Readers write: Letters to the editor, January 4, 2017

Tort reform only answer

Bruce Lamoureux of Providence hospital hit many areas that are causing costs of medical care to climb (Commentary, Dec. 30). Having spent my entire 40 years working in the medical field, I can attest to the waste that goes on. What many outside the field fail to understand is that lawsuits are always in the back of the mind of physicians and hospitals. Where items were once sterilized, they are now nonrecyclable plastic and disposable. The only answer is tort reform. It is and has been the answer to hospital waste long before Obamacare and should get another look in the new reforms taking place.

— Liz Forsman
Anchorage

Who attended ethics panel?

Very interesting that one of the first actions of 2017 was to try to weaken the independent ethics panel. Is there any way we can find out exactly who was at that meeting and how they voted?

— Gail Boerwinkle
Anchorage

Progress

Donald tweets … and Ford Motors "re-treats"!

— Rolf L. Bilet
Anchorage

ADN photographers find art

The New Year's We Alaskans reminded me once again how truly amazing the photographers at ADN are. They are able to take what could be a painfully mundane subject and find the art within. Often it is just finding the right angle or framing and the right light, but I find myself asking quite often "How the hell did they get that shot?"

I look forward to being inspired in the new year.

— Jim Thiele
Anchorage

Upping meal prices right move

Regarding the article about price increases in the Legislative Lounge, not only have legislators had subsidized meals in the lounge for years, they also receive per diem to pay for their housing and meal costs while, hopefully, doing the state's business in Juneau. Is this a new form of double dipping? I applaud the courageous decision to increase prices. Also makes it more fair to local restaurants with which the lounge competes. In this time of budget shortfalls, shouldn't we all feel the effects of cuts? Maybe oil company credits next?

— Sandy Warner
Juneau

Impressed by editorial variety

Now that I am a daily subscriber and reader of the ADN, I continue to be impressed with the variety and diverse opinions and perspectives offered on your editorial page. Starting the new year with Byron Mallott, Natalie Landreth, Paul Jenkins and the inimitable Shannyn Moore was a treat.

— Jim Stearns
Homer

Rubin’s commentary on Israel perpetuates ‘two-state’ lie

I want to thank the Dispatch News for continuing to publish articles and commentaries relating to Israel. As Trudy Rubin recently pointed out (Commentary, Jan. 2), although that country is small, it currently receives more U.S. military aid than has ever been given to any other country. Rubin's commentary is reasonably argued and addresses many important issues. It does, however, contain numerous flaws and assumptions which render true understanding of the realities more difficult.

Firstly, her characterization of Israel as a "secular, Jewish, democratic state," is misleading. Israel is not a secular state. Jewish religious authorities control many important aspects of life in Israel and their role has been increasing. Secondly, even the characterization of Israel as a Jewish state is problematic. About 1.8 million people (nearly 21 percent of the population) are not Jewish. They are Palestinian. Furthermore, Jews themselves have never been able to agree upon the definition of "Jewish." Therefore, nearly 70 years after its founding, the state of Israel still lacks a constitution. Lastly, the institutional racism enshrined in Israeli law, that favors Jews over non-Jews, is the harsh reality of that "democracy."

The chief problem with Rubin's argumentation, however, is that it perpetuates the "two-state" lie. The Palestinian state being proposed under the two-state solution is no state at all. Palestinians would have little or no control over their security, borders, airspace, water, etc. The reality is that we already have a one-state solution. It is the chauvinistically Jewish character of that state that is the problem. Until there is true equality under the law for all the inhabitants of that state, there will never be peace.

— Kenneth Baitsholts
Anchorage

Federal lands lock up legacy

A legacy can be a wonderful thing, especially if it comes with funding.
So far Alaska's contribution to the outgoing administration's legacy seems to be only accompanied by potential red ink.

I'm asking that someone with influence inside the Washington Beltway please point out that, sooner or later, someone up here needs to pump oil, catch fish or turn some dirt for the private economy to prosper, or even survive.

Turning Alaska into the world's largest nature preserve won't result in most of us earning a living unless we're all designated as federal park rangers with an annual honorarium as our share of the legacy.

Thanks to whoever gets Mr. Obama's attention regarding this matter.

Happy 2017 to all.

— Richard Garner
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.