Thursday, November 12, 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.

My obsession with the documentary film genre

We are living in a golden age of documentary film.

CONNECTIONS: Stockbridge, the statistical anomaly

Stockbridge is a statistical anomaly. Stockbridge is an American town that has had just five murders within its boundaries since its inception in 1739, almost 300 years ago.

PETER MOST: Spread the Joy — Great Barrington’s proposed affordable housing fee

“If you want one year of prosperity, grow grain. If you want 10 years of prosperity, grow trees. If you want 100 years of prosperity, grow [affordable and workforce housing].” — Chinese Proverb (modified)

STEPHEN COHEN: Georgia on my mind, waiting for all the shoes to drop

We must not give up on our judicial system, it has been fair in the Trump cases so far, and will hopefully continue to be so.

“The Big Lie” and the jury system

Trump's only argument against his various indictments are that they are witch-hunts designed only to injure him politically.

I WITNESS: Closing the circle, part two — Thelma, Louise, and Xena Warrior Princess

The only thing worse than watching your mother die of cancer is watching her treasured companion trying to fathom where her mother has gone, not understanding that her mother is never coming back.

There is no place like Fairview

Boy did I have it wrong. I assumed the world-famous hospital would provide a better patient experience, while it turns out the real gem has been right here all along.

Marion Stokes recorded 30 years of television

She would expect an ex-president's criminal trials to be televised.

Community Health Centers welcome everyone through their doors

Here’s to building more Community Health Centers across the U.S., until all who need health care can access it, knowing they will be welcomed and served by dedicated professional staff!

CONNECTIONS: For Trump, “right” is whatever it takes to win

As Trump is indicted and awaits trial, he has a playbook based on certain knowledge. He knows he will be found guilty just as he knew he would lose the presidency in 2020. His playbook is predicated on how to overturn results that do not please him.

Tear down this wall!

It is concerning, Twelve Oaks Homeowners Association, that you believe you need protection from the residents of the Brushwood Farm Housing Complex. Ask yourself if your demand would be the same if the proposed housing complex were made up of multimillion-dollar chateaux.

Praise for Carolyn Newberger’s Pillow illustrations

Carolyn Newberger, is extraordinary. Her work stands alone, but when coupled with the performance, is even more so.

LEONARD QUART: Convalescing in New York

It is all utterly mundane, but I am grateful that I can still take pleasure in, even embrace, observing the course of everyday life.

Casa Susanna created community for cross-dressing men

A mid-century Catskills retreat welcomed transgender women, too.

CONNECTIONS: If you are going to study just one constitutional amendment, make it the 14th

We seem to abuse the First Amendment, misunderstand the Second Amendment, and forget about the intervening until the 18th (Prohibition) and the 19th (women’s right to vote). If we study just one, pick the 14th.

School district merger is ‘well-considered recommendation’

I encourage the voters to attend the upcoming informational meetings that will be offered with an open mind. Please check out our website, www.8towns.org which has every report we reviewed, every study and every spreadsheet that we analyzed and investigated.