Monday, November 9, 2026

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Viewpoints

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.

Vote ‘Yes’ for single-payer healthcare

Medicare for All will only become law in Massachusetts with a massive grassroots effort by individuals, employers, municipalities, healthcare practitioners, and unions.

CONNECTIONS: Welcome to the machine

We are all going to learn to do it the machine’s way. The machine doesn’t offer the choice to do it your way. Welcome to the 21st century.

PETER MOST: Housatonic Water Works’ depreciating utility

It is rumored that HWW’s owners are seeking as much as $20 million for the company. If true, then HWW’s owners need to curb their enthusiasm.

What I would have said had I been asked about climate change at the recent candidates’ debate

I am committed to preserving the natural beauty and sustainability of our land for future generations, transitioning to a just and equitable clean-energy economy, and ensuring the Berkshires receive their fair share of resources from these initiatives.

Berkshire Democratic Brigades’ recommendations for questions on the Nov. 5 ballot

The Berkshire Democratic Brigades, the county-wide organization of local Democratic Party leaders and activists, has considered the items that voters are asked to weigh in on. We recommend the following votes on the ballot questions.

Caitlyn Jenner deserves the same respect as any other woman

As a man of transgender experience, I can’t help but recoil at Caitlyn’s gender transition being compared to a tragic accident, not to mention under a deadname of all things.

JOHN BREASTED: Kamala Harris, Lady Macbeth, and my 1997 dream

If Kamala Harris is elected on November 5, and if she holds to the three pledges quoted above, she will likely eventually find herself echoing Lady Macbeth.

I WITNESS: A grim fairy tale

Are there parts of this fairytale that remind you of any American politician in particular?

Character, truth, and decency matter in a president

Clearly, a man who lies to people suffering the loss of their homes, possessions, and in some cases livelihood hasn’t a shred of decency and is unfit to sit in the Oval Office.

Arlo, are you with me?

A couple of weeks ago, the Stockbridge Water Department broke up the beaver dam, and even though I used to see them every day in the morning, I haven’t seen the beavers since.

Where was the talk of climate change in the debate between Mitts and Davis?

We shouldn't kid ourselves that Berkshire County will be immune from either the cost of future climate-related events or the reality of paying for current ones.

An opposing view to Patrick White’s letter regarding residential tax exemptions

The residential tax exemption is not a targeted response to this important issue it is purported to be addressing. It will do nothing to make housing more affordable.

PETER MOST: Lies, damn lies, and Housatonic Water Works’ valuation

In HWW management, we have true visionaries who chose an unconventional path to personal prosperity. HWW management said, when no one else would consider thinking it, “let’s run HWW into the ground for profit.”

Democrats oppose corporate hegemony

The GOP has no problem with corporations running roughshod over our democracy.

Lee celebrated Founders Weekend, diverted 90 percent from waste stream

Greener Gateway Committee members' and volunteers’ efforts enabled us to divert 90 percent of the waste generated during the weekend to recycling and composting, the best results ever.

I WITNESS: Clean up on aisle five… and six

I firmly believe that women should be running the show, globally.