Fines, fees, license suspension and even having your car taken away do not seem to stop people from getting behind the wheel when they are impaired. The individual who is charged with causing this accident has had four previous DUI convictions, the most recent being last March. Clearly she has not learned from her mistake, considering she has had four DUI's and is still driving. And the fact that she was doing so with a suspended license shows she has no respect for the law.
How is it that this individual's record of drunk driving didn't follow them? Is it really necessary for the State of Alaska to have five classifications for DUIs? Would people take it more seriously if after the first conviction it jumped to what we now call the Fifth Drunk Driving Conviction?
-- Jacob A. Siira
As most people know, Alaska has the highest rate of sexual assaults per capita in the nation. This crime has a devastating effect on our community, and the number of reports increases every year.
In honor of National Forensics Nurse's Week (November 9-13, 2009), I would like to thank the dedicated and committed professionals who work at the Forensic Nursing Services of Providence (FNSP) and other Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners in Alaska.
Forensic nurses are specially trained to provide compassionate medical exams and treatment of any injuries or infections related to sexual assault, allowing people to avoid the hospital Emergency Departments in most cases. At the same time, the nurses collect DNA and additional evidence of sexual assault and other violent crimes, increasing the chances of arrest and conviction.
The nurses work with Law Enforcement agencies and advocates from STAR (Standing Together Against Rape) here in Anchorage, and around the state. Since the start of the team approach in 1996, the quality of care for all consequences of assault has improved dramatically, and interviews are done more efficiently and privately.
I hope that the programs will be able to depend upon consistent funding from state and local governments, until we are able to stop the tragedy of interpersonal violence in our communities. "Violence is a Healthcare Issue"!
-- Stephanie Eklund, MD, FACOG
Medical Director, FNSP
Anchorage
One would think during the current recession that the White House would be a good steward of the people's money but, apparently the current crisiss has escaped the first lady.
An unprecedented number of personal staffers now cater to the First Lady, 22 to be exact. Starting with Mamie Eisenhower through Laura Bush the First Ladies had a total of eight (8) paid staffers, please go to the following website to confirm:
canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/12652
Notice that it's a Canadian website. US media don't dare mess with the First Lady.
-- Mark Smith
Anchorage
Over the past week I have studied Afghanistan in history class. During this week I realized that most of us in America take our privileges and resources for granted. In Afghanistan they do not have enough money to pay for their meals and their water is very unsanitary. Here in America most of us have more than enough food every day and our water is very clean.
I believe that we could make a difference! I have a few friends whose dads are deployed in Afghanistan right now and they collect things to give to the poor. So I was thinking that either you could send canned goods to Afghanistan or donate money to be given to the hungry.
Now, I am not saying that every time you throw away good food that you should feel guilty because of the hungry people in Afghanistan. But I do think if you are a God fearing person that you should take a moment and pray that God will provide for the hungry people in Afghanistan. So I hope that you can take this into consideration and do something to help the needy in Afghanistan.
-- Hannah R. Stevens
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.