Ed: We had several letters to the editor this week for stories we did in previous semesters. We've attempted to the best of our ability to provide context to go with them.

Sun Star disrespects pit bulls

Ed: This letter is in response to an article we published in the April 2006 "Fun Star," our April Fool's Day issue. The joke article claimed "Rabid hellhounds, high on PCP, went on a campus-wide rampage last weekend that left 18 students dead and 137 wounded or disfigured."

I was just browsing Google and came across one of your articles and was appalled.Do you not realize that poor pit bulls are being blamed for all the dog fights in Canada and for all the mauling and attacks, and yet they're gentle creatures. Then I go to look up some images of pit bulls and I find your site. That is very distasteful of pit bulls.

I demand this article to be removed IMMEDIATLY before I contact the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals and inform them of this slander.

You're promoting against a very gentle breed of dog!

Football memories

Ed: This letter is in response to an article the Sun Star published in 2004 about UAF's short-lived football team.

"UAF had a football team?" Yes it did!

In 1950, my grandpa, Pfc. Donald White, played fullback for the Ladd AFB Flyers in the Fairbanks Ice Bowl.

They lost to the University of Alaska Polar Bears, 3-0. Admission was $1.20 (including tax). Grandpa says it was cold!

Fifty-seven years later, I find myself stationed with the Strykers at the same base, now renamed Fort Wainwright. I myself played football in Anchorage for the Anchorage Christian School Lions.

Grandpa went on to be a missionary in Alaska, now is retired, and is an author living in Pensacola, Fl.

Guns not the answer

I am writing this letter in response to a recently published letter to the editor calling for arming students with ammunitions in the wake of Virginia Tech shooting spree.

It perplexes me as to why people keep campaigning for a life from the Wild West, where every man is armed to defend himself.

After all the progress made in building a civilized and structured society, why go back to a jungle life were you need be on a constant alert, armed and ready?

We have created various professions in our society to address the numerous issues, like the police department to deal with those who disagree with manmade laws, fire fighters to deal with flames, mechanics for your vehicle and nerdy dorks like me when your computer goes kaput.

So if the danger of some lunatic walking in with bullets on the loose is serious enough, why not hire/assign persons to each building that are responsible and willing to bear and use firearms when the need arises?

It's a bit more expensive a proposition, but surely a civilized and safer one than teenagers equipped and on the prowl for action.

I for one think the old-school way of knuckle-to-knuckle is a much better way to settle contentions on campus.

Religion behind amendment

Michael Smith's April 17 letter complains that a cartoon in the April 17 edition offends Christians and perpetuates stereotypes about Christian beliefs.

Do you object to the notion that Christians supported stripping some Alaskans of benefits because of their sexual orientation?

And what stereotype?

The idea that Christians could be savage enough to kill in support of their beliefs?

I suggest some honest self-examination, Mr. Smith.

Christians are largely behind the proposed Constitutional amendment banning health benefits to unmarried partners.

The groups formed to support a "yes" on the April 3 advisory vote were Christian.

Show me a "yes" letter to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner not explicitly based on Christian beliefs. The cartoon portrayed a Christian figure behind the "yes" movement. Sorry, that's reality.

More likely you dislike the idea that Christians would violently target someone – depicted by the cartoon's "bounty on homosexuals." The Bible condones and extols violent acts and heinous atrocities in the name of faith.

An entire Sun Star issue couldn't hold all the biblical examples of killing, maiming, raping and torturing adversaries. No non-Christians are to be spared, even babes in arms.

Through history this mind-set has driven unspeakable wars, cruelties, exterminations and discriminations in the "name of God."

The problem is not the perpetuation of an unfair stereotype, but perhaps a visceral discomfort you have with the ugly facets of your faith.

When Christians rally against forces actually ravaging Alaska's families (alcoholism, abuse, poverty, no health care, inadequate education), then I will listen to their claims of compassion and "Christ-like" values.