Before the Arizona schools chief cracks down on DEI, he should show us examples of where it went wrong. He can’t.

• Arizona schools chief Tom Horne wants schools to sign a “No DEI” statement or else lose federal funding.
• A readers goes nuts over early political ads by Karrin Taylor Robson, 18 months before the election.

Arizona schools chief Tom Horne has warned public schools they could lose federal funding if they don’t sign his “No DEI here” statement, even though the executive order that is the basis for this is neither enforceable nor clear. 

Its language provides no specifics on what constitutes the dreaded DEI, yet Horne demands public schools sign to confirm they have nothing approaching it.

Of course, Horne should have plenty of examples, given that one of his first acts was to initiate a “Empower Hotline,” to allow parents to report objectionable material taught to their kids.  

And, of course, this turned out to be at best a nothing burger and at worst a fiasco.

If Horne had examples, you would think he would trot them out. But he doesn’t, which suggests that Horne’s “No DEI Here” is just another performative stunt, trying to ingratiate himself with the Trumper crowd.

Mike McClellan, Gilbert

An open letter to Karrin Taylor Robson

I believe I speak for hundreds of thousands of Arizona voters when I say I am absolutely sick of politics and empty-suit double-talking politicians. 

Why on earth would you start up with political ads a full 18 months before the election? I could not hit the mute button fast enough when I started seeing yours. 

You may have very well just caused me, out of pure frustration, to vote for someone else.

Antonio Morales Jr., Glendale

Book bans put parents, not students, in the dark

When libraries put parental controls on books, students will find a way to access the books they want to read through friends, bookstores and Kindle. 

Wouldn’t the parents rather know what their kids are reading? 

Then perhaps they could open a dialogue about “sensitive” subjects.

Bekke Hess, Bullhead City

Letter: Arizona public schools need more DEI, not less of it

Ungrateful choice advocates would bankrupt public schools

I’m amazed that the homeschooling community is complaining about caps to their spending.

I am sure public-school students would love to bake with high-end equipment, design clothing with the best fabrics and buy the best tools.

Do you even realize that Arizona is spending nearly a billion dollars yearly on empowerment scholarship accounts? The budget isn’t going to be able to sustain that without raising taxes. 

Public school districts are struggling to provide competitive salaries for teachers, resources to maintain buildings and programs that don’t charge students. They, too, would love a piece of the education dollars’ pie.

Wake up state leaders and Arizonans, we are bankrupting the public education system.

Alexis Reed, Anthem 

Letters: Arizona should ban hunting dogs – and politics in the entertainment section

They can’t be serious. A musical for Luigi Mangione?

Art imitates art? 

Several years ago, Mel Brooks created a play called “The Producers” about a Broadway impresario and his accountant who scheme to get rich by fraudulently overselling investment interests in a Broadway musical they know will flop. Their scheme depends on the play going belly up on opening night so they can walk away with all the invested dollars. 

To ensure its failure, they set about writing and casting the worst, most tasteless production they can imagine — “Springtime for Hitler.” 

The play, however, turns out to be a comedy hit. Audiences love it. It goes on extended run and they lose their shirts and go to prison. 

Today, producers in San Francisco are staging a musical called “Luigi” about Luigi Mangione, the man accused of murdering a health-care CEO in New York City. 

Apparently, these real-life producers are serious.

Charles Lopresto, Phoenix

We are waging a fight against fascism

Thank you so much for featuring the Phoenix demonstration for May Day on the front page. Of course, there were other demonstrations in Arizona, including in Gilbert, Tucson, Tempe and Sedona. 

It is important that mainstream media recognize the popular resistance to the current administration and its policies. 

The 47th president and his followers are gleefully destroying the government, including essential programs for families, veterans, seniors and health care.

The separation of powers is dying. The administration’s lack of empathy and authoritarian impulses should be alarming to all citizens. 

My father fought in World War II to defeat fascism. We may be called upon to do the same.

Gerri Chizeck, Chandler

Here’s my idea to reduce heat deaths

I can’t believe I’m writing this, but Phil Boas wrote a brilliant column. His analysis of the tragic death of an elderly woman whose power was shut off by APS was thoughtful and inquisitive.

While he acknowledged that her death shouldn’t have happened, he also suggested that APS is not a social service agency and shouldn’t bear sole responsibility for what happened. He closed with an important question: “So, what’s our next step?”

I remember first hearing about the woman’s death and blaming APS. It was a sudden and visceral reaction. But Phil’s piece made me sit back and think it through. By the time I got to his final question, I had come to a possible answer.

Before someone’s power is disconnected for nonpayment, APS or SRP must notify the city of residence. They must have a plan to conduct a wellness (physical and/or financial) check.

It could be through the police or other agency. The city would already know if the person is paying his or her utility bills. The process then needs to include a plan on how to help the person involved.

And the power companies can only stop service when authorized by the city. It would involve coordination, but it’s worth it. 

Thanks, Phil.

Dan Peel, Scottsdale

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