Couple grateful for lunch treat
On July 16, shortly after the noon hour, we were pleasantly surprised by an unknown couple purchasing our lunch at the Denny's on DeBarr. Since they wanted to keep their generosity a secret, my husband and I would like to thank them. They really turned our stressful day into a pleasant one. We will certainly reciprocate by paying it forward.
-- Florence Reynolds
Anchorage
Support for VA health care
I'm not sure what all the fluff is about concerning the VA. I personally have received excellent care from both the Alaska VA and the Portland VA. I have worked for NANA, Providence and Doyon, all of which have excellent health care plans, but prefer the VA in Alaska. We vets should support the VA or it may be dissolved into "Obamacare."
-- William Griffin
Anchorage
Call me greedy; I support SB21
I guess I'm greedy. I want a larger PFD check. That means we need more money going to the Permanent Fund. Permanent Fund money comes from oil royalties, not taxes. Royalties are Alaska's share of the oil.
When ACES was the tax law, oil production fell an average of 6 percent per year in Alaska while growing in the rest of the county. Declining production means less money for the Permanent Fund. Why did production drop in Alaska while growing in the rest of the country? Simple; at high prices companies made more money other places. Now with ACES gone and SB21 the law, companies are increasing investment in Alaska. This will lead to a reversal of the production decline, more money in the Permanent Fund and larger PFD checks.
I could point out studies by the state Department of Revenue, UAA and others saying SB21 is good, but why? I'm greedy. Defeat Ballot Measure 1 so I will get bigger PFD check in the future.
-- Michael Jesperson
Anchorage
City law requires dogs on leash
Municipal law (AMC 17.10.010) is pretty clear about requiring dogs to be on leashes. The abused exception states, "Control of an animal by command is allowed if the animal is engaged in an activity that precludes it from accomplishing that activity if restrained, and the animal is in an area normally associated with that activity, and the activity is conducted in a manner that minimizes impact with the general public." Control by command is defined in AMC 17.05.010: "Control by command means to control an animal by visual or audible commands, or a combination thereof, to which the animal responds promptly and accurately."
That means that walking your dog off leash outside a dog park is illegal, whether you have voice control or not. Allowing your loose dog to run up to a person or another dog on a leash is unacceptable, and if you are asked to heel your dog, heel your dog promptly.
-- Marc Grober
Anchorage
Veco scandal lessons forgotten as corruption institutionalized
Now that screechin'-impeachin' Sarah has gone magnum, it's easy to dismiss her signature accomplishment -- ACES. Sarah had something many Alaskans lack -- the crazy guts to stand up to oil companies.
Alaskan politicians learned from the Veco scandal that the public has learned nothing -- corruption is now institutionalized in the system. Those oil company "associates" -- the governor and legislators -- got the "faith" vote but worship at the corporate altar of ALEC. With pundits like Paul "Petroleum Breath" Jenkins cultivating the public's greed fear, Alaskans need to develop some self-control.
Oil companies lust for Alaska's declining pools because those fracked North Dakota oil formations lose 60 to 70 percent production after the first year. But no matter the vote on the oil tax giveaway the state is headed for bankruptcy anyway because our greedy leaders failed to develop in-state processing and manufacture.
Democrats, environmentalists, liberals and "federal overreach" will be blamed for not letting Alaska get sold off quickly enough. Oddly, this conspiracy of greed, sincerity and stupidity is motivated by fear of going bankrupt.
-- Rudy Wittshirk
Willow
Facebook discrimination
Why is it that the only way that readers can comment on articles in the paper or online is through Facebook? Is it because you don't want to have commentary from anyone other than your fellow regressives? Dialog used to be rather lively on the editorial page and with your resident bloggers but since the paper, in its infinite wisdom, has decided to limit commentary to those who are on Facebook, it's become a sounding board for those preaching to your choir.
-- Steve Sommerfeld
Anchorage
Chronic forgetfulness is bad habit that can be eradicated
Frank E. Baker's Compass: "The chronically forgetful thank the saints who find and return" does not report on an unusual affliction but rather one that is easily cured. Misplacing items is simply a bad habit and, with practice and intention, can be easily eradicated.
Assuming responsibility for one's own possessions is the first step, and the second one is behaving consciously. For example, if I set my keys just anywhere, I'll have to look everywhere to find them. If I always put them in the same place, they will always be there when I look for them.
But even setting a camera down on a rock can be made a deliberate act which will be remembered: As I set the camera on the round, black rock, I say to myself, "I am setting the camera on the round, black rock." Saying the same thing out loud is much more effective, because three different areas of the brain become involved: thinking the phrase, speaking the phrase, and hearing the phrase.
Although it takes practice and self-discipline to become consistent and replace the old behavior with the new, the "chronic" problem will disappear and friends and family will definitely be appreciative, because we do get tired of the unnecessary drama.
-- Sheila Lankford
Anchorage
Get some free childrens books
I read with great interest and approval Byron Mallott's letter to the editor (July 11) regarding literacy starting at birth. I wholeheartedly second his remarks, and would like to share with readers a way for every child in the state to receive a free book each month until they reach their 6th birthday.
Just go to Alaska's Best Beginnings website, which has an abundance of helpful advice for parents, and navigate to the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Alaska. Sign up and that's it -- start receiving free books! Then read those books to the kids. The books are professionally selected to be quality books that are age-appropriate for the child. Happy reading, everyone!
-- Sharon M. Winner
Anchorage
Shocked that Alaskans arent commuting by train
In visiting Alaska this summer, I enjoyed traveling between Anchorage and Fairbanks -- both directions -- via the Alaska Railroad. What a splendid train system Alaska has! I have also taken the train to Seward -- another world-class ride.
But trains are great for more than viewing scenery, and so I was shocked to learn that Alaskans can't use this rail service to go to work in Anchorage. Trains from Wasilla and from Girdwood get to Anchorage too late in the evening to be good for commuters. Alaska sorely needs a regional transit authority to help fund and operate commuter rail. My own Bay Area in California has such a regional transit body. Even in Utah, which does not always appear forward looking, Salt Lake City's commuter rail system is wildly successful. I have used it.
Time for Alaska to stop wasting money on moribund 20th century projects like more highways and automobile bridges and get with the 21st century.
-- Vicky Hoover
San Francisco, Calif.
The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter for consideration, e-mail letters@adn.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity.