My Turn: Twelve Day Iran War — Why it happened and what’s next

By RICHARD FEIN

Last month Israel and the U.S. attacked Iran’s facilities for making nuclear weapons. The war lasted 12 days and ended with a ceasefire orchestrated by President Donald Trump.

Judy Franklin: Massachusetts Medicare For All bills must pass now

We can protect ourselves and our medical providers by passing Massachusetts Medicare For All as proposed in bills S.860 and H.1405. The Healthcare Finance Committee must vote to pass these bills. President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are kicking millions of people off health care. Medicaid, Medicare, and the ACA will be severely cut. Alarmingly, a new model of claim validation uses artificial intelligence. UnitedHealthcare is a notorious example. AI is imprecise and fallible; UnitedHealthcare’s AI denied approximately 33% of valid claims. The new budget mandates using AI to “reduce and recoup improper payments” made by Medicare, with quotas. One in three Massachusetts residents, including half of all children and the disabled, rely on Medicaid (MassHealth), and hundreds of thousands more obtain insurance from the ACA (Health Connector). More than 1.4 million residents are enrolled in Medicare.

As I See It: Why there will be no more elections

By JON HUER

Anxiety is rising among Democrats who believe that Trumpsters don’t intend to give up their power, not now, not tomorrow, not ever, and that, under Donald Trump, there will be no further elections in America. James Carville, the revered Democratic strategist, said recently that it’s likely Trump will “call martial law [and] cancel the midterm elections.” Even ordinary Americans can see that the so-called peaceful transfer of power would be neither peaceful nor transferred in America’s political future.

My Turn: How did empathy become the enemy?

By JOHN PARADIS

I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching to understand what happened to empathy as a common value in our country, a norm by which we respect and treat one another with basic human decency.

Linda Clark: GoFundMe needed for local farmers

I have read with sadness and concern about the many local farmers and growers hit hard by Gardener’s Supply in Hadley filing for bankruptcy. Likely left holding the back after the banks, etc. get their share of what’s left, I wish I had the tech savvy to set up a GoFundMe site to help them. Alas, I do not! I hope someone out there who reads this will make that effort and figure out a way to let us all chip in what we can. We all benefit in so many ways due to what these local growers and farmers do to make this area such a great spot to live — and eat!

Barry De Jasu: Too many Dems choose decorum and just observe disaster

Though there are Democrats, AOC, Bernie, Jasmine Crockett and too few others, who are willing and eager to challenge the obscenity that is the Trump Administration, the Democratic leadership is content to use the path of decorum above all. At this moment Donald Trump and his gang have demonstrated a weak point in their armor: Jefferey Epstein. And yet the leadership does not see this issue as worthy of pursuit. Epstein and his file seem capable of dividing some MAGAs and weakening Trump, but the predictable Dems are willing to let this pass and not make it the big point of obscenity that it is and loudly demand this file. It is past time for a new philosophy and leadership of my party for it is blatantly obvious this old leadership is not up to the very horrific and serious challenge that is Trump and his gang.

My Turn: A glimmer of hope in the abominable budget

By ROB MOIR

The abomination of a budget bill shoved through Congress offers a glimmer of hope for the environment and efforts to fight climate change. The government will cease providing subsidies to solar industry investors. These subsidies made it profitable for investors in Boston to outbid two farming families for a 182-acre farm in Shaftsbury, Vermont, nestled between Hale Mountain and Harrington Cobble on Holy Smoke Road, a road named for its remarkable scenic view. They intend to cover the land with solar panels, generating 20 megawatts.

Jessica Farwell: Perseverance and compassion

I wanted to write in appreciation of the beautiful My Turn by Douglas Mayo (“Overcoming obstacles,” Recorder, July 23). Thank you for sharing your story and journey of perseverance and hope and the ways you continue to live that message and share your wisdom with others. In these horrible times of cruelty from our government against vulnerable individuals, reading inspiring stories of empathy, service and compassion gives me the motivation to keep going and to do what is right. Thank you for reminding us of the humanity inside every human and the importance of recognizing how each person holds value and is deserving of respect.

Roxann Wedegartner: State stingy on bar advocate pay

The state of Massachusetts is lending new meaning to the line from Shakespeare’s history play, Henry VI, Part 2, when it comes to paying bar advocates. Also known as public defenders, these individuals are private attorneys who accept court appointments to represent defendants who cannot afford a lawyer. In Shakespeare’s play, the phrase is, “First, let’s kill all the lawyers.” The state seems to prefer, “First, let’s starve all the lawyers.”

Menda Waters: Missing information on finance director

There is a key piece of information missing from the Recorder’s July 23 story regarding the administrative assistant hired to become the finance director of the Pioneer Valley Regional School District. How much is the district paying the inexperienced “only finalist interviewed,” who has no experience in a similar position, and for whom a mentor will be needed? Since the taxpayers of the district are paying the salary and associated costs, that information belongs in the story.

