Comments by alaskaflower
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Posted on July 8 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree. I would always talk to my dogs like it was "fun" to hear the thunder - laugh and talk happily. With the first sound of thunder, I would say something like, "Oooooo Listen to that. Isn't that nice?" in a very happy tone of voice. They figuired "Mom knows best," and never showed any fear. Of course, lots of petting helps, too - but make like it's no big deal. Dogs can read our emotions, and they know when we're fearful, calm, or whatever.
On Late night storm downs trees, sparks fires in Interior Alaska
Posted on July 7 at 6:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the reminder, Robinson. I'd forgotten you could do that.
Posted on July 7 at 6:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"First you introduce alcohol to them and take their land. Now that you have the lands you'er btihcnig because of the problems you have created."
Wisechief, there may have been individual cases of whites introducing alcohol to Natives, but if you will read the published accounts of the first explorers to come to Alaska, you will learn that Native Alaskans already had home brew when the white explorers arrived.
White people did not create the problem of alcoholism in Alaska. Certain individuals no-doubt contributed to the availability of liquor, just as today individuals continue to contribute to the problem by insisting that their own "right" to drink alcohol is more important than trying to wipe out this dreadful plague.
I have seen so much pain and heartbreak caused by alcohol. So many lives destroyed. We as a society would not tolerate such a destructive force were it not for the selfish "need" for some to have a drink now and then because it is their "right."
What about the "right" of a child to have a sober parent to see that they are loved and fed and cared for? What about the "right" of a child to not be sexually abused by a drunken relative? What about the "right" of a child to grow up without being introduced to the taste of alcohol? What about the "right" of a child to grow up without cigarette burns all over his or her body?
We need to stop making accusations about who created the problem. We need to admit the stark, ugly reality of the problem that exists.
Alcoholism is not a problem that is exclusive to Native people. But there is scientific evidence that Natives and Asians are genetically predisposed to addiction to alcohol.
We need to recognize this fact and try to counteract it.
People I love are struggling with a disease that controls them. I hurt for them. I try to help them on a one-by-one basis.
But nothing is being done to stem the time. The problem is an epidemic! Our teens are becoming alcoholics at 12, 13, 14 years of age. Where is it going to STOP?
The only answer I can see is removing the availability of the poison that is killing our youth and degrading our adults.
And don't tell me prohibition didn't work! Did they have problems back then like we have now? No way!
Some of our villages have seen the wisdom of going dry. If they ALL did, it would greatly help the problem. But the cities also will have to take some responsibility. We need to clean up our act, Alaska. How about doing your part and starting with your own home? It has to start somewhere. People are dying. Lives are being destroyed. We have the highest suicide rate in the nation. All because of alcohol and its results.
Posted on July 7 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My goodness, Wife228, you certainly are overflowing with compassion for those less fortunate than you!
"Maybe the should hang around the job center and get a job and get off the street.
It is my tax dollar that supports these losers.
The more you have the more you want. The state bends over backwards for the Natives.
What about us working people who have to deal with you?? What do we get? NOTHING but the same saying 'WE HAVE RIGHTS' We all have rights but the Natives have more rights than any working person does and it sucks.'
I pay taxes, too, and I am happy to see some very small portion (not enough) of it used to help the unfortunate people who are in the grip of addiction and living on the streets of our town.
These people are, for the most part, victims of addictions that are stronger than they are. Sure they made the choice, often many years ago, to take that first drink. But there comes a time when it is no longer a matter of choice, but a matter of compulsion.
I not only pay taxes, but I volunteer several hours every week to try to help people with addictions. Maybe if you could find the time to do the same, your self-righteous perspective would change.
You know what else, Wife228? Years back, I lost a job I loved and had held for years because the company was sold and my job was targeted for Native hire. Sure, I was disappointed. But I have never complained about it. It's their company, and they have the legal right to give Native preference to employees.
You complain because street people don't have jobs, and then you complain about Native-hire rights (which is the only special Native right I am aware of.) You can't have it both ways! The REASON Native people have special rights is to try to give them more opportunity to get into the work force.
Posted on July 7 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wish the News-Miner had not chosen to make all of the related documents available in PDF format. A very large percentage of readers have dialup Internet connections, and trying to download PDF files is a nightmare. I tried to open several of the files, and every time but one I received an error message saying that the file connection had timed out.
Posted on July 5 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pixiefae: "While we are stationed in Alaska, I plan to enjoy anything I can get. We have struggled here getting used to the price changes, weather etc. ... Once we leave the great state we will no longer NEED the extra money."
Did I miss something here???
On PFD idea
Posted on July 5 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Newsminer, why, with the issues facing Fairbanks and the Interior are you doing something like this?"
"Yes it is an issue, but it is a community issue and we do not need to hash it out when conventions are coming to town. Same with this- what timing! It is not a bad idea to deal with it- but it is a bad idea to do it when WIEO is coming, or when we have tourists to entertain. Lets do it in the winter, when it is just us- those who have been most effected by it. This is pathetic timing, and that will not be overlooked by many in this community. "
I have to wholeheartedly agree. Racism is evil and so immature. It is something that needs healing. Why fan it into a burning flame? Any why make our guests feel unwelcome and uncomfortable by the racism this will stir up?
Posted on July 5 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dana, just to clarify, I was not addressing the PFD issue - just the attitudes. I agree with you regarding the PFD.
pixyfae, you might want to read the qualifications for the PFD before you apply. There is a requirement that you must intend to remain permanently in Alaska. You sign this under penalty of perjury. And owning property in Alaska does not qualify someone. They must live here (with allowable exceptions such as military service, education, etc.) and must certify that they intend to remain an Alaska resident.
I'm all for suporting the military, but I would suapect there are many who apply for the PFD who never intend to return to Alaska once there assignment here is over. It would be nice to see a followup program in place so that people who leave and never return would be required to repay what they received by fraud and perjurous statements. This goes for seasonal workers too. During pipeline construction, I worked with many people whose only Alaskan "home" was a pipeline camp, and who hit the plane for home as soon as their work shift was over.
On the other hand, there are legitimate Alaskan residents who are being denied their PFD because they attend colleges that do not participate in the federal student loan program - a departmental interpretation that goes way beyond the restrictions that were written into the law. It seems like our PFD department is determined to deny as many legitimate applications as possible, in the name of fraud control.
On PFD idea
Posted on July 5 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
" If you want a welfare handout for capital improvement then ask the Native Corporations"
"So keep your ideas in the village where they belong,"
It's interesting that everyone is clamoring for the state to "share the wealth," whether with individuals or with communities. No one objects when a capital improvement grant is given for a project in Fairbanks, or Anchorage, or Juneau. No one calls them welfare programs. Maybe because they are given to the community where YOU live. So why the hostility when someone suggests capital improvement grants for villages?
To take it up a notch in the heirarchy, no one seems to mind that the state of Alaska receives federal money for highways, education, medicaid, etc.. These programs aren't thought of as welfare.
Sounds like plain old fashioned prejudice here, poorly masked as righteous indignation.
On PFD idea
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Posted on July 8 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep, I remember climbing across glaciers on Mount St. Helens back in the late '60s. Strange how fast they disappeared.....
On Mount Shasta glaciers keep growing, despite warming