Commentary
Setting a New Agenda
At about this time last year the Cape Cod Times, our respected daily counterpart across the Sound, laid out an ambitious editorial agenda for the year ahead. It was well-written and thoughtful and the very idea of such a thing was at once impressive and daunting.
This year has been all about change. Change is happening in the United States, from the price of gas to the election of Barack Obama. Change is affecting Americans in both positive and negative ways. Even though our New Year’s resolutions last year included change in America, we all can’t help but worry about how 2009 is going to work out. When Barack Obama was elected, many Americans were excited. They believe Obama is what this country needs. But let’s not put all the pressure on Obama. If we as a country want change, we have to all be willing to work for it.
Headline Makers
Good news is in awfully short supply these days, as a scan of any daily newspaper confirms. People are starting to wonder — is there anything left but bad news?
To that end we perused the Gazette over the last year looking for good news, and happily found plenty of it. And so what follows is a sampler of good cheer to end the old year.
Shellfish and the human species have a long affiliation. For the most part, it has been an unequal relationship with the shellfish providing sustenance, health benefits and ecological services and in return receiving human abuse through over-consumption, over-harvesting and destruction of their habitats. On the positive side, we humans have exalted shellfish in our art and culture and when necessary have implemented restoration efforts if only to maintain shellfish populations for our own well-being.
Pasque for Sale
From the Gazette editions of December, 1933:
RED STOCKING VOLUNTEER
Editors, Vineyard Gazette: