Opinion

Opinion: Tolerating dissent is good business and good for democracy

Opinion: Tolerating dissent is good business and good for democracy

Confident leadership understands that some dissention in the ranks fosters critical thinking and builds solid morale.

Opinion: Tolerating dissent is good business and good for democracy
In this Oct. 29 file photo, a makeshift memorial stands outside the Tree of Life synagogue in the aftermath of a deadly shooting at the in Pittsburgh. (AP File Photo | Matt Rourke)                                 In this Oct. 29 file photo, a makeshift memorial stands outside the Tree of Life synagogue in the aftermath of a deadly shooting at the in Pittsburgh. (AP File Photo | Matt Rourke)

Opinion: #LOVETHYNEIGHBOR (No exceptions)

Last week I arrived heartbroken and filled with grief in Pittsburgh, where I was born, raised and lived 10 years as an adult. I arrived… Continue reading

In this Oct. 29 file photo, a makeshift memorial stands outside the Tree of Life synagogue in the aftermath of a deadly shooting at the in Pittsburgh. (AP File Photo | Matt Rourke)                                 In this Oct. 29 file photo, a makeshift memorial stands outside the Tree of Life synagogue in the aftermath of a deadly shooting at the in Pittsburgh. (AP File Photo | Matt Rourke)
Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy reacts to early favorable election returns on Nov. 6, 2018 in Anchorage. With Dunleavy are from left, his wife Rose and daughters Ceil and Maggie. (Michael Dinneen | Associated Press)

Opinion: On constitutional reform

Dunleavy is gearing up to consider some constitutional reforms.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy reacts to early favorable election returns on Nov. 6, 2018 in Anchorage. With Dunleavy are from left, his wife Rose and daughters Ceil and Maggie. (Michael Dinneen | Associated Press)
Opinion: Do we have a political will for gun control?

Opinion: Do we have a political will for gun control?

Why are we so obsessed with killing each other?

Opinion: Do we have a political will for gun control?
Juneau Empire reporters James Brooks, left, and Alex McCarthy keep track of Alaska legislative races from the Empire’s Election Central at McGivney’s Sports Bar and Grill on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Redistricting approaches in 2020

The alternative is to do nothing.

Juneau Empire reporters James Brooks, left, and Alex McCarthy keep track of Alaska legislative races from the Empire’s Election Central at McGivney’s Sports Bar and Grill on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this April 16, 2002 photo, Stan Lee, creator of comic-book franchises such as “Spider-Man,” “The Incredible Hulk” and “X-Men,” smiles during a photo session in his office in Santa Monica, California. Comic book genius Lee, the architect of the contemporary comic book, has died. He was 95. (Reed Saxon | Associated Press File)

Opinion: Stan Lee, Hero among Heroes

RIP Stan Lee, and thanks.

In this April 16, 2002 photo, Stan Lee, creator of comic-book franchises such as “Spider-Man,” “The Incredible Hulk” and “X-Men,” smiles during a photo session in his office in Santa Monica, California. Comic book genius Lee, the architect of the contemporary comic book, has died. He was 95. (Reed Saxon | Associated Press File)
A male pink salmon fights its way up stream to spawn in a Southeast Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Ballot Measure 1 threatens our communities

This initiatives threatens jobs and the economy.

A male pink salmon fights its way up stream to spawn in a Southeast Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Democrat gubernatorial candiate Mark Begich, a former U.S. Senator for Alaska and former mayor of Anchorage, speaks during an interview in Juneau on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Thank you, Alaskans, for your support in the election

Thank you, Alaska. Debra Call and I are honored by every vote we earned and are humbled by all the Alaskans we had the opportunity… Continue reading

Democrat gubernatorial candiate Mark Begich, a former U.S. Senator for Alaska and former mayor of Anchorage, speaks during an interview in Juneau on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: On scene, unseen: the US Navy submarine force

Opinion: On scene, unseen: the US Navy submarine force

Seeing a submariner is a rare and privileged opportunity.

