Letters to the Editor

Readers write: Letters to the editor, January 14, 2018

President certainly isn't one to talk about truth

On Wednesday Donald Trump bemoaned the current libel laws saying, "You can't say things that are false, knowingly false, and be able to smile as money pours into your bank account."

I find it deeply disturbing that this thought comes from the same president "who said he would be a 'big loser' if the (new tax) bill passed, (yet) stands to gain immensely from the Republican tax overhaul … (as) the Republicans' first legislative triumph of 2017 will ensure a financial windfall for the president and his family in a way that is virtually unprecedented in American political history, experts said." (The Washington Post, Dec. 20, 2017).

This is also the same president who in his first 10 months of office "told 103 separate untruths, many of them repeatedly." And that number doesn't include "misleading statements and mild exaggerations — about economic statistics, his political opponents and many other subjects. …" (New York Times Dec. 14, 2017).

The pot calling the kettle black?

— Kimberly Olmsted
Anchorage

Haitians showed compassion Trump seems to lack

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Eight years ago this week, Haiti suffered a 7.1 earthquake with catastrophic loss of life and damage. Our son and daughter were volunteering at the Heads Together literacy center in Dabonne, just miles from the epicenter. Our daughter was trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building. Her brother and two Haitian colleagues were able to free her from the rubble and bring her to a UN peacekeepers base. She was among the earliest survivors evacuated to Miami.

In Anchorage, we were aware of the quake and Christa's injuries. We genuinely trembled with fear and faith until she arrived safely in the hospital in Miami, some 30 hours after the quake. Hundreds of Alaskans held us in their hearts and prayers during these terrifying hours.

Christa lost a leg, but found the inner resilience to give back, raising funds to rebuild the school and provide support to Haitian educators. Eight years later, she is a dedicated young scientist and a devoted mom to two little boys.

She, and we, owe our deepest gratitude to those Haitian angels who stepped in to save our children. It is a great shame that our president could be so casually insulting to the good people of Haiti. Perhaps he has never been truly touched by the greatest of all gifts: simple human compassion.

— Taylor Brelsford
Anchorage

Taxpayers shouldn't pay for King Cove road

It was only a matter of time before Interior Secretary Zinke cut a deal to greenlight the King Cove-Cold Bay road. Originally billed and pushed as a gated, private road for weather-impacted medical evacuations only, it is now a "people" road with an estimated 10 to 15 vehicles a day (and, if built, almost guaranteed to become a commercial road). This bait-and-switch exposes the abject dishonesty and duplicity of the Alaska congressional delegation, the state and the King Cove road promoters.

Since King Cove is deemed so much more important than other access-impacted villages and statewide health care priorities, is the Alaska taxpayer going to pay for this road? Oh, wait … it's not really about a life-saving road anymore; that was just a ruse. So, let Peter Pan Seafoods and the residents of King Cove divvy up the cost of constructing this road and maintaining it and keeping it passable year-round.

— William M. Cox, M.D.
Anchorage

Addicts are people — people who need help

In response to Rolf Bilet's letter titled "Keep 'Dreamers,' lose addicts," I certainly agree that we should let the 800,000 "Dreamers" stay. They are contributors to our society and are here through no fault of their own. However, as far as deporting the "worthless addicts," let's remember that these people are someone's mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, sisters and brothers. They have a disease and need our help. I think many of the "worthless dealers" are symptoms of our economic system. As my father used to say, "There but for the grace of God, go I."

— Phil Brna
Anchorage

Jesus of love supports those who are different

The commentary written by Rev. Matt Schultz ("Christ doesn't look like rage and fear," Jan. 11) was greatly appreciated. It is about time to call out the faux "Christians" who preach under the cloak of Jesus. "If a person claims to be portraying the message of Jesus, but does not have love, then that message is a 'noisy gong or clanging cymbal' " (I Corinthians 13). Absolutely! Those of us who agree with the depiction of Jesus as "one (who) welcomes all and cares for the poor" have the duty to speak out and support those in our community who are denigrated for their differences.

As mentioned in this commentary, Proposition 1 is an attempt to "exclude and vilify" specific members of our community. I for one will be voting beside the Jesus of love, against this hateful proposition.

— Thomas Schmidt
Anchorage

Vulgar remarks tarnish office of president

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So sad. Actually, much worse than that. Any remaining respectability of the office of the president of the United States has just gone down the s—hole.

— Jerald Stroebele
Anchorage

The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by the Anchorage Daily News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter under 200 words for consideration, email letters@adn.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@adn.com

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