U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R)
Ciscomani/Venezuela
Per Congressional Representative Juan Ciscomani's Facebook page, Ciscomani is in full support of the Trump Administration's actions in Venezuela. Ciscomani votes 100% in support of the Trump Administration's agenda.
Obviously there is a percentage of voters who support both Trump and Ciscomani, and I imagine those voters are satisfied as to how their political beliefs are being met. I am not in agreement with these people.
In 10 months, the midterm elections will be held. Ciscomani's Congressional District 6 seat will be on the November General Election ballot.
The Democratic Party's front-running candidate for CD 6 is JoAnna Mendoza.
I ask that if you are not happy with Trump/Ciscomani, that you owe it to yourself (and to like-minded citizens of CD 6) to research (and support) JoAnna Mendoza.
While you are at it, please take the time to research (and support) Democratic State Legislative candidates in your District, particularly if you live in LD 17 and LD 23.
Randy Garmon
North side
Is this what our nation has become?
In what bizarro World do Americans now believe it is moral to use our military to mount a sneak attack upon a comparatively defenseless country with the express purpose of taking “their land and oil?” Our Orange President was very open about this but did get it wrong, it’s not our oil and land, it never was. I never signed up for this, an unlimited defense budget to use in attacks against another country at the expense of our younger generation being unable to afford health care, childcare, a home to start a family, onerous education expenses. Every Republican who supports this attack (Juan Ciscomani) should and must be made to pay a price for this war. It’s time to look in a mirror at our country’s actions, to see ourselves as others around the world now see the United States, no longer a bastion of freedom, but a warmonger not satisfied with our own great wealth but determined to steal from others as well.
Tim Helentjaris
Northwest side
My nation is not a thug
The invasion of Venezuela, and the kidnapping of President Maduro, under made-up pretenses, is no less than international thuggery. Like the extrajudicial killing of seamen in the Gulf or the Pacific, it's lawless, and for the seamen, it's murder. This administration just abandoned the international order which has kept the peace since the end of WWII. Now we are no better than Russia (or China), invading a neighbor nation for spoils using false excuses. This crime must not be allowed to continue, and those who executed it must not go unpunished. We are a nation of laws, and we are a nation that supports international law; We have no country without both. Join me in voicing your outrage and demands for accountability. Call and write to our representatives as often as possible so they know where you stand. Silence at this moment is complicity.
Dwight Swisher
South Tucson
The invasion
All countries are now justified in holding the American people responsible for having established and maintained a ruler whose modus operandi is to dominate, control and "correct" the actions of other countries, at will, no matter the illegality of that action. And to think it's being done by a country that used to be noted for espousing — demonstrating! — the ideals of independent sovereignty and democracy.
Don Gerlach
East side
Questions about Venezuela
The US never stopped and searched any of the 36 vessels (1 billion dollars' worth) destroyed and assured the crews were killed. Why would a drug cartel keep sending billions of dollars' worth of drugs in boats 36 times, knowing that the US Navy is right off the coast and can destroy every one of them with ease? Drug cartels have many ways to transport drugs. They are well funded. Why would fishing village people keep taking drug boats out into the ocean knowing that other fishermen never returned from taking out drug boats? Seems to me like a set up to substantiate the "narco-terrorist" moniker for Maduro. Trump goes into Venezuela "arresting" Maduro for drug trafficking, then sends oil companies executives to Venezuela to fix the oil industry on behalf of the Venezuelan people. Si Chuy. Wake up and follow the money. Trump's foreign policy is making money.
Richard Bechtold
West side
Jungle rules
It is obvious that this Congress has no intention of reining in the current executive branch.
It is astonishing to what ends the current executive branch will go to deflect interest in the Epstein files.
It is frightening what could happen in this world as the current executive branch throws out the rule book that was developed after WWII to foster better ways of settling disputes other than using military and economic strength to "win." All conflicts have become "zero sum."
I pray that the citizens of the world don't believe that the majority of US citizens think that operating in this manner is acceptable, though we will all suffer as a result.
