Berliner reveals liberal bias of NPR
National Public Radio’s Editor for 25 years Uri Berliner has just spilled the beans revealing how the broadcast is totally liberal biased. NPR is under the Public Broadcasting System. About 17% of NPR’s budget is federal government funded by taxpayers. Berliner stated that NPR has become a liberal advocacy group that sought to topple President Trump. That race and identity became paramount in nearly every aspect of the workplace. That NPR’s stance was that America is infested with systematic racism. Berliner stated the most damaging development at NPR is the absence of viewpoint diversity. Berliner found that in the NPR newsroom there were 87 Democrats to 0 Republicans. And he stated than an open-minded spirit no longer existed within NPR. NPR is really no different than other liberal biased news broadcasts and outlets like the NY Times, Washington Post, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, CBS and PBS. Our local AZ Daily Star is operated by the same liberal biased people as at NPR. All like-minded clones of each other.
Ivan Stanski
Marana
John P. Schaefer, former University of Arizona president (and a well-known photographer).
Letters to the editor
Re: the April 20 article “Former UA president speaks out on issues” and the March 26 article “Striving toward excellence at UA.”
I am surprised that there have not been any letters to the editor on AZ Daily Star reporter Ellie Wolfe. I wish to extend my congratulations to her for such excellent reporting on the University of Arizona financial problems. Her columns have been concise, clear, detailed, in depth, fair and persistent. Ms. Wolfe’s revue of the knowledgeable comments by former UA president John P. Schaefer was a report from a knowledgeable source.
The Tucson Opinion by Dr. Richard C. Powell on the YA situation was also very informative.
Art Di Salvo
Northwest side
100 acres closing
Me and my wife are homeless and have been kicked out of eight different places and were thinking about moving to the 100 acres homeless camp. Now I read that it’s being closed. Now is the whole thing being closed or just part of it? If it is being closed is there another place that us homeless people can go to make a home for themselves in Tucson that we won’t be harassed or thrown out of? I’m 52 years old and have cancer and I’m tired of being told I have to move out of my spot by the city of Tucson and having them come and bulldoze it. Destroying our things. Please respond to this and let us know what we can do to keep our belongings safe and have a place to call home. Thank you.
Billy Melton
Northeast side
In support of Pima County Attorney Conover
Laura Conover is being challenged because she disrupted a corrupt status quo. The reforms she’s made in her office, regarding treatment of juvenile offenders and those with mental illness are invaluable and the mark of a more compassionate community. Regarding reproductive rights, her office is party to the case opposing Arizona’s arcane 1864 abortion law. This is a law that was written at a time when women could not represent themselves in court, interracial marriage was prohibited, and the age of consent was 10. I implore the voters of Pima County to allow her to continue the important work that she’s begun and elect her for another term.
Michael Levy
Midtown
CVS Pharmacy Grant & Rosemont
On April 19, 2024, in Tucson, Arizona, amidst 95-degree weather, an 88-year-old woman, speaking primarily Russian, arrived at our office on her motorized scooter, seeking assistance. Believing her prescribed insulin was forgotten by CVS Pharmacy, she asked for help contacting them. Despite futile attempts, I drove her to the pharmacy out of concern. Upon arrival, we discovered no available wheelchair or scooter. Assisting her inside, we learned her insurance didn’t cover the insulin, priced at $300. While negotiating with the pharmacy and her doctor’s office for a generic alternative, we faced indifference from the staff, closing for lunch despite the urgent situation. Despite pleas, they prioritized their break over helping the elderly woman, insisting on their lunch break. Threatened with a negative review, they remained unmoved, closing the shutters. The incident underscores the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals in accessing essential healthcare services, highlighting the need for compassion and understanding in such situations.
Katrina Burgos
East side
I’m voting for...
Re: the April 22 letter “What I am voting for.”
A letter writer on Monday, after listing what he will be voting for, asked readers to do the same. Here is my list:
I’m voting for intelligence, sanity, integrity, and compassion.
I’m voting for kindness, caring, and truth-telling.
I’m voting for listening skills, bipartisan approaches, and respect.
I’m voting for immigration reform, anti-racism, and humane values.
I’m voting for equal rights, social services, and care for the environment.
I’m voting for decreasing violence with more gun control.
I’m voting for helping Ukraine and creating trust among allies.
I’m voting for detecting and dispelling Russian propaganda and conspiracy theories.
I’m voting for democracy, and more efforts to unite rather than divide.
My values align more with Democrats, and I look for the above qualities and convictions in candidates for offices at all levels of government.
Sister Karen Berry, OSF
Midtown
What’s next at Starr Pass Golf?
Troon Golf was ordered to stop cutting trees to protect migratory birds during nesting season. But they plan to recommence work in May or June. So far, we’ve seen destruction of riparian zones and removal of mature trees, such that birds, deer, coyotes, and bobcats … are gone. Also gone … shade! In a few weeks, Troon removed enough mature trees to make summer golf unbearable.
Troon claims to have worked closely with Tucson Audubon Society and Pima County Dept of Natural Resources. Surely those groups recognize the role Starr Pass plays not only as a golf course, but also as a critically important wildlife corridor in the Sonoran desert, and will guide Troon to manage the resource more responsibly.
Already, it will take decades for Starr Pass to recover because that’s how long it takes to grow trees to maturity in the desert.
Troon and JW Marriot need to show respect for their neighbors and listen to our input. Register your concern at the April 25 meeting at JW Marriott.
Robert White,
Wildlife Nutritional
Ecologist
Northwest side
In favor of Tom Prezelski
With the resignation of Councilmember Kozachik, it’s important for the council to appoint someone who is not going to run for a full term. Let the voters have their choice next November without giving a candidate the advantage of being an incumbent.
