I agree with you, Lisa.  This is definitely a small part of a much larger conversation...There are always shades of gray! As I'm sure you know, the Iditarod is that there is a HUGE behind the scenes effort and it takes a lot of money and time to pull a huge event like this off.  Likely without sponsors like Donlin Gold, there would be no Iditarod race in Alaska.  Which to me, is a huge shame as it is something so uniquely Alaskan.  And, without money from development companies in Alaska funding the Iditarod, would mushers like Monica Zappa even have an outlet for their passion in Alaska or would they have to take their kennels elsewhere?  Should the Iditarod have said no to money from Donlin Gold even if they needed it to make the race happen? Tough call...