Letters to the Editor

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’
Opinion: Can you punish people out of addiction?

Opinion: Can you punish people out of addiction?

People are understandably sick and tired of being victimized by addicts who stop at nothing for their next high. Drug addiction and rampant crime are… Continue reading

Opinion: Can you punish people out of addiction?
Opinion: Don’t use students as political pawns

Opinion: Don’t use students as political pawns

Fund education now.

  • May 27, 2019
Opinion: Don’t use students as political pawns
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-California, meets with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, May 9, 2019, the day after the Democrat-controlled House Judiciary Committee voted to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress. (J. Scott Applewhite | Associated Press)

Opinion: So much for oath of office and democracy

What I see is legislators ignoring their oath.

  • May 14, 2019
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-California, meets with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, May 9, 2019, the day after the Democrat-controlled House Judiciary Committee voted to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress. (J. Scott Applewhite | Associated Press)
Opinion: Applause for Rep. Young for protecting iconic American horses

Opinion: Applause for Rep. Young for protecting iconic American horses

We appreciate Young’s bipartisan effort.

  • May 14, 2019
Opinion: Applause for Rep. Young for protecting iconic American horses
Opinion: Cutting government services will hurt Alaska’s quality of life

Opinion: Cutting government services will hurt Alaska’s quality of life

Are the budget reductions worth it?

  • May 13, 2019
Opinion: Cutting government services will hurt Alaska’s quality of life
Opinion: Stopping ferry service would be ‘destructive’ to Angoon, Southeast

Opinion: Stopping ferry service would be ‘destructive’ to Angoon, Southeast

AMHS provides much-needed transportation.

  • May 13, 2019
Opinion: Stopping ferry service would be ‘destructive’ to Angoon, Southeast
Opinion: Funding is vital to protecting, improving health of Alaskans

Opinion: Funding is vital to protecting, improving health of Alaskans

Budget cuts have diminished essential services.

  • May 10, 2019
Opinion: Funding is vital to protecting, improving health of Alaskans
Opinion: Consider the Walmart building for the new City Hall

Opinion: Consider the Walmart building for the new City Hall

City constraining itself on new location.

  • May 9, 2019
Opinion: Consider the Walmart building for the new City Hall
Opinion: Stop advertising e-cigarettes

Opinion: Stop advertising e-cigarettes

Product is responsible for ‘dangerous epidemic.’

  • May 6, 2019
Opinion: Stop advertising e-cigarettes
Opinion: Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater

Opinion: Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater

A lot of excuses for Alaska’s budget cuts.

  • May 1, 2019
Opinion: Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater
Opinion: Concern about gun safety is not anti-gun

Opinion: Concern about gun safety is not anti-gun

Preserving lives and rights is a worthy goal.

  • Apr 30, 2019
Opinion: Concern about gun safety is not anti-gun
Opinion: Getting rid of ferry system will hurt Alaska’s economy

Opinion: Getting rid of ferry system will hurt Alaska’s economy

Communities, businesses will suffer.

  • Apr 30, 2019
Opinion: Getting rid of ferry system will hurt Alaska’s economy
Opinion: We can find a sensible, enforceable solution to gun violence

Opinion: We can find a sensible, enforceable solution to gun violence

I support a red flag law in Alaska.

  • Apr 30, 2019
Opinion: We can find a sensible, enforceable solution to gun violence
Opinion: Stop using single-use plastics in Alaska

Opinion: Stop using single-use plastics in Alaska

It’s harmful to people and the environment.

  • Apr 29, 2019
Opinion: Stop using single-use plastics in Alaska