Anchorage Daily News

Shame on Carey for dissing Palin

From the Sunshine State to America's "Last Frontier," thank you for giving us and the nation Sarah Palin as the first nominated female Republican vice president. I have to admit that before this major announcement, I didn't know anything about her and not much about Alaska. After some research and the many news reports, all I can say is that you must be very proud.

However, I was very disappointed to hear one of your paper's representatives today on TV badmouthing her. Alaska's governor takes center stage in America and the world, positively promotes your state and its people, and the Anchorage Daily News goes on national TV to be negative? Shame on you. God Bless Alaska and God Bless America.

-- Thomas Bonetti

Delray Beach, Fla.

Editor's note: Michael Carey, who appeared on CNN, is the former editorial page editor of the Anchorage Daily News.

Stevens' office rode to rescue when no one else would help

Sen. Stevens has been good for all Alaskans.

He has been good to our family, although he does not know us personally. My husband needed entrance visas for his overseas partners. Sen. Stevens' office always came to the rescue when no other government agency could or would help. The senator's staff took action and efficiently resolved our business problems with different governmental regulations and/or restrictions.

It would be difficult to find anybody who lived in Alaska for any amount of time who has not been touched by the Senator's ability to provide for this state, improve living conditions, get funds to build the infrastructure, and assure jobs and subsistence for the people of this state. He has secured resources for Alaska Natives for the years to come. This has helped Alaska stand out from all other states whose Native people are often impoverished.

Long-time Alaskans know the "magic" of Ted Stevens, with his ability to obtain billions of dollars for the development of Alaska. This man has a big presence in our government and has dedicated his life to providing for the people of Alaska, caring less about his own riches.

I hope we remember our indebtedness to Sen. Stevens when he needs our help.

-- Tanya Bratslavsky

Anchorage

If troopers union had done its job, witch hunt would not happen

I want to start by saying I am not a Republican, a Palin staff member, or related to the Palin family. What I am saying is if the internal trooper investigators had done their job and not been influenced by their powerful union, the public would not be exposed to the current witch-hunt.

When a trooper can make threats to do bodily harm to an individual, drink in his patrol car, Taser an 11-year-old, and break the law by taking a moose with another person's permit and receive a five-day suspension, something is terribly wrong.

I forgot to mention that a Palmer bartender, who witnessed the number of drinks Trooper Mike Wooten had consumed, called the police to report he was driving under the influence. Wooten was stopped by a fellow officer, but was not tested. Do you think you would be tested, if a bartender called the police to report you driving under the influence?

The $100,000 plus should be spent on investigating how the troopers discipline their ranks. I am a union man, but some individuals need to be fired, to keep them from tainting the rest.

-- Dave Stone

Yakutat

Palin hat was still firmly in place

Premeditated, unethical behavior. You cannot "remove your governor's hat," especially at a televised press conference held for the governor. This is known to cause undue influence. Sarah Palin knew this would end many Alaskans' thoughtful consideration of Ballot Measure 4.

If you hear hoof beats, it's likely a horse, not a zebra. If you spend millions to fight Ballot Measure 4, it's because you know you will likely release toxic chemicals. If there are no consequences for the governor, she will do it again.

-- Griff Steiner Jr.

Anchorage

Energy rebate checks should go only to those living in the Bush

I am sick and tired of the letters lately from people whining about not qualifying for the energy rebate (can you say quick fix handout?) because they have not been in the state long enough to get the PFD.

First of all, how about not getting anything? I have been here 50 years and remember when there were no free handouts and my family lived just fine. Do you know how many people I have asked brought them to the state, and they reply "the free money?" If you are depending on a few thousand dollars to tide you over then maybe you should re-evaluate your earning potential.

The Permanent Fund was created for the Alaskans who lived up here and paid their dues and worked to build the state. Instead it has been a mass draw for people to "head North and see if they can make it up there."

The only people who should be getting the energy check are those who live in the Bush where the oil, gas, and food costs are twice what they are in Anchorage. If you cut out the handouts there would be a line from here to the border. Gotta go, time to call the waahmbulance.

-- Liz Bowen

Anchorage

Consider the gene extreme

Kate Kelly's rant about pit bulls ("Pit bulls are simply dangerous," 8-27-08) had me thinking about the consequences of her point of view.

She suggests the entire breed is overbred and says maybe the city should sterilize all pit bulls.

Her reasoning would suggest that this problem is genetic. Perhaps this would also be evident in other creatures, such as humans. Are Alaskans genetically prone to calling snowmobiles 'sleds' or 'snowmachines'? Are Texans bred to wear cowboy boots? I'm pretty sure we Asians are genetically predisposed to play "Counter-Strike." Perhaps Canadians have evolved to say 'eh' and use a weaker dollar as their own currency, and Indians are the call centers' master race.

I would like to assure the readers that I am not a bigot or racist, I just wanted to bring up the point that genes are not the problem; you need to investigate all the factors. Oh, and watch out for Russians, their genes are ordering another attack on some tiny neighboring country.

-- Marcin Druzdzel

Anchorage

What were Palin's other choices?

I wonder why Gov. Palin didn't see fit to inform everyone how she was going to vote on the OTHER ballot measures!

-- Linda Weber

Anchorage

No matter the party, we're people

I have watched elections for many years, my whole life. Why do people separate being Democrat or Republican? They are the same. They are the people. Should we not recognize this, and work together? How sad, to forget we are the people.

-- Pius Savage

Anchorage

Many paths to wise energy use

It's not so bad that your ADN editorial piece Wednesday comparing Juneau's "austere" approach to energy conservation with Anchorage's Assembly and mayor embracing energy efficient lighting was so egregiously one-sided. That's expected. What was really annoying was its presentation of so few options.

Let me get this straight. You can either conserve energy by turning off lights more often, or you can replace light bulbs. Hmm. I guess you can't do both.

It would seem to me there are quite a few more paths, or combinations of paths one could take to make energy go further.

Whether utilizing a specific efficient lighting fixture or incorporating sustainable design, alternative energy sources and conservation on a broad scale, to say there are only two paths is not very bright.

And this coming from a city with exactly how much renewable energy?

Energy conservation is an Alaska issue, as relevant or more so rural communities as it is to towns such as Juneau, or metropolises such as Anchorage. Presenting the issue so narrowly, and pitting one community against another in the process, accomplishes what exactly?

-- Mark Ridgway

Juneau

If you don't like bears, be gone

I know I cannot be the only one who is so fed up with people complaining about the bears. Wake up! This is Alaska, hence "The Last Frontier." If you can't co-habitat with the bears, move south, Canada will take you!

-- Rosie Torres

Wasilla

PFD, rebate should not be linked

I agree with Byron Whitesides (Aug. 27, "Energy rebates shouldn't be tied to Permanent Fund's qualifiers" ).

And I do not understand why more Alaskans aren't speaking out on this unfair distribution of the energy rebates. All Alaskans should get a bonus check. Many of you may know a family, friend, neighbor or relative who for one reason or another are not eligible for the PFD, so they are not getting the energy rebate check either. Let your voice be heard. Contact your legislators.

I e-mailed the governor about this. I got a reply saying that if you don't qualify for a PFD, then you don't qualify for a bonus energy rebate check either.

President Bush included all U.S. residents, even those who didn't file an income tax statement. The federal stimulus tax rebate check was attached to the income tax filers for the current year; those who didn't file were still able to get a tax rebate check by filling out an application.

Let your voice be heard, Alaska, these are the people you elected.

-- Bernice Hansen

Juneau

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