Saturday, March 21, 2026

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

HomeViewpoints

Viewpoints

I WITNESS: Show some guts

Trump’s habit of chickening out has been evident throughout his life.

Bard College President Botstein’s continued leadership is no longer tenable

When someone has held power for nearly half a century, it can become easy to confuse longevity with legitimacy, or position with immunity. But tenure is not a substitute for trust.

Why’d he do it? A chronological rundown of the Trump administration’s explanation for its attacks on Iran

"We heard this attack was defensive in nature," said Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York. "Then Rubio said it was preemptive. Which one is it? Regime change? Nuclear weapons? Missiles? An imminent threat to the homeland? Or a preemptive strike to stop future attacks on the region?"

To those who attended the Lee Greener Gateway Committee’s free Repair Fair, this is why we live in the Berkshires

In these troubled times, it was refreshing to bask awhile in this generous sharing of time, talent, and good will.

PETER MOST: The new Community Preservation Act

A new state designation under the Affordable Homes Act could give Great Barrington voluntary tools to preserve year-round housing for essential workers—but only if voters say yes at Annual Town Meeting.

An empty chair by Section 9 at Tanglewood

Although Lou’s Section 9 chair will be occupied by others in coming seasons, for us who loved him, we will always remember it as the seat of the “Mayor of Tanglewood.”

STEPHEN COHEN: Now that he has admitted he violated the Constitution, it is time to take back our country

Let’s make this easy: We have an admission from the defendant, the president of the United States, that he knowingly violated the Constitution and started a war without the constitutionally mandated approval. He has assumed the powers of a king gladly and knowingly.

The Olympics should be about more than chasing medals

Making your national team should be what it is about—while winning a medal of any color is just icing on the cake.

The digital erosion of childhood

When children spend their formative years staring at glass screens instead of human faces, they miss out on the critical development of mirror neurons, which are responsible for empathy.

I WITNESS: Fate of the union

One could sense the nationwide surge of gratitude as we learned that President Lies-a-Lot had fixed, in record time, everything that had plagued us in the past.

LEONARD QUART: An ever-changing city

Passing in a cab, I can pick up some of the neighborhood’s dynamics looking out of the window.

BRTA’s route changes are premature, poorly planned, and may violate federal law

It feels like BRTA is imploding and its riders are the casualties.

BRIGHT SPOTS: Week of February 25, 2026

Standing up for free speech, for funding Minority-Serving Education Institutions, for democracy, workers’ safety, accountability, and justice.

Infrastructure is the key to equitable housing in the southern Berkshires

A fair and equitable path forward is the thoughtful expansion of public utilities—town sewer, town water, and publicly available gas or district energy—within and adjacent to our existing village centers.

STEPHEN COHEN: The Black Magus

I am always struck by our contradictions—how we interpret, invoke, and discard or simply ignore concepts of morality.

Why Berkshire towns should embrace seasonal communities

Seasonal Communities can be a counterweight to the exact problem of home affordability the unfettered market has created around here.

In the age of Trump, conspiracy theories abound!

Despite everyone, including MAGA, wanting to see the unredacted Epstein files, the White House continues to orchestrate a coverup.