Editorial: Hope for housing market

Hampshire County houses sold more briskly and at higher prices in 2011 than 2010, and that's a hopeful sign for businesses and residents eager to shake off the sluggish economy of recent years.

But it's disappointing that most of the gains were in houses costing more than $500,000.

Don Robinson: Explosive political developments

ASHFIELD - When he took office, Barack Obama thought that governing on the basis of post-partisan compromise was possible. After all, the main element of his financial rescue package, including the Troubled Asset Relief Program to save failing banks, had been designed during George W. Bush's last months in office; his health care reform package was modeled on then-Gov.

Charlotte Allen: Liberals are maddening

A few years ago Ann Coulter published a book titled "How to Talk to Liberal (If You Must)." With all due respect, Coulter, one of my favorite conservative eye-pokers, was wrong. There is no "how" in talking to a liberal. You can't talk to a liberal, period.

Diana Wagman: Conservatives also maddening

I recently played poker with a bunch of Republicans. My husband and I, both bleeding-heart liberals, are part owners of a cabin in the Sierra outside Fresno, Calif., a very conservative area. The Camp Sierra Association president has an annual poker game, and this year we, the newcomers, were invited.

Student voice, vote needed on Amherst school panel

To the editor:

I was struck that several members of the School Committee voted for a student to fill a the vacated spot on the committee because he said he would not be a candidate for a full term.

Easthampton's new ethics rule a step forward

To the editor:

The Easthampton City Council's new ethics rule states that the city and its representatives shall not condone or tolerate any form of discrimination. Finally, the mayor or councilors can now ask for the resignation of a city official when discrimination-based prejudicial comments are made.

Walter Krzeminski

Easthampton

Affordable housing project in Easthampton overpriced

To the editor:

While affordable housing is very important, the Valley Community Development Corp. offers anything but affordable housing.