To the editor:
Alaskans have become accustomed to political meddling from big money Outside groups. Usually these entities, in their arrogance, at least identify themselves. A sleazy new radio ad running locally, does not. It is an excellent example of both cowardice and untruths.
This ugly ad castigates Sen. Ralph Seekins for accepting minor contributions from Alaskans who work for VECO and purports to be from "Americans for Conservation."
I looked up the Web site; it lists two addresses. The mailing address is a post office box in Soldotna apparently to get readers to think that it is an Alaska group. Soldotna is not in Sen. Seekins' district of course, but at least it is in Alaska!
The street address though, is in Washington, D.C. It's the address of Defenders of Wildlife. Once a mainstream wildlife advocacy group, DOW has morphed into just another fringe environmental/animal rights group. They have millions upon millions of dollars to spend on behalf of Sen. Seekins' opponent and to continue their assault on Alaskan's efforts to restore moose and caribou populations. Populations that, thanks to Sen. Seekins, are beginning to once again provide healthy wild food on the tables of Alaskan families.
The radical animal rights groups just don't like the fact that Sen. Seekins successfully provided for humane and effective predator management.
They tried to stop it in the courts and lost. Now they are resorting to the ugly politics of personal destruction, hoping to manipulate an Alaska election from Washington, D.C.
I know Ralph Seekins and I trust him to put the interests of Alaskans ahead of any special interest group. I support the re-election of this real Alaskan.
Pete Buist / Fairbanks | 
