Wretched flower thieves
What kind of lowlife can enjoy stolen flowers? Oh, of course, the same lowlife who would steal them in the first place. Three flower baskets were stolen off my fence and I understand how Ms. Gentry feels (Letters, July 25).
I guess I'm supposed to be grateful to the thief because he only took three baskets instead of all 13.
— Kathryn Coleman
Eagle River
Slavery legislation is critical
On Monday, Secretary of State John Kerry released the 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report, which ranks 188 countries on their efforts to combat human trafficking, including the United States. The TIP Report is the world's "gold standard" for information on the global crime of modern day slavery.
The report shows a desperate need for more international assistance to free children, women and men from enslavement and to prosecute and punish those who exploit and abuse them. There is a bipartisan initiative in Congress that would provide increased U.S. foreign aid through a public-private partnership, the End Modern Slavery Initiative. The fund will receive money from other government donors, as well.
I strongly support the End Modern Slavery Initiative, and I hope our entire Alaska delegation will co-sponsor this bill and push for its passage.
— Lawrence Lease
Wasilla
We need jobs, not increased benefits
I saw in the news that our new governor wants to increase Medicaid. The question I have is why should people on Medicaid get better benefits than my wife and I on Medicare? The people on Medicaid don't need more, they need jobs so they can be a benefit to themselves and their families.
— James Christenson
Willow
Massage license fees sky-high
Thank you, Dan Russell, for your commentary about the new licensing board. I, for one, appreciate the new board. This will make it easier for law enforcement to shut down illicit "massage parlors," while protecting legitimate businesses.
My only complaint about the new board is why every active therapist and massage school graduate has to pay $660 for this. This supposedly includes a $400 biannual fee, a $200 application fee, plus $60 for fingerprinting. Why is our licensing fee the highest of any profession requiring state licensure?
— Jason Karpinski
Anchorage
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