ER wait times not reliable statistic
The problem with using emergency room waiting times as a meaningful statistic on quality of health care is they include many "patients" coming to the ER lacking any real emergency reason: The drunks and druggies who end up there late at night, the lazy parents who wait until the weekend to bring in their sick child because they were too busy to take off work during the week, those who can't afford to see a doc for a routine problem, etc.
Any study needs to categorize waiting time for true emergency situations (subjective though that may be to determine) versus the "sick, lame and lazy" who show up there for various other reasons.
— Thomas B. Petersen
Anchorage
Count embryos, eggs in next census
I'm pro-life, by which I mean that I support sex education for teenagers (how much more pro-life can one get?), universal medical care, generous parental leave, etc.
I read on a billboard that "Embryos are Babies." I thought babies were little breathing creatures, but I guess I was wrong. I think the point is that embryos have souls, which I would have thought a theological question — not, for example, an issue of public policy — but again, I guess I was wrong.
If embryos are babies, I guess that fertilized eggs, which then must be equivalent to embryos, must also be babies. (Where will all this language-play end?)
I'm OK with all this — and with the government using this definition of embryos, and fertilized eggs, as babies (and babies are persons, right?) — if we then count fertilized eggs and frozen embryos in the census, and apportion Congressional representation accordingly.
— Rick Wicks
Anchorage
State viable alternatives to Iran deal
Dan Sullivan and others in the U.S. Senate are critical of the agreement negotiated with Iran regarding its nuclear program. Although the agreement is not perfect, these senators seem to think that the agreement should include every aspect we dislike about Iran. There would be no agreement if this were so, and what then? Will Iran live up to the agreement? Probably not without continuous pressure from the international community. If this deal is rejected by the Senate, sanctions will most likely fall apart and then what we will we do? What are the other options? Bombing, war, or? These seem to be the solutions from the party of torture.
Sen. Sullivan should be required to say in detail what his solution is. No vague solutions, no mumbo-jumbo talk. Let's hear exactly what his solution is. I for one do not want to listen to them rail against this deal and never offer a viable solution as they have with the Affordable Care Act. Just say no seems to be their only solution.
— Dru Malone
Anchorage
Planned Parenthood clips were edited
In regard to Planned Parenthood and the video, why isn't the group that filmed it showing the whole unedited version? Are they afraid what people will really see? Now we have people jumping to defund them, and saying all kinds of nasty things about Planned Parenthood without knowing the whole truth.
Really give me a break; I want the whole truth, not the version of a biased group that will do anything to get its way. Our elected officials who jump on this bandwagon with no proof should resign because they aren't worthy of their offices.
— David Lewis
Homer
No vote, no PFD — not so simple
I wonder how much thought or research went into the opinion of columnist Elise Patkotak (ADN, July 29). I have been a caretaker at a remote lodge for eight years now, typically arriving on the property near the end of September and staying until breakup thaws the lake at end of May. I have been repeatedly frustrated in my efforts to vote by absentee ballot since I can neither send nor receive any mail until after Thanksgiving. Furthermore, if you investigate the rules for absentee balloting, the state of Alaska requires a witness signature on all absentee ballots. While this may be an important safeguard against fraud, it also effectively eliminates anyone living remote and alone from voting. Rather than take away my dividend, I think the experts should apply their energy to insuring my right to vote is maintained regardless of where and with whom I live in the great state of Alaska. You see it is not so simple at all, like most political issues, and those who make broad blanket statements are usually the greatest threat to the due process and the rights of individuals.
— John Williams
Talkeetna
Reading list for pursuing a cause
Although I have been extremely diverted by the actions of our politicians, the last paragraphs in the article on the anti-Planned Parenthood Rally were truly riveting. Two children aged 14 and 17 expressed their interest in getting involved in the cause.
Since they are still of an age to be formally educated, and I am a lifelong student, I would like to suggest several titles to them before they raise the placards.
1. "Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Every Life," by Howard Kahane and Nancy Cavender
2. "Becoming a Critical Thinker," by Sherry Diestler
3. "Words that Work: It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear," by Dr, Frank Luntz
4. "Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces That Shape How We Think, Feel and Behave," by Adam Alter
These books will take real effort to read and understand; but these titles, or similar ones, will be life-long aids in navigating this extremely loud and complex world. Words can be a light in the darkness or a cave where ignorance lives. The hard part is ascertaining which are which. Good luck on the search and never stop asking questions.
— Pam Ockerlander
Wasilla
Everyone deserves place to call home
Thank you to Mayor Berkowitz and the Anchorage Assembly for helping create more permanent supportive housing for homeless Anchorage residents at the Merrill Field Safe Harbor Inn. This is a very productive step forward for two reasons.
First, permanent supportive housing for those suffering from chronic homelessness, chronic alcoholism or mental disorders is a proven best practice. It is the key successful strategy identified by cities that have ended homelessness. In city after city, it is a solution that reduces chronic homelessness, significantly cuts public costs, and improves public safety.
Second, this step exemplifies the creative partnerships needed to end homelessness in Anchorage. The relatively small municipal funding invested will leverage federal and state funding, and private philanthropy, to operate Safe Harbor Inn for 3 years and will provide intensive case management for residents.
Partnerships between the city, nonprofits like RurAL CAP at Safe Harbor Inn, and federal and state government are exactly what we need if we are to improve Anchorage's housing issues along the entire housing continuum — from sheltering our most vulnerable populations to providing affordable housing to Anchorage's workforce.
We know stable housing gives people an opportunity to build better lives and makes a much stronger community. We commend the mayor and the Assembly, and all the others involved in this work, for helping set the tone for working together to make sure that everyone in Anchorage has a place to call home.
— Michele Brown
President, United Way of Anchorage
Young should take down his heads
In light of the recent senseless killing of a beautiful and gentle African lion, Cecil, by a dentist from Minnesota, Walter Palmer, I think it's time to demand our Alaska representative, Don Young, remove the trophy heads from his Congressional office in the U.S. Capitol.
This display only promotes killing these animals for entertainment from someone in a position of respect. There is no excuse to display these animals for children and all to see when many large animals are becoming extinct across the world. Rep. Young did not kill these animals for subsistence, since there have been plenty of restaurants within walking distance of his office since 1973. Pure and simple, he killed them for fun. It's disgusting and should not be promoted.
— Carla Williams
Anchorage
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