Eve Brown-Waite: Look for the helpers

Many of us in western Massachusetts are concerned about what might await us, and those we care about, after Inauguration Day. There is plenty of reason to believe that a firehose of damaging policies will be let loose from day one as the new administration activates their promised agenda. Some of us may be asking, what can we do? How can we be most useful? Does anything we do matter at all?

Tom Tolg: One question

I have a simple question to ask. It is for all readers but especially for those who voted for Donald Trump. It is not meant to be snarky and is asked seriously and in good faith. Please take a minute or two before answering.

My Turn: No tax cuts for billionaires

By RUSS VERNON-JONES

Guest column: Privilege and loss in Pacific Palisades

By JAMIE ROWEN

Roger Sadoski: Two black cats

Unfortunately, I am writing about two abandoned black cats on Hillside Road in South Deerfield near the trailhead for North Sugarloaf. There are only two homes in this area on just a winding road that too many people speed on.

Guest column: Coretta Scott King’s noble idea for MLK Day

By WILLIAM LAMBERS

Columnist Daniel Cantor Yalowitz: The essense of bearing witness

By DANIEL CANTOR YALOWITZ

Most of us awakened this morning with an awareness of the magnitude of this particular day in history. Whether we intended to or not, we have come to and through this day knowing that we are bearing witness to a significant political event (or spectacle) that will impact our lives greatly, whether we like it — or not. Whether we are activated, agitated, or holding any other feelings about today’s inaugural events, our democratic republic moves on (or so we can hope.).

Jack Tulloss: Violence as wallpaper

Here’s a bit of history: Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, the reincarnated incarcerated H. Rap Brown, was a consequential figure of the 1960s Black Liberation Movement and author of one of the most iconic aphorisms to emerge from this period. During a 1967 media interview, Mr. Al-Amin declared, “Violence is a part of America’s culture. It is as American as cherry pie.”

Jay Killough: Opinions and general knowledge

Just wondering if it bothers others that the predominant descriptor for “intelligence” has now become “artificial.” I suppose it shouldn’t be surprising in a time when opinions trump genuine knowledge or understanding. But just a wee suggestion: When waking up to smell the roses, please make sure they’re not plastic; having dust up your nose can be quite off-putting.

My Turn: Loving a country that doesn’t love you back — My story from Syria

By MUSBAH SHAHEEN

The World Keeps Turning: The art of misdirection

By ALLEN WOODS

In 2012, The New Yorker profiled Apollo Robbins, universally accepted as the best pickpocket in the world at the time, but one who always returned what he had stolen, including watches, keys, billfolds, eyeglasses (being worn at the time), coins, cartridges from ballpoint pens, etc., etc. One of his most famous demonstrations was in 2001 when, at the age of 27, he struck up a conversation with Secret Service agents protecting former President Jimmy Carter.

My Turn: How the DNC helped elect Trump twice

By MIK MULLER

There is much speculation these days about how Donald Trump won the presidency, not just once, but twice. In my view, it was with the help of Democratic National Committee.

My Turn: Happy to see Trump win, libs lose badly

By DAVID KEMPF

Guest column: DCR should scrap Shutesbury cutting plans

By LYNNE MAN, NANCY POLAN and DALE LABONTE

Wid Perry: The value of DEI training

The online response to the recorder.com article on the hiring of Angela Campbell as Greenfield Community College’s first-ever vice president of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion was both striking and depressing.

Ferd Wulkan: Fires and climate change

The California fires are truly tragic. Scientists are making it clear that the reason these fires have been so intense is the deadly combination of hurricane force winds (up to 100 mph) and extreme drought (.01 inches of rain since the beginning of October, when the norm would be 4.5 or 5 inches).

My Turn: Kindling hope we can yet evolve

By MARGOT FLECK

Susan Triolo: Envisioning a brighter world

More than 30 groups come together this Saturday, Jan. 18, for a free event called “Our Projects for 2025, Envisioning the World We Want,” at the Second Congregational Church, just off the Greenfield Common.

Donna Dusell: Still time for senior tech support

It has been my pleasure over the past year to coordinate Greenfield Community College’s Cyber Seniors program, providing one-on-one support and technology workshops for senior citizens at sites throughout Franklin County. It has been gratifying to hear from participants regarding how this program has addressed a wide range of needs, from learning basic technology skills to navigating challenging smartphone and computer issues.