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National: Point system at center of immigration-overhaul talks By CAROLYN LOCHHEAD -  A Canadian-style point system at the center of a controversial new immigration overhaul could transform the ethnic and social composition of the United States in decades to come, but such a change hinges on the details expected to emerge this week from closed-door negotiations between the White House and key senators in both parties.

In concept, a point system that awards visas on the basis of such factors as education, age, job skills and English proficiency could mark a radical change from the current system that awards the vast majority of the 1 million legal-permanent-residence visas, or green cards, on the basis of a foreigner's family ties to relatives already in the United States.

Depending on how a point system is constructed, a Ghanaian physician fluent in English could get priority to enter the country, for example, over a Spanish-speaking hotel maid from Guatemala whose brother is a U.S. citizen.

That kinship-based system, in place since 1965, has encouraged large immigrant flows from Latin America and Asia, although that was not the original intention. Such "chain migration" poses a major stumbling block to efforts to legalize the estimated 12 million people now in the country illegally. Critics say such legalization efforts would encourage these new residents to bring their relatives, leading to millions more immigrants based not on skills but on family ties.

Immigrant-rights groups, which are often organized on ethnic lines, are adamant that some form of family ties remain central to U.S. immigration policy.

Cecilia Munoz, vice president at the National Council of La Raza, a Latino immigrant lobbying group, called the point system a radical experiment.

Munoz said a point system that "would be open to anyone in the world, create a potentially huge demand and is very much skewed toward highly educated, English-speaking people, has implications not only for the immigration system, but I think broader implications for class and arguably race."

Frank Sharry, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, an immigrant lobby, said he is open to a point system depending on how it is structured.

"This point system is very critical," Sharry said. "Who will benefit, how the points will be apportioned, whether there's equity between high and low skill, whether it favors people here, or unknown, disconnected folks from around the world, and whether family is going to count enough are just some of the issues that are really going to be make-or-break for us when we finally see what's on the table." - More...
Wednesday - May 16, 2007

Southeast Alaska: Work of pioneering whale researcher provides longest record on humpbacks - A humpback whale sighted in 1972 in Lynn Canal in Southeast Alaska by pioneering whale researcher Charles Jurasz was re-sighted again last year in both Hawaiian and Alaska waters, according to NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center.

"With last year's sightings, this whale has the longest identification record, 35 years, of any humpback whale", said NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center Director Doug DeMaster. "The record is a tribute to Charles Jurasz' pioneering work, which started in the mid-1960s, long before whale biologists considered using photo-identification as a research tool."

The whale, most likely a male, is known as NMMLID 229. He was photographed near Maui by researchers from The Dolphin Institute in February 2006 and again by a team of researchers working under the scientific research permit of Sitka whale researcher Jan Straley in Southeast Alaska's Seymour Canal in December 2006. NMMLID 229 has been photographed more than 34 times over the years in Alaska and Hawaii by researchers from the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, the University of Hawaii, The Dolphin Institute, the Hawaii Whale Research Foundation, the Center for Whale Studies, the Center for Coastal Studies and others.

Several other whales first identified by Charles Jurasz have similar sighting histories, though NMMLID 229 currently holds a slim lead for the longest identification period in the NOAA database. Chris Gabriele, whale biologist at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, confirmed that at least nine other Jurasz whales, first photographed in the early-to-mid 1970s, were seen in Glacier Bay as recently as last summer and are expected to be sighted again this season.

"In the years since Charles Jurasz and a few other early pioneers started using photographs to identify individual whales, it's become commonly accepted for researchers to use photographs for individual whale identification," said DeMaster.

"We're wondering if other people have any early whale photos they would be willing to share with the researchers at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center," DeMaster added. "What's needed is a copy of the whale photograph, the date and place. It's possible that we would then be able to match the photo with others in our database." - More...
Wednesday - May 16, 2007

Scientists to take driftwood expedition this summer A pile of driftwood, off a western Aleutian island. Photo by Ned Rozell

Alaska Science: Scientists to take driftwood expedition this summer By NED ROZELL - The Thule people who lived in the High Arctic 1,000 years ago left behind spruce carvings that intrigue archaeologist Claire Alix because the Thule lived hundreds of miles from the nearest living tree. Their only source of wood was what drifted in from places unknown.

"Wood is well preserved in archaeological sites," said Alix, an archaeologist with the Alaska Quaternary Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. "It's really plentiful in sites of (the Thule) period."

Driftwood logs have tales to tell about past river and ocean circulation and climate, and Alix is one of the few scientists who study driftwood. When trees fall from the bank of a great river like the Yukon, Mackenzie, or the Anadyr in Siberia, they sometimes travel thousands of miles to the ocean. Once in the ocean, a Yukon spruce log can reach the eastern Arctic via Fram Straight, riding ice floes for a good portion of the way and taking many years to complete the trip. - More...
Wednesday - May 16, 2007

Focus on Our Feathered Friends: Moonie, the Great Horned Owl Photo courtesy Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery & Eagle Center Photograph by Karla Hayward

Ketchikan: Focus on Our Feathered Friends: Moonie, the Great Horned Owl - Moonie is one of the crowd favorites during live bird shows at the Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery & Eagle Center in Ketchikan. A great horned owl, Moonie has lived at the Eagle Center since 2000 after being hit by a car, injuring his right wing. The injury resulted in Moonie not being able to fly well enough to survive in the wild and since then, Moonie has lived at the Center.

