Anchorage Daily News

Kids can teach Exxon about bullies

The children all seemed to get along, play together well and were relatively happy. Oh, there were occasional spats, but they were quickly resolved as first one would give in a little and then the other, and soon a compromise was arrived at and they would again go about having fun.

One day, one of the children who seemed to be getting bigger and stronger than the rest of the children started to manifest some bullying behavior.

The other children liked all the neat toys he brought with him to play with and so they put up with his bullying behavior. This went on for a while, the other children trying to make the best of things and get back to the task of having fun.

Finally one day, enough insult had been added to enough injury and the children simply stopped playing with the bully. They let him know that they would like to be friends, but in order for that to happen, he would have to play fair. Until then, they were simply not going to play with him, no matter how many toys he brought with him.

Exxon and the people of Alaska can learn a lot from children.

-- Dan Bollerud

Anchorage

Leave some trees when building

In the past year I wrote a letter lamenting the clearing of every tree on private property that the owner decided to improve. Again, all the trees are going down on a lot near my house, in my view.

I am not opposed to cutting trees with a purpose. Just leave the big, old beautiful ones if it doesn't interfere with the plans.

To the owner of the Denali Street property, you lose. Your old, drafty, house was always rented as a result of its location and being nestled in a cozy setting. Now it will be just a new house.

If I had the power, all I am asking is to have a plan in clearing property. Cut everything down is not a plan. Perhaps a limited tax break for tree conservation is necessary.

I will approach Mark Begich, but he is probably too busy ... sigh. Progress can be done responsibly, and be profitable.

-- Emma Milkeraitis

Anchorage

Anchorage hard on handicapped

Due to a muscle disease and lung disease I recently became disabled and had to quit my job. I am on oxygen 24/7 and use a scooter to get around outside my home.

I am appalled at the lack of handicap access in Anchorage. I took my 11-year-old granddaughter to the movies yesterday at our largest and newest complex. She was able to help me by opening doors, getting snacks and getting us settled in the "one" available handicap space in the theater.

I left at one point to go to the bathroom and let her stay so she would not miss the movie. It was a real struggle to get in and out of the doors and I mainly had to do it by pushing with my scooter. Unfortunately I could not get back into the theater where our movie was showing and had to go up front to get someone to open the door for me. Initially they just looked at me but once I spoke slower and louder they were better able to understand and walked back with me to open the door.

Then, last night I met friends for dinner at a local restaurant, and while there were two handicap parking spaces, there was no ramp to get into the restaurant. In fact the door was flanked by two large planters on a very narrow sidewalk. My husband had to lift my scooter and get me inside and then my friends had to lift it to get me back outside. Isn't there a law? I'm leaving Alaska after 21 years, and I'm hoping the next state is more handicapped-friendly than this one.

-- Robin Viens Anchorage

Americans should keep oil money

Mr. Gart Curtis' July 3 letter claimed that there is no benefit to allowing drilling in ANWR because the Saudis would simply decrease production accordingly and the prices would remain the same. His conclusion rests on the presumption that the oil will be used whether it comes from Saudi Arabia or America. Assuming he is correct on both points, if ANWR produced 1 million barrels a day at $142 a barrel, that would be $1 trillion in 20 years. The real interesting question is why Mr. Curtis and like-minded people wish that the Saudis keep all the $1 trillion rather then Americans.

-- Kevin Sorensen

Palmer

I/M testing is worth the money

As the owner of a 1986 Toyota Tercel, I'm writing to support continued I/M testing by the municipality. I've owned my faithful Toyota since 1989 and the car passed every emissions inspection until this year. It cost me about $300 in engine repairs to fix the emissions problem and my Tercel is once again I/M good. I've been told the repairs should also improve my car's mileage a bit, a side benefit.

Though cars are less polluting these days, I can't understand why anyone would want to end a program that's been as successful as this one. Why not do whatever we can to keep our air as clean as possible? The problem extends beyond carbon monoxide; benzene -- linked to leukemia and respiratory problems -- is a major car-pollution concern and Anchorage's I/M tests have helped to significantly reduce benzene in our air.

Despite testing, Anchorage continues to have some of the nation's most polluted air, especially in winter. I believe the benefits of cleaner air far outweigh any costs. I would only request city leaders to require all vehicles pass the emissions tests, because older cars are among the worst polluters. I plan to hold onto my reliable Tercel for as long as possible, but I also believe it should continue to pass any emissions testing if the car is going to stay on the road.

