Sunday, November 1, 2026

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JOHN BREASTED: The Great Barrington Selectboard’s credibility gap

Transparency does not require officials to reveal legal strategy. It does require them to tell voters when the town has been sued.

The MAGA debt bomb

We should be taking action to bring the national debt down, not giving away our treasure—and our future—to billionaires and large corporations.

This ‘war’ on Canada is getting serious!

If the Orange One decides to slap a tariff on Bare Naked Lady tickets or, heaven forbid, Bare Naked Lady decides to boycott the U.S. in solidarity with other Canadians, our lives will be far poorer for it.

I WITNESS: Republican legislators are allowing Donald Trump to destroy our country. So are the Democrats.

Here is exactly what the Democratic Party has done, writ large—or perhaps writ small—to oppose the Trump presidency and the Trump agenda: nothing.

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.

CONNECTIONS: We shouldn’t be surprised that we still have to fight for democracy — even after 249 years

I don’t know how we arrived at a place where we thought everyone would support democracy because it was an intellectually superior form of government. All of human history contradicts that notion.

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.

I WITNESS: While we were reeling — with thanks to lovely Rita for putting it on my radar

As many of our best writers and talking heads have reminded us, continually, now is not the time to look away and capitulate.

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.

CONNECTIONS: Hugh Page resigns

Character assassination has no place in the government or politics of Stockbridge.

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.

BRIGHT SPOTS: Week of July 2, 2025

To keep this short, here are a few of the bright spots from this month.

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.