Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Carbon monoxide

Jan. 15, 2008

To the editor:

I am writing to warn the public about carbon monoxide and its dangers. I recently worked at a person’s home and noticed that in his garage he had a battery charger recharging a dead battery on his vehicle. He then started the vehicle in the closed garage with the door open to the rest of the house.

I asked the guy if he knew about carbon monoxide. He muttered something and I proceeded to mind my own business. After a full 10 minutes I figured this was my business — my life! Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless and deadly. There is no good reason to run a vehicle inside like that. He had a wife and two children. What if he got a phone call and forgot about it?

I suggest the military community and Department of Motor Vehicles (when people get their Alaska driver’s licenses) could help educate newcomers to the state. Carbon monoxide detectors are right next to smoke detectors at the stores. Let’s all stay safe!

John Knutson

Fairbanks

Waiting for wane

Jan. 15, 2008

To the editor:

Reading Theresa Bakker’s Jan. 13 column regarding Alaskan’s existence, “In a place devoid of both light and warmth …,” I couldn’t help but recall Baudelaire once suggested that in every love affair, there is one who loves a little more than the other and one who cares a little less; one who accommodates the other’s whim and for the sake of continued relations denies their own. This allows the one with less investment to control the relationship; in essence, one lover becomes victim, the other assassin.

We Alaskans are 600,000 willing victims and we’re a pitiful bunch this time of year when winter’s grip is gauged by ever lighter shades of pale skin. Now is the time I replace my refrigerator’s light bulb with a tanning bulb so that, late at night, when I’m downstairs in my underwear eating butter beans from a Tupperware container, I can get a little vitamin D.

Failing that, I drive to the top of Murphy Dome and, with the car heater going, point my face at the sun like a dog waiting for a pat on the head. Of course, that gossamer light has no heat and is as sincere as those social kisses women give, the kind where they hold you by the shoulders, pucker their lips somewhere behind your ear and say, “kiss, kiss.” Yeah, all that sounds miserable and it is, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Last night, when temperatures were in minus 30s, my electricity went out just as I started supper. By the cook stove’s blue flame, I sliced a caribou steak and placed it a skillet in which a bit of butter, olive oil and garlic browned.

The steak sizzled as if saying, “Ahhhhh” in a comfortably hot bath. Later, with th wood stove and its yellow-orange crackle for company, I, comfortable and content, sipped pinot noir and wondered how I came to be tangled in this love affair with an assassin.

Stephen Binns

Fairbanks

Feeling nostalgic

Jan. 15, 2008

To the editor:

Even though the geese have flown south and the snow has settled in, I am still nostalgic of the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, maybe more because this year I participated in it.

Thanks to Jo Scott and Dr. Peter de Schweinig, I finally made the move. In the past, I had only been a spectator, paying for each concert and enjoying Lunch Bites. I thought you had to be an artist with some talent to be a camper.

This year I registered in a Yoga Balance class with Jean Crouch, which by the way I recommend to anybody suffering from back pain, and I was able to attend all the concerts for free.

Jo Scott had told me to do that and Dr. de Schweinig had made me promise last year to take a class during the festival. What a deal! From now on I will register.

Anne Haue

Fairbanks

Health care costs

Jan. 16, 2008

To the editor:

I’m personally impressed with the number of closet Democrats that reside in Interior Alaska.

One would think with the large number of folks writing letters to the editor, screaming for government services to be provided to those who did not pay for them, that this rich state of ours would be at the leading edge of a national drive toward a nationalized health-care system.

If the folks who think “it is un-Alaskan” to offer assistance when assistance is needed thought that way in the voting booth we might be able to see a doctor without having to mortgage our house first.

Then again, it seems very Alaskan to complain and kvetch and yet let status quo stand.

Jeff Apple Benowitz

Fairbanks

Alaskan spirit

Jan. 16, 2008

To the editor:

I’m writing regarding Mr. Boyd’s Jan. 11 letter, “Shame on Cole.”

First, let me say that I am truly sorry for the Callaway’s loss. I can’t imagine what a horrible thing it must be to lose your home and everything you have worked so hard for.

But I strongly disagree with Mr. Boyd — I’m shouting from the rooftops that the ‘true Alaska spirit’ is alive and well. I have lived in Fairbanks my whole life — every day I am amazed at the wonderful attitude and hospitality of the majority of people who live here.

Had I been one of the Callaway’s neighbors, I’d like to think that I’d be right there with my garden hose. But the simple fact is that firefighters are public servants, and to keep their jobs, they must follow strict policy. There is no doubt in my mind that it is a difficult and painful decision that they don’t take lightly. The choice these guys had to make is certainly not immoral, and they should not be criticized for following the rules.

