Anchorage Daily News

No surprise from Murkowski

Wow, what a surprise. Lisa blasts health care plan. She gets a few thousand from Blue Cross and Aetna, and they laugh all the way to the bank with the millions they make off of human suffering and misery.

-- Van Waggoner

Juneau

Thieves: Watch out for karma

After hearing and reading about the horrible tragedy our forestry men and women came home to, I was absolutely outraged. Working in Wasilla in a small screen-printing shop and providing T-shirts and sweatshirts for our "fire" boys (and countless others) and knowing the hours and the dedication that they put into us Alaskans, and others, I just don't understand how anyone could do such a thing. It is appalling.

I want to say thank you to all the firefighters for their time and dedication in fighting fires and prevention. I am sorry for all your losses. To those who are responsible. ... SHAME ON YOU! I hope you don't need these guys anytime soon because karma has a way of coming back and biting you.

-- R. Rosenberg

Big Lake

Thanks for dedication

It is so important to have a newspaper that provides us the opportunity to state our opinions and goes to great lengths to discover all the information about issues that matter to us all, and then to protect us from any politician or group that would deceive the population -- no matter what party affiliation was involved!

Thank you for your dedication to the principles that founded this country. It helps keep our nation the greatest country on Earth and shows our soldiers what they are fighting and dying to protect ... you and me and all of us.

-- Mary Tucker

Anchorage

About that certain lifestyle ...

Rev. Prevo: Regarding your statement, "This ordinance was going to force small-business owners particularly to accommodate people who choose a certain lifestyle" (New York Times, Aug. 18).

Currently small-business owners are particularly forced to accommodate people who choose a religious lifestyle.

How is this different?

-- Colleen Shannon

Anchorage

We must unite against hate

I kept waiting for the Alaska Federation of Natives, the mayor, the governor, someone to cry out in disgust publicly regarding the racially motivated attack against an Alaska Native this past week.

The silence was deafening.

It made me realize that I hadn't raised my voice as an Alaska Native man, as a citizen of the U.S., as a resident of the state of Alaska, as a homeowner and taxpayer in the Municipality of Anchorage, as a parent of three Alaska Native children.

I was waiting for the multiple Alaska Native organizations to define my response to the hate shown an Alaska Native this past week. Shame on me.

I am forever blessed by the grace and forgiveness shown by the victim of the pure hate. The depth of his love for his fellow man shows me that I have to grow much more in my relationship with God.

There is a difference between forgiveness and tolerance.

My hope is all Alaska Natives embrace the victim's forgiveness and grace for his aggressors. It allows us to move on.

I also hope that all Alaskans, both Native and non-Native, will become even more sensitive to and less tolerant of hate against other people.

The social consciousness and responsibility of our leadership, both Native and non-Native, should not define for us what should call us to action.

I am an Alaska Native, a parent of Alaska Native children, and I stand united with my fellow Alaskans both Native and non-Native. I will not now or in the future tolerate hate against my family or my people.

-- Gary Chythlook

Anchorage

Public option best choice

President Obama has been absolutely clear. He's stated that health insurance reform must lower costs, ensure affordable and quality health care options for all Americans and increase choice and competition in the health insurance market.

A public option is the best way to achieve these goals.

Are any free-market capitalists truly concerned that a public option will put the insurance companies out of business?

Alaskans are facing out-of-control health care costs, denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions and dropped coverage for developed conditions. We are literally held hostage by health insurance companies, the very groups opponents of health insurance reform seem so focused on defending.

Health care costs are bankrupting Alaska families and businesses. I believe in America; I believe we can unite to support real health insurance reform.

-- Matthew Moser

Anchorage

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