Tucson Speaks Out: Dec. 18 letters of the day

Addicted to Trump

Re: the Nov. 27 letter “Addiction.”

The letter accused those Star contributors who criticize Trump of having a “hate Trump addiction”. Obviously the author cannot handle any criticism of Donald, perceiving it as hate. The truth can be hard to take. I can think of no more glaring example of addiction than the slavish, cultish Trump adoration displayed by his groupies, despite all the facts and truths presented about the man and his behavior. How such a person has become acceptable to so many is truly mind boggling.

Deb Klumpp

Oro Valley

Mediation

It is time for mediation in the Middle East. People of all ages are dying on both sides. It will never end peacefully. The UN should appoint a mediator. An acceptable representative from Israel and one from Palestine will then meet with the mediator. Hamas will work in conference with the representative from Palestine. The first topic is the two state solution. Details can be spelled out and both sides can finally agree for the sake of a long lasting peace.

Thomas Christian

SaddleBrooke

All I want for Christmas

I believe we all have a Christmas list. Here is mine:

I’d like to have a president who is under 75 years old.

I’d like to see greater access to knowledge and education for all.

I’d like to see an end to the death penalty.

I’d like to have freedom of speech, not freedom to hate.

I’d like to be able to say merry Christmas in public.

I’d like to see more understanding and acceptance of different cultures and perspectives.

I’d like to see a lowering of our crime rate.

I’d like to see all shoplifters prosecuted.

I’d like for Democrats and Republican to learn how to compromise.

I’d like to see an end to all wars.

I’d like to see an increased focus on environmental protection.

I’d like to see a more peaceful and harmonious world.

My overall wish for Christmas is for a world that is more just, equitable, and compassionate.

Tom McGorray

Northwest side

A disqualifying deadly legacy

A recent United Nations report documents 10,000 Ukrainian civilian deaths due to Russia’s aggressive war. That number is dwarfed by an estimated 15,000 Palestinian civilians killed in Israel’s military response to Hamas’ 1,200 murders Oct. 7. How then should we characterize the deaths of nearly 319,000 American civilians by what Brown University medical researchers call “Covid-19 vaccine-preventable deaths?” This devastating number is higher than a previous estimate by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, and Harvard School of Public Health, that 232,000 American deaths could have been prevented had the deceased been vaccinated.

“All of this comes down to trust — whether the political leadership creates a climate of trust in public health agencies’ efforts, in the science,” says Dr. Thomas Tsai, co-author of Harvard’s analysis.

This deadly legacy is the crime for which Donald Trump’s anti-vaccine, anti-mask, anti-science harangues must disqualify him from holding public office ever again.

Bruce Joffe

South Tucson

Randolph Golf Complex

Re: the Dec. 10 article “Recent callous remarks on ‘firing people,’ ticket prices don’t add up.”

Greg Hansen’s comments about the City of Tucson’s “senseless plan” to spend $29 million to destroy the Jewel of municipal golf at the Randolph Golf Complex, I heartily agree! To construct a 100-yard wide path through the golf complex from Alvernon to Randolph Way would change or eliminate numerous holes on both the North course and Dell Urich. It would endanger users of the path, increase liability for golfers, reduce the positive revenue stream for the complex, and raise serious issues with the Army Corp of Engineers and the Pima County Flood Control District, who manage the two courses as water detention areas to mitigate downstream flooding. Visitors and locals prefer to golf at a well maintained, centrally located, historically significant golf complex, featuring two challenging 18 hole courses. Why change that? Or at least allow for input from golfers before making drastic decisions.

Milo Borich

Northwest side

Supreme court

The Supreme Court was asked by Jack Smith to look into and decide whether a president is above the law while serving as president. Clarence Thomas should recuse himself from the case as his wife Ginni Thomas was involved in the attempted overthrow of the election. The court by its very nature does not represent the American people. The last few decisions has been made up by people who think they are also above the law. The influence of gifts and money to the court should be made public so the people can decide that the judgement was not influenced by outside forces. Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas have not answered all the questions involving the money they received in the past. Term limits should also apply to the court

Sheldon Feldman

Marana

Medical exemptions that are not

This is not a letter about cardiovascular health.

Imagine your doctor diagnosing you with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The only remedy is surgery and your doctor says it needs to be done immediately. The longer you wait, the greater chance it will rupture, which greatly increases the likelihood you would not survive.

But a bunch of politicians decide your doctor is wrong and your condition isn’t “dire enough”, so you can’t get surgery until the aneurysm ruptures. Of course, at that point, it might be too late. Thoughts and prayers.

Please sign the AZ Abortion access initiative. Come November, vote out Ciscomani and other anti-choice politicians. Let’s keep medical decisions between doctors and patients.

Jennifer Larson

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Northwest side

The EPA mission is to protect human health and the environment

Re: the Dec. 11 letter “Border closures/Congress.”

I respectfully disagree that proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules will negatively affect our economy and ability to reduce fossil fuel use, the major cause of climate change.

The EPA mission is to protect human health and the environment.

In 2022, the EPA announced a new effort to streamline review of new chemicals with applications in batteries, electric vehicles, semiconductors and renewable energy generation, which will facilitate production and bolster our economy.

In April 2023, the EPA proposed new health protections to reduce exposure to the carcinogen Ethylene Oxide (EtO), including stricter air emissions standards and additional protections for workers exposed during EtO medical equipment sterilization. These proposals can cut EtO emissions from commercial sterilization facilities by 80% per year, addressing cancer risks and increasing safety for exposed workers and adjacent communities.

