Readers write: Letters to the editor, September 18, 2017

Statues deserve saving but in their historical context

If Charles Graham (ADN, Sept. 14: "Gen. Lee was a man of character who deserved recognition") finds Michael Moore's opinions so egregious, I would urge him to exercise his inalienable right to not watch Moore's documentaries.

As to the removal of Confederate statues, I wholeheartedly agree that these monuments spread across the southern United States should not be destroyed. And contrary to popular belief, to the best of my knowledge and research, they haven't been. Most have been relocated to a more welcoming site or museum, and some wait in warehouses until an acceptable location can be found.

It might be of interest to point out that most of these monuments weren't constructed immediately after the Civil War as a dedication to the veterans, but often much later, and often still as a political reaction to a then-blossoming civil rights movement. To many people, the memorials weren't seen as historical respect as much as a constant visual reminder of the ugly history of slavery, and, more troubling still, that was often the intended effect of those funding the effort.
So no, don't destroy the statues. Move them to a museum where they belong. There they can be appreciated in the proper historical context rather than used as weapons in culture war.

— Colin Ossiander
Chugiak

Mayor promised a safe city, blames violence on public

Ethan Berkowitz ran for mayor of Anchorage with part of his platform promising to get tough on criminals.

Mr. Mayor, how is that working? Based on at least two "directives" from yourself or your staff (the former police chief), you seem to place the blame for the record-high level of violent crime squarely on the shoulders of the public.

You and your staff have said, in essence, that to be safe, citizens should not go to parks alone, should not be out after midnight, and should avoid trouble spots.
Mr. Mayor, it is your job to keep the citizens safe — not to ask the citizenry to "hunker down."

Then you tacitly blame the crime cascade on the current buzzwords "opioid epidemic" and that the Alaska Legislature was going soft on crime.

Mr. Mayor, take a look at the community-based website Nextdoor.com and you will see car thefts, break-ins, vandalism and thievery happening in every neighborhood every day.

Most of the victims who are violated state they file police reports or call the police to report the crime and nothing ever happens.

Good job getting tough on crime and on your attitude and statements about those who elected you. I am looking forward to the next municipal election to see what empty promises are made again.

— David M. Schnauer
Anchorage

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