Anchorage Daily News

If Griffith tried a North Pole ski today, he'd probably get wet

How long ago was it that Dick Griffith skied the Arctic? ( June 5 -- "I'm so sure the polar bears aren't starving, I'll ski out and ask 'em.")

A lot of changes have taken place in the last 20-odd years.

Maybe the polar bears would consider Dick too old and tough to eat and he wouldn't prove a thing!

His logic is similar to the old proverb that carrots are good for your eyes because you never see rabbits wearing glasses. It doesn't prove a thing because a lot of rabbits who don't eat carrots don't wear glasses either.

I hope Dick remembers to wear his float coat when he skis out to check on the polar bears, as I understand that the several feet of ice that once covered the North Pole are no longer there.

-- Barbara Winkley

Anchorage

Grave family illness kept Stevens away from Washington balloting

This is in response to Bill Sherwonit's letter printed on Friday, June 13. Mr. Sherwonit wondered where Sen. Ted Stevens was on June 6 and why he wasn't in Washington, D.C., to vote on the Climate Security Act. Sen. Stevens was in Anchorage, saying his final good-byes to his mother-in-law, Ellie Bittner, and supporting his wife and daughter during a very difficult time. Ellie suffered a massive stroke last Thursday, and was in Providence Alaska Medical Center until she passed away on Tuesday, June 7. Family members, including Sen. Stevens, each took turns sitting with her in her hospital room during those five days.

-- Michelle Bittner

Anchorage

Parnell's integrity more than outweighs Young's bluster

Sean Cockerham's June 7 article, "Parnell cultivates support from the right," captured the essence of Alaska's break from the corrupt political arrogance of the past and Alaska's great future. Gov. Sarah Palin knew Alaska's political corruption was bad; but the extent of Alaska's corrupt political "insiders" is rather overwhelming.

Don Young's corrupt arrogance of self importance as a political "hitman" was defined by stating of Lt. Gov. and former state Sen. Sean Parnell: "He has done nothing ... He is a zero. A zero."

And (regarding Parnell's call for a moratorium on earmarks), "Mr. Whoever He Is ... if he was by accident to win this primary ... he won't be re-elected."

Sean Parnell, like Gov. Palin, represents Alaska's future free from the political insider dealing and corruption of the past. Gov. Palin, and Lt. Gov. Parnell, were warned of the political corruption from Juneau to Washington, D.C., and back to Anchorage.

Don Young's "mouth" again confirmed he is totally unfit to continue as a "public servant." Don Young's conduct, arrogance and more recent blatant incompetence sealed his fate.

Conservative Republican Sean Parnell and liberal Democrat Ethan Berkowitz give Alaskans a real choice for ethical, open representation in Washington, D.C. They are both men of integrity and character. Either is vastly superior to the "back room political corruption" of Don Young.

"Good Riddance Don" ... "I am so sorry, it was 'totally wrong' for me to talk about Don like that."

-- Wev Shea

Anchorage

'Experts' so worried about global warming they miss real problems

In frigid Seattle, they have the barbecue temperature index that tells locals when it is warm enough for outdoor parties. 2008 is the lowest index in 91 years. Alaska is an icebox this summer and global warming looks more like a scheme designed to put international economics into total chaos and less like scientifically based fact.

Can your editorial board sort this out please? You're big on global warming but short on credibility.

When I graduated from high school in the 1970s, we were told by the intelligentsia we were heading into a period of global cooling. So who is right? Cooling and warming take time. Did we give the experts of 1970 enough time? Maybe not. Are we premature in the warming trend? Who knows?

It is getting pretty sickening to read your paper and to watching the talking heads. The only thing for sure is no so-called experts know what they are talking about.

While America twiddles its thumb, Russia and other northern nations build ice breakers and lay claim on Arctic oil reserves. Saudi Arabia and Venezuela thumb their nose and revel in our stupidity. While China and Russia drill for new oil, we propose to save the world with windmills and solar panels.

When will we wake up? Judging from our presidential candidates, I'd say not too soon.

-- Jay Page

Anchorage

Alaska land grants could serve as recompense for support services

I am an independent journalist and community activist in Anchorage. My day job, to get health insurance, is to provide support services for the disabled through Hope Community Resources. Seeing the daily struggles of the disabled has inspired my to fight for the "little guy" here in Alaska.

Rooting out the "Good Ol' Boy" regime is a top priority for me, as are certain Native corporations who appear to operate above the law. I'm a young guy, and I'll grind it out as long as it takes to level the playing field.

This is not liberal rhetoric, but someone with a heart and soul, who is flat tired of the injustices he sees all around him.

Example:

In my social service arena, there is a huge problem of worker retention. There is little incentive to stay with the job; most receive little pay or quality benefits. I've devised one possible solution and sent it to the governor's office.

We've got millions of acres of land in the Mental Health Trust. How about offering support service workers a chunk of AMHTA land for years of dedicated service?

Just one of many ideas that bubble to the surface.

-- Joshua Marks

Anchorage

ABY, please: Anybody but Young

I am a registered Democrat. I think I'll change to "Undeclared" just so I can vote for Sean Parnell in the Republican primary. Why? No matter who wins the election (Diane Benson), they'll be better than Don Young! Besides, I've never voted for Don Young so he isn't my representative. I haven't, and he's right.

-- Robert Pessa

Wasilla

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