Cindy Soffrin
Northeast side
Money and college athletics
I read Greg Hansen’s article about the changing role of athletic directors with interest, “A decade of change … can be described as worse, not better.” It is the “big bucks” of television, casinos, and billionaires that are being courted by athletic directors. Why does it seem worse? Players can now transfer from one school to another based on “star performers” being shopped by their agents; on the team today, gone tomorrow. Now star players on teams can become enriched, so he/she leaves for that million-dollar paycheck. Coaches scramble to fill vacancies, but they better have some hefty “Jing” to go with their offers. For two weeks coaches are subject to the “feeding frenzy.” The portal? In and of itself it is beneficial, giving players a second chance and freedom of choice. But big money has polluted college sports. The measure of success? Show me the money! Greg's commentary provides insight into the problem and educates us about the negative impact on college sports. Well done.
Richard Harper
Northeast side
Politics
Jeffrey Who?
Not a single major news outlet knows.
Not a single story?
Not an update or mention, he is just gone.
Mass pedophilia over the decades made boring, just like that.
Richard Kimball
Midtown
The Jenga tower of peace and cooperation
Since WWII, piece by piece, world leaders over 75 years built a Jenga tower of peace and cooperation among nations with laws, treaties, organizations and contracts. All these agreements have protected us from expansive wars. For reasons of greed and retribution Trump and his enablers have been removing pieces from this tower. Their invasion and takeover of Venezuela may be the piece that makes the tower fall and causes world chaos and war. With this invasion and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine megalomaniacs now know they can take countries and their resources at will. Trump disparages our European alliances. He ignores the United Nations. He sides with Putin. He deports and destroys families of non-white people which may give a rise to future terrorists.
Might does not make right. Might makes enemies. We’ve lost our moral authority. China and Russia have deals with Venezuela. They will not take this lying down. Trump will topple the Jenga tower making Americans hated and unsafe. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Dee Maitland
Marana
TDOT used to be reliable
I used to be able to contact TDOT about dangerous potholes in bike lanes and they would be repaired right away. TDOT used to understand that potholes in bike lanes had to be given repair priority because they would cause serious injury or worse.
I contacted TDOT about dangerous 2-3 foot wide bike lane potholes over a month ago. I was directed to 311 and made it clear it was urgent to fill the holes as it could be life or death for a cyclist. They were not filled. I contacted Ward 3, nothing done. Later, I contacted Mayor Romero nothing was done. Again, I reported it to 311 and they said the director of TDOT would email me but he never did. I emailed TDOT Administration explaining the problem and asking for the email of the person responsible for repair and received no response.
These employees who were given raises need to have them rescinded. Evidently, the only way Tucson street safety will improve will be through lawsuits.
Cheryl Kelli
Downtown
The logic of the takeover of Venezuela
Mr Trump says that Maduro is corrupt and has ruined Venezuela, so it's okay for the U.S. to arrest him and take over the country.
In effect he says one nation has the right to intervene in another on the grounds of its corruption.
So here is a thought: the King of England can say that given the incredible corruption and constitutional violation going on in Washington, it's his duty to arrest Mr. Trump and take over the United States.
What fun that would be. We can go right back to the years before Independence.
Kalyanraman Bharathan
Midtown
Long live MAGA?
When the People’s Liberation Army attacks Taiwan, it will not be liberation, since Taiwan is a democracy. Any country invading another to topple the latter’s government, dictatorial or democratic, and seize its wealth or natural resources is not liberation, but pure imperialism. Trump’s action on Venezuela is simply mimicking Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, and willfully beaconing Xi to conquer Taiwan. Trump has furthered his vision of a new world order – three imperial powers each having its own sphere of dominance. Is this making America great again? In truth, it will lower America’s world standing morally, politically, and economically: from a champion of human-rights to a greedy bully; from a leader of democratic alliances to an untrustworthy autocracy; from free trader to tariff warrior to lose its trading partners and markets. It does not take a genius to see that Trump is actively making the People’s Republic of China the new world leader. Wake up, fellow Americans.
Ke Chiang Hsieh
Midtown
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