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To read additional letters and tips on how to comment, visit us online at www.dailystar.com/opinion

Re: the June 1 letter package "Readers show support for Dixie Chicks."

It's an interesting concept of democracy the Dixie Chicks and other left-leaning artists seem to have. They can say what they want as part of their freedom of speech, but if it offends me and as part of my freedoms I choose to not purchase their product I am practicing censorship.

The Dixie Chicks took a position that was not popular with the majority of people who purchase their records and their record sales have dropped. Is the result censorship? No. It is due to a dumb business decision. Dixie Chicks, we are "not ready to make nice" either.

As the 2006 Arizona legislative session nears completion, several important issues remain to be decided on matters relating to the sanctity of human life, immigration, educational choice, and vulnerable populations. The final outcome of these matters will have an impact on many in our society, including some who don't have a voice.

We note with particular attention the legislation that would criminalize those who enter our country seeking a better life and that would place an unrealistic burden on local law enforcement during the immigration crisis that our country is experiencing.

This legislation is not in the best interests of Arizona, and we hope that it will not become law. In these final days of the legislative session, we pray that our elected officials and the governor will make wise decisions for our state, keeping a focus on the common good.

As a legal immigrant, I am horrified that even the president wants to give illegal immigrants a path to citizenship. I say OK to giving them some type of special legal status so they can continue to work and live here with their families, but a resounding no to offering them the highest privilege of American life — citizenship.

Only those who followed the laws to come here should be granted that high honor. Allowing them to stay here in a legal status is enough of a forgiveness, but to give them citizenship is definitely an unwarranted reward.

I am so tired of everyone that points out that illegal immigrants have broken a law and therefore deserve what ever terrible fate they encounter.

If you drive, you know that Tucson is full of lawbreakers. You don't even have to be in a car to violate Tucson's laws. Everyday you can see illegal pedestrian road-crossers walking against traffic lights or in the middle of the road and not at street corners.

And don't get me started with illegal income tax filers. That would probably include just about everybody that files the long form. No, your dog's medical care is not a legitimate deduction.

When it comes to violating laws, only the American without sin should cast the first stone.

As I read Friday's paper, I learn that a 20-year-old was arrested for murdering an 18-year-old, and wonder how many similar stories are in newspapers across the country. Unsupervised children of legal residents, unloved, unwanted, or simply ignored. I also read reports of 16-year-old snipers killing people for no apparent reason, and teenage camp counselors terrorizing younger children under their charge through something called broomsticking.

And I read the hate-filled letters concerning a young lady who graduated among the top in her class, and a mother who brought her to the United States illegally over 10 years ago. A mother who has worked hard at low-paying jobs, paid Social Security taxes she can never collect, paid taxes on their house and everything else she buys.

I wonder just where in the hell our American values have gone?

Re: Ernesto Portillo Jr.'s June 2 column "Cultural battle may propel Latino icons north of border."

In his column, Ernesto Portillo Jr. asks his readers to "consider the flare-up over the Spanish translation of the national anthem." He continues by saying, "Then there's the U.S. Senate vote declaring English the national language."

There are two problems here. One is that the national anthem was not simply translated into Spanish, but the lyrics were completely rewritten.

The other problem has become a cliché: why should English not be the national language of America? Spanish is the national language of Mexico.

It does not take a rocket scientist to understand that Iran is able to ignore the Western world's opinion on atomic weapons because of the oil they have in their country. Without control of such a significant portion of a scarce resource they would be considerably more open to compromise.

Oil money is what allows countries like Iran and Venezuela to thumb their noses at the rest of the world. Without it they would be just another couple of minor irritants.

Re: the May 31 column "Redirect funds to assist neighbors."

Terje Skotheim not only presented a good idea, he has presented the only idea possible. America cannot survive much longer leaving a neighbor in the kind of poverty anyone can see with a quick trip to Nogales. If we leave it like it is, ultimately the Mexican people will elect someone that will make life for us miserable. The idea that we can ignore Mexico and protect a 2,000-mile border is ridiculous.

I believe it is up to American citizens of Hispanic descent, people like Rep. Raul Grijalva, to lead the way. It is they who better understand the barriers of corruption, lack of transparency, inability to collect taxes, and the distortions of the Mexican justice system Skotheim says must be removed so that a healthy economy can take root in Mexico. Let's hear a plan from them.

Re: the May 28 article "Meth victim hopes documentary will save others."

The headline from Sunday's article again shows the bleeding-heart mentality of the Star. The man was his own worst enemy, making the wrong choices, and ended up as he did. If I purposely drive my car off a cliff and end up in a body cast for a year or so, who would call me a victim? Let's tell it like it is.