August 25: Drive like Ted, take a shot and thanks to Alaska

Uncle Ted has the right idea

I'm with Ted Stevens, lower the speed limit to 55 mph on the Seward Highway ("Save lives: Cut fast sections of the Seward back to 55," Aug.16).

In fact, lower the speed limit to 55 mph nationwide like it use to be. Remember the slogan "55 saves lives"? You'll get better gas mileage and save lives.

And what happened to the unwritten rule of a car length for every 10 mph that you're traveling? So if you're going 60 mph there should be six car lengths between you and the next guy, not so anymore. You've got five people that just have to squeeze in there. Five people that just can't stand to have anyone in front of them, they just have to be first.

Slow down, people, you're not the only ones on the road.

- Nat Gardner

Anchorage

What does the school nurse do?

School has started and already they are disorganized and wasting. Students turned away because of not having shots and monies for these students are now wasted on nothing. The school nurse could have been there ready to give the shots, but really what does the school nurse do? How much money is paid for nurses to hang around schools doing nothing?

Watch a school one day and see the waste. You will be shocked. Property tax payers should know where their tax monies goes. Waste, waste, waste by schools.

- Deborah Richardson

Anchorage

Celebrating life on the Kenai

We just left Alaska following a great 25th wedding anniversary trip and I leave both extremely happy but humbled.

Humbled to have shared in the celebration of life on a set net site in Kasilof of a great friend and great Alaskan who passed away this year, to have missed the passing of another great friend and Alaskan of North Kenai while I was away but had the opportunity to reconnect with his wife, to get together with great people whose friendships have withstood the test of time and whose generosity and kindness are unrivalled, by the interactions with strangers during our visit who demonstrated the spirit and positive energy of Alaskans, and humbled once again by the sheer beauty and draw of the state.

Robert Service described the lure of the land perfectly in ‘The Spell of the Yukon' and for me the spell of Alaska is described in the lines; "And I want to go back....and I will". We cannot wait to return again. Thanks to all for this great experience.

- Steve Reynolds

Hollis, N.H.

Cowards will get better than they deserve

My real thoughts on the senseless rampage on the Glacier Gannette and Pioneer Peak fire crews, are not printable, as I am sure most Alaskans will say. What I will say is this. Show your faces! This must be an act you are proud of.

Oh, your family and friends must really look up to you and admire your skills and your great choices in recreation! Maybe a reality show for you would be in order. They could call it "Cowards and Thieves in Alaska."

Most of us will say, you are nothing but cowards and you will be caught. Then we will see how you like your face all over the papers! We will make your lives just about as miserable as you have made those who were out protecting our forests, land, and homes. We will see that your get your day in court and it will be done fairly, unlike what you have done to those who were out protecting our Great Land and Alaskans. You chose to rampage when they were not there to protect their property and you then ran.

Yes, that would be cowards! And yes, unfortunately, we will give you a fair day in court. It is the law but not the way most of us feel.

- Pamela Jones

Anchorage