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Letters From The
People No sympathy here for
Gathers; he's going where he belongs I am saddened by the
recent killings in Eagle River. What has happened to our quiet community? Is
it overflow from Anchorage? Mr. Gathers had a bad day and decided to kill
someone. I have one thing to say to him: If it had been my home he would not
have the benefit of the court system nor a public defender, nor would he be
here now. Simple old justice. I do not in any way have any sympathy for him
and his plight. He is going to be put away where he belongs. -- Mark Aslin Misguided lawmakers
hold state hostage on subsistence issue Regarding the feature story "Knowles sets out
strategy" (Aug. 29) outlining Gov. Tony Knowles' stance on subsistence,
the comments made by Sen. Pete Kelly are the most hypocritical and
egotistical of any in modern history. I can't help but wonder what country he
arrived from. Additionally, those comments from Sen. Frank Murkowski fall
close behind. While the vast majority of Alaskans would prefer to see an amendment
to the state constitution voted on by the public, these few misguided folks
and their legislative cousins continue to hold the people of this state as
hostage. -- Loren Taft Thanks are due to
governor, Daily News for subsistence stands Thanks are due to both
Gov. Tony Knowles and the Daily News for the recent Katie John decision. It
was a good decision for all Alaskans. Congratulations! The Alaska Conference
of Churches has consistently supported the Native right to subsistence. On
behalf of the conference, I thank ADN for the editorial positions that helped
create a positive and progressive climate on the appeal decision. We believe
that this will be a step toward true reconciliation and good future for all
Alaskans. -- Right Reverend Mark
MacDonald, President Knowles's decision
courageous, now watch right wing smear him I applaud Gov. Tony
Knowles on his decision not to appeal the Katie John case to the U.S. Supreme
Court. I commend him for taking this courageous action. This decision by
Knowles tweaked the nose of the far right who have continually denied the
people of Alaska the right to vote on a rural priority amendment to the state
constitution, which would have returned the management of all fish and game
to the state of Alaska. Now that this is done, I expect the far right,
through their half-page welfare newspaper, to spearhead a smear campaign to
impeach the governor. Keep up the good work,
Tony, and give 'em hell. -- William P. Johnson Parents aren't
irresponsible, vaccine pushers ignoring evidence In a recent editorial
(8/21/01), the Daily News chided so-called "irresponsible" parents
who have not complied with "mandated" school-entry vaccination laws
(certain exemptions are available). The Vaccine Adverse
Event Reporting System (VAERS) has more than 100,000 vaccine-associated
adverse reactions in its database, including many "SIDS" deaths
occurring within days, even hours, of vaccination. Best estimates are that
reported reactions represent 1 percent-10 percent of true incidence. (Visit
www.vaccinationnews.com to learn more.) Chronic disease among
children nearly quadrupled between 1960 and 1998. Some researchers believe that
1 in 6 children now suffer from behavioral disorders. Autism has reached
epidemic proportions, mostly because of a new "regressive" form
where previously normal children lose their skills. A parallel, dramatic
rise in the number of vaccines has occurred. There is no evidence of
much SIDS or autism prior to vaccination but plenty of evidence since then. What is
"irresponsible" is ignoring the evidence. We must stop believing
vaccine-company generated propaganda/"research" and start refusing
the advice of anyone with known industry ties, including the American Academy
of Pediatrics and vaccine advisory committee members. And we must get rid of
vaccine mandates, which have no place in a free society and eliminate any
incentive to provide less damaging vaccines. The "experts"
would have us believe only they can be trusted in health matters. But we must learn to
trust ourselves. -- Sandy Mintz The living got more
attention than the dead at Vietnam Memorial The Vietnam Memorial
ceremony. If you wanted to be seen or wanted free publicity you were there.
