Anchorage Daily News

Sex information for children shouldn't be limited to abstinence

Just in case parents need help talking to their children about sex, or children need help listening when their parents are talking to them, we need education programs in our schools and communities to keep our children healthy. We should be providing information about abstinence (what it is and what it isn't), as well as contraception, healthy communication, responsible decision making, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

Studies show that abstinence-only programs don't reduce the number of teen pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections. Alaska teens need to know that they rank first in the nation in chlamydia rates (a sexually transmitted infection). Sexually transmitted infections can lead to infertility. But they are preventable and treatable, if you know about them.

-- Stephanie Martin, board chair

Anchorage

Quickest way to stop genocide is by hitting supporters' bottom line

In light of the atrocities that are occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan, my hat goes off to state Reps. Bob Lynn and Les Gara and to Sen. Hollis French. They have sponsored legislation that divests Alaska investment in companies that support the current regime in Sudan ("Bill would curb investment in Sudan," Jan. 10).

Similar efforts have recently been taken by the Bush administration and by over 20 other states. Such efforts will hopefully pressure these companies (most of which are based out of Asia) to limit their activities in Sudan until the current regime works harder to stop the genocide. I encourage others to ask their legislators to support this legislation and to take all efforts to stop the genocide.

-- Robert Pattison

Anchorage

Daily News always can be relied on to provide information, in its way

In an age where print journalism finds a difficult time competing with online access, I still enjoy plopping down hard cash for my Sunday hard copy. On Jan. 20, I relished every penny of the cost of my Daily News, which had:

A column by Tim Bradner which asserted falsely that North Slope producers like Conoco Phillips "own gas": $1.50;

An opinion piece by Dan Fagan that not surprisingly used racial bigotry and class warfare with such uncharacteristically tight prose that one might wonder about the identity of his new ghost writer: $1.50;

A commentary by failed gubernatorial candidate Andrew Halcro that reminded us that "women are always right": $1.50;

Both a picture of a scientist who showed how female near-hominid primates with great geographic extent wage Machiavellian warfare for political control of their society where feckless males survive merely to fight and breed, and a picture of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin addressing the Legislature while Senate President Lyda Green stared daggers into her back and an ill-focused House Speaker John Harris gazed at the horizon:

Priceless.

-- Mike Rogers

Anchorage

All have words, but Mitt Romney's record proves he's best candidate

The Alaska caucus is to be held on Feb. 5. I would like to encourage you to take a closer look at Mitt Romney. He has a proven track record of turning around companies, the 2002 Olympic Games and the state of Massachusetts. His campaign is similarly run. He is smart, youthful, vigorous and loves to serve his fellow man. He only seeks to serve. He refused his salary as CEO of the Olympics, and as governor, and has promised his presidential salary for charity. He has even spent some of his own money in this endeavor. He knows that he has the talent and proven track record to make a good difference in this country.

As of Jan. 20, Mitt Romney had 66 delegates compared to 38 of his closest rival. He has the most popular votes, the most wins and the most endorsements of Congress and the Senate. You wouldn't know it from the liberal media. They ignore or marginalize his efforts and success because they know he is the best candidate for president and the one most likely to win over a Democratic contender.

Please examine him, I feel you will come to recognize him as the one most qualified to be our next president. Lastly, for whomever, get out and vote!

-- LeEric Marvin

Anchorage

Let kids find out on existing courses if they want to play golf

In the article "Tees vs. trees" (Jan. 22), it was mentioned this is for the children of Anchorage. Do the existing golf courses now have many children golfing?

The community of Anchorage needs to keep our wilderness parks that we have today. Our families enjoy walking, jogging and winter activities amongst the trees. What a beautiful community we have, and we are so limited with what parks we have within the Anchorage area. Let the existing golf parks open their sites to children and see how many children hold that interest before tearing up a beautiful park.

-- Theo Bayou

Anchorage

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