Letters to the Editor

Hundreds attend a rally in front of the Capitol calling for an override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes on the first day of the Second Special Session of the Alaska Legislature in Juneau on Monday, July 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Hundreds attend a rally in front of the Capitol calling for an override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes on the first day of the Second Special Session of the Alaska Legislature in Juneau on Monday, July 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: Killing cats at shelter due to overcrowding is murder

Opinion: Killing cats at shelter due to overcrowding is murder

I’m appalled at the lack of sensitivity about this subject.

  • Jul 16, 2019
Opinion: Killing cats at shelter due to overcrowding is murder
Opinion: Southeast Alaska being exploited by cruise ships

Opinion: Southeast Alaska being exploited by cruise ships

We need to set a limit on the number and size of ships.

  • Jul 16, 2019
Opinion: Southeast Alaska being exploited by cruise ships
Opinion: Governor is blocking Alaska’s potential

Opinion: Governor is blocking Alaska’s potential

The university has the potential to bring in outside talent and income.

  • Jul 14, 2019
Opinion: Governor is blocking Alaska’s potential
Opinion: Permanent Fund Dividend isn’t state money

Opinion: Permanent Fund Dividend isn’t state money

Let us hope that the Legislature chooses the course of protecting our dividend.

  • Jul 9, 2019
Opinion: Permanent Fund Dividend isn’t state money
Opinion: Put July 3rd fireworks use up for a vote

Opinion: Put July 3rd fireworks use up for a vote

It’s just so bothersome.

  • Jul 9, 2019
Opinion: Put July 3rd fireworks use up for a vote
Hundreds attend a rally in front of the Capitol calling for for an override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes on Monday, July 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Veto Dunleavy

Our present governor and is sadly lacking in understanding or compassion of either group.

  • Jul 9, 2019
Hundreds attend a rally in front of the Capitol calling for for an override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes on Monday, July 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: Taking the emotion out of the PFD debate

Opinion: Taking the emotion out of the PFD debate

Look at the facts.

  • Jun 20, 2019
Opinion: Taking the emotion out of the PFD debate
In this June 1, 2019, photo, provided by New Mexico State University professor Neal Rosendorf, migrants are seen through fencing inside a temporary outdoor encampment where they’re waiting to be processed in El Paso, Texas. Rosendorf said it resembled a “human dog pound.” (Neal Rosendorf via AP)

Opinion: End the abuse at Mexico border now

We have a humanitarian crisis on our border with Mexico.

  • Jun 18, 2019
In this June 1, 2019, photo, provided by New Mexico State University professor Neal Rosendorf, migrants are seen through fencing inside a temporary outdoor encampment where they’re waiting to be processed in El Paso, Texas. Rosendorf said it resembled a “human dog pound.” (Neal Rosendorf via AP)
Opinion: Juneau is overwhelmed by tourists

Opinion: Juneau is overwhelmed by tourists

We have so many visitors this year. Too many in my opinion.

  • Jun 18, 2019
Opinion: Juneau is overwhelmed by tourists
Opinion: Pebble mine puts entire state fisheries brand at risk

Opinion: Pebble mine puts entire state fisheries brand at risk

All fish will be painted with the same broad brush — toxic and damaged.

  • Jun 18, 2019
Opinion: Pebble mine puts entire state fisheries brand at risk
Midway through Pride Month 2019, a reminder of how far we have to go

Midway through Pride Month 2019, a reminder of how far we have to go

A reminder of how far we have to go.

  • Jun 14, 2019
Midway through Pride Month 2019, a reminder of how far we have to go
Opinion: Governor, Legislature need to do due diligence on PFD

Opinion: Governor, Legislature need to do due diligence on PFD

The full dividend might not be the best idea.

Opinion: Governor, Legislature need to do due diligence on PFD
In this Sept. 9, 2014 photo, a fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: What’s good for Juneau

Some of you may remember an old sci-fi movie entitled “The Blob.”

  • Jun 9, 2019
In this Sept. 9, 2014 photo, a fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
U.S. World War II D-Day veteran Tom Rice, from Coronado, CA, after parachuting in a tandem jump into a field in Carentan, Normandy, France, Wednesday, June 5, 2019. Approximately 200 parachutists participated in the jump over Normandy on Wednesday, replicating a jump made by U.S. soldiers on June 6, 1944 as a prelude to the seaborne invasions on D-Day. (AP Photo/Rafael Yaghobzadeh)

Opinion: A war isn’t over until all the veterans are cared for

Veterans earned their health care.

  • Jun 6, 2019
U.S. World War II D-Day veteran Tom Rice, from Coronado, CA, after parachuting in a tandem jump into a field in Carentan, Normandy, France, Wednesday, June 5, 2019. Approximately 200 parachutists participated in the jump over Normandy on Wednesday, replicating a jump made by U.S. soldiers on June 6, 1944 as a prelude to the seaborne invasions on D-Day. (AP Photo/Rafael Yaghobzadeh)
In this Feb. 26, 2016, file photo, a number of syringes are scattered in the remains of a tent city being cleared by city workers along Division Street in San Francisco. San Francisco supervisors consider legislation Tuesday, June 4, 2019, allowing the city to force mentally ill drug addicts into housing and treatment for up to a year. Mayor London Breed says it’s inhumane to let addicts languish on the streets, but homeless advocates say the measure is extreme and a violation of civil rights. (AP Photo | Eric Risberg, File)

Opinion: Anchorage promotes ‘no-hope’ standard for homeless

Over a decade ago I was homeless.

  • Jun 6, 2019
In this Feb. 26, 2016, file photo, a number of syringes are scattered in the remains of a tent city being cleared by city workers along Division Street in San Francisco. San Francisco supervisors consider legislation Tuesday, June 4, 2019, allowing the city to force mentally ill drug addicts into housing and treatment for up to a year. Mayor London Breed says it’s inhumane to let addicts languish on the streets, but homeless advocates say the measure is extreme and a violation of civil rights. (AP Photo | Eric Risberg, File)
Students hold signs during a climate change rally at the Alaska State Capitol, Friday, May 3, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: In defense of the JDHS climate activists

The JDHS students demanded leadership on climate change from our state government.

  • Jun 6, 2019
Students hold signs during a climate change rally at the Alaska State Capitol, Friday, May 3, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Casey Harris, co-owner of Game On, explains how to play a game during the first Trans Gaming Night at Game On, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

Opinion: Let’s keep playing

Recently, I learned that Juneau is on the verge of losing one of its good business neighbors, Game On. Game On, an award winning video… Continue reading

  • Jun 5, 2019
Casey Harris, co-owner of Game On, explains how to play a game during the first Trans Gaming Night at Game On, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Special counsel Robert Mueller speaks at the Department of Justice Wednesday, May 29 in Washington, about the Russia investigation. (AP Photo | Carolyn Kaster)

Opinion: Silence by Alaska’s Congressional Delegation on Mueller Report is noted

Alaskans who have examined the Mueller Report feel that an inquiry into impeachment of President Donald Trump is in order. He is doing untold damage… Continue reading

  • Jun 5, 2019
Special counsel Robert Mueller speaks at the Department of Justice Wednesday, May 29 in Washington, about the Russia investigation. (AP Photo | Carolyn Kaster)
Opinion: Why I recently became a ‘PFASist’

Opinion: Why I recently became a ‘PFASist’

I recently became a “PFASist” — someone alarmed about the growing crisis over the manufacture and use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS). These man-made chemicals… Continue reading

  • Jun 5, 2019
Opinion: Why I recently became a ‘PFASist’