Tucson Speaks Out: Dec. 4 letters of the day

Unhoused people on the street

Let me start by saying that I am not an expert on this subject. I am, however, a human being. Who is capable of empathy. Whenever you drive most anywhere in Tucson, it’s an oddity not to see at least three unhoused people panhandling or setting up encampments. It’s easy to then think, ‘Man, I wish they’d go away.’ Now there’s nothing inherently wrong with this thought. However, the common solution officials enact is displacement. Out of sight out of mind, right? Yet still these unhoused people remain, baking in the Arizona heat, that will only get hotter every year. Why can’t we, as a group of humans, find a more permanent solution to this issue? More affordable housing would be beneficial to us all, but the unhoused are in particular need. The rise of shipping container housing could be massively beneficial towards getting more affordable housing. It could also be used to give unhoused people a chance at proper housing. If we apply it that way.

Caden Wilfong

Downtown

Construction north of Tanque Verde

I would like to discuss some of the road work construction in Tucson. In particular, the patch of road that is being currently repaved just before the Sabino Canyon and Tanque Verde intersection. I can’t help but wonder why they didn’t decide to repave the road all the way up to the intersection instead of just a patch in the center of a roughed-up section of the road. It is also causing traffic in the area to be backed up a half-mile in both directions and every time I drive by, there is never anyone working on it. It has already been two weeks and counting and they should think about finishing it up in a few nights when no one’s on the road.

Ronan Marohn

Northeast side

What doesn’t work

Much has been said about the “fragile” nature of democracy ... and about how it is under attack by the likes of the Republican Party and Trump. “Tearing down” seems to be the new Republican order, replacing “governing” and “responsibility.”

But calling democracy “fragile” is inadequate. We could just as easily call learning, honesty, friendships, families, conducting-business, governing-people, progress, language, technology, communication, all “fragile.”

Why? Because the success of all of these requires a fundamental reality, TRUTH. Without it, facts have no meaning, in fact, freedom and opportunity as we know them would very soon cease to exist.

Yet the now Republican Party and Trump depend upon truth’s alternative, LYING to invent what they want “fact” to be, to create alternatives to realty, alternatives to logic, meaningful relationships. Justice, accountability to the inconvenience of truth and to trust.

One may want to consider ... once lying replaces truth there’s no way back from a terrible wilderness. We’ve seen what this has done before, is this what you really want?

Frank Parsons

Northeast side

Gerrymandering and far-right extremism

How is it that a majority of Americans are not represented in Congress? Answer: we no longer have a representative democracy.

A bought and paid-for Supreme Court has enabled extremists to grab majority rule. Since SCOTUS gutted the Voting Rights Act, State legislatures have carved out legislative districts that guarantee control to political minorities. Partisan gerrymandering eliminates fair competition in our elections, ensuring predetermined outcomes and disenfranchising millions of voters. The GOP’s national gerrymandering strategy, financed by wealthy donors, has paid off.

Issues such as common-sense gun laws, women’s rights, voting rights, climate change, immigration, and ethics reforms stand little chance of seeing legislation that reflect the will of the American electorate.

Now, the House of Representatives is controlled by extremist far-right members — many of whom are traitors to the Constitution. They do not care about integrity or ethical and honest governance. Instead, they peddle hate and intolerance based on misinformation and lies.

Kathy Krucker

Midtown

Confused

I was born in 1936; we won a World War fought throughout most of Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. We set the stage for almost half a century of unprecedented prosperity.

But where is the glory that once was ours? America has moved from a relatively free economy to democratic socialism.

We have less freedom with each passing day. We can’t defend our borders or our streets. Our cities have become criminal playgrounds. Homeless veterans camp in the streets while the undocumented are put up in hotels.

Crime soars and we blame the Second Amendment and slash police budgets. It’s insane. Men who think they’re women. Parents are not allowed to educate their children. Our national debt is at an all-time high. Patriotism is called an insurrection, treason celebrated.

A man in blue gets less respect than a man in a dress. We fight endless wars we can’t or won’t win. We abandon God, faith and family — the bulwarks of any stable society.

I’m confused.

Tom McGorray

Northwest side

New board needed for Humane Society

Board Chair Robert Garcia and HSSA management continue to promote false narratives and despite an authenticated adoption record, deny acknowledgment that at least two additional groups of HSSA small animals were transferred to Colton Jones reptile feeding business.

The HSSA board’s recent Op-Ed continues to claim a 96% “Live Outcome” without required documentation.

In her letter to HSSA Board, Maureen O’Nell, CEO of Suncoast Fla, Humane Society corrects their false narrative concerning the legitimacy of transferring animals to a non-501c3 non-profit like Colton Jones with no adoption records, stating it is NEVER legitimate for obvious reasons. An organization cannot record a live outcome for an animal if there is no data to back that up. She states “I understand your leadership has no experience in animal welfare. Just the same, this is a rudimentary concept in animal protection”.

Despite repeated requests to HSSA board and management, Cochise County has not received individual animal records for 218 dogs/cats transferred to HSSA since May of 2022.

Candace Charvoz Frank

West side

GCU’s fine

I fail to see how the U.S. Department of Education’s fining Grand Canyon University for dishonest marketing has anything to do with violating religious freedom as State Reps Eli Crane, Debbie Lesko, Paul Gosar, and Andy Biggs, all Arizona Republicans, allege. The violation is about GCU’s lack of honesty and integrity in marketing to prospective students — attributes that every institution of learning ought to possess.

