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LENOX VOTES TODAY, PLANET COHOSTS “COLONIALS CORNER” on WTBR 89.7 FM TODAY; plus “THE DISCONNECT,” or “Erin, Go Braless.”

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BY DAN VALENTI

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, May 9, 2011) — Decision Day in Lenox today, as voters go to the polls. Incumbents Kim Flynn and John McNinch are facing challengers David Roche and Eric Vincelette for two seats on the select board. The Planet has endorsed Roche and Vincelette.

We will point out that endorsements are not predictions. Our endorsements point to the candidates we fell will do the best job for voters. That does not always include the popular choice. Thus, we don’t endorse to “help” any candidate. We endorse to offer a qualified opinion to those who will go to the polls.

Polls in Lenoxology open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

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THE PLANET ON THE AIR

Join The Planet as he sits in with Chad Cooper for “Colonials Corner with Chap Cooper and Dan Valenti, this morning, from 8:30-9:30 a.m.  on WTBR FM, The Brace, 89.7 FM. This will be our third show with Chad, and we will cohost throughout the summer and into the playoffs.


On today’s show: We talk about the Colonials’ tryout camp, held this weekend at Beloved Wahconah Park as well as welcome C’s pitching coach, former Major Leaguer Chad Peronto, who last year led the Pawtucket Red Sox (AAA) in appearances.

“Colonials Corner with Chap Cooper and Dan Valenti” is presented each Monday morning beginning at 8:30 a.m. and runs the hour.

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GROWING UP IN AMERICA: THE DISCONNECT

How large is the disconnect among young people between perception and reality? A ponderous gap, and it grows wider every day. We recommend a study to prove a hypothesis The Planet has on this disconnect. We have noticed it in contradictory speech:

Recently, in response to an assignment, one of my students, a 20-year-old woman, said: “I don’t believe in ‘The American Dream.’”

PROF. VALENTI: And what does that mean, specifically?

STUDENT: I believe in my dream, MYSELF, that’s all. Doing whatever I want whenever I want with anyone I want.

PROF. VALENTI: And you don’t feel any obligation beyond that?

STUDENT: Like, um, why should I?

PROF. VALENTI: Do you think you Could you act this waY in Saudia Arabia? Egypt? Or Poland, for that matter.

STUDENT: (PUZZLED LOOK) Uh, no? (she wasn’t sure what the question meant and so responded with a statement in the form of a question)

PROF. VALENTI: You are correct. No, you couldn’t. But in America, you can adopt this selfish attitude, which you mistake for freedom. Freedom is not license.

STUDENT: (ANOTHER PUZZLED LOOK) Well, isn’t that why America was founded? On freedom and liberty. …

PROF. VALENTI: And opportunity?

STUDENT: Yes.

PROF. VALENTI: Yes, what?

STUDENT: Opportunity.

PROF. VALENTI: By “opportunity” do you mean, the prototypical ‘American Dream.’ Each having a chance to pursue the life they want?

STUDENT: Yes.

PROF. VALENTI: So you believe in The American Dream for your life?

STUDENT: Oh. Yes.

‘Gee, Prof. Valenti, I Can’t Figure Out Why I Didn’t Get the Job’ or

The Clothes Make the Boy, Don’t They?

You can also see it in the disconnect between actions and behavior. Another student, a young man of 20-21, dresses with what he calls “The Look” —  tilted baseball cap, stickers still under the brim, bill completely straight; T-shirt over a sweatshirt, each silk-screened with indecipherable words that resemble graffiti, holes (of course), and in need of washing; black pants that are 10 sizes too large; chains dangling from the side; brand new $150 Nikes, not tied but with laces straight across like barring. Tattoos and body piercing complete the look.

The professor asks him about his summer plans. He says his parents have told him to find work so he can help them pay for his tuition. We ask if he’s applied for work. Yes, he says. He hasn’t received an offer (not even as a cashier). Then comes the key exchange.

