Former President Barack Obama talks Jan. 9, 2025, with then President-elect Donald Trump as Melania Trump reads the funeral program before the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral in Washington.
Is Trump a racist?
The Oxford Dictionary defines a racist as "A person who believes that some races of people are better than others or who has general beliefs about other people based only on their race, and may show this in violent or unfair treatment of people of other races."
By that definition, there is no longer any honest debate about Donald Trump.
This week, Trump circulated a video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, imagery so historically racist that its meaning is unmistakable. It joins a long and public record: calling Mexican immigrants “rapists,” telling four American congresswomen of color to “go back” where they came from, questioning a judge’s ability to be fair because of his Mexican heritage, and launching his political rise by pushing the racist lie that America’s first Black president was illegitimate.
These are not jokes, gaffes, or misunderstandings. They are repeated acts of racial dehumanization.
At this point, MAGA voters can no longer claim ignorance. Supporting Trump today means knowingly supporting a racist.
Lawrence E. Mazin
SaddleBrooke
Vote No on RTA Next
I can understand why some people think they should support RTA Next, because money is needed to maintain and modernize our roadways and provide safe routes for alternative modes. But RTA Next is not the way.
The right way to pay for a better transportation system is to keep it local by funding Move Tucson with a half-cent sales tax. The City of Tucson spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and thousands of man-hours developing a transportation plan designed for the future. Move Tucson focuses on making roadways safer, providing more transportation choices, and preserving the infrastructure we already have.
Move Tucson is a plan just waiting for money. All the money collected will stay in Tucson, and we’ll get millions of dollars more than RTA Next will provide in the same 20 years.
Vote no for props 418 and 419, and tell your council person that you want Move Tucson on the ballot.
Ruth Reiman
Midtown
Pima County Sheriff
What a tragedy is happening in Tucson to the Guthrie family. Not only that their mother has been abducted and no one knows where she has been for the past six days, but what a screwup the Pima County Sheriff has been. It’s a shame that he is an elected official instead of a hired position where knowledge, training and experience are requirements.
His hubris to think he and his department could handle such a high-profile abduction case without calling in the FBI right away is unbelievable. Also, his decision to ground the only pilot that could fly the search and rescue plane equipped with infrared cameras that would have helped in the first hours of her abduction. Sources have said that the grounded pilot even asked the sheriff to go up and look for her, but was rejected.
How embarrassing to Pima County. Next time, make better choices.
Susan Kettner
Sierra Vista
We have a plan
Nancy Guthrie has now been missing for six days. Saturday, Jan. 31, was the last time she was seen. It was not until he was signing a bill in the Oval Office, on Feb. 3, that Donald Trump stated he was planning to call Savannah, because he always got along with her. Even if that were true, why not call her immediately? How much planning is required to make a phone call expressing condolences and support?
Does one need three days? This is yet another example of a "concept of a plan" with no action. It was a totally self-serving response like many others before. Concepts of a plan for health care, concepts of a plan for removing tariffs and other concepts have gone nowhere. The truth is there are no plans.
Democrats however do have real plans, not concepts of plans, for all Americans in 2026.
Sally Mayersohn
Northwest side
Halftime show
I can't believe we live in a world where a 15-minute halftime performance causes more outrage than the Epstein files.
Terry Louck
East side
Trying to get Michael Wright right
There is more to the Michael Wright story. Saying “two men were charged in the killing” leaves out that one of those men was Michael’s domestic partner. In 2016, the Star reported “Prosecutors: Man who killed former Wildcat was longtime companion … with whom he lived and raised two girls.” It is upsetting that Michael’s story is “found in an SUV.” He was killed at home, and the SUV and Grindr innuendo used by the accused murderer to mislead investigators.
Why such incomplete reporting? Can’t a beloved Wildcat be gay? Can't we read that athletes can live full gay lives? Michael’s ending was horrific, but that is part of life, not just gay life. Similar “straight” stories have been fully told; wonderful gay stories have not. It's disappointing that Michael wasn’t fully known by Wildcat fans, even more disheartening that that is true 25 years later.
Jay Stanforth
East side
Trump
What will it take for Trump's supporters to disown him? In his own words and deeds, he has shown himself to be a racist, womanizer, convicted felon, liar and cheat. He is a crass orator who demeans anyone who simply disagrees with him. His latest tirade, showing ex-President Obama and First Lady Michelle as gorillas, is beneath the dignity of any true American. At this point, if you are still in his camp, just admit that you are a hater and racist. Don't bother to wave our flag to show your patriotism. You, as well as Trump, are simply insurrectionists.
