A ray of airline sunshine
My wife and I recently returned from a trip to the United Kingdom and a cruise in the western Mediterranean. We went through security in Anchorage, Seattle, (twice), Southampton, London (Heathrow) and Vancouver. Everybody was polite considerate and helpful. We flew Alaska, United and Air Canada. All the ground staff went out of their way to help us. All the flight attendants did the same. John the flight attendant on the flight from Vancouver to Seattle carried our two carry-ons up and down the aircraft stairs for me. Shortly after takeoff the plane had to return to Vancouver because of a failed avionics module, John and the co-pilot kept us fully informed of the progress of the repair, and John provided us with as much refreshment as he could from the limited supplies on this small plane. Everybody sat quietly without complaint and we arrived safely just over three hours late in Seattle.
We have traveled in the Lower 48 and internationally for over 40 years,and 90 percent of our experiences have been positive. If I struggle with the bags a stranger gives me a helping hand and is on his way even before I thank him. Although a poor linguist I always learn to say "please and thank you" in the local language. That and a smile gets you long way wherever you are.
In spite of everything, kindness is everywhere.
— Peter Jenkins
Eagle River
Re: Kathleen Parker's
'If Trump loses Jack, he's done'
It would be so wonderful if you could continue to spread such verbal garbage all over Washington via The Washington Post. But please cease spewing it all over Alaska via the Alaska Dispatch News (Opinion column, June 7). Because of you and the commentary of others like you, from outside our state, infesting our local paper with their vile opinions, I no longer buy the ADN. I cannot abide reading verbal excrement.
It is indeed wonderful that we now have a president who knows how to sidestep the fake news media and remain in contact with his public via Twitter and Facebook.
Most kind regards.
— John J. Kiernan
Anchorage
Walker's new proposal laughable
I read today's article about Gov. Walker's proposal for a state income tax. Just the idea that he proposes a tax that will raise all of $100 million to help cover a $2.5 billion budget deficit is laughable. That is 4 percent of the shortfall. However his proposal is to levy the most repressive of taxes, a regressive tax, taxing the poorest at the highest rate. A $50 tax on $20,000 is .25 percent of the income of that taxpayer, a $200 tax on $100,000 (the highest amount in that bracket) is .2 percent, and $500 on anyone over $500,000 is only .1 percent at the lowest amount in that bracket. The cost of collecting and enforcing such a miniscule tax levy will probably take much of what is collected, especially from those out of state people who work at good paying jobs in Alaska and take that money out of state to spend. The administrative burden on payroll administrators to collect $20 a year form an employee getting paid biweekly (26 checks a year) at a fast food restaurant and sending it to the state is ridiculous, and thinking that person is going to file a tax return to pay the $20 is equally ridiculous.
When will our elected senators realize that people who live in a state actually might have to support the government in that state. Who was it that said there is no such thing as a free lunch (unless it is at Bean's Café)?
— Margo Russ
Anchorage
Buy local and help the economy
We're in a recession, the Legislature is at a standstill, high paying oil jobs are leaving, and there's nothing I can do, right? Wrong! Every one of us can impact our local economy to keep jobs here, help stores stay open, and circulate our money throughout the community. Buying online creates almost no local benefit — only a few minutes for the delivery driver. Buying from a local retailer, whether a chain store or locally owned, helps keep your money in the community to hire your family member, provide in-person expertise, make donations to your favorite charity or sports team, and provide instant use of goods and services.
Take this challenge — commit to spend 10 percent of what you normally purchase online here in the state. And the next time you consider "showrooming" — getting all the information about a product from a local store, and then buying it remotely — consider the effect it has on the local business who provided the time, expertise, and hands-on experience for you. Are the few dollars you might save worth not having that store here in the future?
I have no current association with any local business, but believe in putting my money toward things I value — do you?
— Peggy Robinson
Anchorage
Trump asks, doesn't give, loyalty
As shown by James Comey's testimony, Donald Trump asks for loyalty. Does Trump show loyalty?
Why do we have so many people who sued Trump for his failure to pay for their work? Even law firms hired to defend him from these suits ended up suing Trump for failure to pay. Trump makes lots of promises, beautiful promises, huge promises and he often fails to keep them. Those who relied upon those promises are often hurt financially by their reliance upon those promises.
Various websites track what political promises Trump made and which he has kept. The percentage of promises kept is not high.
Trump asks for loyalty; does he deserve loyalty?
— Alex Koponen
Fairbanks
2016 election was not fair
Anyone who believes Donald Trump is above the "Law" should go back to their family's original point of origin. Trump deserves the very same treatment he brought upon former President Barack Obama with his "birther movement, and constant lies." Also, Hillary Clinton has every right to be upset, knowing Trump, on stage in front of all Americans, called upon Russia to intervene in the 2016 elections. Americans use to only recognize fair competition. What was fair about the 2016 election?
— Phillip Labay Mikes
Anchorage
Berkowitz correct on climate
Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement is heartbreaking, and frightening. It's a blow to people around the world, but it is particularly worrying for Alaskans, who face coastal erosion, reduced Arctic ice, increased wildfire danger, and negatively impacted animal migrations, to name just a few problems. I believe Alaska has the most to lose from this poor political decision.
It's time for Alaskans to stand up for our land. I applaud Mayor Berkowitz for acknowledging the importance of climate action for the city. It's time for other state figures to face the truth as well. I hope we will see stronger actions from Gov. Walker in the future. But most importantly, we must begin to take on the work ourselves — through our political choices, our habits as consumers, and our philanthropic services, we can still make a difference for ourselves and our state.
