Prop. 123 steals from future to pay for present
As an honest, independent Arizona voter, I urge you to consider what we donât see about the devilâs bargain being hyped as Prop. 123. We donât see the big, dark and dirty money behind the hype, mostly in the form of misleading TV ads. In addition, what we donât see being displayed by our representatives is something quite foreign to their repertoire of behaviors and ideology: itâs called principle.
After using taxpayer money to fight the Arizona voters in court for years, the âsettlementâ in the twisted form of Prop. 123 gets these representatives off the hook by stealing from future education funds to cover for their complete abrogation of responsibility. And somehow thatâs OK?
Prop. 123 is like getting caught robbing a bank, then offering to give fraction of the money back in exchange for going scot-free. Vote ânoâ on Prop. 123, and vote these irresponsible clowns out of office.
J. Turner
East side
Isnât water more precious than mining?
Re: the May 8 article âBest known science drove report, says Fish & Wildlife.â
I see the decision by U.S. Fish & Wildlife about the proposed Rosemont mine, and the movement of the Forest Service toward approval of the mine, as an ongoing failure.
Here in the desert, how could anyone choose to turn the waters from the aquifer and from runoff into vapor and toxic waste? Climate change practically doesnât exist if you read the model used by the Forest Service. But hotter temperatures and long-term drought are our future, making water precious beyond comparison and making the Cienega Creek watershed a northward migration path for animals and plants thatâs critical to survival for whole species.
Why do leaders dutifully work to preserve the achingly ancient Mining Act yet veer far away from obeying the National Environmental Policy Act? Is NEPA only relevant when it doesnât conflict with extractive industries? It will end in court anyway. Wouldnât you prefer to stand on the side of caution and the careful consideration of what about natural resources really matters?
Roger Barthelson
West side
GOP holdouts need to get behind Trump
I am a Christian, conservative, Ted Cruz supporter, and a woman who has voted Republican my entire life. Today, after reading the long list of âestablishmentâ Republicans who cannot get on board with our partyâs presumptive nominee, Donald Trump, I say to them I would vote for Donald Duck before I would allow my ânoâ vote to help Hillary Clinton be elected president.
I have swallowed hard to vote for candidates like Bob Dole, âreach across the aisleâ John McCain and Mitt Romney. Now, I say to the establishment types in our party, you had your turn and you failed. Itâs time for you to swallow hard and understand people want Anybody But You.
Leigh Anne Thrasher
Midtown
Womenâs shelter foes should be ashamed
Re: the May 11 column ââJust not hereâ spirit drives homeless shelter out.â
Tim Stellerâs column cuts right to the heart of the matter. The Sister Jose Shelter for Homeless Women was run out of the West University Neighborhood.
In my opinion, the neighbors should be ashamed and embarrassed by their selfishness and hostility. I have to assume that the neighbors have chosen to live in the city rather than in isolated, gated communities in the Foothills because they wish to experience diversity, community and an âurbanâ environment. And yet they appear to be intimidating elitists.
I did not attend the public meetings about locating the shelter in West University, but those who went told me that the neighbors were rude.
As a social worker and community and political activist, I am appalled by these actions. We should all be ashamed of this representation of our Tucson.
Karen Clifton
Midtown