It’s a fact of life. Our town can’t exist for free; paying your way is fair. Unfortunately, we seem to have an aversion to paying for services. I hate paying extra taxes as much as anyone, but how else do you think services get funded? You get what you pay for. I think that an important lesson here is that we are all responsible for ourselves. Sure, helping your neighbors is in the true Alaskan spirit. But I hope that none of us expect them to bail us out when we don’t take responsibility for our own life and property.

If you currently live outside a fire service area, and you want to change that, band together with your neighbors and find out how to get annexed. It’s pretty cheap insurance, and while your home may not be saved, at least you can have peace of mind that the firefighters who show up at your home will be authorized to fight the flames.

Karina Possenti

Fairbanks

Army maneuvers

Jan. 17, 2008

To the editor:

Military maneuvers in the cities of Fairbanks and North Pole? The military doesn’t have appropriate facilities to simulate a city environment for such training purposes? Places that won’t cause worry for civilians wondering why attack helicopters are swooping over their neighborhoods? Or concern that an accident may occur over a heavily populated area such as the Johnson shopping area?

If they were conducting training for an environment such as Iraq, does that mean civilian targets were identified for offensive measures? Were those helicopters armed?

I wonder how many combat veterans experienced at least a moment where their hearts were racing before they could determine that what they saw and heard was only a “training” exercise? I wonder how many drivers had their eyes skyward instead of concentrating on slippery roads.

I find it extremely difficult to believe that a sub-arctic city such as Fairbanks provides enough of a resemblance to any city or town in Iraq that could truly justify the benefits versus risks of such training.

TC Greywolf

Fairbanks

Surviving Bush

Jan. 17, 2008

To the editor:

It has been a while since I have written to Fairbanks. I am counting the days to the end of Bush’s term. Ticktock. Though I did not vote for him I will say I was excited when he won the first election. Good God. Here was a guy with the Congress and the Senate right beside him. All the great things that could be accomplished. Wow … one could only imagine.

Now we know what happens when we, as a country, as a united people, as the greatest nation in history, somehow put such a small-minded man in the White House. We put a terrorist in office.

George has worked to ruin this country from the inside.

A warmonger, torturer, and a cold killer of untold thousands. The environment, the middle class, health care. All the wonderful things that could have been are ending with eight years of going backwards. A waste? Charmless word. Karma for George? Let us pray. His legacy. Forget about it. A presidential library. Misnomer from hell. There it is. The most ineffective president in history who has effected us to death.

We can survive him. My confidence in America is supreme. Let us show the world who and what we really are. Pay attention to the coming election, 10 months away. Another creep like Bush will be the end of us.

Besides the crummy president, I would thank the staff at the News-Miner for making a good daily into a great one. I have read it all my life and have never enjoyed it more. You serve the public well, as you always have.

Thank you,

Dale Thacker

Fairbanks

Pay for protection

Jan. 18, 2008

To the editor:

Mr. Severns’ letter (”Let it burn,” Jan. 18) stating that the Fairbanks borough’s policy was to let her burn in reference to Ace Callaway’s home burning down was not correct.

As sad as Mr. Callaway’s home burning down it is sadder that a grown man would not ensure that his and his family’s dwelling was protected. The borough’s policy has never been to “let her burn,” it is as it should be, the people that pay for a service are the ones that receive the service.

I make car payments so that when and if I choose to use a vehicle I have one, I do not cry in my milk because someone won’t let me drive theirs when I need one.

Every year I receive a bill I gladly pay for fire service protection. I hope I never need it but I still pay regardless. He states that if a person doesn’t have fire protection and their house catches on fire they should be charged for the service. Does he have any clue what it costs to run and maintain a fire department? Is he going to pay for the engines, tankers, fire hose, water, bunker gear, etc.? What about the thousands of dollars it costs to maintain training of the personnel, most if not all who volunteer their time?

The amount I pay is minuscule to the benefit I have of knowing that my house is protected. Instead of writing letters complaining that he didn’t don’t receive a service that he didn’t pay for maybe he should find out how he can be annexed into a fire service area or start his own.

And last but far from least to the volunteer firefighters who risk their lives every time the alarm sounds thank you for your service and dedication. I will put a smiley face on the check I send in this year for you!

Bill Ward

North Pole

A vote for Paul

Jan. 17, 2008

To the editor:

I am more than ready to return to the practice of government limited by our Constitution as intended by our founding fathers.

The country I was born and raised in, and the Constitution I support, uphold and defend, has been compromised by the treasonous ideas and votes of politicians who look out for their own power plays and pocketbooks, instead of looking to the Constitution as the Supreme Law of the Land, before they vote!

By voting for Ron Paul for president, and upon his taking office, I will be able to rest assured that the rights granted me by the Constitution will be kept to their original intent.

Join me in supporting Ron Paul (www.ronpaul.meetup.com/187) who is vigilant in keeping the Constitution as the Supreme Law of our Land.

Constitutionally yours,

Marylou M. Zackar

Fairbanks