Back Talk: Weighing in on Boston’s Racism; and a Dumpty Trumpty poem
You Can’t Make an Omelette … Poem and illustration by Mary L. Rice, maryl.rice@yahoo.com Is Boston Super Racist? Readers weigh in on the question posed in a Between the Lines of the same name in the March 30-April 5, 2017. Via Facebook Evan H Gregg: “Beloved Boston?” This is Western Mass, kid. Only people from Boston love Boston around here. — Ben Easton: Well put, man! What grinds my gears is those stupid traffic message signs...
Back Talk: Call out Anti-Semitism and Avoiding Fire Disasters
Tell it Like it Is Editor’s Note: This comment is in response to “Cinemadope: In Plain Site: Stories from overlooked worlds,” March 9-15, 2017, and the author’s statement, “Over the last few months, it has become impossible to ignore the rising tides of xenophobia, racism, and other forms of bigotry and hatred that have suddenly made America a much scarier place …” In the future could you include the word “anti-Semitism”? It...
Back Talk: Music venues, a hero, and weed
Our Hero! Thanks for the Facebook comments left in response to “Don’t Be Afraid to Get Arrested: Longtime Activist Paki Wieland Says Today’s Protesters Aren’t Disturbing Enough People” Jim Sorter: Now we have a new hero who will inspire our lives. Thank you for letting us meet her! Kathleen Daly: ’Bout time someone put this to the page! Ana Thompson: Loved reading about this woman! Pro-Marijuana Groups are Blowing It Many people...
Back Talk: West Mess, readers respond to ‘West Mass’ tourism video
‘West Mass’ Responses on Facebook… We had some questions about the ‘West Mass’ video, an effort by the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts to re-brand the area and attract tourists — and you had some thoughts about this dud, too. Here are some comments left on the Advocate’s website and Facebook page in response to “We Have Questions About That ‘West...
Back Talk: Diversity in Metal? Circus Without Cliche
Diversity in Metal? Comments on WMass Metal: The Valley’s Diverse Scene Rises Again at valleyadvocate.com. Jenna Weingarten: How are you going to write a headline that says “diverse” in it and feature a bunch of white people and men? As someone in a Western Mass punk scene, I can confess WMass isn’t admittedly the most diverse place to be a punk, but there’s more diverse scenes than this crap. Honestly, in this day and age this is...
Back Talk: Love Trumps Hate
Facebook Love Response to “Love Trumps Hate: Transgender women find romance in an insane world,” Feb. 9-15, 2017. Melissa Robinson Ferris: I’ve known Bri since our sons were in grade school together 10 years ago! It’s wonderful to see her looking so well and sounding so happy Caroline Wills: What a great love story for Valentine’s day! Brianna and Amy thank you for sharing your story! The world needs more love stories! Leslie Gray:...
Back Talk: What is Trump Doing in Holyoke?
What is Trump Doing in Holyoke? As a teacher at Holyoke High School, I applaud your positive news piece about the students at Holyoke High School working to bring about more awareness to stop violence in our school community (“Between the Lines: What Do You Expect From Holyoke?” Feb. 2-8, 2017). However, I am perplexed as to why you would insert two paragraphs about Donald Trump into the article, which insinuates that this student...
Back Talk: Heroin coverage doesn’t go far enough; Super Bowl ‘joke’
Heroin Coverage Doesn’t Go Far Enough The reality is no one knows “how to get off heroin,” if that is defined as the final product of a treatment that has proven, predictable efficacy in creating long-term remission from opioid use disorders (“How to Get Off Heroin: An inadequate system takes on an epidemic,” Jan. 12-18, 2017). The obfuscating and confusing title and juxtaposed subtitle of this piece, however, are valid metaphors for...
Back Talk: Cowabungled! and Are we great enough yet?
One Week. Still Alive. My liberal friends are freaking over the prospect of the 45th president. But to be fair and balanced, I’ve decided to give the new president a chance. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. I think I’m going to enjoy the “post-reality era” in American politics. Sure, the things he said during the election seemed scary. But he changed his mind so many times about so many things so fast and so often that we...
Back Talk: More wishes for 2017, Save the EPA!, and King Stork’s inauguration
More Wishes In response to Hunter Styles’ “Between the Lines: Our Wish List for 2017” posted on Facebook. James Moses: “In the meantime, we’re trying to wish Hillary out of the woods and back into her pantsuit. Maybe the Clintons should relocate from Chappaqua to Stockbridge, and she — or he! — should challenge Baker for governor. Why not?” … if you even have to ask, Hunter, have ya really learned so little in the two-plus years...
Backtalk: Cheers to good reporting on charter schools, the environment and fake news
Love for the Advocate Cheers to the Valley Advocate writers and staff for excellence in informative journalism covering topics with both local and universal appeal. Particularly notable in recent months was the “Extra Credit on Question 2 — Follow the Money” article by Hunter Styles that ran under the Between the Lines banner in the Nov. 3 issue. Mr. Styles’ piece brought into focus the out-of-state interests and national debate...
