Opinion
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...
Zachary Ellis: Reputation of extremism not fair to Islam
Reputation of extremism not fair to Islam Islam is the second most practiced religion in the world, reaching approximately 1.3 billion people. Much like every other religion, there are some who translate the teachings in ways that the vast majority of...
World power whiplash: Trump reverses views on Russia, China
By JOSH LEDERMAN
WASHINGTON — Once soft on Russia and hard on China, President Donald Trump rapidly reversed course in the last weeks, concluding there’s more business to be done with Beijing than with Moscow.Trump’s evolving views on those two world powers have...
Jonathan Klate: Grateful for coverage of Noam Chomsky lecture
Grateful for coverage of Noam Chomsky lecture I offer a grateful bow of respect to Dusty Christensen for his article about Professor Noam Chomsky’s public lecture at the Mullins Center on Thursday evening (“Chomsky ponders human survival,” April...
Shannon Purcell: Enjoy things we can agree on in comics
Enjoy things we can agree on in comics Every once in a while a story, event or work of art comes along that is so divisive that it threatens to tear apart even the tightest knit of communities, such as our beloved Pioneer Valley. I am speaking of...
Editorial: Proposed 60-member council a mistake in Amherst
The Amherst Charter Commission took a big step backward last week when it narrowly endorsed a 60-member town council as part of a package of reforms to replace representative Town Meeting and the Select Board.Establishing the largest town or city...
Columnist John Paradis: Agent Orange catches up with Vietnam vets
By JOHN PARADIS
Over eggs and bacon at the Bluebonnet Diner one recent morning in Northampton, Donald F. Moulton was smiling and talking about getting his campsite ready in southern Vermont. He was, as he has always done in his life, looking forward, not back.But to...
Mark LaChance: Observations about the comics
Observations about comics My goodness. Are we really debating the comics in the letters to the editor? Worse, here I am joining the fray.Some quick observations, before the PC police come to take me away. Wednesday’s Close to Home features a shootout...
Editorial: End unclear to President Trump’s Syrian script
President Donald Trump’s decision to retaliate against Syria for a chemical weapons attack on its own citizens and to condemn Russia’s support for the repressive regime of Bashar al-Assad has left heads spinning and people trying to decide among at...
Jenny Fleming: Future grim for women’s reproductive health care
Future grim for women’s reproductive health care I am worried for my daughters and granddaughters. I am worried for all the daughters and granddaughters in the country.The future of women’s reproductive health services looks grim under Donald Trump’s...
Dave King: ‘Climate change’ correct term
‘Climate change’ correct term I am writing in response to the letter in the Gazette “Is it global warming or climate change?” (March 17) in which the writer suggested that the recent freak snowstorm would cause most people to doubt the validity of...
Naila Moreira: Telling the story of science
We tell stories to know who we are. Speaking our own stories, we rediscover ourselves. And by hearing and identifying with one another’s journeys, we discover and reach each other, too. My world — my story — is one of science.I birdwatch. I teach...
Joe Lavallee: Urges Hatfield residents to attend Town Meeting
Urges Hatfield residents to attend Town Meeting Annual Town Meeting in Hafield is again just around the corner on May 9.Attendance has been great, but remember it only takes 75 registered voters to have a quorum and thereby takes usually one-half (or...
Jim Palermo: Democrats erred in filibustering Gorsuch
Democrats erred in filibustering Gorsuch Am I the only one who thinks the Democrats screwed up when they insisted on filibustering the vote to confirm Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch? Had the Dems been willing to vote up or down on his nomination,...
Susan Rice: Personal attacks should not follow opinions
Express opinions without fear of personal attacks In response to the tasteless letter published April 5 (“Columnist purposely gets under skin of community”), perhaps the writer’s comments should remind her of herself.Where is the fairness of...
