My Turn: Little League's mercy rule in a time of war

By ROB OKUN

Let’s start with some basic assumptions: 1) Israel is not Jewish — just as the U.S. is not Christian. 2) Palestine is not Muslim. 3) Hamas perpetrates heinous acts, puts civilian lives in peril, and regularly violates the “rules” of war. 4) Israeli...

Guest Columnist William Lambers: Congress must urgently fund program that feeds infants, mothers

By WILLIAM LAMBERS

President Harry Truman was right when he said “No nation is any healthier than its children.” Congress needs to live up to this standard by fully funding the WIC program that feeds low income mothers and infants throughout America.The Special...

Travis Drury: Heat pump success

In response to the Jan. 7 article on heat pumps, I want to add my experience [“Public slow to warm to heat pumps,” Recorder, Jan. 8]. Overall, air-source heat pump options aren’t that complicated. If you have existing forced hot air ducts, you can...

Ruth Witty: Sexual violence in Israel should be taken seriously

A representative of Traprock Peace center believes the rape of Israeli women did not take place [“Why feminists are silent about Oct. 7,” Recorder, Jan. 10]. Well there are videos showing just this, as well as other barbarous cruelties. They have not...

Susan Haff: Get informed for Deerfield special election

As a Deerfield resident I am writing to thank Police Chief John Paciorek, Public Works Superintendent Kevin Scarborough, and Select Board Member Tim Hilchey for their public presentations concerning Tuesday’s special election. Each person contributed...

Ben Clark: Support Deefield infrastructure on Jan. 16

I saw firsthand the damages to our roadways during the July rainstorms, including watching a section of Lower Road fall away in front of me, taking a car with it. I was involved in the storm recovery efforts through the Deerfield Fire Department and...

Columnist Daniel Cantor Yalowitz: Continuing to build on MLK’s legacy

By DANIEL CANTOR YALOWITZ

“True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Stride Toward Freedom (1958)The wars that rage around the world are not only to be found elsewhere, beyond our soil and nation. Yes,...

My Turn: Wasteful spending in Deerfield 

By SHIRLEY MAJEWSKI

I read the article in the Recorder and am in agreement with resident Charlene Galenski about the raising of assessments in town. And now borrowing $5 million for road repair. The roadwork borrowing of money was voted down, but the town will hold...

As I See It: Where hate burns in America

Dictionaries define “hate” as “intense or passionate dislike for someone or something.” When hate is intensified to a point where it defies death, yours or someone else’s, we might add, it becomes “pure hate.”And the world is full of it. Consider how...

My Turn: Fighting back against library book banners

By BILL NEWMAN

This is scary. The number of books being banned in school libraries is spiraling upwards. Nationwide, for the 2022-2023 school year, PEN America substantiated 3,362 school book bans that targeted 1,557 unique titles. That’s a 33 percent increase from...

Katie Tolles: Don’t let Mideast war divide us

The mission statement of the Interfaith Opportunities Network, an organization 21 faith congregations and campus ministries in the Amherst area, says that we are “seeking to strengthen bonds of mutual respect and understanding.” Along with so many in...

Guest columnists Mark Reynolds and Linda Butler: Energy alternatives will protect Americans from blackouts 

By MARK REYNOLDS and LINDA BUTLER

As we reflect on a year of unprecedented weather events, we must move into the new year embracing a diverse mix of power options to protect Americans from blackouts and climate extremes.While Massachusetts escaped the worst of the U.S. heat waves this...

Tom Tolg: U.S. weapons supply will bring shame

If we, or any other country, knowingly supplied the lethal gas used by the Nazi regime in their concentration, or should I say death camps we would be a most hated, pariah nation. History would be quite unkind to such a nation.But we, America, are...

James A. Lomastro: All quiet on the Mexican border

My wife and I are in Mission, Texas, residing less than a mile from the border on one of our frequent trips to the area. Unlike Eagle Pass, the border area is quiet, almost serene. Much of the area in south Mission, Texas, is wildlife refuges, a state...

Ava Gips: Vote ‘yes’ for Deerfield on Jan. 16

I attended Tuesday’s information session in Deerfield, driving through snow, rain, and sleet to get there. It was worth it! The slideshow photos were eye-opening and frightening, showing the terrible damage to our roads by three separate July storms....

Analee Wulfkuhle: Vote ‘yes’ for Deerfield

Our town officials work on a shoestring. They rely heavily on the expertise and hard work of dedicated volunteers. Crumbling infrastructure isn’t just in Deerfield; it’s a national problem. Our Public Works staff is stretched beyond reason, trying to...

Byron Coley: Move Deerfield forward on Jan. 16

The torrential storms last summer wreaked havoc on Deerfield’s roads and culverts, leading to millions in repair costs.At the public information session on Jan. 9, Select Board Chairwoman Carolyn Shores Ness and Police Chief John Paciorek highlighted...

My Turn: Name That President

By KAREN GARDNER

It’s the “Name That President” game show! And you, our contestants, are here to show your mettle and knowledge by matching the correct president to his statements and accomplishments. What fun!In today’s game, you have a choice between President X and...

Sia Stewart: The benefits of heat pumps

The benefits of heat pumpsI read with interest the article about the challenges facing widespread adoption of heat pumps in Massachusetts (“Heat pumps slow to gain traction,” Recorder, Jan 8). Misinformation about heat-pump technology and flaws in the...

Annette Pfannebecker: Vote ‘yes’ for Deerfield on Jan. 16

Looking at the year ahead in South County, a Recorder article on Dec. 31 pointed out that "much like the weather, the plans for at least two of those towns have changed following July's torrential rainstorms, as Deerfield and Conway are looking toward...