O, BLISS AND GEORGEOSITY: ELECTION DAY IS OVER … YOUR EXPLANATIONS, PLEASE, THEN WE ARE DONE WITH IT
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY NOV. 7, 2018) — Let us all call twilight hours down from the good Lord’s throne. Election Day is ovah! That means all those blighty lawn signs and other campaign-related flotsam can join hands with George Jetsam and make its way with Astro’s steaming logs to the nearest vibrant and dynamic Tyler Street garbage can.
Goodbye campaign, for a while at least. Some candidates won seats, others lost in this zero-sum game. Of course, it’s always — ALWAYS — the general public that loses these dumbed-down days, when mercenaries are beckoned to public offices that decent people have the good sense to shun. Ah, politics. Ah, humanity.
THE PLANET leaves it up to you, our readers, to provide comment upon the hysteric proceedings of yesterday. Meanwhile, we shall tend to the hives at our farm in Essex. The honey is loaded, and the various grades of jeweled amber await assorted destinations of tea cups and soothed throats.
We welcome all wise guys, pundits, insiders, and anyone who had a race in this dog to furnish us the whys and hows of Nov. 6 and the assorted local and national outcomes. The questions on the local ballot are in play as well.
Happy analyses. We’re going to go play.
——————————————————————————————————————
“One thing a person cannot do, no matter how rigorous his analysis or heroic his imagination, is to draw up a list of things that would never occur to him” — Economist Thomas Schelling.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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The house will be democratically controlled and the senate will be controlled by the republicans. This changes the dynamics considerably. Look for subpoenas to be flying all over the place and trump will be a under the microscope for every dirty trick he has ever committed. Look for Mueller to send his report to the house and for them to move quickly against scump quickly. Look for the house to investigate the non FBI investigation of the KavaScumps fiasco and to start impeachment proceedings against scump for OJ and collusion with Russians. Its all down hill for scump now and his demise will be swift and complete. Bye Byebscump and good ridance.
House first business is to get scump tax returns. Now that ways and means committee has dem head. Pelosi just announced that we will get scumps returns or to court scump goes. Scump is in huge trouble. No more hiding for scump.
Bye, bye. Just sayin. Any questions?
President Trump isn’t going anywhere. President Trump won in all of the places he needed to win. It bodes well for his next presidential run. If they try to impeach President Trump, the blue trickle will become a blue droplet. President Trump is extremely popular with many in this country as these extremely tight races are showing. Typically the opposing party wins by wide margins in midterms. Not this time.
Art – You have discredited yourself. You profess to care about nothing but the truth, yet you ignored lies by the candidate you supported and copious evidence of something being seriously amiss at Williams College.
And just to bring you back to reality, Trump won tonight. The blue wave turned into a blue riffle.
Rather than trying to impeach or otherwise denigrate Trump, I hope the Democratsand the newly minted house put all the political vat of crap and reprisals on the back burner, let the investigations play out as they will and get busy getting some shit done. Stuff we can all agree on like i frastructure, bridge repair, etc. If we’ve learned anything from the past 2 years it is that the Republicans are MUCH more adept at spinning awful news and flat out lies to their advantage. If Dems continue to try to engage in a crotch kicking contest they will look bad, and repeatedly geg kicked in the crotch. Get stuff done for the people and come up with some ideas that make it worth voting for you beyond that you’re not Trump!
President Donald J. Trump is The Best President Ever!
Long Live Republicans!
Long Live Russian/American Friendship!
Reports from around Pittsfield indicate that Barry Clairmont spent his day fighting with Caccaviello supporters at the polls. What a sad man.
I guess that’s right, I delivered food to both sides and even went to the package store to deliver scotch to one of Caccs biggest supporter when he requested it. I’m such a horrible person. I’m such a horrible person. I hang my head low in shame.
Tyer people: 2
Bianchi people: 0
People should know when they’re conquered!!
Good luck, DA-elect Andrea Harrington.
One could preceive I fought with people. I asked them if they wanted a sandwich or water. If they said no, before I left the poll, I asked a second time if they were sure they didn’t want something.
I’ve been caught. I’ll never do that again.
I apologize for my behavior.
How many asked for water yesterday?
That’s funny!!!
Clairmont finally found his niche as a waterboy. He’ll most likely be a waterboy for Half Wit Harrington.
Chris P.
Now you’re just trying to hard. Stop while you’re behind. You’re just embarrassing yourself. It’s cringe-worthy.
Now now crispy, no need to be insulting. Just because you side lost doesn’t mean you shouldn’t support the winner. We need to come together as a community and heal.
Peace, unity, H20 and sandfloats.
Don’t be ashamed! The scotch was just what I needed. Thank you Barry!
You are welcome, Mark, I was happy to do it.
Let’s have one soon and we can compare war stories.
Hope you will be with Linda next year. Did you see the press release that taxes are going down, first time in 25 years.
