Viewpoints

We talk about politics, films, and health, and we never run out of steam. The talk is lively, intelligent, and sometimes illuminating.

Participating in this march is, for me, both a concrete action and a symbolic step. Doing this, I resuscitate a sense of purpose, agency and hope.

“Russia just said,” he tweeted, “unverified report paid for by political opponents is ‘A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE.’ Very unfair!”

In her letter Susan Triolo writes: “The modern Civil Rights Movement truly began when Black soldiers came back from World War II to a country where they still faced vicious racial discrimination.”

There are situations, experiences, people, that ask something of us. How do we respond? Do we act kindly? Aggressively? A lot? A little? Not at all? We always have a choice.

You don't know how lucky you are, boy.

"I could actually run my business and run government at the same time. I don’t like the way that looks, but I would be able to do that if I wanted to," Trump said.

In her letter to the editor, Tela Zasloff of Williamstown writes: “My husband was a World War II veteran, awarded the Purple Heart … We have to keep it up, defending democracy during the next years of the new presidential administration.”

“I am originally from Mexico, but I am not a rapist or a murderer or a thief. I am basically just a nice person. The American Dream can become the American Nightmare in times of intolerance when immigrants and naturalized citizens are made to feel afraid.” -- Eleanor Velez, Director of the Berkshire Community College Multicultural Center

Life is short. You're going to die someday. No longer be on this planet. How do you want to live while you're here? What REALLY matters to you?

Orange Alert, an occasional (perhaps daily, perhaps more than daily, as necessary to keep up) feature, translating the president elect’s pronouncements. Today: Trump embraces Wikileaks.

In her letter to the editor, Mary Hart of Stockbridge writes: "We need to understand that this proposal is about being managed/governed by a shared regional administrator and one regional assistant among three towns."

Before we conquered night, before external screens filled our minds, dreams were the main show in the dark of sleep.

Orange Alert, an occasional (perhaps daily, perhaps more than daily, as necessary to keep up) feature, translating the president elect’s pronouncements. Today: Trump's incessant bullying.

Like a stranger on a train, with whom you sat for a long trip, you see walking away on the platform.

In his letter to the editor Will Conklin writes: “Greenagers has worked since 2009 to engage teens and young adults in meaningful work in environmental conservation, sustainable farming, and natural resource management.”