According to Danika Fornear Bird Curator at the Center, Moonie is definitely favored amongst both staff and visitors due to his striking looks and gentle disposition. She said he is a true "feathered ambassador", allowing the Center's visitors an up close and personal view of these magnificent birds. Fornear said, "He is even trained to flap his wings during presentations to illustrate 'silent flight', where owls make no noise when flying so they can sneak up on their prey." - More...
Wednesday - May 16, 2007

Asset Builder of the Month: Bobbie McCreary Photograph courtesy PATCHWorks

Ketchikan: Asset Builder of the Month Bobbie McCreary - PATCHWorks has announced the selection of Bobbie McCreary as the "Asset Builder of the Month" for May. She is being recognized for her "can do" attitude, boundless energy, and astounding commitment to the youth of Ketchikan.

As her nominator stated, "Bobbie recognizes a problem, offers a solution, and then says, why not?" She was instrumental in the efforts to beautify the downtown in the winter by organizing community members to paint and decorate some of the boarded up windows. This has now become an "annual event where young and old gather to share their artistic talent and this effort has made a little corner of our town a welcome relief in the dreary winter months."

According to information provided by PATCHWorks, McCreary has been a major supporter and guide in the formation and development of Ketchikan Youth Initiatives, a local non-profit organization focused on youth empowerment. With McCreary's guidance, and through several years of effort, these young people have formed a paint-ball league and playing field that is open and available to the youth of our community for fun, healthy outdoor activity. - More...
Wednesday - May 16, 2007

Public Meetings May 16, 2007, 7:00 pm - Ketchikan City Council regular meeting - City Council Chambers... Download agenda & information packets pdf (Click on each agenda item to download each packet) Viewpoints Opinions/Letters Basic Rules Pets By Amy Serjeant - Wednesday PM GRAVINA ISLAND CLEAN UP By Jerry Cegelske - Wednesday PM Fair Credit Due to Republican Generals By Nick Kelly - Wednesday PM LET'S PARTY AT THE EAGLE CENTER!!! By Danika Fornear - Wednesday PM Debris In the Sea (and elsewhere) By Carol Baines - Tuesday AM Turning the Private Sector Loose By Charlotte Tanner - Tuesday AM Why take a good man out? By Tami Linne - Tuesday AM Inexperienced elected officials By Bill Thomas Sr. - Sunday Cleaning Up More Trash By Jerry Cegelske - Sunday Ask Yourself - I Did By Carl Webb - Sunday Save us all the trouble of recall, just resign By Rick Watson - Sunday Turn the private sector loose By Sean Parnell - Sunday Re: Val Klemm By Dave Kiffer - Sunday Dismissal Of The Superintendent By Jerilyn Lester - Sunday Are youth held more accountable? By Kelli Carlin-Auger - Sunday Make a final list, check it twice 'n thrice By Sen. Kim Elton - Sunday Mickey Mouse rip-off character By Mark Neckameyer - Sunday Join a Community of Hope! By Linda Teal Kreider - Sunday No Grounds For Recall By Dan Ortiz - Saturday THE EAGLE CENTER NEEDS YOUR HELP! By Danika Fornear - Saturday Governor's Position on Gravina Logging Road By Eric Tyson - Saturday Recall By Chris Elliott - Saturday Frank Murkowski, Oh Where Art Thou? By Charlotte Tanner - Saturday Dismissal of Superintendent Martin By Mike Harpold - Wednesday PM Recall Elections By Bill Hendricks - Wednesday PM Recall, It IS the Electoral Process! By Michael Fitzgerald - Wednesday PM Mr. Carl Webb's apology By Charles Edwardson - Wednesday PM Sickened By Kevin Mackey - Wednesday PM After Prom Breakfast By Christy Moss - Wednesday PM Think you have seen it all? By Jessica Mathews - Wednesday PM Prescription Drug Advertising. Where is the Outrage? By Paul G. Jaehnert - Wednesday PM Traveling Doctor's departure ... By Shirley McDonald - Wednesday PM Please do not invalidate the electoral process By Choc Schafer & Karen Eakes - Monday PM A Bad Day in the State Capitol By Sen. Hollis French - Monday PM Cooperative Extension Service deserves your support By Philip Loudon - Monday PM Conan for School Board By Ken Lewis - Monday PM Whitecliff School and property auction By Jackie Williams - Monday PM Signal Creek Campground By Robert Gustafson - Monday PM Do We Really Need a New Public Library? By Robert D. Warner - Monday PM Ask yourself some questions By Susan Walsh - Monday PM Fundraiser Villains By Tina Stephens - Monday PM More Viewpoints/ Letters Publish A Letter Ketchikan Ketchikan Police Report AK Troopers Daily Dispatch Today's Forecast Satellite Today's Weather Images Marine Forecasts Ketchikan Weather Data Current AK Weather Map CLASSIFIEDS Publish ad Please select the proper category before posting. CLASSIFIEDS' CATEGORIES Announcements For Sale / Free Stuff Garage Sales Homes / Apts/ Property Pets Wanted Lost & Found Local Services Publish your ad May 2007 S M T W T F S     01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31      More Front Page Archives

