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Letters to the Editor

Memorial Day has a dark message this year

“War, huh? Yeah … What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!”, sung by Edwin Starr in 1968 during the Vietnam War! Revolutionary War, 1776, the War of 1812, the British (again) Indian Wars, Mexican-American War, 1846, Civil War, 1861, Spanish-American War, 1898, World War I, 1914, World War II, 1939, Korean War, 1950, Vietnam War, 1959, Gulf War, 1990, War on Terror (Afghanistan, 2001, Iraq War, 2003). Don’t forget the American interventions: Yemen 2002, Uganda 2011, Somali 2007, Pakistan 2004, Niger 2018. Or acts of unrest at home with the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection on our ...

Vote for only true Dem running for 106th

I am appealing to voters. Please vote for democracy! In the primary election for the 106th state House District that covers much of Northeast Michigan, vote for the only true Democrat in the race: Trina Borenstein. First, let me say: There is a MAGA Republican scam occurring in this race. Trina’s Primary opponent, Mary Lucille Hamilton, has consistently donated to, and supported, MAGA Republican candidates. She has filed on the final day possible, to run as a Democrat in the 106th primary to steal your vote. Look at her photo going viral on social media posts. She is wearing a ...

Hoping Biden takes the high road in election

Dear sir, Today I sent the following note to the White House: “Dear President Biden: I can understand your frustration with the campaign style of your opponent, but I question the wisdom of employing his own tactics against him. In my closet is a sweatshirt that bears this message: MANURE OCCURETH. Of course it does. However, no one should expect to win a wrestling match with a pig who gleefully has rolled in manure for most of his life. Please take the high road as you seek reelection. Sincerely yours, SANFORD K.H. WRIGHT, Alpena

Survey results show we must involve our youth

A huge word of gratitude to the Thunder Bay Arts Council, Tim Kuehnlein and his students at Alpena Community College, the Sunset Project, and Mary Ellen Jones for their work on the Northeast Michigan Community Impact Survey and report. I recently participated in a conversation discussing the report’s results with fellow community members, which was truly engaging and inspiring. I was delighted to hear that government officials and other stakeholders were given access to the report, although there were some notable absences in the session I attended. I sincerely hope that those ...

If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters

A recent commentary written by Alpena News Editor Justin Hinkley for the April 27 edition opined on the recent NBC news versus Ronna McDaniel controversy. To review, a few weeks ago the network hired McDaniel as a paid contributor, specifically as a political analyst. McDaniel served as chair of the Republican National Committee from 2017 until her resignation in 2024. This announcement was met with sweeping resistance from NBC news staff who objected to collaborating with someone who actively worked to undermine and subvert the 2020 election. Notably, McDaniel made false claims of voter ...

U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman disappoints again

Really, Jack? After saying publicly in this very newspaper that he supported U.S. aid to Ukraine, when it was crunch time, Congressman Jack Bergman answered Vladimer Putin’s command and voted against it. Apparently, he feels a greater allegiance to Russia’s dictator than to his constituents, the interests of our nation, and the security of NATO and our European friends. Just when I think Jack Bergman has reached a new low in voting against our best interests, he goes lower. Honestly, I don’t know if he can go lower than being Putin’s proxy. But, then again, ...