Climate Change
Dear Editor: I am a lifelong Sitkan and recent graduate of Mt. Edgecumbe High School. This year I was given the opportunity to work with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska in their harmful algal bloom lab as part of my field research class. Our work was recently featured on the cover of Capital City Weekly.
As I head off to college this fall to pursue a career in science, it is discouraging to see our nation’s leaders still arguing over the existence of climate change. Last year I protested against Congressman Don Young when he visited Sitka. While here, he claimed that global warming was a hoax, and definitely not a concern.
During my time at Mt. Edgecumbe I was able to meet students from all over the state who have seen the effects of climate change firsthand. There are students whose entire communities are having to relocate due to rising sea levels. I urge Sen. Murkowski and the rest of our state’s Congressional delegation to protect funding for climate change research in Alaska.
Sienna Reid, Sitka
Flags
Dear Editor: Someone in Sitka does not like our American flag.
I had my American flag attached to my vehicle for the past several days. Today I had it parked at McDonald’s where I meet ever Wednesday with girlfriends. It’s from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, at 1:15 p.m., I left McDonald’s and went to my car. I walked out with a friend and stopped in front of my car and chatted. As my friend started to leave, I saw a huge wad of dirt that was slung onto the front of my car. We both studied it before she said it probably fell off of the roof.
As I backed away from my spot, I glanced up on the roof of McDonald’s. It was very clean. No dirt. I know it wasn’t any animal feces, but a black wad of dirt that was probably two cups worth. Even so it repulsed me. No other car in the parking lot had any sort of a mess on it. I knew in my heart of heart that it had to do with the flag hanging on my car. I went through the car wash and tattled to whomever would listen.
I am a flag patriot. When I lived at my mom’s home out by Totem Park, I would line the street with at least a dozen flags hanging on both sides. It pleased Sitkans. They complimented the decoration of flags. Then I moved out to Halibut Point and I lived in an area where I couldn’t hang flags. Bushes were all around the house and our apartment was so far up and away from the street, no one would have seen it. I started putting the flags on my car to show my patriotism.
The whole month of May is dedicated to our veterans. I was away from Sitka for two and a half weeks and upon returning I hung my flags on my car. Two days later it was Memorial Day and I was bound and determined to show my flag. Today is the 31st; the last day of military month.
I will hang my flags from my car for Flag Day, June 14.
Irene Vaden, Sitka
