Anchorage Daily News

Use stimulus funds for real good

Since Alaskans love "free" money, and the goal behind the stimulus plan is to boost the economy and create jobs , let's use stimulus money to build the Knik Bridge. This would create a thousand jobs and give Anchorage room to expand. Plus it would reduce traffic on the Glenn Highway. A few outspoken critics on Government Hill shouldn't be allowed to derail this project.

Spend money to fast-track opening Pebble Mine. Thousands more jobs would be created. Learning from Exxon Valdez, triple the safeguards on every phase of the project, eliminating the concerns of fishermen.

Finally, build a housing complex and rehabilitation center on Fire Island for the homeless. Currently all Bean's Cafe and Brother Francis Shelter do is enable and encourage people to remain homeless and roam our streets. We're sending the wrong message and that's why the problem is growing. Don't let the homeless off Fire Island until they can become self-reliant members of society. Tough love will save lives and solve this problem.

-- Richard Rhyner

Anchorage

Palin on oil prices: just, WOW!

Wow ... Gov. Palin really impressed Sean Hannity's Fox News crowd with her oil price comment. "The fewer dollars that the state of Alaska government has, the fewer dollars we spend. And that's good for our families and for the private sector." She'd rather that our state economy be in the toilet!

She must be quite jealous of Michigan; their economy is on the brink of disaster. Michigan residents must feel lucky! Our state could aspire to be like California, who can not fund their state budget. How about Kansas, they could not afford to give many residents their tax refunds. Maybe Gov. Palin wishes Alaska was in the position of one of those states.

What about the private sector? How do they benefit from low oil prices? I don't see how it helps the oil companies, the construction companies, or the Alaskans that they employ. I'm sure that most clear-thinking Alaskans understand her statement is dishonest. But still ... WOW is about all I can say!

-- Vickie Citro

Anchorage

Mrs. Alaska a good representative

I'd like to compliment the new Mrs. Alaska, Renee Scott, on her gentle representation of the opposition to the ordinance 64.

I was at the Assembly meeting June 9, wearing neither red nor blue, just watching both sides. It was distasteful, to say the least, to witness the yelling going on from both parties. But, as I stood back, I saw one woman, Mrs. Scott, who calmly explained to the media and others around her who asked, that she simply felt that she, and the residents of Anchorage, were being robbed of their right to vote on this issue. It is this sort of kind-spiritedness that drew my favor toward the opposition.

Say what you will about pageants, but I am completely impressed with someone who is more concerned about standing up for what they believe in than just being a pretty face with a crown. Way to go, Mrs. Scott. You are a wonderful representation of Alaska's women!

-- Danielle Oglatton

Anchorage

Parents discourage referees

During the last week of school at the Anchorage Football Stadium, I found myself yelling up to parents from East High School that yelling at the referee was unethical. I'd wish I held my tongue as they sneered at me as well.

My two teenage daughters who used to referee for soccer games last summer refuse to do so this year. They have explained to me they don't feel comfortable dealing with the outburst of the parents of the players. They have always tried hard to do well and don't understand this onslaught of verbal abuse.

Meanwhile, referees for many team sports are becoming increasing difficult to enroll greatly because of these same pressures. Some teams are forced to play without one. What lessons are these parents teaching their kids about sports and life in general?

-- Donna Klecka

Eagle River

Too bad about Kohring's meds

Somewhere, there is a tiny violin playing hearts and flowers for Vic Kohring. (Sniff).

Another convicted felon who wants the taxpayers to pay for his medical care. And first-class medical care at that.

My daughter doesn't break the laws, or accept bribes like Kohring. She works standing on her feet, 40 hours a week, only sitting down at a half-hour lunch break. She pays for insurance, but just getting a diagnostic test cost her $4,500. So she can't afford to get any treatment for the diagnosed back problem. And she doesn't even get free Ibuprofen from the state.

So suck it up, Vic Kohring: You and the other miscreants who commit crimes don't deserve better health care than the working people of the world.

-- Penny Hlavna

Anchorage

Poor joke degraded all women

David Letterman's "joke" regarding a Palin daughter was degrading to women of all ages and to human beings in general. Real comedians are clever and funny without resorting to such offensive trash.

-- Nelda Osgood

Homer

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