Opinion

Chum salmon attempt to swim up Gold Creek as thousands more wait their turn on Monday, August 8, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Alaskans will not be fooled on Ballot Measure 1

Alaskans will vote on the Stand For Salmon initiative on Nov. 6. The opposition to this measure has used trickery, deception, exaggeration and now outright… Continue reading

Chum salmon attempt to swim up Gold Creek as thousands more wait their turn on Monday, August 8, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
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: Tulsequah Chief, all over again

Alaskans are worried Red Chris could go the same way.

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
Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: The real deal named Andi Story

I see Story’s approach as a strength, not a weakness.

Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: Speak for the salmon

Opinion: Speak for the salmon

It is our turn now to speak to future Alaskans and speak for the salmon we hope to entrust to them.

Opinion: Speak for the salmon
Opinion: Alaska, the most dangerous place to live. How did we let this happen?

Opinion: Alaska, the most dangerous place to live. How did we let this happen?

My journey with the effects of crime began in November 2016 when our Juneau car was stolen and spray painted red. The response from the… Continue reading

Opinion: Alaska, the most dangerous place to live. How did we let this happen?
A king salmon during the 67th annual Golden North Salmon Derby at the Don D. Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in August 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: The unintended consequences of Ballot Measure 1

Ballot Measure 1 is a solution looking for a problem.

A king salmon during the 67th annual Golden North Salmon Derby at the Don D. Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in August 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: Finish the ballot

Opinion: Finish the ballot

One of the best-kept secrets of this — or any — Alaska election season is the incredible amount of information that Alaska voters have in… Continue reading

Opinion: Finish the ballot
Opinion: Salmon should define us, not divide us

Opinion: Salmon should define us, not divide us

Why not vote on the side of our salmon?

Opinion: Salmon should define us, not divide us
In this photo taken on, Tuesday, April 4, 2017, the Capitol in seen from the Supreme Court Building in Washington. (AP Photo | J. Scott Applewhite)

Opinion: The identity politics of Obamacare

It’s been more than eight years since Democrats in Congress passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, as the law Republicans loved… Continue reading

In this photo taken on, Tuesday, April 4, 2017, the Capitol in seen from the Supreme Court Building in Washington. (AP Photo | J. Scott Applewhite)
unsplash.com stock image.

Opinion: Vote yes on Ballot Measure 1

Alaskans should vote yes on Ballot Measure 1, which would protect wild salmon habitat, in the General Election this Nov. 6​. Why? Consider that Alaska’s… Continue reading

unsplash.com stock image.
Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich debate during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Déjà vu all over again?

The Democratic mantra demonizing Republicans as racist misogynists doesn’t bring us closer — it only divides us further.

Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich debate during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Empire file.

Opinion: I stand for salmon

Alaska is the last bastion for Pacific salmon.

Juneau Empire file.
Unsplash.com stock image.

Opinion: Vote no on 1

A yes vote is a vote for mob rule.

Unsplash.com stock image.
Demonstrators march in the Violence Against Women Awareness Rally near Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Friday, April 20, 2018. (Richard McGrail | Juneau Empire File)                                 Demonstrators march in the Violence Against Women Awareness Rally near Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Friday, April 20, 2018. (Richard McGrail | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Do whatever it takes to make a safer Alaska

Alaska is the least safe place for women in the nation.

Demonstrators march in the Violence Against Women Awareness Rally near Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Friday, April 20, 2018. (Richard McGrail | Juneau Empire File)                                 Demonstrators march in the Violence Against Women Awareness Rally near Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Friday, April 20, 2018. (Richard McGrail | Juneau Empire File)
In this file photo from April 2016, President Richard Peterson addresses delegates to the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska during the 81st Annual Tribal Assembly in Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)                                 In this file photo from April 2016, President Richard Peterson addresses delegates to the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska during the 81st Annual Tribal Assembly in Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Walker values tribal sovereignty

The Walker-Mallott administration ushered in a new era of tribal-state relations.

In this file photo from April 2016, President Richard Peterson addresses delegates to the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska during the 81st Annual Tribal Assembly in Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)                                 In this file photo from April 2016, President Richard Peterson addresses delegates to the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska during the 81st Annual Tribal Assembly in Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
A spawning chum salmon looks to return to the waters of Salmon Creek on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Chart a better course for salmon

A yes on Ballot Measure 1 is the answer Alaska’s salmon, and the people who rely on them, need.

A spawning chum salmon looks to return to the waters of Salmon Creek on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Mayoral candidates Saralyn Tabachnick, left, Gregory Norton, center, and Beth Weldon answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Thank you, Juneau, for this opportunity

Campaigning was new to me, and I learned a lot.

Mayoral candidates Saralyn Tabachnick, left, Gregory Norton, center, and Beth Weldon answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: National Arts & Humanities Month

Opinion: National Arts & Humanities Month

With many challenges and opportunities, from hurricanes to elections to personal happenings, affecting our lives, sometimes we overlook two important fields of human spirit that… Continue reading

  • Oct 14, 2018
  • By Benjamin Brown
Opinion: National Arts & Humanities Month