Monday, May 21, 2012
AMHERST - Philosopher and novelist Ayn Rand has been much in the news. This is because prominent Republican political figures have been profoundly inspired by her advocacy of the private virtue of selfishness, the public glory of unbridled capitalism and her fierce condemnation of altruism. Among her eminent devotees are presidential aspirant Ron Paul, his son Sen. Rand Paul and U.S. Rep.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
AMHERST - Our language, we've been told and I also believe, is a living thing, a constantly growing and changing venture. Think of it as a garden. Like gardeners, many of us who care about our language often feel strongly about which parts of the enterprise should be regarded as valued perennials and which parts annoying weeds.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
AMHERST - It was a pleasure to visit the office and the printing press of Daily Hampshire Gazette. The frank discussion held with the panel of editors was interesting. However, it was also shrouded in a veil, no less than a mystical veil, of not knowing each other enough, despite a long history of our being allies.
Friday, May 18, 2012
AMHERST - The news report of the May 14 Town Meeting vote against Article 25 oversimplified a complex and productive discussion, as if it were merely a clash of naysayers opposed to change against development-minded progressives.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
NORTHAMPTON - Massachusetts has a reputation as a progressive state, but in the bottle deposit bill arena it has lagged. Only 10 states in the country have bottle bills. Oregon and Vermont were the first to pass theirs, in 1971 and 1972. Maine, Michigan and California followed in 1976, Connecticut in 1978, and New York in 1982.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
SOUTH HADLEY - I write to provide clarification with regard to recent comments ("The Christian value of love," Gazette, May 12) about whether or not Jesus Christ was gay.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
EASTHAMPTON - On May 3 the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce and City Planner Jessica Allan facilitated a roundtable discussion on the permitting process for new businesses. The event was attended by 15 department heads and members of city committees and boards. Members of the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce board and its director, Eric Snyder, also attended.
UMass Sports
VCU joining A-10 in the fall?
High School Sports
Tuesday's postponements, rescheduled dates
NEW! Everything Else
One Tough Mudder
Readuponit
From a Reddit post, a big time screenwriter emerges
Gazetteer
Bruce Watson takes Campaign-English Dictionary project online
Walking the beat
A beautiful Saturday
The Conspicuous Consumer
Standing Room Only? Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down/ Sit down you're blockin' my view...