Robin Carter

Marana

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Israel/Gaza War

Robert Reich, an erudite Jewish university professor and former U.S. cabinet secretary, called the Hamas attack on Israel “horrific” and the Israeli response “barbaric”. Had someone else made this statement without naming the source, he or she would have probably been labeled an “anti-semite”. To further complicate this issue, ever single bomb dropped on Gaza’s civilian population by the Israeli Air Force, at this point amounting to over 13,000 casualties, is part of our annual $3.3 billion military gift package, not counting the $14.5 billion in military aid recently approved by Congress.

It appears like all three groups are either directly or indirectly involved in what is popularly referred to as a “war crime.”

Frederick Leinfest

Oro Valley

Middle East conflict

The current conflict in the Middle East has stoked historic fires and cut an even deeper wound between peoples. Gandhi once said: “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” We are at risk of becoming a world without both insight and sight. When will we ever learn?

John Heid

South side

Mass murder weapon of choice

I did a YouTube search on AR-15/automatic. I found countless videos that explained how I could convert my AR-15 to fully automatic.

We’re not scared; we would just like to not have “death by gun” the leading cause of childhood deaths.

The Second Amendment gave rights to bear arms by a “well regulated militia”. Limited to defending against enemies and tyranny. Nowhere does the 2nd give you the right to hunt, target shoot or defend your home. Are these liberties we take for granted?

The organization you mention is the gunmakers industry’s outside of public view, lobbying group. What makes this weapon so popular is that it enhances your manliness.

Unless the NRA and NSSF step up to the plate and advocate for some kind of reforms, there’s a bunch of third-graders practicing active shooter drills now, that in about 20 years they will likely vote in favor to remove the Second Amendment from the equation entirely.

Larry Robinson

Northwest side

Adoration addiction

Want to look at the other side of the coin?

“... I am now firmly convinced that a significant portion of Republicans are addicted to Trump” adoration “in an inescapable dependency ...” “With this addiction, the only thing important is to” love “all things Trump or even Republican. ...people have lost all ability to recognize reality or ... common sense.”

Both parties’ failure to compromise and legislate as moderates, instead of radicals, creates most problems. There are no geniuses in the legislative, executive or judicial branches. Both Trump and Biden have done good things. Both have done stupid things. Trump has done inhumane things (child separation). Biden screwed up the Afghan withdrawal, but Trump teed up the agreement for withdrawal. Trump resold the failed Trickle Down Reaganomics. Congress has failed to act on immigration reform.

I read everything in the editorial pages, except sports blather, to minimize confirmation bias. I vote coherent moderate: Democrat, Republican or Independent.

James Abels

Midtown

CCC corp for both the US and Gaza

Re: the Nov. 29 article “We need a new Civilian Conservation Corps.”

Since our infrastructure is aging, putting the unemployed to work would help on two fronts. First it would give workers an income and take them off welfare. Second, it would improve our economy by making the infrastructure safe and in good working order. A win win for everyone.

Also, the article on starting a Marshall Plan for Gaza would be a great way to rebuild Gaza. A CCC type of program could use the large minority of young unemployed workers with employment and give them a boost in their quality of life.

Both programs would be a major boost to both of our economy. Without any future employment opportunities in Gaza, these young men would be attracted to join Hamas. I hope our government will take action.

James Mclin

East side

Impound street racers’ vehicles

Re: the Nov. 29 article “Tucson police seek $1M in gear to curb street racing.”

Tucson police is requesting $1 million to install speed enforcement cameras to curb illegal street racing, a tool reportedly successful in Seattle. However, nothing has been said about penalties for violators. Here’s an easy solution: immediately impound the violator’s vehicle with an automatic $1,500 release fee. It’s very simple, no car, no street racing.

Jeff Aronson

Northeast side

Tucson street racing

Re: the article “Tucson police seek $1M in gear to curb street racing.”

After reading the article in the paper on Nov. 30 about one million dollars to stop racing on Tucson streets and looking at the blue lights on Craycroft and Grant, I have come to the conclusion that we are missing something. That something is police officers. We need police officers that give tickets to speeders and illegal left-hand turners. Giving someone a warning does not work. After reading the newspaper about inflation, I believe everybody understands money. Giving us a healthy ticket that cost us money will make us think twice about speeding or turning against the light every time we have the urge. Maybe Mr. Ortega could find a way to pay for more police officers. Giving tickets will make Tucson money and tickets will be a better reminder than a warnings.

Jose Salgado

Northeast side

UN objectivity

In an ideal world, an organization such as the United Nations would be objective when it comes to disputes between member states. Sadly this is not the case when it concerns issues arising between Israel and the Palestinian people. A prime example of this regards the UNRWA. This UN-funded agency has been found on multiple past occasions to have sponsored schools that teach hatred of Israelis and Jews as part of their curriculum. We are now learning from some of the released hostages, that teachers who are part of this program were responsible for holding hostages in captivity. How can the UN blame Israel for its actions when it funds an organization that promotes hatred and violence? This is supposed to be a Relief and Works Agency, not an agency that contributes to the tensions and hatreds that are already present.

Martin Greene

East side