PROF. VALENTI: Did you dress up for the interview?

KID: No.

PROF. VALENTI: Why not?

KID: That’s phony. That’s not me.

PROF. VALENTI: So you went there dressed as you are now?

KID: Yes? I’m not a hypocrite.

PROF. VALENTI: It’s not being hypocritical to dress according to the situation.

I ask if interviewers have brought up his appearance. He says nothing. He means yes. I explain that he’s starting out in the workplace. He’s not the CEO. He’s not the owner. He’s on the bottom rung. He’s got to pay some dues.

He needs to understand you can’t walk into society and expect to be taken seriously dressed this way. The boy then goes into a speech about the unfairness of it all. The professor asks if the boy can see a connection between his dress and adults’ perceptions of him, particularly adults who might entrust to him the responsibilities of a job. He keep saying it’s unfair. He cannot put himself into any other perspective. The disconnect.

We suspect the disconnect is the result of living virtual lives, controlled by screens and programmable to their level of immaturity and selfishness.

SLUTS OF THE WORLD, UNITE.

YOU’VE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT YOUR BRA STRAPS

This weekend, a group of equally discombobulated young women, Sluts, made the statement that they should be able to dress in bras and miniskirts, go club hopping, drink all the alcohol they want, and still have young, horny men — who have since the beginning of time been interested in a lot of things from young women but with one of them things atop the list — respect them.

Yes means yes, and No means no.

Of course, they are technically correct, in the abstract. But dating and getting together, flash against flesh, is not done in the abstract. Sex cascades over these younguns like titillating tsunamis. Sex saturates their popular entertainment. If infects their smart phones. They are walking adult book stores.

These young people need a serious lesson in the real world. If you say you don’t believe in the American Dream, you can’t say in the same conversation, a minute later, that you do believe in it and have your statement taken seriously. You can’t dress like a gangsta rapper and expect to get hired as a cashier. Likewise, you can’t dress in your undies, stick your boobs in a young man’s face, act like your “easy,” then complain you’re being treated like a sex object and absolve yourself from any consequences of your ill-chosen action.

Even Sluts must take responsibility for what happens to them.

Thus, we present this story of The Disconncent, an AP account of a ‘Slutwalk,’ here in the Commonwealth.

Mass. advocates join ‘Slutwalk’ crusade with march

By Associated Press |   Saturday, May 7, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com |  Local Coverage

Photo by Chitose Suzuki

Chanting “We love sluts!” and holding signs like “Jesus loves sluts,” approximately 2,000 protesters marched Saturday around the Boston Common as the city officially became the latest to join an international series of protests known as “SlutWalks.”

The protest movement, sparked by a Toronto police officer’s remark that women could avoid being raped by not dressing like “sluts,” came to Boston after advocates saw similar events – largely organized through Facebook and Twitter – pop up in Canada, England and other parts of the U.S.

“We wanted to do something to show our support,” said Siobhan Connors, 20, of Lynn, Mass., a Boston organizer. “We originally planned for a small event and expected about 30 people.”

But by the time the march began Saturday, about 2,000 people – some dressed in lingerie with the words “slut” written across their stomachs – were in attendance.

In January, a Toronto police officer told a group of university students that women should avoid dressing like “sluts” to avoid being raped. He later apologized. The officer who made the comments, Constable Michael Sanguinetti, was disciplined but remained on duty, said Toronto police spokesman Mark Pugash.

However, advocates in Toronto held a “SlutWalk” to protest the officer’s remarks and to highlight what they saw as problems in blaming sexual assault victims. Since then, SlutWalks, organized mainly through social media, have been held in Dallas, Asheville, N.C., and Ottawa, Ontario. Organizers say the events also were held to bring attention to “slut-shaming,” or shaming women for being sexual, and the treatment of sexual assault victims.

“I had watched the Toronto walk happen from afar,” said Jaclyn Friedman, author of “Yes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power and a World Without Rape” and resident of Medford, Mass. “When I heard it was coming to Boston I just emailed the organizers and said, ’How can I help?’”

