Letters to the Editor December 23, 2000 Recently, I came across a revelation quoted by Harold Land when he discovered the process for his Polaroid camera. He said he had a "Sudden cessation of stupidity." Marvelous phrase. It seemed remarkably pertinent to some recent disinformation I’ve been seeing locally. They include: an editorial in the FDNM saying how good things will be with Dubya as our leader, particularly as he favors oil development in ANWR; an e-mail urging me to tell an MSNBC poll what a marvelous job the oil industry had done developing Alaska, and we should all rush faithfully into the exploitation of ANWR; and the multifarious letters to the editor touting oil development in ANWR, and some discouraging it. Now, I clearly am for leaving it alone, so let there be no mistake about my position. But I think we need a worthy cessation of stupidity. Why don’t we look clearly at the options and get together on something really positive for a change, instead of beating each other up over ANWR all the time? Here’s my suggestion: let’s all look carefully at the concept of a gas line. I’ve looked at this, for a long time, actually. I think a vast majority of Alaskans could really come together on a gas line. The environmental effects are not nearly as large as the irreversible aspects of ANWR development. The resource is huge, and there are no prospects for an Exxon Valdez spill: it simply can’t happen with gas. And perhaps more crucial: the royalty return from the gas line would last longer and would be as much as ten times more money for the Permanent Fund. There’ll be more jobs, lasting longer than with ANWR. Focusing on the short-sighted, divisive, and very destructive development of ANWR, when we confront the huge prospect of a gas line which is better for us all, on every major account—I mean really, what the heck are we thinking? Isn’t it time for a cessation of stupidity? Governor Knowles, Senators Frank and Ted: why aren’t you leading us? Toward a new year, Dear editor, Through a friend at work, who writes cartoon comic strips, I found the Ester Republic. I am hoping that a reader in your area may be able to help me out with a rather strange request. You see, in 1982, when I was 15, I left U.S. Naval Air Station—Adak, Alaska, and came back East to be with Mom. As I waited at the airport in Anchorage, I purchased a t-shirt with a poem on it. I have since lost/discarded the shirt, and am seeking the poem, titled, "Ode to a Oosik." If anyone has a copy of this, I would be very grateful to receive a copy. Also, I would like to make contact with any personnel from the fire department in Ester, for general fire service-related discussion. Thanks for any help you may have to offer. Les Archer
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