Dont need a bully president
Bob Bell jokingly belittles parental concern over Donald Trump's behavior and language in his March 14 letter to the editor. Bell goes on to say he learned the same language on the playground in fourth grade. This seems to be the main disconnect between Trump supporters and the rest of us. I, for one, don't want a president of the United States who talks and acts like a fourth-grade bully.
— John Fick
Anchorage
Run of a lifetime
Heartfelt thanks to Sabrina Walker, her family and author Marc Lester for the wonderful and hopeful story "Run of a lifetime." Most people are unaware of the huge advances being made in cystic fibrosis research, significantly extending the life expectancy of those with this disorder. To learn more and support this research, check out www.cff.org. Go, Sabrina!
— Barbara Mercer
Talkeetna
Justice for all the slain dogs
My heart goes out for the senseless loss of Nash and the injuries to other dogs on Jeff King's and Aliy Zirkle's Iditarod teams. However, let us not forget the gruesome killing of the unnamed dog in Kiana found hanging frozen to a stop sign just several days earlier. May there be justice for all.
— Karen M. Procter
Anchorage
Thanks, Murkowski, for support of genocide prevention act
A big thank you to Sen. Lisa Murkowski for signing on as a co-sponsor of the Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act. This is important legislation that puts peace-building practices into law in four ways.
1. It authorizes the Atrocities and Prevention Board, an interagency board that provides a "whole of government" approach (the right hand knowing what the left is doing kind of thing).
2. Authorizes the Complex Crises Fund, which provides flexible funding to respond quickly to emerging crises.
3. Requires conflict prevention and de-escalation training for all State Department foreign service officers, so they can more readily recognize the signs that would lead to atrocities and genocide.
4. Requires the director of the NSA to give an annual report to Congress on countries at risk for genocide and atrocities.
These are common-sense approaches that save lives and money. Please reach out to Murkowski and thank her for her leadership and encourage Sen. Dan Sullivan to do the same. We can also alert Rep. Don Young that the House version is coming and he can come on as an initial co-sponsor.
No matter what your political leanings, there are some things that just make too much sense to play politics with.
— Lori Draper
Seward Peace Alliance
'Mad Max' movie or real life?
A few weeks ago I went to the theater and saw the latest "Mad Max" movie and while viewing the film I could not help but wonder if this is what the future is going to be like for all of us seniors.
In this storyline anyone over the age of 60 will be on the run from Rep. Lynn Gattis' elite army of strong, young warriors who have but one objective: rid the state of us.
We'll be hiding everywhere from garages in Spenard to old mining tunnels in Juneau — living on cans of tuna and maybe a few bars of chocolate from Sagaya.
I am stocking up now.
— Pete Eberhardt
Anchorage
Too much wrong in Juneau
As a former police chief and captain, I have seen a lot of right and wrong. I'm running because I see too much wrong in Juneau.
Last week 25 House members in the legislative majority cut help for disabled Alaskans. Cutting waste is needed, but cutting the ability for someone born with disabilities to buy a lift so they can live in their house disrespects what makes us a community. They also cut dignity for seniors. They left their lavish per diem payments and hotel spending privileges intact.
It's time for a change.
— Shirley A. Coté, candidate for
state House representing South
Anchorage from Hillside to Girdwood
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.