Why objections to military move?

It would be safe to say the most successful brain surgeons in the world spent most of their lives studying and operating in that area. Our military generals are no different in their commitment. Their purpose, however, is winning conflicts and wars and protecting our country.

Congress agreed to cut defense funding by $500 billion over the next 10 years. Since the generals have no choice, they must find ways to save that money and still achieve their purpose. It appears they can't do it by cutting one or two expenses; they will have to do it piecemeal.

Sens. Murkowski (Republican) and Begich (Democrat), members of both parties approving the budget, object to moving resources from Eielson to Elmendorf, even though the military has shown a $200 million savings by the move. Why the objections? Because of the financial impact on the Fairbanks area. They should have considered the repercussions of the cut before voting. Supporting local economies isn't the reason we have a military.

-- Dean Hill

Sterling

Woman taking stand against litter

Thank you to the gray-haired lady in the visor who was picking up trash along the Seward Highway on June 1 near the Hope Cutoff. We saw this amazing woman picking up the litter scattered along the highway by careless drivers.

It is always so depressing come breakup to see all trash strewn about our otherwise beautiful state. Thanks to this dedicated lady and others like her we can really appreciate the beauty of Alaska. Let's just hope there are enough people like her that are able to counter all those who are less concerned about trashing our beautiful state.

-- Karen Womack

Anchorage

Adam Trombley took a stand for intolerance

Assemblymember Adam Trombley proves to be an intolerant member or our community and in my opinion supports the claim made by so many individuals during our last election that Anchorage needs to provide the same protections under the law for anyone and everyone.

During the last Assembly meeting it was brought before the Assembly to recognize Pride Week in Anchorage. Adam Trombley chose to vote against recognizing Pride Week, and in my opinion shows Anchorage how intolerant Anchorage really can be at times when it comes to celebrating diversity in our city. Why is it that Adam Trombley, a man living, working and presumably paying taxes in our community, is able to work as a representative of our community but then vote against recognizing Pride Week? It is an event held every year by a large membership of the Anchorage community.

Shame on Mr. Trombley for not working toward a better, more tolerant One Anchorage that supports everyone living and working in our community.

-- Steve Smith

Anchorage

Some legislators do care, after all

Over-optimism isn't often happily fulfilled and pessimism isn't overly healthy, but if things collapse a pessimist is less likely to be surprised. While trying to preserve objectivity, I undeniably felt a happy and optimistic disturbance in the Force when I read the Gary Stevens-Robin Samuelsen opinion piece stating that the Pebble project fails former Gov. Hammond's criteria for Alaskans and that the EPA is right to be "proactive and protective" of Bristol Bay's "sacred Alaska resource" -- fish.

It was as if a few hundred million dollars squealed in disbelief. This landmark statement illustrates that some legislators are truly concerned, informed and listening; that not only liberals are environmental conservatives; that this and other issues are far beyond party lines; and that unaccountable short-term profit motives must be moderated.

In Steven Seagal's classic Alaska film "On Deadly Ground," the evil corporate villain Michael Caine says something to the effect that "Alaska may be a Third-World country, but it's our Third-World country." My vote will be against acquiescing to such heavy handed steamrolling.

-- Ken Green

Cooper Landing

Free-ticket plan stops speech

(I was going to comment on our state deciding to appropriate $400,000 so that people could get free airline tickets to the Great Alaska Shootout -- but I can't, as I'm speechless!)

-- Mel Holden

Anchorage

Is APOC keeping its distance?

I wonder if Pebble has been wining and dining the APOC board?

-- Peat Galaktionoff

Unalaska