Jennifer Delozier: Watching the debate a mistake

It was a mistake on my part to have watched the presidential debate at all. It started with pregame hype, and down to the last few seconds, commentators were talking with former governors, along with senators and representatives from both parties,...

Leonard Cohen: Inflation and the U.S. Postal Service

A good indicator of inflation is a simple thing like the cost of a first-class postage stamp. Back in 1963, a first-class stamp cost 5 cents (those were the good old days!). By 2006, it had jumped to 39 cents. By 2018, it hit 50 cents and, just...

Linda Marston and Dennis Bromery: Opted in for 100% green electricity

We want to thank writers Darcy DuMont, Russ Vernon-Jones, et al. for their recent columns in the Gazette and Amherst Bulletin describing the several options available to receive Valley Green Energy (VGE) electricity in Amherst, Pelham, and...

Columnist Olin Rose-Bardawil: Imperfect vision better than no vision

By OLIN ROSE-BARDAWIL

When it was first announced that Kamala Harris would be replacing President Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket, I had my doubts about her ability to win the election. She had a poor performance in her first bid for the presidency in 2020, and there...

Linda Batchelor: Endings and changes

After 30 years at One Cottage Street Studios, I turned in my keys and moved my art studio practice into my house. It was a grueling job both physically and emotionally, but I felt the move was necessary due to a surprise 50% rent increase.This...

Harry Remer: Better care of boys, reduce school shootings

I’m writing to expand on the important message of Laura Briggs’ Sept. 10 letter to the editor “We can’t securitize our way out of school shootings.” I’m a psychotherapist, and the young students my colleagues and I work with can have very high levels...

Nancy Polan: U.S. must stop logging old-growth forests

A walk into an old forest is a walk into a natural cathedral surrounded by majestic trees and an amazing diversity of life. I am embraced by the cool, dim quietness and filled with wonder and a great sense of peace. We need old forests, not just...

Jan Norris: Democrats to blame for state of police

The Gazette recently printed a front-page story with a headline stating “Police chief: A job few want these days,” [Sept. 9]. My first response was duh! When our Democratic leaders have been demonizing and defunding your profession for the last four...

Nass Taskin: Honest education on antisemitism important

Honest education on antisemitism importantI’m a Jewish educator working in Northampton Public Schools so naturally, I think honest, good education on antisemitism is important.I attended the presentation given to the NPS community on Sept. 3 by...

Guest columnist David Daley: High Court ‘truest threat’ to American democracy

BY DAVID DALEY

During his 2005 Senate confirmation hearings, John G. Roberts Jr. introduced himself to the American people as the reasonable dad next door, who viewed his role as chief justice through our civic religion of baseball.“I will remember that it’s my job...

Guest columnist Christine Hamp: Vaccinations, public health part of Big E

By CHRISTINE HAMP

Who doesn’t love a good combo? Milk and cookies. Peanut butter and jelly. Bacon and eggs.But how about the combination of smart public health strategy with one of the largest agricultural events in the nation? That sounds like an excellent idea to...

Guest columnist Andy Morris-Friedman: Double down on the bubble test

By ANDY MORRIS-FRIEDMAN

I have a few questions about Question 2 (eliminating the MCAS graduation requirement) and I want the answers. First the facts. Here in The PRM (People’s Republic of Massachusetts) we test our students every other year (Massachusetts Comprehensive...

Elizabeth Powers: Japanese knotweed

Herbicides safe? I don't think so. Maybe there is a reason why Japanese knotweed showed up here, given the prevalence of ticks and Lyme disease. Lyme disease is nothing to mess around with. If people were aware that Japanese knotweed is a cure for...

Columnist Karen Gardner: The emperor has no clothes

By KAREN GARDNER

Suddenly it’s September! The weather has cooled into gorgeous, sparkling days that remind us that fall is coming soon. I’ve been thinking about how my relationship to the natural world keeps me from getting too lost in the often-distressing, ever...

Guest columnist Patricia Ramsey: Taliban American style?

By PATRICIA RAMSEY

 Most Americans vilify the Taliban and are horrified at the draconian rules they impose on every resident and organization, and especially their oppression of Afghan women and girls. So why are millions of freedom-loving Americans rushing to vote for...

Helen Symons: Arcadia Folklore Festival needed more coverage

A week ago, Aug. 26 , I was surprised to find in that day’s edition of the Gazette that there was no mention of the Arcadia Folklore Festival held on the previous Saturday in Easthampton. It was such a joyous event that I was surprised that there was...

Lou Downey: Name-calling threatens the public good

In regard to the recent guest column “NIMBY obstruction threatens public good,” [Sept. 6], it is astonishing how supporters of the Jones expansion project react with petulance and name-calling to legitimate arguments against overspending for a space...

Guest columnist Cammie McGovern: Does volunteering make a difference?

By CAMMIE MCGOVERN

 As a startling launch to Hunger Awareness Month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a shocking report on Sept. 4 that 47.4 million Americans currently live with food insecurity, an increase of 16.7 million people since 2021, a spike largely...

Veronica Darmon: Thanks to all who have written truth to power

As a Jew in the past year (especially) I find myself constantly aware of what I say about being Jewish/Israel/Gaza/the current hostage situation. I am also reminded by many — neighbors and friends — that I should “be careful” about how I choose to...

Laura Briggs: We can't securitize our way out of school shootings

The other night, my kid had a nightmare about guns. I bet he wasn’t the only one, in the wake of all the publicity about the Apalachee High School shooting.The New York Times reported afterward that the Georgia school contracted with a private...