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Hot issues: From Oct. 31 to Nov. 6, the Star received 38 letters with a variety of responses to health-care reform. There were 16 letters critical of the problems uncovered in a series of articles on the Giving Tree (six were supportive). There were 11 letters critical of the way Metropolis salon was evicted from its current location downtown to make way for a restaurant(none approved).

According to Alex Jones' book, "Losing the News," newspaper circulation is both good and profitable. That's encouraging. While television serves an important function, advantages of newspapers are many. For example, results of a lengthy investigation of a local organization were reported in far greater detail than TV media "sound bites" would likely do.

The Arizona Daily Star editorial page regularly publishes analyses by well-known journalists; Thomas Friedman, Ellen Goodman, George Will, Charles Krauthammer and Nicholas Kristof are among those who take positions ranging from conservative to liberal. While one may disagree with a journalist, articles generally are thoughtfully and carefully written.

For high school and college sports fans, analyses of athletic events usually are more informative than TV coverage.

Most gratifying is the flexibility of skimming over articles, then setting the newspaper aside for more thorough reading later. Here's to the continued success of newspapers.

My memory must have failed me as I recently rode the No. 4 bus on Speedway. After I paid the increased fare, the driver popped a wheelie. Prior to this fun gravitational challenge, I had noticed the bus stop in front of Booth-Fickett Elementary on Kolb. Trash littered the perimeter while cigarette butts accentuated the rear of the bench. In an anti-smoking society there are "sinners" who still smoke. Would it be a budget buster to install and maintain trash cans with ashtrays at every bus stop?

Also, I wonder if a requirement to pass the bus drivers' exam is to be able to stop at the last second, at a bus stop, before hitting a baby carriage.

Many people do not realize what they lose when a local paper shuts down. I have an idea that would help demonstrate the contributions that a paper makes to the community. You should create a technique to illustrate which of your stories, features, photos and so forth would not be covered by the Internet. You could insert a small logo or frame the top of the piece with a red line. No doubt you could come up with a simple but effective technique. I do not know if any papers are doing this so you might set a trend.

I am amused and often bemused by the periodic "discovery" of religious images found in unusual places. The latest is a rock allegedly containing the likeness of the Holy Mother. These images often seem similar to paintings executed by famous artists and invariably excite the religiously inclined. But no one knows what these "sainted" figures really looked like. Most likely these talented artists painted their subjects as they wistfully hoped they had appeared — mystical and physically appealing.

For example, the Virgin Mary generally is depicted as ethereal-looking and downright beautiful. But hey, she really could have been truly ugly with buck teeth, crossed eyes and bad skin. Likewise, Jesus is generally represented as handsome with a beard and long hair. Hmm. Jesus could have been a true rebel with a crew cut and clean shaven.

So, please, a little common sense is demanded the next time a religious figure is seen in a bruised grapefruit or on a rusted refrigerator.

Not so long ago the drive north on Oracle Road toward Tangerine was one of the loveliest in the area. Now the highest, ugliest wall has been erected along a particularly scenic portion, completely wiping out the mountain view to northbound drivers. The final insult is the etched mountain peaks in place of the real beauty of that face of the Catalinas. The "decorations" that were promised are no enhancement.

When will Arizona appreciate the beauty of its Sonoran desert and mountain surroundings? Rosemont mine comes to mind, a potential scar in a particularly beautiful area of the Santa Ritas.

I'm sick and tired of all the "bad mouthing" of insurance companies when all you have to do is see the mismanagement, fraud and bureaucracy of our government, including Medicare.

I have represented three insurance companies in my 40-plus years in the business, two of the largest in the U.S. For the last 37 years, I sold and serviced everything: auto, fire, health, life, disability, et cetera.

My business was based on need and trust. We became "part of the family." We were one of the first to be called if our clients were involved in an auto accident or had their home vandalized or damaged by fire, wind, et cetera. They called me for advice and help in a time of need. We worked with them to get it settled quickly and fairly.

So, I say to you insurance bashers, the next time you have a loss or disaster and have to call the insurance company for help, be thankful that there is someone there to help and advise you.

This House bill is not reform; it does more damage than good to most of the country, which is why a large majority of the country is against it.

Here is why: Increased regulation and mandates to private insurers will require everyone to pay higher premiums. Cuts to our Medicare benefits, after we spent decades paying our Medicare premiums, hurt every senior in the country. There is no change to eliminate state-line regulations that impede competition. There is no change to eliminate ambulance chasers and excessive legal costs. It creates an expensive new government welfare bureaucracy.

Call Washington and demand real reform. If my representative, Gabrielle Giffords, votes for this bill, it will ensure the end of her political career. The only question will be if we should wait to throw her out next year, or start a recall petition now.

Twenty years . . . seems like yesterday. This event is a great experience. For me, it's a combination of a cultural past, Mardi Gras, Halloween and modern technology. If you dress up, you are not alone; if you don't, you can still join in or just watch this great spectacle.

The Arizona Daily Star welcomes original letters and guest opinions with ideas, viewpoints, criticism and news analysis that encourage discussion on issues that have an impact on the community.

Please include: Author's full name, address, daytime phone, occupation and e-mail address. When writing about political issues, authors should fully disclose their relationship with an issue, campaign or candidate.

Facts must be annotated. Letters containing information that cannot be easily verified, libelous statements or name calling will be rejected.

Submissions: Letters should be on a single topic, no more than 150 words. Guest opinions can be up to 500 words. Guest opinions should include a line describing the author and a head-and-shoulders photograph.

Submissions may be edited for clarity or length. All submissions become property of the Arizona Daily Star.

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