Opinion: On scene, unseen: the US Navy submarine force
Hector Mojica exits a voting booth at Glacier Valley Baptist Church on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Post-election blues

The political reality was an old story for Alaska Democrats.

Hector Mojica exits a voting booth at Glacier Valley Baptist Church on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Chum salmon swim beneath the surface of Salmon Creek on Aug. 3, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Yes on 1: Alaska’s 56-year-old salmon protections need an updated

There are several reasons why the international mining and oil industries are happy with the 56-year-old statute salmon habitat protection statute AS.16.05.871-896, known as the… Continue reading

Chum salmon swim beneath the surface of Salmon Creek on Aug. 3, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Former state Senator Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich shake hands after a debate at a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Begich would tax, Dunleavy, cut. Whoever wins will have to act fast.

The two major candidates for governor, Mark Begich and Mike Dunleavy, have different philosophies on how to tackle our structural budget deficit. Begich would draw… Continue reading

Former state Senator Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich shake hands after a debate at a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
People hold candles as they gather for a vigil in the aftermath of a deadly shooting at the Tree of Life Congregation, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Opinion: They were us

In the recent commemoration for the Princess Sophia sinking of 100 years ago, in describing the Sophia’s passengers the speaker repeatedly used the phrase, “They… Continue reading

People hold candles as they gather for a vigil in the aftermath of a deadly shooting at the Tree of Life Congregation, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Former U.S. Senator Mark Begich, right, directs a question at former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, as Gov. Bill Walker listens during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon debate at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: I like Mike, but I’m not endorsing him for governor

I like Mike Dunleavy. I’ve considered him a friend. But Dunleavy for Alaska is running an ad that makes it seem I’m supporting him. I… Continue reading

Former U.S. Senator Mark Begich, right, directs a question at former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, as Gov. Bill Walker listens during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon debate at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Bill Walker speaks during an interview in his Capitol office on April 13, 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Opinion: The last Alaskan first governor

Bill Walker embodied the true spirit of the last frontier.

Gov. Bill Walker speaks during an interview in his Capitol office on April 13, 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Opinion: Yes for salmon and jobs

Opinion: Yes for salmon and jobs

The parade of oil, mining and timber advocates and prominent politicians who decry Ballot Measure 1, the initiative that addresses salmon-producing freshwater habitat, is impressive… Continue reading

Opinion: Yes for salmon and jobs
Activists, protesting the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, hold a candlelight vigil outside Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018. The poster reads in Arabic:’ Khashoggi’s Friends Around the World’. A group of Arab and international public, political and media figures are establishing a global association called “Khashoggi’s Friends Around the World”; “to achieve justice for the freedom martyr”. (Lefteris Pitarakis | The Associated Press)

Opinion: A free press means freedom

The press is not “the enemy of the people.”

Activists, protesting the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, hold a candlelight vigil outside Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018. The poster reads in Arabic:’ Khashoggi’s Friends Around the World’. A group of Arab and international public, political and media figures are establishing a global association called “Khashoggi’s Friends Around the World”; “to achieve justice for the freedom martyr”. (Lefteris Pitarakis | The Associated Press)
Opinion: A way to respond to the Pittsburgh shooting

Opinion: A way to respond to the Pittsburgh shooting

I have lived in Alaska for 35 years — first Anchorage and now Haines — but I grew up in the Tree of Life synagogue… Continue reading

Opinion: A way to respond to the Pittsburgh shooting
Opinion: Walker failed as governor

Opinion: Walker failed as governor

Walker’s PFD “tax” has hit those in the lower income range hardest.

Opinion: Walker failed as governor
Opinion: Ballot Measure 1 hurts rural residents and rural communities

Opinion: Ballot Measure 1 hurts rural residents and rural communities

Salmon have always been and will always be a vital part of our culture, history and way of life.

Opinion: Ballot Measure 1 hurts rural residents and rural communities