Letter: Response to Article on Flag

Letter to the Editor03:10PM / Tuesday, May 21, 2024Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

Re: your recent article about the proposed Progress Pride flag in Williamstown, there are two statements that call for a response.

A well-intentioned interviewee is quoted as saying:

"Some people say it's obvious that Williams is accepting and there's no need [for a flag]," he said. "They also, in the same post, say the flag is divisive and controversial. Well, which is it?" (I assume that "Williams" is meant to be Williamstown. Editor: this error was fixed.)

The answer to this either/or thinking is that it is of course possible that two things are true at the same time. A person or place can be entirely welcoming to all but not be in agreement with the wishes and ideologies of all. That placing the Pride flag on equal footing with the USA flag is controversial, emphatically does not mean that those who oppose this are bigots.

The interviewee goes on to say:

"You can say this isn't about the flag and that it's about flags in general. But I think we all know it's not. Only people who have a problem with this flag are going to make that argument. And it's your right to be upset about [the Progress Pride flag]. But I don't appreciate the veiling."

This is particularly offensive in its ad hominem implication that people who are opposed to the Pride Flag's elevation to a status equal to that of the Stars and Stripes, are veiling an agenda that's biased against what the Pride Flag stands for.

Personally speaking, I dislike it when people presume to read my mind when they haven't an inkling as to my history, my work, and my causes. For 35 years I taught and directed theater at Pittsfield High School in a program known for its diversity. By their own testimony, it was also regarded as one of the safest and most accepting places for members of the LGBTQ community within the school. I even had the temerity to produce "The Rocky Horror Show" — despite objections from some city residents. That production had an enormous impact on the climate of the school.

Actions, not flags. And, honestly, I'd rather look at trees as opposed to any flags.

Ralph Hammann
Williamstown, Mass.

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Letter: We Have Great Political Leaders, Let's Keep 'em

Letter to the Editor03:00PM / Thursday, August 20, 2026

To the Editor:

We are very lucky in Berkshire County. Our political leaders are the envy of voters around the nation and respected by their peers — and because of their experience, knowledge, and seniority they get stuff done for us.

Sen. Ed Markey once again faces a challenger whose entire campaign is founded on age. As WBUR in Boston observed, Moulton is running on age, but what else? Joe Kennedy had the same platform — and Massachusetts voters rejected him.

It seems to me a candidate's age is irrelevant if he's doing the job, and Ed Markey is doing his job — very well, in fact. He's no stranger to the Berkshires, and he's fighting Trump's fascist policies every single day.
He is also the Senate author of the Green New Deal legislation.

Congressman Richie Neal is in a similar fight. I've asked friends who oppose him to name one vote he's taken they disagree with, and they cannot. Remember, the great Nancy Pelosi trusted Richie and made him chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, which benefits us in the Berkshires as well as the nation. Richie is a powerful advocate for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, West-East Rail, and local investment. His opponent would be a back-bencher with zero clout.

The same arguments could — and should — be made for the rest of our Democratic contingent in Boston: Gov. Maura Healey's opponent is likely to be a Boston-centric MAGA billionaire. Do you think he cares about us? Our state Sen. Paul Mark and state Reps. John Barrett, Trish Farley-Bouvier, and Leigh Davis are all tried and true progressive Beacon Hill veterans who also know how to get stuff done. And Tara Jacobs, our representative on the Governor's Council, provides a Berkshire voice on that body that has been absent since the 1950s.

This is a nation on the brink. We have serious problems, and we need serious people to deal with them. Our Democratic contingent is made up of very serious people. That's why they all have my vote. I hope they have yours, too.

Lee Harrison
Williamstown, Mass.

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