Tucson Speaks Out: April 24

Small planet, big problems

Not being content with devastating our economy, Trump is continuing to attack our environment.

Old coal-generating plants that were scheduled for closure will now continue to expel toxic chemicals into our air and water due to an executive order by President Trump.

Mercury, a toxin emitted from coal, causes brain damage especially in children. It is in our air, water and the fish we eat.

Like tariffs, Trump has an obsession for coal, which he calls “Beautiful Coal.”

Our environment is our life and the existence of our planet.

Dale Lindstrom

Marana

A stronger TEP franchise agreement

Thanks to Barbara Liguori for the op-ed on negotiating a better franchise agreement between the city and TEP (Star, April 22). As she points out, other cities are moving closer to renewable energy by negotiating with their electric utility companies.

One notable example is Salt Lake City, which negotiated a franchise agreement with Rocky Mountain Power to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2032. Thanks to advancements in clean energy production and transmission, that goal is now 2030, two years ahead of schedule.

Record heat last summer caused increasing demand for air conditioning, leading to record profits for TEP. TEP should invest $40 million of those profits to help the city deal with the heat caused, in part, by TEPs use of fossil fuels to create electricity. That $40 million investment should be a key part of the new franchise agreement. Tucson voters should accept nothing less.

Mike Carran

Marana

Endangering American pilots

During WW2, bars in our port cities had posters saying “Loose Lips Sink Ships”: German spies reported sailings, routes, etc., mentioned by careless seamen. Hegseth should think about this instead of holding insecure phone parties for his relatives and hangers-on, while dodging the issue of putting American pilots in danger.

I have pointed out in the past, before the election, that well more than a hundred military and Defense people signed a public letter from John Kelly, last Chief of Staff to Trump, stating that Trump was “unfit for the office.” Now we have even more reason to see why. In fact, I’m sure that Hegseth’s appointment was Trump’s revenge for that letter. And the Senate was afraid to seriously consider all the japes that came out in the hearings.

Herbert Schneidau

Foothills

Opinion piece by William Mordka

I just want to agree with William Mordka’s Opinion of April 22. As a 58-year resident of Tucson, I too, have become a Tucson “apologist”. I agree with everything he said, and we all need to start cleaning up the streets of the Old Pueblo and get into office those who care about the city and the county. Those of us who reside in the county have no say as to who gets into office and yet we have to live with their choices and regulations. We need to change that so that people living outside of the city limits can participate in voting and get into office people who care about our city and not just about the political parties but the city, county and especially the citizens living here.

Sheri Akey

Foothills

Explained

As a moderate, registered Republican, I will explain to Jeffrey McConnell that all persons in the United States of America are afforded the same Constitutional rights, regardless of their legal status. 14th Amendment, Section 1:” …nor to deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

That’s the theory. That’s not the practice, as indicated by the inequitable treatment of the various “others” groups throughout U.S. history. Treatment of “others” has improved over time. Unfortunately, equitable treatment is being reversed under the current administration.

Why not pursue your Constitutional rights? Practice Trump’s theory. In October 2019, Abrego Garcia was granted a “withholding of removal” order based on his “well-founded” fear of persecution. How did that work out for him?

James Abels

Midtown

Deport insurrectionist Trump

1,270 riotous insurrectionists tried to stop Congress from certifying the president’s election on Jan. 6, 2021. Each rioter received a due process fair trial under the law, in which valid evidence was presented, and each had the opportunity to defend themselves. Each convicted rioter was judged guilty by a jury of peers. Only the ringleader of the anti-democracy rebellion, the leader who told them to “fight like hell,” escaped trial and conviction. His lawyers masterfully played every “due process” trick in the book.

Then, on Jan. 20, 2025, the insurrection leader, reelected President, pardoned the convicted rioters.

Now, Trump is invoking the ancient Alien Enemies Act of 1798, and Insurrection Act of 1807, to deport alleged “enemies” without any due process as required by law.

That one anti-democracy perpetrator, the traitor who evaded judgment, should be forced to stand trial now. If convicted, he should be deported to El Salvador.

Bruce Joffe

South Tucson

Celebrate innovation

April 26t is World Intellectual Property Day. As home of the U of A, it’s important to celebrate the contributions of creators, inventors, and entrepreneurs who push the boundaries of innovation. With the current political climate creating so many unknowns, we must recognize all the hard work that goes into the various industries that make our country a leading driver in various sectors of our economy. The biotech and pharmaceutical industry is one where tremendous strides are being made to provide cures for diseases like cancer or Alzheimer’s. This could not be done without a government that fosters these innovations and groundbreaking research that requires years and years of trial and error. IP has also enabled the U.S. to lead in various electronics, manufacturing, and software industries that have become so integral to our daily lives. So, as we celebrate World IP Day, I hope we will all take a moment and urge the leaders in our federal government to protect these innovations and encourage them through their policymaking.

