws all the toys out of the sandbox if he does not get his way.
Larry DeWitt
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Richard Harper, Northeast side
Did the ICE officer create his own jeopardy standing in front of the vehicle? Legality and reasonableness are the basic standards by which we evaluate police use of force. Use of force must comply with Constitutional requirements and court rulings. For example one ruling for police use of deadly force is Tennessee v. Garner (1985), where deadly force should not be used against a fleeing, unarmed suspect unless they pose a significant threat of serious physical harm. Legally the police may use deadly force, but it must be reasonable, that is, proportional to the active resistance being used against them. Legally just because one can shoot, should they? Is justice served? Some argue an officerâs use of deadly force shouldnât be reduced to the moment the shot is fired but the totality of the situation. This is where policy and training are important. Most agencies recognize this based on successful lawsuits against them. Federal agencies (like DHS) have internal policies warning against officer created jeopardy for good reason.
Richard Harper
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- James Abels, Midtown
1/17/26 page A12: Some people are missing the positive benefits of operating coal-fired electricity generating stations. Just consider if we could get other countries, like China and India, to use more coal to operate their electricity generating facilities. It would increase the market demand for our coal. As an added benefit, we could make a significant dent in overpopulation! Lower population means lower demand which lowers prices according to the supply/demand curve theory. Great news! Wonderful leadership! With reduced populations comes reduced demands on countries to provide for their populations. Fewer wars!
I am so excited!
James Abels
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Matt Somers, Midtown
In reading the Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial "Fiscal mess is becoming 'irreversible,'" I can't help of thinking that President Trump's 2nd term is a watershed moment on slow disintegration of Americans quality of life.
Debt can bring wealth creation, but only if it is a controlled debt. A 30-year mortgage is a controlled debt bringing about wealth through asset accumulation. Joe Biden's Infrastructure bill is a debt that would bring wealth creation through augmenting future worker production through infrastructure improvement.
Trump's call for a $1.5 trillion Defense Department budget is debt that destroys wealth. It is a socialization of the security expenses of the business interests of the United States. The deployment of the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford to the Caribbean, for example, is a complete ineffectual use of the military budget.
Also, Trump's call for $2,000 checks from tariff money does not help the federal budget. As the LVRJ is owned by the billionaire Adelson family, obviously the editorial is against a needed federal tax increase.
Matt Somers
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Dave Gallagher, Foothills
The Department of Homeland Security was created in 2002 to help better protect us from terrorist attacks following the horrific terrorism our nation experienced on 9/11/2001.
It is beyond sad that the Department of Homeland Security now has a near-singular focus on visiting terror on migrants, refugees and asylum seekers; and the citizens who seek to protect and support them.
Federal government leaders are abusing their power by giving Department of Homeland Security agents arrest, detention and deportation quotas and goals. They're abusing their power by telling agents that they are "unleashed" and can act with impunity.
The Department of Homeland Security, designed to protect us, is ripping families and communities apart. We need leadership in Washington, D.C. that is respectful of the rule of law and all of our nation's residents.
Dave Gallagher
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Teresa Goodell, Oro Valley
A termite mound is a marvel, a complex of tunnels and rooms, exits and entries, chimneys for climate control, and even fungus âgardensâ for food. Termites are brilliant builders, but we donât typically describe them as civilized.
It is said that Margaret Mead was once asked about the earliest sign of human civilization. It was not villages, tools, or farming. It was an ancient skeleton with a healed femur fracture. Such a long bone fracture would kill most animals, but someone fed and protected this person as they healed. She said human caring is civilization.
Contrast that with a government that demands wealth, adoration, and absolute power; a president whose every deed is transactional. Contrast that with a country where masked thugs murder on the streets.
Things are bad, but the culture, diversity, intellect, and decency that we once embodied can be saved if civilized people work together.
This president can build a gaudy ballroom and feign strength, but without caring, human civilization will not exist. Termites build, too.
Teresa Goodell
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Ronald F Eustice, Northwest side
My wife and I have owned a farm in Minnesota for over 50 years. We live in Tucson some 2,000 miles away. The neighboring landowners have always been cordial, quiet and peaceful. Recently, a neighbor has declared strong interest in acquiring our farm. He says a third neighbor is "threatening," and because we spend six months per year in Arizona, he wants to "protect" our farm from the hostile neighbor. We know there are valuable minerals under the soil on our farm. We have told the first neighbor that our farm is not for sale, but he is persistent. He says acquisition of our farm is vital for the security of the neighborhood and he will protect it. Since we refuse to sell our farm to him, he says he is just going to take it over by force if necessary. What should we do?
Ronald F Eustice
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Bruce Hilpert, North side
How incredibly weird is it that someone would accept an award given to another person? Is it sheer ego? A neurotic need for praise? What's next for the President ... awarding himself the Congressional Medal of Honor for valor in combat?
Bruce Hilpert
North side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Trump and America's watershed moment
In reading the Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial "Fiscal mess is becoming 'irreversible,'" I can't help of thinking that President Trump's 2nd term is a watershed moment on slow disintegration of Americans quality of life.
Debt can bring wealth creation, but only if it is a controlled debt. A 30-year mortgage is a controlled debt bringing about wealth through asset accumulation. Joe Biden's Infrastructure bill is a debt that would bring wealth creation through augmenting future worker production through infrastructure improvement.
Trump's call for a $1.5 trillion Defense Department budget is debt that destroys wealth. It is a socialization of the security expenses of the business interests of the United States. The deployment of the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford to the Caribbean, for example, is a complete ineffectual use of the military budget.
Also, Trump's call for $2,000 checks from tariff money does not help the federal budget. As the LVRJ is owned by the billionaire Adelson family, obviously the editorial is against a needed federal tax increase.
Matt Somers
Midtown
DHS
The Department of Homeland Security was created in 2002 to help better protect us from terrorist attacks following the horrific terrorism our nation experienced on 9/11/2001.
It is beyond sad that the Department of Homeland Security now has a near-singular focus on visiting terror on migrants, refugees and asylum seekers; and the citizens who seek to protect and support them.
Federal government leaders are abusing their power by giving Department of Homeland Security agents arrest, detention and deportation quotas and goals. They're abusing their power by telling agents that they are "unleashed" and can act with impunity.
The Department of Homeland Security, designed to protect us, is ripping families and communities apart. We need leadership in Washington, D.C. that is respectful of the rule of law and all of our nation's residents.
Dave Gallagher
Foothills
Officer-created jeopardy
Did the ICE officer create his own jeopardy standing in front of the vehicle? Legality and reasonableness are the basic standards by which we evaluate police use of force. Use of force must comply with Constitutional requirements and court rulings. For example one ruling for police use of deadly force is Tennessee v. Garner (1985), where deadly force should not be used against a fleeing, unarmed suspect unless they pose a significant threat of serious physical harm. Legally the police may use deadly force, but it must be reasonable, that is, proportional to the active resistance being used against them. Legally just because one can shoot, should they? Is justice served? Some argue an officerâs use of deadly force shouldnât be reduced to the moment the shot is fired but the totality of the situation. This is where policy and training are important. Most agencies recognize this based on successful lawsuits against them. Federal agencies (like DHS) have internal policies warning against officer created jeopardy for good reason.
Richard Harper
Northeast side
Natural King Coal
1/17/26 page A12: Some people are missing the positive benefits of operating coal-fired electricity generating stations. Just consider if we could get other countries, like China and India, to use more coal to operate their electricity generating facilities. It would increase the market demand for our coal. As an added benefit, we could make a significant dent in overpopulation! Lower population means lower demand which lowers prices according to the supply/demand curve theory. Great news! Wonderful leadership! With reduced populations comes reduced demands on countries to provide for their populations. Fewer wars!
I am so excited!
James Abels
Midtown
Deportations
During Obama's first term he deported 3.2 million, another 2.1 in second term. Trump in first term deported 2 million, per Department of Homeland Security. Obama deported more without the craziness of Trump.
Craig Miller
Northwest side
Punitive tariffs
In the early 1970s, I took Economics 101-102. We learned how monetary and fiscal policies manipulated the economy by using various techniques of interest rates, to control the money supply, and the use of tariffs and legislation to control commerce and trade.
The Duck is now using tariffs to punish countries to bend to his will. This is grade-school antics. I will take my ball home and youâll be sorry. I am bigger than you and will beat you up.
