Letters to the Editor

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

Trump can thank Palin

Who would have thought a few years ago that we would have a president of the United States such as Donald Trump? How could a person with so little political experience ever get elected?

We have the catalyst for this phenomenon right here in Alaska in the person of, yes, Sarah Palin. Sarah showed Trump the power of personal magnetism in building a base of undying support. Remember when she ran for governor and vice president, she mesmerized a corps of people, ordinary folks who loved her plain-spoken, blunt message. She could say or do anything and it didn't matter to her base. I think Trump saw this and expended on it tenfold. So love him or hate him he has Sarah to thank for leading the way.

— Jim Cross
Anchorage

Tinted windshields hazardous

There's a definite safety benefit to eye contact between drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and others using the road. Those excessively tinted windows (even windshields!) make a visual connection impossible and very dangerous. Could APD look into this situation and clear it up?

Ken Flynn
Anchorage

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It's clear state needed PFD
money to pay its bills

In the hope that Mr. Geoff Armstrong ("What will Walker do," Letters, Oct. 15) reads the "Letters" column more closely than he reads the rest of the paper, I will accede to his request, and tell him what Gov. Walker and the Legislature are doing with the $800 million that didn't get paid out as PFDs this year: It will be used to pay the state's bills.

Let me direct Mr. Armstrong's attention to the ADN, practically every issue of the past two years: The state spends more money than it's taking in. Further spending cuts hurt vulnerable Alaskans. How will we pay the bills? Not by handing out cash, that's for sure.

— Scott Walker
Anchorage

Misses We Alaskans

Am I the only reader of the ADN who is disappointed in the content the new owners are publishing?

Opened the Sunday paper of Oct. 1 to learn that "We Alaskans" will no longer be published. This is one of the most intriguing weekly sections that published articles on Alaskan history, interesting recent events from writers all over the state and well-written book reviews. The notation of the change on Page 1 stated that articles that fit into the format of "We Alaskans" would be found throughout the paper. I searched several times and found nothing that remotely resembled such material.

Additionally, the new owners have laid off writers who have a solid grasp and long-view on Alaska history and events whose analysis has been educating us for years. Now, I feel lost and disconnected without their contributions.
The recent content of ADN is thin and unsubstantial. This is what I notated:

1 page of opinions

4 pages of sports

3 pages of Alaska news

2 pages of nation/world

2 pages of comics

1 page on the weather

5 3/4 pages of ads/advice

Is this what the paper has to be in order to be successful? I never thought I'd feel it would almost be better if it did not exist in paper at all. For now, I'll continue to subscribe just to feel a bit of connection, but if there is no improvement in content and "We Alaskans" is not brought back, I may discontinue. As it is, the ADN is mostly useful for placing on the bottom of my bird cage.

— Susan Valenti
Anchorage

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How's state spending money?

As this country was founded on independence, I would think it most prudent to report on how our PFD money is being utilized by the state government to resolve its mismanaged, failing economy. Now that Alaskans have less to spend in their own communities, how is the state fairing with its newly acquired windfall? Are those lazy state workers still being paid for doing not much?
Please give us an accounting, not just to answer unquiet, but out of respect.

— Paul Knight
Fairbanks

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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