Anchorage Daily News

Slow economy halts bag recycling

There's no good face to put on it: Plastic bag recycling faces poor economics, at least for now. Markets for recyclable materials, like many commodity markets, have suffered a steep downturn both in the U.S. and internationally.

When manufacturing slows, the need for raw material slows as well. And for one material, plastic bags, the market has all but disappeared -- which has caused the Anchorage Recycling Center to stop accepting the bags for the time being. The plastic lumber manufacturers, who are the primary buyers of this material, have stopped buying until they use up inventories and the construction market recovers.

We have every reason to think that this situation is temporary and we can resume plastic bag recycling in the near future. Stay tuned -- we are watching the markets daily. Until then, the best advice is to reuse disposable bags as much as possible or switch to reusable bags.

-- Mary Fisher,

executive director,

ALPAR

Alaska foes are not pro-America

I've seen several letters in the last few days from folks down south suggesting that Alaska should never have been a state, or should secede from our United States.

I cannot begin to address how very insulting, unpatriotic and un-American that type of suggestion is. Those who suggest such a thing seem to think that because of our geographical location and our overall conservative views that we don't belong. They are wrong.

I'd like to say to them: I am a lifelong Alaskan. But I am an American first, and an Alaskan second. The fact that my political views might conflict with theirs gives them no right to tell me I do not belong as an American.

I love America. Alaska is one of many "red" states, but I don't hear them suggesting these other states secede. I hope they will stop to think next time how undemocratic it truly is to suggest that a state holding a different political view should just leave our Union as though it's just a little thing. Our United States is a monumental achievement and not something to be so lightly brushed off.

-- Dena Kelley

Eagle River

Bested by a community organizer

Lesson learned on the campaign trail: Sarah Palin now knows what community organizers do!

-- Steve Aberle

Anchorage

Should the truth move on as well?

I see from your exit interview that Sarah Murkowski is channeling Frank Palin again. Or do I have that backwards?

Her fiat on the Wooten matter: "It's done. It's over. People need to move on." Thus she orders us, with no regard for a public servant whose integrity has been besmirched. She has sworn under oath -- or so we are told -- that she did not speak to Monegan about Wooten. Monegan says she spoke twice to him about Wooten. The governor has effectively called a citizen of Alaska a liar under oath. Alter the scenario and this could be you. What would you do?

Who is telling the truth? Does Tim Petumenos practice the same kind of sophistry-for-hire that has set our economy and the world afloat in a sea of fiscal sewage? The kind of sophistry that has Ted Stevens insisting that he has not been convicted? Should truth even matter when our marching orders are to move on?

It is a fulsome thing to watch the green bay tree spread itself.

-- Diane Pleninger

Anchorage

After your attacks on Obama, governor, this voter is over you

I used to like and respect Sarah. Not any more.

It's not Troopergate. If her family was threatened, I admire her for trying to protect them. And I don't care how many clothes the McCain campaign gave her.

My disillusionment began while watching the Republican convention, when she mocked Obama and the crowd jeered.

It grew as she incited lynch mob mentality across the nation.

Yes, governor, the media did take some cheap shots at you. But Obama never did.

Yet you repeatedly attacked his character. You called him a socialist and insinuated terrorist connections.

You said scornfully that you didn't need to listen to a "Chicago politician," insinuating corruption. You referred to his associates as "cronies."

Now you say politics is rough and tumble, that we should "get over it." I guess rough and tumble is synonymous with fighting dirty.

I used to love you because I thought you were above politics as usual.

I loved it during the gubernatorial debates when you told your arguing opponents that Alaskans deserved better.

This time around, America deserved better.

So now Rush Limbaugh loves you. One of the most hateful, bigoted hypocrites in America, who just called our new president a "Chicago thug."

I thought you were better. Apparently I was wrong. You tell me to get over it? I think I'm over you.

-- Steve Waldron

Anchorage

Clean-government types get dirty

106,594 people voted for Ted Stevens. 106,594 people voted for a man that they knew had been found guilty of committing seven felonies. 106,594 people have forever surrendered the moral right to complain about political corruption.

In 2006, the majority of voters stood up to support Sarah Palin's commitment to clean up government. Two years later, a very large number of these same voters voted for a felon who tried to subvert the protections of clean government. How could so many have fallen so far in such a short time?

-- Michael Gershel

Eagle River

Take a cue from McCain's grace

In his gracious concession speech Sen. John McCain showed his true character. His insistence that his followers must stop booing Obama's name, his praise of the president-elect, and his awareness of the historic nature of the moment should help heal the wounds of a hard-fought campaign.

During the preceding weeks and months, the "fear and smear" tactics of many of McCain's followers did not sit well with the candidate himself. It was heartwarming to see this good man react to some of the bigoted comments from people who supported him. He actually snatched the microphone from the hands of one woman who began spouting racist nonsense she had read in e-mails. On at least two occasions toward the end of the campaign he reminded people that Obama is a "good and decent man," assuring them that they had nothing to fear from him.

McCain acquitted himself well on the campaign trail, even if some of his handlers and followers did not. We should all respect McCain, and take a cue from him. Let us all be gracious enough to give the new president our support.

-- Mary Hopson

Anchorage

Women contribute to 'dad' issues

As a conservative, I was drawn to Dan Fagan's column titled "Obama can send a message to dads" (Nov. 9). Thanks, Dan, for giving me reason to be happy about the incoming administration. I've long considered the breakdown of the American family to be a major contributor to the social ills of our current generation. Dads, without a doubt, need to step up and fulfill their responsibilities.

But one aspect not discussed is the contribution of women to the overall problem. With the advent of feminism, women have gone too far and now seem to believe that men are optional and dispensable in the rearing of children. Until men are valued again and allowed to be men by women, men won't value their roles. Thanks again, Dan, for highlighting this tragedy to our children, our families, and our nation. If President-elect Obama takes this challenge and succeeds, it just might be his greatest accomplishment.

-- Melissa McKenzie

Anchorage

Stop the election spin; move on

Hey folks, the election is over! John McCain's concession speech and Barack Obama's acceptance speech urged Americans, including Alaskans, to unite and focus on addressing the real problems facing our nation.

For the past two months Sarah Palin and her family campaigned for the presidency with grace and dedication. They gave their all to the effort and in the process put Alaska, and our unique way of life, on the map.

Let's now set aside the gossip, the spin on interviews, the small-minded innuendos, and turn our attention to more positive endeavors.

Margaret Anderson

-- Seward

Government defies economy

Private industry suffered 240,000 job losses in October as a result of the downturn in the economy, yet the government added 23,000 jobs even though trillions of dollars in debt. How does that work? At taxpayer expense of course! How about some layoffs in the government arena by eliminating many unneeded programs and waste? Government programs just keep growing and will only expand rapidly with the liberal executive and legislative elected "public servants," at the expense of working taxpayers, of course!

-- Ken Magwire

Eagle River

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