Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Questions on gas line

Jan. 21, 2008

To the editor:

House Speaker John Harris says that he and others are looking for a “fair and open competition” among businesses that would like to build the gas pipeline. Isn’t that what was created when Gov. Palin created and the Legislature passed the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act? And if the state of Alaska should change the terms of the competition after the bids, which cost a lot of money to prepare, have been submitted, wouldn’t that make the state vulnerable to a lawsuit?

Let’s remember that AGIA was written for the benefit of Alaska. The proposal from ConocoPhillips, which ignored AGIA, was written for the benefit of ConocoPhillips.

Ellen Mannion

Fairbanks

Ron Paul 4 Prez

Jan. 21, 2008

To the editor:

Ron Paul is the runaway favorite presidential candidate amongst members of the military. The word is because he is the only candidate against wasting the lives of more soldiers in vain pursuit of a glorious Imperial America.

While you might be surprised I imply America is an empire, there’s a large body of respectable information to confirm this, so the real question is whether empire is a good idea.

The short answer is no! All empires are unstable, doomed to bankruptcy from eternal war and increasing oppression of the homeland citizens.

Freedom can die — even in America — look at the trends: A press subservient to government, the Patriot Act, Military Commissions Act and Extreme Beliefs Act, torture, wiretapping, suspension of habeus corpus, RealID Act.

This is not the Republic the Founding Fathers created or the traditional America land of the free. How much more must the noose tighten before we find ourselves in a trap we cannot escape? These are indeed trying times but you cannot gain security by trading away liberty — ever.

We must rekindle respect for what our Founding Fathers gave us, become as brave as the soldiers who already support Ron Paul, and stand up for the Constitution.

Ron Paul is no politician but a statesman who speaks truth and is a zealous guardian of your constitutional rights. Some say it’s crazy to vote for Ron Paul but what is really crazy is to vote for any of the others and expect less war, less taxes, more freedom and a healthy economy.

I urge you, dear reader, to google Ron Paul and view a few YouTube videos — you will feel something you might never have felt about a candidate before; a cure for apathy and a dare to hope.

Remember: we are the people. The government should be our servant, not master. Shame on us for letting them get out of control — but it is not too late. Dr. Ron Paul is the cure for what ails us.

For our Republic,

Rick Hoegberg

Fairbanks

Foster children

Jan. 21, 2008

To the editor:

After reading Dermot Cole’s recent discussion of the lawsuit settled by the state of Alaska, I write this article to educate those who may be unaware of the extent of the social issues facing the state’s Office of Children’s Services and to offer ideas on how you can help.

As we begin 2008, there are 2,116 children in state custody, placed in or out of home care. About 190 of those children live in the Fairbanks community. These children live with relatives, or in foster homes, residential facilities, or group homes.

OCS has work to do to give every child in the child protection system the best possible service. No one working for OCS does so with anything less than a deep commitment to helping families. The job is enormous and we can’t do it alone. OCS needs you, the community, to help us in this effort.

To report child abuse or neglect: 451-2650 or 1 (800) 478-4444

To learn more about foster or adoptive parenting: 1 (800) 478-7307

To become a court-appointed special advocate (CASA): 451-5933

To become a Big Brother/Big Sister mentor: 451-8110

Our kids are of all ages and have many interests. Donations of items and services are always welcome. Could you give lessons to a child wanting to play in the band? Could you hire a youth at your business to help him or her gain adult living skills?

Lastly, do you know people who work at OCS? If so, take a moment to thank them for their dedication and compassion to Alaska’s families. This is one of the toughest professions out there and one where OCS employees rarely get thanked for saving a child’s life or helping to make a family healthier and stronger.

To learn more about how you can help or for questions, please call me at 451-2096.

Christy (Sturgis) Lawton, MSW

Children’s Services Manager, Northern Region

Office of Children’s Services