Letters to the Editor

Readers write: Letter to the editor, February 16, 2017

Trump is no diplomat

One definition of diplomacy is that it is the skill to get yourself out of situations that tact would have kept you out of. I am beginning to suspect that we have elected a president who possesses neither.

— Jack Morris
Wasilla

Give life even in death

My husband, state Rep. Max Gruenberg, died on Valentine's Day exactly one year ago. He was the longest-serving legislator in the state House at the time of his death.

In the 1980s, Max was involved in a bill to educate surviving family members of the opportunity they have to give others a chance for a better, longer life by donating the organs, corneas, bone or tissue of their dear ones.

I am comforted two people now have sight because Max's corneas were donated. He was also able to donate tissue and bone.

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As it turns out, Feb.14 is also National Donor Day. If you have a big heart, as Max did, this is a good time to talk to your family about passing your heart (etc.) on, should something happen. It is possible you or someone you love might need a lifesaving donation and will depend on someone's generosity.

Register through the Department of Motor Vehicles or at alaskadonorregistry.org and tell your loved ones what your wishes are. When the time comes, Life Alaska will call your next of kin and ask permission as well. Knowing you want to make this gift will help them say yes to that call.

Don't let health doubts damper your donation either. Max had diabetes and other major health issues. He was still able to give.

My niece died last month while waiting for a donor heart. So, remember to speak with your loved ones now.

— Kayla Epstein
Anchorage and Juneau

Tax burden pushes people out

I heard on the radio there's a bill to tax a person $75 per studded tire. The money doesn't go to road repair, but to the general fund. What idiot thought this up? If legislators keep taking money from the people, they're going to have to find another way to pay bills because there won't be anyone living here.

— James Christenson
Willow

Time to act, protect our home

If you have never felt the urge to take action for the environment, this letter's for you. If you know that climate change represents a threat, but you haven't yet found the motivation or opportunity to do anything, please read this. Trump has taken action to push through the Keystone and Dakota Access pipelines, and unfortunately, these problems represent distant threats that we have little influence over.

But in our own state? Alaska will be perhaps the most important battleground for environmental policies in the coming months and years. Alaskans will have powerful influence over debates such as drilling in ANWR, the Chuitna mine and even Pebble mine. There is a small demographic of people dedicated to fighting projects like these, but it's not enough — we need as many people as possible to help protect our home. The window of critical action on issues like these is fast approaching; please, please! If you agree that Alaska is worth preserving, then act.

— Carly Dennis,
senior, Chugiak High School
Alaska Youth for Environmental Action

The remedy is impeachment

While it's true that the president is exempt from conflict-of-interest law, the reason is NOT that a president cannot have conflicts of interest. Obviously he (or she) can. But the president is exempt because one should not and cannot prosecute the president.

First, one should not prosecute the president — not just for conflict of interest but for any other violation — because (as we found out when the Supreme Court mistakenly allowed President Clinton to be sued while in office) such proceedings must not be allowed to distract the president from his (or her) full-time attention to the nation's business, including national security.

And, practically speaking, one cannot prosecute the president, both because the prosecutor serves at the pleasure of the president (and thus could be fired to prevent such prosecution) and because the president has the power of pardon.
But still, the president obviously can (and in the present case, obviously does) have conflicts of interest.

The remedy — if and when the Congress believes that "high crimes and misdemeanors" warrant it — is impeachment.

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— Rick Wicks
Anchorage

ASD students' activities not subject to same 'free speech'

The Anchorage School District's spokeswoman Heidi Embley's reaction, at least as reported in the ADN last week, to the student in-your-face Confederate flag display at Chugiak High is a load of rubbish.

"Obviously a lot of people find it offensive, but students also have a right to free speech so we need to toe that line very carefully." Oh for Pete's sake! This sort of "we can't interfere with Junior's rights" attitude, and putting all responsibility for dealing with bullies on the victim, is the sort of response that leads to nothing but more rampant bullying. Duh.

It's fine to try and empower potential victims with their little "Kelso's Choices" (model the ASD elementary schools use), but how can the ASD not see that victim empowerment is only half the answer, and a joke without the other half, telling bullies to stop it and applying consequences. Kids are not stupid; they get it instantly when they see that adults and administrators are unwilling to step in. Be an adult and when you see obviously bad and intimidating behavior say "stop that, that's not right." Apply consequences as clearly appropriate.

The ASD knows, or should know, that the activities of children in schools can and should be directed and limited with boundaries. Their activities are not subject to the same "free speech rights" as grown adults out on the public street, and for good reason. No need to "toe the line carefully" in addressing their behavior.

— Maureen de Zeeuw
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.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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