Benefiting from Corona virus
Fighting the Corona virus has united the world like nothing I have ever seen in my 68 years. No one is calling it fake news, denying the science behind it or allowing blame to interfere with a united front to address this clear and present danger.
Fighting the Corona virus is a perfect working model to address climate change, nuclear disarmament, or any number of threats to human existence that are actually far more dangerous than the corona virus. Every news outlet in the world now displays proof that humanity can unite for our common good. It can be done. With our vote, “We the people” can elect leaders who offer solutions in stead of blame and excuses.
Mark Miller
Juneau
‘Stand Tall’ is stooping low
Leaders of the anti-recall group, “Stand Tall with Mike,” announced that they did not intend to contest the recall petition before the Alaska Supreme Court and used the occasion to denounce the supreme court and its chief justice, alleging that the court had prejudged the issue and that Chief Justice Joel Bolger “refused” to recuse himself, though he was a “material witness.” Instead, they would place their “trust in the voters, not unelected judges.”
The language is all-too-reminiscent of the rhetoric that one hears on the national scene and is a disgrace to those attorney advocates associated with “Stand Tall.” It is likely that the Alaska Supreme Court ultimately allows the recall petition to go forward — Alaska law weighs heavily on the side of the petitioners — but nothing in the court’s order of Feb. 14 establishing an expedited briefing schedule (one that recall opponents themselves also requested) suggests a predetermined outcome.
The charge that the chief justice has “refused” to recuse himself implies that he has been requested to do so. “Stand Tall” has made no such request. The reason for recusal: he is a “material witness” Really? The recall allegation was the governor’s failure to make a judicial appointment within the time specified by the Alaska Constitution. As administrative head of the judicial branch, the chief justice simply advised the governor that he had a duty to pick from the list of nominees made by the judicial council. In that sense, we’re all “material witnesses.”
Bruce Botelho
Douglas