Readers write: Letters to the editor, September 15, 2016

Schools chief thanks community for support after closures

As I reflect on Tuesday's events, which resulted in closing two schools for the day due to violence on our streets, I am overwhelmed with the amazing support of our community. Wednesday morning, students at Chugach Optional Elementary and Central Middle schools were greeted when they arrived by positive sidewalk-chalk messages born out of a grass-roots effort started by a University of Alaska Anchorage student.

Parents, students and staff were delighted to be served free hot chocolates and coffee from a Kaladi Brothers Coffee van parked in the parking lot. The Anchorage community supports its public schools, which was evident on Wednesday.

It's important to me that our students know good will prevail. Something negative happened on Tuesday. Those things are going to happen in life, but it's telling how our community responded: with love and support. That's what our students will remember.

Lastly, but most importantly, I am thankful for our partnership with the Anchorage Police Department. We work closely with APD and it shares our values and priority of keeping our students and staff safe. Officers' quick action and prompt notification to my administration helped us make a quick decision, which was in the best interest of our students, families and employees.

— Dr. Deena Paramo
Superintendent,
Anchorage School District

Can’t let parties divide Alaskans

When Joe Miller, who ran as a Republican for U.S. Senate against Lisa Murkowski, blew into Nome 6 years ago, I stopped by to check him out. I gave him an initial "heads up" that I was a liberal Democrat, so we talked about issues we had in common. There was one. He was polite and friendly. At one point he prefaced a statement by saying: "Being a liberal, you may not agree." I didn't, but no biggie …Then we lapsed into nonpolitical Alaska talk before we shook hands a second time and he went off to connect with someone more likely to vote for him.

I believe this can serve as a model for how political discourse between Alaskans might take place.

— William M. Cox, M.D.
Anchorage

Fisher wrong on anthem anger

I read Gregory Fisher's commentary in the Sept. 11 ADN and felt compelled to respond. Fisher's views on Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel during the national anthem seem judgmental, even intolerant. As I pondered how best to respond, I read Dan Cooper's commentary in the Sept. 13 ADN. He roundly addressed the issues in Fisher's article with which I take exception.

Fisher's views seem parochial and misdirected. Kaepernick is not saying this isn't a great country; he's saying there is racial injustice particularly in the judicial system.

Fisher calls Kaepernick's peaceful protest "glaring ignorance." I disagree.

Kaepernick was aware he had much to lose on a personal and professional level, including possibly salary, endorsements, even his career, but he was willing to put it all on the line in the name of justice. How many of us are willing to do that?

And, finally, Kaepernick's right to sit, stand or kneel during the national anthem is what has always made America great.

— Ann Sugrue
Anchorage

Miller in ‘Chameleo-tarian’ camo

Wow. Joe Miller is running for the U.S. Senate again. This time he is going to give it a try as a Libertarian. It doesn't seem to matter that he holds political views that don't exactly mesh with that party's long-held core beliefs. Instead of last minute join-ups with existing parties, Joe should consider forming a base for his very own start-up party if he loses in November.

A new party might be called the "Chameleo-tarian" party because political colors could change as needed to fit any circumstances. Or one might consider forming the "Zebra-tarian" party and use the different color stripes to camouflage movement between political positions. That way a "Zebra-tarian" can, with a very clear conscience, use one set of stripes to accept government payments to not grow crops on the family farm and then a few years later, use another color stripe to rail against federal handout programs.

The truth of the matter is Joe really, really wants to get to Washington, D.C., and any path will do. If he thought it would help, he would team up with Wile E. Coyote and join the "Road Runner" Party. In fact, you should look for him speeding up the Parks Highway during some future election season yelling "beep-beep" at the top of his lungs.

— Paul Richards
Talkeetna

Crime hurts us all as humans

In response to Loretta Andress' letter from Sept. 12 — "Women haven't been safe on city trails for half a century."

As I read Loretta's letter I came to a very specific realization, which is the violence being perpetrated in our communities isn't an issue about gender, or race, or religion, it is an issue about humanity. It is a reflection of the condition of humanity as a whole. These killings didn't just happen to "some males," they happened to people, to human beings with families and friends who love them. Violence against anyone is horribly wrong and unacceptable and should not be minimized or made trivial by comparing gender against gender.

If being safer means finding a companion to share outdoor activities with, then I'm all for it. It would be good to know the ones I love have someone backing them up. However, improving the human condition in body, mind and spirit will certainly have more of an impact in making our communities safer. That starts within each one of us, in our own bodies, minds and spirits. It starts with putting aside our own narrow, discriminating ideals and seeing each other as human beings, as part of a whole.

My heart goes out to all the families who have been victims of violence.

— Patricia Koldeway
Anchorage

Hillary tried to soldier on

Kathleen Parker (ADN, Sept. 14) said exactly what I was thinking about Hillary Clinton's failure to disclose her pneumonia diagnosis. She knew she would be called weak, frail, etc. so she tried to soldier on because she is a fighter. Why is no one asking about Trump's strange orange color? It is not natural. I guess he will get his pet doctor to say he is the healthiest candidate in the history of the U.S.

— Carol Hoyt
Big Lake

The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter under 200 words for consideration, email letters@alaskadispatch.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter to the editor constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Send longer works of opinion to commentary@alaskadispatch.com.