Opinion
Editorial: Award-winners committed to compassionate leadership
At the opposite ends of their careers, Barbara Black and Allison Jenks share a commitment to improving the lives of people they touch with their compassionate and spirited leadership.The two women received the Person of the Year and Young Community...
Columnist Bill Newman: Political, moral fight joined over health care
By BILL NEWMAN
People with pre-existing conditions fear that they “are going to die because of a vote we might be taking.”Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Florida) said that earlier this week. He added, “(A) lot of people … call my office … daily who are extremely angry … because...
Bruce Scofield: Must not ignore rapid warming, transfer of carbon
Must not ignore rapid warming, carbon transfer In his guest column, Dennis Burke points out correctly that long-term climate cycles, based on orbital variations, exist and that climates have changed slowly over time. We can indeed use the past as a...
Anne Moore: Nonviolent Peaceforce officials to speak in Northampton
Nonviolent Peaceforce officials to speak here Unarmed civilian protection is being used in South Sudan, Myanmar, Iraq, and the Philippines by men and women in the Nonviolent Peaceforce.This nonpartisan international organization...
Lead In Massachusetts: A Canary in the Coal Mine
By Naila Moreira
The very schools we depend on to educate our children could be making them less smart.Drinking water in schools across Massachusetts, including here in the Pioneer Valley, has been found to contain lead significantly exceeding safety standards. Lead...
Steve Hudgik: Replies to letter writer about existence of god
Replies to letter writer about existence of GodA letter writer says that there is not a shred of evidence that there is a God, or that this supposed God created us (“No evidence that deity created us,” May 1).That is an interesting absolute claim that...
Ralph J. Dolan: Pearl diver Chomsky the undisputed maestro
Pearl diver Chomsky the undisputed maestro That’s Chomsky, huh? (“Chomsky ponders human survival,” April 14). Whether he conforms to your vision of reality or not, one must stand in awe of the man — his astounding work ethic, his grasp of world...
Editorial: President Donald Trump’s first 100 days galvanizes opposition
On Jan. 21, President Donald Trump’s first full day in office, an estimated 500,000 people rallied in the streets of Washington, D.C., against the new administration.Thousands more are expected in the capital this Saturday — the 100th day of Trump’s...
Columnist Clare Higgins: Looking beyond the first 100 days
By CLARE HIGGINS
Saturday is President Trump’s 100th day in office.Trump promised a long list of achievements – from repealing the Affordable Care Act to withdrawing from NAFTA to proposing an infrastructure plan. Mexico certainly will not be paying for the “big,...
Charles LaPiene: Recalls predictions made on first Earth Day
Recalls predictions made on first Earth Day On the first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, the nation paused to consider the impact of human activity on the global environment.The greatest threat — as seen that day — was the prospect that future generations...
Editorial: Rower’s commitment aids John P. Musante Health Center in Amherst
Honoring a friend while testing his own endurance motivates Jim Brassord to row 1,400 miles along the eastern seaboard to support the new John P. Musante Health Center in Amherst.Brassord’s quest is particularly impressive because — except for the...
Editorial: Agent Orange still poisons many Vietnam War veterans
For many Americans, the enduring memory of the Vietnam War is of the protests that defined a generation and shattered the illusion of America’s purity on the world stage. But for the 3 million men and women who served in Southeast Asia in the 1960s...
Editorial: Flavorful local corn tortillas offer taste of sustainability
For Jorge Sosa, making homemade corn tortillas for his restaurant in Hadley was about recreating the earthy, crunchy taste of authentic Mexican food. It was a restaurateur’s decision to deliver taste to his customers, but since 2007 these tortillas...
Mark Hamill: Describes benefits of installing solar panels
Describes benefits of installing solar panels Last year we had solar panels installed on our house in Florence. Our cost was about $20,000, and much less after tax credits.Since then the cost of solar panels has continued to decline. By some estimates...
Chris Scanlon: Urges columnist to drop attacks on Bernie Sanders
Urges columnist to drop attacks on Bernie Sanders If Natalia Munoz wants to inspire Democrats to “do better now,” I’d suggest she stop using the most personally divisive speech imaginable when referring to Bernie Sanders and his “loudmouthed”...
Richard West: Many aided success of Historic Northampton
Many aided Historic Northampton’s successMany thanks for your April 12 editorial praising the progress Historic Northampton has made over the last several years (“Future stable for Historic Northampton”).Everyone in Northampton should be grateful to...
Ernest Urvater: Examines Agent Orange tragedy in Vietnam
Examines Agent Orange tragedy in Vietnam Two recent articles in the Gazette, one by John Paradis (“Agent Orange catches up with Vietnam vets,” April 14), and the other by Lisa Spear (“Agent Orange aftermath,” April 18), have brought attention to the...
Columnist Peter Ives: Making a statement about Mother Earth
By PETER IVES
It was while looking at the distant stars in the night sky that the book of Genesis became important to me. “In the beginning God created the heaven and earth and God said, ‘Let there be light.’ ”My favorite theologian Paul Tillich used to say, “When...
Editorial: Improved climate needed at Easthampton High School
In the wake of parking lot violence and complaints of racism and harassment, Easthampton High School administrators have work ahead to improve the school’s climate and rebuild trust with students and parents.The walkout staged by hundreds of high...
Paul M. Craig: Arguing about reality of climate change a distraction
Arguing climate change reality a distraction President Trump tells us climate change/global warming is a hoax. I wish I knew exactly what he means.After all, climate change melted away the glacial ice sheet that once covered the land that became his...
