Parnell's efforts nothing new
If anyone knows Gov. Parnell, they know working to stop domestic violence is not something new just because there is an election coming. Domestic violence is a very important topic where our governor's input and experience should be welcomed. Stopping Gov. Parnell's ads because Ralph Samuels does not have confidence in himself has just placed him far down on my respect scale.
Thank you, Bill Walker, for recognizing the importance of Gov. Parnell's work against domestic violence.
-- Zulene Simmons
women's health nurse practitioner
Chugiak
Museum takes commercial turn
It's nice to see the money I spent on an annual family membership to the Anchorage Museum being used in such a constructive manner.
I trust the ever-so-scientific Lucasfilm promo tour currently hosted by the Anchorage Museum will be followed up with a Frito-Lay exhibition on the history of nutrition.
Might I suggest museum director Jim Henry consider resolving any future conflict between the blatantly commercial and the educational by turning the gift shop into a museum, leaving the rest of the building free for use as a marketing venue by any company looking to sell their action figures or other wares in an educational setting.
-- Bill Scannell
Anchorage
Opinions get in way of facts
The Feb. 8 letter by Ms. Eledge of the Anchorage Republican Women's Club proclaimed her "facts" over a previous writer's "opinions." She should consider the Jonathan Swift wisdom, "There is none so blind as they that won't see."
Warnings of 9/11 attacks were ignored by a "lax" George Bush, who "faced a never before attack on American soil" by invading Iraq under false pretenses for oil and greed, ego and empire, in turn destroying our civil liberties. The public will not decide whether Sarah Palin will "lead our country." Corporate media and big business will decide this, especially since the recent Supreme Court decision on campaign finance.
Trickle-down economics has been "extremely successful"-- at funneling taxpayer money up to the rich.
Her belief in "free enterprise and capitalism run by average Americans"? Surely, madam, you jest.
As Sgt. Joe Friday used to say, "All we want are the facts, ma'am."
-- George Harbeson
Ninilchik
Let's benefit Alaskans directly
If Rep. Craig Johnson actually wants to achieve his "noble cause of creating jobs for Alaskans," then instead of tossing millions to the oil companies, why not use the $575 million to directly benefit unemployed or underemployed Alaskans? Real job training, college scholarships, even better and longer unemployment benefits come to mind.
Or heck, if we need to keep open the option that people who don't need the money get it, we could arbitrarily pull 5,000 adult PFD applications and give those winners $100,000 to spend in Alaska. Or, 10,000 winners would get $50,000. It's a surer deal to help Alaska families than Rep. Johnson's plan and it would not even use all of the $575 million.
Rep. Johnson's optimistic estimate was that the oil companies get $575 million in tax breaks and maybe 2,500 people get insecure jobs. Maybe it's his plan that is nonsense. -- Karla F. Huntington
Eagle River
Dimond High won, period
Re: Ms. Barsalou's letter of Feb. 11 ("Dimond girls team behaved badly"):
I find her attitude interesting. She is upset because the Dimond coach let his team run up the score. This is basketball; it's a sport of skill, dedication, teamwork, etc. Let's just say it like it is: On that night, Dimond outplayed Eagle River. Is the coach supposed to tell his/her players, "Don't play your best, don't play your hearts out because the other team might get their feelings hurt if it isn't a close game?" Did the referees disqualify Dimond because they hugely outscored Eagle River? No!
Did she actually hear the "smack" talk, or was it just hearsay from parents, supporters, players, etc. of the losing team?
I am glad that Eagle River played their hearts out. That is how you are supposed to play a sport.
I have watched family and friends participate at sport events at Dimond High for 12 years.
Dimond lost students and athletes to South when they opened. Losing students because of boundary issues isn't anything new; it will continue to happen.
-- Teresa Blakeslee
Anchorage
Mat-Su news' move welcome
Thank you for including Mat-Su news in the main news section of the paper today (Wednesday, Feb. 10) and indicating a change in new coverage for future editions. I, like many others in Anchorage, shop and visit the Valley regularly, so I appreciate access to Valley news. Again, my thanks for covering the news of our entire community.
-- Penny Trow-Foreman
Anchorage
Jobs in oil patch disappearing
Democrats in Alaska do not think that oil companies are spending less in Alaska? That jobs aren't being lost? Are they blinded by the taxes they may lose by lowering the tax rate?
I'm not surprised; this isn't the first time politicians put tax money above the people.
I work in this field and I can tell you for a fact they have cut money in Alaska and jobs are being lost; mine may be next. I know the oil companies are still spending money in other places that are easier and cheaper to deal with -- Canada, for one. Many of my coworkers who have lost work have moved from the state and their money is gone too. Their numbers do not show up as unemployed because they are not here.
So when politicians say they don't see the numbers, they are telling half-truths. They know what is going on but their "programs" take first priority over "people" who want to work.
-- John Stutzman
Wasilla
Include merit and need
Financial aid experts agree that the most effective scholarship plans include both merit and need.
As the ADN pointed out in its editorial "Merit and need," many other states Gov. Parnell mentioned as having a merit-only plan provide additional needs-based plans to go along with it. Currently the state of Alaska ranks last in the country for offering needs-based aid for its students.
I strongly encourage the Legislature to pass a plan with a needs-based option this year.
-- Michaela Hernandez
UAA student body president
Anchorage
Obama inherited problems
It baffles me that those who blast President Obama on the economy and failed "socialist" policies (noted in letter "President's policies have failed," Feb. 3) accuse the president of the same things that the previous administration did.
I'd like to remind Mr. Christopherson that the economy was "in the tank" long before Obama took office and those "imported terrorists" he inherited (from previous failed foreign policy) are "bestowed rights" just like the 190 suspected terrorists prosecuted in civilian courts under the Bush administration. Speaking of "arrogant," at least this president is tall enough to admit when he is wrong.
I agree that stimulus is a "political payoff." However, like the previous administration, Obama had no choice but to provide stimulus to avoid total economic collapse.
It's time to get beyond the brainless ranting and bring intelligent debate to the table rather than the sound bites brought to you by Limbaugh, Palin and Fox News. Aren't we smarter than that? I'm sure we are.
-- Dan Lung
Anchorage
Legislators should cooperate
I implore our legislators to not lose momentum in the battle for health care reform. It is time to put aside bipartisan posturing, put forward constructive ideas, participate in substantive dialogue and put the American public first -- an American public that is long overdue for health care reform.
Today, millions are without health insurance or are suffering from the high costs involved.
We have a child who is too old to be covered by our plans but cannot afford to purchase health care while working and going to school, so joins the millions of uninsured.
Is it too idealistic to think that both parties can work together in a bipartisan manner? Look to the American people and pass health care reform now.
-- Catherine Parker
Sitka