A new generation of commentators are remaking art criticism in their image. On Saturday, September 21, at 1 p.m., Guild Hall hosts “Art Criticism: The Next Generation” with Tiffany Bradley.... more
I was surprised to find out that the Betsy Ross flag is not an official flag of the United States. The case for the Betsy Ross flag’s legitimacy is one of inter-meshing legends — and it begins in Bridgehampton. Bridgehampton had a militia in 1775. John Hulbert, its leader, recruited 68 men. Congress ordered him to escort the British prisoners taken in the Battle of Fort Ticonderoga to Philadelphia, the Continental capital. Hulbert found himself in Philadelphia in late October or early November 1775. Hulbert’s flag had 13 six-pointed stars in a blue field, six stripes deep, in a diamond ...
8 Dec 2025 by Staff Writer
It would seem that Ed Surgan was somewhat taken aback by the dazzling array of letters from his neighbors castigating his views on the current administration, his acceptance of the methods being used to deport immigrants, and his need to regularly pontificate on his perception of Herr Trump’s brilliance [“Worthy of Debate,” Letters, December 4]. Because he (Surgan) is not exactly a stupid person, and has the ability to string together sentences that might be perceived as those of an educated man, despite their actual content and meaning, he condescends to preach to us as though we were all silly ...
by Staff Writer
Yes, Virginia, there is a “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” You need only peruse the episodic incidents in print of Ed Surgan to verify and isolate its local outbreak [“Worthy of Debate,” Letters, December 4]. To be clear, Virginia, you need not be afraid. The general public is immune to the disease, and likely to remain so. Luckily, as it turns out, as no vaccine will be made available for the next three years, when it is anticipated it will die out. A healthy diet of facts, memory, logic, skepticism, civility, and the ability to reason and think for yourself, along with ...
by Staff Writer
I wrote the Office of Civil Rights in February 2025. During the time when I was to meet with an investigator, present evidence and see what could be done, a snag happened. President Donald Trump’s administration began letting go individuals, some relocated, and soon after closed the New York office and many others that March. I never got my meeting. Now the administration seems to see the errors of its ways and is essentially begging for workers, who are taking legal action to fight for their jobs, to come back to the OCR office on a “temporary” basis due to ...
by Staff Writer
Yes, we have a nitrogen problem in our waterways that is devastating the ecosystem we all depend on [“The Nitrogen Threat,” Suffolk Closeup, Opinion, December 4]. Blame it on farmers, blame it on food, when farmers add less nitrogen to groundwater than lawns do. Blame it on cesspools, which do, in fact, add to the problem. But before we continue debating the new septic tanks for years on end — ripping up soil and plants, exposing soil with heavy machinery, and only for those who can afford them — let’s talk about the unnecessary over-fertilization of the ever-present, over-abundant, environment-destroying ...
by Staff Writer
Once again, we find ourselves in a battle against overdevelopment [“Three Mile Harbor Road Employer-Owned Workforce Housing Proposal Falters,” 27east.com, December 5]. It boggles my mind that anyone can conceive of approving this proposal. The very reason we live out here is because of the area’s bucolic charm. Is it really worth it to destroy 200-plus-year-old farmland for some ugly, unnecessary condo project? To further burden our already fragile ecosystem and water supply? To create even more congestion, when we are choking already? Surely we can see that the benefit to the many outweighs the profits for a few? How ...
by Staff Writer
This unfortunate Afghani accused in the attack on National Guard members in Washington, D.C.: Did they check him for PTSD and brain damage from being near explosions? These are proving to be real issues that lead to impulsive and destructive behavior. If we the invaders recognize this in ourselves, how much worse is it for people who are trying to directly defend themselves and their families … and to deal with the destruction of their country? The lack of empathy is incomprehensible. We will now forbid entry to any from “third world” countries. Guess where the greatest possible economic and ...
by Staff Writer
It’s a good thing that Congressman Nick LaLota wasn’t conducting a town hall when he penned “Position Unchanged” [Letters, December 4] claiming that he was always all for releasing the Epstein files. Otherwise, it might have been hard to keep a straight face while stating, “It is wrong to claim that President Donald Trump has resisted transparency.” LaLota did, in fact, vote “yes” on a bill to force the Justice Department to release the files — but that was after he declined to join other lawmakers in the discharge petition that forced the vote. LaLota also reportedly remained concerned that ...
by Staff Writer
First, I want to thank Congressman Nick LaLota for taking the time to respond to my letter published on November 27 [“Position Unchanged,” Letters, December 4]. Second, the congressman characterizes my letter as “partisan,” but I didn’t criticize him because he is Republican. It was only because the congressman felt it necessary to find out something about me that he regarded as negative that my political donations found their way into the congressman’s reply. I remain concerned with the following irrefutable facts: The congressman did not sign the discharge petition, without which the vote on the floor of the House ...
by Staff Writer
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Annette Hinkle on Sep 15, 2019