November 7, 2003

• One of my favorite sources of both information and entertainment around here is my husband Greyfox as he reads some of the interesting stuff from the newspaper to me.  To judge by the comments I’ve gotten when I have subsequently gone to ADN.com and linked to or quoted stories that I liked, some of you Xangans also appreciate these glimpses into life here on the edge of the back of beyond.  Today’s paper contained the following eloquently sarcastic letter to the editor:
  

  
  

  State relocates bears, then decides to kill wolves so we can kill moose
  

  Regarding your article “Game Board OKs aerial wolf hunts” (Nov. 5), I am initially confused with the desired results of the “hunt.” First we relocate the brown and black bears, we slaughter the wolves from the air, all of this to shoot what’s left, the moose. I think the Game Board missed the mark just a tad. If all we want is dead moose to feed the hungry, why not save a buck on av-gas and invite the pilots of McGrath to come hunt moose from the air here in Anchorage?
  

  Of course at some point we’re also going to have to change some aviation terms. That long-favored aerial maneuver, the moose hunters’ stall, will need to be changed to the wolf hunters’ stall. We will lose a few pilots, but what’s a few lives when we’re managing game?
  

  One final suggestion. Let’s relocate the Game Board — deep inside ANWR would be good. They could look for oil while they ponder their next “management” decision.
  

  – Larry Whiting
  

  Anchorage

  
  

  Today’s top front page story was something I can’t find words to describe.  In breaking up a fight between two boys in a high school hallway, police used pepper spray.  In addition to the two combatants, at least fifteen bystanders were sprayed, and one asthmatic among them had to be taken to a hospital.
  

  
  

  “It’s unfortunate some of the kids were standing by and got some of the over-spray,” said Cobb, who heads up the School Resource Officers program. “I know parents will be upset. But safety comes first, and we cannot tolerate kids beating other kids up.”
  

  The resource officers program stations 12 cops at Anchorage’s six high schools. The officers also visit middle and elementary schools. The program is largely federally funded and aims to make schools safer and build trust between police and students.

  
  

  The mother of a student there said, “If they’re allowed to mace them any time there’s a little disturbance — I don’t feel safe with the police officers in the school.”  D’ya think?

  
  

  
  

  Anchorage Daily News | Police pepper-spray students in fighting incident

  • 6:03 pm
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