— Carly Dennis
Eagle River
Alaska's Senate majority
is working for who?
The Senate majority is so proud of their plan to eliminate cash payments to smaller companies for oil development. However, they have been silent regarding "net operating losses" and "cost recovery" provisions for the large oil companies that will cost Alaska dearly in the future. Is it really true that once they start producing oil they are allowed to write off ALL of their expenses plus 10 percent compounded interest? No answer so far from the Senate majority regarding their version of HB 111. (The governor's recent proposal supports the Senate version.)
Instead, they demoralize state employees with pink slips again. They want unspecified cuts and hold education funding hostage again. They want to further deplete our savings. They refuse to consider new revenue like a progressive income tax. The Senate majority's fiscal plan further erodes Alaska's credit rating and creates huge liabilities in the future. Who are they working for?
The House has passed a balanced fiscal plan for the future of all Alaskans. It's obvious to me that the Senate majority only cares about Big Oil companies and those who will contribute to their future campaigns.
— Laura Bonner
Anchorage
Fight to keep public lands public
I'll state my biases first, as I think you should know why I care about public land. I was born and raised in Juneau, lucky enough to be surrounded by the Tongass National Forest. I, like hundreds of thousands of Alaskans, hike, camp, hunt, fish, and otherwise recreate on public lands. Access to that level of freedom is why many of us live here. Also, like many Alaskans, my primary sources of income are a direct product of undeveloped public lands. I am in my seventh season of guiding visitors on fly-fishing trips in the Tongass, and in two weeks I will begin my fifth season of commercial gillnetting, during which I will harvest salmon from the watersheds of the Tongass.
I have visited and lived enough places outside of Alaska to know that our wealth of public land is unique and rare. I hope that this fact was not lost on Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke during his trip to Denali National Park last month. With over 224 million acres of Alaska being comprised of federal public lands, I'm sure he is aware of the value of these pristine wilderness areas to our state. It's no secret that federal public land in Alaska supports our bountiful commercial, sport and subsistence fisheries, as well as the tourism and recreation industries, which in turn create thousands of jobs and generate billions for the state economy. These industries will thrive in perpetuity, provided that decision-makers ensure there are public lands for these businesses and individuals to operate and recreate on, and that the habitat necessary to support our valuable fisheries is protected.
We don't need to look far to see the attempts to erode our access to these lands. The reality is that we have less than we once did, and next year there will likely be less than there is today. My ask is this: Keep public lands in public hands. Privatizing public lands or giving federal lands to states would undercut huge sectors of our economy, is poor public policy, and should be avoided at all costs. I hope Secretary Zinke and other decision-makers hear that message loud and clear and will join me and the some 2,200 individuals and over 300 businesses which have signed on in support of public lands at www.americansalmonforest.org/public-lands-sign-on-supporters.html.
I also ask that you, the reader, reach out to your representatives at all levels of government; local, state, and federal. Articulate to them the importance of public land in your life. Take ownership of the things you care about and ensure the preservation of Alaska's sustainable economies and way of life.
— Sommers Cole
Juneau
Senate doesn't understand
Alaska's education needs
Education matters. Les Gara and the House bipartisan majority get that. Our Republican-led Senate doesn't. The Senate passed a budget slashing education at a time when class sizes are already growing.
My children received great educations here that helped them achieve college and graduate degrees and become successful in their careers. All children deserve the chance to succeed.
Right now Senate Republicans want
$65 million more in public education cuts. That means crowded classrooms where students don't get individual help. Children deserve opportunity, not cold disregard from our leaders.
The Senate's corporate allies have been mailing attack ads on legislators in our bipartisan House majority, like Les.
I'm with our bipartisan House majority, who get that public schools create real chances for our kids.
Sure, corporations want that $360 million in oil tax welfare the Senate favors.
Corporate money, unfortunately, is behind those putting their special interests above our children. It's time for the rest of us to speak up and let Republican senators know how unhappy we are about corporate dirty tricks, corporate welfare and slashing of education budgets.
— Sharon Winner
Anchorage
It's time for term limits
There's never been a better time for term limits in Alaska than now. I'm tired of writing and calling legislators only to hear them say "I am doing what my constituents want. …" Newsflash — that comment is no longer being heard. Once you get off the plane in Juneau, you represent all Alaskans. You are not sitting down there for career development. Sens Kelly, Giessel and several others of you who have not learned 1. what is best for the state of Alaska, and 2. the art of compromise, move on. We are tired of you wasting state money in continuous special sessions due to your stubbornness and your inability to compromise!
— Sue Johnson
Anchorage
DFG kills wrong moose
I usually sing the praises of our public employees, but not today. Earlier today an employee of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game shot and killed a moose in our neighborhood. A mother moose with twins. And the wrong moose! Not the aggressive moose that had caused trouble in another area of the subdivision. That moose had only one calf. The moose with twins had bothered no one. And the DFG was told they had the wrong moose, to no avail.
All our neighbors in the area were aware of the comings and goings of the moose with twins, and we acted accordingly. We made sure we were aware of their whereabouts, we stayed off the trail they frequented, and we kept close eyes on our children to keep them safe and away from where they were. We didn't encroach on their space and they didn't encroach on ours. DFG was the only aggressor.
— Jay Dulany
Eagle River
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.