Any candidate who commits assault should be disqualified

Regarding the Republican congressional candidate in Montana who “took down” a reporter and now has been cited with assault:

Ethics rules shouldn’t just apply to politicians who are serving, but also to candidates. Their campaigns should be terminated. — Mike Kiehl, Phoenix

Remember that purpose of this holiday is to honor the fallen

For many, this weekend is a time for picnics, barbecues and fun family activities. For others it is a time for shopping special sales or celebrating graduations.

It is also Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day is a solemn day when we commemorate and honor our war dead.

Memorial Day services will be held at various locations:

» 9 a.m. — National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix;

» 9 a.m. — Fountain Hills Veterans Memorial on the south side of Fountain Park.

» 10 a.m. — Chaplain Statue at Scottsdale City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

The Fountain Hills and Scottsdale ceremonies are hosted by local veterans groups.

Congress established the “National Moment of Remembrance” and asks that all Americans pause at 3 p.m. in an act of national unity for a duration of one minute.

The time was chosen because it is when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday.

This moment does not replace traditional Memorial Day events; rather, it is an act of national unity in which all Americans honor those who died in service to the United States. See comprehensive listing at http://bit.ly/2qkaP1a.

I strongly encourage everyone to do something to reflect upon or remember the reason for this particular holiday. It is a day of commemoration and honor and not a day of celebration.

— Boe James, Fountain Hills

After analysis on cutting foreign aid, how about on domestic cuts?

Matt Salmon’s Sunday “My Turn” was a powerful and effective analysis of the president’s proposal to cut critical funding for the U.S. State Department and foreign aid.

I hope you’ll run equally comprehensive analysis of how the proposed slashing of domestic programs, such as food stamps (SNAP), adversely would affect the most vulnerable in our society.

— Ruth Wootten, Tempe

That’s the last time I will ever vote for John Sidney McCain

Politics makes for strange bedfellows, indeed.

E.J. Montini’s article “McCain brands Trump with ‘W’ word,” would really be a laugher but for the fact that Montini actually believes his own drivel.

This country has a big problem: We are intelligent enough to have a Constitution that allows a president only two terms, but senators have no term limits.

If Montini and his ilk are aghast that nepotism, cronyism and outright corruption are possible within the first 100 days of a president’s term, then let them ponder the myriad opportunities for the same in 30 years of “service.”

McCain has become an embarrassment for Arizona Republicans and is part of the D.C. swamp that desperately needs draining. Research will show that in 30 years as a senator, McCain has missed 9.9 percent of all roll call votes.

The median of currently serving senators: 1.4 percent. I’m part of the problem. I held my nose and voted for McCain last election because my choices were severely limited. But never again.

As for the article’s branding references, Montini and McCain remind me of another Western idiom: “All hat and no cattle”. — Thomas Bohannon, Phoenix

Andy Biggs may be about to place himself on wrong side of history

The My Turn column by Andy Biggs (“Dems, media are bamboozling us,” Tuesday) is a rich target for refutation.

Regarding Trump campaign collusion with the Russians, Rep. Biggs says he is “content to wait for the outcome of those investigations and not jump to unwarranted and unsubstantiated conclusions.” However, his first sentence states, “The false claim that Trump conspired with Russia … has reached the height of absurdity.” It seems Rep. Biggs is not actually that content to wait.

His three claims feature a common refrain about “radical media and Democrats,” but he fails to acknowledge statements from U.S. intelligence agencies and bi-partisan investigations such as the Senate Intelligence Committee led by senators Burr (R) and Warner (D).

Senator McCain expressed serious concerns about Trump’s Russian contacts and U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake has asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to issue a subpoena for Trump tapes relevant to James Comey’s firing.

The “nothing to see here” and “focus on the leakers” strategy may come back to haunt Republicans. With new revelations coming to light every day, politicians like Mr. Biggs may find themselves on the wrong side of history, not to mention the ballot box.

— Michael Hendershot, Tempe