Letters to the Editor

People protest the legislature’s extraordinary session during the official Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. Demonstrators booed outgoing Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday during the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, at times drowning out a high school choir with their own songs in protest of a Republican effort to gut the powers of his Democratic successor. (Mark Hoffman | Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

Opinion: Let’s not become Wisconsin

I’ve followed Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s campaign and early actions with alarm. His view of his mandate is out of proportion, being almost exclusively focused on… Continue reading

People protest the legislature’s extraordinary session during the official Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. Demonstrators booed outgoing Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday during the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, at times drowning out a high school choir with their own songs in protest of a Republican effort to gut the powers of his Democratic successor. (Mark Hoffman | Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
In this Nov. 16, 2018 photo, a firefighter searches for human remains in a trailer park destroyed in the Camp Fire, in Paradise, California. The massive wildfire that killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes has been fully contained after burning for more than two weeks, authorities said Sunday, Nov. 25. (John Locher | Associated Press File)

Opinion: Finding a solution to wildfires

Recently, the Juneau Empire reprinted an editorial from a California newspaper that called for everyone to come together to find a solution to wildfires. Research… Continue reading

In this Nov. 16, 2018 photo, a firefighter searches for human remains in a trailer park destroyed in the Camp Fire, in Paradise, California. The massive wildfire that killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes has been fully contained after burning for more than two weeks, authorities said Sunday, Nov. 25. (John Locher | Associated Press File)
A piece of mailed campaign literature from the Republican Women of Juneau. (Courtesy Photo | Elizabeth Seliotes Bolling)

Opinion: Seller beware

Let this be the take-home message for the Republican Women of Juneau from their now-notorious attack mailer against Jesse Kiehl: it didn’t work. It was… Continue reading

A piece of mailed campaign literature from the Republican Women of Juneau. (Courtesy Photo | Elizabeth Seliotes Bolling)
Opinion: There is no safe level of secondhand smoke

Opinion: There is no safe level of secondhand smoke

I want to commend the City and Borough of Juneau for bringing our local smokefree law into compliance with the new statewide smokefree workplaces law.… Continue reading

Opinion: There is no safe level of secondhand smoke
Opinion: Stop the arms sales to Saudi Arabia

Opinion: Stop the arms sales to Saudi Arabia

Let’s be clear about where we stand as a country. We support creating famines, bombing civilians and killing children for money. Our elected leaders are… Continue reading

Opinion: Stop the arms sales to Saudi Arabia
Opinion: Involve disabled patients in conversation about their treatment
Opinion: Involve disabled patients in conversation about their treatment
Unsplash.com stock image.

Opinion: Republican leaders are no longer role models

Their actions are decimating the party and future generations.

Unsplash.com stock image.
Opinion: Our safety is worth protecting

Opinion: Our safety is worth protecting

Safety starts with listening. But it doesn’t end there.

Opinion: Our safety is worth protecting
Opinion: Andi Story is steady, strong and reliable

Opinion: Andi Story is steady, strong and reliable

I am writing to support Andi Story for the state House of Representatives. I met Story back in the 1980s when I was a Juneau… Continue reading

Opinion: Andi Story is steady, strong and reliable
Unsplash.com stock image.

Opinion: Hannan stands with Democrats, unlike Dimond

I suppose I wasn’t surprised to see the endorsement by Gov. Bill Walker of candidate Chris Dimond. Although both Walker and Dimond profess to be… Continue reading

Unsplash.com stock image.
Opinion: the Republican Women of Juneau should be ashamed of anti-Semitic ad

Opinion: the Republican Women of Juneau should be ashamed of anti-Semitic ad

Shame on the Republican Women of Juneau for using an anti-Semitic trope in their recent mailer against Jesse Kiehl. The advertisement depicts a man, meant… Continue reading

Opinion: the Republican Women of Juneau should be ashamed of anti-Semitic ad
Sara Hannan, running as an Democrat for state House District 33, talks about her campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: I trust Sara Hannan

With national politics being so explosive, it’s easy to think all politics are oppositional in nature. However, in Alaska and in our Southeast District 33… Continue reading

Sara Hannan, running as an Democrat for state House District 33, talks about her campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Jesse Kiehl, running as an Democrat for state Senate District Q, talks about his campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Join me in voting for Jesse Kiehl

I have known Jesse Kiehl for over 20 years. Throughout that time, he has been not just my neighbor and customer, but also a staunch… Continue reading

Jesse Kiehl, running as an Democrat for state Senate District Q, talks about his campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Pennn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Let’s elect Andi Story

Working for 20 years in banking and housing afforded me a “hands-on” understanding of our regional economy and the struggles created by massive state budget… Continue reading

Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Pennn | Juneau Empire)
A crane stands by for module and facility installation on the ConocoPhillips GMT-1 drilling pad. First oil from the project flowed on Oct. 5, and royalty revenue from the project could mean hundreds of millions in new funding for affected North Slope communities. (Courtesy Photo | Judy Patrick, ConocoPhillips)
A crane stands by for module and facility installation on the ConocoPhillips GMT-1 drilling pad. First oil from the project flowed on Oct. 5, and royalty revenue from the project could mean hundreds of millions in new funding for affected North Slope communities. (Courtesy Photo | Judy Patrick, ConocoPhillips)
Opinion: Stand for Extinction

Opinion: Stand for Extinction

Salmon were once abundant all over the world. Rivers and streams from Spain to Scandinavia were filled with them, as were Japan and Russia. North… Continue reading

Opinion: Stand for Extinction
Assembly member and legislative candidate Jerry Nankervis chairs a public safety committee meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Opinion: Vote Nankervis (but at least vote)

My Uncle Frank was a submariner during World War II. He often opined that the sacrifices of those who have died for our freedoms obligate… Continue reading

Assembly member and legislative candidate Jerry Nankervis chairs a public safety committee meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Opinion: ‘Yes’ for Story

Opinion: ‘Yes’ for Story

As a Marine Corps veteran, I look for someone with strength of character and values to represent me in the Legislature, not someone stuck in… Continue reading

Opinion: ‘Yes’ for Story
Don Etheridge, running as an independent for state Senate District Q, talks about his campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Etheridge for Senate race

I would like to express my support for Don Etheridge for the District Q Senate Seat. Etheridge came from a hard-working blue collar family and… Continue reading

Don Etheridge, running as an independent for state Senate District Q, talks about his campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Unsplash.com stock image.

Opinion: Kiehl is the real deal on education

It’s easy to say, “I support education.” Every politician in this hemisphere shouts it from the rooftops — and most of the time, all they… Continue reading

Unsplash.com stock image.