Mailbag

It's All About Creationism, Baby

Tom Danehy is right: President Bush is going to be re-elected, but not because Democrats don't have it together (Danehy, April 22). They do have it together, but most Americans are too fucking stupid to recognize it.

President Bush will be re-elected because he is a fundamentalist, evangelical Christian. Only 28 percent of Americans believe in evolution, and the other 72 percent believe in divine creation or some such nonsense. President Bush does not believe in evolution but does believe in divine creation. This is why he will be re-elected.

Patrick Bishop


The White House's Focus on Iraq Harmed America

Tom Danehy makes some good points about the need for Democrats to counter the spins and lies being tossed out by Republicans (specifically from the Bush White House). However, there was one point he tried to make that I have a problem with: He said the Dems need to distance themselves from the ridiculous charge that Bush knew about Sept. 11 before it happened.

I agree, but this is actually a Republican spin. The real point is that Bush and his inner circle were so obsessed with Iraq, they failed to recognize real problems that deserved attention and priority. And this was not limited to terrorism.

The Sept. 11 Commission's task is to determine what we can do to prevent future tragedies, based on what we failed to recognize or do prior to Sept. 11. The issue with Bush is not about what was known beforehand. Rather, it was the failure to assess what was known beforehand by a small group of people (Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, etc.) who had already made up their minds about what was important (Iraq), before taking any input (and, apparently, NEVER taking any input).

You would do the Dems a great favor by helping to clarify this point in your column. This problem is unprecedented in this country, and it presents a real danger to our future. We need a president who will make informed decisions based on existing facts, not solely on political ideals and bad advice, as is currently being done.

Michael Dunn


George W. Bush: Killer of Democracy?

I read Tom Danehy's columns every time I get a hand on the Tucson Weekly. And I like to get a hand on every Tucson Weekly issue. His article in the April 22 paper says a lot; I totally agree.

I need to explain that I am European. I am Dutch; I cannot vote, I am a permanent resident. I arrived here in the year 2000--yes, the year with all the flaws in Florida, the year of the election of George W. Bush. After that, things started to tumble. No, it is not Bush's fault some fundamentalists decided to attack the towers in New York. He could not have prevented that happening, nor can he now or in the nearby future. Nor can anyone.

The point is, he made the huge mistake of going after his personal grievance instead of taking the responsibility of being the president of the most powerful nation in the world. He deceived his own people and went to Iraq with the wrong arguments. More than 700 American soldiers is the toll right now, and yes, he did that without real allies, except for Tony Blair. I supported the invasion of Afghanistan. I supported the first Gulf war. But this, I cannot support.

The Netherlands are in Iraq, but the people of the Netherlands are not supporting this at all. It is like Britain, Poland, Spain, Bulgaria and Japan (not to mention Portugal, France and Germany). Please be aware that those countries are all standing behind the American people, but not behind this administration. Please realize that these actions, combined with the support of Mr. Sharon in Israel, is going to result in a boomerang effect. And the cause of it is oil, which is equal to power.

George Bush has his own political and commercial agenda, and another four years of his administration will get this country in real distress. I feel committed to democracy, and I am politically involved. My conclusion is George Bush is killing democracy in a slow but deadly way.

Peter Huisman


Bush Is Protecting Us; Kerry Won't

Tom Danehy says that George W. Bush is "pissing away all of the international goodwill that had been built up." Well, with all the "good will" that Tom spreads in his column every week, President Bush must be pissing right on Tom.

It seems Tom's more afraid of President Bush getting re-elected than he is of the terrorists attacking this country again. Tom can rest assured that the terrorist won't attack this country again if President Bush remains in the presidency, unlike if Kerry gains the presidency.

For now, Tom is living proof that it's better to be pissed on than to be pissed off.

Roland Molina


Defending Club 21 From a Mostly Positive Review

We started eating Mexican food at Club 21 more than 50 years ago, and still manage to drive across town at least once a week (we live in Vail). We were perplexed by the tone of your review ("Neighborhood Mexican," April 22). For what was basically a positive review, you certainly seemed to have a lot of negatives--about such silly things. The service was TOO attentive? Come on!

The neighborhood has certainly deteriorated since the early '50s, I will admit. But the carne seca is what I buy at least a couple of times a month: sometimes in a taco, sometimes on a tostada. Occasionally, when I'm very hungry, I'll order the combination plate. It is my benchmark for measuring carne seca all over the Southwest, and though I do like the carne seca at El Charro, it's still second to that made by George Jacob at Club 21. And the tortillas!

I'm sure someone has told you about how much liquor it's now legal to serve to one person at one time.

Anyway, thanks for the kind words you did spend on the Club.

John Davis


Judge Says to Vote Yes on Question 3

The city court building at 103 E. Alameda St. was originally built as multi-story parking garage in the 1960s and converted to a courthouse 18 years ago ("Court Bond," April 8). Most courtrooms have support poles, which interfere with the line of vision between litigants and the judge, and the building layout makes it difficult to keep prisoners separate from the public.

The justice court building was built in 1924, originally housing the Pima Superior Court, and is now on the historical register. The building has 23 different entry points, which has made court security a significant worry. Recently, public access has been restricted to one second-story entrance, where a metal detector causes increased delays in the public entering and exiting the courthouse.

The proposed bond provides $76 million to build a joint courthouse. The Pima County Justice Court would have 165,000 square feet and a minimum of 16 courtrooms in this joint complex, while the Tucson City Court would have 172,000 square feet and a minimum of 22 courtrooms. This complex would allow both courts to share facilities and space such as elevators, a central heating and cooling plant, prisoner holding areas, public restrooms, security screening, jury assembly room, entrance lobby, etc. It would also eliminate confusion for citizens who are often unsure which court they need and where it is.

The Pima County Consolidated Justice Court and the Tucson City Court are under tremendous stress as they attempt to operate in the 21st century using 20th-century facilities.

The need for new courthouses is desperate. We can pay once now for a joint court complex or twice later for two individual courthouses. Voter approval of Question No. 3 in the May 18 bond election will be a significant step in the right direction.

Hon. John S. Leonardo, presiding judge