Parnell, back off 'drill, baby, drill'

I just got back from a wonderful place, Zion National Park. I toured the canyons in my friend's 1964 light blue Cadillac convertible.

I thank the men of vision who gave me that opportunity to touch base with my good human traits. The mule deer didn't give a hoot at our presence. I saw my first roadrunner, no trash, young people rock climbing, bicycling, etc.

I came back to our governor wanting to de-list the polar bear for the sake of drilling for oil and jobs. If we don't drill, we will survive. The jobs are short-term in relation to the big picture.

We are human beings. We can adapt. We have mobility, can dress for the cold and heat, and most of the time have access to Costco. There are hardships, of course, but no one takes to the open water hoping to find ice for their hunting ground, just to drown.

Mr. Parnell, join the ranks of Teddy Roosevelt, Rockefeller, John Muir and others of vision. Think forward, not just your term as governor.-- Emma Milkeraitis

Anchorage

Global warming is quite welcome

The media has presented many dire predictions of what will befall the earth. Global warming has been around for thousands of years, interspersed with periods of cooling and accelerated warming. Ten thousand years ago there was 1,000 feet of ice over Anchorage, and it was not SUVs that melted the mass of ice. Sea levels were several hundred feet below today's existing sea level. Sea levels have been steadily rising and will rise more. I have lived in a cold climate for more than 80 years so I welcome a little more warmth.

Asteroids have struck the earth, may have caused extreme climate changes, and may have caused the poles to switch. There may be more in the future, but I am not going to lose any sleep.

I worry about only one prediction, made by Maniilaq, the most famous of all Eskimo shamans. He predicted that "the snows of one winter will meet the snows of the next." He made many profound predictions before white men arrived, all of which came true.

-- Dick Griffith

Anchorage

Paper seems enamored of Palin

When is the ADN going to stop this madness of All Palin All The Time reporting? Most people who can actually read are not fond of, and in fact sick to death of, Alaska's Paris Hilton. This is especially true in Alaska, the state she sold out. ADN continues to devote almost daily space in print, and an entire section on line. You are enabling this egomaniac. Please report on news.

-- Zachary Roberts

Kenai

Outside hunters push out Alaskans

Alaska hunters used to have abundant wild game. Over the years, an industry has developed around hunters from Outside taking game that used to be for Alaska residents.

Alaskan hunters depend on game for subsistence. Today they hunt in an environment crowded with competition. Their supposed representatives such as the Alaska Outdoor Council claim to represent them but actually speak for the hordes of Outside hunters that invade our state and compete with Alaskans.

The constitution requires Fish and Game manage game for the benefit of Alaskans, not Outside hunters!

We need to establish a system where game management is based on an Alaskan First Priority. Only in situations where total elimination of Outside hunting was eliminated and game populations were not sufficient for Alaskans should other predator control measures be considered.

-- Douglas Donegan

Anchorage

Health costs mostly invisible now

"Blue Dog" Democrats talk about the cost of health care reform being too high. What about the cost of lost time from work and the cost of taking care of dying people because they cannot afford to see a doctor?

Anyone who is against the public option needs to examine the cost of private insurance vs. the public option. Look at the overall cost, not just the amount the government will spend.

People who worry about the government "taking over" health care need to look at who makes treatment decisions now (the insurance companies) and all of the treatments that are now denied.

Health care reform is past due and desperately needed. Where is all the "American compassion" we hear about? Apparently in many people and places, it is dead.

-- Richard Fletcher

Chugiak

Palin talks but can't walk the walk

Those who want to know what Sarah Palin is really like should consider the fact that she will not be doing a book signing or promotion of her book in Alaska. That is strange, but then, so is Sarah, as all Alaskans found out after we had elected her to be our governor. She is a very nice lady with a fine family and a strong set of morals, but as the lower 48 will soon find out, she really can't do very much.

Alaskans learned that the hard way. She is unable to transfer her set of values into action that results in legislation stopping the liberal nose dive into oblivion that we are currently experiencing.

She talks a good game, and gives some people hope, but as the rest of the country will soon learn, she is also very vindictive.

-- Bob Lewis