Uneven coverage of Israeli-Hamas war promotes division
Yesterday a friend and I talked about division over the Israeli-Hamas war. We concluded most people don’t understand the complexity of the situation. The average person receives news from only one perspective. We discussed the need both for people to look at a variety of news sources, and for news agencies to provide a wider variety of perspectives. Today (12/9) your paper proved our point. The front-page article on the war was very one-sided. I read the rest of the paper, looking for other articles. The only other article about the war was, ironically, on antisemitism following Hamas’ attacks. I urge readers to look at a variety of sources. Two options are The Tangle and The Flip Side newsletters (Google them). And Star, we appreciate the changes to the editorial section. Now bring that diverse perspective to the rest of your pages.
Trish Kimminau
Midtown
Cardiac surgeon causes “disease”
Re: the Dec. 15 article “CFO out, hiring freeze, deferred raises and more at the U of A.”
President Robbins, a former cardiac surgeon, compared the financial issues facing the UA to a disease in his opening comments to the Board of Regents, according to the front page article. If it is a “disease”, it sure looks like an iatrogenic disease. For the non-medical people out there, that is a problem caused by the doctor, such as a botched cardiac procedure. Accountability shouldn’t be on the backs of faculty and staff. The good doctor should resign.
Patricia Buls
Midtown
Importance of local journalism
My thanks to Ellie Wolfe for her excellent detailed reporting on the financial crisis at the U of A. This is why we all need good local newspapers and they deserve our subscription support. TV news would never deliver in depth information about issues like these. Thank you Daily Star.
Leslie McGee
Midtown
Two wrongs don’t make right
Two wrongs don’t make a right. I learned this in grade school. It’s sad that Israeli and Hamas leaders have yet to learn this simple truth. Both Hamas and Israel have oppressed the Palestinian people for far too long. Both Hamas members and Zionists have targeted and killed innocent people, American’s included. Those murders were driven by religious fascists on both sides who must be condemned.
What Hamas did Oct. 7 was horrific and evil — Israel had to retaliate. Nonetheless, deterrent retaliation must be proportional and targeted to Hamas. Israel has slaughtered nearly 18,000 innocent people, American’s included. This is genocide, it violates the Geneva Conventions, and it too, must be condemned.
It is time for the U.S. to forcefully demand a cease fire, hostage release and a two-state solution. Freedom loving people worldwide must demand liberty, peaceful coexistence, and secular democracy for both Israel and Palestine. Violence begets violence, hate begets hate and two wrongs don’t make right.
Joshua Reilly
North side
Since Grover
Having voted for Democrats since Grover Cleveland, I am very much in favor of the party. Until now. I am cautious about President Biden. His age, his inability to campaign on his record and be convincing about it, and the problems his son Hunter’s indictments are going to cause should give him pause. He needs to step down and allow younger, more vibrant candidates, to come forward.
A younger candidate will give the American people more of an opportunity to defeat Trump. If President Biden continues on a path of presenting a vague message many will vote for independent candidates. And that will sink Joe. He owes the country a Democrat candidate to beat Trump. Things are getting scary, no, terrifying, that Trump could become president again. President Biden, by standing aside, will assure us all that Trump would be sent to year or more of criminal trials.
Jon Langione
Marana
Biden’s best in 2023
President Biden has had a very good year! Unfortunately, it’s often buried in the media by Trump’s histrionics. As 2023 closes, there are some notable achievements of his administration to revisit. They all impact us.
As for social justice, Tohono O’odham received $500K in federal funding to boost broadband connectivity and the Dept. of Justice secured a $9 million settlement with a Florida bank for failure to underwrite mortgages and loans in Black and Latino communities.
As for the environment, the Interior Dept. canceled 7 remaining oil and gas leases in Alaska’s National Wildlife Refuge, and the Agriculture Dept. announced $1 billion in grants to plant trees across the nation, including $5 million for Tucson to reduce extreme heat and decrease energy consumption.
In the economy, the Commerce Dept. reported economic growth accelerated to a robust 4.9% annual rate, the fastest pace in two years. Inflation is slowing and hiring remains strong.
Biden has done his job. Trump never knew his.
Margaret Scott
Midtown
Holiday art
Thank you, Arizona Daily Star and the talented artists who made possible the beautiful pages of art expressing 12 days of the holiday season. I used every page to wrap gifts. The “wrapping paper” was much appreciated by the recipients. Please continue the tradition next year. It will be wonderful if you can also include the Hanukkah season.
Alison Hughes
Midtown
Ciscomani’s 12 days of Christmas cuts
On the 1st day of Christmas, Ciscomani gave us cuts to SNAP and WIC
On the 2nd day of Christmas, Ciscomani gave us cuts to rural broadband funding
On the 3rd day of Christmas, Ciscomani gave us cuts to climate change research
On the 4th day of Christmas, Ciscomani gave us cuts to veterans’ benefits
On the 5th day of Christmas, Ciscomani gave us cuts to Title 1 funding for low-income students
On the 6th day of Christmas, Ciscomani gave us cuts to housing assistance
On the 7th day of Christmas, Ciscomani gave us cuts to the Small Business Administration
On the 8th day of Christmas, Ciscomani gave us cuts to early childhood care
On the 9th day of Christmas, Ciscomani gave us cuts to Medicaid
On the 10th day of Christmas, Ciscomani gave us cuts to Medicare
On the 11th day of Christmas, Ciscomani gave us cuts to Social Security
On the 12th day of Christmas, Ciscomani did NOT give us the representation that we deserve!
Lois Postil
Oro Valley
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