Opinion

Dick Farnell, right, and Suzanne Cohen of environmental group 350Juneau hold signs outside the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building during APFC’s Board of Directors quarterly meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

“A tsunami looms across the horizon. That tsunami is the climate crisis.”

“Our leaders remind me of children building a sand castle on the beach.”

  • Jan 25, 2021
  • Mike Tobin
Dick Farnell, right, and Suzanne Cohen of environmental group 350Juneau hold signs outside the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building during APFC’s Board of Directors quarterly meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Capitol

Opinion: Censuring acts of conscience is un-American

It’s only with dignity and respect for one another that we can work through our disagreements…

  • Jan 24, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
Capitol
Someone holds up an inflatable Alaska Marine Highway ferry at at a rally to support of the Alaska Marine Highway System on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Reshaping coastal Alaska transportation

The focus of the Alaska Marine Highway System Reshaping Work Group was too narrow

  • Jan 23, 2021
  • Andy Hughes
Someone holds up an inflatable Alaska Marine Highway ferry at at a rally to support of the Alaska Marine Highway System on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
teease

Opinion: Alaska Legislature goes virtual

Alaskans can be confident the public will still be able to visit and observe their Legislature.

  • Jan 21, 2021
  • By Win Gruening
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teese

Opinion: It’s time to revisit the Fairness Doctrine

After much vulgar brutalization, it’s time to reinvigorate the principles of the Fairness Doctrine…

  • Jan 20, 2021
teese
Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The environment isn’t the only reason to say no to Pebble Mine

We residents of the Owner State own the copper and gold in Pebble. Under existing law, we will not be properly paid for the copper… Continue reading

  • Jan 19, 2021
  • By Ray Metcalfe
Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
teeze

Opinion: Perhaps new leaders will make America gracious again

Perhaps the new administration will guide the path to making America more gracious again.

  • Jan 19, 2021
  • By Katie Bausler
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Teez

Opinion: A fuel monopoly would be bad for Southeast

Garrett Johnson The acquiring of Crowley Fuels by Petro Marine is major setback for the entire Southeast Alaska community. This, monopolt-creating acquisition, will inevitably lead… Continue reading

  • Jan 18, 2021
Teez
teez

Opinion: Refuge oil leases are a dose of harsh reality

To have the state step in the role of the private sector is clearly a move of desperation.

  • Jan 18, 2021
  • By Kate Troll
teez

Opinion: Can a new spymaster turn around the embattled CIA?

Abused, insulted and threatened for four years by Donald Trump, the CIA is like a battered child.

  • Jan 15, 2021

Opinion: The fortitude of Sen. Murkowski’s conscience

By Rich Moniak Sen. Lisa Murkowski made national headlines for being the first Republican in Congress to demand that Donald Trump resign. “I want him… Continue reading

  • Jan 15, 2021

Opinion: New help and hop in federal Alzheimer’s legislation

The Improving HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act would help educate clinicians on services through Medicare.

Opinion: Both parties share blame for America’s condition

They live in a swamp of their own making. They need each other to climb out.

  • Jan 14, 2021

Opinion: We could all use a refresher course in civics

The events of Jan. 6 were only the latest and most extreme illustration of America’s confusion.

  • Jan 14, 2021

Opinion: A preserved watershed is more valuable than a developed one

Perhaps we just lived through the “golden years” of out-of-town visitors to the Mendenhall Glacier.

Mendenhall Glacier and Mendenhall Lake in 2017. Significant development is proposed for the area to the left of the glacier’s terminus. (Laurie Craig)

Opinion: Have you seen what is proposed at Mendenhall Glacier?

Many of us spent time this year hiking trails without large crowds. That would change.

  • Jan 13, 2021
Mendenhall Glacier and Mendenhall Lake in 2017. Significant development is proposed for the area to the left of the glacier’s terminus. (Laurie Craig)

Opinion: Where do right-wing media go after being splintered by Trump?

Just as President Donald Trump fractured and debased the Republican Party with his anger, lies and conspiracy theories about the November election, he has done… Continue reading

  • Jan 12, 2021
  • By David Zurawik
Despite howling winds and plenty of slush, dozens of people attended a scoping open house in February 2020 at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area proposal is a head-scratcher

Now’s the time to speak out.

  • Jan 11, 2021
  • By Ken Post
Despite howling winds and plenty of slush, dozens of people attended a scoping open house in February 2020 at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
tease

Opinion: Arctic Refuge oil lease sale is act of desperate addiction

The sale was an embarrassing bust.

  • Jan 10, 2021
  • By Rick Steiner
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Then-Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Director John Neary smiles outside the visitor center, May 3, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Forest Service proposal lacks necessary vision

The Forest Service needs to demonstrate solutions that do not burn fossil fuels…

  • Jan 9, 2021
  • By John Neary
Then-Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Director John Neary smiles outside the visitor center, May 3, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)