Tucson Speaks Out: January 8

Our day of infamy

I vividly remember learning about the January 6 insurrection. I had spent the day in the desert and heard the news that afternoon. By that time, the so-called patriots had attacked the Capitol and violently occupied the Congressional chambers. The vice president narrowly escaped lynching in an attempt to overthrow a lawful election at the President's urging.

I naively thought that even my radical-Trumpster, lawyer brother would have to see that his idol had no respect for our government and Constitution. The Republican lawmakers feigned shock but soon fell into line behind Trump. Today, I stand in utter disbelief at the outcome of this outrageous act. I could never have imagined that a cult leader could not only control nearly half the population but also set out to destroy our representative government, all from the office of the president. Can any sane person believe that our founders intended to create a dictatorship?

Bruce Hilpert

North side

LTE bias?

It may be Trump makes the news because he abuses his power and ignores Congress. He is out of control. The high level of negative coverage stems from Trump's actions, which include numerous "missteps and mis-hits" and challenges to democratic norms. Challenges to democracy, to rule of law, almost always get attention. Trump is now the most powerful head of state in the world, and one of the most impulsive, rude, arrogant, ignorant, disorganized, chaotic, nihilistic, self-contradictory, childish, self-important, and self-serving. It's not about the GOP, they have already lost control of him. Free speech, free press and free elections are under attack. Civility and integrity are lost. Under DT caring, compassion, concern for the country are vaporizing. Is there a bias? Give the country good news, and we'll start talking about it. (The attack on Venezuela even surprised Congress.) Taking over the Western Hemisphere is not our role.

Peter Bisschop

East side

January 6

Jan. 6: What President Roosevelt would have called "a day that will live in infamy". This was the date that a bunch of thugs, led by Trump, attempted to overthrow the United States government. My question is, why have the media failed to run articles or programming? Are CBS, NBC and ABC that cowardly?

Morton Cederbaum

Green Valley

Fewer labels, more ideas

I applaud Mr. Ted Hinderaker for his excellent opinion in Monday's Star. He brings to light a very big issue that faces Independent voters: the fact that third parties are mostly stomped out by the major political parties. Just like Mr. Hinderaker, I too am tired of "destructive partisanship" and "elections that feel preordained." I have never heard of a political party's mission summarized as "fewer labels, more ideas," something which is brilliant. That mission should inspire us to come together so we can address and share our views on the problems we face in our communities and propose solutions to them. It is not going to be easy at all, but "fewer labels, more ideas" is a start.

Hector Guzman

South side

Mother knows best

First: Senator Mark Kelly, accused of "seditious" remarks for messaging active-duty troops, saying "Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders," is being harassed by Pete Hegseth, who himself made the equivalent statement in a 2016 speech, saying that "the military will not follow unlawful orders from their commander in chief."

Second: Trump aide Stephen Miller insists that Greenland belongs to the U.S., and that the U.S. is running Venezuela. He considers international treaties ensuring every country's right to independence and sovereignty as "international niceties," thus ignorable.

Third: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson insists that the U.S. is not engaged in military hostilities or occupations.

Four: As my mother used to say: Bullpucky.

Melody Sears

North side

Boots on the ground

I’m contemptuous of any chickenhawk president. They have the power to send women and men to do what they were too scared to do.

Junior Bush’s daddy helped secure him a hard-to-get position in the National Guard, where Bush successfully protected Texas against any potential North Vietnamese invasion. He was asked about his National Guard assignment in 1988. He audaciously replied that if we had sent the Guard, Vietnam would have turned out differently.

We all know what happened with this chickenhawk’s decision.

Cadet Bone Spur’s daddy had a podiatrist, who was one of his tenants, secure him a medical deferment.

Both presidents were too cowardly, too terrified to fight alongside those of us who did.

Trump said he “was not afraid of boots on the ground” in Venezuela. Of course not. Just like 50 years ago, these boots will not be his. Will this chickenhawk’s decision turn out as disastrously as Bush’s?

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Dan Gipple

Southeast side

Bipartisan legislation to contain Trump threats

I am asking the entire Arizona delegation to Congress to come together and introduce legislation that will contain Donald Trump's threats to Greenland, Canada, Cuba, Panama and any other countries he has a design on, without a vote of Congress. He is no better than Vladimir Putin when acting this way and threatens the security of our country and our place in the world.

This is not anyone's America, regardless of political leaning.

Frank Hagel

SaddleBrooke

Invasion not so great

Conservative social media is blowing up with posts about the awesome defeat of Venezuela, led by Trump's assertion that it was one of the most powerful displays of American military might in history. Come on! It is Venezuela, a third-world country the size of Texas, with a fourth-rate military. It's not like Normandy or the Battle of Midway. I would compare it to more like the Arizona men's basketball team beating Three Point Charter School. Of course, beating Three Point would not cost several million dollars. And, no, we will not make a bunch of money from their oil. And, yes, most drugs will still come into the U.S. through ports of entry from Mexico. And, oh, where are the Epstein files? Nothing like starting a war to distract us from that problem.

Gary Haslett

SaddleBrooke

Had enough yet?

The authority to make war is a right reserved to Congress in Article 1 of the Constitution. Furthermore, the War Powers Act requires that "The President in every possible instance shall consult with Congress before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities."

Now, Donald Trump said military action may be needed to take Greenland. That would, of course, be the end of the NATO alliance.

So here we are. The warning lights are blinking red.

Apologists on these pages who have blithely overlooked Trump’s multiple violations of his oath should be asking themselves, “What will I do when my line is crossed?”

We must vote out the members of Congress who have enabled his crimes this year, and fully repudiate the party in power in 2028, or there may be no options left.

Slow the creep towards authoritarian rule and speak up, Tucson.

Edward Beshore

North side

What law & order looks like

At a time when the White House is proposing a partisan version of the January 6 insurrection, all Americans, regardless of party affiliation, are well-served by the release of the bipartisan deposition of Jack Smith to Congress, in full. The deposition is 8+ hrs in length, readily accessible online, and can easily be viewed in segments as breaks in questioning occur. The video of the deposition was released by the House Judiciary Committee. It is a compelling report that most of the world witnessed in real time, and Special Prosecutor Smith was able to analyze in depth.

Ed Waymire

Midtown

Kelly vs. Hegseth

The good Senator Mr. Mark Kelly should double down on his statement every time Hegseth threatens action: “I will repeat: This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens.

“Our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution.”

Every time Hegseth demotes, censures, threatens, Kelly repeats the message. Provide a help line to call if servicemen or women are unsure if the order is illegal. Our country needs Mr. Kelly's message, not Hegseth's. Do not give Hegseth's retaliation any daylight. Our Senator should spend his time serving Arizona and the country, with eyes on 2026 midterms and the end of Trump 2.0. After that, Mr. Kelly will regain whatever Hegseth stole from him. And Hegseth will be remembered as he should be, a drunk with a huge fascist tattoo.

Cindy Doklan

Midtown