Proposed EPA regulations will help our economy transition from fossil fuels and protect the health of our workers and communities.

Mark Peterson

Foothills

Ciscomani turns his back on us

As we near the end of 2023, I can safely say that Representative Ciscomani failed to represent his constituents during his first year of the job. From the very start, he stood with wealthy and corporate tax cheats by voting to rescind funding for the IRS that would help catch them.

He voted to cut our benefits and essential programs whenever he could. Voting to cut funding for low-income schools? He did that. Voting to cut access to Social Security and Medicare? He did that. Voting to cut funding for rural broadband? He did that. Voting to slash funding for abortion pills? He did that. Voting to cut veteran benefits? He did that too.

Ciscomani turned his back on all of us: seniors, veterans, working families, young adults, and children. All this from the man who claimed he would “fight for our values and ensure our community has a voice in Washington.” Well, based on his votes against us, that’s a bold-faced lie.

Patricia J. Kelly

North side

It is the economy

Recently on Fox News, business reporter Maria Bartiromo said with bewilderment, “the economy is a lot stronger than anyone understands.” Actually, it’s easy to understand. “Trickle down” economics doesn’t work. “Bidenomics” does.

Since Reagan Republicans first promoted “trickle down” economics, we’ve seen repeated examples of its failure. Cutting taxes for large corporations and wealthy individuals only helps — surprise, surprise — large corporations and wealthy individuals. The alleged “trickle” never reaches the middle class or those below. No wonder this Republican scheme became known as “voodoo” economics.

In contrast, Democratic “Bidenomics” does work. By growing the economy “from the bottom up and the middle out,” under Biden’s leadership the U.S. has enjoyed the best recovery from COVID of any country in the G7, jobs are more plentiful than any time since the 1960s, and robust wage growth is now beating inflation.

When election season rolls around, remember it’s the Democrats that are rebuilding our middle class. As James Carville famously said, “It’s the economy, stupid!”

Thea Chalow

Oro Valley

Fascist Republican abortion denied

Ms. Kate had to leave Texas because she will die if she doesn’t have an abortion. In Texas she has no rights. Thanks to people she doesn’t know and do not even care for her life. If the former president is elected he takes our rights away like it’s starting in Texas. It’s important that fascist leader Abbott is voted out of office and his thugs before violence starts there and probably expand to other States. I will take arm’s if need be to protect our rights from the Republican Fascist party. It’s already happening in Arizona. Vote Blue or we will be sorry later. Vote Blue. Beware or it will happen in Arizona.

David E. Leon

Vail

Extreme Ciscomani doesn’t “Get It”

Re: the Dec. 10 letter ‘Congressman Cis comani just gets it.”

This letter extolled the values of U.S. House District 6 Representative Ciscomani as representing the best interests of our community.

In fact, Ciscomani is a right winger in moderate clothing. He votes with the MAGA Republicans in lockstep. He withholds defense funding for Israel and Ukraine hostage but supports unacceptable IRS de-funding and border protections including building another unsuccessful and expensive wall.

Ciscomani’s extreme positions include extreme anti-abortion, pro-gun, and pro-taxpayer funded private school education funding views. He does not represent the majority of Tucson, Pima county, and Arizona voters values and he does not “get it”.

Let’s vote him out and put in someone more reflective of our community values like Kirsten Engel who is for women’s rights and an expert on water law as well.

Anne Mitchell

East side

War or Starbucks

Re: the Dec. 6 article “Starbucks to open downtown.”

With the savage assault on Gaza and Republicans’ abandonment of Ukraine, it seems ridiculous to complain about a Starbucks. So I won’t. But as a downtown resident, I will tell you that a bakery is exactly what we do need. And a pharmacy. But a Starbucks? Not so much.

The Peach Property landlords, who own the former Chicago Music Store, would be wise to stroll down the street, to the Proper storefront, and note the number of empty spaces. Many of the “merchandise retailers” they desire for their own building have decamped.

Meanwhile, the number of food trucks in Tucson is exploding. So why not create a cavernous food hall, filled with a wide range of options, in that beautiful, old, wide-open building? A food hall would make downtown a dining destination, no matter your budget. Throw in some retail for fun. Bonus Prize: A new wave of culinary entrepreneurs would have greater stability.

Besides, who wants a Starbucks if you can have a real-deal champurrado?

Leslie Kanberg

Downtown

5,000 a day being released from BP custody

Recently, U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security officials informed Congress that 5,000 foreign nationals apprehended illegally entering the country were being released daily from Border Patrol custody. Another 1,600 daily were being allowed entry at the Ports of Entry after filing asylum claims via the CBP One app. This amounts to about 200,000 a month! Additionally, Congress was told that in Fiscal Year 2023, 670,000 “gotaways” entered illegally and evaded apprehension. A Senegal man wanted for terrorism activities in Senegal, entered illegally in October at Lukeville, AZ and was released by the Border Patrol with a Notice to Appear. He was later apprehended by ICE agents in New York. A Venezuelan man, convicted for murder in Venezuela and wanted by authorities there, entered illegally in July near Eagle Pass, TX, was also released from Border Patrol custody and later apprehended by Boston ICE agents. He neglected to tell agents of his murder conviction. In FY 2022, ICE arrested 1,500 non-citizens convicted of homicide offenses.

Gusher Adams

Midtown