Conservatives do not like uncertainty. How do you plan the course of your business if the rules can be changed by the whiff of presidential flatulence?
Blusterous rants and raves on whatever the subjects of the day, illustrate a shoot from the hip mentality. Shooting from the hip usually means you miss the mark of what you really want the outcome to be.
There are many like me who are tired of the Duck mucking up the world order.
Beware the Ides of March.
Ed LeGendre
East side
Medal of Honor?
How incredibly weird is it that someone would accept an award given to another person? Is it sheer ego? A neurotic need for praise? What's next for the President ... awarding himself the Congressional Medal of Honor for valor in combat?
Bruce Hilpert
North side
Mafia Don?
The sane parts of the world are opposed to Trumpâs insane fantasy about the U.S. taking over Greenland. Several European nations have openly voiced their opposition. These include: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the United Kingdom.
So Trump just announced that he will raise the tariffs on these countries another 10%â to bring the total to 25% â and he will keep them that high until they yield to him on Greenland.
This is, I believe, how the Mafia practices extortion.
Either that, or it is the pouting of a stunted adolescent who throws all the toys out of the sandbox if he does not get his way.
Larry DeWitt
Northeast side
Proposed tax cuts
Republicans are suggesting a $440 million tax cut. Isn't that the amount held by state in unspent vouchers for ESA private & home schooled students for college tuition up to age 22? This, while Proposition 123 seeks a third year of land taking trust funds that were to last in perpetuity, and a $1.25 billion budget deficit last year mainly because of the voucher program. ESA enrollment went from 12,000 ESA students in 2022-23 to over 92,000 at an estimated cost of $1 billion in 2026. Half of recipients have never attended a public school. ESA covers tuition thru middle school including religious/private schools and takes from the public-school general fund. Regulations are slack. Some voucher accounts were found to have excess funds of $10,000 and more. Land trust and voucher funds are not sustainable. ESA college funding is discriminatory. Financial crisis looms.
Bea Manderscheid
Northeast side
Civilization, termites and ballrooms
A termite mound is a marvel, a complex of tunnels and rooms, exits and entries, chimneys for climate control, and even fungus âgardensâ for food. Termites are brilliant builders, but we donât typically describe them as civilized.
It is said that Margaret Mead was once asked about the earliest sign of human civilization. It was not villages, tools, or farming. It was an ancient skeleton with a healed femur fracture. Such a long bone fracture would kill most animals, but someone fed and protected this person as they healed. She said human caring is civilization.
Contrast that with a government that demands wealth, adoration, and absolute power; a president whose every deed is transactional. Contrast that with a country where masked thugs murder on the streets.
Things are bad, but the culture, diversity, intellect, and decency that we once embodied can be saved if civilized people work together.
This president can build a gaudy ballroom and feign strength, but without caring, human civilization will not exist. Termites build, too.
Teresa Goodell
Oro Valley
Taking our farm by force?
My wife and I have owned a farm in Minnesota for over 50 years. We live in Tucson some 2,000 miles away. The neighboring landowners have always been cordial, quiet and peaceful. Recently, a neighbor has declared strong interest in acquiring our farm. He says a third neighbor is "threatening," and because we spend six months per year in Arizona, he wants to "protect" our farm from the hostile neighbor. We know there are valuable minerals under the soil on our farm. We have told the first neighbor that our farm is not for sale, but he is persistent. He says acquisition of our farm is vital for the security of the neighborhood and he will protect it. Since we refuse to sell our farm to him, he says he is just going to take it over by force if necessary. What should we do?
Ronald F Eustice
Northwest side
Â
- Wes Ward, Oro Valley
Damsel in Distress: âPlease, Sir; my country lies in ruins, and we need badly need your help to live. Here is a treasure given to me from other world leaders for my works, and I gladly give it to you if you will help us. I understand that you want one such as this very badly, and I freely sacrifice this -- my own â to you for the sake of my people.â
White Knight: âFear not, fair lady; I am of a people who care and will help others in their time of need. No treasure is asked, other than you friendship as we all go forward.â
Orange Knight: âHey, thanks, lady. Iâll get back to you on the other stuff!â
Wes Ward
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Peter Bisschop, East side
If Congress can afford to fund ICE, they can afford to support the ACA. One is important, the other is not, especially since it is acting illegally to satisfy Trump. As an American I oppose any increased funding for ICE or Border Patrol. Attacking blue states simply because Trump can is immoral and most likely unconstitutional. Masked federal agents have been running rampant in our cities, brutalizing our communities, tearing families apart, and even killing residents. The recent killing of Renee Good is just one story of many highlighting ICE and the Trump administrationâs illegal violence that allows agents to operate with full impunity. ICE now has the largest budget of any federal law enforcement agency. One illness can wipe out a family. One death can wipe out a family. And that just doesn't seem right in this country that's supposed to be the best country in the world.
Peter Bisschop
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Clyde Steele, Oro Valley
Having read in the past year books about former Presidents Washington, Lincoln, and FDR, I have come to understand just how lucky America is for these three to have served their country and just how dangerous our current President is. Washington, the Revolutionary War, and the President of the new Republic. Lincoln in the Black Hawk War, preserving the Union and the Emancipation Proclamation, saved the Union. FDR not only brought the country out of the Great Recession but also passed the S/S, Glass-Steagall, plus many others that Americans take for granted now. Of the three, FDR was not only a political genius, but was smart enough to pick the best and brightest for his Cabinet. As Americans, we all should be extremely afraid that Trump never has to face what these three did. With Trump, there is no best or brightest in his Cabinet, just yes men.
Clyde Steele
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Sherry Machen, Green Valley
Remember the Pledge of Allegiance, committed to memory in childhood, usually without understanding its meaning? A statement of our commitment, not to the U.S. flag, but to what it symbolizes, "the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God (as we understand Them), indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Pima County Attorney Laura Conover recommends "fighting fire, not with more fire, but with water," when confronted with potential recklessness in interactions with ICE -- "moving in ways that are wise." Use your words, teachers say. How about reciting the Pledge of Allegiance whenever ICE appears? Or singing patriotic songs, like The Star Spangled Banner, "the land of the free and the brave," God Bless America, "let us swear allegiance to a land that's free," and America, The Beautiful, "crown thy good with brotherhood," and "sweet land of liberty," and This Land is Your Land, "this land was made for you and me." Let's prick the possible conscience of ICE.
Nothing like singing to keep us from cursing.
Sherry Machen
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Gail Schumacher, Southwest side
Am I the only one that sees the outright hypocrisy of the U.S. president who encourage protesters in Iran but sends more troops to Minneapolis to quell the protesters there? While Iran has a record of suppressing protesters over several decades, the U.S. is now not far behind in its intolerance to people who resist against ICE as well as the damaging policies of the current administration in cutting health benefits and other social programs to transfer money to the military and ICE.
The president has proven himself to be a fascist leader with every new executive order. On January 20, there will be national marches including here in Tucson to “Free America Walkout” against fascism and towards Freedom. For more information, visit act.womensmarch.com to find an event you can participate in.
Gail Schumacher
Southwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Tom Henderson, West side
Our president says he doesn't like wind turbines because they kill birds, but he doesn't seem at all concerned that his sycophantic witch doctor Robert Kennedy's proposed vaccine standards have the potential to kill thousands of American schoolchildren. What's wrong with this picture?
Tom Henderson
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Herbert Schneidau, Foothills
All human beings in the Western Hemisphere are either migrants or descendants of migrants. Even the Native Americans came over from Siberia. Trump has the idiotic idea that all real Americans should have pure "white blood." The force he is using to achieve this consists of trigger-happy thugs, led by a woman who ought to be in jail for cruelty to animals (he chooses for eye candy, so he can call reporters "piggy" etc.) Trump's goons ought to find honest work.
Jesse Ventura for governor of Minnesota is a step in the right direction. Another would be disarming ICE.
If there is a hell, a large part in no doubt reserved for Hitler and other racist murderers. Think about this, Donald, before you send in troops (with instructions to aim at knees of protesters, another dopey idea he floated in his first term).
