Guest columnist Nancy Polan: It’s time for Congress to defend our democracy

By NANCY POLAN

Sherry Wilson: Stop Trump now

President Donald Trump did more than humiliate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He humiliated himself and the American people. He acted like a bully and an evil dictator — and a pawn of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Guest columnist Will Dempsey: Sanctuary policies can help protect trans people

By WILL DEMPSEY

The city of Worcester’s recent decision to give sanctuary city status for the transgender community, while largely symbolic, is critically important. Following Northampton’s designation late last year, it represents a local government’s commitment to standing with and protecting the transgender community. This is especially vital in a time when transgender individuals face increasing threats to their safety.

Guest columnist Jonathan Kahane: Letting golf rip would do wonders for the game

By JONATHAN KAHANE

Marta Lev: Another attempt to suppress the vote

Today’s Republican Party, committed to unpopular policies, shackled to an increasingly unpopular president and his billionaire co-president, is taking voter suppression strategies to ever greater lengths. Rather than implement policies of which voters approve, the Republican strategy is to eliminate as many voters as possible by creating obstacles to voter registration.

Guest columnist Carol Edelstein: The water awaits your presence — A tribute to Coach Bierwert

By CAROL EDELSTEIN

William Diamond: Who is holding the leash?

The Feb. 22 opinion page of the Gazette displayed an illustration depicting our president as a fierce dog with nobody holding his leash [letter, “Hell hath no fury like a narcissist scorned”].

Tyler Barnett: Same facts, different priorities

I’m responding to Bill Dwight’s Feb. 21 letter, “Facts about school budget matter,” which suggests Support Our Schools (a community group advocating for increased school funding from the city) is spreading misinformation.

Guest columnist John Paradis: How Republicans plan to dismantle VA health care

By JOHN PARADIS

Columnist Susan Wozniak: Is help coming for Social Security?

By SUSAN WOZNIAK

Stephen Gilson: No, not all agree Northampton schools are in ‘crisis’

I cannot imagine a more incorrect headline than the one that ran on Page 1 on Feb. 22: “All agree: Northampton schools in ‘crisis’ mode.” There are a few city councilors and a small but vocal group of parents demanding that the city recklessly spend $600,000 with 11 weeks left in the school year. Hardly everyone agrees that we are in a “crisis.”

Diane Fisher-Katz: Take action

We ask “what can I do?” in the face of the current political environment. Democracy is not a spectator sport!

Lisa Clauson: Caricaturing Trump backers won’t help bridge divide

I’m completely opposed to Project 2025 and President Donald Trump’s agenda; however, I am writing to object to Cagle Cartoons’ satire. Creating an image of poor, bumbling Trump supporters does a disservice to someday bridging some of our political animus and divide.

Guest columnist Michael Stein: Values, choices and priorities for Northampton and its schools

By MICHAEL STEIN

Guest columnist Donald Joralemon: The cost of being the Ugly American

By DONALD JORALEMON

Peter Vogel: Where will the snow go?

Yes, yes the streets aren’t in great shape and by the end of next week Mother Nature will have done the city’s job. Let’s discuss our Main Street, you know, Main Street.

William Diamond: Support legislation to decrease plastic use

A recent article in the journal Environmental Science & Technology relates colon cancer, lung cancer and human infertility to microplastics. These are tiny particles of plastic that come from the manufacture, use and disposal of plastic products. A story in the Boston Globe reports that people with microplastics in major arteries are more likely to have heart attacks and strokes.

Columnist Carrie N. Baker: Why has abortion increased despite bans?

By CARRIE N. BAKER

On June 22, 2022, in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion established a half-century before in Roe v. Wade, opening the door to state abortion bans across the country. Today, 12 states prohibit abortion entirely; four states ban abortion at six weeks, two at 12 weeks, and one at 18 weeks.

Guest columnist Gene Stamell: Ask the ethicist (That’s you!)

By GENE STAMELL

Charles Miller: Careening downhill

We must once again come to the aid of our country, now threatened by chaos. Past leaders have led our country from some of its deepest and darkest times to grow and flourish. Now we are burdened with the arrogance of a man who thinks he knows more than all who have come before him.