Opinion

Katherine Hinderliter: Help us in the fight to save right whales

Did you know that one of the most vital parts of our planet is ecosystem engineers? These species are vital to their environments because they help modify and cycle nutrients in a way that promotes growth and biodiversity for all. Without them our planet would be much sparser and out of control, such as what happens when beavers disappear from certain areas. So, what if I told you that one of these important ecosystem engineers is on the verge of extinction, with only 372 individuals remaining in the whole world. The right whale is a baleen whale that migrates throughout our oceans in search of plankton and to have their babies. These whales help the environment by way of nutrient cycling and supporting plankton growth. Throughout their life and beyond they provide nutrients and support for many organisms in our oceans. However, these whales are under massive pressure because of us, they get caught in nets and hit by boats, which has drastically reduced their numbers. But hope isn’t lost, we can still save this beautiful species! Everyone can make a difference in this fight, and we hope that you’ll help us make that difference. Call politicians about this issue and show your support for policies protecting whales, everything helps. With you on our side we can fight for this species and secure their future alongside us for centuries to come.

Kevin Whitney: Community made access to the best emergency care in region possible

Recently, nearly 200 donors, legislators and media representatives toured our Emergency Department (ED) at Cooley Dickinson Hospital (“Cooley’s new ‘front door’ on display,” Gazette, June 7). Our long-awaited project, which is being completed in phases, expands the ED by 40%. It features new equipment, more private rooms and a floor plan designed with patients in mind. Earlier this year, we opened a dedicated space to provide a calm, healing environment for those needing mental and behavioral health support. Additional ambulance bays await our region’s EMS teams as they bring patients to our ED. The new addition opens in July and renovations in the existing ED continue through early 2026. Our ED is open throughout the project.

Local and Green: It’s time for reusable take-out containers

By DARCY DUMONT

Though much could be said about the Trump administration’s retreat from climate action and the disappearance of funding to state and local governments, there is still a lot we can do on a local level without needing any government action or funding.

Gerald Weiss: Genocide by any other word

Ever since Israel began it’s assault in Gaza following the Hamas attack on Oct 7, 2023, the word genocide has been used by supporters of Palestine, human rights activists, and/or detractors of Israel’s government. Supporters of Israel’s actions have decried the use of the word, maintaining that using the word genocide was antisemitic. Now, can there be little doubt what Netanyahu’s government’s plan is for Gaza and the West Bank?

What happens next at our community farm in North Amherst?

By BRUCE COLDHAM

Many North Amherst residents are grieving the loss of our local community farmers — Simple Gifts. As folks drive by the farm, they may wonder what happened and what’s going on now. There is activity which you can see from Pine Street, as a local Hadley farmer is growing organic squash this summer. But the farm store and former-CSA pick up remain closed. The Simple Gifts organic vegetable farm, which worked in partnership with the land trust, the North Amherst Community Farm for 18 years, is no longer in business.

Guest columnist Marietta Pritchard: Talking to Ukraine

By MARIETTA PRITCHARD

We don’t often discuss the war, but one day last week Olesya and I spent a few minutes doing just that. She told me with some pride about the destruction of the bridge to Crimea, which I hadn’t yet heard about. Somehow tons of explosives had been planted there. And this came on the heels of daring drone attacks on Russian air force bases. Many drones were being made by Ukrainians in their homes, she said, using 3-D printers and other easily accessible materials.

Guest columnist Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell: Know your rights when it comes to ICE

By ATTORNEY GENERAL ANDREA JOY CAMPBELL

Over the past few weeks, our office has heard growing concern about immigration enforcement happening across Massachusetts. Families are being separated. Parents are being arrested in front of their kids. People are being pulled out of their cars in broad daylight. Even ICE admits that many of those arrested have not committed any crime.

Columnist Johanna Neumann: Let Americans choose clean energy

It makes no sense to dial back clean energy tax credits for solar and energy-saving tech

Emmett Barcalow: Trump, Harvard and international students

Recently, I had an unexpected trip to the emergency department and a stay in the hospital. Throughout the ordeal, I encountered staff — physicians, nurses, nurses assistants, food deliverers, cleaners — who were competent, compassionate, and kind. They made a difficult experience tolerable and they helped get me back on my feet. I’m thankful for their care.

Guest columnist John Carney: Massachusetts needs its own Medical Aid in Dying legislation

By JOHN CARNEY

Proponents of Death with Dignity legislation in Massachusetts are heartened by positive feedback in the current session of the State House. At the present time, 10 states, and Washington D.C., have laws which allow terminally ill patients the legal option to end their lives with a physician-issued prescription. Massachusetts is not one of those states.

Guest columnist Nancy E. Grossman: A year after UMass’ mass arrests, the damage lingers

By NANCY E. GROSSMAN

In the end, the dispute came down to about 15 tents and a fence loosely constructed of wooden pallets that had collectively been up for less than a day. But this small encampment was enough to trigger an ill-considered decision by first-year UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes that cost taxpayers more than half a million dollars and drove a likely permanent wedge between the administration and some of the UMass community.