I just read the article. You were right, last night, I am surprised and shocked. I really never thought it possible. I hope we are still getting the Sabic personal property tax windfall, we deserve it.
Reply to Barry Clairmonth:
You should run for Mayor of Pittsfield, instead of sitting home.
We Do want you to be our Mayor.
All you need is run and become One!
Gotta love election year politics!
I don’t know why you think I sit home. I have a very successful Public Accounting practice that I work very hard in year round.
No time or desire to Mayor at this point in my life. Or, probably ever for that matter.
What brand of Scotch?
Finally, we get down to IMPORTANT items. There’s a magnus of difference between Phil Englebart Scotch and Johnny Walker Blue.
Dan, I don’t know anything about Scotch. Store clerk said Jonny Walker black was the best they had in nips. So that is what I bought.
BARRY
JW Black is an excellent choice. The JW Blue can’t be had in nips and goes for $275 a bottle (although I got one for $215 at Nejaimes in Stockbridge … my “frequent flier” discount. On another note, congratulations on your part in Andrea’s win. You guys ran an excellent campaign, strategically.
Another sad day for Berkshire County. There are so many lately. Charlie Baker won. That is great. The liberal media in Massachusetts called the race for Liz Warren after only 3% of the vote came in. Talk about corruption in this state. She didn’t win by as big of a margin as I thought she would though. People who are not rich are definitely sick of Lizzie. Lizzie’s wealthy friends helped her to win.
Thank God Question 1 was defeated.
Pat,you believe that reporting news is a liberal act.Then the more I thought about it you a correct.
It wasn’t a blue wave. More like a blue trickle. Great that the Republicans are keeping the Senate!!!!
Ted Cruz wins!!!!
Lizzie Warren wants to run for president and we can only hope she does since the rest of the country is NOT impressed with her.
Maxine Walters can now get Trumps taxes.This can not be made up.Trump has been wanting to show the American people and now he can.
There is no law that says any President and any presidential candidate must release his tax returns. What don’t you fools understand about this so called “issue”?
Harrington outcampaigned Cacc, was better organized, and Cacc never really went after her or put enough into the campaign, either the primary or the general. He should have ran as an independant. The me too movement / womens vote also helped Harrington. Best wishes to the new DA, and the current employees of the DA’s office. She could offer Cacc the first assistants job but I don’t see it happening. There won’t be a single new case coming out the old Williams college reports. Drug dealers that get caught will get a free pass if its the first time caught as long as they claim addiction. People can steal all the money from a business, or break into your home, and get a free pass. Shootings will go down because the DA’s community engagement will cause crime to be predicted before it happens.
Can’t wait to see how this new marriage between Bowler and Harrington works out.
Question one made less sense than having a law mandating certain numbers of cops and firemen based on population. It deserved to go down.
And now a man can use the women’s room if he feels like it.
Nationally, the big blue wave never came ashore. Like em or not, Trump camaigned real hard, and people love to go to his rallies and wait hours to do so.
God Bless America!
God help us all. Number three actually passed?!? Again, only in Massachusetts. Of course Harrington will be given a chance, but we need an honest media that will tell the truth about the crime numbers here in Berkshire County when they go up even more than they are if that should happen. This area isn’t known for telling the truth to its citizens. That’s how they keep political control of this area.
What does that mean, that “of course Harrington will be given a chance”? She is the DA for the next four years. She won, you and Caccaviello lost, don’t pretend you are in a position to “give” anything.
Please Cicero. The District Attorney position isn’t about lording it over the public. God help us if that is what the District Attorney’s office turns into under Ms. Harrington. In fact the District Attorney is rarely seen by the public as they are so busy working. Now maybe Ms. Harrington will farm out all of the work and be available for public interaction, but that is NOT typically how the District Attorney position operates. They are not supposed to be like a politician out there in the limelight.
Sister,
You make a very good point between Harrington and Bowler. Remember, the DA’s office controls the homicide investigations throughout the county. DA Downing used to let Pittsfield handle their own, as long as he was kept abreast, but DA Capeless changed that and made sure his office (i.e.-State Police Detectives) were always included in all Pittsfield homicides as well.
What’s the point of all that? The Sheriff, by Laws of the Commonwealth, is legally mandated to house prisoners sentenced to BCHC. Sheriff Bowler has worked his way into assisting with all major crimes in Pittsfield, including homicide. That’s not his job. He shouldn’t be there. You never saw the former sheriff at major crime scenes, not involving the jail or one of his employees.
I believe (new) DA Harrington is going to bench Sheriff Bowler back to the jail. Is this wrong of her to do? No, Tom Bowler elected to give that up to make more money and be the county sheriff. His expertise will be missed, but I fear more what an experienced defense attorney like Lenny Cohen or Tim Shugrue, will do to a DA-backed ADA with as much experience as Harrington has. Which is basically as much as I have: ZERO.