Jay Ambrose: Boycotters full of gas - The Internet is a powerful tool, and we may get some inkling of just how powerful on May 15th. That's when there's supposed to be a nationwide boycott of gas stations. If it comes off -- if millions and millions steer clear of the pumps -- we'll know that an organizing effort via e-mail, Web sites and chat groups produced extraordinarily successful results.

But because the premise of this boycott is that U.S. oil companies are greedy, exploitative and conspiratorial, we will also know that these millions of our fellow citizens haven't the slightest notion of economic reality.

The thesis of the boycott organizers, or at least those I have encountered, is that the oil companies can set just about any price they want and are now getting unbelievably rich at the expense of all us poor slobs who either have to pony up what's demanded or walk to our various destinations.

It's a narrative that just about anybody can grasp because it makes the world oh so simple. You see, there are bad guys and good guys, and if the good guys will just stand up for themselves, they can bring the bad guys to their knees. - More...
Tuesday AM - May 15, 2007

Michael Reagan: Going Wobbly - Maggie Thatcher had a great line about politicians who lose their nerve when faced with a big problem: she warned them against going wobbly.

That warning would be lost on the members of today's national Democratic Party. They've gone far beyond that stage. Nowadays they have no problem with being seen as America's surrender monkeys.

Covering their eyes so they won't be able to see how their policies will bring on a holocaust that will afflict the Middle East, and their ears so they won't hear the cries of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Afghans as they are butchered by al Qaeda and Iranian terrorists, they are willing to stand by while chaos reigns in the entire region, a major part of our oil supply is cut off, and terrorism comes home to our front door.

Their latest gambit, carried out under the guise of an organization of veterans calling themselves VoteVet.org, a group affiliated with the Soros-funded far-left MoveOn.org ­ a Democratic front group -- has sponsored a TV ad featuring retired Gen. John Batiste, Gen. Paul Eaton and failed Democratic presidential candidate Gen. Wesley Clark.

The ad opens with a clip of President Bush saying, "I have always said that I will listen to the requests of our commanders on the ground." - More...
Tuesday AM - May 15, 2007

Val J. Halamandaris: A need for home care nurses - In 2006 the first year of the baby boom generation turned 60. In the very near future, this, the largest U.S. generation in history - 77 million people - will come into their retirement years. In doing so, they will transform every aspect of American society.

This generation will not go silently into the good night. They will not meekly submit to retirement but will bend and shape the concept to suit their needs.

The evidence is clear that this will remain an activist generation until the end of its days. To meet their health needs, baby boomers will shape home- and community-support programs rather than look to institutions. While they will be far healthier and live longer than their parents, boomers -- the richest generation in history -- will have the resources to structure the support programs needed to deal with disabilities and remain independent in their own homes. - More...
Tuesday AM - May 15, 2007

Bill Steigerwald: Why Voters Vote the Way They Do - How do voters choose their candidates? How do they process all the political information that they are bombarded with so they can make intelligent choices during elections like next week's primaries? No one knows everything about how voters think and act, but Richard R. Lau, a politics professor at Rutgers, has at least tried to find out. Based on research from experiments with about 700 people, Lau and David Redlawsk wrote "How Voters Decide: Information Processing in Election Campaigns," a 2006 book definitely not aimed at casual readers. I recently spoke with Professor Lau by telephone from the Rutgers campus as he was grading final exams:

Q: Are voters usually rational when they choose a candidate?

A: Well, that depends on what you mean by "rational." Can voters give you a reason for why they did what they did? Yes, absolutely. A more formal economic definition of rationality is ... to very actively and conscientiously consider the consequences of the different alternatives for your own well-being, however you want to define that, and, in this case, vote for the candidate that maximizes your self-interest, however you want to define that. No. Not very many people do that.

Q: What kinds of information or forms of persuasion are voters most likely to be influenced by?

A: They're most likely to be influenced by two things. To the extent that they have strong prior political beliefs -- whether they're Democrats or Republicans or liberals or conservatives -- they really are going to see things in light of their own backgrounds, which is the nice way to say it, or their own biases, which is the less nice way to say it. If you're a Republican and Dick Cheney tells you something, you are a lot more likely to believe it than if you are a Democrat -- and then you'll listen to Hillary Clinton. That's one very big factor. The other factor -- which those of us in political science tend to overlook a lot because we often don't have the evidence -- is people that you talk to: your friends, your family, your neighbors. If somebody you trust says, "That Mitt Romney is a real jerk," then it is going to be hard for you -- particularly if you don't know enough about (Romney) to counter that information or argue against it -- to reject that person's statement.- More...
Tuesday AM - May 15, 2007