Anchorage Daily News

Front page story on 'swan killers' gave readers wrong impression

Thursday's front page article, "Big Lake swan killers ruffle plenty of feathers" was a sensationalistic piece that upset my reasoning skills and belief in journalism ethics. Ms. Hollander, using harsh words like "swan killers" and "swan slaughter" throughout her article, supported the "no mercy" attitude toward these two young women by omitting important details.

For instance, Houston Snyder has affectionately called them "b*tches" on his youtube video. Not mentioning this tidbit seems odd, given how the writer interviewed him and his wife. From Ms. Hollander's story, one is left with a rational couple merely concerned about environmental education and learning to live together.

But, we must remember this is a drama, and those featured have roles to fill. The Snyders, two social activists trying to bring understanding to the ignorant. The girls, two pitiful criminals with a vicious streak. Linda Tyler, the righteous judge looking to help souls facing similar temptations. Adding anything contradictory (like crass swearing) makes the story lose the dramatic value of the characters.

However, entertainment is not for the front page. This is where articles are still held to the journalistic principles of fairness and truth. Doing otherwise reflects badly on your paper, and not unfairly. I hope this does not become a trend.

-- Shane Kimberlin

Copper Center

Personal watercraft enthusiasts benefit from responsible riding

After reviewing the current events regarding irresponsible personal watercraft riding at Big Lake, I'd like to remind the public that education and awareness are extremely important to ensure that all user groups have equal access to Alaska's waters and land.

There is a club called Personal Watercraft Club of Alaska that has been around since 1999. On the back of all membership cards is the motto, "PWCA encourages all watercraft enthusiasts to enjoy Alaska's water in a safe and responsible manner. We support equal boating access and strive to promote a positive image of watercraft and their owners."

PWCA believes education is the key to responsible riding. Contact PWCA for membership information as well as any request for training; they will be happy to get some members together to educate you on responsible riding.

Please remember this, not only are you are endangering yourself and others' lives, you are also endangering your freedom of access and the right to ride. When a drunken driver kills someone other drivers don't have to worry about losing their right to drive; however, when you misbehave on a watercraft you are judged by everyone who wants to ban personal watercraft completely from public waters.

-- Gina Poths

Anchorage

secretary-membership director of PWCA

Medicare denies patients the right to choose the best doctor

Dianne Holmes, a local community activist, wrote a Compass article suggesting ways to resolve Medicare shortfalls regarding primary health care physicians in Anchorage.

The article suggests Alaskans who receive Medicare benefits could help pay doctors' costs over what Medicare pays.

I agree, so I asked my doctor about paying the difference. He informed me that it's illegal for a doctor to charge more than what Medicare determines a fair price.

Ridiculous. After paying 37 years of health insurance and more than 40 years of government taxes (for health care) it's confusing and disappointing to find out I cannot pay extra to a doctor if I want that doctor.

Why shouldn't I receive Medicare benefits if I help pay the doctor's bill? I'm not excited about having to go to a community health clinic when, after paying into the health care industry all my life, I won't have the doctor I like. After all, I (through my insurance) paid whatever it cost all those years, so why not now?

-- Ken Caron

Anchorage

Any figures you see on reserves in ANWR are just wild guesses

Dear Ms. Manousoff of the Alaska Conservation Solutions ("Oil bucket has hole in the bottom, and all of ANWR couldn't fill it," 6/19): I'm not sure how you or Ted or anyone else can say how much oil is in ANWR. Only one exploratory well was ever drilled. It was drilled by Chevron U.S.A. and BP Exploration (Alaska) in 1986.

The well's flow data is proprietary and the companies are not sharing; not with Ted, the Park Service, Obama, Sarah, the Sierra Club or anyone else. So any figures you heard are guesses and not even scientific guesses at that. The North Slope's geology is so fractured that predictability is more an art form there. The only way to truly know is to actually explore and test the region.

To say that it would be at least X years before any oil would become available is to admit something should have been done X years ago. To insinuate that the savings would only amount to pennies is just plain silly. How can you know the future value or availability of crude, condensate or natural gas?

Perhaps the environmental movement should quit whining, crying and lying and assume a leadership role in responsible development of national resources. Otherwise the American people may decide ANWR should be developed as rapidly as possible, including scraping the top of the reservoir with a D-10 Cat if necessary.

-- Jim Turley

Anchorage

Municipal taxes have skyrocketed since Anchorage voted for a cap

A few years ago Anchorage residents voted for a cap to limit municipal tax increases. Since then my municipal taxes have more than doubled; this year there was another increase of 20 percent on the four pieces of property I own. These increases did not bring any noticeable increase in services. My MOA taxes are now higher than my federal income taxes.

A 79-year-old pensioner should not have to pay for other people's education anymore; I paid for most of my own.

These constant tax increases may eventually drive me out of my home. There is no limit to these tax increases, not what Anchorage voters mandated or expected from a tax cap. The federal government sent us a check to stimulate the economy and the Alaskan government plans similar help for the people; the Municipality of Anchorage takes it away. A lot of people are financially hurt in this town. The sky is not the limit for municipal taxes. Stop these tax increases and lower the municipal taxes!

-- Hugo Dietrich

Anchorage

Forget TransCanada; spend cash building Knik Arm bridge

I was just thinking when I saw the AGIA thing on TV last night: As a state, we've got lots of options, and here are a couple.

First, forget the TransCanada deal.

Why not divert the $500 million that was offered for the TransCanada proposal for the gas line project, to the Knik Arm bridge project? We could then shift public support from a pipeline to "nowhere" to the bridge to "somewhere."

It still amazes me that we have so much money in the bank as a state, that we can't pay for the bridge ourselves without outside support. We should tell the private investor group for the bridge to find another project.

By opening up the Mat-Su, we would have room to expand to state owned land, freeing us to develop the area residentially and commercially, and to tap the natural resources available in the area.

Oh, and what about a road to Juneau? Lots of money in the bank. Saving for what? A rainy day? Hey, it rains a lot in Juneau. Let's provide relief, they need it.

-- Lewis Quinn

Anchorage

Cruise industry waste-water laws are too stringent, stifle tourism

I have been a part of the visitor industry for a number of years and have seen the visitor counts increase year after year. Newly imposed regulations on the cruise industry may have a negative effect on that growth.

The recently adopted initiative to mandate nearly impossible standards on cruise ship waste water discharge surpasses any current standards practiced by Anchorage, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and other communities that pump "treated water" into our oceans daily. Also, the state ferry system is exempt from these discharge standards ... Hmm!

It's my belief the voters in the state only saw the $50 per person head tax and voted accordingly when they passed the initiative. I also believe most had little realization or understanding how the initiative's attached language would affect the visitor industry.

The article in Sunday's news was informative but should have emphasized more the self-imposed efforts being made by the cruise industry of their own stringent environmental standards practices.

It would be good for you to meet with industry leaders to fully understand the real issues of the initiatives impact. Reported in full context, I believe your readers would be interested in knowing the rest of the story.

-- R. Dennis Brandon

Anchorage

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