Tucson Speaks Out: Oct. 7 letters to the editor

The power of big tech

I believe that big tech has way too much power. As private companies they are free to censor content, thus curtailing free speech. They decide what content is seen and heard by millions. There is a need for greater transparency. They stifle competition. Big tech companies are not accountable to the public.

They violate our privacy. They control the way we communicate, the way we shop, and the way we get our news. They set prices, and harm consumers.

They allow misinformation and hate speech to spread.

They target voters with political ads. They spread misinformation about candidates and issues, influence public opinion, disrupting the electoral process.

With all this power and money big tech needs to be broken up and regulated by an independent and non-partisan committee.

Big Tech has brainwashed our minds, perverted our privacy, manipulated our elections, frozen our freedoms, stifled all transparency, and destroyed our democracy, but they cannot silence this letter. Wake up Congress. Do something before it is too late.

Tom McGorray

Northwest side

Jayden de Laura

Re: the Sept. 20 article “Judge nixes de Laura’s deal in sex assault suit.”

Kudos to Hawaii News Now, and to the Star for referencing HNN’s reporting, for clarifying the language of pleas in Hawaii juvenile cases. By inference, we are also made aware of Jedd Fisch’s and the UA’s duplicity in giving de Laura a pass (no pun intended) on a sexual assault. No, de Laura was not found “guilty,” but only because the term is not used in Hawaii juvenile cases. Instead, he was “responsible,” which for those of us who value precision in the use of language means “he did it.” Giving a young man a second chance after a terrible decision made as a teenager is open to debate; denying that he made the decision is another injury to the victim, and beneath contempt for a university.

Steve Robinson

Oro Valley

Unions make America better!

Unions make America a better place for all of us. The Republican Party and its greedy donors make it worse.

Strong union leaders, such as Fran Drescher of the Screen Actors Guild and Shawn Fain of the UAW, have taken it to the man. Both are fiery, passionate, and committed to their workers. Do not believe anything coming from the Studio bosses or CEO’s of the Big Three automakers. They and their Republican mouthpieces lie to the American people and try to turn the public against the workers. Ms. Dresher told the Studio bosses to “Share the wealth because you cannot exist without us.” Mr. Fain added “Auto workers have waited long enough to make things right with the Big Three. We’re not waiting, and we’re not messing around.”

Words that warm my heart. For 15 years, I was a proud member of AFSCME, Local 449. We were blessed with a strong leader who trained us to stand up for our members. Compliment anyone you see wearing their Union pins.

James Robinett

Southwest side

Is this why our TEP bills are going up?

This summer, TEP mailed lightbulbs to various households in Tucson. I received a box this week. Inside were six LED lightbulbs and a notice from TEP saying I’ll soon be receiving customized information about my household’s energy usage so I can more easily save energy and manage my monthly costs. In the meantime, they sent me the energy-saving lightbulbs which were mailed from Wisconsin via USPS! Is TEP paying to send lightbulbs to every household in Tucson? Did they not account for those of us who’ve already installed energy-saving lightbulbs in our homes? Wouldn’t a campaign that includes educational literature, the energy usage data their notice refers to, and information where to pick up free lightbulbs, if needed, be more economical?

Jamie Roach

Foothills

Trust what you see

Re: the Sept. 24 article “In picking a president, ageism is a mistake.”

Even if everything the author says may be true generally, it is obviously not applicable to President Biden. It is also generally true that with age comes diminished capacity, both physical and mental. Given that cognitive and physical decline are both on full display with every occasion to view this man, Americans need merely to trust their eyes and common sense.

James Morrison

Foothills

Social Media

I find it amusing that the GOP candidates for president are spending their debate time arguing over whether or not candidates should join TikTok. It is a monumentally idiotic time we live in where this is what the GOP feels is a pressing issue. If you are going to make social media a part of your platform, how about they start with reforming and regulating what these companies are doing with our data? Or how about fixing some of the privacy issues that continue to go unchecked. That would be an actual discussion that needs to happen. Nobody talks about banning TikTok anymore because it’s just not feasible. I know that Sen. Mark Kelly and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema have smartly talked about better regulating these social media companies. Maybe they should join in on the debates and bring some sanity!

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Dennis Rizzello

South side

What I see in Biden

Re: the Oct. 3 letter “Biden: clear, concise and articulate.”

I follow National politics closely and anytime President Biden even approaches being clear, concise, and articulate is when he is reading from a crib sheet or the teleprompter — both written by staff. Most often he is making incoherent comments, unsteady on his feet, and generally exhibiting signs of physical and mental decline.

James Morrison

Foothills

Bidenomics & ‘Biden’ policies

I, for one, look forward to the current president standing on a stage with the former president and debating “his” decisions and policies with the former president.

Border, energy independence, spending, support for continuous war, Green New Deal policies, Justice Department, censorship, Second Amendment and any other of a myriad of issues.

Without a teleprompter, or a voice in his ear, I doubt if he has the presence or fortitude to stand and coherently deliver.

I watch him constantly! I’m a little younger than he is and understand his fragility.

Just observe him.

I, for one, don’t need a Presidential Puppet who doesn’t call his own shots. I need a leader who is decisive, not a puppet such a D. Feinstein (Rest her soul) or President Biden.

My humble opinion.

Richard Barnes

East side

Speakers of the House

Dear Rep. Ciscomani,

Frankly, being one of the new guys, you’re relegated to the back of the Republican House Bus. We know it is being driven by the crazies. From the letters in the Star it appears you’re not that well-liked in your district.

All you need to do is lead six others on the bus to throw the bums to the curb by joining the Democrats and nominating and electing a sensible Speaker of the House.

John S. McCain would be proud. We are counting on you. You could save the bus, the House and the country.

Sincerely,

Ray Omdahl, District 6

Green Valley

Is supporting Ukraine over Putin ‘woke’?

Re: the Sept. 14 article “Crass new talking point regarding Ukraine.”

Rachel Marsden’s article represents the MAGA persistent effort to promote Putin over Ukraine. Putin and Trump’s support and commitment to each other is unshakeable. Trump recently proclaimed withdrawal of all support for Ukraine on his first day of office if elected. Marsden slams Republicans who support defending Ukraine as “Washington elite”. She makes no mention of Putin’s unprovoked, savage invasion and ongoing murder of Ukraine civilians. Nowhere in the article is Putin’s name mentioned. Marsden is unconcerned about the recent Putin-Kim summit and potential sharing of ICBM technology with North Korea. Does she think money spent on south Korea’s and Japan’s security is money wasted, also? For MAGA, NATO is the enemy — not Putin. The advance of authoritarianism is the goal, not democracy. And Putin’s vision for eastern Europe isn’t a bad thing, but a good thing. The Republican party is becoming an active participant in Putin’s geopolitical plan.

Rick Klumpp

Oro Valley