This also means that the council needs to appoint someone who is ready for the duties of office right away. I have seen Ted Prezelski’s work in the community and he’s someone who is already familiar with the workings of the current council. He’d be an excellent choice for an interim council member.
Taya Pocock
Midtown
We need copper
Recently, those opposed to mining have been disseminating dangerous and baseless misinformation regarding the effectiveness of regulatory standards governing the safe transport of hazardous materials used in mining operations.
Let me set the record straight, Arizona’s trucking industry, particularly in the realm of supporting mining operations, stands as a testament to unparalleled safety standards in the transportation of hazardous materials. Prioritizing public safety, our industry has committed to rigorous training, stringent safety protocols, and the adoption of cutting-edge technology. This dedication has culminated in an exemplary safety record, setting a benchmark for responsible and secure transportation. Our drivers are not just operators; they are guardians of the road, ensuring that every journey from mine to market not only meets but exceeds state and federal safety regulations.
As an acid transporter since the 1970s, sulfuric acid is acid for sure. It will burn you. It is used in farming to beneficiate the soil, just like when you toss a handful of sulfur into a new tree hole. Sulfuric acid is applied directly to the soil for planting nut trees and other agriculture. When handled properly, it is our friend.
Sulfur mostly comes from oil; it does not get created at a mine. It is consumed by a mine on an as needed basis. A mine does not produce millions of gallons of excess acid.
Furthermore, we are immensely proud to work with and support Arizona mining operators, playing a pivotal role in supporting the hardworking families throughout our state.
Copper is needed for electric cars, wind turbines and the wires used to move electricity into homes. We need copper!
Tom Jones,
President, CTI Inc.
West side
Pam Powers for Ward 6
As a resident of Ward 6 and former Tucson City Councilmember, I support Pam Powers for Ward 6 Councilmember.
I think Pam’s experience in the state legislature will bring a new and important viewpoint to the City Council. She knows the issues, has worked with budgets and knows the process of building coalitions to get measures adopted. She is an excellent communicator using written word and video to give her constituents news of what is happening.
Under Steve Kozachik, Ward 6 had exemplary constituent services. Steve helped neighborhoods and individuals, navigate city processes, and conflicts. I believe that Pam Powers will continue this important service. She knows how to listen, and to find information that will help solve problems. She will continue the work of caring for the environment, especially water quality and quantity, and waste management.
I think Pam Powers would be a councilmember with intelligence, integrity, energy, and compassion.
Margot W. Garcia
Midtown
Craig Cantoni’s guest opinion
Re: the April 22 article “As the U of A goes, so goes Tucson.”
Nice opinion piece, we could use more frank discussions like this.
Mark Casciari
Northeast side
Tucson and U of A deserve better
Re: the April 22 article “As the U of A goes, so goes Tucson.”
Thanks for publishing Craig Cantoni’s article. A native of Tucson and U of A graduate (1967), I find it so painful to see that we are far from realizing our potential. With pious, politically correct talk, we will continue our decline. We need to follow realistic, practical advice like Mr. Cantoni’s to uplift all our citizens.
Jane Orient
Midtown
Dangers of copper mines
Re: the April 21 letter “Copper World isn’t potentially disastrous.”
The letter writer says that the Sierrita Mine (aka Pima) has never had any significant pollution incidents. First the Sierrita is a separate mine from the Pima Mine. There are interceptor wells all around the tailings at Sierrita to remove sulfates from migrating to Green Valley water wells. Both the Sierrita and the Mission Mines have had to clean many houses in both Sahuarita and Green Valley of dust blown from the tailings of both mines. There was also a large sulfuric acid spill in Sahuarita when a train derailed with several tankers of acid.
Harry Whitney,
worked at Sierrita for 45 years
Catalina
An experienced, wise voice
Re: the April 20 article “Former UA president speaks out on issues.”
Governor Hobbs, regents and others capable of steering the future course of our foundering university should heed and act upon observations by former UA President John Schaefer to reorient the tack of this academic vessel before it gets lost at sea.
Schaefer counseled ceasing recruitment efforts for a UA president and a provost to: 1. arrange to include effective faculty participation with the others; and 2. to define, as the Star reported, “… a broad consensus of what the nature of the university should be in coming years.”
Identify our port before we sail upon what may be turbid seas. Locating a fitting captain (president) and first mate (provost) for this academic vessel will benefit from that definition. The captain should be engaged before the first mate to provide the captain a significant role in that selection process while giving the first mate candidate the benefit of getting to know the boss.
Mort Ganeles
Foothills
Voters’ rights removal
Two Arizona Supreme Court Justices, Clint Bolick and Kathryn H. King, face reelection after the Court allowed the enforcement of the 1864 law on abortion in Arizona. The Republican strategy to the logical outcome of a fair, democratic election for removal or retention of these justices is to circumvent the voting power of Arizonans. David Gowan, Republican from Sierra Vista, is sponsoring SCR 1044 in an effort to remove voters right to elect justices to the Supreme Court unless some sort of “incident” causes concern. Obviously, Gowan knows voters will likely remove these two justices for their faulty finding and hopes to prevent their removal with this sketchy legislation. Hiring Jonathan Paton to lobby for what would result in a lifetime term on the Supreme Court, the Republican Senate hopes to eliminate voters’ selection for the justices. I urge the Arizona Daily Star to continue coverage of this egregious legislation and voters to deny such harmful distortion of the legal system.
Roger Shanley
East side
UA and Tucson
Re: the April 22 article “As the U of A goes, so goes Tucson.”
I have read Craig J. Cantoni’s editorial, I have a question for him: Why did you retire to Tucson if everywhere else is so much better?
Carol W. West
Northeast side
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