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White House

When I saw the roof of the East Wing of the White House demolished, I cried. How can we let the People’s House be attacked in such a manner? How is it that the temporary resident has the power to do this? Where are our Representatives and our Senators? This is our house.

Anne Gooden

Midtown

Are we there yet?

Have we achieved making America great again? If the goal was to reshape America in his image, then we have arrived (in part). Hopefully, this assault on democracy ends in Nov. 2026. DT does what he says out loud (he’s transparent) with a disdain for our citizenry never before seen. DT behaves with a sense of invincibility. His words, expressions and body language are a testament to his being a “menefreghista”, meaning, he is the predicate to authoritarianism. Menefreghista in Italian is defined as “a person who couldn’t care less” or “simply doesn’t give a damn”. (Webster’s New World) Remember Mussolini? He was such a person. A bully against his citizens, he adopted this slogan as a core tenet of the ideal Fascist lifestyle, while rejecting individual liberty and tightening is grip along the way. Yes, we have arrived at a dark place in American politics in the midst of an authoritarian takeover. How invaluable will our 2026 mid-term elections be? Vote.

Ernest Saccani

Foothills

Blink, wink and end the staredown

Arizona Senator John McCain, Republican, said it best in a farewell address: “I’d like to see us recover our sense that we are more alike than different. We’re citizens of a Republic made of shared ideals.” Also, “Shared devotion to human rights is our truest heritage and our most important loyalty.” [Star, May 5, 2018]

Republicans and Democrats engaged in the present playground staredown: First one who blinks, wins for everyone. Then fiercely work out details to sustain health care, lower the national debt (tax the rich, no vanity border walls!), protect the environment and respect the Constitution regarding U.S. military deployment.

I grieve that we cannot restore the demolished East Wing of the White House, but we can defend inherent rights, shared ideals, and the Constitution. As a citizen living in Congressional District 7, I’d also like my elected Representative to be sworn in. “No taxation without representation!”

Ila Abernathy

Midtown

America first?

Donald Trump has no problem finding $40 billion to bail out Argentina while refusing to fund the extension of subsidies for the health care of millions of Americans that Democrats are demanding. $40 billion is enough to extend the ACA subsidies for approximately two years. Remember when Trump said, “I don’t care about you, I just want your vote”? For once, he was telling the truth.

Stanley Steik

Midtown

If you’re a Trump supporter ...

— Civil fraud is OK

— Sexual abuse is OK

— Fake university is OK

— Fake charity is OK

— 34 Felonies are OK

— Six bankruptcies are OK

— Perpetual lying is OK

— Choosing loyalty over qualifications is OK

— Cheating is OK

— Ignoring the law is OK

— Releasing insurrectionists is OK

Even ...

— Destroying The People’s House is OK

Emily Morrison

Midtown

Our tax dollars at work

Trump wants to give Argentina $20-40 billion in US taxpayer money. The question is why? Javier Milei has run Argentina into the ground financially, so Trump, who loves authoritarian leaders, wants to bail him out with our tax dollars. Now let’s look at the real reason for the bailout. Scott Bessent and other investors have invested millions in Argentina, which is on the brink of financial collapse. If that happens, these investors will lose millions. Trump would also benefit, as a number of these financial firms are large financial supporters, Quid pro Quo. Trump’s tariffs are also benefiting Argentina, as China stopped buying U.S. soybeans, which it now buys from Argentina, but that’s okay, Trump plans on giving our soybean farmers a bailout as well. Not to worry, Trump’s cuts to healthcare and social services should help cover the bill. Resist.

Peter Morales

Midtown

Humane AI

James Pollard’s article “Coalition centers AI race on humanity” details the admirable efforts of Humanity AI, a group of ten philanthropic foundations, to direct Artificial Intelligence, AI, for “human interest” rather than allowing “moneyed investors” to focus AI’s future. Dedicating $500 million in the next five years, the coalition’s goal for AI reads “The systems shaping our lives must be powered by people, open by design, and fueled by imagination.” Concerned about AI’s possible overreach, like children using AI for companionship, AI-generated deepfake videos, and “electricity-hungry systems” fed by fossil fuels, the coalition’s leaders, the MacArthur Foundation and the Omidyar Network, provide grants based on one of five priority areas: advancing democracy, strengthening education, protecting artists, enhancing work or defending personal security. Along with the Gates Foundation and the Ballmer Group, Humanity AI’s efforts should be supported so that thoughtful minds direct AI rather than the other way around.

Roger Shanley

East side

Lies, lies and more lies

DMAFB does not own Tucson’s groundwater. It belongs to the public, including some grandfathering. DMAFB has an agreement to pump a “reasonable amount” from a regional aquifer. Data center needs are not reasonable, especially in a desert. This whole operation began with a lie, NDAs and exaggerations, omissions and secrecy, including about easy water mitigation. Three AZ utilities were secretly seeking funding from the Federal government to pursue a location for a nuclear power facility, that turns out to be DMAFB. Where do they plan to dump the nuclear waste that will be with us well beyond endless? Data centers are like measles, 26 days to have one up and running. Jobs are few once AI is established to run the centers, and their voracious need for land threatens future local growth. Current functioning data centers tell the story of their water, power and land needs.

Bea Manderscheid

Northeast side

Trump derangement continues

The reaction by the Democrats about the ballroom Trump is building is laughable. This new addition will be paid for by private funds, no tax dollars. The media states that the White House is the People’s House, not Trump’s. It is the People’s House, and he is making needed improvements just as Presidents have done for decades. Theodore Roosevelt built the West Wing, Truman gutted the entire interior, FDR added the West Wing and swimming pool, JFK built the rose garden, Nixon converted the pool to a press briefing room. Trump’s actions are in keeping with his mantra of America first. Internationally, we are on a parity with our trading partners for the first time. Tariffs are bringing approximately $350 billion used to reduce the national debt. He negotiated the end of the Israel-Palestinian war, and is working on Ukraine and Russia conflict. Once you have set aside Trump’s ego and narcissism and look at what he has accomplished in 10 months, it far exceeds any president in history.

Bill Dowdall

Oro Valley

Bear Witness Now statement

We were pleased and reassured to read the “Bear Witness Now” statement on the back page of the Oct. 25 Daily Star. We share the thoughts and concerns expressed by the more than 100 Southern Arizona Clergy who signed the statement. We would further encourage our U.S. Congressman, Juan Ciscomani, to read this statement and take action to correct the many wrongs identified in the statement, which are being visited upon citizens in his congressional district.

Donald and Marion Slack

East side

Bread and circuses

Roman poet Juvenal called the shot: When government is tyrannical, lawless and feckless, give the masses bread and circuses to keep them from rising up.

Well, it’s bad enough right now: GDP flat inflation rising 3%/month, unemployment up, food up (yes, Donald, beef, soy, coffee, veggies, bread, etc), cars up, rents through the roof, houses higher, Medicaid slashed, and more.

In foreign policy, there’s TACOing with Netanyahu’s massive Gaza war crimes, TACO tariffs on more than 80 nations (many former friends), Europe turning elsewhere for trade and security, Ukraine in limbo, ASEAN entertaining Comrade Xi, the beat goes on.

And the circuses? Federal worker purges, billions in rescissions, the DOJ personal attack dog, assaults by funds and law against universities, partisan military invasions of cities, brown shirt ICE raid deja vus, high seas extra-judicial assassinations.

All of the above soaked in lies. So much for circuses.

What I want to know is: where’s the bread?

Chuck Barrett

Midtown