The alliances in the Middle East are very complicated. They are very tribal, very religious, and centuries-old. The Turks hate the Kurds, and the the Kurds hate ISIS. Obama crafted an alliance of many countries, all concerned about ISIS, to “hire” the Kurds to fight on the ground against ...

I read the Alpena News Article in Saturday’s paper dated Sept. 21, 2019 regarding scams. The local scams are conceived and perpetrated by those who live in our communities, go to our churches, and whose children go to school with our children. For pure greed the City of Alpena undertook ...

You know, I wasn’t thinking of getting into a back-and-forth on this global warming thing with people who don’t read very well. I didn’t suggest that there is no such thing as climate change. You see, all I was trying to say, for your normal readers, is that if there is climate change, ...

I am writing to express totally unsolicited support for city Harbormaster Don Gilmet. First, I wish The News did not allow character assassinations in the Letters to the Editor. I understand free speech and that people have the right to their own opinion but it seems like an easy way to take ...

It feels like every day, there is more news about how the Trump administration is traumatizing immigrant children and families. Children are held in cages, sleeping on concrete floors, and denied toothbrushes. These conditions are not due to a lack of resources, they are due to the Trump ...

Someone should answer the following questions: 1. Why do so-called “Christians” talk about shock when deceased babies are found thrown by their mothers in dumpsters, but continually vote for state and national legislators who support the abortion of babies up to the moment of birth (and, ...

I find it interesting that in 1972 when the United Nations first submitted their theory of greenhouse gases trapping heat, it was labeled man-made “global warming.” That title has now given way to “climate change” as the computer model supporting global warming fell apart when there was ...

It’s that time of year again, the first Sunday in October. It’s Lifechain Sunday, a nationwide demonstration against abortion. Polls reveal that most Americans oppose abortion. We invite you to join us as we stand along State Street with signs and pray. What do we pray? Individuals have ...

I am writing in regards to our city official/harbormaster, Don Gilmet, who had to be called and reminded to lower the flag at the boat harbor on 09-11. I am embarrassed by his lack of empathy and disrespect to those who lost their lives that day and the families left behind. Sept. 11 will ...

Last week Earl Elowski expressed his opinion, “What does global warming or climate change have to do with us?” I can tell you, Earl, that you are completely ignorant to the facts. Also I would like to say that global warming and temperature rising affects ALL of us. If anyone has family, ...

In a News column by Betsy McCaughey last Sept. 12, where the pope calls “foreign aid a farce,” couldn’t be more truthful! Former presidential candidate Ron Paul said it’s unconstitutional to start with. If so, why in the hell are we doing it? Is it a religious mandate that has been ...

Why is Heather Winfield’s name again on the front page of the Alpena News (Sept. 17) on an article that is not even 50% about her? It must help sell papers. This used to be called yellow journalism — salacious, one-sided, exaggerated stories. What happened to presumed innocent? Would anyone ...

In regard to Earl Elowsky’s recent letter to the editor mocking climate change and those who find the evidence irrefutable, I’m wondering, Earl, by what authority you are making your claim. You say you don’t know how many scientists don’t believe it’s human-caused. “A bunch,” as ...

It’s disheartening to see so many people treating local rural roads as their own personal dumping ground. It’s not uncommon to find fast food waste, drywall, old tires, piles of trash, and plastic bags stuffed full of soiled diapers dumped along the roadside and flung into the ditches. Not ...

Let’s go back three years when the gas tax went from 19 cents a gallon to 26 cents a gallon. State Rep. Peter Pettalia and Sen. Jim Stamas with fellow legislators took months of talking to citizens, transportation officials and county road commissions. They put together a comprehensive plan ...

As with any government proposal, thinking persons ask: what are the specifics and who is paying for it? Medicare-for-All is no exception. In brief, everyone would have mandated government insurance at Medicare-level coverage. From a health insurance perspective, that is a mixed blessing but ...

We recently had a small family reunion at J.J.’s Pizza and Steak House. We reserved a few tables in the game room, where several patrons were enjoying four different football games on the televisions. Our waiter spoke with Mr. Benson, and offered us a newly renovated room at no extra charge ...

I have thought about the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of our Alpela County undersheriff, Terry King. It appears that Sheriff Kieliszewski is just another politician who has decided to use the path of destroying a political opponent by implying they did something wrong. Of course, ...

Let me see if I have this straight. You have the Posen Potato Festival, a generally benign, sleepy, small-town event where most years the most NEWSworthy event is the naming of the Potato Queen or perhaps a new ride on the midway. Except this year, when it appears the parade has been overrun ...

We find all the hoopla over the Trump Unity Bridge in the Posen parade highly amusing. Could it be that the unity message was missed by some in the crowd? The float was very attractive, with its elaborate decorations, patriotic colors, and lively music, and very deserving of a picture in The ...