Letters to the editor (10/4/10)

Very impressive critical thinking on the part of Democrats considering voting for Lisa Murkowski.

She will no doubt vote against every single thing that you believe in, but she will do it in a kinder, gentler way than Joe Miller.

Help me understand how her "no" is better than his "no."

It's hard enough losing elections in this state because of Republicans. To lose this Senate seat because of Democrats is unbearable.

-- Connie Faipeas

Anchorage

Fish and Game officials sink to new low with bear snaring

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has sunk to a new procedural and, I believe, ethical low in its bear snaring proposals for the upcoming special Board of Game meeting Oct. 8-12 in Anchorage. By attempting to classify black bears as "furbearers" in areas where it wishes to implement control of these predators, the department seeks to bypass the board's normal process of drafting a formal predator control implementation plan. In so doing they can avoid gathering population data, providing proof of the necessity of predator control, and publicizing the plan.

Is this sound science? The department has long enjoyed tremendous credibility in the eyes of the public for its science-based management of wildlife, yet its actions of late make it appear that the politics of out-of-state trophy hunting groups has trumped science. The department has shown its true colors with these blatant proposals. How long can it maintain its scientific credibility and continue to enjoy the support of Alaska residents who have been left out of the process?

-- Linda Donegan,

Alaska Wildlife Alliance

Anchorage

Make a positive difference by voting for Murkowski

I have almost always considered my vote a protest vote -- given, sacrificially, as a note to the people who are going to win in Alaska, that we do not all agree with them and that we are not all Republicans. Seldom in the last 30 years has my vote made a difference. But right now is the time for our votes to make a really positive difference! Please vote "Not Joe Miller" by writing in Lisa Murkowski on Nov. 2.

-- Kathryn Reiman

Wasilla

Faith community addresses domestic violence at workshop

Friday's headline regarding domestic violence in Alaska strikes home to the faith community. The Alaska Christian Conference will be conducting workshops to address this growing epidemic in Alaska -- A Response by the Faith Community to Domestic Violence in Alaska.

Join us Oct. 29-30 at First Presbyterian Church in Wasilla on Bogard Road. Representative of AWAIC (Abused Women's Aid in Crisis), STAR (Standing Together Against Rape) and ANDVSA (Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse) will be the main workshop presenters.

The Alaska Christian Conference is an ecumenical organization of 11 denominations serving Alaskans since 1972.

-- James A. Stephens

president, Alaska Christian Conference

Anchorage

Enough innuendo, Murkowski; back up claims against Miller

Someone tell Lisa that this is what losing is. Most of those who lose elections at this level have thousands who voted for them. Now if Joe got farm subsidies to which he was not entitled, say so. If he got a cheap hunting or fishing license he was not eligible to receive, say so. And back it up. Enough innuendo. Is Lisa going to give back her PFDs, our Alaskan subsidy? And ADN, we got it, you don't like Joe. OK. Just try to keep it out of the news!

-- Gerald R. Flavel

Anchorage