Comey deserves respect
President Trump proves the adage, "Money can't buy taste." The Comey episode demonstrates money also can't buy courtesy.
— Ken Flynn
Anchorage
'Liberal media bias' the excuse
So, James Comey is fired soon after asking for the means necessary to investigate the administration's ties to Russia. Ostensibly due to Comey's investigation of Clinton's emails, an investigation that Trump has praised often and highly. It is so obvious that Trump has something dark to hide that I feel like I don't even need to write it.
What is also obvious is that people will continue to support Trump. People will blame this, like so many other things, as just more "liberal media bias." It's a convenient three-word excuse to discount anything that challenges one's worldview or makes one feel uncomfortable. But at some point one has to wonder why verifiable facts these day just seem so darn partisan.
— Colin Ossiander
Chugiak
Young should lead impeachment
So, Donald Trump systematically fires the top investigators looking into his proven ties to Russia. He then, within hours, meets in the White House with top Russian officials named in the investigations and bans 'all' U.S. media from attending but allows the Russian media TASS and their photographers in.
Don Young backs this traitorous action, along with Lisa Murkowski's and Dan Sullivan's simpering apologies for Trump's behavior. To this authoritarian takeover Young's immediate response needs to be one of the first to lead the charge for impeachment or step aside lest his inaction help to cement this irreversible fascist authoritarian takeover of our government.
— William Bartee
Anchorage
'Showboat' a criticism of Comey?
President Trump has referred to former FBI Director James Comey as "a showboat," and "a grand-stander." Coming from the celebrity star of "The Apprentice," I have to wonder: Is this a criticism? I also note that Comey is an unusually tall man. He is 6' 8," a half-foot taller than the 6' 2" president. Was this, perhaps, a problem? I'm just trying to put things together.
— Richard Emanuel
Anchorage
Permanent Fund contribution
to budget should be minimized
Rep. Dan Saddler asked for constituents to make our views known. Here is what I think:
The days of $100 barrel oil are over. It was nice while it lasted, but those days are gone. Horizontal drilling, fracking and the abundance of shale fields are going to keep the U.S. flooded with cheaper oil ($50-$60 a barrel) for as far ahead as we can see. Hoping for higher prices right around the corner is unrealistic. We must plan for the future of our state.
Permanent Fund revenue can certainly play a part in a balanced state budget, but its contribution should be minimized. A sustainable percent of market value would work, but will rob from coming generations to keep current residents from shouldering their responsibilities. We need additional sources of revenue. A carefully considered and applied income tax and sales tax will support essential state services. Gov. Hammond said his biggest regret in launching the Permanent Fund and its dividend was the elimination of the income tax. I agree with him, and I think Gov. Walker is on the right track.
What makes our state a good place to live? The availability of education and health care for all residents. An adequate and well-maintained infrastructure. A future for our children.
The majority of successful states have revenue sources to support these goals. Each inhabitant has to shoulder the expense of living in a first-world state. Taxes that tap out-of-state tourists and workers, and draw more on those most able to afford them is the best way to distribute the burden. Lack of prudent sources of revenue will exhaust the possibilities of this being a desirable place to live, kick the can down the road, and leave us teetering on the brink of fiscal crisis and toppling into a third-world status.
At the same time, we need to tax oil companies and other resource extraction entities more than our current plan allows. Alaska is a unique state in which resources belong to the citizenry, isn't it? Then let us have more of the benefit from our resources. The present set-up is a bad deal for the state. Make it realistic.
It's time for our legislators to come together for the common good.
— Sherry Eckrich
Eagle River
Support Alaska small businesses
I am writing to congratulate Jason Motyka and David McCarthy on receiving the Small Business Administration's Persons of the Year Award for the state of Alaska. Jason and David's company, Denali Visions 3000 (DV3), opened its 49th State Brewing Co. location in Anchorage last year. DV3 is the only small business in SBA history to have won this national award twice — an impressive accomplishment.
The vision of Jason and David is what defines the Alaska spirit and makes small business so vital to our state. They aren't just selling beer to Alaskans, they're exporting Alaska to the world. These men embody the welcoming spirit and steely determination of so many great Alaska success stories. The Alaska experience that Jason and David cultivate will keep longtime Alaskans coming back, and make first-time visitors never want to leave.
Many of the 250-plus jobs that Jason and David have created are, indeed, filled by first-time visitors who now call Alaska home. Small businesses like 49th State are the economic drivers of tourism, hospitality, and so many other industries that will define Alaska into the future. That future certainly looks bright with the vision of Jason and David, and the numerous other small businesses that make Alaska the Great Land.
I encourage your readers to continue supporting our state's small businesses by visiting their favorite local businesses or trying out a new one. And don't forget to congratulate Motyka and McCarthy over at 49th State Brewing next time you stop by!
— Sen. Lisa Murkowski
Anchorage and Washington, D.C.
Budget cut threatens my career
My name is Ashley Gunnill and I am closing out my first year with the Anchorage School District. I am writing this letter on behalf of new teachers and our unfortunate relationship to the current fiscal climate of our state.
The potential budget cut threatens my career directly. I was born and raised in Anchorage and am a product of the Anchorage School District. I received my teaching degree through the University of Alaska system. My road to the district has not been smooth but I have finally reached my goal where I have a career that I am passionate about; I go to work every day and see meaning in what I do.
