Join me in France
I wondered how long it would take after Orlando for this to happen again. I did not have long to wait. I guess we are now all Niçoise. We can't let these sick monsters frighten us. I now plan to be in France no later than next month. I hope you will join me. I wish this letter was to wish you a happy Bastille Day.
Liberté Egalité, Fraternité!
Vive la France!
— Sean O'Hare
Anchorage
Hockey supporter disgusted
I've held season tickets to UAA hockey before Sullivan Arena was built. I've missed maybe 10 games. I practically raised my son there. We love the games but not so much lately, and it's nothing to do with the team's record.
The arena management, security and concessions are terrible. I've been to NHL games and I know what a real game is like. I've seen fans being told to sit down or even thrown out for supporting the team. Alaska Dispatch News hammers UAA constantly and then writes an article about attendance being down. Really? I've had booster VIP passes that have never lived up to what they're sold to me as. And a lot of people are still shaking their heads how you can build the Alaska Airlines Center without a hockey rink. There's no excuse. The "improvements" to Sullivan are a Band-Aid on a gaping wound.
The university's handling of the last coach's hiring was ridiculous. It's no wonder we can't keep Alaska's best players or attract other top prospects. If anyone ever wrote a book on how to run a hockey program into the ground, they could certainly take some notes from us. So, after roughly 35 years, I will not renew my tickets. I'll miss the games but not the lack of support from the university or the crappy service and management of the Sullivan. I never dreamed I'd give up my seats but the serious problems outside the rink walls outweigh the enjoyment what happens in them. Build a new arena or start showing you (UAA) care and I will renew.
— Alan AuBuchon
Anchorage
We must gather around police as we gather around all
Like so many Americans, I have been deeply troubled by the recent events in Minnesota and Louisiana. However, even before the police reports could be written, it seemed the officers involved were tried and convicted in the media. I am not defending the officers, nor am I indicting them. The investigations need to take their course, resulting either in holding the officers accountable or exonerating them for justifiable actions. The murders of innocent police officers in Dallas were senseless, barbarian and certainly did nothing to even the insane and imaginary score.
What would Martin Luther King Jr. think 51 years after his acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize? In his speech in Stockholm, Sweden, he said: "Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love."
Today we must gather around our police as we have gathered around our teachers, our students, our LGBT community members — around all our fellow citizens when they are victims of senseless violence. Our police are the ones who run toward the fire. They are there when we need them the most. They deserve our backing and our respect for all the right and good they do — all day, every single day.
— Shirley A. Coté
Anchorage Police Department captain, retired, House District 28 candidate
Anchorage
Lead by example, lawmakers
Legislators talk, and certainly hear, about "cutting government." They might start by reducing their salaries, per diem and staff.
— Ken Flynn
Anchorage
Candidate wants questions
Mr. Wohlforth and Mr. Oman,
My name is Tim Hale. I'm an independent running for the state Senate in Mr. Oman's district. I would be honored to answer any questions Mr. Oman has on the issues. I will not be on a primary ballot but, pending a successful nominating petition, I will appear on the ballot in the general election.
Mr. Oman, or any resident of Senate district F, is welcome to contact me at alaskansfortimhale@gmail.com, 907-590-8243, or follow me on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MrHaleGoesToJuneau.
— Tim Hale
Palmer
Legislators deconstruct state
In response to the query about how legislators can keep their jobs without following the law and disregard those who elected them, my comment is this: Remember Brexit? People voted for an issue they did not fully research or understand and immediately regretted it.
These people are reducing our ability to understand what they are putting over on us and leaving us with a less civil society. As legislators, they are covert, destructive, self-seeking and willful. They are in the process of deconstructing Alaska, and voters, perhaps even Republicans, will be in a good position to experience the worst times ever to hit this state. But perhaps they have vacation homes!
I remember Sen. Jay Kerttula coming to visit me in my office, bringing a cup of coffee for me as we discussed social issues important to me. Because I cared, he also cared. The quality of the political process is no reality show. We will all be hurt. Just the rich and powerful count on amnesty.
— Kelli Mahoney
Wasilla
This issue continues in Alaska
In many ways Alaska continues to be a state of cowards for not holding a conversation concerning the lack of rights for the disabled and individuals in crisis.
A man calls the police and states he is going to commit suicide. Three days later he is shot and killed by the police. (Recent news story — one tragic story among too many.)
Hospitals and their employee unions in the past have testified against improving patient rights — in particular, grievance rights laws. Hospitals and unions are a scary group of people for a politician wanting to get re-elected.
Alaskans have to stop being cowards and hold a conversation on Alaska's need to improve the rights for the disabled and individuals in crisis.
— Faith Myers and Dorrance Collins, mental health advocates
Anchorage
Blame game hurts everyone
If we blame Black Lives Matter for the murders of Dallas cops, should we blame Blue Lives Matter for the killings in Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Maryland? If we continue blaming fellow Americans for other people's crimes, we render our whole country black and blue.
— Geoff Kennedy
Anchorage
The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter under 200 words for consideration, email letters@alaskadispatch.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter to the editor constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Send longer works of opinion to commentary@alaskadispatch.com.