Anchorage Daily News

To those who got out and voted on Election Day: Patriots thank you

Our participation in elections is an American privilege.

Never forget that we may make our personal political views known without fear of repercussion. Our civil rights, paid for -- sometimes in blood -- by our forebears, should be exercised with care and discrimination and never, ever taken for granted. We must protect and retain these rights, advantages and privileges for ourselves and our children's children.

Thank you to everyone in Alaska who took time out of their day to vote.

-- Lynne Bush

Anchorage

For freedom and humanity's sake, we need to disinvest from Sudan

I would like to commend Reps. Bob Lynn, Les Gara, Beth Kerttula, Bob Buch and Max Gruenberg for sponsoring and co-sponsoring House Bill 287. Anyone who even doubts the impact of not supporting this bill is out of touch with what is happening in Sudan.

Those in the Alaska Legislature who are true leaders will take the right path and not let Alaska invest in a country which supports the brutal genocide of its people for monetary gains. I have no doubt that if Alaskans knew that monies from their Permanent Fund checks came from supporting companies in Sudan that support this horrific government, they would choose a lesser amount, if that be the case.

We cannot expect our elected state representatives to micromanage every aspect of state investments, but when it comes to human rights issues, we do expect our elected representatives to make the right decisions representing not only Alaska's but America's citizens and what this country was founded upon. What is the difference between not accepting a bid from the Chinese company wanting to build a gas pipeline as this company had ties to Sudan and investing the Permanent Fund in Sudan?

This is our part to do what we can as Alaskans to help those suffering in Sudan.

Please encourage your representatives to make the right choice and support this bill.

-- Pam Skogstad

Hope

Bush-Cheney defense of Iraq invasion is incomprehensible

It is totally incomprehensible to me how Americans can continue to accept Bush and Cheney's actions in embroiling our country in an invasion of Iraq after all of the information that has surfaced:

Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction? Shown to be not true, and not even credible at the time.

Iraq and al-Qaida in cahoots? Shown to be not true, and no evidence existed at the time.

The U.S. tortures -- say it again louder: tortures -- its prisoners in violation of our laws, and Bush has the gall to veto a bill that would have reinforced its illegality; apparently he likes torture.

Now Bush and Cheney have the arrogance to brag on public TV on the fifth anniversary of the invasion about what a good idea it was and how well it is going -- firm in their belief that Americans will continue to let them send our young men and women to die for their delusions while we shop, go to Little League and worry about whether we can pay our next mortgage bill.

The only bright light in this ugly picture is that Alaska Republicans voted for Mitt Romney, not John McCain. Maybe that means at least our state does not want another five (or 100) years of our soldiers tramping around Iraq to secure our oil supply.

-- Robert Burns

Homer

Palin bill's goal is to keep public from weighing in on aerial hunts

On March 26, the House passed House Bill 256, Gov. Sarah Palin's bill that allows for non-science-based same-day airborne hunting of wolves and bears, and opens the doors to game-farming in Alaska and invites a legal challenge to remove Alaska's ballot measure to vote again on aerial hunting, thus taking away Alaskans' right to vote.

The bill essentially says a harvest number of predators can be set to whatever level is deemed necessary by the Board of Game (primarily made up of Alaska Outdoor Council supporters, which Palin is a member of). This can be accomplished mainly by aerial gunning of wolves and bears ("intensive management" is the politically correct phrase). This practice has twice been banned by a majority vote by Alaskans.

Soon the Legislature will leave Alaskans' wildlife management completely to a Board of Game that represents mostly big-game hunters. If you find this maneuver to be questionable, contact your state senators and let them know what you think. Messages can be e-mailed via www.legis.state.ak.us/poms, or you can check your local phone listings for your senator and call toll-free. Contact them now so you can have your say later.

-- Pat Irwin

Anchorage

Outside artist wasn't necessary

The sculpture for the museum looks, to me, like a robot made of ice blocks ("A giant among us," March 16). Hopefully it will at least be lighted to give it some interest. Why do committees feel they have to go Outside to get something good in architecture and now artwork? There are several architects and artists locally who are well-trained and certainly proven in their fields.