Herbert Schneidau
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Thea Chalow, Oro Valley
Today, on my way to the grocery store, a car was stopped in the middle lane. There were two police cars behind it with flashing lights. I had to pass by the driverâs side door just as a police officer was approaching. I realized I was afraid. What if someone panicked and a gun was fired? Would I be shot? Iâm a 75-year-old woman and Iâve never had a thought or feeling like that before. This is not the country I grew up in, and Iâm guessing itâs not the country you grew up in either. If you want to see our country return to the moral foundation and rule of law that made us truly special (purposely not using the word âgreatâ), start by signing a nominating petition for any Democrat or other non-MAGA candidate running for office in Arizona. You can do it right from home by googling "How To Sign a Candidateâs E-Qual Petition."
Thea Chalow
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Jeffrey McConnell, West side
Want to be the next George Floyd? All you have to do is commit "suicide by cop" for your very important cause. We have plenty of whackos popping off at schools, churches, synagogues and other soft targets, but their fame is fleeting and no Democrats are kneeling before their gold coffins in the Capitol Rotunda.
There is one problem: Someone named Renee Good who was unknown until a week ago has the inside track for pontification. The good news is that facts may show she was too much an aggressor and less a victim so you may still have this chance to go down in history. Just provoke, threaten and then impede federal police from carrying out their lawful duties and hope for the best. Any cop will do but ICE is preferred. Sorry I wonât be attending your funeral.
And yes folks, this is satire.
Jeffrey McConnell
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Deb Klumpp, Oro Valley
Every morning, I wonder what new outrageous chaos is unfolding, thanks to POTUS. This constant barrage of chaotic events is very effective in taking the spotlight off Trump's role in the Epstein scandal. Such irony -- Trump vowing to protect and help Iranian protestors as he unleashes his violent ICE operatives on Americans! He condones ICE violence and blatantly lied about the murder of a Minnesota woman by ICE. He's waging war on the American people. He has the world in chaos. If you disagree with him or dare to protest, you're a radical left-wing terrorist. What do Trump supporters tell themselves to justify the actions and behavior of this demented disgrace? Behold him flipping off a factory worker who had the guts to shout out to this dangerous, humiliating embarrassment of a "leader." Trump is hands down the worst, most classless, most damaging president in history. He's single-handedly destroyed a once-great nation. Trump voters, may your kids, grandkids and great- grandkids enjoy the spoils.
Deb Klumpp
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Bill Dowdall, Oro Valley
Biden's open border policy allowed millions to enter the U.S., all unvetted, among them murders, rapists, child molesters, sex traffickers. These illegals flocked to the sanctuary cities where the liberals are protecting them leaving their citizens vulnerable to these criminals. Local law enforcement is not aiding ICE in the apprehension of the criminals and the politicians are inciting the public to riot against the legitimate job ICE is doing. Has TDS destroyed the ability of the Democrats to have any common sense? What is the end game? The mug shots of those apprehended are published. The media and the psychos in Congress want you to believe the innocent are being arrested. The data shows that crime has decreased dramatically in those cities visited by ICE. Recently, major fraud has been announced that has been going on in MN for years by the Somali community. These individuals took advantage of a system designed to help them and turned it around to scam billions of dollars of our tax dollars. Wake up.
Bill Dowdall
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Barbara Hall, Midtown
Abandon diplomatic and soft power options. Discontinue foreign aid; withdraw from international institutions to ensure the US loses influence in global initiatives and events.
Alienate trading partners with tariffs to reduce customer bases for US goods (soybeans, anyone?) and encourage formation of free-trade zones without US participation.
Politicize the Fed to raise borrowing costs and undermine the dollar as the worldâs reserve currency; help China supplant it with the yuan.
Cripple US science and technology by slashing spending, driving top researchers overseas and reducing domestic training in critical fields.
Refuse to fund renewables. Cede leadership in next-generation energy technologies to China.
America benefited enormously from leading the post-WWII international order through cooperation and
alliances The emerging one shaped by our retreat and isolation may not be so pleasant.
âWe are watching one of the wildest things a nation-state has ever done. A superpower is [dying by] suicide because the [Republican] Congress is too cowardly to stand up to the Mad King.â (journalist Garrett Graff)
Barbara Hall
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Jeffrey McConnell, West side
Think of it, in just one more year the Democrats could control the House and Trump impeachments can finally resume. Which of the hundreds of horrific crimes they should peruse first? Let me assist.
On the domestic front perhaps impeach for being a fascist, tyrant and self-anointed king. The problem is that he aggressively pursues dismantling his executive branch of government, slashing his inherited cabinet and regulatory governance; returning that power to the âseveral statesâ where it rightfully belongs. Trump obeys all court orders from the puppet-king federal judges. So we need to look elsewhere.
On the international front maybe impeach for war crimes. Sadly he has prevented or ended several bloody wars saving many thousands of lives with zero American deaths and a big one is still pending. He prefers negotiation, threats and tariffs over bullets.
Whatâs your top impeachment crime? Pro tip: âorange hairâ work.
Jeffrey McConnell
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Alan Brown, East side
The President wants to take over / buy Greenland. In 1917, through "The Treaty of the Danish West Indies" the U.S. purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25,000,000 and an agreement that the U.S. would "not object to the Danish Government extending their political and economic interests to the whole of Greenland." If the President wants to void / negate / renege on that treaty, Denmark would pay $25M back to the US, take back ownership of the Virgin Islands, and restore the various interests in different parts of Greenland. It would also, of course, make the idea of entering into a treaty with the U.S. very hazardous. Something to think about.
Alan Brown
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Nancy Jacques, Northeast side
Congress, you could be in a double bind. See how your constituents like this, if you donât act immediately against Greenland tariff threats and âbuying a country.â If Trump continues, the EU should begin instituting 15 percent tariffs on all US agricultural products. Throw in alcohol, metals, planes. Systematically begin cashing in US bonds, exposing our debt. Invest in German Bund, other countries welcoming investment. EU, keep escalating, responding to Trump.
Congress, you could alleviate a financial disaster. Do your constitutionally mandated job. Control the megalomaniac avoiding the Epstein files and disrupting world balance: 1) Grow a spine and take control of Trumpâs Greenland tantrum. You hold the purse, the law. Rule against him. Donât fund defense. Donât allow tariffs. (Is the Supreme Court waiting for you?) 2) Demand release of unredacted Epstein files. 3) Then, once courageous, impeach Trump for corruption in acquiring billions while holding office, laws broken, and likely pedophilia. If you donât our economy could dump as EU says âcheckmate.â
Nancy Jacques
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Albrecht Classen, Midtown
We all know, when an elephant stomps through a porcelain store, not much will be left of the precious items. Since WWII, the entire West has established a delicately balanced power structure that has brought both peace and prosperity to all people. Major trade alliances have, disregarding never-content critics, been a boon to the economic entities and the consumers. The Soviet Union fell in 1990, and many new countries have emerged that have since then enjoyed their freedom and unheard-of developments profiting everyone. Unfortunately, the proverb has now become a reality, and the pile of shards is growing every day. We could call this elephant personified insanity, but it has a concrete name and one instigator. Russia is equally led by a dictator, also insane and extremely power hungry. These two elephants are storming through the much-loved store of our lives and destroy everything generations have come to rely on: solid healthcare, good education, clean water, affordable housing, and peace, above all. This nightmare has to stop.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Gerardo M. Aguilar, Midtown
As a 91-year-old Korean War Veteran and AZ Daily Star delivery route 7A boy in the 1940s, I have a little different view of what constitutes being tough. My father, brought here as a child, from Mexico, tried to serve in WW1 and was told that his work as a copper miner contributed more to the war effort than stopping a bullet. He worked hard from age 10 to a little over age 65 raising a family of 11 children. Eight of his children served honorably in the military participating in WW2, Korea and the prelude to Vietnam.
Gerardo M. Aguilar
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Rahul Sivaprasad, Northwest side
It has been one year since the Trump presidency began. In those 365 days, the nation has experienced constant whiplash as we have been pushed from one crisis to the next. Our economy is faltering, our international standing has been weakened, and basic norms of leadership and accountability have eroded.
What has been most damaging is not any single controversy, but the accumulation of chaos. Americans have been forced to absorb daily outrage while real problems, such as rising costs, health care access, housing insecurity, and global instability, remain unresolved. Governance has been replaced by spectacle.
This is not sustainable. A functioning democracy requires steadiness, seriousness, and leadership focused on the public good rather than personal grievance and political theater. As we move into the next year, voters must demand competence, stability, and a return to responsible governing from those in power.
