Letters to the editor (10/15/10)

It seems that every few days Joe Miller claims another federal program is unconstitutional and should fall under the jurisdiction of individual states. An interesting precedent exists regarding the rights of state governments versus those of the federal government, should Mr. Miller choose to look into it.

The case of North v. South (aka the Civil War) was conclusively decided in favor of the federal government and has stood as precedent now for nearly 150 years.

-- Eric Moore

Anchorage

What's sauce for the goose ...

So, Joe Miller can inform us of Lisa's past actions, votes and behaviors in order to help us understand who we are voting for, but mum's the word on his past?

-- Karl Kircher

Kasilof

No complaints about Postma

So what's really the drama behind the scenes concerning Judge Postma? Why is the judicial council seeking to have a very good judge removed before the facts can come out? That makes no sense unless it's to protect others in the inner circle from the truth.

I know Judge Richard Postma from two settings: the courtroom, where I have appeared in front of him as an attorney, and the soccer pitch, where I have seen him at play. Never had I heard a complaint against him in either of these venues. In fact, he's one of my top-rated judges: courteous, fair and dedicated. Even those determined to get rid of him admit there have no complaints about his performance in the courtroom. So what's going on? Why is his reputation being smeared?

I recommend voters read Kevin Clarkson's excellent opinion piece (Sept. 26) in the ADN online and what informed commentators have to say. Don't give in to tar-and-feather tactics. Vote yes for Judge Postma.

-- Stephanie Patel

Anchorage

No funds for politics

I read where the AFN Board un-animously endorsed Murkowski in her write-in for U.S. Senate and the first item of business at the upcoming AFN convention in Fairbanks is a motion to endorse her at the meeting.

AFN is funded by shareholder moneys from the regional corporations, as is the CEO group and Alaskans Standing Together, which is funded by the regional corporations.

As a CIRI shareholder, I say these organizations do not speak for me and my family and I believe it is not a worthwhile expenditure of shareholder moneys to fund Murkowski's campaign or any other candidates' election campaigns with shareholder moneys, which should go to dividends paid to shareholders in need as living costs continue to rise for them.

Shareholders need to contact their corporations and tell them to stop the misuse of their moneys.

-- Bob Rude

Eagle River

Murkowski's been a roadblock in Congress; don't send her back

Before the media blitz makes you independents, undeclared and even some Democrats think Lisa is the only way to stop the Big Bad Wolf, Joe Miller, consider this: She is just another wolf. What has she accomplished for Alaska in eight years (her six years and her Daddy's two)?

She has repudiated the one vote she cast for TARP to help her president save the economy from even greater disaster.

She has consistently supported filibusters blocking debate and consideration of presidential appointments, requiring costly cloture votes: 120 times in the current 111th Congress, 139 times in the 110th Congress, 68 times in the 109th Congress and 62 times in the 108th Congress -- a total of 389 cloture votes required to defeat opposition filibusters in eight years, or 31 percent of the 1,242 cloture votes required since 1919. How does this indicate a bipartisan, positive record to justify sending her back again?

Vote for Scott McAdams. He has long-range plans for programs that will build Alaska and develop our resources, not serve Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, as Lisa's votes have done and will in the future.

-- Jim Schultz

Anchorage

Drivers, keep your eyes open

I am writing this on behalf of all pedestrians. I am in an electric wheelchair. This last summer I was about to cross the street and somebody drove past. This person was talking on their cell phone, they didn't look up and if I had kept going I would have been hit. It was OK for me to cross the street and I had the right of way.

It is very important for drivers to look out for pedestrians who are crossing the street. That was pretty scary and I am very lucky to be alive. Please, drivers, look out!

-- Kathleen Muller

Anchorage

Control bears without snaring

Back in the '50s you needed to go no farther than Glennallen to shoot your three caribou when they crossed the highway. Moose were easily gotten across the Inlet; it was known as the bread/meat basket of Anchorage. I am well aware that game populations have been drastically reduced because of over-hunting and predators.

Fish and Game has a proposal to rationalize trapping of bears by reclassifying bears as furbearers. The term furbearers implies that bears have marketable furs. I don't think that David Green, the local master furrier, will be buying bear furs to make women's coats.

Shoot the bears, shoot them from a tree at a bait station, but don't trap them with snares. Snares are extremely cruel and do not target a specific animal.

-- Dick Griffith

Anchorage