LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

An Elder’s Observation

To the editor:

The obfuscation of the current political quagmire has the look and smell of a porcine feed lot. That is the polite way of saying the pigs are swimming in their own waste because, we, as a nation, have consciously chosen not to shovel our barn in far too long. I chose the description because of a political metaphor of long standing. It’s called “Pork Barrel Politics,” in America and it’s been around as long as politics has been. Honor and integrity are a conscious ingrained choice that takes courage to stand tall, even when you are a majority of one. Every soldier takes an most solemn oath to protect and serve America with their very lives if necessary. The FBI director has taken a similar oath and is standing tall for the very same reason every patriot from Lexington on has. It is this Elder’s Observation that Director Comey has the courage of his convictions to chose to trash his career to honor his oath. In a very real sense he is fighting to keep our Flag from being trampled in the feed lot of pork barrel politics.

—Bill Stokes

Palmer

Taking issue with Faye-Brazel supporters

To the editor:

While I am impressed by the number of people coming out in support of Patricia Faye-Brazel, I am concerned by the multitude of half-truths being spread by some of them. Quite frankly, I see a lack of ethics in the letters to the editor being submitted by many of her supporters. Perhaps her supporters are so willing to compromise the truth because her stand on the issues is so hard to defend.

A letter on Oct. 28 stated that David Eastman has been “shopping around” for a district to represent. Eastman has moved once - less than a mile from his original home in the Mat-Su Valley. He didn’t “run for office in the Fairbanks area.” Rather, part of the district that he was running in extended from the Valley all the way up to the outer edges of the UAF campus.

I hope and pray that people will not be swayed by the misleading information being bandied about by Eastman’s opponent’s supporters. If you have questions, do some research and contact the candidates. Don’t rely on the mudslinging articles and mailers showing up in the last days prior to the election.

—Carrie Smoldon

Willow

It’s Usibelli’s appeal that is ‘frivolous’

To the editor:

At a Wasilla Chamber of Commerce meeting last month, The Frontiersman reported Usibelli Coal Mine’s Vice President Lorali Simon characterized Wishbone Hill litigation about illegal coal mining permits issued by DNR as “frivolous.”

On Oct. 26, a Federal District Court Judge rejected each and every assertion made by Usibelli and reaffirmed her earlier decision.... essentially saying Usibelli’s appeal was frivolous.

Case 3:15-cv-00043-SLG Document 93 Filed 10/26/16 Potential Wishbone Hill open pit coal mining on a grand scale adjacent to Moose Creek is a long standing and contentious issue in the Matanuska Valley. The project is opposed by hundreds of local residents. Why would the Frontiersman cover the misinformed comments of a coal company’s public relations person but not report the recent legally binding decision of a respected federal judge?

—Warren Keough

Chickaloon