Letters to the editor (4/5/09)

In an article Saturday about Mount Redoubt, you referred to "The active volcano, one of four in the Cook Inlet area." There are actually five. Presumably the one left out is Mount Douglas at the Inlet entrance. (Others are St. Augustine, Iliamna and Spurr.)

Named by Capt. James Cook (see James Barnett's "Captain Cook in Alaska and the North Pacific"), it is the only one that hasn't erupted recently, but it has active fumaroles with sulfur deposits around its crater lake and relatively uneroded lava flows. It was named for John Douglas, bishop of Salisbury, for whom George Vancouver later named the island west of Juneau and who edited Cook's journals.

Recently the crater lake atop Mount Douglas had a temperature of 77 and a pH of 1, extremely acidic. It last erupted in the Holocene era (from the Greek: "extremely recent"), which extends from 11,700 years ago to today. It is near Mount Novarupta in Katmai National Park, which exploded in June 1912, blowing several cubic miles of mountaintop into the atmosphere in seconds. It was the most explosive volcanic event in U.S. history.

Mount Douglas serves as a beacon to mariners at the entrance to Cook Inlet. It is Cook Inlet's "forgotten" volcano, largely because it is not as noisy, smoky and troublesome as the four others that have disrupted sea and air traffic and covered Anchorage with ash multiple times in the last 65 years.

-- Flip Todd

Anchorage

Palin is right to reject millions

As an Alaska high school junior I would like to applaud our governor for turning down the $288.1 million from the federal government. I believe her motives were solely out of interest for our state's future. Already, as a teenager, I watch taxes deplete my check from my after school job. I feel that the less money we spend, the better. When the stimulus money dries up, the working class will be left with the tax burden of superfluous programs we start. I thank Sarah Palin for thinking ahead to protect my generation from excessive taxes.

-- Rebekah England

Anchorage

Nation could use more open minds

What this country needs is more people whose minds are at least as open as their mouths.

-- Sol Gerstenfeld

Anchorage

Palin critics make Alaska look bad

I came to Alaska several years before statehood and have seen governors come and go. None have been treated with the same disrespect that Gov. Palin has. The verbal attacks on her and her family have been vicious, and most of these complaints have seemed unwarranted. People who choose such modes to ridicule are thrusting bad reflections on all Alaskans. What do "Outsiders" think of us? If we want tourism and new business to come our way, we have to involve ourselves with the national scene as an open, logical society.

Why was Gov. Palin required to reimburse the state for a few plane tickets bought to allow her children to accompany her, when Gov. Murkowski's private jet was forgotten? Personally, the plane tickets seem minor. I would rather pay them than treat a governor to private jet service.

I can't imagine any woman ever aspiring for the top office in our state again, after seeing what our own residents and local media people have done to the Palin family. I'd hope Alaskans would hold themselves in higher esteem.

-- Myrna Baks

Anchorage

Medicare equally unworkable for health care providers, patients

I would like to respond to your article ("Physicians shun Medicare," March 26) on Medicare's primary care physician shortage and share with Alaskans my thoughts on access to care, one of the most critical health issues confronting Alaskans today.

This month I had a teleconference with nearly a dozen primary care physicians, nurses and physicians assistants and spoke to nearly 4,000 Alaskan AARP members and answered their questions on Medicare. What I heard from the providers was that Medicare reimbursements need to be equivalent to those that of private insurers, and from AARP members, I heard their frustrations on being forced onto Medicare instead of keeping their private coverage.

The 35 percent boost to Alaska's Medicare reimbursement has improved access by bringing some physicians back into the Medicare program, and also getting some to continue with their established patients who are newly enrolled in Medicare. Either way, we are glad to see the increase has resulted in a shift to accepting more Medicare patients.

Undoubtedly, a reimbursement gap remains; therefore I will continue to work to fix our Medicare system while encouraging the state Legislature to implement a loan repayment program for health professionals who commit to serving in Alaska. With a doubling in Alaska's senior population in just 15 years, access to health care is critical to the long-term strength and well being of all Alaskans.

-- Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Washington, D.C.

Comments on Ross missed mark

I would not normally respond to a letter that appeared in the ADN, but I can't ignore Mr. Martinez's comment about W.A. Ross and his "relationship with the good Lord." ("God connection a matter of doubt," March 30).

First, what does one's attitude toward religion have to do with whether one is a hunter, shooter, gun collector, or, perhaps, an expert on the differences between a 9 mm and a .45?

Second, what is unusual about one having a personalized plate bearing his initials?

Third, what does any of the above have to do with loving one's neighbor or turning the other cheek?

And if the comments made were in reference to Mr. Ross's appointment as the state's chief legal advisor, what does it have to do with legal interpretations or coordinations within state government?

There seems to be a current belief that every politician or government employee and family is fair game for attack by anyone having a grudge, real or imagined, against the "system." I commend those thus insulted for their patience and forgiveness (which, after all, are signs of loving their neighbor and turning the other cheek)!

-- Don Neal

Anchorage

ASD music teachers deserve standing ovation for their work

My children have been involved in ASD music programs at the elementary, middle school and high school levels. They are getting a superb music education thanks to the talent and dedication of ASD's music teachers.

Elementary music teachers have six or more different schools each week, and middle and high school teachers have more than a hundred students each day -- at all levels of musical ability. They also work with specialized groups and ensembles before and after school and at lunch.

Many of ASD's music teachers play in local groups, large and small, enriching our community and serving as great role models for young musicians.

In the past month I've attended five different ASD performances. Each concert was delightful -- in fact, the quality of the music is so good that I plan to attend my area high school concerts even though I don't have high school students this year.

At every concert, ASD music teachers bring out the best in their students with music choices that fit -- yet stretch -- their abilities, and high expectations for concert etiquette whether their students are on or off the stage. ASD music teachers not only direct performances, but help set up (and put away) chairs, instruments and equipment.

We are truly fortunate to have these professionals in our schools and in our community.

-- Blythe Campbell

Anchorage

Son's generous heart saved others

In July 2004 we faced what no parent ever wants to confront -- the death of our son, Ben. At just 20, we lost him, his beautiful smile, handsome good looks and uncanny sense of humor. It was a trying time, but what made our loss easier to endure was Ben's wish to be an organ and tissue donor.

His very kind, generous nature was deeply reflected in his ability to give life to others who so desperately needed life-enhancing transplants. His heart valves went to two people who needed more dependable valves and his bone and other tissues have helped many others sustain more fruitful lives. That would have made Ben very happy.

If you have not considered organ and tissue donation, we urge you to speak to representatives of Life Alaska Donor Services or go online to www.AlaskaDonorRegistry.org and register to become a donor during National Donate Life Month this April. It is important to discuss your decision with your family, even if already registered as a donor.

One life can make such a difference to so many people!

-- Gary and Laura Brekke

Wasilla

Sullivan's right: We need a bypass

Ms. Johnson says that Selkregg is "looking to the needs of people to travel within our spread-out city." While all that horrible Dan Sullivan wants to do is get "vehicle traffic across town." ("Sullivan's dream diminishes city," Letters, April 1) Think about it. If we had a bypass that would allow the heaviest vehicular traffic to freely flow, would that not free our regular streets from heavy traffic, allowing better access for "Anybody who has no car, is trying to reduce his gas-fueled activities or wants to walk, bike or drive within the community. Anybody who breathes air?"

This is what Dan Sullivan is trying to accomplish! He wants to maintain the amazing quality of life here in Anchorage. In fact, the high quality of life is one of his four major campaigning points.

Also, I would like to ask Ms. Johnson what is inherently wrong with being a driver of "large cars and trucks who want to get across town in a hurry." Since when am I morally implicated for wanting to drive a larger vehicle? And is she also saying that people with small cars won't use this bypass?

The Anchorage road system is not sufficient for the quickly growing population. We need something to alleviate this growing problem. Vote Sullivan.

-- Ron Yeager

Anchorage