Organizers invited Friedman to speak.

Vanessa White, 33, of Somerville, Mass., also heard about the event through Facebook and showed up for the Boston event dressed in a pink jacket and fishnet stockings.

“For me … it’s an attempt to reclaim the word ’slut’ itself,” said White. “Because once you reclaim it, you take the power away from it.”

Before the march, a small group of counter protesters, wearing colorful cowboy hats with feathers and holding a boom box that played hip-hop and 1970s funk, walked around the gathering. Dubbed the “PimpWalk,” organizer Samuel Bilowski, 23, of Salem, N.H., said his group wanted to “get some numbers” and talk to attractive women.

“This is a pathetic attempt at a joke,” admitted Bilowski. “We’re just having fun.”

Still, White and a group of other advocates surrounded Bilowski and his group and yelled the word “slut” repeatedly. Others verbally attacked Bilowski for glorifying violence against women.

Bilowski’s group eventually joined the SlutWalk march around the Common.

Following Boston, SlutWalk marches are planned in cities including Seattle; New York; Chicago; Philadelphia; Reno, Nev.; and Austin, Texas.

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INCIDENTALLY, THE PLANET BELIEVE THE TORONTO POLICE OFFICER WAS WISE IN HIS JUDGMENT AND CORRECT IN HIS OBSERVATION. POLITICAL CORRECTNESS DEMANDED THAT HE BE PUNISHED, BUT THAT’S THE WAY OF IT TODAY.

GIRLS, WE’LL PUT IT TO YOU THIS WAY: IF YOU DRESS LIKE A SLUT AND ACT LIKE ONE, DO YOU THINK YOU INCREASE OR DECREASE YOUR CHANCE OF GAINING RESPECT FROM BOYS?

What do you think, readers. Are “Sluts” removed from the consequences of their actions? Was the Toronto police giving good advice or did he deserve reprimand? Let The Planet and our readers know.

———————————-

We leave you know, with bras and kisses for all.

“Open the window, Aunt Millie.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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GMHeller
GMHeller
12 years ago

Mr. Valente:
In re: Eric J. Vincelette,
Here are the links to MassLandRecords.com (it helps to open the Web site in a separate browser window before clicking on these links):

BAC Home Loans Servicing, LP vs Eric J. Vincelette (Foreclosure on property at 98 Plunkett Street in Lenox):
http://www.masslandrecords.com/malr/controller?commandflag=searchByNameID&optflag=ImageSearchCommand&county=ma003&userid=null&userCategory=7&filename=&server=&namespace=&filePath=&instrumentnumber=803643&docId=5855418&ptrno=5855418&officeid=70&zoomprop=100&year=2011&convtype=2&volume=04744&volpage=124

Kim
Kim
12 years ago

In regards to everything…

I think that if more people believed in the Law of Attraction, or even knew what it was about, this world would be a happier, more balanced place. If more people based their actions on their “feelings”, insead of their thoughts, the world would be a more harmonious, peaceful place.

With that in mind, I want to know if anyone noticed the trees on North Street? No? That’s because they have been cut down. Those wonderful flower boxes on the sidewalk, infront of Chapters, and on that whole block and the block before, are empty! I took part in the cleaning up of North Street on May 6, and could not believe my eyes as I saw stump after stump. When the event was over, and awards were being presented, one of which went to my team, thank you very much, we asked about planting flowers in those boxes. We were told to wait because those boxes were being taken out for new ones to be put in. I am so amazed at the willingness to replace things that are perfectly fine, I just had to say something here, and I hope that I will get to express my disappointment in this at tonights City Hall Meeting. So, in a nut shell, they have perfectly beautiful flower boxes. They HAD healthy trees, but I guess the city and the taxpayers have SO MUCH EXTRA MONEY, we can afford to replace and fix things that don’t need to be fixed. I would love to know how much the “flower box project” is costing our citizens?

