Media scrutiny seems needed here

I would like to comment on your story "Levi Johnston opts to quit oil field job."

In my experience, no prospective employer has ever overlooked my educational credentials or failed to do my background check. Mr. Johnston states that "Levi must now do everything by the book because the media is watching him so tightly." Well, thank you media! Because it seems that without the media scrutiny, this family will make their own rules.

If Mrs. Palin does not think that her letter of recommendation carries a lot of weight, she is mistaken. In a recent interview Palin stated that she knows little of what has been happening with Mrs. Johnston. Yet in the letter of recommendation Mrs. Palin wrote, "I have known Levi and his family for many years." Dan Fagan did not take a political potshot ... he just held people accountable.

-- M.J. Bridwell

Eagle River

Now that Pebble is prohibitive, Palin could back fishing industry

We have not heard from the governor on how strong her support for the Pebble Mine Project is since she undermined the Clean Water initiative just before voting time last year.

The price of minerals has gone down significantly, and the cost of building the Pebble Mine is prohibitive and unreasonable, so shouldn't the consortium of foreign owners lose their mining claims?

Perhaps there is still a chance to bring back the idea of the Jay Hammond Wildlife Refuge, and save the spawning grounds in the Nushagak and Kvichak headwaters of Bristol Bay from disaster. With the absence of constant helicopter traffic throughout the area, the game would return, and our renewable salmon resource would be protected for all time. It's a resource that will never run out if it's cared for.

So Sarah Palin, what do you say? Want to redeem yourself and get re-elected, or are you going to stick with the foreign mining giants and ruin Bristol Bay? Imagine a dam breach like they had recently with the Tennessee Valley Authority back east.

-- Mike Sparks

Wasilla

Dial back the meddling, Fagan

Way to go Danny! You really sank to an all time low this time. Your recent rants (aka attacks) on Governor Palin and her family are quite disturbing.

Questioning out loud whether Levi Johnston is qualified to be in the apprentice program because he lacks a high school diploma is really none of your business.

But leave it to Oh Danny Boy to spread the joy around. You have essentially forced the poor lad to quit his job. Nice going.

But you're just doing your job. Right? What exactly is your job? To inform people? To publicly humiliate people?

To label yourself a conservative, you may want to practice a little discretion, followed up with a healthy dose of tact.

Give it a rest. The pipes, the pipes are calling.

-- Lisa Stormont

Wasilla

Gossip doesn't count as real news

I can understand cutting back on printed content for economic purposes. What I fail to understand is why the Anchorage Daily News squanders the space it has on articles pertaining to the governor's daughter's boyfriend's mother who got arrested for drugs or something. What about the riveting front page article on the governor's daughter's boyfriend's future job career? How is that news at all, let alone front page news? The ADN will continue to lose subscribers if the little news it presents offers nothing more than small town gossip.

-- Amanda Lamb

Anchorage

Governor is absolutely consistent

I have been watching, listening and reading about Governor Palin ever since she was nominated to be John McCain's vice president. As a Christian and a special education teacher, I greatly respect Governor Palin's candid honesty about herself and family.

There is so much criticism directed at her for such minor things. She continues to be true to herself by living what she believes. She loves and accepts her special needs child and openly supports her daughter in a time of need. She works hard for the people of Alaska. Governor Palin, thank you for being true to your family, conscience and Lord.

-- Drake Owen