Here's a nice letter to the editor of the New York Times from former AK governor Tony Knowles

[Blue_In_AK]

re gun control. Yes, there was a time when Alaska had a sane Democratic governor.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/28/opinion/the-politics-behind-the-guns-debate.html?_r=0

To the Editor:

As a Vietnam veteran, an owner of both a rifle and a pistol, and a not-so-successful sheep hunter, I am one of the millions of Americans with guns as part of our lives. I am also a father. Because I am all of the above I am profoundly thankful that President Obama has challenged us to live within both our rights and responsibilities to save the lives of innocent victims of gun violence.

The horror of Newtown has shocked us into the realization that we must change. The families and friends of the victims of Columbine, Virginia Tech, Tucson and Aurora might ask why did it take so long. I don’t know the answer. And we will never know how many lives will be saved if we do act. All we know is the shame we must share if we don’t act.

As a former elected official, I have seen the power of people to create change despite the opposition and clout of well-connected and well-financed organizations and lobbyists. So I proudly join all of the veterans, gun owners and hunters who understand and value the rights and responsibilities that come with gun ownership and have the backbone to state their case.

Banning assault weapons, restricting ammunition magazines and requiring background checks on all sales are a start. It will not really change our lives as gun owners, but it may change the life of one innocent child by saving it.

TONY KNOWLES
Anchorage, Jan. 19, 2013

The writer was governor of Alaska from 1994 to 2002.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

1. We need more like him to speak out. n/t

[bigwillq]

2. Is he related to Beyonce?

[Blue_In_AK]

4. I don't think so.

But you never know.

[lastlib]

10. don't see much family resemblance.....

[bigwillq]

13. It's a joke

Knowles is Beyonce's last name.

[lastlib]

14. (pssst--mine was, too....)

[bigwillq]

15. Cool!

Didn't know if you knew that was her last name or not!

[scarletwoman]

3. Good letter. Thank you for posting this!

Great closing line!

[Blue_In_AK]

5. Tony's a bit more friendly to Big Oil than I like,

but given our last three governors, I really, really miss him. He's a good man and would have made a great senator if Lisa hadn't cheated in 2004.

[scarletwoman]

6. He was still Mayor of Anchorage when I lived in AK.

My sense of things was that NO politician could survive in Alaska without being "friendly" to Big Oil. But I did think he was basically a "good man", as you say.

[Blue_In_AK]

7. He looks like a saint

compared to Seanoco Parnellips.

[Capt.Rocky300]

8. I remember when Tony was between political gigs.............

he'd wait on me and top off my coffee when I'd breakfast at his Downtown Deli. You'd never know he was a Yale grad and the former mayor. Just a down to earth, friendly and decent guy.

[SunSeeker]

9. K&R

[Historic NY]

11. Thank you Governor, as a gun owner

and retired LEO I agree. I left the NRA when they left me.

[abelenkpe]

12. K&R nt