The people making these decisions need to step outside of their BUBBLE, and see what’s going on. With the elderly not being able to afford their medications, to the point where they are skipping doses of insulin, and cutting pills in half to make them last longer, only making them more ill, you would think that replacing flower boxes that dont need replacing would not be priority. Speaking of priorities, it seems the city doesn’t even have a list of priorities. I’m not into politics, but this has really made me see how our tax money is being used. No wonder taxes went up! Between the misquito issue, and this flower box thing, I think some things should change. Sorry to be so long winded, and totally off the original subjects, I’m just outraged! If “real” people could make the list of priorities, then “real” changes could be made. And by the way, the local bats will be in danger if city goes through with their “control” plan. Let nature take it’s course. The last thing we need is more chemicals sprayed into the air. Come on!

Joetaxpayer
Joetaxpayer
Reply to  Kim
12 years ago

Kim must agree with you.Almost every mid sized town in the Commonwealth have latched on to the pork called downtown streetcsape.Period lighting new sidewalks brickpavers and other useless items.There are far more pressing needs for these funds.But the politicians need to bring home the pork to get re-elected.

Guy N
Guy N
12 years ago

Dan You are the true “phoney Bastard”. You endorse a canidate who can’t even get his own fiscal house in order. The only reason youve given him your endorsment is because he bloggs on your site. Whose one of the “Good Olde Boys” now Dan? Ya Phoney Bastard!

NFM
NFM
Reply to  Guy N
12 years ago

Guy has got a point. It’s hard to vote for a person that is 1) endorsed by a friend/friend of the family when that relationship has not had the appropriate disclaimers (it makes you both look very shady), and is 2) struggling to keep their house.

(the name of the candidate is not listed because you’d probably remove the post, and the post is not about that candidate so much as it is about you dirtying up the reputation of an already dirty candidate).

fan Dan Go
fan Dan Go
Reply to  NFM
12 years ago

You people make me laugh you are just jealous of the planet and his influence on public life, you phoney bastards, especially Guy n, and I wonder it is the Guy n who’se always got a sourpuss and blasts everything and hates everybody and ran for mayor like the joke that he was? THAT Guy n.? Okay, that explains it then

fan Dan Go
fan Dan Go
Reply to  fan Dan Go
12 years ago

The Planet rules!!!!!!!!

guy N
guy N
Reply to  fan Dan Go
12 years ago

I ran for city council.

John
John
12 years ago

I guess Planet was hoping the fruit was from the same tree.

NFM
NFM
Reply to  John
12 years ago

I don’t know the tree, but the fruit is a nut…

Ed
Ed
12 years ago

Dan: Speaking of endorsed candidates. What is the status of he secret super candidate for ward-7, whom you alluded to in earlier posts ? The one with the Edgar Allen Poe cryptic connection. As it stands Mafuccio is unopposed.

Guy N
Guy N
Reply to  Ed
12 years ago

Good point Ed! I bet its Joe Guzzo. Just what we need another councilor wanna be whose ego can’t fit in a room!

Jim Gleasen
Jim Gleasen
Reply to  Guy N
12 years ago

Well not just his ego, have you seen the size of Joe Guzzo? He will appease you by mowing his yard bare-chested. I almost called the Forrest Rangers. All voters have to remember about Guzzo is (well actually two things), the first was when he lost the election, when asked if he would help Maffuccio to transition in , Guzzo said “No.” Second, remember Guzzo was one of the amigos who killed what would have been the new ballpark in Pittsfield. Could you imagine the quality of baseball that would have attracted (Class A or AA MLB). Now we are stuck with has beens and never will be’s. Oh, they did name the flooded parking lot at Wahconah Park after Guzzo, it’s called “Lake Guzzo.”

Ed
Ed
Reply to  Jim Gleasen
12 years ago

Now that Jimmy Ruberto has resigned, the defacto mayor should successively be Uncle Gerry and if he turns it down; Peter , without being elected. Dan, you called it. Where will Jimmy land ?

