Opinion
Nate Watson: Fact-checking cease-fire opposition
In his March 29 guest column [“Northampton’s cease-fire resolution a ‘rush to judgment”], Barry Roth expressed his opposition to cease-fire resolutions, saying their backers misunderstand the conflict, yet offered some questionable claims.“Most every...
Guest columnist Marietta Pritchard: Recipe collections
By MARIETTA PRITCHARD
Recently I decided I would face up to cleaning up my recipe collection. You know, those clippings and notes that most cooks accumulate over the years. My mother had a neat wooden box with handwritten notes on file cards. She would often include the...
Guest columnist Michael Seward: Settlement could dramatically shake-up real estate industry
By MICHAEL SEWARD
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently agreed to rules changes as part of a massive settlement. The new rules will put more negotiating power in the hands of consumers. Despite what professionals stated in a recent article in this...
David Ball: Russia-Ukraine: Chronology
Sometimes it's hard to remember the sequence of events in the world. There are so many of them. I thought this chronology might help Gazette readers. 1. U.S. warns that Russia will invade Ukraine. General disbelief, daily Russian mockery. (December 3,...
Nate Watson: The hypocrisy of withholding a ceasefire to free the hostages
From the Israeli civilians blocking aid trucks at Gaza’s border to the opposition comments at our city council meetings, those opposing a cease-fire have echoed a similar refrain: release the hostages, then you’ll get your cease-fire. Implicit in...
Jimmy Burgoff: Speed kills
It has become even more evident recently how careless so many local drivers act. As a driver of a big truck it always amazes me that I get cut off at speed, have to deal with cars that put on their turn signal as they’re starting to turn, and wait at...
Guest columnist Daniel Lyons: World’s energy systems will not change in the short-term
By DANIEL LYONS
I’d like to offer some comments on Russ Vernon-Jones’s recent column “Solving humanity’s shared climate crisis,” [Gazette, March 15].He writes that public opinion polls show that U.S. adults want “more government action on climate.” The fundamental...
Debin Bruce: Forbes Library continues to earn its status as a community treasure
As we head out of winter, I look forward to the return of outdoor programs on the west lawn at Forbes Library. So far, these have included music, dance, speakers, movies, demonstrations, magic shows, and children’s readings. Conducting these programs...
Lawrence Pareles: November election no time to vote for spoiler candidates
Earlier this month, President Biden just gave a powerful and inspiring State of the Union speech, and the campaign for the presidency got really underway. The choice will be between Biden’s fight for democracy and freedom and Trump’s dark autocratic...
Don Michak: Dig deeper after scandalous court ruling in Soldiers' Home case
The fact that the former superintendent and medical director of the Soldier’s Home in Holyoke got off with mere $90 fines is not merely “disgusting,” as the woman who lost her father to COVID told the Gazette, but also a major statewide scandal that...
Letter: Thankful for Public Libraries
We were excited to read the March 22 Gazette article “Libraries turning the page: They’re still in the business of books, but embracing new role as community ‘third space,’” because reporter Maddie Fabian eloquently described what we have anecdotally...
Isaac Luria: Achieving a just peace requires strategy, not just cathartic moral outrage
As the Gazette covered on March 23, activists calling for a cease-fire in Gaza are pressuring leading pro-peace Congressman Jim McGovern to return contributions from Jewish peace organization JStreetPac. This is odd as JStreet has called for a...
Margaret Riddle: MCAS test for voters to decide
In 1998, the first year the MCAS was required, I administered the test to fourth grade students in Northampton. Later, as a principal, I supervised the administration and analysis of the results. As such tests go, the MCAS can be useful, however it is...
Guest columnist Barry Roth: Northampton’s cease-fire resolution a ‘rush to judgment’
By BARRY ROTH
When I read that Northampton’s City Council was considering passing a resolution demanding a cease-fire in Gaza and lessening support for Israel; I was concerned that the council had been caught up in the bullying and misrepresentations about the...
Norman Spier: Medicaid estate recovery in Massachusetts worse than it need be
Regarding the March 18 front-page article, “Medicaid offices target dead people’s home,” the article points out that the federal government currently requires states to estate-recover expenses for nursing homes and other similar care classified as...
Dave King: Cease-fire resolution passed in the UN!
For those of us concerned about the ongoing mayhem in Palestine, these past months have been agonizing. How can one live in security without thinking of others being shelled, shot and tortured? How can one eat a bite of food without thinking of our...
Letter: Unlocking the potential of public higher education
In response to the recent article about the Amherst Town Council’s resolution supporting the Cherish Act, [”Despite doubts, Amherst Town Council backs bill boosting higher ed spending,” Gazette, March 8], the council’s endorsement of the Cherish Act...
Nancy Natale: Free historical cemetery tour in Easthampton
Local historian Bob Comeau will lead a free one-hour historical tour of Easthampton’s St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Cemetery on Saturday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to noon. This cemetery, located on Mayher Street, stands as a testament to the early...
Columnist Carrie N. Baker: Protecting access to contraception: A winning issue for Democrats in November 2024
By CARRIE N. BAKER
In the wake of growing Republican restrictions on reproductive rights, Democrats in many states are introducing bills to protect access to contraception. In response, Republicans are blocking these bills, going on record as opposed to contraception....
Guest columnist Rev. Julie G. Olmsted: Is everything holy?
By REV. JULIE G. OLMSTED
Springtime, Holy Week, Passover. It’s all about looking deeply.Palm Sunday kicked off what is the holiest time of the year for Christians, Holy Week. For many years I have meditated on this week, starting first and foremost with the question, “What...
