A damaged car remains on the ground in the aftermath of an Israeli-U.S. strike in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Amir Kholousi/ISNA)
Americans are ignorant of history
Americans suffer from an ignorance of history. While it is true that the Iranian regime is despicable, we don't remember or take responsibility for having caused the regime's rise. Our lack of memory fails to recognize that we interfered with an election in Iran in the very early 1950s when Mohammed Mossadegh, a "liberal," was elected. We took him out and caused the rise of Reza Shah Pahlavi. Then the Ayatollahs returned from exile and took over Iran. War isn't going to solve anything. Iranians have a long memory and know their history. This move may actually inspire a dormant nationalism even among those who despise the regime. I can't help wondering what Trump expects to gain personally from this incursion. It surely won't be a Nobel Peace Prize!
Barbara Benjamin
Foothills
The state of Trump
President Trump’s shameful State of the Union address came across as an exaggerated issue of the National Enquirer. I am surprised he didn’t include the “other” aliens that so enthrall some of their readers in his list of untruths about the economy, healthcare and the growing theft of civil rights. His speech consisted of jingles seeking cheers for empty superficial accomplishments while ignoring issues of substance and trying to ignore his plummeting poll numbers.
The citizens of our country deserve so much better. Real ideas and collaborative ways seek solutions for our concerns about climate change, the widening gap between the very rich and everyone else, and ensuring education and health care for our children and their children. The shine is off the chrome covered president. Government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from this land.
Page Burkholder
Foothills
TEP run by City
I have kept track of my utility costs and usage since 1978. TEP rates per KWH have increased by about 300%. (From .063/KWH in 1978 to .185/KWH in 2026). SW Gas has increased by about 350%. (From .062/THERM in 1978 to $2.15/THERM in 2026) Tucson Water has increased about 1900%. (From $1.19/CCF in 1978 to $23.00/THERM in 2026). Now ask yourself who should be running TEP?
Ed Hubert
Midtown
Trump's mixed messages
A couple of weeks ago Trump’s social media posted a photo of the Obamas as monkeys. Karoline Leavitt said it was posted by an aide and the post was taken down. A few days later, Leavitt was asked a question about Trump’s posting on his social media account. She made it very clear that Trump did all his own posting and no one else has access. So, which one is it, Karoline?
After Operation Midnight Hammer, on June 22, 2025, the official White House website posted “Iran’s nuclear facilities have been obliterated — any suggestions otherwise is fake news.” Trump backed that up, saying it was total obliteration and it would take years to rebuild.
This week, it was announced that Trump is threatening Iran that “bad things will happen” if they don’t negotiate a nuclear deal. Why is there a need for a deal? Trump said that Iran’s nuclear capabilities were “completely obliterated.” Is Trump posting fake news?
Gary Haslett
SaddleBrooke
Legislators with too much time
Please cut the Arizona Legislature session by 75% to reduce the incessant moronic bills. I've never been to a drag show but what others do isn't my concern. All actors of Shakespeare's plays were men. In the 50s Milton Berle dressed in drag. Monty Python did skits in drag. Flip Wilson in early 70s also. I don't recall any hysteria about grooming. If the Republicans in the Legislature are really concerned about grooming they should be demanding full release of Epstein files with only victims' identities bring redacted.
Craig Miller
Northwest side
ICE in Surprise
Almost 7,000 residents in the Surprise area are concerned about the new ICE facility to "house" detainees. It makes me wonder why the government represented by the "supposed" conservative GOP would waste over $70M on a facility that may or may not be used. Aren't they the party that gutted so many programs that aided Americans with the DOGE?
If the present cabal was so intent on bringing down government fraud and spending, why waste that kind of money on these types of facilities? When the democrats take back over the government in 3 years, if not sooner, these facilities won't be needed, as they never were. A perfect example of waste.
If DOGE actually wanted to do what they planned, these facilities would have never been bought or built. ICE spent $608M for Aligator Alcatraz to house up to 6,000 people. It houses around 300 now.
John Bingham
Northwest side
President of Peace
I guess I misunderstood when Trump referred to himself as the "President of Peace." I thought that meant creating world peace by eliminating conflicts around the world. But I was wrong. I realize now that it means, continue the war in the Ukraine by not supporting Ukraine's efforts for peace and independence, threatening war in Iran, cutting off Oil to Cuba to destroy its economy, and taking over Venezuela's economy thru it's oil sales. And of course the "peaceful" efforts in the US with immigrants. I now realize that the term PEACE stands for: President Enacting Absolute Control Everywhere. I always thought the US Constitution created a democratic system that had checks and balances on abuse of power by any of the three branches of government. I think we the people of US need to look within ourselves and realize we cannot continue down this road created by "President of Peace." Remember we still have democratic elections and the midterms are coming up. So vote to stop the madness.
Frank Flasch
Midtown
Getting stoned on Stone
Is everyone high? It sure smells like it.
Driving throughout town, particularly near Grant & Stone, the aroma of cannabis is abundant.
Yay for anyone who wants to exercise their rights to imbibe. I just don’t want to smell it or linger on me.
I am not the only one sick of the stench. Senate Bill 1725 is moving through the Arizona Legislature. It would expand state laws to classify excessive marijuana smoke or odor as a public nuisance.
