MENTALLY SPEAKING
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Those who've overcome: In the immediate aftermath of the attack [in Tucson by Jared Lee Loughner], 50 percent of Americans saw it as the result of failure in the mental-[healthcare] system, not simply mental illness.
[In its "Shadow Dwellers" series published last year], New Times noted that six months before the tragedy, 3,000 seriously mentally ill people in Tucson's Pima County alone "lost almost all their services, including access to non-generic medication and caseworker supervision." Thousands classified as "generally mentally ill" also lost funding.
The series included stories about a doctor and a boxing historian who have overcome the worst of mental illness, as well as [about] a man who is homeless but retains a sense of community. The reporters responsible for the series are Paul Rubin and Amy Silverman. Kudos to them!
Bob Carolla, National Alliance on Mental Illness
KYRSTEN'S PROBLEM
AZ voters can spot a chameleon: Kyrsten Sinema suffers from the same disease that afflicts most politicians — the need to get elected at all costs. She has had to [adjust her] liberal notions so that she can possibly rise up in politics around here — and what that takes is a sharp turn to the right ("Sinema Dilemma," Stephen Lemons, January 12).
Thus, her "love" of Russell Pearce, back when he had power, before activists Randy Parraz and Chad Snow — not to mention your own Mr. Lemons — opened up a can of whup-ass on him ("Head Hunter," November 17). She had to appear to [get along with] her enemy so that she might pick up a few moderate-to-conservative votes. Hell, even moderates had issues with her socialist tendencies!
As Lemons points out, her taking leave of her values will get her nowhere in the congressional district she wants to represent. This still is Arizona, and voters will spot a chameleon from 40 miles away.
Jack Tomlinson, Tempe
Her political career is over: The day Ms. Sinema resigned [her state Senate post], she lost her future in Arizona politics.
She won't have an ice cube's chance in Hell of beating [Democratic Party chair] Andrei Cherny in a primary. People are not going to forget that she "loves" Russell.
Tommy Collins, Phoenix
Cut Sinema some slack: [Sinema's] comments re: Pearce came at a time when most of us thought the recall effort didn't stand a chance. We were proved wrong, and that's a good thing. Give her a break.
Mike Walsh, Chandler
"True Democrats" not welcome in Arizona: You talk about the concept of "true Democrats," but that's a hard row to hoe in Arizona. If you stick to "lefty" principles, you wind up stuck in the state Senate [in the Phoenix area].
You either have to move to Tucson and get established there. Or you could somehow unearth do-nothing, old Ed Pastor. What a waste of [a congressman] that guy is; when do you ever hear of anything meaningful that political ostrich pushes? That would be never!
Macy Dodson, Phoenix
Oh, Anthony: Well, Kyrsten certainly will be the hottest candidate in the race for Congressional District 9! Her reputed [bisexuality] is a definite turn-on, politically and otherwise.
Anthony Perez, Phoenix
Got a thing for Babeu, huh, Art?: Yep, heterosexual males and lesbians have Sinema, and gay men have tight-pants [Pinal County Sheriff Paul] Babeu in upcoming congressional races around here. Ain't politics wonderful?!
Art Godfried, city unavailable
