Opinion - Civility Learning Lab

Sowers: Trump making more enemies than friends

Yes, in Trump 2.0, for every new friend he made, he also made two to three more new enemies. I found that out by entering that as a question to three different artificial intelligences, and they all stated essentially the same thing. more

By Arthur E. Sowers | 10/28/26

A call for refugee support

OPINION — In this fraught time when so many freedoms are endangered, this letter calls for support for vetted refugee immigrants. This October, the Department of Homeland Security cut the … more

By Kristine Bartanen | Fountain Hills | 10/28/26

Spampinato: Argument to vote for GOP off base

Deirdre Taylor wrote a lengthy Opinion piece promoting Republicans continuing to run the country (“Vote Republican to keep moving US forward”). Let’s take a look at some of her rationale. more

By Phil Spampinato | 10/28/26

What first responders carry home after the call ends

OPINION — For first responders, what most of us would consider an extraordinary crisis can simply be part of a Tuesday. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, correctional officers and paramedics routinely face circumstances many people may experience only once, if ever, in their lifetime. more

By Luanne Brookover, MC, LPC, CCTP | San Tan Valley | 10/28/26

Arizona elections are transparent, honest

OPINION — Arizona’s election system doesn’t rely on blind trust. It’s built on transparency. Ballot processing and other activities at the Maricopa County Tabulation & Election Center are livestreamed 24 hours a day. Teams of political observers from the various political parties monitor ballot verification procedures, tabulator checks and other operations. more

By Robin and Joe Schaeffer | Mesa | 10/27/26

Phoenix Symphony pausing performances, programs is devastating

OPINION — I’ve watched thousands of children walk into Symphony Hall over the years. Before they hear a single note, the students look up and take in the environment. ... Phoenix needs to understand what we’re losing. more

By Beth Maloney | Phoenix | 10/27/26

Shouldn’t campaign finance outrage apply to Hamadeh, too?

OPINION — Campaign finance outrage? Apply it to Abe Hamadeh, too. Jacquelyn Loiselle’s October 7 letter asks whether Bernadette Greene-Placentia’s financial reporting problems reflect “incompetence or something worse.” That insinuation outruns the evidence she presents. more

By Deborah Hall | Sun City | 10/27/26

Accessibility isn’t a luxury in Sun City West

OPINION — At RCSCW’s Oct. 8 facilities meeting, I asked whether the doors to Ping Pong, Zymurgy and Racquetball at lower R.H. Johnson were included in ADA survey recommendations. Unlike other clubs I’ve visited, these have no automatic door openers. more

By Jim Jones | Sun City West | 10/27/26

Why I believe partisanship is bad for democracy, and what we can do

OPINION — Partisanship is bad for democracy, in my opinion. I have worried about how to teach my children what healthy politics look like when their only experience is the current political landscape. more

By Brittany Icely | Tucson | 10/27/26

Politics more important than a baseball game

OPINION — I love the Milwaukee Brewers and even more being from Wisconsin. However, politics must come first. This is especially true for the most vulnerable people in our community and nation. … more

By Alfred Southall | Fountain Hills | 10/27/26

Politics, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

OPINION — Those political bureaucrats governing under the influence of globalist-socialism, having forsaken their primary responsibility for protecting domestic tranquility, are not necessarily … more

By Rick Dime | Fountain Hills | 10/27/26

The bond invests in Scottsdale’s future

OPINION — Scottsdale Unified School District is one of the best public-school districts not just in Arizona, but in the nation. The reality is that many of our school facilities have not seen … more

By George Jackson | Treasurer, Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce | 10/27/26

Can’t wait for Paradise Valley council to act on leaf blowers

OPINION — Following the town council’s Oct. 22 study session on leaf blowers, one thing is clear: residents shouldn’t count on the council to lead any effort to reduce leaf blower noise and … more

By Maja Wessels | Paradise Valley | 10/27/26

McCabe: There’s a better way to address arrest info

When it comes to public safety, protecting individual rights and maintaining public trust are not competing priorities. They are responsibilities that law enforcement must balance every day. more

By Chief Rick McCabe | 10/27/26

Sounds of Autism founder endorses Donna Davis for MCCCD Governing Board

OPINION — I am proud to support Donna Davis’s reelection to the Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board. more

By Cricket Barrientos | Goodyear | 10/27/26

Dreyer: Let’s not let AI think for us

There was an excellent Opinion piece by Nancy Mercante posted recently (“Will AI transform Delaware education?”). more

10/27/26

Scottsdale must change course on water, vote for Zubia

OPINION — Councilmembers Barry Graham and Jan Dubauskas’ water comments make clear: they either don’t understand — or don’t want you to understand — Scottsdale’s challenges. After … more

By Solange Whitehead | Member, Scottsdale City Council | 10/26/26

Arizona’s health care system needs to improve

OPINION — I pray to God something improves with our health care system. My husband is dead and gone because the health care system here in Arizona failed him. I called 911 because my husband … more

By Patricia Brooks | Scottsdale | 10/26/26

We choose Scottsdale residents, Zubia chooses special interests

OPINION — A simple theme has emerged in this city council election: We choose Scottsdale residents, while Raoul Zubia consistently chooses special interests. That difference is obvious on the … more

By Michelle Ugenti-Rita and Barry Graham | Scottsdale | 10/26/26

Candidates talk green energy, rate increases

OPINION — Recently, I had an opportunity to participate in a forum for ACC candidates sponsored by two faith-based Phoenix organizations. All of the candidates were invited, but only Clara Pratte … more

By Bill Janiga | Paradise Valley | 10/26/26