Backtalk: Readers react to Halos and Horns
Halos & Horns Editor’s Note: Some responses to the Advocate’s annual section dedicated to the promoting and pooh-poohing of what went on in the last year. I just want to congratulate you on your latest issue. I found it engaging and on target. Beside the nods to Planned Parenthood, the SPLC, and other things close to my heart, I was heartened to see the Halo for my dear departed friend Ed Vadas, one of our region’s true and...
Back Talk: Not bigoted, just religious?
Hey, Trump: Labor Secretary Should Champion Workers President-elect Trump just selected Andrew Puzder as his nominee for Secretary of Labor. Unfortunately, as the CEO of Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr., Puzder holds a record of opposing the economic agenda demanded by the majority of the American public. On Election Day alone, voters overwhelmingly supported minimum wage raises and paid sick leave in all four states where the issue was on the...
Back Talk: The US Flag and Electoral College
US flag represents truths both inspiring and terrible We write to offer a veterans’ viewpoint different from those dominating the events at Hampshire College in Amherst. We are members of chapter 95, Veterans for Peace, an international veterans’ organization whose mission is to build a culture of peace, expose the true costs of war, and heal the wounds of war. Though we wouldn’t burn the flag, we applaud and support the work of...
Back Talk: Hampshire College Brings Back the Flag
Forced to Fly a Flag? Editor’s Note: This letter is in response to Hampshire College’s recent decision to stop flying the American flag on campus. Shortly after receiving this letter, threats made against students, faculty, and staff were part of a decision at the college to raise Old Glory again on Dec. 2. Our traditional U.S. flag is a great symbol of our country’s history: the start, the wars, the unification of all the states. But...
Back Talk: Time to Unite Under Trump?
Time to Unite? Was Peter Vancini’s Nov. 24-30, 2016 column “Between the Lines: One Nation Under Trump?” the kick in the pants you needed to get over your Clinton funk or the musings of a dreamer? Great thoughts on joining together at Thanksgiving instead of discussing political issues — we should be united, we are the United States of America! — Mike Lamontagne, Turners Falls Congratulations on the subject article. Very...
Back Talk: Fight for Health Care, Feeling Bad for Trump
Enough Disappointment to Go Around I was sorely dismayed by the publication of your editorial as if Hillary Clinton had won (“Between the Lines: What Might Have Been,” Nov. 9-16, 2016). I am a supporter of Mrs. Clinton, but your decision to print the column you’d hoped would be relevant was not what good journalists do. Rather than working hard to write a poignant, meaningful and real column, you chose to fall back on the column you...
Back Talk: Facebook Salutes Trump
Facebook Salutes Trump Editor Kristin Palpini’s lament over Hillary Clinton’s loss to Donald Trump in “Between the Lines: What Might Have Been” drew a bunch of comments: William G. Petrone: Trump won not because people liked Trump but because people did not want the incompetent, crooked wench as President. Kristin Palpini: Just like your statement implies: sexism had nothing to do with it. Joshua David: If Hillary was a...
Back Talk: A Totally Rigged Election and What’s Worse, Hillary or the Flu Shot?
Totally Rigged Thank you, Editor Palpini, for the recent article about the “rigging” of the election (“Between the Lines: Are the Elections Rigged?”, Oct. 27-Nov. 2, 2016). It is indecorous in the extreme for Republicans to stoke the public’s fear of this possibility when they are the party that has done everything in their power both legally — voter ID laws, gerrymandering, etc. — and illegally — voter suppression — to “rig” our...
Back Talk: Vote no on Question 2; Haunted by meat
The low standards of charter schools I couldn’t believe it when I heard from the MTA that charter schools are not required to hire certified teachers, unless English as a Second Language/English Language Learners (ESL/ELL). They don’t even have to hire teachers with bachelors degrees. This was confirmed by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. I’m a retired teacher, and we had to knock ourselves out to keep our...
Lip Bomb: Is This What I Signed Up For? What happens when college isn’t ‘perfect’
Remember applying to college? I’m sure you recall the glossy promotional packets you received in the mail from schools trying to win your application. There was always a picture on the front that looked like this: a group of college age kids sitting in a circle on a lush green lawn, laughing radiantly, with suggestions of academia: notebooks, backpacks strewn around them. This image typifies the promise of the American college...
Back Talk: Charter schools and third party candidates, questions this years election brings
Charter schools hurt larger society Certain institutions should always be public. Social Security, prisons and education are three of them. We dodged a bullet when Bush wanted to privatize Social Security. People realized that the financial industry would be taking 31 percent of their contributions making their retirement benefits small. For a time we had private prisons in the federal system until it was realized that the owners were...
Back Talk: Climate change, pipe-dreams, and kids with weed
Bad Seeds? Kids and Weed Comments left on “Bad Seeds: Will legal recreational weed lead to more stoned students?” at valleyadvocate.com. Paul Hurteau: Ask a politician if they are pro-choice … Wait for their answer and then ask them about marijuana. Ian James: Quit hiding behind the children. Those kids will soon be adults and distrust you for lying about the devil weed. Scare tactics only ruin your credibility. Prohibition is...
