Letters: Nov. 17, 2024

Inflation not going down

The Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell said interest rates will go down, as inflation is going down.

Well, not at my house! Apparently he does not shop for groceries. I needed one Granny Smith apple for a recipe I was making, so I bought ONE, only one. And it was $1.37– for one apple.

Don't tell me inflation is going down!

RoyAnn Aunchman

Yuma

Classroom cellphone ban not necessary

On Oct. 23, 2024, an editorial titled "Schools, districts debate whether students may carry, use cellphones in class" emerged from the Yuma Sun. As a junior who is currently attending Gila Ridge High School, this certainly sparked interest among myself and my peers. We are the people who this would affect most, after all, and that is why I believe a compromise can be made.

The article itself was unbiased, but did include the opposing opinions of folks from my community. It was included that Tom Horne, state superintendent of public instruction, did not believe that any teachers should have to compete against phones for their students' attention. While I do strongly agree with this, I do not believe that a statewide ban is necessary for teachers to gain back control in the classroom.

When constant threats and risks of emergency situations are already keeping the United States education system in a chokehold, removing one of the quickest resources to obtain the help of law enforcement or medical assistance can and eventually will result in tragic events that the press wouldn't be happy to cover.

Not only that, but many students utilize their cellphones as a school resource. Digital hall passes, calculators and translators are few examples.

There are more pros to having phones available in classrooms than cons. However, when a teacher is actively instructing, students should not be on their phones. Every teacher in every classroom must develop their own policy about when students are allowed to be on their phones during class time.

Due to the safety concerns in this day and age, having cellphones accessible in class is practically necessary. Though, it is not necessary for students to learn with, hence why teachers should encourage students not to use them during lessons. Administrators can easily inform teachers on what they need to do to keep students like myself both safe and focused on academics activities.

Thank you for reading my letter.

California Sanchez

San Luis

Celebrate with a cruelty-free meal

Later this month, President Biden will pardon two turkeys at the White House, a symbolic gesture of mercy. Yet, every year in the U.S., over 224 million turkeys endure a far grimmer fate. These gentle birds are raised in overcrowded sheds thick with toxic fumes, their beaks and toes clipped to prevent stress-related aggression.

At just 16 weeks, they are slaughtered. Meanwhile, their meat, laden with cholesterol and saturated fat, poses health risks to consumers.

But there's promising news: U.S. turkey production has declined significantly as more Americans embrace plant-based options. This Thanksgiving, let's celebrate our good fortune with a cruelty-free meal–plant-based roasts, seasonal vegetables, fruits and grains. An internet search for "vegan Thanksgiving" offers countless delicious, compassionate recipes.

Jimmy Luhm

Yuma

AP biased and left-leaning

I totally agree with the letters to the editor by Claude French and Jan Stoeser in last Sunday's paper. Anything by the Associated Press is biased and left-leaning, and any story with the author's name attached is an outright opinion piece.

I do hope the Sun can find a different, unbiased source for national and world news.

Rick Rademacher

Yuma

No bias with AP

It seems that there are questions about the Associated Press. I do not find any particular bias. Perhaps the GOP and the followers of Trump need to pay attention to their rhetoric. People tend to believe things because of the belief system they have and no matter what facts are put forward, they cannot accept a challenge to their perceived beliefs.

While I cannot accept anything Trump says, I was also skeptical of Harris. Politics has always been filthy and politicians will say anything to get elected, so ultimately the individual voter must decide for themselves. The political ads require fact checking.

In closing, the language the candidate uses affects perception with the public, and that language can and does make it into the news.

I do not find the Sun biased. Perhaps the subject matter in the articles that stirs up the local GOP should be digested for what they are and the reader needs to be more discriminating and do fact checking.

Vincent Lacey

Yuma