Flagstaff speaks up: Letters to the editor for the week of Feb. 3, 2023
- Updated
Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Arizona Daily Sun.
CNN reported this morning, Jan. 24, 39 mass killings so far this year, and they showed a map where each killings took place. Yes, that's just three weeks into the new year and 39 mass killings across the country already (at least four dead in each incident).
I have said it before: I love my country, served three times in the Armed Services, once in the Marine Reserves and twice in the regular Air Force. I would do it again. I love my country. And I am ashamed of my country. This is not a safe country with the gun laws that we have. There is no other country having the problem we are having -- all in the name of freedom. This is insanity. What about the right to live in a safe country?
I have said it before, we are misinterpreting the Second Amendment. When the gun people quote the Second Amendment, they leave out the first part: " ... a well-regulated militia." How much more can we take and still be considered a "civilized" country? These killings are outrageous. Insanity. An adulteration, a perversion of the idea of freedom.
BOB BOWSER
Flagstaff
(I emailed this note to Congress this morning).
Our disabled veterans are grossly undercompensated. This travesty of justice is causing enlistments to dry up. Danger!
In FY 2023 a totally disabled veteran with no dependents is compensated at the ridiculous rate of $43,463.40 dollars annually. The National Average Wage Index (NAWI) for 2021 was $60,575.07 dollars per annum and the median income for 2021 was $70,784. The per capita GDP in 2021 was $69,288 dollars, among the highest in the world. Huh?!
They have been asking various administrations and Congresses for fair compensation since the end of World War I in November 1918. That was 104 years ago!
In my opinion the basic reason for their gross undercompensation situation is because they are only compensated for projected loss of wages due to their disabilities. They are not compensated for their low quality of life -- which is the norm now in personal injury cases in court. This is done to keep taxation low for the wealthy elites. This is obvious to our young people. They are not interested in accepting the possibility of a lifetime of near poverty should they get injured in the armed forces for the sole reason of allowing our wealthy elites to evade proper and fair taxation.
Our youth are aware that the people that had their assets and overseas business interests protected the most by our now broken former troops pay essentially nothing to support them in their brokenness. Be warned!
Congress must correct this injustice now!
MONTY PETE
Flagstaff
Re: Snow berm burnout, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023
In this article, Samuel Beckett, city streets section director, states that avoiding the creation of berms is "physically impossible." However, other cities, such as Spokane, are able to manage this problem by outfitting their plows with snow gates. These "gates" are hydraulically powered and fit onto the ends of plow blades and can rise or fall at the press of a button. Operators usually lower the gate to protect the entrances and exits to driveways.
I am sure that these are not cheap; however, having elderly people trapped in their homes is not a good alternative. Maybe the city needs to rethink its priorities when it comes to snow removal.
DORLEE HENDERSON
Flagstaff
The federal deficit occurs because we spend more money in Washington than we collect. To balance the budget, spending needs to equal tax revenue. It is not complicated but no administration has accomplished this feat since William Jefferson Clinton from 1998 to 2001. There was no discussion about the federal deficit during the last administration from 2016 to 2020. As a matter of fact, there were three straight years of significant deficit spending before the pandemic that added $4.3 to the federal debt.
Due to the pandemic and an increase in bipartisan federal spending to stave off a recession, the federal deficit reached an all time high in 2020 of $3.2 trillion (What is the National deficit?, fiscaldata.treasury.gov) Under President Biden, the federal deficit has decreased dramatically. It was $2.8 trillion in 2021. It decreased to $1.4 trillion in 2022.
The estimate of the federal deficit in 2023 under the budget already passed is $1.154 trillion, a decrease of $246 billion from 2022. (What is the deficit?, usgovernmentspending.com)
The deficit is decreasing. Now that the pandemic has waned, there needs to be thoughtful and creative compromise by Democrats and Republicans alike in the 2024 budget. An attempt at balancing the budget means not only decreasing spending but also increasing revenue. Once again, as with the debate about raising the federal debt limit, we all have our eyes on our representatives in Washington D.C. Everyone can agree that a bipartisan budget will be necessary given the divided Congress. A majority of Americans from both parties want Medicare and Social Security to continue taking care of our elderly. Both discretionary spending cuts and a corporate tax increase will most likely be necessary to for us to achieve a balanced budget.
How will our two U.S. senators and our representative from the new Second Congressional District compromise in order to pass a budget? Will Mr. Crane truly put our interests in northern Arizona -- broadband internet, access to water, wildfire mitigation, transitioning from coal to green energy, to name a few -- ahead of his desire to be part of the conservative , obstructionist wing of the Republican Party? Time will tell.
