Columns 2016

Anyone who has lived in Bush Alaska knows that life there can be harsh. Everything from advanced health care to Costco is a plane ride away. Under these circumstances, it’s hard enough for people to care for themselves; caring for their pets becomes even more problematic.

We’ve heard the horror stories from Bush villages of dogs chained up for life with no chance to be free or ever know a kind word or touch. But what we don’t often hear about are the people in the Bush who love their pets. They provide affection, care and shelter to these animals

Maybe I’ve missed this, but in the weeping and gnashing of teeth that is the Republican response to anything Obama does, where and when did they reveal their plan for health care in America? They keep attempting to repeal Obamacare but I missed the announcement of their plan to replace it. Or do they just expect people with pre-existing conditions to go back to no coverage? That’s one way to sock it to that kid born with diabetes. Shouldn’t people who want to repeal Obamacare have to have an alternative? Perhaps most important, knowing they have no chance of overriding

From the December 31, 2015 ADN, here’s part of what State Representative Mike Hawker said about his retirement. “I’m 60 years old. I am beating terminal cancer. And I am fully vested in my retirement health benefits.” Wow. That came out of the mouth of a Republican. At the top of his list of reasons that he can now retire despite health problems is that he is fully vested in his retirement health benefits. I guess health care coverage is important when you’re sick and fighting for your life. If only there was some way to ensure that all people

For the second year in a row, it sucks! All ice, no snow. What the hell is this all about? I mean, the Republicans have assured us that there is no global warming so it must be something else, right?