Back Talk: Cyclists Beware and Holyoke Charter Schools
Vertical Grates a Danger to Cyclists The last part of my bicycle commute from Greenfield to Gill is the Gill-Montague Bridge. I had been enduring black hole potholes, asphalt that was worn down to dirt, and trucks and cars barrelling within feet of me. My vision of trips on a designated bike trail, with an unclenched jaw and leisurely glances at the river beneath were immediately shattered when I saw that they had installed vertical...
Backtalk: Immigration celebration, saving water, and love for old lesbians
Celebrate Immigration I think the people of Northampton and the whole Pioneer Valley should take the lead and turn the arrival of refugees to our area into a celebration. Our country’s founding principles are based on no discrimination. Instead of fearing these unknown immigrants, let’s let them want to contribute to our community. Instead of greeting them with bigotry, why not present each of them with Statues of Liberty?...
Back Talk: We’re already paying for Trump; Jewish Child Care Association apologizes
In Defense of Robert Moses Lena Groeger says that Robert Moses designed public work projects to exclude and isolate specific groups of people [“Discrimination by Design: From health care to toilets to Snapchat; life is designed to benefit certain people,” Sept. 22-28, 2016]. Maybe he did, but he also gave them fantastic beach parks, amazing parkways and inner city playgrounds. I grew up in Manhattan and enjoyed the beaches in the...
Back Talk: How About Some Decent Health Care Over Here?
Gratitude’s Nice, Affordable Healthcare is Better This past Grandparents Day some grandparents across our nation might get a telephone call or a note from a loved one. It is more important to focus on more crucial issues facing older Americans. Retirement and how to afford it is one critical issue that concerns seniors. Our healthcare costs have soared. A new study by Fidelity says couples need $260,000 in retirement just to pay our...
BackTalk: A New Slogan for Trump, The Clintons by Andrew Loyd Webber
Editorial Art Did you know Cinemadope columnist Jack Brown is also a talented illustrator? See his Trump campaign poster and more Brown art at jackjohnbrown.com. The Rich Get Richer If you ask enough people in our community if they’re able to sustain their families and make ends meet, you’ll quickly find out that too many of my friends and neighbors aren’t getting a fair shake. Even as the economy has turned around, most...
Backtalk: No to GMOs, Right to Roam, and Hot Takes on Pearl Street Nightclub
Avoid GMOs; go organic Farmers have increased their pesticide use on GMO crops three-fold compared to standard conventional use; that’s enough reason to avoid GMOs (“Vermont’s Short-Lived GMO Experiment” Aug. 11-17, 2016). Most GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are “Roundup Ready” meaning the plant is resistant to the pesticide containing glyphosate, its main ingredient. The World Health Organization, and California, have labeled...
Backtalk: Irate over Iraq, Going Green, and Cat Burglars
We’re Back, Iraq Recent headlines announcing more U.S. troops to Iraq made me feel like the character in Bill Murray’s movie Groundhog Day, and with good reason … The politicians in Washington have been duped into believing that more violence will solve the problem — but it has not. The current political campaign reveals that neither candidate is capable of achieving a solution. The people of our country stopped a viciously violent...
Touch his hair, get an autograph or a selfie? Florence man’s Trump options
When staunch Bernie Sanders supporter Miles Chilson received Donald Trump’s “Empire” cologne as a joke from a Hartsbrook School classmate last year, he had no idea that gift would become the winning ticket to his national stage performance. Or that the Trump campaign would use him in its ads. Chilson, of Florence, chose to attend a Trump event after meeting Sanders during a January rally at University of Massachusetts Amherst. “Being...
Back Talk: Inspired by Erykah, Disgusted by Gerena
Inspired I am truly inspired by Erykah’s courage (“In Her Own Words: Incarcerated in a Greenfield men’s correctional facility, Erykah Carter documents her transition”). Even as painstaking as it must of been. The feelings of being scared, or accepted by not just your family and friends, but society in general can be terrifying , people can be cruel. Most people claim to be “non-judgmental, ” but the truth is...
Back Talk: Why not deport criminals? Mourning So Many
Why Not Deport Criminals? The following is in reference to the article, “Between the Lines: Report a Crime, Risk Deportation” June 9-15, 2016. Why is it a bad thing to deport people who are here illegally who have committed not one, but two crimes? I’m not versed in this matter and am truly curious. Your article says that the person suspected of being here illegally would have to be arrested and be a “high priority” for ICE...
In Her Own Words: Incarcerated in a Greenfield men’s correctional facility, she documents her transition
Editor’s Note: In October Erykah Carter will walk out of the Franklin County Jail and take her first free steps — ever. “To be able to say my name, my name is Erykah Carter, it means the world to me, it makes me feel right,” says Carter during our interview in the jail’s library. Carter is serving a two-and-a-half year prison sentence on a breaking and entering conviction stemming from two break-ins on the same night at two...
Back Talk: Mental for Basemental
Mental for Basemental I’ve been a reader of the Advocate for many years and I just wanted to say that I have really been appreciating Will Meyer’s Basemental column over the last several weeks. I’ve been to some of these basements and DIY venues he’s writing about, and it is really good to see this side of the local music scene covered — usually ignored by the IHEG/Signature Sounds powers that be. I met Will at...