The language is vague. Additionally, a large population lives outdoors in public spaces, and there are not enough officers and deputies to respond. Therefore, it will be difficult to enforce and collect fines. However, this is a good start to clearing the air. Contact your state representatives. Request that they clarify the language and support the bill.
Tucson is already known as “The Dirty T.” Must we add “The Stinky T?"
Susan Stein Kregar
West side
The bully in chief
“The Peace President,” Donald J Trump, our mercurial, personality-disordered bully in chief, who thrives on crisis and chaos, has started a regional war in the Middle East. How much more elusive could the Nobel Peace Prize be?
Nancy Williams
Northwest side
I dare you
I dare anyone who is in charge of deciding which streets are to be paved in Tucson and adjacent Pima County areas to take a ride on Kolb Road heading north from I-10 to Valencia, past the Amazon warehouse, and not feel that paving Kolb is an emergency. They should also head east on Irvington from Kolb and have to dodge large potholes between Kolb and Pantano Road.
I cannot understand, unless these people or committees who decide the order of paving streets, never ride around Tucson and Pima County to see for themselves which streets need paving.
Doesn't it make sense that when company builds a large warehouse such as Amazon, with constant huge trucks going back and forth to and from Amazon, that the roads will need paving sooner than in the past?
Tucson is responsible for the above areas. Please come on down and see for yourselves!
Lawrence Sanders
Southeast side
Failures of our public schools
The performance of our public school system ranks near the bottom compared to other Western nations, Az schools ranked last in the nation. Our children's performance began to diminish when parents elected to have two incomes removing time that should have been given to their kids. They are being subjected to left-wing ideology from grammar school through the universities. We need to start from a new slate. The only courses that should be taught are those that will enable one to gain a good job and be productive if a high school diploma is all they attain. Cell phones should never be allowed in the classroom, zero tolerance for disruptions in class by the students, a failed course is to be repeated. Children are the greatest gift and responsibility given to parents. Parents need to take control of what is being taught in their schools, demand excellence not mediocrity. A testimony of our failed system is seen in Harvard offering remedial math and English to freshman.
Bill Dowdall
Oro Valley
Gag order on the truth
What's with media?
Mike Carran's LTE Saturday pointed out the actual state of the union, government statistics that completely undermine the major talking points of Trump's speechifying: the economy and immigration. And the media response to Trump? They've been bound and gagged.
We've been told ad nauseam that people just don't respond to facts; they only respond to what their kindred community believes. No doubt that's true — until you check your grocery bills; until you check your utility bills; until you try to find the kind of help that hard-working immigrant labor supplies to backbone this nation's economy.
How the hell can anyone who takes a breath believe anything Trump says? The only way you can tell he's lying is if you see his mouth moving. What does Trump stand for? An apocalyptic view of America that he is bound and determined to see to fruition.
Rick Rappaport
Oro Valley
War powers distraction
Trump’s war on Iran violates the Constitution, which reserves the war power to Congress, and the War Powers Resolution of 1973, through which Congress may delegate armed response to the president when there is an attack upon the United States.
Iran has done much wrong but has not attacked the U.S.
It may be that the February 28 attack, supposedly aimed at regime change, which is unlikely, has another objective: distraction.
Distraction from:
Epstein file allegations. Persistent rising inflation. Supreme Court rejection of worldwide unilateral punitive tariffs. Voter suppression actions. Backfire to the mass deportation/detention of immigrants. Continued downward slide in voter job approval. High cost of basic groceries. Farm crisis foreclosures. Painful ACA premium increases. And more.
Negotiations with Iran over nuclear enrichment had come down to nuclear medicine capability without storage. Instead schools are bombed and children killed.
No, Mr. Trump, and no, Republican Party, we are not distracted. Just working for November.
Chuck Barrett
Midtown
Moral degradation
In the August 2023 Republican debate for president, all candidates were asked if they would support Trump if he were convicted of felonies. Most raised their hand, indicating that they would. Tribalism superseded morality. Once the leaders of a major political party become morally debased, we see that sentiment flow down to followers. But this lack of morality isn’t seen as such. It becomes the new normal and is not seen in a negative light. Many years of Trump rallies have driven home the point that the end always justifies the means, no matter which means are used. Trump’s rallies were not about virtues but were more about tribal polarization and vengeance against targeted enemies. Trump is lacking a conscience/moral code and has encouraged others to follow his scorched earth path to oblivion. Moral degradation is the hallmark of authoritarian rule. It should be a warning about what’s on the horizon.
S. Allen Rasmussen
Foothills
Entitlements
2/28/26 Washington Post editorial: The editorial complains about entitlements as the reason Congress cannot balance the budget. Incorrect. Congress chooses not to.
If all recognized, not realized, income is taxed at the same progressive (not liberal) rates with SS/MC deductions from all income, then but for Congress’ spending habits, a balanced budget could be possible. As an investor, I understand I would owe SS/MC deductions on my recognized investment gains.
If all recognized income had to pay SS/MC deductions, the SS/MC deduction rates would decrease and the SS/MC funds would remain solvent.
If you want to talk about spending, talk about the excessive defense spending. Once defense spending is under control, then we can talk about entitlements.
A U.S. constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget and debt paydown, with independent enforcement mechanisms is appropriate.
James Abels
Midtown
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