Anchorage Daily News

Palin could whip CIA into shape

Some people have suggested Gov. Sarah Palin should make herself available to run for vice president. After successfully keeping her pregnancy secret for so long, I feel her best function in a national office would be as director of the CIA. She knows how to motivate those around her on the importance of keeping state secrets!

On a side note, my congrats to her and her family, and I got to say she's a tough old gal who can give birth on a Monday and go back to work on Tuesday. What a symbol of the Last Frontier spirit!

-- Peter R. Taylor

Anchorage

Reindeer, unlike reader, didn't turn a hair at the reindeer run

I read the letter from the woman complaining about the Running of the Reindeer event ("Compassion, respect for animals got run over by reindeer event," March 4). I have been in Alaska for over 30 years, I've read about the "cruelty" of the Iditarod, complaints about the fur auction and now this. My brother participated in this year's Running of the Reindeer, and we have pictures after the race of him standing next to one of these "humiliated and tormented animals." The reindeer was completely relaxed and content; there was no fear or rage in his eyes.

We are not in Spain, where they run these animals into an arena to be killed. This is Alaska, where we have events that are fun and harmless. I feel respect for these animals and love to watch the events you can see only in Alaska. I think that if you can't stand these events you can do one of two things: Don't watch, or get the heck out of Alaska.

-- Edith Lewis

Eagle River

Where is Frank Murkowski when his henchman takes the rap?

For Frank Murkowski, the Jim Clark guilty plea on fraud and conspiracy brings a new meaning to the phrase "believable deniability" ("Clark pleads guilty to charges," March 5). Anyone familiar with the character and background of Murkowski in both his professional and public life knows that the appropriate phrase should be "unbelievable deniability." This cowardly and arrogant opportunist has never taken personal responsibility for any of his many acts of sleazy conduct.

One has to admire the courage, if not the judgment, of Clark in taking the fall for Murkowski. Unfortunately, it only heightens the contempt for a man who would allow him to do so.

-- Laura Schafer

Wasilla

If Alaska's Young won't represent all, he shouldn't represent any

In reading Alaska Ear on Feb. 24, I was very appalled to learn that I am not a constituent of Rep. Don Young because I didn't vote for him. I was under the impression that being a legal resident of the state that Rep. Don Young represents in Congress means I am one of his "constituents" regardless of my political party affiliation.

It just so happens that I have been a registered Republican since the early 1950s and normally vote Republican but have not voted for Rep. Don Young since the mid-1980s, when he performed a couple of acts that teed me off. So being one of the 101,902 voters who said "no" to him in the last election, I will also be one of the voters this coming election in November who puts him out to pasture and elects a representative who is for all Alaskans. I have been a resident of this great state since 1968 and have been retired from the military since 1975.

-- George Wilkie Sr.

Willow

Atheist has found bigots and Christians one and the same

I am responding to Brian Leach's letter ("Christians are opposite of bigots," March 3): Not so fast here, Mr. Leach. Definition of bigot: "A person of strong conviction or prejudice, especially in matters of religion, race or politics who is intolerant of those who differ with him." That describes a Christian. Christians are certainly intolerant of my opinions; in fact, I am treated as a mortal enemy and Christians have no hesitancy to express their disdain (hate) for me.

You see, I am atheist. You can bet your bottom dollar that if I were running for political office, Christians would rise up in hordes to keep me from being elected, no matter how attractive my reasons for running might be. Leach himself admits to that in the last paragraph of his letter when he says, "A person's religious beliefs most definitely should be part of an evaluation of fitness for office." Leach betrays himself as a hypocrite. Additionally, he shows his disdain for the U.S. Constitution, Article VI, which provides that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."

On another point: The scientific community holds that a lack of evidence is proof of nonexistence. Where is evidence for the existence of a god? I dare say there is none; therefore, God does not exist.

-- Clyde Baxley

Anchorage

It's not always about money: Fund should shuck Sudan investments

I would like to thank Deborah Bock for her letter ("Legislators must think globally and back Sudan divestment bill," March 1). It compelled me to write to my representative, who just happens to be one of the committee members not voting for HB 287, and asked him to reconsider his decision. I was also grateful for the March 3 article "Alaska's assets in Sudan targeted," further outlining the arguments on both sides of the issue.

I understand the responsibility of those in charge of growing the Permanent Fund and working for the people of Alaska, but it can't always be about the money. Sometimes we need to be socially conscientious, and I think this is one of those times. If the folks in Juneau hear from enough of us on this issue, hopefully we can get at least one of those four committee members to change their position on this bill and get it passed out of committee. At the very least, it deserves further discussion.

-- Jackie Brunton

Anchorage

Sales tax only fair way to spread burden beyond property owners

A landlord can charge only what the market will bear. He can't raise rent when taxes or utilities go up unless the market will bear it.

During the real estate depression of the 1980s and 1990s, rents dropped by as much as 50 percent in some cases, and the city simply raised the mill rate, keeping taxes the same.

We need a sales tax that offsets property taxes by the amount collected so we have a broader tax base and aren't just taxing the property owners. This way taxes are spread more equally among all of us.

-- Greg Svendsen

Anchorage

Chester Valley deserves a better school; vote yes on bonds

I'm an eighth-grader at Begich Middle School. When I was in kindergarten the students knew that Chester Valley Elementary School needed to be remodeled. Every year the students would get excited because we thought that we would get a new school. Unfortunately, the school still needs to be fixed.

When I was in fourth grade, I was playing soccer in the gym. The floor was wet because the roof leaked. I fell and hit my head on the floor, causing me to become unconscious. I had to go to the doctor and have an MRI.

In fifth grade, our class had to leave the classroom when the carbon monoxide monitor alarm would sound. Even when the alarm was not going off the class smelled bad from the delivery trucks and the Dumpsters.

During my years at Chester Valley the roof leaked, ceiling tiles fell on desks, classes flooded and the outdoor stairs were falling apart.

I have attended both Wendler and Begich. I have noticed the difference. I feel and learn better in a newer school. I can focus on my schoolwork without distractions.

Please vote yes on the school bonds. The students and teachers at Chester Valley deserve better.

-- Chloe Smith

Anchorage

Divorced fathers excluded when it comes to equal rights to kids

Regarding equal rights, the United States has laws to give all its citizens equal rights. One group of very important people is left out: fathers.

Fathers are not given equal rights to raise their children in the case of divorce. Good, kind and loving men have children kept from them for no reason other than the mother thinks it is best. The worst part is that the courts think so too. How can this be? If a man does not pay his child support, sometimes because the courts have crippled him financially, he is labeled a "deadbeat." If a woman is raising her children alone, she is a glorified "single mother," even if the father wants to be a part of raising them. And not just every other weekend. What is wrong with this picture? It should not be this way. Fathers do not deserve this treatment. Fathers deserve equal rights to their children.

I do not think the Declaration of Independence states: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, unless they are divorced fathers, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Happiness is having your children with you; at least, that is my happiness.

-- Bartholomew L. Roberts

Anchorage

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