Oh, those presidents
Obama did nothing when he found out about Russia's meddling with our election process in August of 2016. And you're surprised? Did you not see Obama on TV when he whispered to that Russian that once he was elected he would have more flexibility? I guess you don't even have to be flexible when you do nothing. Thank goodness I was able to keep my own doctor. And Bill Clinton didn't inhale either, before or after he didn't have sexual relations with that woman. Oh my goodness, they are cracking me up now!
— Rolf L. Bilet
Anchorage
Honestly speaking
Legend has it our first president, as a boy, said, "I cannot tell a lie." Our current president, as a man, demonstrates he cannot tell the truth.
— Ken Flynn
Anchorage
Cats don't belong outdoors
Wildlife biologists like Rick Sinnott are right to be concerned about toxoplasmosis and other diseases that can be spread by feral cats ("Do feral cats have special needs or is their plight all in our heads?" June 21).
Toxoplasmosis — which can cause birth defects in children and can be fatal to endangered species such as sea otters and beluga whales — is contracted by cats that eat infected wildlife, so cats that are kept indoors are unlikely to be carriers.
Free-roaming cats can also spread other diseases that are contagious to humans, including plague, tularemia, rabies and typhoid fever. Food that has been put out for cats attracts wildlife, including foxes, raccoons and rats, which increases the risk of transmitting zoonotic diseases.
In addition to deadly contagious diseases, abandoned cats are also exposed to speeding cars, extreme temperatures, attacks by predators and cruel people, and other dangers. Abandoning cats to freeze to death or be maimed, mauled, shot or poisoned is cruel and rightfully illegal.
The safest and most humane way of handling the homeless cat crisis is by requiring that all cats be spayed and neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and kept indoors.
— Teresa Chagrin
animal care and control specialist
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
Norfolk, Virginia
Land in ideal location for homeless to set up camp
The recent fatal stabbing of Kyle A. Rea near the Brother Francis Shelter on Third Avenue prompted this letter.
Police reacted to this attack by patrolling the area, enforcing the law that prohibits sleeping on the sidewalk. That forced some of the homeless people to sleep inside the shelter. However, many simply moved to other locations. The end result appears to be waning enforcement and dispersion of the homeless population.
I think we have a golden opportunity staring us in the face. The huge lots adjacent to the Brother Francis Shelter on the west side are being vacated by the Grubstake Auction company. A sale is pending to Alaska Siren, Horn and Alarm Testing. The city of Anchorage and/or the state of Alaska should acquire that property immediately, possibly via a land swap. The property just west of this location along the edge of the old Alaska Native Hospital site or Point Woronzof would be places to consider.
We could build dozens of heated, padded (covered and uncovered) concrete pads in assorted sizes and shapes with tent tie-downs and receivers for posts. There are several buildings on site. One could house a supervisor and a security officer. Others could be converted to toilets and storage. This location is ideal. It is feet from the Brother Francis Shelter for those who choose to sleep indoors and yards from the food at Bean's Cafe.
We should not let this opportunity slip away! We can certainly keep some people from freezing to death and reasonably expect a reduction in violence.
— Phil Medsker
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.