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Condemn antisemitism, hold Israel accountable

In an Aug. 10 op-ed, Hava Leipzig Holzhauer calls to task an antisemitic letter to the editor by a former judge. Holzhauer rightfully criticizes the letter’s lambasting of Tucson for hosting the Maccabi games. Holzhauer is entirely correct to note the textbook antisemitism of conflating Israel’s actions with those of a non-political sectarian Jewish athletic event.

However, as a Jewish Tucsonan, I will also note that I have not yet heard any of the large Jewish organizations in town publicly condemn the genocide happening in Gaza. We must fight antisemitism, yes; but we also must condemn a genocide done in our name. Decent people are called to do both.

Jonathan Kandell

Midtown

Safer sidewalks

Two weeks ago, President Trump took over the out-of-control Washington, D.C. law enforcement, and there have been no murders since then. Imagine, murders stopped because there is now law and order instead of chaos. Citizens can now feel safe walking around the neighborhood. This has not happened in decades. Watch the news and see stories of murder and crime that was running rampant and stopped. Why? Because the liberal influence has been taken off the throats of law enforcement. It seems, based on the pictures, that violence has been answered with law enforcement and apprehensions. Could this be a way to make the streets safe for the tax-paying citizens? Every city controlled by Democrat administrations has experienced increases in crime, making the streets and stores unsafe. Not surprising, Chicago city leaders do not want help, they just want more federal funding. But, when the media asked everyday citizens cowering on the streets, the answer was different, how can the leaders be so out of touch?

Loran Hancock

Northwest side

Inspiration from local faith leaders

How it warmed my heart to see 75 Southern ����ֱ�� faith leaders, led by the Reverends Tracy Daub and Amalia Vagts, sounding a warning that the political polarization pitting Americans against each other is damaging our humanity and our spiritual well-being. How right they are, and how deeply damaging it is.

Truly evil politicians have figured out that stoking historic prejudices and fears can divide Americans into factions that can be pitted against each other, in the politicians’ ruthless quest for power over the government and the economy.

Our fellow beings of all races, religions, sexes, and economic circumstances are not our enemies. They are children of God deserving of love and care.

As these 75 faith leaders have beautifully reminded us, it is time for us to remember the core teachings of our faiths and refuse to allow ourselves to be herded into the trap of hatefulness, vengefulness and inhumanity.

Brooks Keenan

Oro Valley

The people said no

Regarding Project Blue, once again; the people said no. It’s not just that they “could have been more open,” it’s that they lied deliberately for a reason, sheer deception until it was too late to protest? Monsoon rain is evidently less than two inches and AZ described as in a severe drought, high temps, high power bills and TEP requesting another rate increase? Why don’t you focus on using land around the airport for a commercial/industrial development complete with a PCC branch as a tech school with apprenticeships, dorm for students, hotel/restaurants, pairing development with Mexico and New Mexico, direct daily flights incl. CA and PHX, non-stop interstate & international flights, and mass manufacturing that requires a dry climate, even clothing production, only a few of possibilities. If it’s true that the chip process can reclaim 95% of the water they use, pursue that.

Bea Manderscheid

Northeast side

Precedents

Another school shooting with dead children. More inaction from MAGA politicians protecting the lucrative gun lobby that holds their strings. Project 2029: By executive order of a progressive president, states have 90 days to register all personally owned handguns and assault rifles, or lose federal funding. After 90 days, federalized National Guard units in red states go door to door searching for unregistered and therefore illegal firearms. They will, of course, wear masks. Owners who fail to comply will be deemed a threat to the government, will be arrested, and if the president is in the mood, will be deported. Confiscated firearms will be dismantled and sold for junk, proceeds going to the president’s future library. This is a concept of an unfettered and extreme progressive doctrine, though it would likely save lives. If it seems ugly and unconstitutional, understand the precedent being established by the unfettered and grossly unconstitutional MAGA doctrine unfolding daily. Be careful what you wish for.

Mike Cohen

Oro Valley

Beale — a community partner?

Beale Infrastructure’s single-minded pursuit of Project Blue and enlistment of TEP as a willing and compliant accomplice belies their PR promises of “developing responsibly in partnership with our stakeholders and communities throughout North America.” Make no mistake — they and by extension their private equity sponsor Blue Owl Capital are hell-bent on building this project in spite of community opposition. Yes, they have the option of applying for an industrial use permit to drill a well for their planned project, and they can pump, within limits, all the water they need to cool their server farm — groundwater this community has spent decades and millions of dollars attempting to conserve. So much for community partnership.

