The Arizona Republic

Why hasn’t Paul Gosar disavowed the Civil War blather of his MAGA colleague?

- Karen Nesbit, Mesa

I am deeply troubled by the recent comments of U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, calling for the dissolutio­n of the United States in a “national divorce” between red and blue states.

As the leader of the MAGA movement in Congress, her secessioni­st rhetoric carries significan­t weight. I’m concerned that my representa­tive, Paul Gosar, has not publicly disagreed with it.

Rep. Gosar’s decision to empower Rep. Greene and her allies through the rules process and support her appointmen­t to key roles on powerful committees is alarming. His failure to publicly condemn these dangerous calls for “national divorce” leaves his constituen­ts unsure of where he stands on this issue.

As an elected leader, Rep. Gosar has a fundamenta­l duty to protect our country from efforts to divide and destroy it. I urge him to stand up for our democracy and publicly denounce Rep. Greene’s secessioni­st rhetoric.

Sarah Bihms, Surprise

So much angst about murder in Mexico. Have you looked at U.S.?

News stations have gone wild over the news that two Americans were killed in Mexico.

It seemed to draw much more attention than the numerous killings in the United States parents stabbing their children to death, heavily armed rampage shooters killing students in schools.

Every day there are multiple murders in the United States. People on this side of the border kill each other and bury their dead murdered children. Maybe there should be a travel alert here in the United States.

The drug thing is in reverse as well. Drugs come here from Mexico because of the demand for illicit drugs on this side of the border. Who’s to blame? The persons demanding drugs or the suppliers?

Yet again, America, you point an accusing finger at Mexico when you should be pointing it right back at yourselves.

Joe Diaz, Phoenix

If school kids can recite Pledge, lawmakers can recite Bill of Rights

Our legislator­s wish to promote patriotism and understand­ing of American democracy by requiring young people to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each school day.

To reinforce and lead by example, lawmakers should require themselves at the beginning of every day in session to recite the preamble to The Declaratio­n of Independen­ce (”We the people .... ”) and The Bill of Rights.

They all know the first two rights well, but they should patriotica­lly include all of the first 10 amendments.

What better example to our young people, who are saying the Pledge of Allegiance, than to know our legislator­s are also reminding themselves daily of the principles they were elected to uphold.

John Thaxton, Goodyear

Arizona could be world-class with the Earth flag and pledge

Years ago, I worked at a YMCA camp at which we had the U.S. flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. I asked if we could add an Earth flag (image of Earth taken from outer space) and Earth pledge to the morning routine. I was thrilled when they said, OK.

We would raise that flag, put our hands over our hearts and all say together, “I pledge allegiance to the Earth, and all the life which it supports, one planet, in our care, irreplacea­ble, with sustenance and respect for all.”

Maybe Arizona could lead the nation in implementi­ng that flag and pledge. Imagine how our youth could start seeing this planet as our home and everyone on it as family.

Mary Hayhoe, Apache Junction

Men need to join the fight to help women attain their full rights

Women should be livid and shuddering at the lack of human rights and dignity shown to us in our own country.

In the free world the United States ranks about 15th in equal rights for women. We, and I mean all of us, should be outraged by this.

Instead, we are on TikTok, social media and dating sites trying to hook up with the very sorts who have allowed and demanded women wait on them and who continue to kick women down the road of injustice.

Why do women continue to support men who dismiss them as second-class people? March 8 was Internatio­nal Women’s Day. Why do we even need this? We need this because of the above rant. And why do we not have an Internatio­nal Men’s Day? Because that silly question is rhetorical and plain laughable.

Men need to pick up our fight and learn the experience of what it is like to be a woman. Be bold. Do something other than further your own privileged existence.

 ?? ANTRANIK TAVITIAN/THE REPUBLIC ?? Rep. Paul Gosar speaks during the Arizona GOP biennial statutory meeting at Dream City Church on Jan. 28 in Phoenix.
ANTRANIK TAVITIAN/THE REPUBLIC Rep. Paul Gosar speaks during the Arizona GOP biennial statutory meeting at Dream City Church on Jan. 28 in Phoenix.

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