Letters to the Editor
by Tucson Citizen on Oct. 30, 2007, under Opinion‘Royal’ candidate isn’t sole option in ’08 race
Thank goodness the press is finally starting to write about the establishment of a royal government in the United States (Oct. 22 opinion piece by Garry Duffy, “Royally perplexing“).
I tried my best to convince people back in 2000 that we were heading down a slippery slope. I reminded friends and neighbors of the many social studies lessons we all learned on our little first-grade rugs about the pilgrims fleeing European royalty.
I am one citizen who does not wish to have 24 or possibly 28 years of rule by two families.
And if you need someone to beat you over the head with the reasons why this would not be good, then perhaps we deserve to be ruled by two dynasties for nearly three decades to experience what our Founding Fathers fled and fought and died to prevent.
I extend a request to the Democratic Party: Please do not give the American people 28 years of rule by two families. Offer us another choice in 2008.
RUTH ANN RUIZ
Barrier will curb traffic of destructive humans
So the environmentalists and U.S. Reps. Raúl Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords are miffed about the border fence at the San Pedro riparian area.
Their plan is to protect the environment by allowing illegal immigrants access through this sensitive, fragile area instead of closing it off with a fence.
I read about how illegal immigrants have been trashing our desert and fragile environment for quite a few years now.
I am sure everyone has seen the film and photos of the trash and damage done by these people. If I remember correctly, the environmentalists and our representatives also have complained about said damage.
So what has changed? Is the Mexican government going to eject only their environmentally friendly citizens into the U.S. in the future?
It is quite obvious that protecting the San Pedro is not the issue here or even a concern. If it were, they would not be arguing to have this sensitive area left vulnerable to attack by illegal immigrants.
This is a strictly political move to protect their active support of illegal immigration, so they are willing to sacrifice the environment.
I guess the environmental movement is political after all. Good thing Chertoff has some courage and common sense.
GEORGE DeLONG
Vail
America betraying promise of a better life
Ronald Reagan stood in West Berlin and demanded eloquently that Russia tear down the wall that separated neighbors and families.
He surely would turn over in his grave if he saw his country now building walls separating us from our own neighbors.
Michael Chertoff’s decision to build border walls is a classic example of treating symptoms instead of the cause.
Increased immigration into Arizona has two main causes:
The Border Patrol intention- ally began funneling this traffic into Arizona years ago, saying people would be reluctant to cross our barren deserts. That proved to be faulty reasoning.
Meanwhile, Congress failed to implement a guest worker program so immigrants could legally fill our job vacancies.
We seem determined to cut off our nose to spite our face. If we encourage workers to come here legally, America and Mexico will benefit.
If we yield to anti-immigrant hysteria, we become a fearful nation hiding behind walls, unwilling to overcome our prejudices.
This is not a new problem. America was largely built on cheap immigrant labor. Immigrants over the past 300 years were deeply resented even as they made enormous contributions to our economy and culture. Most of us are their descendants.
When we deny immigrants the opportunities that were extended to our ancestors, we douse the eternal flame of America’s promise of America to the tired and poor.
JAY QUICK
Show more regard for Arizona citizens
Kudos for Chertoff: He finally took a stand on border fencing.
It sure would be nice to have an unbiased newspaper in Tucson instead of the Citizen.
You ruin the meaning of a citizen with your ridiculous stands on issues, primarily the border fence. Why are you more concerned about animals, birds and greenery than Arizona citizens?
A secure fence, which most residents favor, will help to preserve our beautiful desert from all the trash that illegal immigrants leave in the desert.
The authors of your ridiculous articles should spend a weekend in the desert, with people who know the desert, to see what is going on instead of sitting on their butts looking for a subject to put in your paper.
BOB DRAKE
Oro Valley
Posting a concern about border fence
Homeland Security is trying to look as if they’re doing something by continuing to build the fence in the San Pedro area. They are not impressing Arizonans.
Illegal immigrants will find other routes, and Homeland will be ruining a beautiful place (but that’s its way).
Aren’t illegal immigrants also using cheap airfare to get here?
One important matter: Are the fence posts safe? With China sending dangerous items here, have the posts been checked to see if they may pose an environmental hazard?
CLARE GROOVER
