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Letters to the Editor

Surprised by reaction to Duck Park cartoon

I am always delighted to see Eric Roorda’s drawings in The Alpena News since anything created locally deserves my attention and appreciation. I was surprised to see the recent Duck Park cartoon was not so well received. It appears that the writer took too deep a dive into what message the cartoon conveyed. The artist was acknowledging the new River Center while simultaneously showing a humorous reaction from the feathered residents near the park. The conversational fowl in the cartoon seemed to be nonchalant about the whole thing and did not appear upset, but rather going with the ...

The Supreme Court got Roe right 50 years ago

Fifty years ago, on Jan. 22, 1973, the Supreme Court issued its landmark 7–2 decision in Roe v. Wade, protecting a person’s constitutional right to choose. This case reaffirmed basic principles of equality, reinforced the fundamental right to privacy, and resolved that people in this country could control their own destinies — making deeply personal decisions free from political interference. For those who celebrate the loss of Americans’ freedom to control their own bodies, I expect them to make sure both parents and children will get everything they need to survive. What I ...

When is the right time to face our nation’s debt?

The Wednesday, Jan. 23 Alpena News contained an Associated Press (AP) article, ‘Biden Meets With Democratic Leaders As Debt Showdown Looms’ on page 6A. The article went on to warn about the ‘extreme Republican economic plans’ and presented all kinds of horror results if the debt ceiling is not lifted. So, I ask, when is the right time to face our nation’s debt? It is currently $31 trillion. Do we wait until it is $40T? $50T? $60T? The longer we wait the more pain we will feel. That is unless our intention is to go merrily along and let our children and grandchildren deal ...

On church and the United States Supreme Court

I grew learning in church school. I was raised on Bible stories. God and Heaven were sometimes in question. But, religion guided by the Ten Commandments was always a good thing and the United States Constitution guaranteed the separation of church and state. I remember in the late 1950s when the seemingly innocuous words ‘under God’ were added to the nation’s Pledge of Allegiance. ‘I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.’ ‘One nation under ...

On Berriman situation, kids need discipline

When I read the article about Mr. Berriman I felt I must state my feelings as a parent who has raised four children and taught our children respect and accountability. Kids need to have respect and take responsibility for their actions to become responsible citizens and successful in their adult life. If you tie the hands of teachers and staff from discipline you will ruin the child and he will be unable to function well in a healthy normal society. I feel kids who act up should be disciplined for the sake of others as well themselves. Rules are important for a society to function well ...

I just pray it is not too late for our republic

Jamie Stiehm’s column in the editorial pages of the paper (The Alpena News 1-16-2023) should be a “wake up call” for those lulled into complacency by the left. Her observations of the election of the new Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy reveals her warped view of how government should run. Used to the scripted rhetoric of the Democratic Party, she is baffled by the dissension in the ranks of the Republicans. In her world of following blindly the party line, she criticizes the disagreement she sees in the Republican Party. If she was aware of the formation of our republic, she ...