Sheldon Clark

Vail

Resist the facade

����ֱ�� Attorney General Kris Mayes continues to resist President Trump and his ongoing publicity stunts. Most recently, Mayes contacted the president about his latest escapade, sending National Guard troops and DEA agents to Washington, D.C., based on a fallacious rise in crime. Her objection focuses on ����ֱ��’s need to retain DEA agents since reducing ����ֱ��’s number by 60 agents impedes the state’s efforts to control drug cartel activity. Attorney General Mayes’ efforts come at a pivotal moment when the legality of Trump’s efforts to control Washington and other cities faces scrutiny. Hopefully, other sensible Attorneys General throughout the United States will follow her rational approach and resist President Trump’s unnecessary political façade.

Roger Shanley

East side

The case for U.S. sovereignty

Being an American is both a right and a privilege.

The right is granted by birth within our borders, as defined by the 14th Amendment. However, practices like birth tourism and unchecked chain migration can strain our legal framework and undermine the integrity of citizenship.

The privilege is earned through lawful entry, learning English, embracing our shared history and values, and contributing to society without overburdening our social safety net. After years of dedication — often a decade or more — those who follow this path become citizens we proudly welcome.

I hold no ill will toward those who bypass our rules; many are driven by desperation, and I might act similarly in their shoes. I also have compassion for DACA “children,” some now in their 40s with families of their own, who face uncertainty due to government inaction. They deserve a fair path forward.

However, let’s not cheapen citizenship by awarding its benefits to those who disrespect our sovereignty.

Jeffrey McConnell

West side

City golf neglect

The City golf courses are in a dismal state of disrepair. Broken sprinkler heads leak water that stagnates in mosquito-infested pools throughout the courses. These sprinklers, in places, have been broken for years. I have not seen an attempt to repair these, although groundskeepers drive all over the course.

These courses can be “jewels” with just a little care from the maintenance staff. Broken cart paths are left broken. If the City sidewalk in front of your house is broken and poses a trip hazard, the City has the right to fine you and repair the sidewalk. The City golf courses must be immune from this safety concern. No money must be the reason for the neglect.

These summer days, after about 11:00 am, the courses are empty of golfers. Perhaps a reduced fare would fill the courses with golfers, and the extra revenue could be used to repair the sprinklers and concrete cart paths. Every empty tee time is lost revenue. Use it or lose it.

Ed LeGendre

East side

Good news for democracy

Since the beginning of Trump’s presidency, our court system has been working overtime to protect our constitutional rights and freedoms.

From January through July, 23 Attorneys General across the country, including ����ֱ��’s Kris Mayes, filed 25 joint lawsuits against his administration to protect our lives and livelihoods and safeguard $1.5 billion for ����ֱ�� alone.

The ACLU filed more than 150 federal lawsuits from protecting birthright citizenship on day one to protecting immigrants’ rights, defending free speech, and demanding legal counsel for detainees in Alligator Alcatraz.

Consequently, federal judges, including those appointed by Trump, have ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and blocked the enforcement of his decrees on grounds they imperil the lives and well-being of American citizens, exceed his presidential powers, and violate our Constitution.

If you appreciate their fight to protect your rights and preserve our democracy, please consider showing your support by donating to AG Kris Mayes and the ACLU. It’s a small price to pay for our future.

Dr. JB Marshall

Oro Valley

This is beyond the pale

In my home state of Washington, the Bear Gulch Fire has already burned over 9,000 acres. It’s the largest fire in the Pacific Northwest. Recently, ICE made the firefighters stop what they were doing, lined them up, and made them show ID. Many of them were indigenous people from the various tribes that live in the state. ICE arrested two of the group. Apparently, the health and safety of residents really isn’t important. It’s clear that Trump is willing to burn the country down so he can rule over the ashes.

Mary Zimmerman

SaddleBrooke

Project Blue innovative solution?

I read with interest the Business Section on Aug. 29 that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company [TSMC] will be building an industrial water reclamation plant ultimately capable of producing a 90% recycle rate. Why can’t Beale and the Project Blue developers consult with TSMC and do the same using recycled wastewater or as earlier suggested by an LTE writer, water piped from an area contaminated by PFAS? In either case, I firmly believe any pipeline should be constructed and sufficient solar battery-stored power added (rather than rely on TEP) before Project Blue is up and running wherever it is ultimately built.

Jennifer Aviles

Southeast side

Fare-free bus service

I agree with the LTE saying “world class service.” And it is so true if you want to know a city ride the bus. I do and I am not homeless, and I strongly support free service. The critics seem to blame the homeless; their solution is to charge for service. That is foolish. The homeless problem is a problem all over the city. Many low-income and students and lots of other Tucsonans love traveling by bus. Charging for bus rides does nothing to solve the problem.

The solution is a bipartisan effort, well thought out and transparent. Yes, it will cost money and work but its pretty obvious it is needed. I have seen homeless on a bus, not a problem.

Go check it out a few times before you criticize.

Dan Bannon

Midtown