Six incidents not 'widespread'

Daniel Patrick Moynihan is attributed as having said, "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts." August Cisar in a letter to the editor (June 19) claimed "widespread voter fraud" in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Government Accountability Board's website clearly states: "Board staff conducted a survey of the counties' prosecuting attorney offices four months after the 2008 General and Presidential Election. The survey results revealed that a total of six criminal complaints had been filed alleging voter fraud."

I agree with Cisar that voter fraud is a path to political corruption and tyranny -- however, six allegations out of 2,983,417 votes is not evidence of "widespread voter fraud." Making up numbers to support a law whose effect is to suppress voter turnout can be just as lethal to a vibrant democracy.

-- Bob Martin

Eagle River

Thanks for the good wishes -- and yes, I'm just fine now

Well, I knew this would happen. Every day I run into people who read press coverage that I had surgery (that I delayed to get through the regular legislative session) but missed the follow-up article that surgery went perfectly fine.

I'm perfectly well. Surgery was more fun than a sharp stick in the eye and I got to eat a lot of cherry Jell-O for few days. People have expressed concern to me every day and that's been very kind. It's a reminder that Alaska is a small state where people care about each other.

My cancer was very treatable and removable. I'll share what I've learned in case it helps others. Prostate cancer is usually very treatable IF you catch it early. Please follow the protocol of prostate screening every year when you're 40, or earlier if your doctor recommends it. If it's caught early, you may need surgery, or you may not need any.

Thanks again to all who've expressed concern. All's good, and I hope all is good for you too.

-- Rep. Les Gara

D-Anchorage

Being kind to animals has logical conclusion

I thank Elise Patkotak for reminding readers of what should be obvious: We should be kind to animals (column, June 20).

I live in a city with grocery stores, so I don't need to live a subsistence lifestyle in order to survive.

I like (most) animals. I'd like to let them live. It's pretty clear where this leads: to a vegetarian diet and non-leather shoes. Meat (including fish) is absolutely not required for a healthy diet.

So if you want to be even kinder to animals ... don't eat them.

-- George Nagel

Anchorage

When it comes to Bristol Bay, Pebble digs deeper than EPA

It's shocking, and frankly disheartening, to read a fellow Alaskan's misguided defense of the EPA's blatant power grab at Alaska's authority over our lands and resource development.

Region Chief Mr. McLerran asserts the EPA wants to "make sure we get the science right." Really? His agency spent less than a year on this assessment, when historically they've taken several years to conduct assessments of smaller areas. On top of that, they looked at an area 100 miles from Bristol Bay.

Pebble has proactively spent eight years and millions of dollars to research the most environmentally responsible way to mine the deposit.

Finally, the only group encouraging public input is Pebble. It seems the EPA wants to push their flimsy and rushed judgment past Alaskans. A 60-day comment period -- during our busiest season -- is unfair. It's only right to extend the public comment period to a minimum of 120 days. Alaskans deserve the right to due process. When did the EPA become above the law?

-- Thomas Gummer

Anchorage