Letters to the editor (4/6/09)

Re: Cartoon in letter to editor section on March 29 from the Miami Herald. I personally find this cartoon very offensive. Does the American public truly believe that the South American drug cartels are purchasing weapons in "America," when there are numerous countries that are more than happy to supply the drug cartels with more suitable weapons for them and come with little or no red tape? They also supply a larger variety of weapons that they are clearly using and that are clearly restricted in America. This statement was truly an assault to our Second Amendment and the Constitution of the United States.

I am appalled that these words were muttered by our former first lady and the current Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, "America's role as a supplier of weapons that are smuggled into Mexico to arm the cartels' hit men." Enough is ENOUGH with all the absurdity. Some good ol' fashion common sense for America would be about the best thing right now.

-- Jim Anderson

Wasilla

ADN could use more hard news

My mother from Virginia visited last week and bought a Sunday paper. I am happy that ADN has restructured the paper and can still publish news for us, but I'm saddened at the content. For example, I do honestly wish Kai Zwierstra the best in attaining her goal weight and honing a positive image of herself, but I do not need almost 2 full pages of the front section taken up by her story ("No Final Victory," March 29)!

The amount of ads in the paper is overwhelming, and the "Big Value" section that arrives in the mail is a waste of resources. I challenge ADN to have a poll asking citizens if they use that section, look at it briefly, or throw it away without a glance. I know ads provide money, but what about asking for more muni or state support instead, or simply limiting the biggest ad size to a quarter page? Our world is a thrilling place, with lots going on and much to learn; please indulge us -- and don't become like TV.

-- Kimbrough Mauney

Anchorage

Make Alaska parole system fairer

As stated in Joseph Thorton's letter, Lower 48 mandatory parole does not involve direct supervision, just good behavior during the parole period. In Alaska, a mandatory parolee is under direct supervision (breath and urine tests; report changes in employment, address, vehicles; search of residence, auto, person, etc.). This is referred to as "jumping through the hoops."

In Alaska, parolees do not receive day-for-day credit for complying with the terms of their parole. An offender who serves six years on a nine-year sentence and is forcibly paroled must serve the last three years on parole. If the parolee "jumps through the hoops" for 35 months and is remanded, he still owes the state 36 months. After serving more of his sentence, the cycle repeats. Many end up serving every single day of their sentence behind bars, in addition to the time spent "jumping through the hoops" or as a fugitive. For some, it will take 10-15 years to serve a nine-year sentence.

By granting day-for day credit, the state will reduce the prison population, reduce the amount of time and money required to complete a criminal sentence, and give parolees an incentive to "jump through the hoops" and become productive members of society.

-- Terry Butler

Anchorage Jail

Palin stoops to new low

Gov. Palin and the Republican party have stooped to new lows to call for a special election to try to oust elected United States Sen. Begich. I would think that this was flat-out illegal. I am absolutely against such an election. If such an election goes forward, it had better be an election for the governor and state Legislature as well. You may recall that Palin said Stevens should step down from the Senate prior to the presidential election. What hypocrisy.

-- Russ Newell

North Pole

Why not a Nonpartisan Party?

Yes, admittedly, I am a "liberal," meaning I want to be free to look at the facts, the evidence available, and then decide how I will vote. I will never vote along party lines.

As a young person growing up in North Dakota, before I came to Alaska 47 years ago, we had a Non-Partisan League. It wasn't always successful. Through the league, Sen. William Langer was elected as our U.S. senator several times. He was very effective but perhaps not always outstandingly ethical. On the other hand, he was free to vote for the people he represented, and not just what one party or the other proposed.

In Alaska, many of us are registered as nonpartisan. Perhaps it is time for those of us who are truly nonpartisan to unite in some way. Somehow, those of us who are registered voters, nonpartisan, need to raise our voices, and votes and put Alaska, its people and its problems first and not simply elect people along party lines. Is anyone interested in an Alaskan Nonpartisan League of voters?

-- Wally Olson

Auke Bay

Hear the death rattle of Alaska's GOP as political culture shifts

The reaction to dropping Ted Stevens' indictment by Eric Holder demonstrates that President Obama's Justice Department will be fair for all accused, from Guantanamo to Girdwood. The action by AG Holder, however, does not "vindicate" Ted Stevens and all it proves is that Stevens had the best justice money can buy: a technicality.

Sarah Palin criticized the trammeling of Stevens' "God-Given Constitutional Rights," inspiring one local blogger to say that she doesn't recall God attending the Continental Congress or signing the Constitution.

Lisa Murkowski, who has benefited more than anyone from the Senate leadership void created by Stevens' departure, expunges her guilty pleasure through lachrymose adulation akin to the tears of an heiress whose flinty, deceased aunt just left her a fortune. "Boo-Hoo, we will all miss your grouchy presence, Aunt Thea."

As for the rest of the Old Republican Guard busy firing their cork-guns into the air amid images of their Maximum Leader, the fact that they have to kick the chickens and dogs out of their way as they storm the palace walls of power, speaks volumes for their prospects.

This is a wondrous time in history -- a paradigm shift in our political culture. Stevens, Ruedrich and the rest are the dinosaurs. ... lionizing Stevens and calls for Begich to resign are part of their death rattle. Do not despair; observe, enjoy and celebrate!

-- Elstun W. Lauesen

Anchorage

Voters looked to future in Begich

The latest news on ex-senator Stevens has made national and statewide news. It appears the federal attorneys did make mistakes. But one very important finding on the trial was that Stevens did not disclose, or list all donations.

He had been a senator a long time; no doubt, he listed all donations in the past. Why did he stop? Where was his staff, asleep at the wheel?

I believe the citizens made a choice: either to elect a person age 85 to another 6-year term, or elect a young, qualified person to that Senate seat. They chose Mark Begich because they are voting for the future of Alaska, not the past. I do not think the trial had anything to do with the election. You were for Stevens, or you were for Begich, period.

I agree Stevens was a good senator for Alaska, and I am proud to say we have elected a good man, Mark Begich, to help Alaska, and its citizens in the future.

-- V. Clifford Darnell

Big Lake

Stay the course, Sen. Begich

Do I understand this political nonsense correctly? Some folks want a duly elected, sitting U. S. Senator to resign on the grounds that he MIGHT not have won if his opponent's circumstances had been different ? Stay the course, Mark.

-- Susan Olsen

Anchorage