Rahul Sivaprasad
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Cynthia Schiesel, East side
Why is the money from the Venezuelan oil being sent to an account in Qatar on which Trump is the signer? Why isn't it going directly into the Treasury? Yeah, I'm suspicious that this is going to be more chicanery like the airplane he accepted as a gift which cost the US over $400 million to bring up to standard for him and him alone.
Cynthia Schiesel
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Bonnie Parsons, Southeast side
Have we not mistreated the indigenous Native Americans badly enough historically? We wondered after reading the 1/19/26 article in the Arizona Daily Star, by A.D Becenti, regarding the citizenship of a Navajo resident in the Phoenix area. He was simply filling his gas tank at a QT station when approached by ICE agents. Peter Yazzie explained to the ICE agents when he was aggressively accosted, that he was a U.S. citizen and had appropriate proof, that the ICE agents ignored as they shoved him to the ground. Yazzie told them he had bills and kids, to which the agent responded, âWeâre going to get them, tooâ. While incarcerated, Yazzie worried that they might take him away and he wouldnât see his family again. He was released four hours later after they verified his information, without apology or an offer to take him to his car.
He had to prove he lived here, when his ancestors had been here for approximately 12,000 years.
Bonnie Parsons
Southeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Craig Miller, Northwest side
Juan Ciscomani has consistently voted against health care for his constituents. He, being a member of Congress, has great health care. He should get endocrine and urology referrals for his testicular inadequacy, and a neurology consult to determine what's wrong with his spine.
Craig Miller
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Ed LeGendre, East side
Easy money, easy prey. The daycare scam in Minneapolis is the tip of the iceberg in the scamming of America brought on by a lackadaisical attitude of governmental regulators and employees.
Government waste and fraud happen at every agency the government has. In government, there are layers of bureaucracy that spread the responsibility over so many agencies that it is hard to tell where âthe buck stops.â Do not think for a moment that America is corruption free. Congressional people are enriched by favors, insider trading, campaign contributions, and cronyism.
Government waste. Government waste. Government waste. Government waste. Government waste. Government waste. Government waste. I have said this seven times. I get 170 words for this letter. Like a government agency, I use them all or lose them.
There are two classes of people. Those who want to be rich, and those who want to stay rich. Follow the money and you will find out where the icebergs are.
How many icebergs are there? The sea is afloat with them.
Ed LeGendre
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Michael Spragins, Oro Valley
President Trumpâs effort to âtakeâ Greenland against the wishes of its citizens and the government of Denmark is an incredibly reckless move. Such an action would be wrong legally, strategically, militarily, and economically.
Greenland and Denmark are allies of the United States. There is no legal justification to seize or invade an ally in peacetime without provocation or emergency. The United States already maintains a military presence in Greenland, and every objective the President claims to want â defense access or resource development â could be achieved through diplomacy.
Strategically, a hostile action would violate NATO obligations and trigger Article 5, destroy decades of cooperation and hand Putin a major victory.
Militarily, ordering U.S. troops to act against a NATO ally would be unlawful. Service members may refuse such illegal orders rather than fire on an ally.
Economically, conflict with Greenland would provoke severe EU retaliation and destabilize the U.S. economy.
Congress should finally rouse itself and act to prevent this.
Michael Spragins
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Daniel Pryor, West side
President Trump just might pull it off. If he were to buy Greenland, it wouldn't be much different than the Louisiana Purchase or Seward's Folly (Alaska). In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase gave us the earliest national security buffer from other colonizing nations sailing from Europe or anywhere else in the world. In 1823, President James Monroe initiated the Monroe Doctrine. Essentially, it established the Western Hemisphere as a sphere of United States influence, aiming to prevent European intervention into the affairs of the Americas.
Good thing we bought Alaska from Russia. Try living without fear if Alaska was still Russian territory, with a major Russian military build-up right next to Canada and the US. Ownership of Greenland is strategic to national security. Russia and China's interest in the Western Hemisphere is a real and present danger. Greenland can be a US territory courtesy of the Donroe Doctrine.
Daniel Pryor
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Don Ries, Southeast side
How small a person do you have to be to whine about not receiving an award, and then threaten a group that has nothing to do with the award? That is exactly what Mr. Trump did when he complained that Norway, the country, did not give him the Nobel Peace Prize. Does he not know that the Nobel Committee awards the prizes, not the country of Norway? Does he not know that the committee awards prizes based on what individuals have done and not because the country of Norway is threatened or due to self-promotion? I guess not. If my six-year-old son had done anything similar he would have earned severe consequences.
Don Ries
Southeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Norman Patten, Midtown
What have we become? Why is Congress and the Supreme Court cowed by an overweight, self-aggrandizing, idiot? Why is his illegal kidnapping of the President of Venezuela permitted? Please, he just pardoned a President convicted of drug trafficking. Why are we even giving discussion to his seizing of Greenland any credit? He equates it to Britain returning Diego Garcia. Sorry, these are oceans apart. How are we allowing his nationalized police to invade our cities â to remove the worst of the worst? Seriously! A US citizen in his underwear is truly âthe worst of the worst.â Top it off with a delusional idiot who wants Greenland because he didnât get a Nobel Peace Prize (first-hand). Hey, Donald, Denmark bled in Afghanistan for us - get your crap together. But Donald is Donald. I want to know where Congress is. Why is Congress and the Supreme Court in âhull-deflate?â
Norman Patten
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Sally Wasielewski, East side
The Trumpers love their "strongman" who brags that the US is the most armed and most powerful nation on earth therefore he can do whatever he wants. He appears to think we are the only country that has nuclear/atomic weapons. Iran, North Korea, China, Russia and many others are quite capable of getting fed up with his grandiose delusions. All it is going to take is the first strike. Or is it that he hopes civilization survives and he will be forever remembered for causing WWIII.?
Sally Wasielewski
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Steven Gorenstein, Northeast side
How much more unhinged can things get?The most powerful man in the world with his three year-old infantile mind is he having a hissy fit about not getting his Nobel prize and the rest of us are left to suffer. Maybe this will be the final straw for some Republicans that still remember what sanity is supposed to look like and stop Agent Orange. Heâs given China every justification for taking Taiwan. Heâs doing his best to break up NATO. Heâs making hundreds of millions of dollars off of Venezuelaâs oil. What part of all of this donât you guys get?
Steven Gorenstein
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Roger Shanley, East side
The New Yorker's The Political Scene, âA Stark Warning About the 2026 Election,â with Robert Kagan, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, shook me. Kagan asserted âI don't want anyone to sleep well,â a fitting conclusion to a well-reasoned review of Trump and his advisers' efforts to sustain what Kagan suggests is the nearly completed Trump dictatorship. Mentioning the architects of Trump scripts, Russell Vought and Stephen Miller, Kagan posits their plan to overturn the âfounders' liberalismâ with no intention of free and fair elections. He criticizes Congress and the âcowardice of the American eliteâ for their unwillingness to defund ICE and its blanket immunity, adding Minnesota is a dress rehearsal for the use of the Insurrection Act and more egregious misuse of power. He urges ordinary citizens to follow their instinct of outrage by steadily contacting politicians by email, mail, phone, or personal office visits. After hearing Kagan, my sleep may suffer, but I'm more intent than ever on resisting the insidious virus infecting American democracy.
Roger Shanley
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Richard Wood, Midtown
Saturday 1/17/26 LTEâs âSubmit your applicationâ and âICE/immigrationâ. The âSubmitâ letter cynically portrays George Floyd and Renee Good and ends âAnd Yes folks, this is satire.â No, it is not, it is mocking the death of these people and mean-spirited. ICE letter implies Renee Good deserved to be killed because of her âagitator training.â Both LTEs demonstrate ways of thinking to justify ICE viciousness. First, dehumanize others who are different. Human beings become labels. Renee Good is not a young mother of three children she is an âaggressor,â or an âagitatorâ and therefore should be killed. Second, believe what you are told rather than trust your own eyes and judgment. In multiple videos of Renee Good she is not chanting or trying to run over the ICE agent. ICE rendered no aid and denied physicianâs care because ICE dehumanized her and every âotherâ as they have been told to do by Steven Miller.