Sincerely,
GREGORY JARRIN, MD
Whiteriver
Paul Gosar must truly represent his constituents, as they return him to office even after he posted an anime video depicting his murder of a fellow member of the House of Representatives. He is also known to be a member of the "Freedom Caucus," whose membership is officially secret and whose meetings are closed to anyone except invited members. It is a ironically named caucus of people who have no interest at all in freedom for anybody else, except for themselves as they bully others. The current bullied House speaker has rewarded him with assignments to powerful committees. Bully pulpits ....
Mr. Gosar would also fit well into our Arizona Legislature, which is micromanaging what can be taught in social studies (part of our history being apparently so shameful they don't want students to know it). They most recently are micromanaging what pronouns may be used in classrooms!
For fearful Mr. Gosar and also for our fearful Republican state Legislature, freedom terrifies them; it is the last thing they want. Mr. Gosar and our Legislature share another thing in common. They never fail to disappoint.
CHUCK BARNES
Flagstaff
This is a response to the recent front page article about snow berms. First of all I need to call out the city street section director's comments that it’s "physically impossible to adjust the snowplow blades to avoid creating berms" for what they are. A bunch of malarkey! Straightening the blade for 2 seconds to avoid placing berms is not going to stop those plows. It does take more time and effort.
Twenty years ago I stood up in front of the city council and was told to my face that the reason the plows don't turn their blades to avoid placing mounds of wet sludge in front of your driveway is that it takes too long. To test this theory, I borrowed the plow truck that I had access to at the time and brought it to my street after a pretty good storm had deposited over a foot of wet snow. It took me a minute and a half to plow the entire block in both directions turning the blade to avoid placing any snow in front of the three driveways and one alley on my street. The plow was mounted on an ancient 3/4-ton pickup, badly in need of a tuneup and had no problem doing the job. The city has huge 5-ton or larger trucks and road graders.
The real reason that they don't turn their blades is that its easier to go fast than it is to go slower and do a good job. Nowadays most storms we get here barely require plowing, but for the occasional big ones a different approach is in order. At the very least plow drivers operating in neighborhoods should show some consideration for the people whose tax dollars pay their salaries and stop repeatedly plowing huge berms in front of driveways after big storms. It is a ridiculous and unnecessary burden, especially on the elderly. It would also be helpful to the plow drivers if the police would actually enforce the ban on overnight street parking -- which they currently do not do.
SHAWN BROWNING
Flagstaff
With gun violence escalating more or less exponentially in America, it’s understandable that many Americans want to do away with certain firearms, or all firearms. We collectively, and far and away, own more guns per capita than any other country. Because of how ubiquitous guns are here, and because there is such a gross lack of responsible, trained and mentally stable gun owners, I believe that realistically, I have no intention of ever getting rid of my firearms. How else can I protect myself if necessary in such a scary atmosphere?
What, some of you think? Like it or not, we are too far gone to idealistically get rid of guns across the board. We do however, need a serious solutions to this literal insanity:
•Much more strict and thorough background checks.
•Mandatory gun safety and tactical training.
•Renewable gun operators license.
•Harsher gun violation penalties.
•Increased censorship of TV/film entertainment laden with gratuitous violence.
I feel that’s where our tax dollars need to go for now. Maybe in time, a better and more long-term solution can be reached, but behavior modification takes a good amount of time, especially mass behavior modification. We have gotten too used to Band-Aid solutions in our everyday lives.But maybe I’m wrong!
RICK RESNICK
Flagstaff
Now that they Colorado Basin states have failed to reach an agreement, the federal government will probably impose an agreement, which may cause substantial loss of CAP water to southern Arizona and the resulting harm to cities and agricultural industries.
In northern Arizona, Flagstaff is not dependent on Colorado River water, but we have our own looming water deficit, even after the recent snows. The Woody Mountain wellfield is a good, limited source, but there is abundant water about a thousand feet deeper and that water is probably of very high quality. If I were on the city council, I would want to look ahead 20 years or so and wonder if we shouldn't be testing that deep water supply in the cavernous Redwall Limestone? Something to think about.
CHUCK BARNES
Flagstaff
Given all the publicity the Daily Sun gives for the Babbitt Ranch Hashknife Colt Sale, it sure would be nice if a trickle of attention (both before and after) were given to the Hashknife Pony Express Event in Holbrook. This was the first year I actually caught it in time to attend even a part of it.
