Anchorage Daily News

More laws are better for everyone

I urge everyone to vote yes to all ballot measures, now and in the future. We need more laws.

If you don't forward this to 10 people you will get a wart on your big toe.

-- Walt Sims

Wasilla

Promise of no lost mining jobs rings hollow from experience

Re: Ballot Measure 4 (the water quality initiative): I have been listening to the radio ads that promise "no current mining jobs will be lost." And I believe them, just as much as I believed them in Southeast Alaska when they promised that a wilderness would not cause the loss of any logging or pulp mill Jobs. More than 2,000 lost jobs later....

So my question is to these advertising groups is: are you willing to put up bond money to pay the poor workers in the event they do lose their jobs? Are there any guarantees with your promise?

-- Marvin Yoder

Palmer

Politicians are acting poorly, even by Alaska standards

Has Alaska politics sunk to new lows?

Gabrielle LeDoux and Mark Begich are playing to the sympathies of voters by talking about their dead family members.

Some clown from Florida is trying to push his way into Alaska politics. He points his finger, but what has he done for Alaska and what does he want?

Both sides of Ballot Measure 4 can't seem to tell the truth.

I'll be in Zimbabwe during the election. Compared to Alaska politics, Robert Mugabe will be a breath of fresh air.

-- Cal Pappas

Willow

Vic Vickers sounds like a joke

Begich campaign spokesperson Julie Hasquet was being interviewed on the Channel 2 news about Vic Vickers and she wasn't sure where he came from? It's easy to see that he's really Mad TV's Will Sasso doing a cleaned up version of his "Jackass Kenny Rogers" character. The voice gave it away!

-- Stu Schulman

Anchorage

Bears are following instincts; crack addicts have a choice

For Craig Medred to compare a mother bear with cubs to a crack addict with children is an insult to the bear (Medred column Sunday, "To co-exist, some bears must die").

And it's an insult to anyone who took the time to read his ridiculous analogy. People have access to birth control, animals don't. And crack isn't food either!

First of all, the bear is looking for food, something that all living creatures need to survive. Crack is not essential to any human being's survival. The crack-head had a choice whether or not to get pregnant. Wild animals don't have that choice. They don't collect PFDs either. It pays to have kids if you're human.

What no one seems to have, is the courage to speak the truth -- that the woods all over Anchorage are being mowed down, and have been for the last 10 years. Overdevelopment, and irresponsible development have created this problem. Just look at California and take a good hard look, because that's exactly what we are becoming. Asphalt and concrete surrounding big box stores. Do you actually think the bears know where it's off limits for them to go shopping for food?

-- Nancy Cuddeback

Anchorage

University of Alaska needs funds to realize its vast future potential

If Alaska's governor and legislators want to do something of permanent worldwide significance, they can put a couple of billion dollars into the University Foundation to reduce tuition, raise faculty compensation and enhance infrastructure this year. And do it again next year.

With 16 campuses at the top of the Pacific Rim, midway between the population centers of Asia and America and on the edge of the arctic, Alaska's university has a setting unequaled by any other institution. What a grand place to realize the legendary "meeting" of east and west.

A major aspect should be building up the smaller campuses to strengthen education, research and the economy in the various regions of Alaska, and to promote better coordination and understanding among all Alaska citizens.

As the multinational corporations use up and lose interest in Alaska's natural resources, what will be left? A premier university providing education and research in all fields could dominate Alaska's economy long into the future. A huge endowment could ensure that happens.

Why not get ready for the future now? Our rapidly maturing university is ready to blossom into a leadership position among the top world institutions. Alaskans need it; The world needs it. We have the money. Why not get on with it?

-- Jim and Mary Lou King

Juneau

Victims should be more respected in coverage by media and police

It's a shame that in the heartbreaking loss of Jenillee Francis and Brandy Oktollik, the Daily News and the Anchorage police should fixate so heavily on the victims' culpability. Just what is the point of emphasizing and re-emphasizing whether the girls had been drinking? Why were police awaiting blood alcohol test results for 12-year-old victim Brandy Oktollik, but the driver "didn't appear the be under the influence?" Are we testing the victim and not the driver? Had Brandy and Jenillee been white, I can't help but suspect that the Daily News would have covered the tragedy very differently. Please show these girls and their families the respect you'd want for your own child after such a tragic loss.

-- Jeni Johnson

Oakland, Calif.

Market value on Stevens' house irrelevant to issue of paid work

Republican apologist Jim Crawford wrote a compass for the Aug. 15 edition, attempting to explain that, although Veco paid for approximately $100,000 worth of documented contractor work on Sen. Ted Stevens' Girdwood house that they never billed Ted for, that was perfectly legit because the assessed value didn't go up that much.

News flash to Mr. Crawford: Borough assessments don't always reflect every dime spent on a property, and it can cost more to put a first floor under an existing building than to build it from the ground up! This sort of thing isn't taken into account in an assessment of market value.

The headlines for the same Daily News issue about Stevens' alleged corruption will no doubt be decried as more "suspicious timing", but all of this is coming out of a Republican-operated system that has been purged in recent years of some liberal-leaning elements, i.e., the infamous Department of Justice firings. Meanwhile, Republican politicians in Juneau express dismay at the Stevens case, evidently taken aback by the growing realization that we may still be governed by laws rather than the political ideologies of whoever is in office.

-- Lars Opland

Wasilla

Departing doctor will be missed for his warm, friendly treatment

I was saddened recently to receive news that the Anchorage area would be losing an amazing oncologist. Dr. Frank Domurat is hands down the most capable, compassionate doctor I have ever had the pleasure to know.

Dr. Domurat is a doctor willing to take the time to treat the whole patient, to explain complex treatments and options, to include family and a patient's support team in discussions, to be available for consults over the phone -- in short, to make you feel like he's part of your team.

Dr. Domurat's office was a pleasure to visit. He stocked it with ice cream, cookies, sandwiches, salads and all types of drinks to nourish patients physically. One Friday I arrived for my treatment to find a bass and keyboard player packed in among the recliners. What wonderful emotional nourishment. He was all about life and helping people get back to it.

Dealing with cancer is very challenging, to say the least. I feel blessed to have found a man of Dr. Domurat's stature to help me through it.

Here's hoping for more doctors like him. Bon voyage Dr. D!

-- Maureen E. Moore

Homer

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