Nowhere is the proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” more relevant than on our Island where everyone knows everyone and there’s a strong sense of community that makes you feel that we are all looking out for one another.

Chasing Liberty

From Gazette editions of September, 1986:

CLEAR THE AIR

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

West Tisbury selectman Richard Knabel’s piece in the Vineyard Gazette entitled Those Who Deny Science Are Unfit to Lead [Vineyard Gazette Sept. 2, 2011] seems to have the support of an environmental law firm (nonprofit) in their recent issue of Earthjustice magazine.

Right now as I drive around the Vineyard, I suddenly feel disoriented and for a moment not sure where I am. I experience this unexpected disorientation despite my having belonged to Dukes County Search and Rescue, the U.S. Army, and still a Boy Scout. Sure, I am aging. However, all appears okay with me. Much of what was a familiar landscape appears to be different from what I am accustomed to. After some reflection, I realize that it is the environment around me that has changed. Some leaves have dropped and, in some cases, leaves changed color.

I attended the August 30 town hall meet ing with Cong. Barney Frank at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center and was given the opportunity to ask a question about a comment he made in his opening remarks about the solvency of our Social Security system. His answer left much to be desired, and only served to reinforce my conviction that our elected leaders refuse to admit that Social Security is insolvent, and that drastic steps are needed to repair it.