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COMPASS: TIM TROLL
Commissioner Dan Sullivan of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has come under attack for proposing the department's mission statement be changed. The discussion so far has focused on what he has removed from the mission statement. The better course may be to discuss what he has added.
COMPASS: WANDA GREENE
Gays seek the same protections others have
Since 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has led the mission to promote equality in the United States of America. As an organization, we believe intolerance for one another can be a destructive emotion, and through combined efforts we can eliminate this dark stain within the fabric of our great country.
COMPASS: ANNE ADASIAK-ANDREWS
Competition isn't the answer in education
Former Mayor Fink states that "there is a strong belief good education comes from competition." The research I have seen shows very marginal gains on tests in certain private schools compared to public schools. Competition may work well as a business model, but has not proven to work as well in education.
COMPASS: JAMEY DUHAMEL
Mat-Su coal mines would be bad neighbors
Like any mother, I want my children to grow up in a healthy, safe and economically vibrant community. As a lifelong resident of the Matanuska Valley, seeing my family experience the rare and spectacular beauty of Southcentral Alaska is something I have always envisioned for their future.
COMPASS: KARL BRAENDEL
'Predator control' demeans us all
There's terrific irony in that the State of Alaska spent large amounts of money and effort in the late 1960s through the 1970s to end the unethical same-day airborne hunting of grizzlies, and now in 2012 is trying to resuscitate that and a heck of a lot more.
COMPASS: PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
Responsible homeowners deserve help
In my State of the Union address, I laid out a blueprint for an economy that's built to last -- an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers and a renewal of American values of fairness and responsibility.
COMPASS: TOM FINK
Competition makes for better schools
An important piece of legislation pending this year is a K-12 parental school choice providing parents the choice for the school their child attends, with government money following the child. It further requires passage of a constitutional amendment permitting tax money to go to a private or religious school.
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.
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.
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.
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.
COMPASS: REV. CONNIE JONES
Choice helps families be healthy, happy
Jan. 22 marks the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the historic Supreme Court decision that made abortion care safe and legal in the United States. Since 1973, we have seen an onslaught of tactics to try to overturn this decision -- laws have been passed, protests have been waged (both peaceful and not) and prayers have been said.
COMPASS: REPS. MIKE CHENAULT and MIKE HAWKER
AGDC can be strong force for Alaska gas
We applaud Gov. Parnell for recognizing the potential for an Alaska gas pipeline project unlike any we have seen on the table, a hybrid of multiple plans committed Alaskans have worked on for many years. We believe this alignment -- of stakeholders, of goals, of work done to date -- is the elusive answer to Alaska gas.
COMPASS: AMY RHYNEER
Independent schools deserve our respect
In a state that wants to be known for its independence and frontier spirit, Alaska's attitude toward independent education is a contradiction. We Alaskans take pride in our unfettered approach to life. We like to make our own rules for our own resources. We admire those with vision and the grit to make the vision come to life.
COMPASS: CLOVER SIMON
To limit abortions, boost Denali KidCare
I am deeply disappointed that the Anchorage Daily News would endorse a Denali KidCare compromise that ignores the health of uninsured pregnant mothers.
COMPASS:ANDY HOLLEMAN
Private schools are solution to problems Anchorage doesn't have
When the mayor reconvenes people from his Education Summit, some of the recommendations will almost certainly lean toward encouraging private schools.
COMPASS: ZACH MANZELLA
Martin Luther King Jr. Day a time to serve
Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This federal holiday commemorates Dr. King's contributions to our country. Unlike most holidays, it is a day of service -- a day "on" rather than a day "off."
COMPASS: SUE LINFORD
Sheffield has helped lead port toward success
As a business woman and owner of a local food distribution company, I know how dependent Alaska is on the Port of Anchorage. My company's customers are not only in Anchorage but extend anywhere in Alaska.
COMPASS: GRANT BAKER, ROB LANG and TODD BERGMAN
Engineering program growing, needs support
The engineering profession is directly tied to the generation of income. For example, every construction project for new development or infrastructure depends upon engineers. It is important to the future of Alaska to keep engineering jobs in the state
COMPASS: PETER GARAY
Alaska pilot for the Renda links fuel trip to serum run
As Alaska turns from 2011 to the New Year, a team effort reminiscent of the famous serum run to Nome is under way to bring desperately needed fuel supplies to Nome.
COMPASS: BRUCE BOTELHO
Coastal plan sorely needed for each and every Alaskan
Thousands of Alaskans live, work and play along Alaska's 44,000 miles of coastline. We fish for salmon and halibut, harvest herring, shrimp, herring roe, crabs, and seaweed, dig for clams, watch the whales for fun and hunt them for food, drill for oil and gas, dig for gold, pick berries, harvest timber, hunt, kayak and surf, and, in the quiet of a summer evening, stand on a rocky shore and marvel at the wonder that is Alaska's coast.
Brooks: Romney needs to show nation something more than a marketer
New York Times columnist David Brooks reflects that Mitt Romney's weakness is that nobody can tell who he is or what he stands for.
Krugman: Moral collapse? No, opportunity collapse
New York Times columnist Paul Krugman argues that money, not morals, are the cause of social changes in America's working class.
Douthat: American media just don't recognize abortion foes
New York Times columnist Ross Douthat argues that American media maintain a blind bias about any opposition to abortion.
EDITORIAL
Flip through daily editorial cartoons from newspapers across the country. Check back throughout the week as more are added.
Submit a Compass (guest commentary)
Post a 'Good, bad, and ugly' photo
Hospice means so much more than end of life
Shell foes will never accept Arctic drilling
State tax credits lure movies -- and money
We're not ready to drill safely in the Arctic
Community affiliates fund Alaska's needs
Overdose shouldn't deter beneficial use
Measure would harm religious freedom
Association's stand against Pebble is fishy
Budget holds no reduction in essential service
Help improve the lives of foster youth
Pre-K program pays dividends down the line
Flawed ANCSA needs to be amended
Halcro distorts opposition to Pebble mine
Anti-Pebble ads are blatantly not true
Healthy Futures promotes life-saving habits
Alaska's resources must benefit Alaskans
A carbon fee could make a big difference
Law governing mining is badly out of date
Alaska's map displays Hickok's legacy
Zero means a lot today, World AIDS Day
Let kids adopt a ship to hear sea stories
Polar bear listing is based on science, facts
Feds' fish panel puts communities at risk
Ted Stevens warrants a spot in sports hall of fame
Make holidays merry and energy efficient
Preventing abuse everyone's responsibility
Alaska's gas market is Asia, not North America
Early education programs work wonders
Engineering salmon is cause for concern
Local summit will tackle education issues
Veterans deserve gratitude -- and help
Veterans - defenders of our Constitution
Town hall meetings show Alaskans get it
Tour offered insight into Norway's oil policies
Act to end violence against Alaska women
Alaska is always offering us something new
Knik bridge is a key to growth in Alaska
Sell it today
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