Opinions

Editorial: Celebrating Our History

Kathryn G. Menu on Jan 15, 2020
As Sag Harbor Village continues to be a regional epicenter for redevelopment, perhaps now, more than ever, understanding the history of the village — a history that has defined its... more

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Sign the Ban

Pity the poor horseshoe crab. It is, without question, a survivor almost beyond compare. Consider this: There are fossils of the creature dating back 445 million years. Dinosaurs arrived about 200 million to 250 million years ago — which means the time between us and dinosaurs is equal to the time between dinosaurs and the earliest horseshoe crabs. And they’re still here, nearly unchanged. But they finally may have met their match. The American horseshoe crab has “vulnerable” status, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The population faces a whole series of challenges, including sea-level rise, coupled ... 3 Dec 2025 by Editorial Board

Normalized Chaos

Donald Trump did not emerge in a vacuum. He is the product of a long line of teachers, each shaping his instincts, sharpening his worst impulses, and reinforcing a worldview where power matters more than truth, and notoriety is worth more than integrity. His father taught him the basics: that people are assets or liabilities, and that whole communities — particularly Black families — were to be avoided because they were “bad for business.” That worldview didn’t make Trump a racist in the classic sense; it made him a calculator, someone who learned early that prejudice could be profitable. He ... by Staff Writer

Worthy of Debate

The long knives came out in response to my recent letters condemning the violence toward ICE agents doing the hazardous work of finding illegals to screen for deportation. My sense is that the recent ballot success in New Jersey, Virgina and New York City has reawakened a Democrat voice that had been gagging on the Trump agenda and its broad implementation. Steve Crispinelli [“Useless Durak,” Letters, November 6] is perfectly free to defend the woke agenda, defend what he believes is free speech and how successful this first year of Donald Trump’s second term have been, but the name-calling adds ... by Staff Writer

Proud Legacy

I want to extend my deepest thanks to the voters of Southampton for placing your trust in me once again to serve as a Town Trustee. It is an honor I do not take lightly. Every day, I am reminded of how fortunate I am to help steward our extraordinary bays, beaches and waterways — resources that define who we are as a community and connect us to generations of people who cared for this shoreline long before us. I am excited to continue the long, proud legacy of the Trustees as we work to protect water quality, support our ... by Staff Writer

About Priorities

In a recent article about SNAP (Supplemental Assistance Benefits Program) being caught up in the most recent government shutdown [“SNAP Funding Turmoil Hits East End Food Pantries Ahead of Winter Season,” 27east.com, October 30], and the consequences to East End food pantries, Congressman Nick LaLota was quoted to the effect that he would insist that Democrats pass the latest continuing resolution to fund the government to restore SNAP benefits. Some thoughts on Mr. LaLota blaming Democrats: Democrats were reluctant to back the continuing resolution since it didn’t extend Affordable Care Act insurance subsidies, but agreed after Senate Republican leader John ... 1 Dec 2025 by Staff Writer

Position Unchanged

David M. Brodsky’s partisan letter [“Owed Full Truth,” Letters, November 27] is built on incorrect assumptions and ignores key facts about both the Jeffrey Epstein case and my record. First, as a father of three daughters, I voted yes to release the Epstein files because the full network must be exposed, and every victim deserves justice. A discharge petition is one procedural option, but it is not what releases files; only a vote of the House does that. When a bill came to the floor that would force disclosure, I supported it without hesitation. My position did not “change” based ... by Staff Writer

Gold Stars and Dunce Caps

⭐️ : To Cami Hatch, for reminding everyone why learning to swim and lifeguard training are important. The East Hampton graduate, now a University of Tennessee student, has been studying in Italy and was visiting Malta recently when she heard a fellow beachgoer whistling. “That whistle unlocked a new mode in my brain. For lifeguards, when you hear a whistle it means, ‘Heads up — get ready to go,’ as Big John and Johnny Ryan have instilled in us over the years,” she said, shouting out her lifeguard instructors. She dove in and saved a foundering Englishman, who was in ... 26 Nov 2025 by Editorial Board

End the Tyranny

Re: “Sound Familiar?” [Letters, November 6]: Yes, it sounds familiar. I have been giving a lecture called “The Tyranny of Landscaping” for 30 years in over 200 venues across Long Island. The “tyranny” is as follows: First, it’s complete and utter ecosystem destruction. Next comes the turf grass, along with trees and shrubs from other parts of the world that need life support to live here. Next, it’s the pesticides, the water use, the emissions, and then that damned life-ruining noise of the !+@%”*#*^*! “Infernal Gadgets” [Letters, November 13] — leaf blowers! Why? What is wrong with us? Why are ... 24 Nov 2025 by Staff Writer

An American Story

If you, like I, are having a hard time dealing with the ugly spectacle in Washington, D.C., then perhaps you would like to distract yourself with Ken Burns’s documentaries about America. I am loving “The American Revolution.” Wow! I grew up in an extended family that discussed the Constitution and civics on a daily basis. Not so common these days. As a conscientious American, I am having a hard time remaining patient with this insulting government today. I hope you find it interesting to learn how my family came to America. My many times great-grandfather John Conlin, on my mother’s ... 23 Nov 2025 by Staff Writer

Freedom Experiment

There seems to be no end to the rationalizations for excusing the mass invasion of foreign nationals who crossed our borders without any authority to do so. Amy Paradise [“Define the Problem,” Letters, November 20] listed excuses why we should be sympathetic to their plight: economic opportunity; authoritarian, repressive governments; climate change; exposure via the internet to better situations; drug smuggling; U.S. business welcomes their cheap labor; and our historically benevolent history of welcoming them. Each one, it could be argued, serves our better angels, but Americans seem to discount the cost to scrub each case. Many stand on corners, ... 22 Nov 2025 by Staff Writer