A man prepares to smoke fentanyl on a park bench May 18 in downtown Portland, Ore. Smoking has surpassed injecting as the most common way of taking drugs in U.S. overdose deaths, according to a study published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Fentanyl cold case
Re: the March 12 article “Fentanyl failure by Conover disrespects son’s memory.”
I read with sadness the poignant op-ed by a mother distraught at the death of her son. We can all relate because we all have something bad in our past. For me, it was my brother killed in service to his country 50+ years ago in Vietnam.
This mother is sad for her son’s death from fentanyl before the current Pima County Attorney was elected. It’s now a cold case, not because it was shelved, but because there is currently no credible evidence against a person committing the crime — no probable cause.
There are two law enforcement detectives and an Assistant County Attorney working the case. Neither TPD nor Laura Conover, the Pima County Attorney, has given up finding the perpetrator.
John Yoakum
Midtown
Questions for Trump supporters
What crimes was he charged with — that he is now protecting YOU from? Did any of you drive the getaway van containing the unlawfully obtained Top Secret docs? Who among you aided in defrauding New York state of $400 plus million dollars? How ‘bout the hush money for Stormy Daniels?
I do know some of you participated in the January 6th insurrection. Some are currently in prison for that, as should you all be. With the addition of burning tires — that event would have looked just like what is going on in Haiti (armed gangs defying the elected government). In closing, please note that Candidate Bloodbath is spending your money in his campaign to stay out of prison, and seemingly none of his own.
Ted Morrison
Midtown
Plastic into construction blocks
With all the letters praising councilman Steve Kozachik, none have mentioned his wonderful plastic re-use project, which takes ALL types of plastic and turns it into construction-grade building blocks, in cooperation with the company ByFusion. Although decreasing plastic use would be better, this project at least keeps plastic out of the landfill. I want this project to be supported fully by whoever is appointed to replace him! The drop-off location is across the street from the Ward 6 council office at 3202 E. First St., and it is very popular and heavily used, and includes large dumpsters for other materials as well. The city recycling only accepts a very few types of plastic, but ByFusion uses it all.
Holly Finstrom
West side
City Council drama
Having attended recent City Council meetings, I have witnessed calls, by a minority of Tucsonans, for a permanent ceasefire resolution regarding Gaza with no reference to Hamas’ crimes of October 7, Israel’s right to exist, or the Israeli hostages’ plight.
As a Jewish community leader, I want the hostages to be released, increased humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, Hamas to no longer be a threat to my friends and family in Israel, and a long-term solution to the conflict. Instead, in meetings, Israel is continually accused of genocide and some speakers for the ceasefire admitted they denied Israel’s right to exist.
If the City Council insists on expending energy on an international issue then they would be well served to thoughtfully work with residents of the different groups to construct a program of dialogue to understand each other. By entertaining the possibility of a one-sided ceasefire resolution, they continue to break apart the very city they are meant to lead forward.
Your sincerely
Rabbi Malcolm Cohen
Midtown
Ode to Women’s History Month
Republicans have not considered the outcome of banning all abortions.
Per the 2020 Census in 63% of two-parent households, both parents work. For families with children to survive in today’s economy both parents must work. 72% of women between 18 and 44 years old (childbearing age) work; 41.6 million women. If Republicans succeed in banning abortion and contraception, these women are at risk of dropping out of the workforce due to pregnancy and lack of childcare. Since women earn less than their male counterparts, capitalists will have to replace them with higher paid workers.
More than 85% of this fecund age group have health care. What will happen to our economy if they have to drop out of the workforce? Will they lose health care for themselves and their children? How will they survive?
Republicans’ platform of banning abortion and contraception, cutting social welfare programs and overturning Obamacare will only enslave women to unwanted children and destroy our economy. Devastatingly short-sighted misogyny.
Dee Maitland
Marana
Ceasefire resolutions spread Jewish hate
We must not undermine President Biden’s diplomatic measures by passing resolutions that only serve to divide us at the municipal level. For the last several months groups in Tucson have been spreading and normalizing hate under the guise of a ceasefire resolution in our City Council. Inside the City Council chamber, these groups spread anti-Jewish and anti- Israel propaganda and have harassed members of the Jewish community in the chamber itself. This abuse has gone unchecked so far by our Mayor. We expect our Mayor and Council to stand against all forms of hate including antisemitism.
Outside of City Council, these groups use hateful antisemitic slogans. They have assaulted members of the Jewish community. They have threatened Jewish businesses and organizations, they have doxxed and threatened our Jewish state legislators, they caused a half million dollars’ worth of damage to property downtown they associated with Israel. These groups are not about peace. They are about spreading anti-Jewish hate. Keep foreign policy out of our City Council.
Carina Bien-Willner
Foothills
Euthanasia
Re: the March 20 article “Let’s consider using euthanasia for advanced dementia.”
As a rehabilitation professional, I was deeply distressed upon reading Gil Shapiro’s column advocating euthanasia for persons with advanced dementia. His arguments echoed those of officials in Nazi Germany, who said that money saved through providing a “merciful death” could go to soldiers’ rehabilitation. Over 200,000 persons with disabilities including dementia were killed in the T-4 program. There was nothing merciful in their deaths.
Dementia is a terrifying diagnosis but beware the words of those who look at the terminally ill as “useless mouths” (a Nazi term). Instead, let’s advocate for better support services for patients and family members. The measure of a society is the compassion which it shows to its most vulnerable. Hubert Humphrey said, “The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped.”
Sharon Hendrickson-Pfeil
Midtown
Sen. Kern is a traitor
The fake electors are criminals.
Is there a crime more damaging to our American system than attacking our democracy with fraud and violence?
Sen. Kern and Hoffman, Republican head Rogers and the entire band of Republican election thieves should be convicted of felonies and prevented from voting or holding public office. If they could be stripped of their citizenship, I think that would be an appropriate punishment.
The one enduring thing that keeps the American way exceptional is a commitment to a fair process. They acted otherwise.
In the Air Force a punishment is given with the phrase, “your actions have brought discredit to the Air Force.” I have seen that statement have more effect than any other part of the punishment.
The actions of the fake electors have done great damage to America, and bring extreme shame to the Republican Party, to Arizona, and to the United States of America.
Ricky Sage
Northeast side
Follow these steps to easily submit a letter to the editor or guest opinion to the Arizona Daily Star.
