Readers write: Letters to the editor, July 23

Kids are refugees, not illegal immigrants

ADN published a letter July 18 from Chris Lapp in regard to the children being detained at our border. He objected to referring to them as "migrants" and insisted they be called "illegal immigrants." These children are refugees escaping from violent, unstable and poverty-stricken countries. Our nation has long prided herself on giving shelter to such people. They form the fabric of our culture. Even in Anchorage we have refugees from Asia, Africa and other places who we have successfully assimilated into our society.

Considering that, Mr. Lapp's views seem to be divisive and racist, not to mention mean-spirited. If Mr. Lapp's ancestors were not Native Alaskans, he too is descended from "others," who may or may not have been illegal immigrants.

— Penny Burt

Anchorage

We don’t tax oil — we sell it to oil companies

As Alaskans, we are all business people and we need to clean up our language. We sell oil … we do not tax oil. Why the word "tax" ever was used instead of sale no one seems to remember. Using the word tax to describe a sale is an obscure use of the word and I believe it misleads a lot of people. The oil in the pipeline is oil we Alaskans sold to the oil companies, and now the Legislature reduced the sale price of our oil with SB 21. I know nobody likes taxes but everybody likes to sell things for as much as they can get.

We do tax oil infrastructure, just like most of us pay taxes on our homes and land.

When the Legislature reduces the price of our oil, do the oil companies reduce the price of their gasoline? No.

I challenge the Alaska media to get rid of the misleading use of the word "tax" and please start using the word "sale."

— Nick Cassara

Palmer

Writer’s cat solution far from humane

Why does the ADN continue to print Al-Hajj Frederick H Minshall's drivel? His solution to the feral cat problem is kill, kill, kill. And why not shoot the cats, stuff them and return them to their owners? Oh, so clever and funny.

At least the trap/neuter/release advocates are trying to address the problem in a humane way. I'm sure Mr. Minshall thinks he's the smartest person in any room. However, he adds nothing useful or constructive to the feral cat debate.

— Linda Beller

Anchorage

Thanks for Alaska Men’s Run story

Thank you for the story and for sharing the picture of Christian Harpel in your Sunday Sports section (July 20). Christian lost his father Craig to prostate cancer at an early age. Craig was an avid volunteer for the race and the UsTOO men's support group. After Craig's passing, Christian became the race director. That began during his sophomore year at South Anchorage High School until he graduated in 2009. This was the first time we were able to run the race together. I couldn't be more proud.

— Janyce Harpel

The Race Director's Mom

Anchorage

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.