Opinion

Robin O. Brena is a lifelong Alaska who grew up in Skagway and is an original sponsor of Ballot Measure 1, Chair of the Oil and Gas Transition Committee for the Walker administration and founder of Brena, Bell and Walker, a longtime Alaskan law firm. (Courtesy Photo / Robin O. Brena)

Opinion: Major oil companies can afford to pay a fair share.

This is called standing up for Alaska.

  • Aug 27, 2020
  • By Robin O. Brena
Robin O. Brena is a lifelong Alaska who grew up in Skagway and is an original sponsor of Ballot Measure 1, Chair of the Oil and Gas Transition Committee for the Walker administration and founder of Brena, Bell and Walker, a longtime Alaskan law firm. (Courtesy Photo / Robin O. Brena)
Opinion: Big business, Wall Street are the true socialists

Opinion: Big business, Wall Street are the true socialists

The system has been rigged for the wealthiest.

  • Aug 26, 2020
  • By Anselm Staack
Opinion: Big business, Wall Street are the true socialists
Kate Troll (Courtesy Photo / Kate Troll)

Opinion: Even on military matters, Sullivan toes the line for Trump

We need an independent, strong voice that will stand up for what’s right.

  • Aug 25, 2020
  • By Kate Troll
Kate Troll (Courtesy Photo / Kate Troll)
The Tongass National Forest sign seen en route to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Removing the Roadless Rule would hurt Alaska

Removing the Roadless Rule from the Tongass would exacerbate impact of climate change.

  • Aug 24, 2020
The Tongass National Forest sign seen en route to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Alexander B. Dolitsky

Opinion: Marxism and its relevance to ‘white privilege’ doctrine

“Today, in America, opportunity is available to nearly everyone.”

  • Aug 24, 2020
  • By Alexander B. Dolitsky
Alexander B. Dolitsky
Opinion: An update from the Alaska Marine Highway System Reshaping Work Group

Opinion: An update from the Alaska Marine Highway System Reshaping Work Group

We have heard that reliable, predictable service is a fundamental need.

  • Aug 21, 2020
  • By Tom Barrett
Opinion: An update from the Alaska Marine Highway System Reshaping Work Group
Supporters of the opposition flash victory signs as a police patrol walks by warning people that the protest is not authorized and asking them to leave in Minsk, Belarus, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. Belarus’ authorities have detained a leader of striking factory workers and threatened protesters with criminal charges in a bid to stem massive protests challenging the extension of the 26-year rule of the country’s authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko, who accused the U.S. of fomenting the unrest and vowed to see a quick end to protests. (AP Photo / Sergei Grits)

Opinion: Recent criticism of white privilege misses the mark

“White privilege” is not a slogan or a doctrine.

  • Aug 21, 2020
  • Eric Kueffner
Supporters of the opposition flash victory signs as a police patrol walks by warning people that the protest is not authorized and asking them to leave in Minsk, Belarus, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. Belarus’ authorities have detained a leader of striking factory workers and threatened protesters with criminal charges in a bid to stem massive protests challenging the extension of the 26-year rule of the country’s authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko, who accused the U.S. of fomenting the unrest and vowed to see a quick end to protests. (AP Photo / Sergei Grits)
Health and education experts, including Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss, gave testimony to lawmakers Thursday on the challenges facing schools as they try and reopen in the pandemic (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Why schools aren’t reopening

Examining the cause of reopening fears.

  • Aug 21, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
Health and education experts, including Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss, gave testimony to lawmakers Thursday on the challenges facing schools as they try and reopen in the pandemic (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Republican or Trumper?

Opinion: Republican or Trumper?

There is a difference.

  • Aug 20, 2020
  • By Deborah Craig
Opinion: Republican or Trumper?
Opinion: Open primaries would reflect Alaskans’ true independence

Opinion: Open primaries would reflect Alaskans’ true independence

The price of allowing these partisan elections to continue is too high for Alaskans.

  • Aug 20, 2020
  • By Penny Gage and Alana Peterson
Opinion: Open primaries would reflect Alaskans’ true independence
Opinion: Attacking systemic racism or adding systemic bureaucracy?

Opinion: Attacking systemic racism or adding systemic bureaucracy?

How much change is warranted and what is the best way to accomplish it?

  • Aug 20, 2020
  • By Win Gruening
Opinion: Attacking systemic racism or adding systemic bureaucracy?
Opinion: An outside the box schools solution

Opinion: An outside the box schools solution

Let us look to what we already have.

  • Aug 19, 2020
  • By Kali Hofman
Opinion: An outside the box schools solution
Opnion: The time to speak up for USPS is now

Opnion: The time to speak up for USPS is now

I am hopeful that all of us will stand up to efforts to undermine the effectiveness the USPS.

  • Aug 19, 2020
Opnion: The time to speak up for USPS is now
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. (Michae Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Why risk the crown jewel of Alaska’s fisheries?

It’s time to Veto Pebble Mine.

  • Aug 19, 2020
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. (Michae Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: An in-person bar exam is unnecessary and dangerous

Opinion: An in-person bar exam is unnecessary and dangerous

Here’s what could be done instead.

  • Aug 18, 2020
Opinion: An in-person bar exam is unnecessary and dangerous
Opinion: CARES Act funding should be used to make Alaska elections safer and more accessible

Opinion: CARES Act funding should be used to make Alaska elections safer and more accessible

I think most Alaskans agree that a cornerstone of our democracy is our right to vote.

  • Aug 17, 2020
  • By Claire Richardson
Opinion: CARES Act funding should be used to make Alaska elections safer and more accessible
Opinion: Guns vs Butter and greed over all

Opinion: Guns vs Butter and greed over all

Economic despair among the underclass is at heart of recent unrest.

  • Aug 17, 2020
  • By Ray Preston
Opinion: Guns vs Butter and greed over all
Opinion: Amid reopening, small businesses should be more protected from liability

Opinion: Amid reopening, small businesses should be more protected from liability

During these uncertain times, we shouldn’t also worry about potential bankrupting litigation.

  • Aug 16, 2020
  • By Peggy Ann McConnochie
Opinion: Amid reopening, small businesses should be more protected from liability
Opinion: It takes a team to govern

Opinion: It takes a team to govern

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that it we need a team of leaders in the White House

  • Aug 15, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
Opinion: It takes a team to govern
Opinion: The Postal Service is essential not political

Opinion: The Postal Service is essential not political

Here in Alaska, we depend on the Postal Service more than other states. The Postal Service delivers goods that we cannot purchase locally. The Postal… Continue reading

  • Aug 14, 2020
  • By Mick Lowry
Opinion: The Postal Service is essential not political