Romney's one thing; then he's another

We all know that there is no actual Mitt Romney. Even those of you who plan to vote for him know that he is completely devoid of substance. First he loved gays, now he hates them; first he loved a woman's right to choose, now he hates it; first he loved health care, now he hates it.

Now with his choice of Paul Ryan as his running mate, we know Mitt is running on a platform that will lower his tax bracket even more (is that possible?) and kill the social safety net in order to do it. Our country's greatest accomplishment -- a system that keeps our grandparents, our parents and ourselves from living out our lives on the street. That's the horrible thing he is willing to kill just so he can get to be president.

-- Connie Faipeas

Anchorage

Governor should back LNG, power lines

I submit for the governor of Alaska to use the resources belonging to the people of Alaska to build LNG turbines at Point Thomson and erect DC power lines to all Alaska cities, towns and villages.

-- Lynn Shawback

King Salmon

Dear Jeff: Help me get rid of my aphids

This letter is to Jeff Lowenfels

Mr. Lowenfels, what can I do about aphid infestations in the trees in my yard? One birch tree has been dripping sap all summer, and now the trees in the front yard are affected, even the cottonwood. I don't want to use an insecticide that is toxic to pets, and spraying the tree with the hose is not going to work because the water won't reach very high.

Help!

-- Molly O'Malley

Anchorage

Where does right to bear arms lie?

Regarding Dick Palmatier's Aug. 3 commentary proclaiming that hunting game requires something less than 100 drum assault rifles on full automatic.

In 1791 the Continental Army possessed flintlock rifles. Mind you, back then, citizens were not restricted to matchlocks. When cap and ball was the newest thing since sliced bread, citizens weren't restricted to flintlocks. Ditto with metal cartridges over paper cartridges. Same with single shot versus repeating rifles.

When semi-autos fell into soldier hands, likewise did they fall into citizen hands. When that happened, the Dick Palmatier camp would surely have cried, "For gosh sakes! Who needs a semi-automatic 30-06 for hunting!"

Scale up history and consider a rogue army with assault weapons against a citizenry armed with five-shot, semi-auto rifles. Who has the advantage of knocking off the three branches of the United States government we cherish?

-- John Simon

Anchorage

Neighborhood schools must be welcoming

I am writing to take issue with the suggestion in last Thursday's article about wait lists for ASD alternative programs that it is parents who are choosing not to visit neighborhood schools and consider them as viable options.

This spring, as a prospective parent, I contacted four neighborhood schools, requesting the opportunity to visit. I received no response from one, was refused by two others, and by the fourth was allowed to walk through the building on my own. In contrast, alternative programs hold an informational fair and offer guided tours, with opportunities to meet staff and observe in classrooms -- all highlighting each program's unique strengths.

As a firm believer in what neighborhood schools have to offer, I am dismayed to find that many of them are sorely missing the mark in how they present themselves to the public. Until district administrators ensure that all neighborhood schools are welcoming parents and actively showcasing those schools' assets, it should be no surprise that parents are lining up to enroll their children in alternative programs that do.

-- Katie Bisson

Anchorage

Ryan's Medicare notion is class warfare

Pandering to the elderly (of which I'm one), Paul Ryan (Republican VP candidate) says Medicare funding for those over 55 shouldn't be cut -- even if costs can be saved without cutting benefits! But for those under 55, Medicare as we know it should be scrapped, precisely because costs are too high!

This is hypocritical class warfare, enlisting the votes of the elderly to the disadvantage of the young (who are less likely to vote) and the benefit of financial interests (who will gain from the proposed voucher system).

-- Rick Wicks

Anchorage