Dusty
Dusty
Reply to  Jim Gleasen
12 years ago

Are you serious??/ Tickets into the Eagle ball field would have cost $25 and the civic authority would have destroyed Pittsfield before Ruberto got his chance to do it. I would not trust anything the Eagle or City Hall had any part of and a joint venture with both is scary as hell. This ball park was voted down for good reason Jim. Waconah is for true fans. True fans don’t need stuffed seats.

Jim Gleasen
Jim Gleasen
Reply to  Dusty
12 years ago

Dusty, are you kidding? Wahconah Park at Lake Guzzo, is just a bigger high school quality field. I mean sun delays in baseball in the year 2011, really? I do agree that the Rob-u-too administration would have destroyed the ball park by now. But back in the day, the city had a real chance to have a multi-use facility, which could have attracted quality baseball, college football games (Williams), and overall good sporting events. But to quote “Delusions of Granger,” Wahconah Park is a “shit hole.”

Joetaxpayer
Joetaxpayer
Reply to  Dusty
12 years ago

Everyone has a opinion about Wahconah Park.But the facts are it is the only professional park in the city.There is not a new multi-purpose staduim,and there was never going to be AA baseball in Pittsfield that ship has long sailed.So you can either embrace what we have or be a bitter and miss out on a good thing.

GMHeller
GMHeller
Reply to  Jim Gleasen
12 years ago

Hogwash, Wahconah Park is the best thing that ever happened to Pittsfield.
The ONLY reason to go to ballgames in Pittsfield is Wahconah Park.
Baseball at Wahconah is REAL baseball — as it was meant to be savored.

Guy N
Guy N
12 years ago

Joe Guzzo never met a camera he didn’t love to look at!!

Jim Gleasen
Jim Gleasen
Reply to  Guy N
12 years ago

Nor a sandwhich either.

John
John
12 years ago

Off Topic, but was outgoing Health Commisioner Jim WILUSZ on board with the mosquito debOTCHEL, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS DOWN THE DRAIN?

Joetaxpayer
Joetaxpayer
Reply to  John
12 years ago

Think the all knowing city council approved this without getting the health dept. approval,big hurry as usual.

Allen
Allen
Reply to  Joetaxpayer
12 years ago

Actually I saw that meeting and Mr. Wilusz was in support of the mosquito program.

John
John
12 years ago

@ Guy N… Why not give the Planet a chance to splain himself on this, why the nasty nature? Do we want to be cast back to topix and have no forum. Yeah he might have or have not made a mistake on Mr. Vincelette, but look at the bionic radio b s artiste and the burned out beagle, what would you rather choose as your forum.

John
John
12 years ago

If Vincellete wins, Planet looks like a fool, if Vincelette loses, Planet looks like a phoney. Lets give the Planet a mulligan on this one, nobody is perfect.

andie
andie
12 years ago

I am glad Dan Valenti is teacher to these clueless young adults. Plant the seeds, Dan, plant the seeds!

GMHeller
GMHeller
12 years ago

Mr. Valenti:
In Re: Eric Vincelette
The problem appears to be, in the words of a Lenoxological source, “This guy sits on the Finance Committee. Can’t run his own finances.”

So it begs the question just why did The Planet endorse Mr. Vincelette, or was The Planet unaware that, like all good Liberal Lefties, Mr. Vincelette apparently knows how to spend money just not how to pay for the stuff he buys?
SEE:
http://www.townoflenox.com/Public_Documents/LenoxMA_BComm/finance

Guy N
Guy N
Reply to  GMHeller
12 years ago

Just curious its 9:30pm has anyone heard from Dan? Why not ? Is he a phony Bastard? Get a life People! Dan is only for himself !

