Empire Editorial: A time and policy warp that's dangerous for America

A government agency goes after enemies of the president’s policies. Covert operations kill civilians abroad. Phone records are seized and reporters’ privacy at home and at work is invaded. We’re not talking about Watergate, Laos or Cambodia — this is about current events.

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Alaska Editorial: Deal between Cook Inlet producers should set example

This editorial first appeared in the Peninsula Clarion:

Those who watch the Cook Inlet’s oil and gas patch had reason to celebrate on Monday (May 6) as details of a deal between Buccaneer and ConocoPhillips emerged that will not only benefit those companies, but also the community at large.

Per the deal, Buccaneer can drill deep for oil in ConocoPhillips’ North Cook Inlet Unit, which is known for its shallow gas, but has deeper oil as discovered, but not produced, by ARCO.

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My Turn: Road to Umiat - a bad idea with far-reaching potential consequences

Why do they keep trying to make roads all over Alaska? I thought Alaska was the “Last Frontier”.

I am strongly against the road to Umiat because it intersects the caribou migration route. Where I am from, caribou is eaten a lot, and I don’t want them to take another route because part of their route passes by Anaktuvuk Pass. People might say it won’t do anything to them, but are they monitoring what the caribou do?

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Oil tax rates: the strange case of Norway

Two recent news items out of Norway caught my attention. The first happened April 30 when Governor Parnell went there to discuss tax policy. The second was the announcement on May 6 that Norway had decided to make a change to its oil tax laws.

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Benghazi deserves real review

The following editorial appeared in the Baltimore Sun:

Whether the House investigation into the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, is a political witch hunt aimed at former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her possible run for president in 2016, as Democrats allege, or a principled effort to uncover a shocking scandal on par with Watergate, as Republicans seem to believe, further review of what happened that night in Libya appears to be a worthwhile pursuit.

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No 'invisible hand' in health care

Imagine while visiting friends in the remote Alaska community of Bethel that you’re experiencing the severe symptoms of a urinary tract infection. You have no health insurance, so you shorten your trip in order to go to one of the Anchorage area hospitals. As it turns out, that decision defies Economics 101, because if you needed to be admitted it would cost three to six times more than the same treatment you’d receive from the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital. It seems the normal rules in our capitalist society don’t really apply to pricing in the health care profession.

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TOE Toon Sunday, May 12, 2013

My Turn: Shrine of St. Therese: A labor of love

Last Sunday evening the Jasper Quartet, as part of the Juneau Jazz & Classics Festival, performed in the chapel of the Shrine of St. Therese. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, as I was en route back to Juneau after being away for parish visitations and confirmations. But I am grateful that people in Juneau were able to listen to these talented musicians performing works by Beethoven and Hayden in the beautiful and sacred setting of the Shrine.

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Referendum on the Oil Tax Bill

Petitions are circulating in Juneau and throughout Alaska to hold a referendum on the oil tax bill recently passed by the legislature. I urge you to sign. A referendum will allow the voters to reject Senate Bill 21. This bill (SB 21) revised the state oil tax commonly known as ACES (Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share), which was adopted in 2007 with a bipartisan majority, and with Governor Sarah Palin as the moving force. SB 21 lowers the tax rate in ACES and drastically reduces state revenue from our oil fields.

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Do something now about Auke Lake hazards

I was honestly outraged by the Assembly’s unwillingness to enact the proposed changes re: Auke Lake. While it does seem to make sense to gather all data, something needs to be done NOW!! Summer is almost upon us. It is our duty to make our community as safe as possible for all residents. George Schaff has already stated that Parks and Rec has made their best recommendations, and that resources are not currently available for more data collection. We cannot let the opportunity for another tragedy exist. Therefore, I strongly encourage the Assembly to enact the proposed changes NOW.

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