Readers write: Letters to the editor, April 20, 2016

Our ship just struck an iceberg and we’re taking on massive amounts of water. It must be a good time for a laser focus on what sort of certificate is required to teach sex education, but only so long as it does not distract from making sure we can arm our children on campus. Makes me proud to be a lifelong Republican. The only thing missing from the shallow end of this intellectual pool is our outstanding delegation mandating where we can gender-correctly pee. After all, it’s such a big and important topic, who can resist?

Just think, we could establish some big bright lines right before we all drown. We can’t let North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee out nut-job us. Let’s lead not follow!

— Bob Lacher

Wasilla

Nine years ago a student at Virginia Tech killed 32 people and injured many more. There were dozens of good guys with guns on the campus that day but it did the victims no good because by the time the good guys got to the bad guy he had already done the bad thing. Following this mass killing, Virginia Tech paid over $20 million in liability claims and other costs related to the shooting including a U.S. government fine for not doing enough to protect students.

What is the Alaska Legislature doing to protect students from the danger of increased guns on campus imposed by SB 174? Have they provided funds to cover the extra policing that will be necessary to monitor that danger? Is the plan to just eliminate more professors to pay for this unfunded mandate? Have they not already done enough to scuttle the university? And when the inevitable happens as a result of this action will the state pay the $20 million liability or will that too come out of the university budget? And when the inevitable happens as a result of their action what will they say to parents who will forever mourn their dead child?

— Marian Elliott

Wasilla

Well, here we are in the middle of Autism Awareness Month. Those of us with kids on the spectrum are acutely aware of autism every day of every month. The stress levels are high and constant. I think as parents we would ask for awareness yes, but acceptance more.

Last January we went out to dinner at the Sheep Creek Lodge up at Mile 88 of the Parks Highway. Walking in the door, stress goes up … how is this one gonna go? Well, enter Alex our server. He instantly knew we had a special guy and from that moment on treated him like royalty. He accepted our son and honored him. Stress levels went down, a gift to us. When we left that night Alex gave our son a hat from the gift shop and said a heartfelt goodbye. Fast forward to last night when we went back. We sat down and Alex came up and welcomed our son by name, he remembered his name. The band was tuning up and so very respectfully came to our table to ask if they should hold off a bit if the noise would be difficult for our son. Acceptance!

Autism is a rough road. That we could go to a place where they are kind, where they are welcoming, where they care. The world needs more stories like this. We’re blessed to have a place like this in Alaska. Thank you, Alex and thank you, Sheep Creek Lodge for going above and beyond to make things better when it’s hard enough.

— Peg Walsh Bernert

Anchorage

Let’s see, give drug felons food stamps, pay criminals so they won’t commit crime, give free college to everyone, make minimum wage $15 per hour. You can forget about ever getting a raise, so you better be able to live on that living wage that you so want. Bring charges against the people who took the video of Planned Parenthood selling baby parts, but not bring charges against Planned Parenthood? I guess my parents didn’t raise me right because my views differ completely!

— Rolf L. Bilet

Anchorage

Kudos to Carl Benson for his commentary on April 16 regarding the actions (or inaction) of the Legislature. Every point he made was 100 percent right on, and is just what I have been saying for several months. Carl just said it more simply and more concisely than I have. It is too bad that out of the 60 people who are trying to do what is best for Alaska, there are relatively few who aren’t acting on petty partisan politics and personal gain.

— Orin Seybert

Anchorage

They wasted 90 days thinking up mindless proposals such as $50 million cuts to the university, which means cuts to programs and loss of many jobs. What will this do to the status of the university? On top of that Pete Kelly has introduced frightening legislation to permit people to carry weapons on campus. Is this what UA requested? Or is this micro-management? This session is a nightmare!

Now they have goofed around, commanding us to waste money to pay them overtime because they did not accomplish what they were sent to Juneau to do in the time allotted! They could save money and not rent or buy a new LIO. What do our representatives not understand about “money is tight and we have to pare down!”

It is shameful that we vote for people to represent us, but in Juneau they are sanctioned by party and special interests. The situation is urgent and we must remember all these shenanigans at election time! This is a perfect case for term limits!

— Lenore Olson

Anchorage

I see the Sarah Palin is not impressed with Bill Nye. Let me see, he has a BS in mechanical engineering from Cornell University, several honorary doctorate degrees from very prestigious universities. Also some patents and he helped design a sundial for the Mars rovers. Through his entertaining programs he has made science accessible to millions.

Sarah, however, has a degree in journalism, which she worked through at least four colleges to get. She was mayor of Wasilla, which she left $23 million in debt. She was elected to be governor of Alaska, but quit after two and a half years. Now she is a booster of Donald Trump, a would-be El Duce.

After listening to her word salad speeches, I really think she should reconsider criticizing anyone with an education.

— Jay Cross

Big Lake

I would like to paraphrase Jay Hammond, who felt the governor and the Legislature should serve as CEOs to maximize benefits for their shareholders — in other words, the citizens of the state of Alaska. He also stated that his biggest regret was not vetoing the legislative act abolishing Alaska’s income tax. As Steve Haycox has said, Hammond always strove for the “… best interests of ordinary people, something which all politicians talk about and few take seriously.”

At this crucial and decisive time, we more than ever need visionary legislators, rather than short-term use of Scotch tape. A particular priority is to provide an excellent education system and health and safety for all our citizens. Considering the future of our state and a legacy for our children and grandchildren in these uncertain times is essential. There also needs to be innovative thinking that can address the necessity for alternative and renewable energy options and jobs for our economy.

A book that I wish was in the hands of all policymakers is “Diapering the Devil: A Lesson for Oil-Rich Nations” by Jay Hammond, written shortly before he died in 2005. An income tax is necessary now, but it should be crafted to serve fairly both the urban and rural citizens of Alaska.

Our past is not our potential.

— Sandy Harper

Anchorage

A message to the 35 percent of Alaska voters who participate in the primary process: Please remember that every Republican incumbent in the majority caucus is in favor of protecting and paying the oil industry

$825 million in oil and gas tax credits while at the same time restructuring the Permanent Fund to impose a regressive tax on the poor.

Also, as you vote, remember the Republican majority has not supported a progressive income tax where the wealthier members of society would pay slightly more but instead advocate gutting the PFD, in effect balancing the budget on the backs on the poor. Sadly and incredibly, most Republican incumbents will be re-elected — to the detriment of most Alaskans.

— William Maxey

Anchorage

I’m a clergy member of the Episcopal Church. I saw, with interest, two of the biggest names in conservative Christian thought were coming to Anchorage. Though I am “middle of the road,” I hoped to listen. However, on reading the article, it was learned they are coming, not to speak of issues of faith, but to “energize Alaska’s Christian conservative (Republican) base.” My faith has been hijacked, and I would feel the same way regardless of which party political behaved this way. All people should vote their values; no political party owns them.

— Rev. Deacon John Hanscom

Anchorage

Would it be possible for the paper to publish a list of the current Alaska senators and representatives whose terms will expire this year? While their shenanigans are fresh in my memory I would like to be prepared and thinking about those seeking another term in Juneau. As they say,” Forewarned is forearmed.” Thank you for doing that.

— Sara Burkholder

Anchorage

As a conservative, I oppose state handouts to oil companies. The private sector can do the job more cheaply and efficiently. Oil huggers can send in their Permanent Fund dividends. Or we can channel our inner Ronald Reagan and leave it to the churches to provide for the needy corporate “people.” Maybe extra collections during Sunday services. Those who worship oil companies might practice tithing.

— Geoff Kennedy

Anchorage