Richard Wood
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Don Gerlach, East side
Through the distorted reasoning of our ruler, we are now finding that his actions are creating a hardened federal force that he freely uses for otherwise domestic issues throughout the United States. While it's bad enough that he uses federal forces to respond to areas of responsibility that belong to the states, he is additionally creating a dangerous atmosphere where local people are beginning to distrust all police forces. It also misleads personnel within the federal forces to believe this is normal policing of citizens, that it's normal within a democracy.
Don Gerlach
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Gary Townsend, Sahuarita
Yes. History demonstrates that protests do have an impact and can lead to meaningful change.
Those from lower economic classes are taught âKeep your heads down.â Avoid becoming targets for those that might do harm. That's hard to ignore and to overcome.
When core rights are under attack, let's lift our gaze, face our attackers directly and stand up. Not cower and hide but stand up and demonstrate to all that which we hold as right and just.
Many may say âI can vote and that's my voice.â But our right to vote and to
have it be counted and meaningful is under extreme attack throughout the US.
When we demonstrate, in support of Y or against X, we demonstrate our conviction to the world. Cowering neighbors may realize they are not alone.
As citizens, most of us do not have great power or influence. We have our bodies and voices. If we fail to use those towards defense of democracy, then we submit to the whims of bullies.
Gary Townsend
Sahuarita
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- David E. Leon, Vail
Our bigoted dictator did not honor MLK.
I believe this speech fits for what's going on now: "Somewhere I read of the Freedom of Assembly, Somewhere I read the Freedom of speech, Somewhere I read the Freedom of the Press, Somewhere I read that the Greatness of America is the right to protest for Rights." This so up to date for what is going on now. Why is it happening in Minnesota, Illinois, California and other blue states? Crime is higher in Missouri, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Alaska, most all red states. Oh yeah -- they voted in America's first dictator. Not even half the country voted. You deserve what you get. A dictator stealing our rights, with taxpayer money and now Venezuela's oil money into his offshore accounts.
David E. Leon
Vail
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Eugene Kubina, Green Valley
What is the way out of our national crisis before our democracy and maybe even the world is driven to absolute catastrophe? The only way is for the Republican Congress to stop being cowards, stand up and impeach this President the next time he even threatens Greenland or especially Canada with military force. The Senate must then get up the nerve to convict him. Remember, if not for a few Republican Senators who refused to convict him five years ago because they thought he would be gone forever, he could not have run for office again. Whatever happens in the future is all on them.
Eugene Kubina
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Bruce Hilpert, North side
In a recent NYTimes interview Trump confessed that his real desire to own Greenland is because it is âpsychologically important.â Asked the reporter:â...to you or the U.S.?â âFor me,â said Trump.
This is insane. But the real reason may be that he is criminally insane. It has come to light that the push to own Greenland is backed by an oligarchy of American billionaire investors backing mineral investment companies including KoBold Metals and Critical Metals Corp. With the flow of hundreds of millions of dollars from these same investors into Trump's coffers, the crimes of bribery and/or insider trading certainly bear investigation.
While Trump is immune from prosecution when in office, there are other options for dealing with a President who conducts foreign policy for personal gain and psychological deviance: Impeachment or the 25th Amendment.
Bruce Hilpert
North side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- David Becker, Oro Valley
As is frequently the case with MAGA supporters, the author of the subject letter fails to rely on any factual evidence to support his claim. Instead he relies upon fiction. Independent research organizations with no political bias conclude Biden did not have an open-border policy. The Cato Institute, for example, drew this conclusion:
Illegal immigration had already increased to a 21-year high before Biden entered office.
Biden immediately started increasing expulsions from his first day in office.
Biden tripled interior detention and increased border detention 12-fold.
Biden increased air removal flights by 55 percent over 2020 levels.
Biden negotiated broader expulsion deals with foreign countries than Trump.
Biden got many foreign countries to carry out crackdowns on illegal and legal migration.
Biden removed or expelled 3.3 million border crossers â three times as many as Trump.
But, again, let's not let facts intrude upon the delusions of MAGA supporters.
By the way, where are the Epstein files?
David Becker
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Regula Case, Midtown
Terry Bracy's timely article "Ballots or bullets? It's time to choose" proves that we have a domestic terrorist at work in Trump.
Domestically, his use of ICE is sowing fear and murder in American cities, especially blue ones.
Abroad, Trump's designs to buy or invade Greenland threaten to destroy NATO, since his assault upon the island would require other NATO members to defend it, imploding the alliance.
Thirdly, do we think Putin is idly standing by? If Trump goes after Greenland militarily, could not Putin reconsider his nation's sale of Alaska to the U.S.? After all, Alaska is closer to Russia than Greenland is to the U.S., and resource-laden too.
This madness must stop. Trump's boast that the only limit on his behavior is "my own morality" is revelatory, and remarkably accurate.
The 25th Amendment requires a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress to impeach the president. But we have a better, cleaner, quicker option: To vote his enablers out of office in November. As Terry Bracy says, "Time to choose."
Regula Case
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Scott Hunt, Oro Valley
Trump wants Greenland for its extensive Rare Earth Elements, not because heâs worried about the strategic defense importance of the island/continent to the US.
REEâs are critical for electronics manufacture in the USA and the world. Large deposits of iron, copper, uranium and titanium donât hurt either.
The current treaty with Greenland/Denmark permits the USA to put whatever defense infrastructure on the island as we wish; there is no limit in the treaty. So there is no defense justification for our ownership of the island. In fact, as is apparent, our acquisitive action may severely weaken NATO, hurting our defense.
Just as we learned with Venezuela, the reason for military action was not really drugs but Oil. In the same way, Trump is justifying the action in Greenland using defense as a ruse to secure significant mining resources for the USA and its companies.
Scott Hunt
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Gary Haslett, SaddleBrooke
FOX News ran a segment where David Marcus said that there is a âgang of wine moms using Antifa tactics to harass ICE agents.â He went to on say that the women were âself-important white womenâ who were protesting with âweird and disturbing glee.â He seemed very upset about the whole thing and I donât blame him.
This is a most scary situation. Next we will have Antifa Aunties or Gewurztaminer Grannies taking to the streets with charcuterie boards, frightening those masked and armed ICE thugs with leftover brie. They need to stopped! I am sure Kristi Noem will put those dastardly women on the domestic terrorist list.
Gary Haslett
SaddleBrooke
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- S. Ross Emmanuel, Southeast side
Just a note to counter Mr. Wolf's comments of January 18th about Trump's potential 3rd impeachment, which I believe the country absolutely does "have the stomach for" as Trump is clearly now more insane and demented than ever. Of course, it takes a 2/3 vote in the Senate to convict - that "math" is widely known. The only "fact" that truly matters in this process is the ongoing sycophantic cowardice of the current crop of weak-minded congressional Republicans who do not "have the stomach" (translation: courage and integrity) to remove this vile and dangerous criminal from the presidency (even though I imagine most of them wish he would just disappear and let them off the hook for their pathetic inaction). That is the sad "reality."
S. Ross Emmanuel
Southeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Roger Voelker, Southeast side
A January 18 LTE stated that FDR passed the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 as part of the New Deal legislation âthat Americans take for granted now.â G-S separated risky investment banking from traditional commercial banking, outlawing banks from gambling with depositorsâ money, which was a major factor in the bank failures that helped bring on the Great Depression.
The letter writer should know that, far from being taken for granted, Glass-Steagall was repealed by the Republican-controlled Congress in 1999.
Todayâs hard-right Republicans seem determined to also repeal the rest of FDRâs New Deal, and thus return us to the Robber Baron era of the late 19th century.
Roger Voelker
Southeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Ed LeGendre, East side
In the early 1970s, I took Economics 101-102. We learned how monetary and fiscal policies manipulated the economy by using various techniques of interest rates, to control the money supply, and the use of tariffs and legislation to control commerce and trade.
The Duck is now using tariffs to punish countries to bend to his will. This is grade-school antics. I will take my ball home and youâll be sorry. I am bigger than you and will beat you up.
Conservatives do not like uncertainty. How do you plan the course of your business if the rules can be changed by the whiff of presidential flatulence?
Blusterous rants and raves on whatever the subjects of the day, illustrate a shoot from the hip mentality. Shooting from the hip usually means you miss the mark of what you really want the outcome to be.
There are many like me who are tired of the Duck mucking up the world order.
Beware the Ides of March.