-- Jean Shadrach

Anchorage

Urban bears are our neighbors here; just leave them alone

Before any of you go into orbit about the needless killing of a young polar bear at Fort Yukon ("Polar bear shot dead far from sea," March 27) just remember that Fish and Game and the Anchorage Police Department are oiling up their guns in preparation for their animal urban nuisance bear shooting season; more needless murder of wildlife.

Let's try to remember, folks: You here ... bear there .... you leave bear alone ... bear leave you alone. Easy huh?

That polar bear was not going to take up residence in Fort Yukon. His killer was the nuisance.

-- Bob Wienhold

Eagle River

Candidate embodies the best of cross-cultural American society

We Americans are very fortunate at this time in history to have a presidential candidate who is rooted in both black and white Americas with the wisdom and the courage to face the challenges of our diversity in America. I am way past ready for a president who recognizes truth and has the courage to tell us what we need to hear as adults. I like his ideas for our role in the world.

-- Hugh R. Hays

Soldotna

Too many of those promoting abortion seem emotionally remote

It's very interesting to read various comments concerning abortion.

Here's the problem: You can't kill a 2-year-old, right? It's totally against the law.

Now back up that 2-year-old back into the womb. Now it's perfectly legal to kill that precious child. It seems OK for us, the living, to have our lives yet deny a child the chance of even starting a life

I see at times the angry protesters on the news carrying their "It's my body" signs. Yet I have never, ever heard one of them ever openly admit that they would hurt and be emotionally troubled over such a decision. That is troubling. I do know there are some out there who do cry and do hurt over making the decision. I feel for you, too.

-- John Anderson

Anchorage

If reporter couldn't get the facts, he shouldn't have written the story

I am really disappointed in the article written by George Bryson about the pastor from ChangePoint church being asked to leave but not saying why ("Pastor asked to take a leave," March 21). There were quotes that were not verified as being said by any particular person other than the Web site, and there just wasn't enough information other than stating that he'd "stumbled" and that something didn't click with their core spiritual values.

This isn't enough for a story. I'm annoyed that Bryson is writing for you when a piece of work like this gets published that might get a "C" from a journalism professor if the instructor was feeling sorry for him because he had a dozen kids and a full load of classes.

Find news for our paper, not this drivel!

Good luck, Karl Clauson, on your next endeavor.

-- Kellie Coulson Davis

Wasilla

Parnell and Palin owed Young a heads-up on Parnell's candidacy

I am so disappointed and saddened at the way Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell and Gov. Sarah Palin handled the announcement of Parnell running for congressman against Rep. Don Young ("Palin backs candidate who shocked GOP convention," March 15). It was rude to not speak to Young face to face before the announcement. I did respect both Parnell and Palin, but it went down a few notches after that.

I for one and many others appreciate all the hard work Young has done for Alaskans. I respect his age and wisdom, and he has feelings too, you know.

-- Joan Markley

Anchorage

JROTC awards ceremony deserved acknowledgement from the media

It seems the good gets lost in the news. On March 29 there was an awards and recognition ceremony for the JROTC groups at East, Diamond, Chugiak and Service high schools. More than 28 organizations presented awards to these young cadets from the Army and Navy JROTC. Missing in all areas were the press, yet this was a recognition of our youth and their accomplishments. These young men and woman are our future and deserve to be recognized by the community as well as their peers. Perhaps next time there might be space in "our" newspaper, or television and radio.

-- Patsy Burgess

Anchorage

President has used war to move into the realm of dictatorship

The war in Iraq has demonstrated that the commander in chief, the president of the United States, has the power of a dictator with his vested war powers.

He alone can declare war on anyone; for any reason; for any length of time regardless of what anyone else thinks.

That single person can also empty our atomic weapons for the same reasons.

I find this scary.

-- Bill Lathan

Anchorage

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