Sherry Goodstone

Midtown

Vandalism, graffiti at Chabad Tucson

This morning on the wall of the synagogue, it said “Abolish Apartheid and Abolish Israel”. That phrase in fact says let’s get rid of 7 million Jews, that is truly genocide. If you have Ethiopian Jews, Israeli Arabs, gays, trans, all kinds living in Israel, what makes it an apartheid state? This vitriol and hate has to end. Protesting is free speech, but asking for the complete destruction of a race of people is so horribly wrong. As an American Jew and a Zionist, I ask those who hate, those that choose to continue this madness, to sit down with us and try to have a peaceful conversation. We are surrounded by Jordan, Syria, and Egypt; our sovereignty and safety is always on high alert. Leave our property alone, we do not protest, we do not destroy, we pray for peace and the return of all hostages, you should do the same, maybe this will all end.

Andrew Kunsberg

East side

The border is not wide open

I am a progressive, liberal Democrat. Jeffrey, you asked for an explanation regarding immigration. You may not like what I am going to write. But here goes.

The practice of giving asylum has a long history. Originally, it was a religious obligation related to church as sanctuary.

The United Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 from the United Nations General Assembly set out universal rights. The Refugee Convention from the UN in 1951 expanded rights to prohibit the return of a person to a country where they might face persecution.

Immigrants who made it to the border could present themselves and express intention to seek asylum. They would undergo a credible fear interview with accompanying documents (vetting). If found credible, they would be referred to immigration court (due process) to formally apply using Form I-589. At this point, they become legal. (They cannot vote or get benefits). My question is, how far would you go to save your child?

Margaret Gordon Magruder

Downtown

Trump, really?

Trump: “Harvard has been hiring almost all woke, Radical Left, idiots and ‘birdbrains’ who are only capable of teaching FAILURE to students and so-called ‘future leaders’. Harvard is a JOKE, teaches Hate and Stupidity, and should no longer receive Federal Funds” (as reported verbatim by Politico). This is our President and the leader of the free world speaking. He’s an embarrassment to many, and I would hope most, U.S. citizens. Will he next try to mandate that professors do manual labor like China’s Cultural Revolution of the last century? And universities are only one object of his wrath.

Please keep these and many other of Trump’s demeaning, inflammatory and revolting words and actions in mind when you vote in the 2026 midterm elections.

Dale Keyes

Northwest side

Courage!

After reflecting on the directive to eliminate all DEI, Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott Corp (over 800,000 employees), said, “We welcome all to our hotels and we create opportunities for all ... and those will never change.” Contrast that with those, including Apple Inc., Amazon, Google, Nvidia, Tesla and Microsoft, all of which corporations contributed vast sums to the January presidential inauguration. And decide which businesses merit your continued support.

Kenneth Haber

Northwest side

Re: (Un)due process letter

As an independent American who is very proud of his Mexican heritage and culture, I will write slowly so you can understand. The Constitution is what makes America great. The 5th and 14th Amendments guarantee due process. Just recently, SCOTUS voted 9-0 to halt deportation until due process was completed. If you are still befuddled, I suggest you get off the MAGA media. You don’t have to believe the “lame media.” Just pay attention to the Supreme Court.

Guillermo Robles

Foothills

Not-so-happy Earth Day

As Trump systematically destroys everything that makes America great, pay attention to impending environmental destruction of our country and planet.

The world is moving toward an economy fueled by green energy and acknowledges that man-made climate change is real. Yet, our Administration wants to take us back to the 19th Century. For Trump, it’s always about the money. He is keeping his promise to his oil buddies and other commercial polluters for funding his re-election. The EPA is rolling back major environmental regulations from protecting our water and air to reducing limits on mercury, methane leaks, and PFAS. What do you want to bet that we will see a pause or dropping of current federal cases against major polluters who donated to Trump’s inauguration?

EPA’s actions are purportedly to “Power the Great American Comeback.” This kind of “comeback” will assist in destroying life on Earth. To add insult to injury, the administration is stripping references to climate change from federal websites.

Kathy Krucker

Midtown

Immigration and the rule of law

Not as a Democrat nor as a Republican or Independent, but as an American, Mr. McConnell, the basic answer to your simple due process question is that we are a country that follows the rule of law. Please do not be befuddled or chagrined. Many do not understand. If charged with an offense, we all, immigrants and citizens alike, in this great country, are entitled to be heard by an impartial judge, in this case an immigration judge. And adjudicated appropriately. Have you heard the phrase “innocent until proven guilty”?

John (Jay) Van Echo

West side

Disgusting people with no courage

Adolf Trump’s Easter message and Marjorie Taylor Greene’s statements about Pope Francis were gutless and cowardly. Pope Francis was right: They are not Christians when they degrade, the poor, mentally handicapped and physically disabled.

Pope Francis saw through Trump, as we have in the USA. Pope Francis preached love and peace. Maga Christians preach hate. I will never forget MTG and Trump’s hate to all, including to a holy man preaching love and peace.

David E. Leon

Vail