Trapping inflicts agonizing death
Trapping may have once been a "way of life" but even Mr. Buechle admits it's not economics but "being out with the animals" that is his motivation to trap.
Using a snowmachine and airplane is far from "matching wits" with the animals he kills.
Trappers have a way of blocking out the horror, suffering and pain they inflict on their victims.
I would ask them to put their dog in a leghold trap or snare on a below-zero day and witness firsthand the agony, pain and finally submission to death that a trapped animal endures.
— Tom Klein, Talkeetna
In praise of Sarah Palin
I'm amused at the current criticism of Sarah Palin following her rambling speech in Iowa. She has been criticized ever since she catapulted into the political arena, particularly so during the 2008 vice presidential run during which she seemed to captivate the electorate, not because of her riveting speeches but her beauty and earthy homespun manner, something refreshing when juxtaposed to the excruciating political double talk we all have to normally endure. She's a tea party Republican, which elicits rampant outbursts from both old-school parties.
Is she presidential material? Perhaps not, but then I don't think what we have currently is either. I recall almost continuous lunacy spewing from the mouth of a female Democrat from California who once said: "We have to pass it so we can see what is in it," who was also third in line for the presidency. The only thing missing was the stereotypical dumb blond head rocking while saying: "I don't get it." Would I vote for Sarah over Clinton? You betcha!
— William Ahrens, Eagle River
End billionaire control of Congress
Wait just a minute, now … billionaires can buy a senator, thanks to Citizens United, the most dangerous thing to happen to the United States since 9-11, but a person cannot fly out of Denver with a pair of boxer shorts with a marijuana leaf on it in their luggage? Do we have free speech or don't we?
The Supreme Court wrongly ruled that money is free speech, but people do not have the right to wear a picture of a plant on their clothing and underwear? Sounds quite duplicitous to me. Join "Move to Amend" and help to overturn the extremely dangerous Citizens United ruling. Should billionaires be able to control our legislature? Really?
— Denise Roselle, Anchorage
Public consumption rule reasonable
I would like to thank the Anchorage Assembly for taking the lead on defining public consumption as it relates to the new marijuana laws. The reasonable and responsible ordinance passed last night sets an example for the rest of the state. Just as with alcohol, no one wants to have to put up with people getting intoxicated anywhere they please.
A special thanks to Assemblyman Pat Flynn for insisting on an "unnecessary" amendment providing for consumption on the premises of a licensed establishment. The honorable Assembly members have a difficult task ahead of them, and this ordinance strikes just the right balance.
— Tim Hale, Anchorage
Halibut bycatch needs to be reduced
As someone who has been involved in the halibut fishery since 1994, I strongly support immediate action to reduce halibut bycatch in the Bering Sea by at least 50 percent.
I began in this business as a deckhand, progressed to a quota holder and since 2005 have run my own vessel.
I find the halibut bycatch in the Bering Sea appalling and insulting. Year after year I have had my quota cut while halibut bycatch remains the same. The halibut bycatch in the Bering Sea needs to be reduced. The longline fleet has carried the burden long enough. It is time for the trawl fleet to do the same.
— Revelle "Tad" Russell, FV Sheik, Homer
DMV needs to make system fair
"First come, not first served: The Midtown DMV office has a system of taking a number to be served. It would be reasonable to think that customers would get a sequential number and DMV would operate on a first come, first served basis, but that is not how the system works. Customers coming in for a driver's license issue get a special number since certain windows only process licenses. Other customers planning to switch a title or get plates get a different set of numbers. Driver's license number are called first so customers who came in after me went first and my wait was 50 minutes. The driver's license wait was about 10 minutes.
I spoke to a 10-year employee about this disparity and she said customers complain all day about this treatment, but she was helpless to make the system fair.
— Alvin Carlsonn, Anchorage
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