Those who discriminate are real menace to society

In the debate over the proposal to include sexual orientation in Anchorage's anti-discrimination laws, uncontested by either side is that people with an atypical sexual orientation are discriminated against. The actual point of contention is whether this discrimination is right or wrong.

It seems to me that in their actions to protect the welfare of our society, proponents of such discrimination are really embodying the menace they rail against.

What's more of a threat to our society: the group who loves a little differently or the group willing to turn the opportunity of America into an illusion?

My experience with friends and associates with atypical sexual orientations has shown them to be every bit as ethical and industrious as straight people. Who someone holds hands with has no bearing on whether his handshake can keep a promise, or how deftly it directs machinery.

In perpetuating the fiction of a homosexual threat to society, supporters of discrimination based on sexual orientation enact the very diminishment they fear.

- Clinton Holloway

Eagle River

Wartime is no time for Alaska commander in chief to quit

I am among the millions baffled by Gov. Palin's abrupt resignation. Her actions since she became governor have always seemed more self-serving than not, but jumping ship now?

By "now," I'm referring to the fact that the United States is fighting two wars, and Alaska has been doing its part by sending our young people off to battle; some won't return, while others are coming back wounded for life. Gov. Palin is Alaska's commander in chief, as she recently reminded us when she flew to Kosovo. How can she all of a sudden decide to desert her troops? What kind of message is she sending those brave Alaskans?

I think she should be forced to endure the pain of leading the state when a majority of Alaskans don't like her. Frank Murkowski had to do it, and his poll numbers were in the proverbial toilet. Come on, governor, throw another bombshell by rescinding your resignation. Some of us are actually expecting it.

- Sylvia M. Carlsson

Anchorage

Not the only lame duck

Sarah Palin promised to be our governor, even took an oath to do so, then quit with 1 1/2 years left to serve, and she expects people will believe the explanation that it was because she didn't want to be a lame duck governor.

Being a lame duck (either self chosen or as a result of term limits) is part of our political system - as long as there are term limits, there will be lame ducks. Many years ago when Congress decided term limits were a good idea, I'm sure none of them could possibly have imagined a lame duck governor using this as an excuse to quit in the middle of her term.

To carry this one step further, does Sarah Palin believe that it is OK for other elected officials who are lame ducks to quit in the middle of their terms too? How well would our government work if this routinely occurred? And what impact would it have on our country if a lame duck U.S. president were to just ... quit?

- L.L. Raymond

Homer

Palin knows leadership limits

While this letter will not be filled with political play-outs for or against Sarah Palin's decision to step down as governor, as a citizen I have been encouraged by her strength of conscience. I say kudos to her for knowing her limits for effective leadership. It is just good economics, because her time, energy and clear-cut efforts were being undermined by all the ethics complaints against her.

When a leader no longer feels he or she can be effective, when their mere presence is causing undue strain on the system, let there be a new head of state. After all, leadership is not just about the leader but about the trust the people have put into the leader. May it be true that having Sean Parnell as governor of Alaska is effective for our state so her decision to step down was not in vain.

- Linda Porter

Anchorage

Report abusive Pilots fans

The Anchorage Glacier Pilots welcome all level of fans. As an organization we support family values. We promote Little League baseball by holding clinics for Little League players, free attendance when they wear their baseball caps, and introduce Little League teams when the Pilots take the field.

It is unfortunate that new fans find themselves sitting in an area less family friendly ("Stands' yammer spoiled game," July 8).

The Pilots organization created the Beer Patio to allow those fans who appreciate a cold one with friends to enjoy the game. One of the purposes was to separate those avid fans from the grandstand and bleachers where families can enjoy the game at their level. If you don't like the crowd you are sitting with, move around; that base admission price allows you to sit anywhere except the box seats.

The Pilots try to prevent abusive fans from using profanity, gestures and other less sportsmanlike conduct. Report these abuses to the souvenir stand or office below the first base side box seats. We want all fans to enjoy the game.

- Philip Mink,

former board president

Anchorage Glacier Pilots

Dams harm fish populations

As Alaskans responsibly join national efforts to utilize "green" power sources, we must carefully develop our "renewables" to produce the most electricity with the least negative impact.

Despite mitigation designed to protect fisheries, construction and operation of hydroelectric dams in the Pacific Northwest resulted in scientifically documented losses of 80 percent of the region's wild salmon and steelhead populations and caused extinction of 40 percent of its wild anadromous fish stocks.

The Kenai River's vibrant commercial, sport and subsistence fisheries support our local economies and lifestyles, but hydroelectric dams planned by the Homer Electric Association for Kenai River headwaters, including Carter/Crescent Lakes, Grant Lake, Ptarmigan Lake and Falls Creek, would irreparably damage fisheries, subsistence, recreation, local economies, natural stream flows and, not least, our quality of life. While threatening the integrity of the entire Kenai River watershed, HEA's projects would likely produce less than 5 percent of its power at yet undetermined costs to its consumers.

HEA should abandon its "low-hanging-fruit," high-impact, low-output proposals and dedicate funding to more responsibly investigating less destructive energy solutions with greater benefits.

- Mike Cooney

Moose Pass

Health care is personal issue

I am 37-year-old married woman with a baby. I got my first job when I was 16 and have worked or been in school ever since. Although I am healthy, health care has been a recurring problem for me.

I am a wildlife biologist and have changed jobs often for new opportunities in my field. Most jobs did not offer health insurance. Usually, monthly premiums were too expensive, but I made too much money to qualify for other programs. I paid out of pocket when I needed care.

Last year I had a baby and I had health care through a teaching assistantship at the University of Alaska. Every visit to my care provider led to a slew of unintelligible mail, usually with rejections. Routine blood work was rejected, as the company did not cover preventive care. This did not make sense.

I worry about what my family would do if we had an emergency. Half of all personal bankruptcies stem from medical expenses.

Congress needs to pass real health care reform in 2009.

- Dawn Magness

Soldotna

Don't quit when going's tough

I too do not need a title to make a difference. ... Being a liberal, I too will stand and fight for America just like Sarah. This Alaska wife and mother of two will stand up for those being misinformed by some with political agendas. Sarah is not right. It is politics as usual -- disparaging others to deflect attention.

I did not raise my children to quit when the going got tough. My son is in the United States Navy; should he quit? It has not turned out to be what he signed up for either. I will no longer stand by and let politicians get away with misleading the people they are supposed to represent.

Holding our government officials to a higher standard and keeping them honest by questioning them about things is not frivolous. It is my right but also my duty.

If you do not, then the quitters in this nation will win.

- Frances Scholz

Anchorage