Senators must take action
I voted for both Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan, thinking they were going to change the way business was done in D.C. But now I see Republican leaders are no less dishonest than what I thought the Democrats are. Last week Sen. Ted Cruz exposed the Republican leadership for what they are — dishonest. They lied!
Murkowski and Sullivan ran as conservative Republicans; now is the time to back up their words up with action. Stand up and support what Ted Cruz said and turn our party around. I am fed up with the Republican party bosses screwing me and this great country. Are Murkowski and Sullivan with the conservatives, or with the party bosses?
— Steve Epperheimer
Kenai
Israel-Palestine history not seamless
It seems odd that Mr. Bloch (Letters, July 24) refers to Al Hajj Minshall's use of "Zionist entity" to describe Israel as an "abhorrent slur." The Zionist movement was established in the 1890s, long before the atrocities of WWII, with the sole purpose of moving persecuted European Jews to a homeland in, yes, Palestine, and is the driving force that supports Israel today.
If he implies that Zionism is somehow abhorrent and a taboo topic, one must wonder why. History is not seamless; the creation of Israel began long before the 1947 U.N. Partition of Palestine and Zionism was indeed relentlessly and ruthlessly single-minded in pursuing its goals.
Was the 1967 Israeli attack on the USS Liberty deliberate? There are indications that it was and subsequent cover-ups and refusals to investigate lead credence to this idea.
Did the Israelis renege on a pledge to President Johnson not to preemptively attack Egypt in 1967 until after the Egyptian vice president arrived in New York to magnanimously back down on the Straits of Tiran issue and build great prestige for Nasser through a diplomatic victory? Did this happen because of over-posturing by Nasser who knew he was unable to stand up to a vastly superior Israeli military but needed the imagery of strength in the Arab world; or was Israel's once-in-a-lifetime land grab opportunity too irresistible to let slip by?
Israel has the right to exist, like every other country it seems, because it took it by force — not much question there — but now that it does exist, it has an equal obligation to behave in a civilized manner and follow international law. Americans — because of our government's $3 billion a year support for Israel — have an obligation to investigate the true history of the Palestine-Israel conflict and have opinions based on knowledge rather than prejudice.
— Ken Green
Cooper Landing
Senators on attack out of their depth
Thursday's grilling of Energy Secretary Moniz (holder of a Ph.D. in theoretical physics) by Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee over the Iranian nuclear accord was equal parts tragedy and comedy. Most of all these senators lack the critical analysis skills and basic common sense to understand what scientists are telling us about the role of carbon dioxide in global warming; many of them cannot even grasp the simple concept of evolution through natural selection. And the last time they tried to get involved in this topic they (including our very own junior senator) sent a letter to Iranian leaders so poorly translated into Farsi that it made our entire nation look like sixth-grade dropouts.
Now they feel we should value their opinion in a complex issue involving nuclear engineering and atomic physics?
Until these senators take off their ideological blinders and develop some semblance of scientific literacy, their input will do more harm than good.
— Randall Plant
Anchorage
Toll mightve been worse without bomb
I sympathize with the letter of the "veteran for peace" about the horrific results of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But I contrast that with the projected 1 million deaths of Japanese civilians and 20,000 U.S. soldiers that an invasion would entail. Think about it — President Truman did.
— Doug Stark
Homer
For this family, flag is symbol of hate
I was in high school during the great resurgence of the Confederate flag, but geographically far from the desegregation that led to its reappearance in the '60s. I'm still far away in some ways, but as the Crazy Auntie I am experiencing what it means to those I love dearly. It is now in my "backyard."
In a state of our union that shall remain unnamed, my niece's family were thrilled to buy a house large enough for their family. They have a family with children ranging from wonderfully white to beautifully black — five brought into the family through adoption. It wasn't long before their neighbor made a visit to express his displeasure at having this family with children of "other" colors living next to him. There was no subtlety in his hateful, threatening words. It was no longer safe for the children to play outside in their own backyard.
When the Confederate flag appeared for the first time at his house the next day, it was certainly to cement the message. That piece of cloth, in living color, spelled out hate and intimidation as a reminder — as if they would ever forget what he said. A burning cross could not have said it any louder.
For those of you who have dusted off your Confederate flags or have ordered a new one, I have no idea what is in your hearts. I'm writing this in hope that you might have a glimpse of the pain and fear that your choice can be inflicting on others.
I know personally that my heart is breaking for my niece and her family and for all of those families and individuals who have been, and continue to be, the targets of violence and intimidation with this flag as the banner. I, and the other Crazy Auntie, are grateful for your consideration … and hopeful.
— Susan Smalley
Kenai
Watch out for stolen flower baskets
I think that Verona Gentry should post a photo of her flower baskets and tell us an approximate area from where they were stolen.
Anyone seeing these baskets popping up in another neighborhood can list the address where they saw them. Expose these slime balls on Facebook. Verona described her baskets. Gardeners: be on the lookout. And to the thieves: Return the baskets now or face the wrath of the dedicated gardeners of Anchorage. Shame on you!
— Linda Schroeder
Anchorage
Not all big road projects are needed
Roads and bridges are marvels of engineering. However, not all big road projects are needed, nor are all financially and socially responsible.
It is dismissive to suggest opponents to big road projects do so because "they don't like the road or bridge." Citizens of Anchorage care about their city and do not profit from stopping wrong-minded road projects. Yet powerful interests often profit from big road projects.
In the case of the Bragaw road extension, the opponents are citizens who have thoughtfully examined the plans, studies and history associated with the UMED North Access Road. The data support the assertion that the cost of the project exceeds the benefit. People who are well informed about a "big road" project in their neighborhood may have a more accurate understanding of the financial and social impacts of the project than powerful entities who insist upon the project (they like) and will ultimately profit from building it.
The Bragaw road extension is not needed and is fiscally and socially irresponsible.
— S. Valek Wilson
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, email letters@alaskadispatch.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter to the editor constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Send longer works of opinion to commentary@alaskadispatch.com.