American expectations of the Jan. 6 committee
The foundational principle of the American democratic republic is the rule of law. The framers of the Constitution were certain that their new government was based on this principle; they divided power so that...
What to do about so many guns
All the Islanders I know who own guns are highly responsible with and knowledgeable about their firearms. That said, editorial cartoonist Drew Sheneman of the New Jersey Star-Ledger recently reminded his readers of the...
A flag of many colors
The decision by the town of Oak Bluffs to fly the Progress Pride flag this year during the month of June, joining the other towns that have already done this, has special significance to...
The ‘great replacement’ explained
Many people may now be familiar with the “great replacement” theory, universally used by white supremacists such as Payton Gendron, who drove 200 miles on May 14 to shoot 13 people in a Buffalo,...
The future of Roe, the court, and us
Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.’s recently leaked draft opinion overruling Roe v. Wade has amplified the loss of credibility the Supreme Court has suffered as its approval rating erodes. It used to run as...
Act in the present
“The Vineyard Way: Connected to Our Past, Committed to Our Future,” is the theme of a Climate Action Plan being developed by dozens of Island residents through the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.
Next week (May 8...
Russian war crimes
President Biden has called Russian military action in Ukraine war crimes and even declared he held Russian President Vladimir Putin personally responsible. Biden said that in his opinion Putin is a war criminal. He...
Ginni and Clarence Thomas: conflicts of interest
recuse | ri-ˈkyüz transitive verb
to disqualify (oneself) as judge in a particular case; broadly: to remove (oneself) from participation to avoid a conflict of interest. –Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Last December, former Trump White House...
Housing bank — an opportunity for Martha’s Vineyard
At our upcoming town meetings, Islanders will be able to vote on the future of affordable, year-round housing on Martha’s Vineyard. The outcome of these meetings — of the vote for the creation of...
Russia (and Putin) in history
In January, I wrote that I hoped that the Russians and Ukrainians could come to a peaceful settlement that would “guarantee Ukrainian integrity and Russian security interests.” This was not to be.
As Russian forces...
Beyond COVID: A crisis of coalescing epidemics
On an average day, nearly 8,000 people die in the U.S., which is about 300 an hour, or 5 every minute. Many of these deaths can be traced to the multiple epidemics and crises...
Libel and a free press
With its awardwinning reporting staff, The MV Times prides itself on precision. No news publication is, however, above criticism, because some people will always find fault with a story or commentary. Newspapers have long...
Banning books
Chances are you’ve read a banned book. Take, for example, the Bible, the best-selling book of all time, estimated to be between five and seven billion copies, with annual sales of well over $400...
The court after Breyer
Observers have rightly noted that Justice Stephen G. Breyer’s replacement on the Supreme Court will not alter its ideological balance. At 83, he announced his retirement will take effect at the end of the...
Why the crisis in Ukraine matters to us
We must not underestimate the danger of the Russian buildup of some 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border. While Russian President Vladimir Putin claims he does not want to initiate a war to protect...
Revising history, renewing ideas
The new year always brings renewal, as do new historical ideas. Revisionism usually occurs in the academy. But not always. Its most recent manifestations have taken place in public.
Take, for example, updates to the...
My white privilege
“Walt, I think you missed our turn. Weren’t we supposed to turn left back there?”
“Shoot, you’re right. I’ll find a place to turn around.”
“Well, there’s no traffic. Just make a quick U-turn, and we...
Jan. 6, executive privilege, and the rule of law
The Jan. 6 insurrection in Washington, D.C., leaving five dead and more than 140 injured, was an attack not only on a building, but on the United States. It was an assault on American...
More, not less, speech
“If there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the process of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence.”
–Justice Louis D....
Outrage fatigue
Recently a neighbor of mine asked how I was doing. Sighing, I responded, “I think I have COVID fatigue. The months and months of confinement, uncertainty, bad news, and fear have worn me down,...