Military tries for no civilian death
Mary Griswold's letter on Jan. 8 ("'Wash- ington-as-usual' stance on war leaves us vulnerable") makes it sound like our military men and women are as guilty as the terrorists we are fighting. Whose side are you on?
War is not hunky-dory and we don't treat it like we are taking the neighborhood bully out back to teach him a lesson. In wartime, innocent people die, unfortunately. The difference between us and them is that our military tries hard for no civilian casualties.
As for the other side, they intentionally would like to kill every one of us, and some succeeded in that on Sept. 11. Or have you already forgotten that?
-- Rosie Torres
Wasilla
Rail extension wastes money
Seven hundred million dollars for the extension of the railroad to Fort Greely is a lot of money. What economic benefit will it provide for Alaska?
That sum of money should be used for other purposes. For example, it would be a good start for a renewable energy project, such as a large-scale hydroelectric system for Southcentral Alaska.
-- Vince Leonard
Eagle River
Film's 'Pandora' is right here
As the sold-out crowd gave rousing applause at the conclusion of "Avatar," I could not help but reflect on the irony of the situation.
In Alaska, the planet of Pandora is not in some far-away location but in Bristol Bay, where foreign mining interests will disrupt social and ecological stability in their quests for precious minerals. While Pebble Partnership might not use military might to blow up homes, it will certainly disrupt communities and ways of life by blasting its way to one of the world's largest open-pit mines.
In Bristol Bay, like Pandora, a sacred balance is threatened by greed. In Bristol Bay, this balance is the integrity of an ecosystem connected through water, salmon and other wildlife, not to mention cultural tradition and heritage.
How many times must we tell the story in a fictional sense and applaud the feel-good outcome, when we are complacent in real life? In reality, fairy-tale endings are not guaranteed but require community action. Learn "Avatar's" lesson: Protect Bristol Bay.
-- Samuel Snyder, Ph.D.
Anchorage
Hold Begich accountable
I want to thank Mayor Dan Sullivan for his leadership in caring enough to bring our city finances back in order. It's so refreshing to have a responsible captain back in charge after the financial mess in which Sen. Mark Begich left our city.
We citizens have a right to know every last detail about the financial mismanagement by then-Mayor Begich and his staff. I've spoken to my family and friends and we want to know everything. We trusted Begich, his staff and those Assembly members who supported him every step of the way. Who is responsible for the mismanagement of our city funds? Who is accountable? A ghost?
-- Samantha Lukacinsky
Anchorage
Dog catcher story disturbing
According to the mayor of Dillingham, that community cares as much about people as they do animals. If this is true, why didn't one Dillingham resident visit the shelter during the six weeks the dogs were left to fend for themselves? Where were the caring volunteers?
It is not hard to figure out what happened. The city of Dillingham left the welfare of homeless animals in the hands of one young man.
It's hard to believe this happened in my backyard. So disturbing it has caused me many sleepless nights.
-- Suzanne Moore
Anchorage
Less regulation on sport fishing
Sport fishing and subsistence fishing should not be regulated when fish are scarce, since commercial fishing has the greater impact with the least benefit to Alaskans. Eating the fish delivers 100 percent of the benefit to Alaskans. There should not be any regulations on any Alaskans eating wild food, when the main commercial harvest has the primary impact on depleting fish stocks.
-- Greg Hayes
Juneau
Want health care? Join a union
In "Backroom health deals hurts contractors" (Jan. 12), Rebecca Logan appears to have answered her own question about portability of heath care benefits. She bemoans the fact that large employers and unions are able to join together for portability of health care benefits while contractors are left out in the cold.
Well, Rebecca, as the president and CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors, you should encourage your members to join unions for access to health care portability. Along with that, there will be other benefits such as pension portability and quality of life portability.
But, as usual, the small business community will probably just complain about how unfair everything is and continue to work to put more money in their own pockets, balanced as always on the backs of their employees.
-- Sam Rouse
Anchorage
Senator, keep allegiance straight
The recent article "Lobbyists helped Murkowski write bill to limit EPA" shines the spotlight on a practice that is all too common in Washington, D.C. The revolving door of public officials becoming lobbyists and using their former position and connections to push corporate interests has been going on for decades.
But that certainly doesn't make it OK. Instead of representing the interests and pocketbooks of corporate polluters, Sen. Lisa Murkowski should be protecting the public health and environment here in Alaska. Lobbyists are paid to represent the company they work for, but Senator Murkowski is paid to represent us.
Instead of delaying action on such critical issues as global warming, Senator Murkowski should be pursuing positive action to reduce emissions and the warming it is causing, particularly in Alaska.
-- Steve Cleary
Anchorage