Ellen Jenkins: The danger of tossing candy at parades

I recently heard of a ban in Greenfield of candies being thrown off parade vehicles to kids. I approve of it wholeheartedly.

Noel Gomez: A salute to good people

I’m not the best letter writer but I have a lot of people to thank.

Robert W. Kubacki: Praise for column on Palestinian-Israeli event

Occasionally a masterpiece of writing is printed on the editorial page of the Recorder. Daniel Cantor Yalowitz’s July 23 column titled, “Challenges and benefits of witnessing testimony” is one such masterpiece. His column eloquently called to mind the visceral and physical experience of more than 150 individuals who recently witnessed a seminal event at Temple Israel of Greenfield. 

Margot Fleck: Hell-bent on proving we’re a short-lived species

As a biology major … though I grant you, many years ago … I know some things remain irrefutable. When the numbers of any animal population exceeds the resources available to sustain a viable existence, or when the population is threatened by a new predator invading their habitat, behavior changes. Radically. Americans are suffering both afflictions.Worldwide, humans have overwhelmed the carrying capacity of the earth. Capitalism’s ethos of greed and individualism has resulted in irreversible global warming, mindless destruction of the forests, soil, and water sources, as well as producing more and more floods, fires and droughts. We seem hell-bent to prove what some scientists have long predicted; we are a short-lived species. And proving it at an increased rate thanks to the insanely regressive policies of a predator, i.e. this administration.Animals under such intense stress inevitably turn on one another. Survival becomes a matter of tooth and claw and no one is exempt from the battle. Mercy ceases to have a name. When I read about the conditions and cruelty in the American-style concentration camps, I thought, Lord, we can never say we didn’t know! The Germans falsely claimed that once but, alas, they watched. And we are watching.Many experience rising fears now that we live in a country unimaginable just six months ago. Compromised justice. A compromised Congress. A complicit Supreme Court. Peaceful protesters tear-gassed and jailed. Growing hunger, and unattended sicknesses. Blatant misogyny. Education at all levels perverted. Knowledgable federal workers fired from countless essential jobs. Brutal ICE raids.I wish I had a hopeful Disney-style conclusion to my words of near despair. As a reverent materialist, however, I must rely on our innate capacity to empathize with one another and our instinct to fight for a return to democracy.

Betty Tegel: Celebrating 35 years of Americans with Disabilities Act

This week we celebrate 35 years of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which includes employment, accessible buildings,school support for disabled and more.

My Turn: Healey’s secretive $360 million to ‘re-imagine’ Framingham prison for women

By LOIS AHRENS

On June 30, just as many of her constituents and legislators were about to begin the July 4 holiday weekend, Gov. Maura Healey announced a massive $360 million plan to “re-imagine” Framingham women’s prison. The only prison for women in the state. Seemingly, she did this with no consultation with legislators who three years ago passed a bill, introduced by state Sen. Jo Comerford, calling for a 5-year moratorium on new jail and prison building. Comerford’s bill was vetoed by then Gov. Charlie Baker. The same bill has been introduced in the current session with wide support. Healey did this despite the fact that dozens of advocacy organizations throughout the state, including the Real Cost of Prisons Project, worked for years to pass the moratorium bill. She did this despite a desperate need for investments in affordable housing.

My Turn: Athol Lions Club celebrates 75th anniversary

By MITCHELL R. GROSKY

The Athol Lions Club recently celebrated its 75th year of service to our community and the nation and world beyond with a delicious dinner and a beautiful program at a Grand Gala celebration at the Williams restaurant in Gardner. There were Lions present with one or two years of experience, many with 10 or 25 years of experience and some with over 50 of experience. There were guests ranging from distinguished members of District 33A, including the District Governor Denise Andrews, to our state Rep. Susannah Whipps, who presented an official citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, congratulating and honoring the Athol Lions Club for its 75 years of service. The program was presided over by Athol Lions Club President Kimberly Emond.

My Turn: Overcoming obstacles

By DOUGLAS MAYO

In 1968 the world I lived in got a bit bigger. It was a time of national conflict set in motion by the calls for change. As a 9-year-old boy, I too struggled and began a personal journey for change that continues to this day.

Marilyn Erickson: Appreciate spotlight on Iran

Carl Doerner’s July 7 My Turn narrative puts Iran’s recent history in a small capsule that most can comprehend [“Casualty Iran,” Recorder]. I’ve recently been watching YouTube documentaries on ancient Persia. Fascinating history. I was in the Peace Corps in Tehran in the late 60s and able to tour most corners of the country and enjoy the beauty of the country and hospitality of the locals without disturbance. The people do not need another Shah or Mullahs. They need democracy and they may get there without interference. Thanks Mr. Doerner for spotlighting Iran.