Wednesday, July 9, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Letters

Commonwealth unfairly targets Arcadian Shop

After decades of Arcadian Shop renting kayaks at its Lenox location and then bringing them and their renters to the beautiful Stockbridge Bowl to paddle, the state announced a new policy that rentals aren’t allowed to launch from its facility.

Clarification on ‘The impact of the GOP budget bill on Social Security’

As Mr. Perloe says in his letter to The Edge, the SSA statement was misleading. In my opinion, some sections were flat wrong.

A Declaration of Doomsday: “47th” president’s Fourth of July attack on democracy

This is not governance. This is governance against the people.

Freedom fighter John Lewis

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act combat ongoing racial discrimination, establish basic standards for free and fair elections, and expand early voting and mail-in voting options.

The impact of the GOP budget bill on Social Security

According to the non-partisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the Social Security Trust Fund is already in the most precarious position since the 1980s, projected to run out of money within the decade. Trump’s “beautiful” bill puts even more pressure on Social Security.

Fourth of July devastation

Trump was duly elected, especially by many of the people who will now lose their healthcare and die. His Republican Minions of Cruelty have now gone home to their families for weekend cookouts.

Make America America Again

We will either fight for the America of hope and opportunity or we will descend into a maelstrom of chaos and fear.

Tanglewood delivers a different, much-needed vibe

Aside from the incredible blend of rap with an orchestra, I witnessed connection, community, belonging, and diversity. It was a true celebration.

Thomas Jefferson vs. Donald J. Trump, Defendant

Mr. Jefferson’s ideas—and the very foundation of our country—are being challenged by a president who both defies and defiles our 249-year-old founding document in an effort to become our second King.

Why do ordinary people pull a voting booth lever for Republicans?

Rather than having a plan to address illegal immigration by creating a path to citizenship, Republicans are sitting back allowing the Trump/Miller cruelty campaign to continue unabashed, while our workforce is being depleted and we are losing the tax revenue those people provide.

First they came

A cautionary message for our troubled times.

The state legislature must act on EMS crisis

This is not just a rural problem. It’s not just an urban one. It’s a Massachusetts problem.

We need to change the conversation about climate change

At its best, art can change people’s lives — bringing us face to face with difficult truths and complex moral choices.

Inclusiveness only strengthens the superintendent search at Southern Berkshire Regional School District

Our district is facing a pivotal leadership transition. The next superintendent will help shape the tone, culture, and direction of our schools, and the person selected will impact every student, teacher, and family in the district.

Proposed new law to raise the age of sexual consent is too harsh and rigid

I don’t in any way condone sexual relationships between adults and people under the age of 18 whom they supervise, but I think the current draft of Leigh’s bill is an inappropriately harsh response to the phenomenon of such sexual contact, and would be ineffective as a preventive measure.

Those who cross our borders unlawfully do so fully aware of the risk of deportation

President Trump’s resounding 2024 election victory reflects a clear mandate from the American people to uphold immigration laws. 

Why has President Donald Trump not called Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to express his sympathies?

This man’s silence speaks for itself, just as it did after the violence and his silence thereafter on January 6, 2021, and subsequent pardons of the January 6 perpetrators.