Murkowski vote puzzling
On her website, Sen. Lisa Murkowski says, for some reason in the third person, "Sen. Murkowski believes that climate change is a real threat that must be addressed."
On the U.S. Senate floor last month, regarding an amendment that included the phrase "human activity significantly contributes to climate change," she voted no, saying "I would suggest to colleagues that inclusion of that word (significant) is sufficient to merit a 'no' vote at this time."
So it's a "real threat that must be addressed," but human contribution to it is not "significant"? I'm sure the folks she visited in Kivalina last week would suggest it's significant.
How, exactly, does she propose we address this threat if our own contributions are insignificant?
-- Carl Donohue
Anchorage
Greed part of Koch legacy
The article by Paul Jenkins on Feb. 8 demonstrates blind affection for the Koch Brothers. One should know their background. The Kochs inherited their business from their father who made his original fortune serving the Soviet Union under Stalin developing its oil-distribution pipelines. After returning to the U.S., he built up Koch Industries and become a founding member of the right-wing John Birch Society. His influence led us into the Vietnam War and the support of dictators in Central and South America.
The Koch brothers now use their wealth to further their power in campaigns to put lawmakers in Washington that will follow their line. They established the Americans for Prosperity PAC, which largely financed our Sen. Dan Sullivan's ruthless campaign. They recently organized a seminar for new legislators to fill them with their propaganda. Presidential hopefuls such as Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Ted Cruz and Jeb Bush are seeking an audience with the Kochs for campaign funds.
The pervasive influence of the monied with their unlimited funds are buying our government and destroying democracy. Take heed of who is financing campaigns of our candidates and why they are groomed by the wealthy.
-- John D. Callahan
Fairbanks
Dems have their own Kochs
There seems to be a lot of undue concern over the Koch brothers' support of Republican candidates. Strange how we never hear about the fact that over half of the billionaires support the Democratic Party. Why is it OK for billionaires like George Soros and Warren Buffet to support Democrats without much media coverage, but somehow the Koch brothers are brought to task for supporting the Republicans?
The Democrats are the party of the rich? Both have rich supporters. Get used to it.
-- Bob Lewis
Wasilla
Iron Dog team has message
We both feel that life can be tough at times but tomorrow is a better day. Sometimes that means taking it one day at a time.
In recent years, we've lost a couple of high school classmates.
We want to get the word out there that there is always someone to talk to. It may be just a phone call that helps get you to the next day.
If you need someone to talk to call Careline, Alaska's toll-free suicide-prevention and someone-to-talk-to line, 24/7. You can call if you're in crisis, worried about someone, or just need to talk at 1-877-266-HELP (4357), or text 4help to 839863.
We're carrying this message while racing the Iron Dog this year.
We hope to be good role models for young people to choose life and live a healthy lifestyle. Everyone out there is important in life and has a purpose here.
-- Robert Strick, Steffen Strick Jr.,
Iron Dog 2015 Team 12
Anchorage
Thanks to Anchorage Aces for giving kids 'best day
"It was the best day of my life." That was the exuberant comment made by one of the student residents on the Jesse Lee Campus of AK Child & Family. He had just been part of a game of broomball hockey with the Alaska Aces on the Anchorage campus ice rink. Another young resident, so inspired and grateful for the Aces team members' visit, said, "I didn't know the Aces were coming, and I was so happy and astonished."
The Alaska Aces are joining with the agency known today as AK Child & Family to celebrate its 125th anniversary. The agency traces its history of caring for kids back to its founding as the Jesse Lee Home in Unalaska in 1890. The home was moved to Seward in 1925, and after the '64 earthquake, became Alaska Children's Services in Anchorage. AK Child & Family coach Thomas Gardiner states that the Aces' visit was "an exciting and magnificent time" for the kids in care.
Thank you, Alaska Aces, for sharing your time and talents with these young people. Your visit was an inspiration and made many young kids very happy. The Aces will continue honoring AK Child & Family's 125th anniversary at its March 14th game at the Sullivan Arena, donating tickets so kids can attend.
What a great way to help in the celebration of a remarkably long history of providing therapeutic and residential care for some of Alaska's children. The staff, board members, and especially the children join in thanking the Aces for their involvement with kids in their care.