MARK CEDERHOLM
Flagstaff
More like this...
CNN reported this morning, Jan. 24, 39 mass killings so far this year, and they showed a map where each killings took place. Yes, that's just three weeks into the new year and 39 mass killings across the country already (at least four dead in each incident).
I have said it before: I love my country, served three times in the Armed Services, once in the Marine Reserves and twice in the regular Air Force. I would do it again. I love my country. And I am ashamed of my country. This is not a safe country with the gun laws that we have. There is no other country having the problem we are having -- all in the name of freedom. This is insanity. What about the right to live in a safe country?
I have said it before, we are misinterpreting the Second Amendment. When the gun people quote the Second Amendment, they leave out the first part: " ... a well-regulated militia." How much more can we take and still be considered a "civilized" country? These killings are outrageous. Insanity. An adulteration, a perversion of the idea of freedom.
BOB BOWSER
Flagstaff
(I emailed this note to Congress this morning).
Our disabled veterans are grossly undercompensated. This travesty of justice is causing enlistments to dry up. Danger!
In FY 2023 a totally disabled veteran with no dependents is compensated at the ridiculous rate of $43,463.40 dollars annually. The National Average Wage Index (NAWI) for 2021 was $60,575.07 dollars per annum and the median income for 2021 was $70,784. The per capita GDP in 2021 was $69,288 dollars, among the highest in the world. Huh?!
They have been asking various administrations and Congresses for fair compensation since the end of World War I in November 1918. That was 104 years ago!
In my opinion the basic reason for their gross undercompensation situation is because they are only compensated for projected loss of wages due to their disabilities. They are not compensated for their low quality of life -- which is the norm now in personal injury cases in court. This is done to keep taxation low for the wealthy elites. This is obvious to our young people. They are not interested in accepting the possibility of a lifetime of near poverty should they get injured in the armed forces for the sole reason of allowing our wealthy elites to evade proper and fair taxation.
Our youth are aware that the people that had their assets and overseas business interests protected the most by our now broken former troops pay essentially nothing to support them in their brokenness. Be warned!
Congress must correct this injustice now!
MONTY PETE
Flagstaff
Re: Snow berm burnout, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023
In this article, Samuel Beckett, city streets section director, states that avoiding the creation of berms is "physically impossible." However, other cities, such as Spokane, are able to manage this problem by outfitting their plows with snow gates. These "gates" are hydraulically powered and fit onto the ends of plow blades and can rise or fall at the press of a button. Operators usually lower the gate to protect the entrances and exits to driveways.
I am sure that these are not cheap; however, having elderly people trapped in their homes is not a good alternative. Maybe the city needs to rethink its priorities when it comes to snow removal.
DORLEE HENDERSON
Flagstaff
The federal deficit occurs because we spend more money in Washington than we collect. To balance the budget, spending needs to equal tax revenue. It is not complicated but no administration has accomplished this feat since William Jefferson Clinton from 1998 to 2001. There was no discussion about the federal deficit during the last administration from 2016 to 2020. As a matter of fact, there were three straight years of significant deficit spending before the pandemic that added $4.3 to the federal debt.
Due to the pandemic and an increase in bipartisan federal spending to stave off a recession, the federal deficit reached an all time high in 2020 of $3.2 trillion (What is the National deficit?, fiscaldata.treasury.gov) Under President Biden, the federal deficit has decreased dramatically. It was $2.8 trillion in 2021. It decreased to $1.4 trillion in 2022.
The estimate of the federal deficit in 2023 under the budget already passed is $1.154 trillion, a decrease of $246 billion from 2022. (What is the deficit?, usgovernmentspending.com)
The deficit is decreasing. Now that the pandemic has waned, there needs to be thoughtful and creative compromise by Democrats and Republicans alike in the 2024 budget. An attempt at balancing the budget means not only decreasing spending but also increasing revenue. Once again, as with the debate about raising the federal debt limit, we all have our eyes on our representatives in Washington D.C. Everyone can agree that a bipartisan budget will be necessary given the divided Congress. A majority of Americans from both parties want Medicare and Social Security to continue taking care of our elderly. Both discretionary spending cuts and a corporate tax increase will most likely be necessary to for us to achieve a balanced budget.
How will our two U.S. senators and our representative from the new Second Congressional District compromise in order to pass a budget? Will Mr. Crane truly put our interests in northern Arizona -- broadband internet, access to water, wildfire mitigation, transitioning from coal to green energy, to name a few -- ahead of his desire to be part of the conservative , obstructionist wing of the Republican Party? Time will tell.
