Anchorage Daily News

Let's dedicate Labor Day to the nation's unemployed

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A man and a woman sleep in Cuddy midtown park on Thursday.

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A member of the Machinists union, Matthew McGuire, is credited with the idea of setting aside one day a year to celebrate work and to give people a chance to enjoy a day off with their family and friends. But with 30.5 million of us idled to some degree -- out of work or forced to work part time -- it seems to me that this is no time to celebrate the work we do. Instead lets dedicate this Labor Day to those who are not working.

Forget about who belongs to a union and who doesn't. Remember that we are all Americans. And let's do more for the army of the jobless than pray, "there but for the grace of God, go I."

Each of us should do some little thing for those who are suffering in this grave recession -- cook a meal, drop off a six pack, fix a broken swing, cut a lawn or just drop by for a visit. We need to show we give a damn about them and what they are going through.

And on every Labor Day until we reach full employment again, lets join in solidarity with our unemployed and underemployed brothers and sisters. And in those intervening 364 days, let's use our collective strength to persuade our government that we need jobs now!

-- R. Thomas Buffenbarger

International President

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

Upper Marlboro, Md.

Cheney should be locked up

How come we keep hearing Dick Cheney talking on the news? Isn't that guy supposed to be in prison by now ? I know Obama keeps saying how we need to look forward not back. My argument is this: When a person commits a crime, say murder, do you say, "lets move on, forget the past"? No, you bring that person to justice and trial so they won't do the crime again and to deter future criminals.

-- Rev. Richard Olson

Homer

Pull the plug on Fagan, please

Why do you continue to print Dan Fagan's weekly drivel? This past week's diatribe pointed to "ML&P dispatcher" Douglas Hall's salary with the comment, "Not bad for working a two-way radio."

If Dan had done his homework he would have found Doug manages one of the two power system control centers in Southcentral. His expertise is why your lights continue to stay on day after day. Doug is available 24/7, 365 because he is dedicated to "the system."

Take a look in the mirror, Dan -- do you see a useful member of society? And you only work a one-way radio.

-- Kevin Dunham

Anchorage

Mayor on track with homeless

I just want to say thank you to Mayor Sullivan for calling everyone together to help with the needs for our homeless people. Though many have been making an effort in this realm, there is so much more that needs to be done and I believe he is on the right track.

Though all these deaths are so heart breaking it is bringing attention to a very serious need not just in Alaska but all over America. Let's not be critical in any way but everyone do our part to help, mostly by caring and getting involved where we can. There is so much more we can all do if we do not care about who gets the credit, and not make it about getting a pat on the shoulder, but about giving our hearts and not judgment toward one another no matter what our status is.

Thank you, Mayor Sullivan.

-- LaVonne Geffe

Anchorage

Air assaults still needed in war

Something is wrong with the approach to the war in Afghanistan. The Taliban have strengthened in the north -- exactly where they were ousted early on in the war. This has happened in the last 5 or 6 months.

And backing off on the air assaults is hampering our ground troops. It places them in a lot of unnecessary danger while they discuss the request for air support. It wouldn't be asked for if it wasn't needed.

Why did we stop the air assaults? Because they were too effective?

Winning the war in Afghanistan must not be Obama's agenda.

-- Daniel Hellyer

Wasilla

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