Enstar lacks basic math skills
So the management at Enstar can't put two and two together and come up with four? Wow, that's scary!
-- Judie Wolfe
Anchorage
Thank you, ADN photographers
I wish to say a hearty "Amen" to Laura Hillary's letter Oct. 3 re: Bob Hallinen's photography ("Photographer has a fine eye"). For the past 26 years I've made an annual trip to Alaska and visited places from Dutch Harbor to Sitka, and Homer to Circle -- and many, many places in between. Now, though, I'm disabled and unable to travel to Alaska any longer. I read the online version of the ADN daily. Mr Hallinan's photos (and those of your other fine photographers) help me remember all the great times I've had in your beautiful state.
-- Andy Anderson
Aurora, Colo.
'Efficient' system not always the best
In response to the flag-waving chest-thumpers attacking Michael Moore for his movie "Capitalism: A Love Story," here's a bit of shocking news: 1. Capitalism is not a pure system or 2. Socialism is not devoid of enterprise.
Americans who paid attention during the debate over auto bailout/loans from Congress should have picked up on a major point that American manufacturers made about their competitive disadvantage: European and Japanese socialism. The social safety net and health-care system provided through taxpayers in Europe and Japan effectively moves the unemployment insurance and health care cost "off the books" and away from the price of labor.
America insists on financing those costs through an employer-based system, which pushes up commodity pricing. Since health care insurance costs are now almost 30 percent of labor pricing, the sacrifice comes out of wages. All that "efficiency" that politicians like to brag about? That is a result of more production with lower labor cost. Based on that theory of labor productivity, the cotton industry in the South before the Civil War was highly efficient.
-- Elstun W. Lauesen
Anchorage
Wildlife resources managed for pleasure, profit of a few
Alaska hunting is for the rich -- road-kill is for the poor.
"Hunters kill bear as shocked wildlife viewers watch," ADN Oct. 8, reveals the corrupt state of hunting in Alaska.
Rod Arno, executive director of the Alaska Outdoor Council, says he doesn't hunt along roads but "there are other hunters who gravitate to roads because they can't afford to travel to remote areas."
So, after fighting "needs-based" hunting (the basis of subsistence) as welfare, Arno excuses road-kill on the presumption that these road-killing clods on the Peninsula couldn't afford a four-wheeler or a fly-in trip?
It proves what critics have been saying all along: Wealthy Outside sports get the good hunting -- the poor get road-kill.
The abomination of road hunting is the state's token wildlife subsidy to get the ignorant vote of road-hunters to support a hunting system blatantly managed for rich sports. Alaska's wildlife resource is disappearing because it is being managed for the pleasure and profit of a few -- and not for the benefit of the public.
-- Rudy Wittshirk
Willow
Let's all work together to save parks for future generations
The new documentary from Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan about our national parks is an inspiring story about the creation of the National Park System and the challenges of individual Americans to preserve extraordinary examples of our national heritage.
Here in Alaska, 17 National Park System areas protect representative natural, cultural and historic features of our magnificent state. Committed Americans have toiled to conserve the highest and best examples of our natural landscapes and the stories of who we are as a people. But the work doesn't end there. It is up to us to ensure the preservation and upkeep of these special places.
Our parks represent America's democratic ideals at their best, and organizations like the National Parks Conservation Association (www.npca.org) are working hard right now to restore our parks. I urge all Americans to join together in preserving our great cultural and natural legacy for our children and grandchildren.
-- Jerryne Cole
Anchorage
Public option is a necessity
I am an R.N. I graduated in 1954. Over the years I have watched more and more of my family members not get proper care because of either not having insurance or having inadequate insurance. There is no care if you do not have insurance. One cannot afford to get sick, or seek even preventive care, if you are under the age of 65.
What has happened to us as a country? Shame on us for letting our greed get in the way of what we should be doing. Remember, "Whatsoever you do for the least of my brethren, that you do unto me."
This plan will give everyone affordable choices. A public option is not a luxury but a necessity.
-- Emma Waner
Anchorage
Parnell plan good for state
I for one applaud Gov. Parnell for his proposal to reward good grades with in-state college and trade school scholarships.
This is a plan that will not only encourage young people to prepare for their future, but will strengthen our in-state institutions as well. It also provides a path (through planning, effort and dedication) for students who may not otherwise be able to afford a higher education.
Sen. Ellis and Rep. Guttenberg have it wrong. A scholarship received for good grades because you have a financial need is still a "financial need" scholarship. But a scholarship based on your accomplishments levels the "field" among your peers.-- Ted Kramer
Anchorage
'Lion King' people have heart
After spending three days in the Providence children's hospital with my ill son, we got a huge surprise. The cast and crew from "The Lion King" had come to visit the ill children. They talked to each child, posed for pictures with them, and even sang a song for them. There were smiles on the children and adults all around.
What a professional, compassionate group of people visiting Alaska.
-- Laura Kelly
Anchorage
To draw more development, build new road on the Slope
Thank goodness for the recent ADN Compass article entitled "Alaska poorer for outdated oil attitude" by Brad Keithly (Oct. 8). It is about time we all realized that future oil and gas opportunities in Alaska must be competitive on a worldwide scale. This winter, petroleum exploration on the North Slope is likely to fall to an all-time low.
If Alaska wants to see ongoing, responsible oil and gas developments, it needs to be more proactive in attracting the necessary exploration investment.
So what needs to change? Apart from an improved fiscal system and quicker project cycle times, how about better North Slope infrastructure? When was the last time a new road was built on the North Slope? The "Road to Resources" could be a step in the right direction but why stop it at the Colville River? Build the road into the National Petroleum Reserve so that more marginal resources can be developed.
Such a project could change the whole dynamic for future oil exploration on the North Slope and help extend the life of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System.
-- Dick Garrard
Anchorage
Congress aiding seniors? No
I see in Thursday's Anchorage Daily News ("Senate health care bill gets good fiscal marks") that Congress in its infinite wisdom is going to partially finance the new health care legislation by reducing the payments to Medicare. This will also help solve the problem that Social Security has in paying out more than it takes in.
Aren't these guys and gals GREAT! They are really looking out for us old folks. Gotta love them!
-- Charles William Bingham
Anchorage
Don't believe Exxon's hype
The petroleum industry ads against taxes crack me up. Exxon banked a record-setting $48 billion in profits last year -- the highest profits ever for a U.S. company. In 2007 their business earned $1,300 a second. Oil-company hype would be ludicrous except people believe it.
Well, go dig 19 inches into the gravel on a beach in Prince William Sound to find out how truthful Exxon is. They sent a video to schools in 1990 reassuring kids the oil spill was cleaned up. They lied. And they are doing it again when they whine about taxes.
Alaska, you own the oil. Don't sell yourself short.
-- Shelley Gill
Homer