This Muslim thanks Arizona and its people for blessings

To all my neighbors,

We have just entered the last week of Ramadan. The month of Ramadan is a fast in which Muslims take an oath of refraining from food and drink (including water) from sunup to sundown.

But more than that it is a time of reflection and self-reformation. While many may know this is a time in which Muslims fast, it is also a time Muslims are expected to read the entire Quran, expected to increase charitable offerings and are forbidden from entering arguments and growing angry.

Many Muslims during this month deactivate their social media, music or other daily activities to develop moderation.

Overall, it is a time of developing good habits, and more hopefully, good character.

In the spirit of Ramadan, I want to thank Arizona for all the blessings it gives, and wish you all a wonderful year.

Peace and blessings be with you all.

Big leagues need to get their act together calling balls and strikes

As a Major League Baseball fan, I am so tired of seeing bad strike calls by umpires that change the outcome of the game.

If Major League Baseball is not willing to deal with the issue, even given today’s technology that shows the strike zone, then it’s time to remove the strike zone technology from the screen.

Otherwise, I’ll spend my sports-time watching a game that is fairer to the players.

Grateful for my faithful old print newspaper. Please keep it coming

This morning I am grateful for the privilege afforded me upon awakening to read the newspaper, faithfully delivered ❚ ❚ to me plastic wrapped by Pearl Staples, my delivery person for the 25 years I have lived in my house.

I am grateful for Laurie Roberts who wrote beautifully and timely regarding the values encompassing Memorial Day, for John Gabriel’s well researched treatise on Roe vs Wade, Karina Bland’s heartfelt writing about her rings (I feel the same) and the excellent article about the tennis greats in Sports.

Lastly, I can read the paper on my sofa, turning pages, not having to wrestle with a computer.

Please keep the print edition coming.

I agree with writer Jon Gabriel’s opinion, Roe v. Wade is bad law.

It should never have been decided based on privacy. Nothing is private about terminating a pregnancy.

The whole world gets to weigh in and women must walk a gauntlet of shame. It should have been decided on the basis of human rights.

Bodily autonomy and personal sovereignty are human rights. The Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to life, liberty and property. Whether or when to have a child is the most important economic and health impacting decision a woman will make in her lifetime. It is her decision, not “the voters.”

There is no other instance in our country in which a person can be forced to risk his or her life, use their physical and financial resources to perform labor, incur pain and suffering, and risk major surgery, permanent disfigurement and health issues against his or her will for the benefit of others.

Slavery was eliminated with the 14th Amendment.

The U.S. is one of the most dangerous places in the developed world to have a baby. One out of three women will undergo major abdominal surgery or painful cutting causing lifelong damage. Pregnancy involves risking one’s entire life, enduring nausea, exhaustion, major health risks, permanently altered or damaged organs, and potential loss of employment or education.

It is a life and death decision for a woman. No one else has the right to make it for her in a free society.

Gabriel thinks we should leave women’s human rights up to the states. We’ve already passed a Constitutional Amendment declaring citizens free in every state of the Union.

That includes women too.