Tucson Speaks Out: January 10

New Mexico shames Arizona

On New Year's Eve afternoon — even when the wind was down — New Mexico's largest utility (70% of ratepayers) produced 95% of its generation mix from renewable energy. Now, New Mexico is not some hippie left-wing outlier. They have by most accounts the most productive oil and gas field in the entire world and are the second-biggest oil/gas producer in America (Texas is No. 1.) But it had the political will to mine its renewable resources for over 25 years — instead of here in Arizona where we walk backwards everything renewable, led by the fossil-fuel evangelicals at the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Side by side we sit, about the same kind of renewable resources available to each of us. One is in the top 10 cheapest electricity rates in America, while the other (that would be us) steadfastly refuses to utilize its renewable energy resources, resulting in electricity rates nowhere near New Mexico's ranking among states.

January 2026: New Mexico 59% renewable energy. Arizona: under 15%.

Shame on us.

Rick Rappaport

Oro Valley

The long con

For years, Republican rhetoric has included claims of widespread election fraud by Democrats. Ironically, Republican sources themselves undermine these claims. The Heritage Foundation has found about 2,000 cases from 2004 to 2022 out of more than three billion votes, evidence that disproves claims of systemic fraud (Brennan Center). Why does this narrative of fraud persist? Because it is politically useful, helping justify laws that suppress votes likely to favor Democrats.

This rhetoric has conditioned Republican voters to believe elections are routinely stolen. Trump exploited that belief in his attempt to remain in power, claiming fraud despite lack of evidence (acknowledged by his own allies). His rhetoric led to the events of January 6. Special Counsel Jack Smith has said that Trump exploited his followers using their party loyalty, and the evidence against him largely comes from Republicans who supported him but put loyalty to the Constitution first.

Trump and Republican leaders still repeat the lie, and the White House has rewritten January 6 history to support it — another con.

Barbara Hall

Midtown

Murder in Minnesota

We have eyes. Yet Trump and Vance insist that we ignore the evidence of our eyes. They are doubling down on the lie that the ICE agent who shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis was about to be run over by her vehicle. Watch the videos. It is clear that the agent acted recklessly, possibly criminally. The Trump Administration must believe that if they repeat their lies often enough and stridently enough, that we will ignore the evidence of our own eyes. They quickly had the FBI take over the "investigation," while telling us what the outcome of that investigation will be. Is it reasonable to believe anything coming out of the Trump Administration?

Donald Reese

Southeast side

Not a moderate when it counts

Even though 17 House Republicans voted to extend the health insurance tax credits, which expired this month, Tucson Rep. Juan Ciscomani again voted with the MAGA House leadership against the bill. The bill passed the House 230 to 196, setting up the opportunity for the Senate to find a compromise that could allow over 400,000 Arizonans to continue affordable health coverage.

Everyone understands that the opportunity for a compromise is strengthened by the number of House Republicans who vote for the extension, but Ciscomani turned his back on that.

Rep. Ciscomani has claimed to be a moderate on health care and other issues, but his vote today demonstrates his unwillingness to buck the House leadership when it counts.

Brian Rosman

Northeast side

Consider this

The United States captured Maduro and returned him to this country for a trial.

He had a $50 million bounty on his head. The actual reality is that Venezuelans now have a real chance to have a democratic government with fairly elected leaders. Also, Venezuela has an opportunity to return to the vibrant economy of 30 years ago, before the socialist dictators.

Interviews with actual Venezuelans indicated that many are looking forward to the removal of the yoke of oppression. The new economy will thrive because they have vast reserves of oil and minerals, which if extracted responsibly, will enable Venezuela to lift itself from the horrible third-world status to a vibrant, free country. They certainly no longer will be under the thumb of a murderous, criminal dictator.

Maduro encouraged China into our hemisphere and promoted illegal drug smuggling into our country. Are the Venezuelans wrong in cheering this action, or do you believe the United States should have just let it fester? What say you?

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Loyal M. Johnson Jr.

Oro Valley

Signs of fascism

I was impressed by a photo online of a group in Lyons, Colorado, protesting recently with extensive signage depicting the “signs of fascism.” To quote a few: “threatening political opponents with prison, appointing incompetent loyalists, using the military on its civilians, use of voter suppression, racial profiling against minorities, illegally detaining without due process, pardoning loyalists.”

And, they added: “Our veterans fought fascism, will you?"

When will our Republican congressional majority stop being complacent with the theft of their constitutionally granted authority of checks and balances by the executive branch? Or, more importantly, when will our Roberts-led Supreme Court strip our president from their granted get out of jail free card for any “official” act he commits? This is insane.

Will there be midterm elections this year? Will our Republic survive? Hopefully, but only if we, the people, strongly resist by contacting our congressional legislators and peacefully protesting.

Scott Grundy

Oro Valley

History exists for a purpose

Let's just get this straight: History exists. It is unchangeable and even when unpleasant, must be seen and examined. That examination allows humans to realize mistakes and do better the next time. Hence:

— 1. The attempt to overthrow the government of the United States on January 6, 2021, happened. Police officers were injured. No amount of whitewash will change that, nor will the lies of those in power.

— 2. Slavery existed. Human beings were torn from their families and placed in bondage in foreign lands. Those stolen from other countries were not immigrants. They had no rights. It's taken over 100 years for their ancestors to be recognized for their contributions to this country.

— 3. There is a Code of Conduct for the military. It states very clearly that it is the duty of service members to resist illegal orders. Due process must be followed. Military personnel swear an oath to the Constitution, not to an individual. That is what sets this country apart from Nazi Germany.

Cynthia Schiesel

East side

Voter registration

Two items in today’s paper motivate me to write. As an Independent voter, I have often stated that it would be a good idea for everyone who is opposed to our two-party system to register as Independent. It is true that you would have to choose a specific party ballot when the primary elections come around. But I believe you will know how you want to vote at that time so this should not be a hardship.

If this Administration wins its lawsuit against Adrian Fontes and gets all of our voter information, as independents, they would not know which party we will vote for. Also, politicians would have to earn our votes.

Personally, I miss the days of bipartisan politics. Being governed by the ideology of one party does not sit well with me.

Donna Pierce

Northeast side

Terror in the streets

No matter our political affiliation, we should all be outraged at the senseless killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis on Jan. 7, which was followed by a torrent of lies from Donald Trump, cosplaying Kristi Noem, and the rest of the spineless sycophants comprising the clown show in the administration.

They are responsible for unleashing the unvetted, barely trained, armed goons of ICE hiding behind masks to inflict terror on the population. This was their ninth shooting since September; two more persons were shot in Portland today by a Border Patrol agent. Additionally, 26 people died in ICE custody in 2025.

It’s time to stop using our taxpayer dollars to support this rogue organization that has rounded up and deported countless individuals without following constitutionally guaranteed due process and now has all of us in its gunsights. None of us is safe. Call your senators and congresspersons to demand they stop funding this lawless, unaccountable Department of Homeland Terror.

Barbara Liguori

Northeast side