Sinnott’s been wrong before
Thanks to Thomas Pease for telling the rest of the story of how folks on Government Hill are dealing with their bear issues (ADN Nov. 30). Kudos to them for taking a responsible approach, as opposed to what Rick Sinnott had to say about them.
Those of us that have followed Rick's antics in past years are certainly not surprised at this latest hypocrisy. After all, Rick is the guy that fought the Coastal Trail extension for so many years and then did an about-face last year by extolling the virtues of building a similar trail across the Palmer Hay Flats. But then, Rick never missed an opportunity to get his name in bright lights, regardless of the cause. How's that second career in journalism working out for Rick these days?
— Mike Jens
Anchorage
Changing electors in Electoral College would boost turnout
Mike Husa, in online comments on ADN letters (Nov. 29), argues low voter turnout should be fixed before we worry about changing how the Electoral College works.
But changing how the Electoral College works — not replacing it, just selecting electors in proportion to votes received, either by state or nationally, as is within the power of state legislatures to do — would greatly improve voter turnout.
Consider if you're a Democrat in Alaska. Why bother to vote for president? A Republican in California, why bother?
But with a simple change in how electors are selected, all votes would matter, so all voters would have more incentive to vote.
Republicans might not like that, but voting is civic virtue, which used to be a republican value, that is, essential to the preservation of our Republic.
Also, under the current system of elector selection, all campaign attention is on just a few swing states. By changing the way electors are selected by state legislatures, more states could get in on the fun.
— Rick Wicks
Anchorage
Treatment can prevent tragedies
We read the article by reporter Michelle Theriault Boots, "In Alaska, cluster of family murder-suicides lead to anguish and mystery," (ADN, Nov. 29).
Alaska should start with questions there are answers to. Approximately 90 percent of the individuals who commit suicide have a diagnosable mental illness. Improving rights for the mentally ill reduces suicide and mistreatment.
There are 60 legislators. Call and ask which one is willing to help improve the grievance rights for the mentally ill.
— Faith Myers and Dorrance Collins, Mental Health Advocate
Anchorage
Murkowski hides as Trump rises
In an Oct. 9 interview with the ADN reporter Nathaniel Herz, you came out decisively against Donald Trump's bid for president saying, "When I believe somebody is not fit to hold the office, I have to speak up. And I have done that. It's where I am." You even went so far as to say he should step aside and let someone else run at the top of the Republican ticket.
Fast-forward to today, where we have Trump as our president-elect. So far, Trump has appointed white supremacist and accused domestic abuser Steve Bannon as his chief strategist. If that's not enough, he's proposed plenty of reprehensible characters for his Cabinet — including a guy who doesn't believe in birthright citizenship, another one who doesn't believe women should be able to control their own bodies, and one of the top climate-change deniers in the country. And yet, you've stayed mum on every single one of them. Every day, I search the internet for one shred of evidence that you still possess the conviction and courage you did just six weeks ago, and I find nothing. I've called your office repeatedly, asking for a statement on Bannon's appointment and have received nothing. I know I'm not the only one calling. I'd like to chalk it up to your staff being busy before the holidays, but just a couple of days ago, my husband received an email response from your staff just days after he called asking you to protect sage grouse habitat.
Until I hear a response from you, I am forced to believe that a bird whose range does not even extend into Alaska is a more urgent issue for your staff to grapple with than are the rights of human members of our great nation. Will you stand up and hold Trump accountable for his dangerous Cabinet picks? If not, can you please state your support of Trump's picks for the record so I and all your other constituents know where you stand?
— Lauren Attanas
Fairbanks
Don’t cut trees on private land
Erin Kirkland's article about cutting your own Christmas tree (ADN, Monday) mentioned several rules concerning the size and location of appropriate trees. All of these are true. However, I feel she missed a major consideration: Private property.
To a person accustomed to urban/suburban life, all "woods" might seem like public land and an OK place to cut a tree. This is not true.
I live on 40 acres (about 440 yards on each of the four sides of the property). The property is well over 150 yards from a major road. There is a trail along the border of the property on two sides. The trail is for access to public lands. All of my surrounding neighbors have similar, large-sized lots. These lots and trails are not OK for tree-cutting without express permission.
So, in addition to Ms. Kirkland's good preplanning ideas, please take the time, and courtesy, to ensure you are not on private property.
— Christopher Michl
Palmer
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