Villagers being shortchanged?

I sure hope that the government is spending equal amounts of money per capita for the movement of villages because of river erosion that they spend on residents along the Matanuska River. We all know that we are all created equal, right? Certainly we don't judge the value of one person over another due to their ancestors, customs, or heritage.

-- Linda Compton

Wasilla

Romney's has right qualifications

I and many people could care less what Romney does with his money and his perceived personality on television. The question is what are his qualifications to be hired by the American people to take on the task of running one of the largest economies in the world. His personality seems to reflect a business person. Level-headed, worked in the private sector, worked together with groups of people, worked in state government -- these are some of the qualifications I am looking for when hiring a president.

If Shannyn Moore is trying to say Romney does not care about our fundamental rights along with heath care, shelter and food, then she better get back to the drawing board and come up with something less awkward than "vote for the 'black socialist,' he's cool." Her words, not mine.

But, what would I know? I am just a middle-class female living on a budget and trying to get by.

-- Marie Graham

Anchorage

Title IX story failed to note Congressman Green's role

I was pleased to read in the Sunday (June 24) paper on the front page the story of Title IX's 40th anniversary. This still remains one of the most important landmark pieces of legislation to be adopted in the last half of the 20th century. It ranks right up there with other major civil rights and equality struggles, and placed women's sports on a whole new level not seen or imagined before.

I was disappointed, however, that athe writer only acknowledged Sen. Bayh's contributions in the Senate.

Congresswoman Edith Green was the supreme commander of the effort along with colleague Patsy Mink in bringing Title IX to life.

"Mrs. Education," as Mrs. Green was called while serving in the House, was the best builder of coalitions of anyone who has ever served in Congress. She could rally a team from both parties and at the same time win the support of the Nixon White House, no small accomplishment.

I was a young staff member, and lucky to witness history with her.

-- Christopher Jay

Anchorage

Jenkins should be able to do better than roast liberal media

Luckily for us here in Alaska, Paul Jenkins' commentary in the June 24 Sunday paper sets us straight about the "propaganda commissars over at MSNBC," part of the "left-leaning news media" whose reporting he says we "cannot trust" as it is "unburdened by any commitment to the truth."

But having read about the untrustworthiness of news reporting in the "left media," I was disappointed he was unable -- or unwilling -- to identify any media that he believes provides trustworthy factual information with a "commitment to the truth."

Of course, I was relieved he didn't hold up Fox News (or Rush Limbaugh and others on talk radio) as a worthy standard since their "slavering commitment" to their own political position "situationally abrogates (good) journalism standards" and involves the same "bad behavior" for which he criticizes MSNBC. Perhaps it is too much to expect Mr. Jenkins to identify any media today with a "commitment to truth;" it is far easier to simply demean any media with whom he disagrees.

-- Brad Owens

Anchorage

Fishermen brought manners to Russian

On Sunday, June 24, my two fishing buddies and I were setting up to fish at the Russian River above a "gauntlet" of fisherpeople. Before one of us even "wet" her line, a brown bear and two cubs headed down toward us. We gathered our gear and started moving down the trail.

The two gentlemen above us also started to flee but were kind enough to help the three of us in any way they could. One man escorted one of us into deep water as her boot filled. The other stopped to lend a hand to us as we trudged through the extremely high water on the trail.

I felt this example of gallantry was worthy of mention. These young men could have left us in their tracks but didn't. It's good to be reminded of the heroes that still exist among us.

Thanks, guys, from Aileen, Beth and Leah.

-- Aileen Keifer

Sterling