Guest columnist Morgan Sheehan: We need community care, not self-care

By MORGAN SHEEHAN

It is not time for a spa day.Self-care. Me time. Wine o’clock. Pants that make your butt look fabulous.None of that is going to help.Robert Putnam tried to warn us in 2000 with his book “Bowling Alone,” early in the crisis of American loneliness, but...

Mary Hall: Circles of empathy

I was privileged to spend some time in Amman, Jordan in the spring of 1991. I had no language and was impaired, but tried to learn as best I could. I encountered a number of Palestinians. At one point I was convinced every cab driver was a Palestinian...

Lawrence Pareles: Democratic governors must protect their residents

Donald Trump’s incoming administration poses a serious threat to Americans’ health, safety and freedoms. His cabinet picks show a total disregard for science, human rights, and competent governance. The work of protecting the vulnerable begins now —...

Guest columnist Darcy Dumont: Bike buses go viral ... why not here?

By DARCY DUMONT

 It may seem odd not to address the expected reversal of progress on climate and what that will mean at home and abroad, but pardon me while I take a breath. My latest thought is to simply to keep moving in a positive direction, doing whatever we can...

Leonard Cohen: Pete Hegseth and the Peter Principle

It’s hard to find a better example of the Peter Principle in action than the pending appointment of Pete Hegseth to be secretary of defense. Despite the fact that he is a Princeton graduate with an impressive record in the National Guard (having...

Paul M. Craig: Holiday traditions elevate human kindness

In today’s sacred freedom of America, there are this month three religious/ethnic celebrations of origin, joy, introspection and devotion. First is the Christian Christmas, then the Jewish Hanukkah begins that evening, while African American Kwanzaa...

Richard Hendrick: Will the silence be deafening … again ?

Soon history may repeat itself with the images of the brown shirts of 1938, and will the silence of that time be repeated? I will not be silent as our immigrants — lawful or so-called unlawful — are rounded up, broken up, herded, and deported and I...

Keith Davis: Listen to the progressive Dems

Gary Michael Tartakov really nailed it in his Nov. 29 guest column, “Dems must truly become the party of the working class.” Progressive Democratic politicians must revolutionize their party or start a new one to counter the authoritarian drift of our...

Cyd Reiman: University Drive rezoning proposal a danger to local businesses

I was saddened and angry by the time I finished reading the Nov. 5 Gazette article regarding the proposal of rezoning the entire stretch of University Drive in Amherst [“Planners consider modifying U-Drive rezoning”]. The focus of rezoning is to build...

Eric Bright: Trump will be seen as status quo

On Dec. 3, 1860, President James Buchanan delivered his State of the Union address justifying the fugitive slave laws, denying the right of the territory of Kansas to abolish slavery, and blaming Northern abolitionist agitators for inciting slave...

Guest columnist Joe Gannon: Hard truths or easy lies after the election

By JOE GANNON

While the shock wears off, again, from our presidential election, it is a suitable time to just take a breath before we decide — that is, lock down — our reaction.And we do decide our reaction. We will throw up our hands, rip out our hair, or just...

Ahmad Esfahani: Ists and isms

Toying around with the English language can be both a fun and formidable enterprise. On the surface, the erudite and studied will argue until they are blue in the face that socialism is different than fascism. Better still, try to bring up comparisons...

Betty Ussach-Schwartz: Are we more permissive or more perverse?

Historically, many an elected legislator, political candidate or prospective cabinet nominee accused of deviance, infidelity or sexual felonies has been held accountable, ostracized or drummed into oblivion. But in this decade voters have disbelieved...

Evelyn Shimel: LGBTQ+ people are not going back

As Republicans continue to roll out Jim Crow laws for transgender people and a gravely disappointing number of Democrats remain silent or capitulate, it is imperative that LGBTQ+ people and allies firmly assert: We are not going back.These attacks on...

Todd Brown: Supporting independent pharmacies and partnerships to serve their communities

In recent years, independent pharmacies in Massachusetts and around the country have closed up shop at alarming rates, leading to pharmacy deserts in too many areas around our state. As the health care system becomes increasingly consolidated, it’s...

Arthur Lustenberger: Time to bring smiles to children’s faces

The Southampton Lions Club has begun its 16th annual Toys For Kids campaign. As in past years, our loyal, normal collection sites are open to walk-in customers. As a reminder, those sites are the Southampton branches of Bank ESB and PNCU, along with...

Columnist J.M. Sorrell: Hard truths and moral apathy

By J.M. SORRELL

Theories abound for why Vice President Kamala Harris lost the presidential race. Here is the good news: The latest Reuters numbers show that Harris got 48.3% of the popular vote while Trump got 49.9%. There was just a 1.6% difference , so this was...

John Ciavarella: Keep Northampton fair, decent, and affordable

These are clearly not placid days in Northampton, which is riven by decisions about spending. The vibe today reminds me of when we were in the midst of the battle to expand the landfill.There was barely disguised contempt some in leadership had then...

David Arbeitman: Be careful what you wish for

One message of Donald Trump’s campaign was “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” Analysts conclude that in spite of current low inflation, low unemployment, and a booming stock market, voters were upset by a 20% increase in the price...