Letters to the editor (6/3/09)

I was really eager to experience the new museum this Saturday and was especially excited to go to the "Gold" exhibit. Much to my disappointment, the building is mostly stairs and halls with little exhibit space, and the "Gold" exhibit was unavailable due to crowd size. After such a great buildup in the paper, I was very frustrated that the only new exhibit was from the architect, who seemed so very proud of his accomplishment. My apologies to the volunteers who were left to deal with the frustrated public. The two bands that I heard perform sounded really good; they rocked.

-- Robert Arms

Anchorage

Discrimination simply wrong

I support protecting Alaskans from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by passing the anti-discrimination bill being considered in Anchorage.

Discrimination is simply wrong, and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation directly affects me as a gay man.

I'm proud to work for an Alaska company that ensures nondiscrimination for our employees, regardless of location or lack of local laws ensuring such protection.

Alaska Airlines' Corporate Diversity statement says in part: "Guided by our deeply held values, our goal is to keep the Alaska Spirit alive by creating a diverse and inclusive environment where our people thrive."

Firing someone, or denying them housing, just because of who they are should simply not happen in Alaska or anywhere in the United States. Recent surveys in the state show that 79 percent of Anchorage residents agree with that statement. Passing this ordinance would affirm Anchorage's commitment to diversity and inclusion, and it would join many other states, cities and other jurisdictions which now protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation.

-- Glenn Johnson

Seattle

Drivers, please act like adults

Drivers of Anchorage: I'm trying to teach my daughter to be responsible and respectful when we're biking. Can you please do your part?

To the lady in Stuckagain Heights with the green Audi, please do not blare your horn at us when you drive by; it scared her. I'd hate to see her crash because of you.

To the man on Regent in the red and gray Ford pickup, please do not whiz behind her with your truck, barely missing her back tire. It doesn't make you look big and tough, but it did scare her. You're going to kill someone driving that fast in a subdivision.

People, act like adults so our kids have a reference point to live up to.

-- Bob Arnold

Anchorage

Begich, oppose Sotomayor

Sen. Begich has a perfect opportunity to demonstrate to Alaska voters he is a moderate and deserves re-election by opposing President Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court. Ms. Sotomayor's outrageous comments and record pose a real threat to the many core values Alaskans share. How she will vote on Second Amendment issues, job fairness and environmental cases will hurt the state of Alaska as far as revenues and the businesses located here.

Sen. Begich, you campaigned saying you will oppose the liberals whose actions will hurt Alaska. Show us you are a man of your word. Oppose the nomination of Sotomayor and demonstrate your claimed independence. -- Brian Sullivan

Palmer

Loophole puts females at risk

People's personal preferences are their business and I reaffirm this. Homosexuals, cross-dressers, transvestites and those who have had gender reassignments, these are the people who have to live with it. As I said, it is their business.

I do have a problem with a man dressing as a woman and being able to use "Ladies" public restrooms when dressed as a woman.

Under this municipal ordinance, a sexual predator could now enter some of these isolated mall bathrooms to search out little girls or vulnerable women to prey on. Under the cloak of legality all he would need to wear is female ensemble and you have given him access to your sisters, your daughters or your mother, or to me. One would hope you think this over carefully before passing this. You have just made it my business.

-- Kathleen Westlake

Kotzebue

Hate, not love, makes trouble

I am writing to express my support for the ordinance before the Assembly that would ban discrimination due to one's sexual orientation. Once again, it seems, we see people using religion as a reason and an excuse to hurt others.

Who one chooses to love in this life is never the issue -- it is who one chooses to hurt with hate that creates problems. Keep in mind an ordinance of this type already exists in 20 states and the District of Columbia -- and is the policy of the Anchorage School District.

The types of problems described in the rhetoric that is being spread by Jerry Prevo and others in place of thoughtful discussion are not happening around the country. There is no reason we would suddenly have problems here. Please let kindness and reason win on this one, and pass the ban.

-- Linda Berg

Eagle River

Seek truth about warming

Sara Rafalson ("Alaska's senators should lead in mitigating climate change," May 31) may find this hard to believe, but there is a lot of science yet to be done in regard to global warming. At present, the science and nature aren't much in agreement, despite the skill of computer climate models to predict the past. There are no observations supporting significant anthropogenic CO2-driven climate warming as projected in the models.

If she would check the Alaska Climatic Center Web site, she'd learn that all Alaska's warming happened more than 30 years ago. Since then? Flat trend, lately down.

As for creating jobs, see the recent paper out of King Juan Carlos University about Spain's experience with renewable energy mandates. Every four "green" jobs may cost us nine real ones.

Our senators would better serve us by leading the way in stopping the climate mitigation boondoggle gathering steam in D.C. before very costly and futile government programs are put in place.

-- Paul Westcott

Auke Bay

Officer Mizelle still missed

Anchorage Police Officer Louie Mizelle was shot on June 5, 1989, by a deranged sniper in Mountain View. He died at the hospital five hours later on June 6.

Lou was an exceptional police officer and a dear friend to so many people. He was bright, had a wonderful sense of humor, and was always willing to help others. He died just weeks before his 36th birthday.

The passage of 20 years has not diminished the memory of this remarkable man. I still miss my friend.

-- Joseph E. Young

business manager

Alaska Peace Officers Association

Consider reviving school tax

When I arrived in Alaska 47 years ago, I discovered that there was a "school tax." In those days, the first $10 a person earned went to the state to pay for education. I thought it was pretty fair, because one of the greatest expenses we have is paying for education. In time, that tax was dropped. Maybe it is time to restore it. In the past four decades, with inflation, the cost of living has gone up considerably. Today, perhaps it would be fair for everyone, even temporary, seasonal employees, to give the state their first $100 of income to support the state where they have come to benefit.

I suggest this, hoping that others respond. We need to have an exchange of ideas in a respectful, considerate dialogue regarding the suggestions of others. Is this a good idea or not?

-- Wallace Olson

Auke Bay

Homosexuality is a sin

Regarding Alan Boraas' May 30 commentary ("Fundamentalists raise bar of intolerance"), it is not just the Old Testament that condemns homosexuality. In Romans 1:26-27 it says, "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet." Homosexuality is sin.

Everyone, however, is born with a problem with sin: a sinful nature. God loves the sinner but hates the sin. As Christians, that should be our attitude also.

Jesus bore all of mankind's sin on himself when he died. He was our substitute, paying the penalty of our sin. God showed his acceptance of this payment when he resurrected Jesus. All who repent of their sins, and accept Jesus' payment, can be reconciled to God and receive eternal life. 2 Peter 3:9.

-- Linda Condon

Talkeetna