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...

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...