Morton Cederbaum
Green Valley
Racist activities
Now Trump has posted pictures of ex-president Obama and his wife's heads superimposed on the body of monkeys. The White House, of course, says it isn't what it looks like. Unfortunately, it's precisely what it looks like. Trump proving how ultra racist he is by dehumanizing a former outstanding President. Every day I think Trump has sunk as low as he can but he repudiates my beliefs and once again proves how vile he can be. The deepest part of the ocean is the Mariana Trench but folks this monster has surpassed that and is persistently digging toward an even lower level. What do you supporters think of your hero now that he has done this repugnant thing? Just wait and see how quickly he will reach for some newer tier of stupidity that regurgitates more of his mucus.
Philip Reinecker
East side
Dehumanizing America
A person I have known for 50 years, who teaches at a university in our nation’s capital, told me today:
“Yesterday a student came to my office stressed. How did I get through college, she asked. I told her I didn’t have to work or cook or drive. This student has parents and a grandfather who are scared to leave the house, little brothers and sisters who aren’t getting taken to school. She works 20 hours a week on top of school. She drives her mom to doctors’ appointments. The system is so messed up …”
Struggling for a living with the hope for a better life under the fear of random unconstitutional arrests goes beyond immigrant students. Recently in Tucson, a Venezuelan colleague of a friend of mine, was snatched away into detention.
These are just two life stories among thousands throughout America. Have we as a nation lost our soul? Do we not know that whoever dehumanizes another person has dehumanized himself? (Matt. 25: 31-46)
Ke Chiang Hsieh
Midtown
Strong oversight in Props 418 & 419
As chair of the Citizens Accountability for Regional Transportation (CART) Committee, I can assure voters that Propositions 418 and 419 come with stronger, more meaningful oversight. CART will meet more frequently to track project delivery, schedules, and budgets, and we’ll provide regular updates directly to the RTA Board of Directors. We’ve also expanded membership to better reflect the region, adding three City of Tucson representatives and a dedicated seat for a transit systems expert. Our committee brings together industry leaders, transit advocates, and engaged community members to make sure oversight is informed and independent. Our role is to identify potential challenges years in advance, so the region can adjust proactively and avoid budget or schedule surprises. With these accountability measures in place, voters can trust that Propositions 418 and 419 will be managed responsibly, efficiently, and transparently. I write this as a citizen of the community and not representing the CART. I personally urge a yes vote on both.
Fred Narcaroti
Oro Valley
Thank you, Gerald Farrington
Thursday morning, Feb. 5, I read your column: “Pretti and Good were martyrs to the cause of our republic.” Then I read it aloud to my wife. We were both in tears before I’d finished. So thank you for giving Renee and Alex the honorable recognition they deserve.
The lying and smearing of those two that emanated from the highest ranks of Trump’s administration comes straight out of the authoritarian playbook.
Greg Lewis
Midtown
Building on RTA’s proven success
When I take the Twin Peaks interchange to get to work, I’m reminded of the real benefits Pima County gained from the first RTA — and why I’m excited that Propositions 418 and 419 will build on that success.
These measures will put more than $650 million into unincorporated areas — upgrading roads, reducing congestion, and improving connections in fast-growing communities. They also prioritize safety and access, with funding for ADA compliance, sidewalks, bike lanes, and loop expansions.
As a member of the RTA’s Citizens Accountability for Regional Transportation (CART) committee since its inception, I’ve had a front-row seat to see how projects like Houghton Road, Sahuarita Road, Broadway Boulevard, and the Twin Peaks interchange attracted economic investment after completion.
Stable, dedicated funding drives economic development and supports smart growth. Improvements along Tangerine, Moore, Cortaro, and Rita roads will help position our region for the future. Investing in ourselves now will make our roads safer and our community stronger.
Kelle Maslyn
Marana
Sanctuary status is the problem
As a retired California Department of Public Safety (CHP) officer, I've observed this harassment of ICE agents in some venues and their smooth non-harassed operations in others. The difference appears to be non-sanctuary venues like Florida turn convicts over to ICE upon their release from jail, so the cat and mouse games of the sanctuary venues that don't cooperate are unnecessary. We don't hear any outrage for the U.S. citizens killed by these illegal border invaders, and no one has yet proposed who should replace ICE with respect to immigration law enforcement. Very troubling all this. Easy fix, though: Stop the sanctuary haven for criminals and illegals and let law enforcement do their job.
H. L. Horner
Oro Valley
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