I grew up in an America in which we all pulled together

I am a proud American born into a west Phoenix neighborhood over 62 years ago.

I grew up in an America where a man with Native American roots could marry an “illegal immigrant” woman and raise three boys in a home filled with life, love, laughter, hard work and an appreciation to respect others.

My Father was a barber and entrepreneur. He bought and sold cars, candy, coins, silver.

My Mom was the caretaker and coach for every kid in our neighborhood — white, black, brown and every shade in between.

I grew up in an America where we all worked to become better together. Of course, we recognized the difference in our skin color, but in our neighborhood it never mattered.

We looked out for our families and each other. School and youth sports were the center of our lives.

When the National Anthem played it was an opportunity to celebrate our unity, not reflect on our differences. We all, competitor and spectator, proudly stood at attention, hats off, hands over our hearts, with a smart salute if you were in uniform.

At that moment we were all the same. At that moment we were all red, white and blue.

That’s what I miss about the America I grew up in.

— James Mabry, Phoenix

Puerto Rico’s poor and deprived can’t get the president’s tweets

Without cell towers or effective communications, Puerto Ricans are unable to receive the tweets of their hallowed president. That alone should earn them some sympathy.

Food and water they can live without.

— Mike Epstein, Phoenix

Congress needs to act soon to remove this president from office

The world is aghast at our leader and thoughtful Americans are becoming more and more disappointed each day. The United States is a democracy, not a dictatorship!

What will it take for Congress to act and remove our supposed president? Will it take a nuclear war?

Please do it before it is too late.

— Pete Kienast, Scottsdale

The difference between Colin Kaepernick and Donald Trump

Two wealthy American men have recently gained notoriety over their claims that the nation that afforded them both so much opportunity is deficient.

One silently takes a knee as the nation’s anthem is played, while the other runs a political campaign claiming that he alone can restore America to greatness.

One man can no longer find a job while the other gains the most important job in the nation.

One is black, the other white.

— Mark Taylor, Gilbert

Left and right rose together and cheered the return of Scalise

It gave me chills to see the welcome U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise received when he returned to the House 15 weeks after being shot.

Both Democrats and Republicans rose as one body to cheer him. This bipartisan outpouring gives me hope that our representatives can also find common ground on legislation and that civility will make a return to politics and society in general.

— Kathy Diekelman, Chandler

UA basketball caught in scandal, and in Tucson we hear crickets

So now we know why all of those Top 10 Blue Chip recruits “chose” to go to that sophisticated, world-class destination that is Tucson.

Show me the money.

Sean, you either knew, should have known or are the absolute world’s worst manager.

Where is all the outrage from the Tucson choir? Get your collective heads out of the abundant Tucson sand. Time to smell the cash.

— Ollie Byrne, Scottsdale