-- Bill Sherwonit

Anchorage

Bears no problem in old days

Petra Davis' parents should sue the state and the city, naming the state's local fish and game agent as well as Gov. Sarah Palin and Mayor Mark Begich, Mr. Big Wild Life. It would be delightful to hear their explanation under oath. The bears that show any sign of aggression should be shot -- not relocated, shot. I do not want to hear any cheechako claptrap about the bears were here first. They were not. The Indians got them all and the homesteaders finished the job. They ate the bears and fed them to their dogs, mink and foxes.

When I was small child in Anchorage, you could go wherever you wanted whenever you wanted. Children today should have same rights. I do not remember anyone worrying about bears. The bear problem is an unnecessary cheechako-generated artifact and problem and it is long since past time for it to be resolved, for it is going to get a lot worse.

-- Jerry McCutcheon

Anchorage

Let people decide on I/M testing

The question of keeping the emissions testing in Anchorage should be decided by the people of Anchorage and not the Assembly. Why should we let the decision of 11 members decide what we the people want? Put the decision on the next ballot for vote and let us the people decide what is best for us.

I think that the program should be canceled. In this time of uncertainty over the rising price of fuel and how it has become a norm to see it rise, a break in cost to the car owner is much welcomed.

Your paper states that $8.7 million is spent by Anchorage drivers every year (on the tests and related repairs). Myself, I would like to keep the average cost of $60 for I/M testing for each of my three vehicles in my pocket. Air quality could still be monitored, and for the most part I think that the people of Anchorage are pretty responsible in keeping the real junk off the road.

-- Charles A. Hubbard

Anchorage

Stevens not cut from 'Alaska 50'

In response to a statement in Mr. Dan Fagan's column in which he questions whether Gov, Palin's office intentionally excluded Sen, Ted Stevens from the publication "Alaska 50," I would like to make the following clarification.

The publication "Alaska 50" used freelance Alaska writers for all content. The government of the state of Alaska was given the opportunity to review all editorial content prior to printing; however, the state was not responsible for the development of the content. No instructions were ever received from anyone either in the government or anywhere else to remove references to Sen. Stevens. Furthermore, at no time were the publishers instructed, advised or pressured to make this commemorative publication appear in favor of Gov. Palin.

Faircount Media Group regularly produces commemorative publications for significant historic moments, and while we endeavor to include every important event, person and organization, there are, from time to time, omissions that result in dissatisfied readers. Judging by responses we have received from Alaskans, the publication is being read and enjoyed by many who do not share Mr. Fagan's viewpoint. For those interested specifically in Sen. Stevens, perhaps he might recommend other publications.

-- Ross Jobson

CEO/publisher

Faircount Media Group

Tampa, Fla.

Voting GOP doesn't do any favors

Why do so many vote against their own interests by voting Republican? Democrats will:

1. Pay attention to warnings from intelligence concerning attacks on the U.S. rather than going on vacation.

2. Reduce/eliminate agencies begun after 9/11, such as TSA and Homeland (Fatherland?) Security, etc., and return those tasks to original agencies; government reduction under Republicans = oxymoron.

3. Reduce/eliminate Patriot Act used as excuses to reduce the rights of all.

4. Close Guantanamo Bay, end extraordinary rendition of alleged enemies to overseas prisons for torture, bring to justice those in our government/military guilty of war crimes, restore habeas corpus to show the world the past eight years have been an anomaly, rebuild our damaged reputation and build up the world rather than bombing it.

5. Bring troops home in a responsible manner, leaving necessary troops for security and construction forces for the rebuilding effort for Iraq and Afghanistan.

6. Capture Osama bin Laden, try him and bring him to justice instead of waging unnecessary war.

7. Take control of our economy, restore the dollar and solve the medical/insurance crisis instead of pandering to corporations.

8. Work with the world to reduce the effect of climate change rather than ignoring/disavowing it.

9. Be on the ground before or immediately when disaster occurs to assist those in need instead of waiting weeks.

10. Stop deregulation of business, billions of dollars to no-bid contracts and appointments of corporate-supporting Supreme Court justices who pander to money, not people.

-- Sam Combs

Anchorage

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