Sincerely,
GREGORY JARRIN, MD
Whiteriver
Paul Gosar must truly represent his constituents, as they return him to office even after he posted an anime video depicting his murder of a fellow member of the House of Representatives. He is also known to be a member of the "Freedom Caucus," whose membership is officially secret and whose meetings are closed to anyone except invited members. It is a ironically named caucus of people who have no interest at all in freedom for anybody else, except for themselves as they bully others. The current bullied House speaker has rewarded him with assignments to powerful committees. Bully pulpits ....
Mr. Gosar would also fit well into our Arizona Legislature, which is micromanaging what can be taught in social studies (part of our history being apparently so shameful they don't want students to know it). They most recently are micromanaging what pronouns may be used in classrooms!
For fearful Mr. Gosar and also for our fearful Republican state Legislature, freedom terrifies them; it is the last thing they want. Mr. Gosar and our Legislature share another thing in common. They never fail to disappoint.
CHUCK BARNES
Flagstaff
This is a response to the recent front page article about snow berms. First of all I need to call out the city street section director's comments that it’s "physically impossible to adjust the snowplow blades to avoid creating berms" for what they are. A bunch of malarkey! Straightening the blade for 2 seconds to avoid placing berms is not going to stop those plows. It does take more time and effort.
Twenty years ago I stood up in front of the city council and was told to my face that the reason the plows don't turn their blades to avoid placing mounds of wet sludge in front of your driveway is that it takes too long. To test this theory, I borrowed the plow truck that I had access to at the time and brought it to my street after a pretty good storm had deposited over a foot of wet snow. It took me a minute and a half to plow the entire block in both directions turning the blade to avoid placing any snow in front of the three driveways and one alley on my street. The plow was mounted on an ancient 3/4-ton pickup, badly in need of a tuneup and had no problem doing the job. The city has huge 5-ton or larger trucks and road graders.
The real reason that they don't turn their blades is that its easier to go fast than it is to go slower and do a good job. Nowadays most storms we get here barely require plowing, but for the occasional big ones a different approach is in order. At the very least plow drivers operating in neighborhoods should show some consideration for the people whose tax dollars pay their salaries and stop repeatedly plowing huge berms in front of driveways after big storms. It is a ridiculous and unnecessary burden, especially on the elderly. It would also be helpful to the plow drivers if the police would actually enforce the ban on overnight street parking -- which they currently do not do.
SHAWN BROWNING
Flagstaff
With gun violence escalating more or less exponentially in America, it’s understandable that many Americans want to do away with certain firearms, or all firearms. We collectively, and far and away, own more guns per capita than any other country. Because of how ubiquitous guns are here, and because there is such a gross lack of responsible, trained and mentally stable gun owners, I believe that realistically, I have no intention of ever getting rid of my firearms. How else can I protect myself if necessary in such a scary atmosphere?
What, some of you think? Like it or not, we are too far gone to idealistically get rid of guns across the board. We do however, need a serious solutions to this literal insanity:
•Much more strict and thorough background checks.
•Mandatory gun safety and tactical training.
•Renewable gun operators license.
•Harsher gun violation penalties.
•Increased censorship of TV/film entertainment laden with gratuitous violence.
I feel that’s where our tax dollars need to go for now. Maybe in time, a better and more long-term solution can be reached, but behavior modification takes a good amount of time, especially mass behavior modification. We have gotten too used to Band-Aid solutions in our everyday lives.But maybe I’m wrong!
RICK RESNICK
Flagstaff
Now that they Colorado Basin states have failed to reach an agreement, the federal government will probably impose an agreement, which may cause substantial loss of CAP water to southern Arizona and the resulting harm to cities and agricultural industries.
In northern Arizona, Flagstaff is not dependent on Colorado River water, but we have our own looming water deficit, even after the recent snows. The Woody Mountain wellfield is a good, limited source, but there is abundant water about a thousand feet deeper and that water is probably of very high quality. If I were on the city council, I would want to look ahead 20 years or so and wonder if we shouldn't be testing that deep water supply in the cavernous Redwall Limestone? Something to think about.
CHUCK BARNES
Flagstaff
Given all the publicity the Daily Sun gives for the Babbitt Ranch Hashknife Colt Sale, it sure would be nice if a trickle of attention (both before and after) were given to the Hashknife Pony Express Event in Holbrook. This was the first year I actually caught it in time to attend even a part of it.
MARK CEDERHOLM
Flagstaff
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