Federal spending
Re: the Oct. 17 article “A duty to serve those who protected us.”
I see that Congressman Juan Ciscomani is the proud co-sponsor of H.R. 5530: the “VA Emergency Transportation Access Act.” In his article supporting his bill he cites the needs of veterans and the benefits his bill will provide. There is, however, one glaring hole in his argument. How does he plan to pay for this bill? Does he want to put it on the credit card? Does he propose cutting programs that serve Democratic voters? Is he willing to support a tax increase?
This is the nonsense we expect from Republicans, the party of deficit spending. Not only are Republicans proposing more spending, they’re proposing more tax cuts. I’m a fiscally conservative Democrat. I don’t like my party spending money like a drunken sailor. But at least we’re willing to impose taxes to pay for it. Not so Republicans.
Steven Brown
Midtown
Tucson’s dangerous intersections
A recent KVOA segment highlighted the Craycroft-Grant Road intersection, underscoring its perilous reputation in our city. According to KGUN News, there were 16 left-turn crashes reported there in the past year. When I approach this intersection, as well as similar ones, I often find myself in a dilemma when facing a blinking yellow light — feeling pressured to take a risk and make a left turn to maintain traffic flow. The situation worsens when both opposing turn lanes are occupied, obstructing the visibility of oncoming traffic.
The Tucson Police Data & Analysis website reveals that accidents at intersections are a major concern, with a staggering 88% occurring during left turns. While eliminating blinking left arrows entirely may not be practical, we should explore alternative solutions. Implementing sensor systems mounted on traffic lights, oriented to detect oncoming traffic, could allow for blinking yellow left-turn signals only when it is safe to do so. Additionally, these systems could take factors like pedestrian presence into account to further enhance safety.
Dan Davidson
Midtown
Vagueness is not working
Re: the Oct. 24 article “Why are partial birth abortions a hot topic in fight in Ohio?”
The article states partial-birth abortion “hasn’t been legal in the U.S. for more than 15 years.” I have a pro-life mentality, but those pro-lifers are using a “red herring” to vote down the constitutional amendment, using partial-birth abortion as a pretext.
The article states the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act survive a constitutional challenge in 2007. Omitted, but not necessary, is the reason the challenge failed. The Supreme Court ruled the ban does not violate the Vagueness Doctrine, because the ban is clear in its intention.
Conversely, in 2022 the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade, partly because of its vagueness. Justice Samuel Alito: The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision.”
Daniel Pryor
West side
Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., listens to fellow speakers May 10 at an event at SUNY Westchester Community College in Valhalla, N.Y.
Bowman gets sweetheart plea deal
Democrat Representative Jamaal Bowman of New York, is pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge for pulling a fire alarm in the Capitol building. The building was evacuated for an hour. Bowman will pay a $1,000 fine and the charge will be dismissed in three months. At the time, the House of Representatives was voting on a spending bill and Democrats were trying to delay it. I believe Bowman, a former school principal, deliberately pulled the alarm to delay and “obstruct” a Congressional proceeding. Dozens of protesters from January 6 have been charged with federal felony 18 U.S.C. 1512©(2) — which makes it a crime to “corruptly” obstruct, impede or interfere with any official government proceeding. It carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. They were charged for attempting to obstruct the Electoral Vote Certification in Congress. Special Counsel Smith indicted Trump with that charge. But here we have Democrat Bowman getting a sweetheart deal just like Hunter Biden. A two tiered justice system.
Alan Ruiz
West side
It’s NOT ok to threaten death
Re: the Oct. 25 article “Officer in Meixner shooting case promoted.”
How can Murad Dervish put a threat in writing (he threatened to “blow [their] brains out”) and the UA Police Department does nothing? And the Pima County Attorney’s Office declines to take action in the case? One person is dead because of this inaction. How disgusting!
The “responsible” people in both organizations need to be fired for cause and never be allowed to serve again. That includes the U of A president and the Pima County Administrator.
And laws need to be changed to mandate accountability, including criminal prosecution, instead of giving immunity to people in authority who abuse the public trust.
Barry Austin
Foothills
Is the worst yet to come?
“The faster, the better!” Laws must finish the job. A “former president” must meet justice, be tried “by juries of peers,” convicted, confined in his NYC apartment. Only then will he comprehend that when one “does the crime, one does the time.” Only then might there be opportunity to solve this critically dangerous period of time in our country.
This is not funny … nor should anyone think it is ... when political leaders wish to dissolve Social Security, kill USPS, restrict voting, remove womens’ health treatment, destroy life on the planet, and abandon a wounded Ukraine to defend itself.
These are only the start of plans by the new House speaker directing a GOP majority in the People’s House. That is OUR House … ALL of us ... “We, The People.” Speak up. Act like it!
We have many citizens content in their ‘ignorance of choice,’ without a clue or acceptance of responsibility in a Self-Governing Republic. Yet participation is a duty of allegiance to the maintenance of this free society.
Elaine Cummings
Northwest side
Pedestrian issues
Millions are spent on pedestrian safety infrastructure. Some are just political “feel good” installations. But, no matter, pedestrians in Tucson just ignore all the crossing lights and markings and wander across streets anywhere they please. Some won’t walk a few extra yards to save their life. Well, you cannot fix stupid. You cannot build or legislate away stupid.
William Russell
Foothills
Voting for Trump
Trump famously said “I love the undereducated!” I get that. But what I don’t get is how educated people will vote for a man who just discovered that U.S. also spells “us.” And he wonders if anyone else ever noticed this. Perhaps he should ask a five-year-old. And this is who you want to be our president? The concept that a convicted felon and insurrectionist can be president is ludicrous. Perhaps it’s about time those running for federal offices need to pass a test demonstrating an understanding of the history of this country, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and whatever test those seeking naturalization need to pass. We have people in Congress and ex-presidents shockingly ignorant of what the U.S is all about. The Founding Fathers, who are held in such high regard by Republicans, would hold these people in contempt. Is it so outrageous to expect those making decisions that affect the whole world be educated?
Judy Sacheck
Marana
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Reality in the Middle East
Israel aims to destroy Hamas by conducting a ground war in Gaza and eliminating the militants. But how will they know if the last Hamas fighter has been rooted out of their tunnels and other hideouts? And won’t Iran just train more and dispatch them to Gaza? The “collateral damage” to Gaza residents has already been horrific even before a ground invasion. True collateral damage may well include a broader regional conflagration as Arab countries and terrorist groups join the conflict. Now military action has spread to the West Bank. Doctors without Borders and other humanitarian groups are pleading for an immediate ceasefire. I fear many Israelis have allowed their revulsion for Hamas and the October 7 massacre to cloud their decision-making — just what Secretary Blinken warned against. Jews and all supporters of Israel need to mount a campaign to pause all military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Do it now!
Dale Keyes
Downtown
