Opinion

JOHN HAVELOCK

US has own version of 'Downton Abbey'

Aren't we all having fun watching "Downton Abbey," the English soap that traces the squiggles of English class structure in the early 20th century? Well, study it well because an American version of the same is in the making as real life.

EDITORIAL

Our View: Leash the PAC spending beast

Resolution against unlimited campaign spending is the right stand.

COMPASS: VIC VAN BALLENBERGHE

Science, not politics, must rule again at Fish and Game

When Corey Rossi was appointed director of Wildlife Conservation in the Department of Fish and Game, over 50 former ADF&G wildlife biologists sent a strongly worded letter of "no confidence" to Commissioner Cora Campbell.

EDITORIAL

Our View: Degrees of shelter

Don't read the thermometer, just meet the need.

ELISE PATKOTAK

Airline did right by its prayer cards

Since some segments of our community are already sure I'm from the dark side, or heading there soon after my demise, I might as well explain my take on the Alaska Airlines' prayer card issue.

EDITORIAL

Our View: Port answers

Four reviews should help right Port of Anchorage expansion.

COMPASS: MAYOR DAN SULLIVAN

Tell the state how to improve its schools

Late last year, I convened the Mayor's Education Summit, a two-day event that brought together 100 key policymakers and community members to work with national education reform experts on how to make Anchorage schools the best in the country.

EDITORIAL

Who's up / Who's down

Winners and losers in last week's news

COMPASS: JOHN WEDDLETON

Comics get no respect -- but they should

For 20-something years, I've had a comic strip on my office wall. The first panel shows a fellow holding up a framed painting for a well-coiffed critic who throws up his hands with joy, exclaiming, "ART!" In the next frame, he holds a leather-bound book. The critic sings, "LITERATURE!" In the last frame, he holds another creative work with words and pictures together -- a comic book. "Worthless TRASH!" the critic snorts.

SHANNYN MOORE

Seeing past party labels puts Alaska first

I posted two updates on Facebook. They seemed simple. One: My baby-blue beaver fur coat keeps me warm. It was on sale at Second Run and I love it. The other? That I'm furious with the pathetic state of our Board of Game and the dastardly policies of snaring bears, gassing wolf pups and shooting both bears and wolves from airplanes. De-friended with explanations -- so seventh grade.

PAUL JENKINS

Backing Newt guarantees another term for Obama

It is my sad duty to report that Republicans -- even ultra-conservative tea party loons and people who should know better -- are lost. In a desperate bid to dodge Mitt Romney as their presidential candidate, many are embracing, unbelievably, Newt Gingrich.

COMPASS: BILL SHERWONIT

Board covers its tracks, keeps loopholes

There are many reasons to be disturbed, disgusted and dismayed by our state's current wildlife management regime, if you're someone who wants more than moose or caribou meat in the freezer or trophies for the floor and walls. This was proved once again at the recent Board of Game meeting in Anchorage.

EDITORIAL

Our view: Obama invokes military example; Alaska offers one of its own

Key word in Senate Bipartisan Working Group is "working."

STEVE HAYCOX

Inhumanity of 70 years ago lingers today

A week ago today was the 70th anniversary of the Wannsee Conference, which took place at a large, spacious villa on a lake in a suburb of Berlin. What happened at Wannsee concerns us all and at many levels.

ELISE PATKOTAK

Prevo, Gingrich cross the 'sleaze' line

Whether or not Jerry Prevo broke the law with his church's property tax exemptions is perhaps not as important as the fact that it all just feels sleazy. Churches shouldn't feel sleazy. Given what most churches preach, they should be so far from the line separating legal from illegal that there is no doubt whatsoever that they are upright and honorable.

Current political debate swings and misses at American reality

New York Times David Brooks says bold moves from both sides of the political spectrum are what millions of Americans need - more competitiion and more support.

'Virtuous circle' may cure what ails economy, but it won't be fast

New York Times columnist Paul Krugman isn't singing "Happy Days are Here Again," but he sees reals signs of hope for an economic recovery - if GOP ideology doesn't kill it.

EDITORIAL

Our View: Speech dates lack substance

Show of amity is nice but nothing more.

JUDITH KLEINFELD

Find a way to reward yourself for exercising

One of our most common New Year's resolutions is to get more exercise. Exercise ranks second in New Year's resolutions, right after our first goal of spending more time with friends and family.

EDITORIAL

Who's up / Who's down

Winners and losers in last week's news

LETTER TO THE EDITOR (1/22/12)

Letter of the week

Today we begin a new feature on the Sunday Opinion page -- Letter of the Week.