Speak Out

I need the advice of anyone who knows of a legal solution to a problem I have.

The people next door to me have a large dog, with a well-developed set of lungs, fenced in by a chain-link fence, and tied with a rope or chain. This dog barks at least 12 hours a day at everything.

I have talked to the owners and they said that they could not stop the barking. I called Anniston Police, the Calhoun County Sheriff's office, and the Animal Shelter. I was told by all that there is no law against a barking dog. Against noise, yes. Barking, no.

Isn't incessant barking a noise? I'm sure my other neighbors would like some quiet time, too.

David J. McClellan
Anniston

Extinction not amusing

An elderly woman stood in line at the food store, her shopping cart loaded. Behind her, I pointed to an overhead sign that read "Ten Items or Less" and said, "Looks like we're in the Express Lane." Her reply amused me. "Yeah," she said, "but it ain't moving very fast." I agreed.

Sarah Palin's worldview is like that perception of reality. In January 2007 the governor opposed the listing of polar bears as an endangered species, saying her decision was based on scientific studies made by Alaska's marine mammal experts.

A skeptical marine biologist named Rick Steiner asked to see the experts' review to Palin. She refused, citing executive privilege. Undeterred, Steiner persisted in his requests. But the governor, a shrewd politician, informed him later that he could indeed have access to the state science review. It would cost Steiner $468,000 for the Commissioner of Fish and Game to "process" the response.

Steiner refused to pay the exorbitant fee. Instead, he sent a request to the federal government, opting to use the Freedom of Information Act. With results in hand, he learned that the Alaskan scientists were in agreement with federal studies.

The polar bear is in grave danger of becoming extinct due to global warming. Yet, up there in Alaska, Palin hypocritically talks about transparency in government while denying the facts of science. Is she hardwired to disconnect?

The last thing Americans need is an incompetent leader who chants "Drill, baby, drill." We should insist that Palin and partners "Chill, baby, chill" and focus on developing alternative sources of energy. Extinction is not amusing.

J. Nolan White
Stapleton