Franken: The losing game

I’ve described politics as the dark side of government, but, as usual, things have gotten worse: To a large extent anymore, politics is just about… Continue reading

  • Feb 15, 2014
  • By Bob Franken

Keep an open mind on road upgrades

During a recent public open house, Soldotna City Engineer Kyle Kornelis asked that, when it comes to a proposal to build several traffic roundabouts on… Continue reading

  • Feb 15, 2014

Looking out for the borough’s interests

At its Tuesday meeting, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly made an important decision to protect the borough’s financial interests. The assembly approved a measure brought… Continue reading

  • Feb 13, 2014

Voices of Alaska: First Lady’s Volunteer Awards: A time to recognize all that is good

Since the First Lady Volunteer Awards were founded by Bella Hammond a quarter century ago, hundreds of Alaskans have been honored for their volunteerism in… Continue reading

  • Feb 12, 2014
  • By Sandy Parnell

Putin’s Potemkin Games

If there were an Olympic competition for gross expression of authoritarian egotism, Russian President Vladimir Putin would win the gold medal going away.His Sochi Olympics… Continue reading

  • Feb 12, 2014
  • By Rich Lowry

What others say: PFD shouldn’t be guaranteed

A resolution introduced this week would constitutionally protect Alaskans’ Permanent Fund Dividend checks, but the annual payout should be treated more like a luxury, rather… Continue reading

  • Feb 12, 2014

Profane foreign relations

Call it “gall” or “brass” or “chutzpah,” whichever you prefer, but the State Department has an abundance. At State, there’s quite a bit of embarrassment… Continue reading

  • Feb 11, 2014
  • By Bob Franken

What others say: The great plate debate

Alaska might get a new license plate design — or more specifically, a new version of an old design — and the sooner the better.A… Continue reading

  • Feb 11, 2014

A trust deficit

Most people accept the notion that politicians don’t always tell the truth. Some lies are harmless enough; others more consequential.Lyndon Johnson skirted the truth when… Continue reading

  • Feb 10, 2014
  • By Cal Thomas

Voices of the Peninsula: The dangers of school choice

Rushing headlong like lemmings into the sea, Christians are piling on their legislative efforts to enable people to afford private education. It’s not hard to… Continue reading

  • Feb 10, 2014
  • By Bob Bird

What others say: Governor slips up on education lawsuit

Take note, Fairbanks. Gov. Sean Parnell doesn’t much like it that the Ketchikan Gateway Borough has filed a lawsuit to invalidate the requirement in state… Continue reading

  • Feb 10, 2014

The party of less work

The Democrats once styled themselves the party of workers. Now, they are the party of people who would have been workers, if it hadn’t been… Continue reading

  • Feb 9, 2014
  • By Rich Lowry

Shipyard projects benefit whole state

Ketchikan’s shipyard has widespread support throughout the state.It will need it to acquire $3 million from the Legislature this session.But, if it can get this… Continue reading

  • Feb 9, 2014

‘Alone Yet Not Alone’ vs. Academy’s ‘ethics’

In a world where Woody Allen can get a lifetime achievement award at the Golden Globes at the same time his adopted daughter accuses him… Continue reading

  • Feb 8, 2014
  • By Cal Thomas

The stupid bowls

It was touted as Bill O’Reilly’s interview of President Barack Obama, but it was more like O’Reilly having a conversation with himself, as the president… Continue reading

  • Feb 8, 2014
  • By Bob Franken

Community must find solution to keep Skyview pool open

Facing a potential funding shortfall of $4.5 million, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s administration and board of education are going to be making some… Continue reading

  • Feb 8, 2014

Keeping up with the Legislature

The Alaska Legislature has wasted no time this session jumping in to a number of high-profile issues as well as some lower-profiles one. Many of… Continue reading

  • Feb 6, 2014

On Keystone, action can wait

President Barack Obama has urged that we make this a “year of action,” and he is going to do his part by acting with vigor… Continue reading

  • Feb 5, 2014
  • By Rich Lowry

What others say: Time for a new conversation about education

As Alaska lawmakers consider sweeping education reform there are a few other factors that need consideration; issues occurring outside the classroom and which go beyond… Continue reading

  • Feb 5, 2014