Political game is different this time around
Many will not agree nor accept the possible outcome. Many will feel compelled to sacrifice common sense and dignity for their cause. Right and Left. The masses can't help themselves. It is inevitable. No turning back.
How did this nation get to the point of political and social disintegration? Two extreme thoughts and beliefs have come to form a recipe for change of unknown proportion. In a time and place that leaves this nation vulnerable rather than strong.
No true leaders. No honesty. No faith. No bonds or bridges beyond superficial attempts. Swing Left, swing Right. No common ground. Destroy the other side at all costs. Cheer, cry, laugh, shout out for your side. Which side is that?
Don't tell me this is standard politics. This time, the game is different.
Payoffs are big? Not for you and me. We all lose regardless of any immediate gains thought to exist in a vacuum.
Trump and Clinton deserve each other. Puppet masters at work. Artists they are. What a mess! No one to clean it up anymore.
— Craig T. Walker
Anchorage
Votes a reflection of one’s self
Is who you vote for reflective of you? Is the politician you support a mirror of your thoughts, fears and aspirations? Take a look. A close look. Is that who and what you really want to have as your reflection? Even a very distorted reflection? Think about it.
— Alex Koponen
Fairbanks
Elect legislators who aren’t afraid to be balanced
I was glad to read Rick Sinnott's most recent commentary, "State bases Alaska game management on politics, not science" (ADN, Aug. 19), plus all the comments. I've been involved with advocating for hunting buffers near Denali and for more balanced wildlife management in Alaska for many years now. Don't assume I am against all state wildlife management or all hunting and trapping, because it's not true.
I've lived in Alaska since 1971 and I know that our wildlife was managed differently for many years. More recently, as Sinnott states, the "abundance management" mindset has gone too far in the department and the halls of the Legislature, and in influencing how the governor appoints members of the Board of Game. We all saw how two senators dominated the conversation when it came time to confirm Guy Trimmingham to the Game Board last spring, calling him into question because of a statement he made in an interview about balancing consumptive and nonconsumptive uses. Why didn't more legislators stand up and question those senators? Or bring up actual facts from Trimmingham's resume?
Just because we have an intensive management law doesn't mean we cannot act more proactively to conserve predators, where it makes sense. For example, I don't think wolf buffers next to Denali are going to ruin hunter opportunity or empty freezers. I don't think that new federal rules on refuges and preserves are going to spoil hunter opportunity. These are all relatively small but significant changes that can be made in the context of state management of our common resources. And many Alaskans support them. Let's elect legislators who aren't afraid to speak out for this sort of balance. And encourage the governor to create a more diverse Game Board too.
— Nancy Bale
Anchorage
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