-- Dianne Barske
AK Child & Family board member,
Anchorage
Gas line is pricey pipe dream
We read in the ADN almost every day, something that has to do with the big Alaska LNG pipeline. What we almost never read about (or are protected from) is that the Lower 48 states will be our chief competitors.
The going price for natural gas in the Lower 48 is under $3. About a dozen companies are lining up to get an export license and one has a license already. They can sell it to the Asian market at $7 or less at a profit. So what's the price of LNG in Asia you ask? According to FERC, the estimated landed price is $7 (mbtu) or less. And why is that so important to us, you may ask? I'm glad you asked. Our break-even price on a $65 billion pipeline (and that's probably a low estimate by now) is going to be in the neighborhood of $14.
That's why outside this bubble we call Alaska, our pipe dream isn't even on the radar.
-- Brent Reimers
Wasilla
Majority rules, Wasilla
In regard to Wasilla enacting strict new marijuana rules: Will that town be micromanaging gun laws as well? America. Home of the opinionated. If you really want to do something impressive, Wasilla dear, why don't you close your bars? By the way, what's your take on the gay marriage thing? Would my sister and her wife be allowed to walk on your streets? When the majority passes a law, you are just as bound to it as anyone. It seems incredibly illegal of you to think you can simply circumvent the majority rule. I, for one, am most assuredly speaking out.
-- Susan Coltellaro
Fairbanks
Grateful for sympathy
Our family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our family, hockey family, friends, associates and co-workers, who showed their love, care and support during the most difficult time in our lives, the unexpected passing of our son. We appreciate your kind words, thoughts and prayers that we received. Our family is grateful for the numerous cards, flowers, donations and prepared meals that were provided to us. We will always cherish the love and support you have shown to us; thank you for your loving sympathy.
A special thank you to the anonymous donor(s), Alaska Native Medical Center, Cremation Society of Alaska, the Rev. Al Woods, Anchorage City Church, Anchorage Police Department, Doyon Limited, Mendas-Chaag and Tanacross Inc. To the staff at Ahtna Inc., we cherish your donated time and effort and your amazing talent that went into the design of our son's program. That will always remain a precious memory.
Thank you from the Steinhilpert family.
-- Ada Chapman
Anchorage
APD priorities out of whack
Did you ever wonder how the priorities for the Anchorage Police Department are established? APD has sufficient time and manpower to set up and execute a "sting" for a marijuana delivery driver, while information was readily available at the company's website about deliveries and products. A major "misdemeanor" arrest by the way. And during the same time period we have multiple homicides in neighborhoods and on the streets of Anchorage -- all serious felonies with one arrest because the involved young person turned himself in. Maybe APD needs to rethink how its resources are being deployed.
-- David M. Schauer
Anchorage
Aces apologize to soldier
The Alaska Aces are disappointed to see that someone was unable to attend one of our games on a free military voucher (ADN, Wednesday). We pass out over 5,000 free vouchers on JBER yearly as well as have a special two-day event every November because we want to show our support and appreciation of the local military. Due to the high number of vouchers that are passed out, as well as our inability to print tickets at the Sullivan Arena as part of our contract, we do request that people plan ahead and redeem the vouchers at our office. This information is found on the front of the voucher and then restated on the back along with our office hours, location and phone number.
We are sorry Mr. Spears did not attend the game but hope that he will bring those vouchers by our office and redeem them for any of our six remaining regular season home games.
-- Anna Bosco
director of ticketing
Alaska Aces
Anchorage
Consider tax on rich to help pay for school, roads
A recommendation for helping solve the state's new financial dilemma suggested re-negotiating state labor contracts with the purpose of reducing compensation promised to state workers.
An alternative option would be to invite all those of us who make an annual salary of, for instance, $100,000 a year, to chip in. Set up an income tax and scale it so those of us who have a comfortable income would do what people in almost every other state already do -- help pay for our schools and roads and state police instead of reneging on our promises to our employees, many of whom may be barely able to provide food and shelter to their families.
Another idea. Should we perhaps include the option of temporarily eliminating health care for legislators so as to make their decision about whether to provide Medicaid to 40,000 uninsured Alaskans a more balanced discussion?
-- Hal Post
Anchorage
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