Opinion

A statue of William Henry Seward, former U.S. Senator and governor of New York, Vice President and Secretary of State who negotiated the purchase of the Alaska territory from the Russian Empire in 1867 on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Which parts of our history should be enshrined?

We need to expand our ideas for the statuary in the Court Plaza.

  • Jun 24, 2020
  • By Jerry Smetzer
A statue of William Henry Seward, former U.S. Senator and governor of New York, Vice President and Secretary of State who negotiated the purchase of the Alaska territory from the Russian Empire in 1867 on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
A statue of William Henry Seward, former U.S. Senator and governor of New York, Vice President and Secretary of State who negotiated the purchase of the Alaska territory from the Russian Empire in 1867 on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: United we stand, divided we fall

Here is what I know: The statue is causing pain to some of my neighbors.

  • Jun 24, 2020
  • By Phil Mundy
A statue of William Henry Seward, former U.S. Senator and governor of New York, Vice President and Secretary of State who negotiated the purchase of the Alaska territory from the Russian Empire in 1867 on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: Alaska’s environmental standards aren’t stringent

Opinion: Alaska’s environmental standards aren’t stringent

Is this how a state with the highest environmental standards in the world would act?

  • Jun 23, 2020
  • By Kate Troll
Opinion: Alaska’s environmental standards aren’t stringent
A statue of William Henry Seward, former U.S. Senator and governor of New York, Vice President and Secretary of State who negotiated the purchase of the Alaska territory from the Russian Empire in 1867 on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Removing statue would be political correctness gone wild

I would hope that the state of Alaska would continue to memorialize Seward by maintaining his statue

  • Jun 23, 2020
  • Keith Phillips
A statue of William Henry Seward, former U.S. Senator and governor of New York, Vice President and Secretary of State who negotiated the purchase of the Alaska territory from the Russian Empire in 1867 on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: A questionable UA merger proposal

Opinion: A questionable UA merger proposal

Alaska can do better.

  • Jun 22, 2020
  • By Thomas Thornton
Opinion: A questionable UA merger proposal
Rosita Worl, president of Sealaska Heritage Institute, gives a presentation at the Sharing Our Knowledge event in September 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Call to remove Seward statue is consistent with views of Southeast Alaska Natives.

For myself, I am reminded on a near-daily basis of Seward’s history and the symbols he represents…

  • Jun 21, 2020
  • By Rosita Kaaháni Worl
Rosita Worl, president of Sealaska Heritage Institute, gives a presentation at the Sharing Our Knowledge event in September 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
A recreation of a Civilian Conservation Corps shelter on a CCC-built Trail of Time behind the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is seen on Friday, June 12, 2020. With high unemployment due to COVID-19, the New Deal program is providing a model for state and local work programs. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: The true legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps

There’s still a lot of work to be done.

  • Jun 21, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
A recreation of a Civilian Conservation Corps shelter on a CCC-built Trail of Time behind the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is seen on Friday, June 12, 2020. With high unemployment due to COVID-19, the New Deal program is providing a model for state and local work programs. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: Senator Murkowski, protect voters now

Opinion: Senator Murkowski, protect voters now

This is about protecting American lives while also upholding our democratic institutions

  • Jun 16, 2020
  • Eric Periman
Opinion: Senator Murkowski, protect voters now
Opinion: This pandemic is not over

Opinion: This pandemic is not over

Make choices accordingly.

  • Jun 13, 2020
  • By Sherri Wes
Opinion: This pandemic is not over
In this image from video provided by WBFO, a Buffalo police officer appears to shove a man who walked up to police Thursday, June 4, 2020, in Buffalo, N.Y. Video from WBFO shows the man appearing to hit his head on the pavement, with blood leaking out as officers walk past to clear Niagara Square. Buffalo police initially said in a statement that a person “was injured when he tripped & fell,” WIVB-TV reported, but Capt. Jeff Rinaldo later told the TV station that an internal affairs investigation was opened. Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood suspended two officers late Thursday, the mayor’s statement said. (Mike Desmond | WBFO via AP)

Opinion: The real conspiracies involving police misconduct

There are questions that need to be asked about Buffalo.

