Global climate change Q & A
Re: the May 25 letter “The climate change hoax.”
Q: “If current CO2 levels in the atmosphere will remain for centuries, then how does reducing them now save the planet?”
A: Planet saving will begin when we cease to add Earth-warming greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere. The writer is correct about CO2 longevity but other gasses are less persistent (Methane dissipates in 20 years). Of course, our children, grandchildren and those who follow will need to continue adapting to heat, drought, wildfire, superstorms, and sea level rise.
President Biden’s policies are taking us in the right direction though he’s been trying to use more carrots than sticks. Emissions are slowing and climate scientists are now optimistic about our ability to begin lowering them soon.
People are also reading…
I sympathize with the writer’s concerns about restricted personal freedoms but I also believe that we owe something to the future.
Greg Lewis
Midtown
‘Rigged’ jury
I’ve had the privilege of serving on three different juries here in Tucson. One was a Federal Court case, one a Superior Court and one a Municipal Court. All three were interesting, frustrating, at times boring, but always educational.
For each case we, the potential jurors, were quizzed thoroughly by both defense and prosecution lawyers: what do we read, what are our hobbies, our news sources, our bumper stickers (yes, that was occasionally asked), our jobs, our educational backgrounds, etc. The questions would vary depending on the case involved, but again, both sides had ample opportunities to ask us questions. Perhaps that’s not always true, but to say that a jury is “rigged” because you disagree with the decision, is ridiculous and unfair. And if you’ve never served on a Jury, and have the chance to do so, you should. Not only can it be interesting and instructive, but you’re also doing a favor to our country and to our democratic beliefs.
Felicia S. May
Midtown
Trump trial
Trump was put through a humiliating and ludicrously overblown trial for something that for virtually anyone else would have resulted in an IRS audit. Notice the complete lack of violence, destruction, and rioting demonstrated by the “violent far right extremists” that support Donald Trump after his conviction? Can we please stop pretending that right wingers are the ones exhibiting all the horrible behavior that we see again and again from the left? Also, will you never learn? The more you attack Trump the more popular he becomes.
Evan Stevenson
Green Valley
Less is more
An infirm old guy and a bobblehead for four years is imminently preferable to an inherently corrupt POTUS and his sycophant VP. Why would someone vote for an individual that is expected to sell out anybody at their first opportunity to enrich themselves? I choose less drama, corruption (moral and legal) and incompetence. I prefer experience without magical thinking (Covid).
Besides, VP’s are supposed to be bobbleheads in public. Question is: How effective are they behind the scenes?
Yes, two marginal choices. Less drama is more competence.
James Abels
Midtown
Biden, CIA, FBI, media’s complicity
At the federal Hunter Biden gun trial in Delaware, the prosecution called an FBI agent to the stand carrying a laptop, belonging to Hunter Biden. The agent testified that the FBI had authenticated its contents and it had not been tampered with. Contents of the laptop was used as evidence in the trial. The laptop contained emails from Hunter’s shady foreign business dealings, including the infamous, “big guy” receiving 10% in a Chinese deal. Joe Biden and his campaign team knew that Trump would bring up the laptop in an upcoming debate. So, they reached out to the CIA and had them orchestrate a letter signed by 51 intelligence experts saying the laptop was Russian disinformation. The letter was given to POLITICO and the narrative from the liberal news media began, “Russian disinformation.” Biden called the story “trash” during his debate with Trump. IRS whistleblowers have stated that the FBI verified the authenticity of the laptop in November 2019, but did not reveal it. All complicit in election interference!
Daniella Constantini
Sahuarita
Hamas vs. Israel
On October 6 last year, Hamas invaded Israel killing and capturing as many as they could before retreating and Israel retaliated. On October 7 demands for peace began with the leaders of Western and Arab states offering solutions. For the last nine months, we have heard positive signs that the peace process is working, mostly coming from democratically elected leaders, especially those running for reelection yet failing. Whenever a politician uses the word ‘process’, it means it won’t happen. The reason is that no one is listening to the combatants. Hamas chief in Gaza Yahya Sinwar says that Hamas will not surrender its guns or sign a proposal that asks for that. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that there can be no peace while Hamas remains a military and political force in Gaza.
I believe these two leaders and I do not believe my president.
Jeffrey McConnell
West side
Campaign rhetoric
It is easy to see that we are in the middle of a political campaign based on the number of lies and distortions evident in the commercials. To be up front, I am a conservative and, as such, constantly get annoyed with lies perpetrated by both sides. A recent Biden commercial was discussing the problem with gas prices, declaring that the problem is long term, but I distinctly remember that the price of gas when Biden took office was half the price it is today. I am not going to tell you who to vote for, but I have a suggestion: Ignore the current liberal “the world will end” rhetoric and instead consider the economy before China released COVID and Fauci lied. How was your life back then? Biden’s promises have failed, and 20% inflation is the result of Biden’s directives as accelerated inflation started when he took office. Hard decisions make the difference in the long term, but did you make the wrong decision in the past?
Loran Hanco*ck
Northwest side
Dumping chaff
When a military aircraft is attacked with heat seeking missiles, the pilot will eject flares or “dump chaff” from the aircraft — there by distracting the missiles because the flares will burn hotter than the engine of the aircraft. Mr. Trump’s latest statement that he did not issue calls to “lock her up” is to my mind dropping “chaff” on the subject as I can remember seeing on the newscast both Mr. Trump and Mr. Steele stoking the crowds at their rallies with calls to “lock her up” during the Trump campaign for her use of a server with her emails.