Ken Rosenthal: Jones Library closure will change information gathering ways

I have written in these pages that the demolition and rebuilding of Amherst’s Jones Library is based on a design that is already out-of-date. The Covid pandemic changed how we create, store and retrieve information. The number of in-person visitors to the Jones each year has declined from about 325,000 to 175,000.

Teresa Amabile: The day the House turned against America

Shortly after dawn on Thursday, May 22, the Republican-held House of Representatives approved, strictly along party lines and by a single vote, a budget bill that is cruel, anti-democratic, and dangerous for our economy. Every person in this country must be aware of how, exactly, this group of legislators turned against America.

Russ Vernon-Jones: We must resist Trump, but also advocate for transformative change

By RUSS VERNON-JONES

Donald Trump and his minions are deliberately destroying our federal government and the economy, giving control to billionaires and far-right extremists, enriching themselves, waging war on workers, immigrants, and marginalized populations, worsening the climate crisis, stealing our private data, and eliminating government services that have protected our health, safety, and security.

Local and Green: Amherst Board of Health still waiting for waste hauler reform

By DARCY DUMONT

At the May Board of Health meeting, member Premila Nair, requested the board to seek information on the progress of the current waste reduction proposal previously referred and supported by the Board of Health. For nearly four years, the town of Amherst has been circling the issue of waste reform — an issue that affects every resident, our environment, and our collective future. Yet, despite broad community support and repeated calls to action, meaningful progress appears to be stalled. As a member of a community that prides itself on progressive values and environmental stewardship, I believe it’s time to take decisive action.

Ellen Agard: Civil War tablets, gender-neutral bathrooms

In regards to the May 17 article (“Feds strip Jones of $1M grant), I read with dismay that an Amherst resident appealed to DOGE and federal officials to halt funding for the planned Humanities Center. Apparently this resident took exception to the Civil War tablets and gender neutral bathroom aspects of the project. This shows a chilling disregard for the history and people of Amherst. I sincerely hope that the Civil War tablets and exhibit will find their promised home in the new library. The tablets list the names of all 300 or more local residents who fought in the Civil War, regardless of “color.” The exhibit showcases and honors the 54th MA Volunteer Regiment and Calvary. Yes, these soldiers were Black. Yes, there have been people of many ethnic backgrounds in Amherst for hundreds of years — including the Bridges family whose efforts preserve and commemorate this part of our history. I am happy that the library will have climate-controlled space for our famous literary figures. They, too, are an important part of our history, but only a part. As for gender neutral bathrooms, please, this is 2025. We can do better, as I hope that the Jones Library will continue to demonstrate.

Rich and Sue Cairn: Two realities beyond the big lie of the 2020 election

Two huge realities threaten America. Neither threat comes from immigrants. The first is caused by the seizure of our economy and politics by a handful of rich elites in tech, finance, media, real estate and insurance, with devastating impacts on working Americans, immigrants and citizens alike. This DOGE-Trump-led elite hijacked the U.S. government to steal our assets. They fired federal workers and canceled grants, but not to save money. Indeed, DOGE has cost us billions. Instead, their real goal is to destroy governments so that we depend only on them. The Republican Party lost its long-held goals to uphold the law and to empower the little guy, and now seeks only to aid corruption. America is also rapidly losing control over the natural resources that make our economy and our lives possible. This threat comes not from a trade imbalance nor a drop in energy production. It is caused by Trump-MAGA’s sellout to rich elites in oil-gas, mining, tech and chemicals. They shut down federal efforts to protect our air, water and land, endangering our very existence. Climate change is already driving intense new levels of floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires and pollution. It will get worse. It is not hard to find the reality beyond the lies: The Guardian, NPR, AP, New York Times, Washington Post (still), Boston Globe and our own Daily Hampshire Gazette share real news. There are a thousand ways to connect and to help build a just and sustainable future to address these realities.

Guest columnist Donald Joralemon: Factories of leftist ideology?

By DONALD JORALEMON

Among the most unscrupulous lies repeated by the right wing is that universities and colleges are “factories of leftist ideology.” The distortions began decades ago and gained force during the 1960s as American students joined in protests against the Vietnam War and participated in the civil rights movements. In recent years conservatives have focused their attacks on diversity programs, affirmative action and “WOKE” culture to support their assault on institutions of higher education. They have pretended to be outraged by protests against the war in Gaza, claiming that universities have allowed antisemitism to run rampant. The Trump administration’s threats to cut federal research funding in an attempt to extort compliance to its demands for a governmental takeover of universities’ curricula, hiring and admissions policies is the most egregious assault on the independence of universities.

Columnist Dr. David Gottsegen: Good self-care a strong antidote to forces of injustice

By DR. DAVID GOTTSEGEN

I was awakened this morning at 5:30 by thoughts of this administration’s destruction of our health care system, our economy, our democracy, our environment, and our friendships with allies around the world. (Many of those whom I know share these night time/early morning preoccupations.)