It is Teacher Appreciation Week and the dark cloud over potential job loss has been in the back of my mind with every celebration. There should be a college course describing the gantlet that is being a first-year teacher in this state: Your job is constantly being threatened and you have to navigate through the irony of people telling you how appreciative they are for what you are doing, yet our state is in financial turmoil and we need to make drastic cuts in a field where our children's supposed "non-negotiable education" is at stake.
Our children deserve these resources and opportunities. Please make cuts and econcomic changes in places that won't affect the future contributors to our state.
— Ashley Gunnill
Anchorage
Reduce representatives' salaries
Living in Alaska since 1965 I have witnessed the various ups and downs of the Alaska legislators. It seems that we as citizens are the victims of these individuals who have their own ax to grind. Many times the reports that come from Juneau seem to be self-serving.
We need our representatives to be aware of the basic needs of our citizens. Education, safety, environment to name a few. I am tired of the constant battle of our so-called representatives who are not trying to get things done. Always putting things on hold. Also the influence of money and lobbyists who walk the halls of government.
It has been stated that some of our representatives do not have a job outside of the government. I would like $50,000.00 a year plus extra for overtime and living expenses.
This kind of salary should be honored by helping our state and its citizens. Since we have a financial crises maybe they should reduce their salaries.
Having a state income tax is not a burden, it is a commitment to a better life. Also the state income tax (it is deductible from U.S. income tax), would tax the many workers who are not residents and work on various jobs, mainly on the Slope and fisheries. They come work and leave with good paychecks and do nothing for the state and its residents.
— Milly Mucha, PhD.
Anchorage
Eastman lives on Facebook
Since the recent David Eastman dust-up, I checked out the representative's trail on the internet. He cuts quite a swath. He is especially active on Facebook where he manages multiple pages.
He must spend hours on those pages and various other forums posting philosophical essays about this hand-basket in which we are all hell-bound. I pass Eastman's office daily and see the lights of his industriousness burning.
I think it is awesome that the taxpayers of Alaska have provided Eastman a fellowship to build a political movement. He has his own virtual vanity press, a free office, staff, health care and a salary to continuously regale us with his musings and postings.
While other legislators occupy themselves with boring stuff like budgets, Eastman is a free spirit who spends his time afloat in the lagoon of deep thoughts.
Well played, Eastman … well played.
— Elstun W. Lauesen
Anchorage
Unlabeled GE salmon in Alaska's markets could turn off customers
Last week, Congress passed a provision in its budget bill that prohibits genetically engineered salmon distribution in the U.S. until the Food and Drug Administration publishes final labeling guidelines. This provision provides Alaska's salmon fishermen some temporary relief and certainty as we go into the fishing season. I am grateful for the work of Alaska's delegation — in particular Sen. Murkowski — for looking out for Alaska's salmon industry and not allowing unlabeled GE salmon to undermine the salmon marketplace. Alaska has invested decades of time and millions of dollars in educating the world about why Alaska's salmon is truly the healthiest and most sustainable salmon option — not to mention the most delicious. Allowing unlabeled GE salmon into America's seafood marketplace could turn consumers away from salmon out of fear that it might be GE salmon.
GE salmon is not the only threat overshadowing the future sustainability of Alaska's salmon fisheries. The proposed Pebble mine has burdened Bristol Bay's fishermen and communities with uncertainty and risk for over a decade now. Murkowski has an opportunity and an obligation to make the needs and concerns of Bristol Bay's fishermen heard and stand up for Alaskans. Our congressional delegation should ensure that the Environmental Protection Agency is looking out for Alaska's communities and seafood industry rather than dismissing our interests and peer-reviewed science for the benefit of foreign mining corporations.
While I applaud Murkowski for defending Alaska's wild salmon in the salmon marketplace, I hope that she'll work just as hard to protect Alaska's salmon habitat so that Alaska remains the world's largest and most sustainable source of wild salmon.
— Everett Thompson
Naknek
Can't trust American government
The American government needs to subcontracted out to the KGB or the GRU Russian intelligence agency to do the investigation on the connection of the White House with the Russians and the 2016 election interference. They can do it much cheaper and faster. They are the ones who have the most information on this in the first place. If we have someone from the American government do this, it will cost a lot of money, will be delayed for many years and in the end it will be a political finding instead of a real finding because the American government cannot be trusted.
— John Suter
Chugiak
Eastman voted against censure
Our Alaska House Republican representatives who voted "no" on censuring David Eastman for insulting Native women, lying about any proof for his accusations and refusing to apologize, released this statement: "Censure is reserved for conduct that is damaging and disruptive to the legislative process or implicates a criminal act or ethical violation." Translation: "We cannot censure a fellow Republican because it might open the door for another of those godless Democrats to get in the Legislature. We must vote the party first and foremost!"
By the way, they allowed Eastman to vote against his own censure. Go figure that!
— Dick Palmatier
Wasilla
Vote requiring 'political courage'
Sen. Pete Kelly and the Senate majority realize most Alaskans recognize the wisdom of a progressive income tax at this time. So Kelly is calling a vote against what the majority want a vote requiring "political courage."
With luck, some other members of the Senate majority will think about that. If so, they will figure out that voting against the will of the public is not the issue. Always voting in accord with your personal political philosophy and in accord with the wishes of your biggest donors is the issue. Voting against what is best for the state of Alaska and instead following your personal beliefs and benefit is not "political courage." It is "political cowardice."
— Tom Nelson
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.