Jack Tulloss: Gun rules or guns rule?

In his 1775 “Common Sense” pamphlet, Thomas Paine observed, “Society in every state is a blessing, but government in its best state is but a necessary evil.” While society propels collaboration toward goal achievement, government is the unfortunate...

My Turn: Small miracles of myth and meaning

By MARGOT FLECK

 My sister has a new passion — dragonflies. She has introduced me to the vast variety and beauty of these predaceous insects who have existed for 300 million years. A retired bio-geography professor, she is forever discovering new birds, fungi, wild...

Jeanne Douillard: Making U.S. election about abortion debate a mistake

I have just read the following Associated Press article published in the Recorder: “Pope: Harris, Trump Against Life,” [Sept. 14]. The AP journalist writes, “Pope Francis advises American Catholics to choose who they think is the ‘lesser evil’ in the...

Noel Gomez: The cost burden of future Democrats

Thank you Joe Biden for letting millions of border busters into our country. For 20 years, we received our Social Security checks on Wednesdays. Now they are scattered all over the month and it makes paying bills harder.I would like to see how much it...

Columnist Daniel Cantor Yalowitz: America — Longing and belonging

By DANIEL CANTOR YALOWITZ

“A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong.” — Brene BrownOnce upon a time, earlier in this century, I was dean of...

Columnist Bill Newman: Can’t we protect our kids?

By BILL NEWMAN

Last week 14-year-old Colt Gray shot and killed two classmates and two teachers at his Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. Colt has been charged with four counts of felony murder and will be tried as an adult.His father, Colin Gray, has been...

L.W. Griswold: Dark money

We look weak, and it looks like we are led by cowards.Do not shoot me, I am a citizen of the U.S. from a military family.Karl Rove, committed treason in front of us all. F.B.I. looks weak, led by cowards. It appears it is OK to be a spy in Washington....

The World Keeps Turning: Unbiased news? No, it’s not a thing.

By ALLEN WOODS

In my first try at college, beginning in 1968, I didn’t major in journalism, or English, but experimented with writing, and read voraciously. A literate friend tutored me in the types and styles of writing, including the period’s passionate debate on...

Guest columnist William Lambers: When the presidential candidates fed starving children

By WILLIAM LAMBERS

 Even amid the intense focus on the presidential election, we cannot forget the plight of starving children in Gaza and other war zones. We cannot let these children in need fall off the news radar. Sadly, they do all too often. As history reminds us,...

Micah Roberts: Main Street dust bowl

While I understand the need to replace the water main below Main Street in Greenfield and the importance of updating the infrastructure of our city, officials have really dropped the ball on this one. By leaving a gravel strip exposed on the westbound...

My Turn: Beyond ethics is what’s right

By PHILIP LUSSIER

As a freshman in college, I took an ethics class. I was a political science major and I thought that it could be an important perspective to add to my suite of knowledge. I notice that an ethics class is not a requirement for that major now and...

My Turn: High court ‘truest threat’ to American democracy

BY DAVID DALEY

 During his 2005 Senate confirmation hearings, John G. Roberts Jr. introduced himself to the American people as the reasonable dad next door, who viewed his role as chief justice through our civic religion of baseball.“I will remember that it’s my job...

David Levandusky: Greenfield first responders top notch

A letter of gratitude long overdue. Our Greenfield community service workers deserve special recognition and appreciation for their outstanding professional service given to me from a car accident I had a couple months ago in Wendy’s parking lot.While...

Nancy Polan: U.S. Forest Service must protect mature and old-growth forests on public lands

A walk into an old forest is a walk into a natural cathedral surrounded by majestic trees and an amazing diversity of life. I am embraced by the cool, dim quietness and filled with wonder and a great sense of peace. We need old forests, not just...

Columnist Judy Wagner: Trees for our future, please

By JUDY WAGNER

I love trees — their shapes; their shade; the varied textures of their barks; the colors of leaves from early budding to fall glory; the soothingly steadfast hues of the evergreens. I love the sounds of wind gently stroking or fiercely lashing...

My Turn: Vaccinations, public health part of Big E

By CHRISTINE HAMP

Who doesn’t love a good combo? Milk and cookies. Peanut butter and jelly. Bacon and eggs.But how about the combination of smart public health strategy with one of the largest agricultural events in the nation? That sounds like an excellent idea to...

My Turn: A peace plan for Israelis, Palestinians

By ELIYHO MATZ

As a young and alert person growing up in Israel, my witnessing of the Israeli-Palestinian brutal conflict and constant hostilities provided my fertile mind with all sorts of dreams and thoughts. From a very early age, I began searching for possible...

Laura Briggs: We can't securitize our way out of school shootings

The other night, my kid had a nightmare about guns. I bet he wasn’t the only one, in the wake of all the publicity about the Apalachee High School shooting.The New York Times reported afterward that the Georgia school contracted with a private...

Steven William Lindsey: Walking the grounds of the old church

I drove down to see the old abolition church, also known as the Zion Korean Church on Main Street last Sunday. The white church is expected to be dismantled by the YMCA next door to make room for the their child care center. The demolition contract...

My Turn: MAGA and secession

By DAVID PARRELLA

 Following the election of 1860, the so-called fire-eaters of the planter class had a problem. Even though Lincoln was not talking about emancipation just yet, the planter class was worried about the value of their investment in the ownership of 4...