To Marx or not to Marx
The senate panel and GOP in general who support Peoria Republican Sen. Anthony Kern’s measure, SB 1195, wants to make sure no state monies are used in supporting or promoting Marx’s (Russian Communism aka Vladimir Putin) values or ideals. Does this mean we can’t support Donald Trump, who encourages the expansion of Communist Russia by encouraging them to attack our Democratic Capitalistic European allies?
I’m confused, do they want only themselves to support Communist Russia?
Gary Benna
Midtown
Surrogate
As Russia wars with Ukraine, I believe the Russian government is using this action as a pretext to invade other neighboring countries and eventually the United States and NATO. The Russian losses show that perhaps the Soviet Union is simply removing its “deadwood” before the main event — making all its mistakes with a smaller nation before going onto NATO and the United States. The new satellite weapon system in orbit may blind or destroy the current web of satellites keeping us informed and be a precursor to invasion of neighboring countries.
At the present time, the Ukrainian military is serving as surrogates for the United States and our allies, but like the “300 Spartans” may soon be overwhelmed. Those in Congress who have a duty to support other freedom loving countries are shirking that duty to play politics and may have to bear the responsibility of us having to defend ourselves against the Russian juggernaut; luckily these few Congress men and women can proudly bear the title of “useful idiot”.
Richard Rebl
East side
Medicare Advantage ad
Re: the Feb. 13 paid ad on page A5
Why are our elected officials allowing their names to be used to benefit insurance companies?
The insurance company lobbying group “Better Medicare Alliance” full page ad “thanking 60+ Bipartisan Senators” for supporting Medicare Advantage is part of an attempt by a so-called non-profit organization to rapidly privatize Medicare.
Privatization puts money into insurance company coffers. Why else would they pay for these ads?
Medicare Advantage has advantages not previously seen in traditional Medicare, such as eye and dental care. It also has disadvantages not seen in traditional Medicare, like prompt and up-to-date cancer care and incomplete coverage in rural areas.
We could learn from Medicare Advantage and improve traditional Medicare! Then we would not have our health care dollars being diverted into executive and stockholder accounts.
Our U.S. senators should look beyond improving insurance company bottom lines and concentrate on improving healthcare benefits for all.
Joanne Mallett
Southeast side
Choose wisely
America is about our freedom to make personal choices and the liberty to act on those. Choices include politics, religion, diet, health, hobbies, and clothing. Even when others restrict us or try to force us into picking their choice, it still comes down to us.
Given that all-American premise, here are some of your modern-day choices.
Ballot question — I would rather be randomly shot by a person with at least one firearm who has been or is:
1. unsuccessfully treated for mental health issues;
2. unrecognized for mental health issues;
3. a foreign terrorist;
4. a home-grown terrorist;
5. a drug dealer;
6. a violent gang member;
7. your drunk neighbor.
There are other options, of course. Since some say preserving the open-ended rights of citizens to possess firearms is non-negotiable, there may or may not be a “none of the above.” So, choose wisely.
Bruce Kaplan
Northwest side
History repeats itself
Tucker Carlson and the GOP want to be friends with Russia, despite the development of a hypersonic missile, and a satellite killing nuclear weapon. These new weapons were specifically designed to be used against the USA. Additionally, consider the assassination of Alexei Navalny, Putin’s opposition. This is the government Carlson and the GOP are courting, while opposing aid to the brave people of Ukraine. The PM of the UK, Neville Chamberlain is best known for his foreign policy of appeasement, and in particular for his signing of the Munich Agreement on 30 September 1938. That didn’t turn out so well. Don’t let them make the same mistake.
Edward Espinoza
Southwest side
Current leadership made the mess
Re: the Feb. 17 article “Supporting UA’s course correction with Wildcat spirit.”
It’s been some time since I’ve read such a heartwarming and beautifully crafted piece of fiction! Amazing job, bravo for the creative spin.
Yes, let’s all pretend the University’s financial woes are just a minor hiccup in an otherwise flawless journey under this President. Every institution worth its salt experiences the occasional multi- hundreds-of-millions dollar setbacks. UA is no different, right?
And oh, let’s not forget to glorify those strategic investments! Of which none have had any significant ROI, otherwise the president would be touting those.
The University didn’t mismanage these funds itself, leadership did. You speak to misinformation, how about the misinformation surrounding “accepting resignations?” You speak to “capable leadership”, but it was the current leadership that got the UA into this mess.
No sir, you want people to follow blindly into the darkness when the reality is some lives will be changed. Some are going to lose their jobs, others will be forced to take pay cuts. All because one person’s inability to provide effective leadership.
Lorenso Trevino
Vail
Addiction to concepts
As we saw the destructive influence of Jim Jones in his infamous Jonestown religious cult, we see a similar addiction to our current political concept of Trumpism. Many of our strident Trump acolytes are addicted to the cause and unable to see beyond it. Any suggestion that their savior is somehow flawed is met with disbelief and anger. Any truth coming from outside their clan is rejected and the messenger is viewed as somehow deranged. Political addiction can lead to a distorted world view and a distorted reality. It becomes a closed loop information system, not all that much different from the Branch Davidians. The addiction is built with constant reinforcement of post-truth thinking. It becomes the perfect environment for thought control. The addiction is not viewed as abnormal, but as normal. They view the righteousness of their beliefs to be absolute. David Koresh was a psychopath, so he was not a good source of reality. Trump’s sociopathic mind is also not a good source of reality.
