In response to the Aug. 17 article "8 RAF Tornados roar into Tucson starting Aug. 27": How absolutely thoughtless of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base to fly these horrendous noisemakers over our city, destroying the quality of life here and probably affecting the hearing of the citizens. Of course there will be complaints, and of course D-M will ignore them. There is no thought of being a good neighbor to the people of Tucson, none at all. D-M could care less. I hope this will cause a stir that will lead to the closing of the base. I don't know how long I will want to remain in a community that will be famous for being a city that allowed the deafening of its citizens. I am researching alternatives. This is nothing short of noise pollution and is abusive and inhumane. When will we stand up and fight against D-M abuse? Su Egen

 

Tucson

 

It is good news the Iraqi constitution's passage has been delayed. The most recent draft established the Iraqi legislature cannot make laws contradicting Shariah edicts. Because Shariah laws grant husbands absolute authority over their wives and fathers over their unwed daughters, women would be far from equal. Additionally, Haman Hamoudi, head of the constitution committee, refused to add to the draft men and women have equal rights. In response, President Bush expressed "hopefully" the drafters of the constitution would treat women equally. It is true the Iraqis should decide their own destiny, but the blood of American soldiers is too high of a price to pay to allow this injustice. Iraqi Shiites, those pushing for Shariah rule in government and civil laws, need our troops to keep the peace. The Bush administration needs to use the threat of immediate withdrawal of all American troops to demand equal rights for all Iraqis. Michael Banner

 

Tucson

 

The case of Cindy Sheehan is one of pain and loss of a loved one. However, that loss is no more significant than the loss of the other 1,874 mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, and husbands and wives since this conflict began. Sheehan has no right to try to strong-arm a visit with Bush, even though she may disagree with the conflict in Iraq. I may not agree on the actions the president took in Iraq, but I also do not agree with the actions of Sheehan. It is unrealistic to expect Bush to set a precedent and meet Sheehan. That would mean Bush would have to meet with all the other families who have lost loved ones. And while the loss of a son is devastating, Sheehan's loss is no more devastating than any other loss of American life in this conflict. I do not appreciate her approach, and frankly she should go home. Clarence Ragland

 

Tucson

 

I looked in my dictionary for the word "fascism" and found this definition: "A philosophy or system of government that advocates or exercises a dictatorship of the extreme right, typically through the merging of state and business leadership, together with an ideology of belligerent nationalism." There are people in our world who believe in this concept of government. I believe I have met some of these people, and I have read some of their writings on the editorial pages of some newspapers or seen them on TV. I also believe this is the philosophy of the Bush administration now governing our United States. The state is definitely merging with business leadership. Look who is vice president! Dick Cheney has great power and certainly represents business; Bush's friends are in the oil business. And, making this definition even more fitting, his government has practiced belligerent nationalism by attacking Iraq with no legitimate reason. We must fight this fascism and get our troops home and our democracy back. Larry Cowell

 

World War II veteran and member of Veterans for Peace, Tucson

 

It remains beyond belief the two good Samaritans who work with No More Deaths have been indicted as though they were smugglers. Some say these efforts abet illegal immigration. This is beyond inaccurate. It is downright mean-spirited. In the past year, a group with established ties to hate groups has received no backlash from the Border Patrol. Some members of the so-called Minuteman Project carried weapons, despite assurances they would not. Members of this group distributed white-supremacist literature, and some identified themselves as members of the largest neo-Nazi group in America. This group has been treated by the public, the press and the Border Patrol with kid gloves. At the same time, the government is going to vast expense to prosecute two good Samaritans, members of a group whose only mission is to save lives. Those who put their lives on the line to aid those in distress should be applauded for their efforts, They should certainly not be threatened with prosecution for a crime which they have never committed. Edward Schevill

 

Tucson

 

If he can't find time during his five-week vacation to meet with Cindy Sheehan, it seems the least Bush could do is call an end to the coordinated attacks on her by the Republican smear machine: Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter . . . Hmm, I wonder why he hasn't. Joanne Kerrihard

 

Artist, Tucson

 

In response to the Aug. 17 article "Inmates might do chores at schools": What a great idea! It would give inmates a positive thing to do for the community, and maybe learn a trade. Or should we keep the inmates locked up and have a more of a negative attitude about our community? Let's help. James Custis

 

UA staff, Tucson

 

The Aug. 18 Desert Whispers "The British are coming, as if monsoon isn't enough" roared to my attention, not with the sounds of British planes, but the Star's use of the word "crusades" like in Iraq. I hope the Star's editorial page editor recalls George W. Bush once put his foot in his mouth by referring to the invasion of Iraq as a "crusade." He was hit hard at the scrimmage line with that one, and you should be, too. Alvin Brewer

 

Retired clergy, Tucson

 

What extraordinary lack of judgment was displayed by President Bush in his handling of Cindy Sheehan! Instead of stopping by the roadside and having a conversation with her - even better, to have a public-relations home run as he held her hand and prayed with her - he decides to ignore her, clear brush, take naps and go for bike rides! He let this get away from him and spawn 1,650 demonstrations in 50 states attended by 100,000 people, according to MoveOn.org. Or, perhaps, is it that he just couldn't bring himself to face her? Jim Hannley

 

Registered investment adviser, Tucson

 

In response to Gregory Blow's Aug. 17 online letter to the editor telling us the Iraq war based on lies and deceit is worth 10,000 American dead. Mr. Blow, you enlist and fight the war. If you are too old or because of a disability you cannot enlist in the Armed Forces, then send one of your children or grandchildren. Then tell us how many Americans dead are worth Bush's adventure in lunacy. Richard Gottlieb

 

Tucson