Gas prices are surging on higher oil costs, AAA says.
Gas hike redux
Well, it is that time again: a presidential election year! And with a Democrat in office it is time to see the gradual increase in gasoline prices with the crescendo near election day. This allows the media and miscellaneous GOP talking heads time to rev up the “blame” machine as they do every time in this situation occurs. I for one am fed up with this easily predictable routine that everyone takes part in promoting. This time around, we have the relationships between Trump, Putin, MBS, OPEC, and Jared Kushner in full force to create this predictable charade. I for one remember waiting in the gas lines in 1973 to fill up. Today I am happy with the electrical outlet in my garage and the vehicle now connected to it. Another reason to phase out fossil fuels!
Alan Barreuther
Foothills
Ukrainian support cheap at twice the price
I believe efforts to cut support to Ukraine are short sighted, and they do not consider history. The world failed to stand against Axis powers until a World War ensued, and some 60 million people died including hundreds of thousands of Americans. In 2014, the world failed to stand against the Russian land grab in Ukraine, and a new war has ensued including the spectre of nuclear war. China, Iran, and North Korea are in alliance with Russia in a new Axis of evil waiting to see what we do in response. Any money the US spends to supply Ukraine with arms pales in comparison to American blood, lives, and money that we will spend later to fight the preventable conflicts to follow.
It is reported that the US Congress is not hearing from us voicing support for Ukraine. I urge all Arizonans to reach out to our congressional representatives and let your voice be heard in this matter.
Charles McCracken
Northwest side
Health costs of Copper World/Rosemont Mine
Re: the July 13 article “Law loophole gives $313M to Copper World.”
What will be the true cost of the Copper World mine to the citizens of greater Tucson? Levels of dust containing particulate matter and toxic metals will decrease air quality causing breathing problems and asthma rates to climb. Homeowners and developers will see property values plummet as our beautiful scenery is replaced with tailings. Bikers, hikers, retirees, tourists and their dollars will go elsewhere. Air quality monitoring stations cost millions. How many will it require so we know when it is unsafe to be outside? Toxic metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium are already in the soil from earlier mines. Testing and remediation is a costly affair. Who pays if water supplies become contaminated or depleted? Of course YOU do; the taxpayer. Lucky for us, in 44 years when it becomes a superfund site we will be off the hook. Our children and grandchildren will have to pay for it.
Elaine Wolter, Retired
Public Health Nurse
SaddleBrooke
Inflation
Today’s gas prices are tapping an ever increasing drain on disposable income. The forecasts predict a continued increase in price. Biden’s policies are the primary reason for this situation. Shortly after elected he shut down the pipeline coming from Canada and repeatedly stated he was going to shut down fossil fuels. Today’s price reflect the future market and it is grim. The U.S. sits on the largest reserves of oil on the globe. The price of gas would come down just by announcing that we are once again going to drill for oil. The world’s economy is fueled by fossil fuels and alternate sources of energy are not positioned to power the economies. The public needs to open their eyes and realize that this administration and its policies is the reason for the current economic conditions.
Bill Dowdall
Oro Valley
Time to act
I am 92 and remember at Steuben Junior High in Milwaukee, WI we learned that there were three branches of government. The Legislative Branch that made laws and appropriated funds. The Executive Branch that executes the laws and spent the appropriated funds. And the Judicial Branch that determines that everything done is constitutionally alright.
A near government shutdown was scary enough to make me believe a constitutional amendment is needed to prevent future shutdowns, and stop political grandstanding. It would require if and when the government is within ‘X’ number of days before a shutdown, an automatic debt limit would be created that would finance the government for a period of ‘Y’ days. Constitutional scholars can write more appropriate wording.
Okay, that done, let’s do something to assure my grandchildren’s grandchildren can stay on Mother Earth and not have have to find another planet to survive.
Dave Glicksman
Northwest side
Help eliminate ageism
Re: the Oct. 3 letter “Biden: clear, concise and articulate.”
Thank you to the letter writer. I have been extremely disappointed at the Arizona Daily Star’s willingness to publish opinions supporting and even encouraging ageism — the local opinion piece by Mr. Lindstrom and a recent national opinion by Gary Franks. Outright ageism is as demeaning and debilitating to individuals and society as are the other isms, although ageism appears to be more socially accepted. I expect that you would not publish opinions that were racist or sexist, and I urge you to give older people the same respect.
Elizabeth Glisky
Foothills
Viewpoints challenge
I’d like to take the “switch Republicans to Democrats” Challenge. How would Republicans react if:
1. A popular top Democrat, say Biden had been found “paying an adult film star” — or “falsifying business statements” to cover up?
2. If Biden had received 37 counts of “willful retention of National Security Information ... or, stored secret White House documents in the bathroom?
3. Had the top contender for the Democratic nomination been charged with “efforts to interfere with the peaceful transition of power” ... or, members of the Black Lives Matter group had “attacked the Capitol” at the encouragement of of him?
4. Or, had any Democratic official been found by a GA Grand Jury of “interference with the 2020 election count” — while on record asking that an official ‘find 11,780 votes? — an admission that he knew he had lost. My bet is he’d have been on trial by February of 2021!
Emily Morrison
Midtown
Freedom to read
Do you want a single individual you’ve never met to control what your child can or cannot read? Probably not. But that’s what State Senator Justine Wadsack LD-17 tried to make law during her first year in office.
Wadsack sponsored SB 1700 which would have allowed any one parent to ask the Department of Education to place a book on a “banned” list based on vague culture war criteria. She did this even though 75% of Arizonans disapprove of censorship (Data for Progress survey) and 74% of parents think “book bans infringe on their right to make decisions for their children” (EveryLibrary/BookRiot survey).
If you want your child to have the freedom to read whatever books YOU decide are appropriate, vote out Wadsack in the next election.
Thea Chalow
Oro Valley