I would be the first to agree that all politicians and political parties “dump chaff” when asked questions where the truth is asked for and is uncomfortable to relate to the public at large; but I believe Mr. Trump has developed misdirection to a exceedingly high degree — whether he actually believes what he himself is saying is worth considering before the next election.
Richard Rebl
East side
Observation
It has occurred to me that countries are like ships. The ship moves forward as long as everyone paddles in the same direction and the helm is kept in the middle. If everyone paddles in different directions or the helm is held to the port or starboard the ship goes nowhere. If you start tearing down the hull the ship will flounder. If you destroy the keel the ship sinks.
Thomas Wenzel
East side
Thank you to Steller
Re: the May 19 article “Flip-flop on Taylor marks Conover’s term.”
Dear Mr. Steller,
Louis Taylor and I grew up in the same part of Tucson. We were adversaries, probably based on nothing more than skin tone, and I had a bike and he didn’t. Our paths crossed often and ran parallel for a while during our high school years. After the hotel burned and they said he did it, I found it hard to believe he started the fire. Louis wasn’t that guy.
I’m writing not to tell you that story per se, but to say thank you for shining a light on some of the barriers that Laura Conover has been facing as she takes action against the status quo’s hardline conservative and aims for a more fair and equitable system that leads to a reduction in crime. Ultimately it will take understanding through education the importance of equality, that will ultimately solve crime.
Larry Robinson
Northwest side
Short-sighted voters
Are we that shortsighted?
A letter writer opined that with the price of gas and the rise in mortgage rates he was better off four years ago than he is today. So, what does that mean?
That in November he would vote for fascism, revenge and violence because of the price of gas? Are we Americans so shallow and shortsighted?
As that letter indicates, unfortunately some of us are.
Margaret Scott
Midtown
HR 4992, a firearm regulation bill
I recently wrote to my Congressman in support of HR 4992, legislation which would mandate the traceability of firearms, prohibiting the manufacture, sale, possession or ownership of firearms without serial numbers, and require that businesses selling firearm kits obtain dealer licenses. The Congressman’s response stated that he would keep my support in mind if the bill comes to the House floor for a vote. This seems to be my Congressman’s standard response and a not very helpful one. But how would Mr. Ciscomani vote? Does he decline to say in anticipation that the bill, sitting in Jim Jordan’s Judiciary Committee, will never reach the floor? I’d like to have my Representative respond by telling me how he’d vote and his reasons, especially on legislation regulating firearms. After all, this was Gabby Giffords’ district. We know the way she, Ron Barber or Ann Kirkpatrick would have voted, and the way Kirsten Engel will vote in 2025 if we turn CD 06 blue.
Frank Bergen
North side
Border medicine confiscations
Re: the June 9 article “Border medicine confiscations lead to harm.”
I would like to add my voice to the concerns raised about Border medicine confiscations. I am a volunteer provider with CHAMPS/SEAHEC at Casa Alitas, and I have seen first hand the harmful effects caused by border authorities confiscating migrants’ medications. Migrants have arrived at the shelter with dangerously elevated blood pressures and blood sugars after being deprived of necessary meds. Seizure medications and anti-depressant medications have been taken away, causing risky withdrawal effects. Antibiotics have been stopped in the middle of the course, resulting in inadequately treated infections and potential resistance. This practice is inhumane, pure and simple. Physicians are taught to “first do no harm.” What about the harm inflicted on these vulnerable people by the border agents who have no medical training and no business seizing necessary prescription medications? I urge the Customs and Border Patrol to end this wasteful and dangerous practice immediately. It is not just an inconvenience — people’s lives are at risk.
Maureen Oskandy, M.D.
West side
Get yourself a rain gauge
The monsoon will start soon (I hope). Unless you live near the airport, if you have some kind of yard you should have your own rain gauge in it.
I live about 10 miles from the airport, and the amount of rain we get varies drastically from there. Sometimes I get a lot more (or less) rain than my neighbor across the street.
Since I want to know what I get, and not what the airport got, I bought a cheap rain gauge. So far this year I have recorded almost two inches more rain in my backyard than the airport received. Some years it is much less.
The only way to know how much rain you get is your own rain gauge.
Graeme Williams
Southeast side
The fog that is Fox News
Would that the fog lifts from the eyes of a recent loyal Trump pigeon, apparently getting his crackpot ideas from the Putin propaganda machine that incessantly promotes hatred for each other. Who ARE these people enthralled by the Gutfeld show, for example. Who IS this tattooed, thuggish looking guy with the backward cap, seemingly permanently stuck in a barcalounger.
Right-wingers complain that liberals claim to be more educated and superior to them. Hey, if the shoe fits.
It may or may not be true that liberal thinkers are more educated and intelligent but what is for sure is that libs are a more unbigoted, open-minded, generous, tolerant and enlightened lot. They don’t mindlessly project character flaws they are most guilty of themselves onto others. Only other pigeons fall for that, and they don’t offer bully threats to the other side. Any quarter wit knows who the real bullies are, where the destruction of democracy is coming from and who the real cowards and narcissistic convicted felons are.
William Muto
SaddleBrooke
v
'); var s = document.createElement('script'); s.setAttribute('src', 'https://assets.revcontent.com/master/delivery.js'); document.body.appendChild(s); window.removeEventListener('scroll', throttledRevContent); __tnt.log('Load Rev Content'); } } }, 100); window.addEventListener('scroll', throttledRevContent); }
Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion
Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community.
Catch the latest in Opinion
Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!