  • Jun 13, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
In this image from video provided by WBFO, a Buffalo police officer appears to shove a man who walked up to police Thursday, June 4, 2020, in Buffalo, N.Y. Video from WBFO shows the man appearing to hit his head on the pavement, with blood leaking out as officers walk past to clear Niagara Square. Buffalo police initially said in a statement that a person “was injured when he tripped & fell,” WIVB-TV reported, but Capt. Jeff Rinaldo later told the TV station that an internal affairs investigation was opened. Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood suspended two officers late Thursday, the mayor’s statement said. (Mike Desmond | WBFO via AP)
Opinion: 1st Amendment rights apparently only apply to the left

Opinion: 1st Amendment rights apparently only apply to the left

Complex, deep-seated issues facing our country won’t be solved by quelling debate, limiting freedoms.

  • Jun 11, 2020
  • By Win Gruening
Opinion: 1st Amendment rights apparently only apply to the left
Opinion: There’s value in counting

Opinion: There’s value in counting

Alaskans will live with the consequences of the census for the next 10 years.

  • Jun 10, 2020
  • By Dr. carolyn V. Brown
Opinion: There’s value in counting
Opinion: Don’t bail out irresponsible politicians

Opinion: Don’t bail out irresponsible politicians

Bailouts won’t fix a mismanaged system.

  • Jun 10, 2020
  • By Ryan McKee
Opinion: Don’t bail out irresponsible politicians
Opinion: Outdoor economy can help carry Alaska into the future

Opinion: Outdoor economy can help carry Alaska into the future

All of us together can create a movement rooted and inspired by this place we call home.

  • Jun 9, 2020
  • By Lee Hart and Alaska Outdoor Alliance advisers
Opinion: Outdoor economy can help carry Alaska into the future
Opinion: Addressing problematic accounting behind the Fair Share Act

Opinion: Addressing problematic accounting behind the Fair Share Act

Editor’s Note: Ordinarily My Turn submissions are limited to one per person per month, but the rule is being waived to allow someone to address… Continue reading

  • Jun 8, 2020
  • By Roger Marks
Opinion: Addressing problematic accounting behind the Fair Share Act
Opinion: When will we reach the tipping point?

Opinion: When will we reach the tipping point?

What will it take for Congress and other elected officials to stand up to Trump?

  • Jun 7, 2020
  • By Deborah Craig
Opinion: When will we reach the tipping point?
Opinion: Violence is never the answer

Opinion: Violence is never the answer

Tension between persistence needed to create equality and impatience isn’t resolved by violence.

  • Jun 6, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
Opinion: Violence is never the answer
(Edward Kimmel | Creative Commons)

Opinion: There is police violence in Alaska

There are many things Alaska could do better.

  • Jun 4, 2020
  • By Matthew Jackson
(Edward Kimmel | Creative Commons)
Opinion: Legislation is needed to protect Alaska’s psychiatric patients

Opinion: Legislation is needed to protect Alaska’s psychiatric patients

Nothing much will change until it is fixed legislatively.

  • Jun 4, 2020
  • By Faith Myers
Opinion: Legislation is needed to protect Alaska’s psychiatric patients
Robin O. Brena is a life-long Alaskan who grew up in Skagway, a longtime oil and gas attorney with Brena, Bell & Walker, the former Chair of the Oil and Gas Subcommittee for Gov. Bill Walker’s Transition Team, and the Chair of Vote Yes for Alaska’s Fair Share. (Courtesy Photo | Robin O. Brena)

Opinion: ‘The Data Problem’ is Misinformation

Editor’s Note: Ordinarily My Turn submissions are limited to one per person per month, but the rule is being waived to allow someone to address… Continue reading

  • Jun 4, 2020
Robin O. Brena is a life-long Alaskan who grew up in Skagway, a longtime oil and gas attorney with Brena, Bell & Walker, the former Chair of the Oil and Gas Subcommittee for Gov. Bill Walker’s Transition Team, and the Chair of Vote Yes for Alaska’s Fair Share. (Courtesy Photo | Robin O. Brena)