Steve Rasmussen
Foothills
Recording phone calls
Right now the law in AZ allows people to record phone calls if one person is aware that the call is being recorded. The Republicans in the Legislature have proposed a law making it so that all people being recorded had to be notified of that fact. They seem to be really concerned that their conversations will be recorded by journalists and released to the public. Politicians are not the only people whose conversations are recorded. People who are being stalked or harassed record the conversations with their tormentors. People involved in domestic violence situations record their abuser. People in child custody situations record the calls from the opposing parent. Women who have been raped record calls where their rapist admit the crime. Many of these recordings have led to convictions in criminal cases and many have stopped the abuse when the abuser was confronted with their own words.
Bette E. Richards
Midtown
National morals and courage
Like many Tucsonans, I am a veteran of military service (Swift Boat skipper in Viet Nam, 1968-’69). It now appears that the Republican candidate for President will be someone who denigrates service at every opportunity. Although he avoided service during the Vietnam conflict, he casts us who did serve as “suckers and losers,” called for the execution of a former Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff, refused to attend a memorial service for World War I soldiers in France because it was raining, expressed disdain for John McCain because he was a POW and objected to wounded veterans’ attendance at a parade because “no one wants to see that.”
Now, he calls for abandoning NATO and inviting Russia to continue its invasion of Ukraine and beyond.
I have discovered an organization titled Veterans for Responsible Leadership. Its name describes its mission. There is a web site. Check it out.
Andrew Wilcox
Foothills
Snowbirds
I don’t think snowbirds here understand the huge negative impact they make on our lives six months out of each year. They take up our doctor appointments, take up hospital beds, ER visits, and more. Traffic is more congested, as well as grocery stores, shopping malls, restaurants, movies and other entertainment. Snowbirds also impact our natural environment by tromping all over it. We need our very precious water, and snowbirds use up our very precious water, which is desperately needed for our environment.
What if snowbirds had to deal with this in their hometown?
Karin Bilowich
Northwest side
Kari Lake was only joking about John McCain
As reported by Azcentral, Kari Lake now says that her vicious and disrespectful attacks on John McCain, a deceased U.S. Senator and Vietnam war hero, were made in “jest.” Well that’s a really good joke, Kari, I haven’t laughed so hard in years. Maybe you should share this joke with your friend Mr. Trump, and the two of you can roll on the floor in hysterics together. C’mon, Kari, how dumb do you think we Arizonans are? Do you really think that we are dumb enough to elect you to represent us in the Senate in 2024? If so, the joke’s on you.
Mark Elson
West side
Who’s to blame?
Matisyahu’s February 15 sold-out performance at Rialto Theater was canceled at the last minute, depriving ticket-holders of an enjoyable evening. The reason was because the singer is a Jew and a supporter of Israel; local anti-Semites would mobilize disruptive and dangerous protests.
Blame for this failure of our social fabric is focused on the Rialto, but also look further. The theater cites ‘safety concerns and staff shortages’ for the cancellation. Safety is the responsibility of the Mayor and the Tucson Police Department. I blame them for not providing the resources to allow this event to happen. I blame the Rialto for staff shortages: if employees refuse to show up for work, fire them.
I reserve the biggest blame to the Daily Star. This story has made national and international headlines but Star doesn’t think that’s important. Tucsonans must rely on letters such as this one to provide the news. My advice to them is to hire a reporter.
Jeffrey McConnell
West side
No accountability
I sent an inquiry to Rep. Juan Ciscomani over two weeks ago about the failure of Congress to fund aid to Ukraine. I am still waiting for the response I requested. How many Ukrainians have died in that time, Rep. Ciscomani?
Maybe he is waiting to hold a town hall so I can get an answer in person. Since he has never held one since his election, I am not going to hold my breath. Rep. Ciscomani: I want to know how you can go on vacation and abandon an ally in the face of Putin’s brutal invasion of a sovereign nation.
Will there be any accountability to your constituents for your failure to do your job? If you won’t answer our questions, you don’t deserve our vote.
Kathleen Mayer
Northwest side
Trooper shortage
Recently, a local news station aired a story about the Arizona Department of Public Safety having 500 vacancies, due in large part to low salaries. A trooper’s salary is around $65k, while a Phoenix Police Officer starts at $74k, so, many troopers are leaving for greener pastures. With roughly a $10k difference multiplied by 500 vacancies equals 5 million dollars. Our former Governor enacted HB2320 which added $32 fee to all Arizonans vehicle registrations which was earmarked for the Arizona Highway Patrol Fund operations. The fees which lasted 3 out of a projected 5 years generated some 555 million dollars. Where did all this money go? Did it go to Ducey’s $200 million dollar shipping-container border wall? There has never been a full accounting on where this money went or how much if any of it went to increasing trooper salaries or hiring more troopers. Attorney General Kris Mayes and staff need to investigate and make the results public.
Max LaPlante
Southeast side
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