Ed LeGendre
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Craig Miller, Northwest side
During Obama's first term he deported 3.2 million, another 2.1 in second term. Trump in first term deported 2 million, per Department of Homeland Security. Obama deported more without the craziness of Trump.
Craig Miller
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Larry DeWitt, Northeast side
The sane parts of the world are opposed to Trumpâs insane fantasy about the U.S. taking over Greenland. Several European nations have openly voiced their opposition. These include: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the United Kingdom.
So Trump just announced that he will raise the tariffs on these countries another 10%â to bring the total to 25% â and he will keep them that high until they yield to him on Greenland.
This is, I believe, how the Mafia practices extortion.
Either that, or it is the pouting of a stunted adolescent who throws all the toys out of the sandbox if he does not get his way.
Larry DeWitt
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Richard Harper, Northeast side
Did the ICE officer create his own jeopardy standing in front of the vehicle? Legality and reasonableness are the basic standards by which we evaluate police use of force. Use of force must comply with Constitutional requirements and court rulings. For example one ruling for police use of deadly force is Tennessee v. Garner (1985), where deadly force should not be used against a fleeing, unarmed suspect unless they pose a significant threat of serious physical harm. Legally the police may use deadly force, but it must be reasonable, that is, proportional to the active resistance being used against them. Legally just because one can shoot, should they? Is justice served? Some argue an officerâs use of deadly force shouldnât be reduced to the moment the shot is fired but the totality of the situation. This is where policy and training are important. Most agencies recognize this based on successful lawsuits against them. Federal agencies (like DHS) have internal policies warning against officer created jeopardy for good reason.
Richard Harper
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- James Abels, Midtown
1/17/26 page A12: Some people are missing the positive benefits of operating coal-fired electricity generating stations. Just consider if we could get other countries, like China and India, to use more coal to operate their electricity generating facilities. It would increase the market demand for our coal. As an added benefit, we could make a significant dent in overpopulation! Lower population means lower demand which lowers prices according to the supply/demand curve theory. Great news! Wonderful leadership! With reduced populations comes reduced demands on countries to provide for their populations. Fewer wars!
I am so excited!
James Abels
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Matt Somers, Midtown
In reading the Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial "Fiscal mess is becoming 'irreversible,'" I can't help of thinking that President Trump's 2nd term is a watershed moment on slow disintegration of Americans quality of life.
Debt can bring wealth creation, but only if it is a controlled debt. A 30-year mortgage is a controlled debt bringing about wealth through asset accumulation. Joe Biden's Infrastructure bill is a debt that would bring wealth creation through augmenting future worker production through infrastructure improvement.
Trump's call for a $1.5 trillion Defense Department budget is debt that destroys wealth. It is a socialization of the security expenses of the business interests of the United States. The deployment of the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford to the Caribbean, for example, is a complete ineffectual use of the military budget.
Also, Trump's call for $2,000 checks from tariff money does not help the federal budget. As the LVRJ is owned by the billionaire Adelson family, obviously the editorial is against a needed federal tax increase.
Matt Somers
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Dave Gallagher, Foothills
The Department of Homeland Security was created in 2002 to help better protect us from terrorist attacks following the horrific terrorism our nation experienced on 9/11/2001.
It is beyond sad that the Department of Homeland Security now has a near-singular focus on visiting terror on migrants, refugees and asylum seekers; and the citizens who seek to protect and support them.
Federal government leaders are abusing their power by giving Department of Homeland Security agents arrest, detention and deportation quotas and goals. They're abusing their power by telling agents that they are "unleashed" and can act with impunity.
The Department of Homeland Security, designed to protect us, is ripping families and communities apart. We need leadership in Washington, D.C. that is respectful of the rule of law and all of our nation's residents.
Dave Gallagher
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Teresa Goodell, Oro Valley
A termite mound is a marvel, a complex of tunnels and rooms, exits and entries, chimneys for climate control, and even fungus âgardensâ for food. Termites are brilliant builders, but we donât typically describe them as civilized.
It is said that Margaret Mead was once asked about the earliest sign of human civilization. It was not villages, tools, or farming. It was an ancient skeleton with a healed femur fracture. Such a long bone fracture would kill most animals, but someone fed and protected this person as they healed. She said human caring is civilization.
Contrast that with a government that demands wealth, adoration, and absolute power; a president whose every deed is transactional. Contrast that with a country where masked thugs murder on the streets.
Things are bad, but the culture, diversity, intellect, and decency that we once embodied can be saved if civilized people work together.
This president can build a gaudy ballroom and feign strength, but without caring, human civilization will not exist. Termites build, too.
Teresa Goodell
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Ronald F Eustice, Northwest side
My wife and I have owned a farm in Minnesota for over 50 years. We live in Tucson some 2,000 miles away. The neighboring landowners have always been cordial, quiet and peaceful. Recently, a neighbor has declared strong interest in acquiring our farm. He says a third neighbor is "threatening," and because we spend six months per year in Arizona, he wants to "protect" our farm from the hostile neighbor. We know there are valuable minerals under the soil on our farm. We have told the first neighbor that our farm is not for sale, but he is persistent. He says acquisition of our farm is vital for the security of the neighborhood and he will protect it. Since we refuse to sell our farm to him, he says he is just going to take it over by force if necessary. What should we do?
Ronald F Eustice
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Bruce Hilpert, North side
How incredibly weird is it that someone would accept an award given to another person? Is it sheer ego? A neurotic need for praise? What's next for the President ... awarding himself the Congressional Medal of Honor for valor in combat?
Bruce Hilpert
North side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Trump and America's watershed moment
In reading the Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial "Fiscal mess is becoming 'irreversible,'" I can't help of thinking that President Trump's 2nd term is a watershed moment on slow disintegration of Americans quality of life.
Debt can bring wealth creation, but only if it is a controlled debt. A 30-year mortgage is a controlled debt bringing about wealth through asset accumulation. Joe Biden's Infrastructure bill is a debt that would bring wealth creation through augmenting future worker production through infrastructure improvement.
Trump's call for a $1.5 trillion Defense Department budget is debt that destroys wealth. It is a socialization of the security expenses of the business interests of the United States. The deployment of the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford to the Caribbean, for example, is a complete ineffectual use of the military budget.
Also, Trump's call for $2,000 checks from tariff money does not help the federal budget. As the LVRJ is owned by the billionaire Adelson family, obviously the editorial is against a needed federal tax increase.
Matt Somers
Midtown
DHS
The Department of Homeland Security was created in 2002 to help better protect us from terrorist attacks following the horrific terrorism our nation experienced on 9/11/2001.
It is beyond sad that the Department of Homeland Security now has a near-singular focus on visiting terror on migrants, refugees and asylum seekers; and the citizens who seek to protect and support them.
Federal government leaders are abusing their power by giving Department of Homeland Security agents arrest, detention and deportation quotas and goals. They're abusing their power by telling agents that they are "unleashed" and can act with impunity.
The Department of Homeland Security, designed to protect us, is ripping families and communities apart. We need leadership in Washington, D.C. that is respectful of the rule of law and all of our nation's residents.
Dave Gallagher
Foothills
Officer-created jeopardy
Did the ICE officer create his own jeopardy standing in front of the vehicle? Legality and reasonableness are the basic standards by which we evaluate police use of force. Use of force must comply with Constitutional requirements and court rulings. For example one ruling for police use of deadly force is Tennessee v. Garner (1985), where deadly force should not be used against a fleeing, unarmed suspect unless they pose a significant threat of serious physical harm. Legally the police may use deadly force, but it must be reasonable, that is, proportional to the active resistance being used against them. Legally just because one can shoot, should they? Is justice served? Some argue an officerâs use of deadly force shouldnât be reduced to the moment the shot is fired but the totality of the situation. This is where policy and training are important. Most agencies recognize this based on successful lawsuits against them. Federal agencies (like DHS) have internal policies warning against officer created jeopardy for good reason.
Richard Harper
Northeast side
Natural King Coal
1/17/26 page A12: Some people are missing the positive benefits of operating coal-fired electricity generating stations. Just consider if we could get other countries, like China and India, to use more coal to operate their electricity generating facilities. It would increase the market demand for our coal. As an added benefit, we could make a significant dent in overpopulation! Lower population means lower demand which lowers prices according to the supply/demand curve theory. Great news! Wonderful leadership! With reduced populations comes reduced demands on countries to provide for their populations. Fewer wars!