What about the families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice? The names
of visiting dignitaries were everywhere, but what about the names of the
Alaskans who gave their lives? I applaud the people
who arranged for this display. This was an opportunity to reach out to our
veterans and say "thank you." It was perhaps the only time some of
these people will come forth in that type of environment. I am sorry to say that
for me it lost some of its luster when the living overrode the dead. Later the dignataries
were gone, the people were gone, the flags were gone, and except for two
airmen to answer questions, all was quiet. The fire still burned but where
were the flags that had flown earlier, where were the veteran aides, and
where was the honor guard to show respect for our fallen? The wall is a symbol,
but the men were real. They had so much to offer. Who can say if one of them
may have found a cure for AIDS? What about the mothers, fathers, brothers and
sisters left behind? There are more than 50 Alaska names on the wall. Who are
they? Do you know? Do you care? They deserved more. -- Pat Burgess Mayor, legislators
don't credit where it's due on city, schools When the Daily News
chooses to omit important achievements Republicans make, it not only insults
those in the Legislature responsible but also those who voted for them. I am
one of those voters, and I was disappointed to read article after article
about the city and school district receiving unexpected windfalls that left
out information about how that money came about. If Democrats were in
control, the only things we would be expecting are reduced Permanent Fund
dividends and tax hikes, not bigger-than-expected state grants to the city. Since you decided not
to publish the facts, I visited the mayor's homepage on the Internet and saw
in his press release that Anchorage would receive more than $500,000 thanks
to Anchorage's legislative delegation and Sen. Dave Donley's amendment that
increased Safe Cities funds. Additionally, it was SB 174 -- which was
sponsored by the Senate Finance Committee for the entire Republican majority
-- that increased the funding to schools. It's sad that I have to
go to sources other than my newspaper for the full story. If anyone else
would like to learn about the whole story, visit the mayor's homepage and
read the press release for yourself: www.ci.anchorage.ak.us/mayor/ -- Randy Ruedrich Since when did our
city parks become disgusting doggy toilets? We all love our little
and big parks around town. The park strip, the rose garden, Chester Creek
green strip, the lagoon, etc. Yesterday, an
extraordinarily beautiful day, I visited a couple of parks and did some Chi
Kung exercises, then spent an hour cleaning the dog pooh off my sneakers. Has anyone noticed how
our parks, or for that matter any little green area, is promptly turned into
a dog toilet? The Coastal Trail has two brown strips on each side with dog
doo-doo. It is really an oddity to observe anyone picking up after their pet
-- bless their hearts, I admire their dedication. This is a disgusting
health hazard. Children not only step in it, they roll in it. We track it
home on our floors and carpets. It dries and is blown in the air and we
breath it. There is an ordinance
that most pet owners ignore. Owners are required to clean up after their
pets. The problem just gets worse every year with the increase of people and
pets. When is the ordinance going to be enforced? Is there a fine? I really dislike all
these laws, rules and fines, but until people become aware of or responsible
enough to consider the results, we will have to have these laws or be
knee-deep in you-know-what. -- Joan Corliss Right to Life booth
shoves beliefs, opinions at crowd in un-Fair way I am so sick and tired
of these letters praising the "Right to Life" booth at the fair. It
blows my mind that people justify their right in shoving their beliefs and
opinions to anyone and everyone that just happens to walk past, trying to
enjoy a nice day at our annual fair. How dare people display such pictures
for our young children to see! It's not right, nor is it appropriate for such
a place. If they feel so
strongly and adamantly about "educating" people with thier pro-life
stance, why not have brochures with information and pictures inside, so
people who want to see this can. I realize this is a serious issue that
deserves attention, but do it in a private setting. Furthermore, while I am
not against anyone's right to decide for themselves and have an opinion, I am
against it being portrayed in such a un-Fair manner. -- Jaymie
Schreckenghost State fair parking
staff errs, then mistreats, insults fair-goers Our Alaska State Fair
experience was spoiled by unprofessional parking management. We were directed by
staff to park in a specific spot, so we were surprised when we returned to
find our vehicle missing. The supervisor said we were improperly parked and our
vehicle towed. When someone pays to park and is directed by staff, they don't
expect their vehicle to be missing upon return. The supervisor arranged for
us to get the Jeep and apologized. Then his boss, Peter, appeared and was
arrogant, unapologetic and barely refrained from calling us liars. This
condescending man left my mother, children and me standing in a dirty, windy
lot while he pointedly disregarded us, talking shop with staff. He finally
deigned to take us to meet my husband, but stopped at every checkpoint to
chat. He stalled, ignored us, and made it clear we weren't a priority. He
kept my husband waiting several minutes. As I left the truck,
Peter smirked and granted his permission to "vent" or "write a
letter." His insincere, mistimed apology sounded contemptuous, like a
thinly concealed insult given when someone knows he will never see you again
and will never be held accountable for his actions. His treatment of my
mother, two young children and me was contemptuous to the point of hostility.
Where does the Fair find these people? -- Toni Lea Curry What was fair
thinking? Passing out pills without exam is risky I read the article
"Fair booth doles morning-after pill, rouses critics" (Aug. 28),
and I am outraged by the carelessness of the officials at the state fair.
They are responsible for the safety of the public attending the fair. Why
didn't they look into the ramifications of the passing out of prescriptions
to perfect strangers off the street? Have they become "dope" peddlers
for Planned Parenthood? Physicians who write
prescriptions for patients usually require screening and/or physically
examine the patient before writing a prescription for any medicine. As for
the patient's health, there is a follow-up afterward to check the patient's
reaction to the medication and improvement. Reputable doctors do not write
prescriptions to unknown patients or walk-ins without some kind of liability
to the community they serve. This is not across the counter medication that
is being handed out at the state fair and there are risks involved. A deeply concerned
citizen, -- Raymond P. VinZant Fishermen who can't
make living catching public's fish should quit It must be summer and
fishing season, because I hear that incessant whine we hear this time of
year. What is it? Mosquitoes? Nope! It's the annual whine of the commercial
fisherman, who can't seem to make a living in 30 days, and may have to
actually go to work like the rest of us. Oh, but wait! It's time for the
annual disaster declaration, so those of us who must work 50 weeks of the
year, get to pay through the nose again. Give me a break! If you can't make a
living catching the public resource of fish, get rid of your boats and go to
work like the rest of us and quit that infernal whining. -- Brian Carper
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