In the same week that we were gathering the work of local artists for this special Art & Photography issue to kick off 2021, an article in the New York […]
Editorials
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Christmas Yet to Come
With so many holiday traditions curtailed this year, the importance of memory and resilience has grown. And so, as we stay home, put up lights, and decorate the tree (if […]
REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK
It’s Normal to Need Help
When I was a child, my family relied on SNAP at different times, but I was completely oblivious to this fact. We always had good, healthy food available. We purchased […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Too Big to Be Small
The pandemic has raised questions about certain words and what exactly is meant when they are used. Take “small business.” When I think of small businesses, what comes to mind […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Monetizing the Dead
Here at the Independent, we are diverse, age-wise. But we have some old-fashioned ideas. We’re serious about proofreading and fact-checking. We think classified ads are fun. We want our website […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Thanksgiving Song
Everyone must be thinking about the things they will miss this year on Thanksgiving. At our house, it’s a weekend-long gathering of old friends who come here from the city […]
EDITORIAL
A Thick Skin Isn’t Enough
What are the most important attributes to look for in a potential town manager or administrator? Judging from the comments (and reluctance to comment) of recent occupants of those positions […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Get the Story Right
One thing last week’s election revealed is how fond we are of the stories we want to believe. How else to explain the fact that so many voters believe that […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Where the Power Lies
One of our correspondents this week, Michael Spielman, was provoked by my last column to unleash his own set of language beefs, which have him screaming at his TV, he […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Concerning That Word
I’m concerned about the word concerning. Not worried, really; just concerned. People keep using that word, and, as Mandy Patinkin said in The Princess Bride, I do not think it […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Newspapers and Democracy
On Monday the New York Times published a front-page article about “a fast-growing network of nearly 1,300 websites that aim to fill a void left by vanishing local newspapers across […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Policing People’s Words
It was just about a year ago that I suggested that readers of the Independent observe “Writing Thursday,” because we wanted to get more letters to the editor. Sure enough, […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
The Bloody Facts
“If it bleeds, it leads” is an old saw in the news business. Stories of crime and violence sell, and in newsrooms driven by competition for viewers and readers, the […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
The Meetings Are Adjourned, for Now
Now that all four of the Outer Cape towns have held their annual town meetings, gathering outdoors on athletic fields and in a parking lot, maintaining safe distancing and observing […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
A Lot of Life Left
Things go wrong sometimes. That’s always of interest to reporters and editors. We’re tuned to ask what happened and tell the story of how things came apart. It’s good to […]