I am so excited!
James Abels
Midtown
Deportations
During Obama's first term he deported 3.2 million, another 2.1 in second term. Trump in first term deported 2 million, per Department of Homeland Security. Obama deported more without the craziness of Trump.
Craig Miller
Northwest side
Punitive tariffs
In the early 1970s, I took Economics 101-102. We learned how monetary and fiscal policies manipulated the economy by using various techniques of interest rates, to control the money supply, and the use of tariffs and legislation to control commerce and trade.
The Duck is now using tariffs to punish countries to bend to his will. This is grade-school antics. I will take my ball home and youâll be sorry. I am bigger than you and will beat you up.
Conservatives do not like uncertainty. How do you plan the course of your business if the rules can be changed by the whiff of presidential flatulence?
Blusterous rants and raves on whatever the subjects of the day, illustrate a shoot from the hip mentality. Shooting from the hip usually means you miss the mark of what you really want the outcome to be.
There are many like me who are tired of the Duck mucking up the world order.
Beware the Ides of March.
Ed LeGendre
East side
Medal of Honor?
How incredibly weird is it that someone would accept an award given to another person? Is it sheer ego? A neurotic need for praise? What's next for the President ... awarding himself the Congressional Medal of Honor for valor in combat?
Bruce Hilpert
North side
Mafia Don?
The sane parts of the world are opposed to Trumpâs insane fantasy about the U.S. taking over Greenland. Several European nations have openly voiced their opposition. These include: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the United Kingdom.
So Trump just announced that he will raise the tariffs on these countries another 10%â to bring the total to 25% â and he will keep them that high until they yield to him on Greenland.
This is, I believe, how the Mafia practices extortion.
Either that, or it is the pouting of a stunted adolescent who throws all the toys out of the sandbox if he does not get his way.
Larry DeWitt
Northeast side
Proposed tax cuts
Republicans are suggesting a $440 million tax cut. Isn't that the amount held by state in unspent vouchers for ESA private & home schooled students for college tuition up to age 22? This, while Proposition 123 seeks a third year of land taking trust funds that were to last in perpetuity, and a $1.25 billion budget deficit last year mainly because of the voucher program. ESA enrollment went from 12,000 ESA students in 2022-23 to over 92,000 at an estimated cost of $1 billion in 2026. Half of recipients have never attended a public school. ESA covers tuition thru middle school including religious/private schools and takes from the public-school general fund. Regulations are slack. Some voucher accounts were found to have excess funds of $10,000 and more. Land trust and voucher funds are not sustainable. ESA college funding is discriminatory. Financial crisis looms.
Bea Manderscheid
Northeast side
Civilization, termites and ballrooms
A termite mound is a marvel, a complex of tunnels and rooms, exits and entries, chimneys for climate control, and even fungus âgardensâ for food. Termites are brilliant builders, but we donât typically describe them as civilized.
It is said that Margaret Mead was once asked about the earliest sign of human civilization. It was not villages, tools, or farming. It was an ancient skeleton with a healed femur fracture. Such a long bone fracture would kill most animals, but someone fed and protected this person as they healed. She said human caring is civilization.
Contrast that with a government that demands wealth, adoration, and absolute power; a president whose every deed is transactional. Contrast that with a country where masked thugs murder on the streets.
Things are bad, but the culture, diversity, intellect, and decency that we once embodied can be saved if civilized people work together.
This president can build a gaudy ballroom and feign strength, but without caring, human civilization will not exist. Termites build, too.
Teresa Goodell
Oro Valley
Taking our farm by force?
My wife and I have owned a farm in Minnesota for over 50 years. We live in Tucson some 2,000 miles away. The neighboring landowners have always been cordial, quiet and peaceful. Recently, a neighbor has declared strong interest in acquiring our farm. He says a third neighbor is "threatening," and because we spend six months per year in Arizona, he wants to "protect" our farm from the hostile neighbor. We know there are valuable minerals under the soil on our farm. We have told the first neighbor that our farm is not for sale, but he is persistent. He says acquisition of our farm is vital for the security of the neighborhood and he will protect it. Since we refuse to sell our farm to him, he says he is just going to take it over by force if necessary. What should we do?
Ronald F Eustice
Northwest side
Â
- Wes Ward, Oro Valley
Damsel in Distress: âPlease, Sir; my country lies in ruins, and we need badly need your help to live. Here is a treasure given to me from other world leaders for my works, and I gladly give it to you if you will help us. I understand that you want one such as this very badly, and I freely sacrifice this -- my own â to you for the sake of my people.â
White Knight: âFear not, fair lady; I am of a people who care and will help others in their time of need. No treasure is asked, other than you friendship as we all go forward.â
Orange Knight: âHey, thanks, lady. Iâll get back to you on the other stuff!â
Wes Ward
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Peter Bisschop, East side
If Congress can afford to fund ICE, they can afford to support the ACA. One is important, the other is not, especially since it is acting illegally to satisfy Trump. As an American I oppose any increased funding for ICE or Border Patrol. Attacking blue states simply because Trump can is immoral and most likely unconstitutional. Masked federal agents have been running rampant in our cities, brutalizing our communities, tearing families apart, and even killing residents. The recent killing of Renee Good is just one story of many highlighting ICE and the Trump administrationâs illegal violence that allows agents to operate with full impunity. ICE now has the largest budget of any federal law enforcement agency. One illness can wipe out a family. One death can wipe out a family. And that just doesn't seem right in this country that's supposed to be the best country in the world.
Peter Bisschop
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Clyde Steele, Oro Valley
Having read in the past year books about former Presidents Washington, Lincoln, and FDR, I have come to understand just how lucky America is for these three to have served their country and just how dangerous our current President is. Washington, the Revolutionary War, and the President of the new Republic. Lincoln in the Black Hawk War, preserving the Union and the Emancipation Proclamation, saved the Union. FDR not only brought the country out of the Great Recession but also passed the S/S, Glass-Steagall, plus many others that Americans take for granted now. Of the three, FDR was not only a political genius, but was smart enough to pick the best and brightest for his Cabinet. As Americans, we all should be extremely afraid that Trump never has to face what these three did. With Trump, there is no best or brightest in his Cabinet, just yes men.
Clyde Steele
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Sherry Machen, Green Valley
Remember the Pledge of Allegiance, committed to memory in childhood, usually without understanding its meaning? A statement of our commitment, not to the U.S. flag, but to what it symbolizes, "the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God (as we understand Them), indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Pima County Attorney Laura Conover recommends "fighting fire, not with more fire, but with water," when confronted with potential recklessness in interactions with ICE -- "moving in ways that are wise." Use your words, teachers say. How about reciting the Pledge of Allegiance whenever ICE appears? Or singing patriotic songs, like The Star Spangled Banner, "the land of the free and the brave," God Bless America, "let us swear allegiance to a land that's free," and America, The Beautiful, "crown thy good with brotherhood," and "sweet land of liberty," and This Land is Your Land, "this land was made for you and me." Let's prick the possible conscience of ICE.
Nothing like singing to keep us from cursing.
Sherry Machen
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Gail Schumacher, Southwest side
Am I the only one that sees the outright hypocrisy of the U.S. president who encourage protesters in Iran but sends more troops to Minneapolis to quell the protesters there? While Iran has a record of suppressing protesters over several decades, the U.S. is now not far behind in its intolerance to people who resist against ICE as well as the damaging policies of the current administration in cutting health benefits and other social programs to transfer money to the military and ICE.
The president has proven himself to be a fascist leader with every new executive order. On January 20, there will be national marches including here in Tucson to “Free America Walkout” against fascism and towards Freedom. For more information, visit act.womensmarch.com to find an event you can participate in.
Gail Schumacher
Southwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Tom Henderson, West side
Our president says he doesn't like wind turbines because they kill birds, but he doesn't seem at all concerned that his sycophantic witch doctor Robert Kennedy's proposed vaccine standards have the potential to kill thousands of American schoolchildren. What's wrong with this picture?
Tom Henderson
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Herbert Schneidau, Foothills
All human beings in the Western Hemisphere are either migrants or descendants of migrants. Even the Native Americans came over from Siberia. Trump has the idiotic idea that all real Americans should have pure "white blood." The force he is using to achieve this consists of trigger-happy thugs, led by a woman who ought to be in jail for cruelty to animals (he chooses for eye candy, so he can call reporters "piggy" etc.) Trump's goons ought to find honest work.
Jesse Ventura for governor of Minnesota is a step in the right direction. Another would be disarming ICE.
If there is a hell, a large part in no doubt reserved for Hitler and other racist murderers. Think about this, Donald, before you send in troops (with instructions to aim at knees of protesters, another dopey idea he floated in his first term).
Herbert Schneidau
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Thea Chalow, Oro Valley
Today, on my way to the grocery store, a car was stopped in the middle lane. There were two police cars behind it with flashing lights. I had to pass by the driverâs side door just as a police officer was approaching. I realized I was afraid. What if someone panicked and a gun was fired? Would I be shot? Iâm a 75-year-old woman and Iâve never had a thought or feeling like that before. This is not the country I grew up in, and Iâm guessing itâs not the country you grew up in either. If you want to see our country return to the moral foundation and rule of law that made us truly special (purposely not using the word âgreatâ), start by signing a nominating petition for any Democrat or other non-MAGA candidate running for office in Arizona. You can do it right from home by googling "How To Sign a Candidateâs E-Qual Petition."
Thea Chalow
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Jeffrey McConnell, West side
Want to be the next George Floyd? All you have to do is commit "suicide by cop" for your very important cause. We have plenty of whackos popping off at schools, churches, synagogues and other soft targets, but their fame is fleeting and no Democrats are kneeling before their gold coffins in the Capitol Rotunda.
There is one problem: Someone named Renee Good who was unknown until a week ago has the inside track for pontification. The good news is that facts may show she was too much an aggressor and less a victim so you may still have this chance to go down in history. Just provoke, threaten and then impede federal police from carrying out their lawful duties and hope for the best. Any cop will do but ICE is preferred. Sorry I wonât be attending your funeral.
And yes folks, this is satire.
Jeffrey McConnell
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Deb Klumpp, Oro Valley
Every morning, I wonder what new outrageous chaos is unfolding, thanks to POTUS. This constant barrage of chaotic events is very effective in taking the spotlight off Trump's role in the Epstein scandal. Such irony -- Trump vowing to protect and help Iranian protestors as he unleashes his violent ICE operatives on Americans! He condones ICE violence and blatantly lied about the murder of a Minnesota woman by ICE. He's waging war on the American people. He has the world in chaos. If you disagree with him or dare to protest, you're a radical left-wing terrorist. What do Trump supporters tell themselves to justify the actions and behavior of this demented disgrace? Behold him flipping off a factory worker who had the guts to shout out to this dangerous, humiliating embarrassment of a "leader." Trump is hands down the worst, most classless, most damaging president in history. He's single-handedly destroyed a once-great nation. Trump voters, may your kids, grandkids and great- grandkids enjoy the spoils.
Deb Klumpp
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Bill Dowdall, Oro Valley
Biden's open border policy allowed millions to enter the U.S., all unvetted, among them murders, rapists, child molesters, sex traffickers. These illegals flocked to the sanctuary cities where the liberals are protecting them leaving their citizens vulnerable to these criminals. Local law enforcement is not aiding ICE in the apprehension of the criminals and the politicians are inciting the public to riot against the legitimate job ICE is doing. Has TDS destroyed the ability of the Democrats to have any common sense? What is the end game? The mug shots of those apprehended are published. The media and the psychos in Congress want you to believe the innocent are being arrested. The data shows that crime has decreased dramatically in those cities visited by ICE. Recently, major fraud has been announced that has been going on in MN for years by the Somali community. These individuals took advantage of a system designed to help them and turned it around to scam billions of dollars of our tax dollars. Wake up.
Bill Dowdall
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Barbara Hall, Midtown
Abandon diplomatic and soft power options. Discontinue foreign aid; withdraw from international institutions to ensure the US loses influence in global initiatives and events.
Alienate trading partners with tariffs to reduce customer bases for US goods (soybeans, anyone?) and encourage formation of free-trade zones without US participation.
Politicize the Fed to raise borrowing costs and undermine the dollar as the worldâs reserve currency; help China supplant it with the yuan.
Cripple US science and technology by slashing spending, driving top researchers overseas and reducing domestic training in critical fields.
Refuse to fund renewables. Cede leadership in next-generation energy technologies to China.
America benefited enormously from leading the post-WWII international order through cooperation and
alliances The emerging one shaped by our retreat and isolation may not be so pleasant.
âWe are watching one of the wildest things a nation-state has ever done. A superpower is [dying by] suicide because the [Republican] Congress is too cowardly to stand up to the Mad King.â (journalist Garrett Graff)
Barbara Hall
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Jeffrey McConnell, West side
Think of it, in just one more year the Democrats could control the House and Trump impeachments can finally resume. Which of the hundreds of horrific crimes they should peruse first? Let me assist.
On the domestic front perhaps impeach for being a fascist, tyrant and self-anointed king. The problem is that he aggressively pursues dismantling his executive branch of government, slashing his inherited cabinet and regulatory governance; returning that power to the âseveral statesâ where it rightfully belongs. Trump obeys all court orders from the puppet-king federal judges. So we need to look elsewhere.
On the international front maybe impeach for war crimes. Sadly he has prevented or ended several bloody wars saving many thousands of lives with zero American deaths and a big one is still pending. He prefers negotiation, threats and tariffs over bullets.
Whatâs your top impeachment crime? Pro tip: âorange hairâ work.
Jeffrey McConnell
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Alan Brown, East side
The President wants to take over / buy Greenland. In 1917, through "The Treaty of the Danish West Indies" the U.S. purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25,000,000 and an agreement that the U.S. would "not object to the Danish Government extending their political and economic interests to the whole of Greenland." If the President wants to void / negate / renege on that treaty, Denmark would pay $25M back to the US, take back ownership of the Virgin Islands, and restore the various interests in different parts of Greenland. It would also, of course, make the idea of entering into a treaty with the U.S. very hazardous. Something to think about.
Alan Brown
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Nancy Jacques, Northeast side
Congress, you could be in a double bind. See how your constituents like this, if you donât act immediately against Greenland tariff threats and âbuying a country.â If Trump continues, the EU should begin instituting 15 percent tariffs on all US agricultural products. Throw in alcohol, metals, planes. Systematically begin cashing in US bonds, exposing our debt. Invest in German Bund, other countries welcoming investment. EU, keep escalating, responding to Trump.
Congress, you could alleviate a financial disaster. Do your constitutionally mandated job. Control the megalomaniac avoiding the Epstein files and disrupting world balance: 1) Grow a spine and take control of Trumpâs Greenland tantrum. You hold the purse, the law. Rule against him. Donât fund defense. Donât allow tariffs. (Is the Supreme Court waiting for you?) 2) Demand release of unredacted Epstein files. 3) Then, once courageous, impeach Trump for corruption in acquiring billions while holding office, laws broken, and likely pedophilia. If you donât our economy could dump as EU says âcheckmate.â
Nancy Jacques
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Albrecht Classen, Midtown
We all know, when an elephant stomps through a porcelain store, not much will be left of the precious items. Since WWII, the entire West has established a delicately balanced power structure that has brought both peace and prosperity to all people. Major trade alliances have, disregarding never-content critics, been a boon to the economic entities and the consumers. The Soviet Union fell in 1990, and many new countries have emerged that have since then enjoyed their freedom and unheard-of developments profiting everyone. Unfortunately, the proverb has now become a reality, and the pile of shards is growing every day. We could call this elephant personified insanity, but it has a concrete name and one instigator. Russia is equally led by a dictator, also insane and extremely power hungry. These two elephants are storming through the much-loved store of our lives and destroy everything generations have come to rely on: solid healthcare, good education, clean water, affordable housing, and peace, above all. This nightmare has to stop.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Gerardo M. Aguilar, Midtown
As a 91-year-old Korean War Veteran and AZ Daily Star delivery route 7A boy in the 1940s, I have a little different view of what constitutes being tough. My father, brought here as a child, from Mexico, tried to serve in WW1 and was told that his work as a copper miner contributed more to the war effort than stopping a bullet. He worked hard from age 10 to a little over age 65 raising a family of 11 children. Eight of his children served honorably in the military participating in WW2, Korea and the prelude to Vietnam.
Gerardo M. Aguilar
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
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