Anchorage Daily News

COMPASS

It's time to stop obsessing about Palin

When I "Googled" Sarah Palin on Friday morning, July 3, over six million results popped up. Within a week of her surprise resignation, the number had hit 24 million.

COMPASS

Early Anchorage was too harsh for racism

On June 26, two op-ed pieces published in the Anchorage Daily News reminded us that racism existed in early 20th-century Alaska. It's not very surprising: Historically speaking, human divisions of various kinds seem, sadly, to come with the human condition.

Health care system in U.S. badly needs repair

I awoke in the middle of a dreary February night covered in hives and barely able to breathe. Frantically, I stumbled across the hallway in search of help from my roommate who, upon assessing my condition (I have severe allergies), accompanied me to the nearby hospital emergency room.

COMPASS

Court's mine ruling may threaten Iliamna

I was dismayed and frankly, disgusted at the recent Supreme Court decision that would allow the Kensington gold mine to dump industrial waste into a freshwater lake. Those of us who depend upon the salmon fishery are frustrated that the Clean Water Act could be subverted in such a way.

COMPASS

Fundamentalists in any religion see only their own sets of rules

It is true that burqas have become symbolic of the repression and subjugation of women under Islamic law, but I think it's questionable whether governments should ever become involved in banning any type of clothing.

COMPASS

King of Pop opened doors and minds

It would be an understatement to say Michael Jackson touched my life. His musical messages and moving melodies stirred my passion as a young poet.

COMPASS

Clinical trials help aid victims of cancer

Alaskans read in the newspaper or the Internet daily about new advances made in the "battle" against cancer. These advances are made possible, in large part, by patients participating in clinical trials. A clinical trial is a way to test scientifically whether a new treatment is safe, effective and superior to existing treatments.

COMPASS

Citizen oversight a burden to Arctic oil

Alaska's natural resources are natural treasures, from environmental and economic perspectives. I hope our new U.S. senator successfully balances Alaska's resource potential with appropriate environmental, national security and consumer considerations.

COMPASS

US cannot afford to not change health care

As proposals for a government-sponsored public health care plan are being debated, it is no surprise that the pharmaceutical industry and the private insurance companies are pulling out the big guns to fight it. They reap huge profits from our current system. It is also no surprise that the American Medical Association has added its voice to the fight against a public plan.

COMPASS

Questions about Yup'ik education reveal flaw in thinking

These are the words I hear every morning while I am getting the day started at Kwigillingok School. This is the sound of Mary Ann Wilkinson's third-grade students reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in the language of their homes: Yup'ik. As the state debates the desirability of further federal involvement in Alaska education, there are a number of questions which need to be asked.

COMPASS

Veterans merit better care than VA gives

I enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1968 at 17 years old. By enlisting I could at least choose a military specialty that would give me some kind of training other than the infantry. My intentions were to do my three years and get out. I was sent to Vietnam on my last year of service and got out of the military when I came home.

COMPASS

Changes should stablized fund's returns

The board of trustees of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation recently changed how we describe and categorize investments. We now use an allocation that groups assets based on risk characteristics, rather than by the type of investment.

COMPASS

Health care bill unworkable, unaffordable

Americans are looking to Congress and the White House to see whether lawmakers and the president will deliver on their promises to reform our health care system. As a member of the Senate committee considering comprehensive health care reform legislation, I am committed to working with both my Republican and Democratic colleagues.

COMPASS

Knik Arm bridge is essential to new growth

Despite unwavering public support, a vocal minority wants to corner Anchorage into a planning model that has succeeded only in densely populated areas like New York City and Vancouver, B.C.

COMPASS

This is the summer for health reform

This is the summer of health reform. It's a great opportunity. If Congress gets it right, Americans happy with their current health insurance and medical care will keep what they have, while everyone will have access to affordable, quality care. We can do this while addressing important health care priorities for Alaska.

COMPASS

That food in the freezer is not 'free'

Here we are comparing the cost of living for different parts of our own state and somehow the cost for gathering our own food has been overlooked. Any fisherman or hunter will tell you that it costs money to get meat to the table.

COMPASS

How a late-term abortion saved my life

Dr. George Tiller's death didn't really come as a surprise; his medical practice centered on performing abortions, particularly late-term abortions, and he'd been attacked before. Regardless of the near constant threats and harassment he received, Dr. Tiller was committed to his work. Why? Because he believed that "abortion is a matter of survival for women."

COMPASS

'Wimpy photos' testimony to war crimes

Former Voice of the Times Editor Paul Jenkins' article "Wimpy photos could make US look weak" is an outrageously dishonest propaganda piece. It constitutes graphic proof of Josef Goebbels' observation that if lies are repeated enough, people will believe them.

COMPASS

Hispanic identity has no easy definition

After living in Latin America and covering Latinos for years as a journalist, one thing is clear. No one really knows who exactly is a Latino, an Hispanic, a member of "La Raza" or even a Chicano. But ever since President Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor as a Supreme Court justice, the media has gone wild with the mantra "the first Hispanic justice." Oh, really?

COMPASS

Baseball has some hints for government

The boys of summer are back in Alaska. Top college players from the Lower 48 have returned to our state for the Alaska Baseball League's summer season. Either the Bucs or Pilots play practically every day in June and July here in Anchorage at Mulcahy stadium. For those outside Anchorage, the Mat-Su Miners, Kenai Oilers, and two Fairbanks teams (the Goldpanners and Athletes in Action) round out the league.

COMPASS

Rejection of energy stimulus funds deprives Alaskans

The old saying, "Two wrongs don't make a right," applies to Gov. Sarah Palin's veto of $28.56 million in federal funding to help improve the energy efficiency of public and private buildings across Alaska.