Stephen Lentner: Country faces rough ride

Country faces rough ride A few wealthy, white men are now in charge of our country. Well, not 100 percent white, but Ben Carson says slaves were “immigrants” and “poverty is a state of mind,” so he’s thinking like these rich white guys.They are making...

Editorial: Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Public Charter School trustees must end turmoil quickly

The trustees of the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Public Charter School in South Hadley must act quickly to end the turmoil resulting from a controversy about the performance of school head Scott Goldman that erupted earlier this month.We hope that a...

Jim Armenti: Tone seems fair in Westhampton controversy

Tone seems fair in Westhampton controversy I write in response to the letter regarding the website www.ourwesthampton.com (“Westhampton officials deserve respect,” May 26).After reading the letter critical of this new website and being a Westhampton...

Paul Cherulnik: Criticizes Chinese charter school administrators

Criticizes Chinese charter school administrators The response of administrators at the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School to the concerns of parents of learning-disabled children (“Critics rap local charter on special ed,” May 27-28)...

Editorial: Monday mix on road safety, stained glass, youth homes

The death of a bicyclist at the intersection of Hinckley and Nonotuck streets in Florence is a tragic reminder that all of us must take care when sharing the roads.Bicyclist Alan Porter, 78, of Florence, was killed about 3 p.m. May 15 when he...

Editorial: Mixed emotions of Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend produces mixed emotions. The holiday is a time for somber reflection and remembrance of the tens of thousands who have served in our military over the centuries and have given their lives in their nation’s wars.The holiday has its...

Emma Cornwell: Northampton sidewalks need repairs

Northampton sidewalks need repairs On May 21 I was hit by a car on Hawley Street in Northampton. Thankfully, I did not sustain bodily injuries, but my wheelchair took a beating.This happened, in part, because in a lot of areas of Northampton I am...

Editorial: Commencement theme a call to service

A sense of urgency reflecting the nation’s political climate fuels a call to service delivered by college commencement speakers here this month.Graduates of the local private colleges and University of Massachusetts Amherst were urged to engage in...

Tom Baker: Nuclear energy safest source of power in US

Nuclear energy safest source of power in US A letter writer is correct to point out that our present situation vis-a-vis global warming would be much better had we gone ahead with the plans to build out nuclear power generation, but a strange...

Editorial: Government needs more women

Massachusetts, regarded as a bastion of progressive thinking, has never elected a woman governor.Yes, Lt. Gov. Jane Swift filled that seat from April 2001 through 2002 when Republican Gov. Paul Cellucci left to become ambassador to China before his...

Columnist Andrea Ayvazian: How Trump has made America great again

By ANDREA AYVAZIAN

Although it has become cliché, it is also true: Donald Trump has made America great again.We are great in our resistance, great in our inventive placard-making, great in our love for democracy, great in our ability to differentiate between lies and...

Batya Bauman: Calls for eliminating fireworks

Calls for eliminating fireworks displays The times they are a-changing and because the consequences of some of our actions are becoming increasingly threatening to the sustainability of life on Earth, we need a more thoughtful and critical examination...

Columnist Deena Rubin: Protect health of pregnant women and their babies 

By DEENA RUBIN

I was pregnant and gave birth to my daughter, Ayala, in Cambridge, England. This was my first introduction to universal health care.I began my pregnancy by going to the gynecologist, getting ultrasounds and having blood and urine tests. As the...

Ted Kallman: Not surprised bicyclist killed on Nonotuck Street

Not surprised cyclist killed on Nonotuck Street It comes as no surprise to me that a cyclist was finally killed on Nonotuck Street (“Man killed while biking,” May 17). I have lived on Hinckley Street for seven years and ride a bike and/or walk my dogs...

Editorial: Moral vacuum in presidency

Bad enough that President Donald Trump is inflicting his intemperance, narcissism and lack of compassion on the nation that elected him its leader. But it’s now becoming clear that Trump’s disregard for the rules of American justice and international...

Tom Baker: Waking up to pain caused by Confederate flag

Waking up to pain caused by Confederate flag A letter writer is mistaken to think that it was ever fine to display the Confederate flag — the battle flag of the Southern states that was flown during their armed attempt to destroy the union.South...

Linda Schwartz: Personal impact of going without health insurance

Personal impact of lacking health insuranceOn May 5, in response to a constituent at a town hall meeting, U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador (R-Idaho) defended his vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act by asserting, “Nobody dies because they don’t have access...

Robert Meeropol: Reacts to Easthampton High School issues

Reacts to Easthampton High School issues Most people who spoke at the Easthampton School Committee meeting last week talked about whether to ban the Confederate flag at the high school (“Confederate flag banned at EHS,” May 10). I felt two other...

Columnist Sara Weinberger: Congressman Neal should be more accessible

By SARA WEINBERGER

I moved from Northampton to Easthampton nearly three years ago.Although I was reluctant to leave the city that I had called “home” for 30 years, Easthampton, or as I fondly call it, “The New Brooklyn,” is a great place to settle. The bike path, less...

Marissa Carrere: Easthampton values inclusion and free speech

Easthampton values inclusion and free speech Free speech is protected and celebrated in Easthampton. Racism is not.On May 9, the Easthampton School Committee voted to prohibit displays of the Confederate flag on public school property, unless for...