matt noyes
matt noyes
Reply to  GMHeller
12 years ago

That was my point last week when Valenti grilled Roche over a bankrupcy from 20 years ago that Roche was already out of. Meanwhile his guy had serious financial difficulties. Dan claims he didn’t know about them but many think he did. Loved his disclaimer today saying an endorsement wasn’t a prediction of outcome to cover hiss rear. Sounds more like the BB everyday…

Dee
Dee
12 years ago

Dan – I feel you missed the boat on the slut-walk. While I find today’s fashion lacking in many areas from both young men and women, the point of the walk was to reinforce that rape is not condoned in any way/shape/form regardless of what one wears. To continually blame women for dressing “like a slut” is deragatory and demeaning at best. What is considered slutty? If I go out in a skirt above the knee, heels and a fitted top, is that considered slutty? And, if I’m unlucky enough to be attacked, would it then be my fault? I’m not talking about a skirt up to my vajayjay, or a blouse exposing my non-existent cleavage or FM heels. I’m talking about attractive, fitted clothes. Some may think an above-the-knee skirt is slutty. A fitted top is slutty. Heels are slutty. Who decides?

Rape is about power and dominance, not about sexual attractiveness, desire or arousal. Just curious, do you think that the 90 year-old woman raped in her apartment is being provokative? What about the mentally challenged young lady – is she asking for it because her blouse is unbuttoned? How about the businesswoman leaving her office after hours in the dark?

A woman should be able to dress as she sees fit. Will it demand respect if she dresses like a slut – nope. But by the same token she shouldn’t have to worry about being violated because she has poor taste in fashion.

Luxor Rex
Luxor Rex
12 years ago

gnats like Guy N are so obviously jeaolus of valenti tht its not even funny. Valenti is a doer, isn’t afraid to offer his views, backs up his opinions, and is an honorable man. And see where his endorsement of Roche won roche a seat!!!! Glad for Lenoxology. Glad for Dave Roche, another good man
@ Dee well the point is that when a women DOEs dress in a skirt up to here you know what and shes falling out of the top of her blouse and wearing FM heels & she’s flirting and coming on, what do you think guys want? rape is never condoned but the poitn of th article is that you don’t give it the green light as these clueless young people are doing .

guy N
guy N
Reply to  Luxor Rex
12 years ago

Im not jealous just sick of Dan’s phoney trabble. Dan should be more of a adult and not stoop to being a big baby if he doen’t get his way!

just saying
just saying
12 years ago

@ Kim

“Act on your feelings, not your thoughts”- now there is a statement that explains the state of this nation. This thinking is why we live in welfare state and are in the most serious financial crisis that this country has ever experienced.
Well thought out analysis should be the basis of any actions. Rational thought/action leads to completed goals. Acting on “feelings” is not rational and leads to defeat.
There is a prevalent mindstate in this country that people should act on notions of some feeling they have, that if I feel it, I should act, reason be damned. That mentality has led us to financial ruin.
Perhaps a more Randian approach to thinking could make the individual take some positive actions to influence their state in life.
As far as your other statements about the trees and flowerpots, I don’t know the reason behind their removal, so I have no opinion on that. My post is intended to address only the feelings vs. Thought statement.

GMHeller
GMHeller
Reply to  just saying
12 years ago

@ Kim,
In Re:
“Act on your feelings, not your thoughts”
When guys do that on Wall Street they lose money;
when women do that, they make a fortune.
Go figure.

Kim
Kim
12 years ago

Thank you for your opinion. But, you have the feeling, then the thought. I didn’t make the rule. That’s the way it is. You know, “go with your gut”, everyone wishes they had, and that was their first feeling. If people trusted themselves enough to go with their gut, they would be right. The Law of Attraction works even if you don’t believe in it. Be well.

Kim
Kim
12 years ago

Thank you for your opinion. But, you have the feeling, then the thought. I didn’t make the rule. That’s the way it is. You know, “go with your gut”, everyone wishes they had, and that was their first feeling. If people trusted themselves, and went with their gut, they would be right. The Law of Attraction works even if you don’t believe in it. Be well.