Tucson Speaks Out: April 6 letters of the day

First they came ...

Regarding the Tucson City Council’s acquiescence to the demands of ignorant protesters demanding they vote on a resolution for a cease-fire in the Israeli-Gaza war, I share this poem paraphrased from a confessional written by the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller in 1946. It appears on the Holocaust Memorial in Boston, MA and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum:

“First they came of the socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out —because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.”

How tragically sad that antisemitism has reared its ugly head in the city of Tucson.

Susan Jackson Kravitz

SaddleBrooke

Tucson should condemn Hamas terrorism

Among the people of Gaza, popular discontent with Hamas has been simmering for years. In 2015, 2017, and again in 2019, there were protests against Hamas. Each time, they were repressed by Hamas security forces. On Oct. 7, Hamas invaded Israel and slaughtered 1,400 Jews, Christians, Moslems, Druze and Buddhists.

Trinity Broadcast Network reported on Feb. 21 that protests erupted against Hamas in the city of Jabalia in the north of the Gaza Strip and in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Demonstrators chanted slogans against the leaders of Hamas who live in luxury hotels in Qatar and they cried out for humanitarian aid to reach them instead of being stolen by Hamas. The Times of India reported on Feb. 23 that Hamas terrorists were shooting and killing hungry Gazans as they attempted to get food. Given the brutality of Hamas toward the people of Gaza and of Israel, Tucson should stand with people of all religions and condemn terrorism.

Helen Salvay

Oro Valley

They call themselves pro-life

I am appalled by our so-called “pro-life” legislators who seek to restrict abortions and criminalize the women who require them and the doctors who assist them. If they were truly pro-life, they would prevent the need for abortions by passing bills to raise families out of poverty, address domestic violence, and provide affordable housing, food security, and counseling.

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If they were truly pro-life, they would provide for every child beyond the womb. They would raise the minimum wage so families could afford adequate childcare; they would fully fund public education so every child could be well educated; and they would invest in afterschool programs and expand social services so every child could lead a safe and healthy life.

Our legislators ought to live up to their perceived notion of themselves. To do so, they must act to prevent the need for abortions and provide for our children. Then, they could call themselves pro-life. Otherwise, it is nothing more than an empty, hypocritical word.

Dr. JB Marshall

Oro Valley

ADEQ’s robust oversight

I attended the ADEQ meeting in Corona de Tucson and feel that the criticisms of their oversight on the Copper World project overlooks the robust enforcement measures they outlined to safeguard groundwater quality. In addition to extensive testing requirements, ADEQ can impose financial penalties and legal actions for non-compliance. Assumptions that Hudbay will not adhere to these standards underestimate the company’s commitment to sustainable practices and the serious reputational risks associated with disregarding environmental standards.

As we have seen through countless mining projects in Arizona, combining self-monitoring, a common practice across various industries, with ADEQ’s oversight can effectively ensure adherence to environmental regulations. Fostering cooperation between regulators and industry can lead to innovative solutions that not only protect our environment but also provide significant economic benefits to local communities.

Randy Graf, President & CEO of Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

Green Valley

When in Rome

Re: the March 30 article “Keep Antisemitism out of Tucson.”

Our Constitution is glorious. The First Amendment separated church from state, thus creating an American culture allowing criticizing a government without criticizing a religion. I protested the wars in Vietnam and Iraq and was not accused of being anti-Christian. Today, I protest the treatment of the Rohingya in Myanmar, the Uighurs in China and the Russian war in the Ukraine. I am not called anti-Buddhist, Confucian, or Russian Orthodox.

The opinion piece of March 30 decried the antisemitism and hate of protesters at the City Council meetings. The wise old saying of “When in Rome do as the Romans do” applies in this situation. In our American culture protesting the actions of a government is not protesting a religion.

It is curious, isn’t it, that the writers did not mention the murder of tens of thousands of children and babies.

Susie Morris

Midtown