Opinions

Readers write: Letters to the editor, Feb. 11, 2016

Readers ignored past coverage of UAA basketball player

I resisted the urge to respond to George Harbison Jr.'s letter stating his displeasure with the ADN's article regarding UAA women's basketball star Alysha Devine's hair, assuming that he, being from Homer, has little else to do but complain about things during these winter months. It wasn't easy because, although it was pretty well-written, he displayed an obvious lack of knowledge about Devine, which can only mean that he doesn't read much of the sports pages on other days.

But I can't ignore the Feb. 7 letter from Mary Mendonca who also seems to have focused on just this one article regarding Devine, ignoring the many times the UAA player has been mentioned in articles regarding the UAA women's team.

Her comment that the ADN needs to focus on the players "abilities and not their physical characteristics" because she does not know how to respond to her "athletic 12-year-old daughter" regarding a question her daughter apparently asked after reading the article ignores the fact that Devine consistently makes the news every time the UAA team is reported on.

Ignoring the fact that newspapers have always run features regarding off-beat aspects of people's lives I would suggest that, if Ms. Mendonca wants to show her daughter what Alysha Devine's "amazing athletic accomplishments" are, she buy two season tickets to UAA women's basketball games, attend them and watch. Devine is a junior so there will be plenty of opportunities to watch not just her hair grow, but her continuing development.

What Alysha Devine has done in her three years at UAA, coming from Jeannie Hebert's outstanding program at Wasilla High School, is an inspiration to all of us who have followed this team. The obvious hard work she has put in to become one of the elite players on THE elite program in all of NCAA Division II basketball has been amazing to watch — and not one of us who have been there to see it has not marveled over that ponytail.

As for Mr. Harbison's concerns that he is not being informed regarding Devine's skills on the court, I will make this offer: If he is willing to get on the basketball court for a one-on-one matchup with Alysha Devine and he scores one basket, I will buy him his next haircut. I'm confident, without even knowing who he is or what his athletic abilities are that I will win that bet. Even if I don't, Mr. Harbison will come away from the experience with, not just the trim of his choice, but the knowledge regarding Devine's skills that he appears to desire and, I am certain, more bruises than he would ever care to admit that he got from a girl.

— Jim O'Toole

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Anchorage

The two-party system you’re speaking of doesn’t exist

In response to Debra Hinkley-Spencer's letter to the editor of Feb. 7 entitled "My pick for president: none of the above:"

I do not expect your liberal paper to print this, but apparently, Debra does not comprehend that the supposed two-party system comprising Democrats, RINOs and independents is but one party. I suggest that she and any other politically homeless individuals research the Libertarian Party as it is the only viable second party in this country and there is a reason why the establishment has kept them from being heard about.

Don't take my word for it, do the research yourself if at all interested in a viable alternative to the establishment-

controlled one-party system we presently have.

— Michael Phillips

Big Lake

Nixing one corrupt lease doesn't set a precedent

The ADN is currently blessed with a broad range of excellent opinion columnists. Among those columnists, I’d generally characterize Dermot Cole as a steady voice of level-headed reasoning covering Alaska politics. That being said, I strongly disagree with his statement on Feb. 7 regarding a proposal that the state cancel their boondoggle lease of the LIO.

Cole wrote, “That logic could be used to justify scrapping any contract or agreement the state has in place. It’s legal and allowed by law, but it’s not a good way to do business.”

That implies that the state will be perceived by business as going about willy-nilly canceling legitimate contracts if they cancel one corrupt lease. It’s apples and oranges, Mr. Cole (or, should I say, apples and lemons); anyone swinging a sweetheart insider deal of any kind with the state should know that when the public learns of it that deal can — and will — be canceled.

That’s a perfectly legitimate and admirable logic for any government to operate by.

— Kenneth Higgins

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 under 200 words 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.

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