Opinion

(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Apologies and sympathies to fired federal workers

I’m writing to let my friends and neighbors know, those in federal and nonprofit jobs, who have lost jobs or are under threat of losing… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
President Joe Biden and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine depart after a joint news conference during the annual Group of 7 summit, in Savelletri, Italy, June 13, 2024. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times)

Opinion: Supporting Ukraine should have started with defending democracy at home

President Donald Trump just issued a new challenge to congressional Republicans who have steadfastly stood behind Ukraine in their battle to evict Putin’s invaders. They… Continue reading

President Joe Biden and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine depart after a joint news conference during the annual Group of 7 summit, in Savelletri, Italy, June 13, 2024. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Where is delegation as Trump and Musk carry out their actions?

In my 70 years as an Alaskan I’ve seen a lot of political shifts, but I’ve never seen a full-out attack on our democracy or… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Ephraim Froelich, a Juneau resident, testifies in support of House Bill 69 on Jan. 29, 2025. His son, who attends first grade in the Juneau School District, sits beside him. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Alaskans need to choose between unchecked school funding or improved student achievement

The calls for boosting education funding by increasing Alaska’s Base Student Allocation (BSA), while mostly well-intentioned, frequently miss the point. Proponents often frame their proposals… Continue reading

Ephraim Froelich, a Juneau resident, testifies in support of House Bill 69 on Jan. 29, 2025. His son, who attends first grade in the Juneau School District, sits beside him. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Eric Antrim inspecting bridges near Kake in 2023. (Courtesy photo)

My Turn: In response to the mass firings of Forest Service and other federal workers

I am Eric Antrim, a proud member and the elected Recording Secretary for National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 251. The Forest Service Alaska… Continue reading

Eric Antrim inspecting bridges near Kake in 2023. (Courtesy photo)
Jane Hale smiles for a photo as the wind blows a newly raised LGBTQ+ flag at the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building downtown in June of 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Juneau’s transgender community and the church

I think of religion the way I think of marriage: a great idea in theory, but in practice, it’s another matter. I’ve discovered that marriage… Continue reading

Jane Hale smiles for a photo as the wind blows a newly raised LGBTQ+ flag at the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building downtown in June of 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Constitution of Alaska on display in the Seattle University School of Law library in January 2023. (Creative Commons photo)

My Turn: Actions in D.C. means Alaskans need to demand rights in state’s Constitution

The Constitution of Alaska is a masterpiece of careful thought and straightforward language. Among other things it enshrines the right of privacy. Not implied but… Continue reading

The Constitution of Alaska on display in the Seattle University School of Law library in January 2023. (Creative Commons photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: An education lession for Begich

Rep. Begich has no public opinion on the dismantling of the Department of Education yet, although Linda McMahon is soon to be confirmed as Education… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 24, 2025. (Tom Brenner/The New York Times)

Opinion: The mirror’s reflection Trump and Vance can’t see

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday after a meeting with the King of Jordan, President Donald Trump tried to make a point about the terrorist… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 24, 2025. (Tom Brenner/The New York Times)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Democracy on life support

We are facing a Constitutional cataclysm, and we need all members of Congress; every man, woman and child; all Democrats, Republicans, independents, atheists or religious… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
The White House in Washington, Jan. 28, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

My Turn: An American citizen speaks out

As Americans, we teach our children about the rule of law, and that it is the right of every person to be equal before the… Continue reading

  • Feb 10, 2025
  • By Bridget Smith
  • Opinion
The White House in Washington, Jan. 28, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
Southeast Alaska LGBTQ+ Alliance Board Chair JoLynn Shriber reads a list the names of killed transgender people as Thunder Mountain High School students Kyla Stevens, center, and Laila Williams hold flags in the wind during a transgender remembrance at Marine Park on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: It’s hard enough to be a trans kid in the US without Trump trying to erase them

Donald Trump is using his power as president of the United States to bully trans children. Signing multiple Executive Orders targeting less than 1% of… Continue reading

Southeast Alaska LGBTQ+ Alliance Board Chair JoLynn Shriber reads a list the names of killed transgender people as Thunder Mountain High School students Kyla Stevens, center, and Laila Williams hold flags in the wind during a transgender remembrance at Marine Park on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Murkowski’s vote could benefit Alaskans’ health

Doesn’t everyone value their health over corporate profits? We need a Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) who courageously places us first and roots… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
President Donald Trump delivers remarks during the National Prayer Breakfast at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Feb. 6, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)

Opinion: Dismantling the government. And the Bill of Rights

President Donald Trump has asked more than two million federal employees to consider resigning. If they leave their jobs by the end of the month,… Continue reading

President Donald Trump delivers remarks during the National Prayer Breakfast at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Feb. 6, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
The waterfront area for Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed Aak’w Landing. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Aak’w Landing offers growth opportunities amidst declines in Juneau

Juneau has two bright possibilities for economic development along the waterfront: the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Storis and Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed Aak’w Landing —… Continue reading

The waterfront area for Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed Aak’w Landing. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)
A preliminary design of Huna Totem’s Aak’w Landing shows an idea for how the project’s Seawalk could connect with the city’s Seawalk at Gold Creek (left). (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: To make Juneau affordable, grow our economy

Based on the deluge of comments on social media, recent proposals by the city to dramatically escalate debt and utility rates, and increase the property… Continue reading

A preliminary design of Huna Totem’s Aak’w Landing shows an idea for how the project’s Seawalk could connect with the city’s Seawalk at Gold Creek (left). (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
The White House in Washington, Jan. 28, 2025. A federal judge said on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, that she intended to temporarily block the Trump administration from imposing a sweeping freeze on trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans, adding to the pushback against an effort by the White House’s Office and Management and Budget. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

My Turn: A plea for Alaska’s delegation to actively oppose political coup occurring in D.C.

An open letter to Alaska’s Congressional delegation: I am a 40-year resident of the State of Alaska and an 83-year resident of the United States… Continue reading

The White House in Washington, Jan. 28, 2025. A federal judge said on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, that she intended to temporarily block the Trump administration from imposing a sweeping freeze on trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans, adding to the pushback against an effort by the White House’s Office and Management and Budget. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) questions Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday morning, Jan. 14, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)

Opinion: Sen. Sullivan doesn’t know the meaning of leadership

Last Wednesday, Sen. Dan Sullivan should have been prepared for questions about President Donald Trump’s pardons of the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. After all, he referred… Continue reading

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) questions Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday morning, Jan. 14, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
Current facilities operated by the private nonprofit Gastineau Human Services Corp., which is seeking to add to its transitional housing in Juneau. (Gastineau Human Services Corp. photo)

Opinion: Housing shouldn’t be a political issue — it’s a human right

Alaska is facing a crisis — one that shouldn’t be up for political debate. Housing is not a privilege; it is a basic human necessity.… Continue reading

Current facilities operated by the private nonprofit Gastineau Human Services Corp., which is seeking to add to its transitional housing in Juneau. (Gastineau Human Services Corp. photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: In the spirit of McKinley, a new name for Juneau

Here is a modest proposal for making Juneau great again. As we all know, our town was named after a miner, Joe Juneau. But Joe… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)