This is the time to commit a crime in the Berkshires. A weak, progressive DA, to enforce the laws. Just curious to those Harrington supporters, how is that philosophy working out in Chicago or Detroit? Homicide and violent crimes are down in progressive areas, correct?
Excellent repertoire Kate. And you are correct that crime will escalate. Programs will be set up to fail, like drug treatment,bennies from the government to pay and keep these criminals afloat,housing, food,treatment. Harrington is only keeping the current wave of social behavior in place, only it will expand. Criminals knowing they will get a slap on the wrist and all the help from taxpayers they need, is the time like you said , to be a criminal .The Mayor started all this when she hired a former felon to work for the city. Wait until someone shoots someone breaking into their home or car, what will Mrs. Harrington domthen
I really don’t see how crime in Pittsfield can geg any worse! I mean, if the big Cacc had a positive record to run on he might’ve won but he didn’t even have an incumbent advantage.
His biggest mistake was the Capeless that never went away. It took him down.
The “…big Cacc…” didn’t have $100,000 of Boston Democrat money to spend the last two weeks like AH.
Imagine how many votes that $100K bought and paid for?
If I get called to jury duty should I put that I believe that the new DA is a moron?
It’s worth a try!
I pulled a like stunt as potential juror this past summer by telling a Northern Berkshire District Court judge that I had serious problems with Capeless’s office (and I did).
Not to any surprise – I was excused from duty. The ADA trying the case just smirked and walked away.
Hardly a stunt. Expressing bias against the defendant or prosecution will knock you off the jury. What’s the boast?
The entire district court structure around here is a ‘stunt”.
If you desire a daily dose of ‘junk justice’, then Berkshire district courts will surely satisfy that thirst.
And Harrington might fare well in our local courts. I can imagine all three clerk/magistrates bending over backwards to please her Queendom’s ADAs.
Hopefully Agostini is as tough on Harrington’s people as he’s been with Cacc’s. People’s freedom and reputations are at stake!!
God bless our snake pit!!
After four years Harrington will be replaced due health reasons. The voters will be sick of her.
As I said weeks ago, Caccaviello could have accepted the primary results, transitioned into private life and perhaps saved his reputation. Instead he addressed the Williams College rape issue in such a way that he is now forever joined at the hip with the evil David Capeless. Caccaviello decided to make clear that he was equally indifferent to the numbers coming out of Williams, and issue a number of pointed lies in the process by way of defending his office’s behavior.
Bad move, Caccaviello. Your dim supporters argued that this whole issue was just political smoke to win an election. And you believed them, even with your inside knowledge. So you bent the truth and disgraced yourself in the process.
Pathetic. You have no character and deserved to lose.
Will you finally just go away or are you going to demand a recount?
I told those clowns to stay clear of Harrington, Capeless, and the Williams College issue. So what’s their plan after they tossed me under their bus: go after Harrington, put Capeless front and center on WAMC, and resurrect the Williams issue two weeks before voting day.
And they were stupid enough to believe Harrington would debate Cacc. As I said to one committee member (only one talking to me at the time), why on earth would she ever debate a write-in candidate; especially after a primary season filled with multiple debate and having defeated Cacc? What a waste!!
They failed mostly because they didn’t listen to logic and sound reasoning. When I asked Cacc at our first meeting (mid-September) if he would investigate sexual assault claims (in his role as DA), then unveil a data-driven, visual presentation at a live press conference, he merely shrugged it off as minimal. Some mindless bozos went so far thinking the issue had fissiled out during the primary. Sure!!
And then there’s Bianchi’s beautiful wife out campaigning for Pocahontas while a committee is being assembled. All the while ignoring obvious long-term consequences as Pocahontas publicly supporting Harrington; she did eventually.
You really can’t make this stupid bullshit up!!!
Now Cacc’s Calvary is blaming me for yesterday’s loss?
People should know when they’re conquered.
Harrington is the dog that caught a car. This should be entertaining.
Who will run the office when she grabs a chair? Will it be every man and woman for him/herself? That would be interesting!
If Trumps tax returns are legit Pat should have no trouble with them being released. It will be nice to see that he has done everything legally so all his detractors will shut the hell up. Right Pat?
There were people that felt strongly that Harrington s lack of experience was a huge problem going forward.This Rookie DA is going to address the public soon to inform people of her new plan to put dangerous people in prison and victims of addictions in treatment.Just be sure you really get dangerous criminals in jail
Every Democrat who voted against Kavanaugh was voted out.
NBC, CBS, and ABC spent less than 45 seconds covering the great economy. 88% of the time by the liberal media was spent Trump bashing. Despite this, the blue wave turns into a blue PUDDLE. Americans have wised up to the liberal bias of our media.
Pat, it is not a “great” economy. Stock market is doing great due to companies buying back their stock and jobless numbers are indeed down. So if you are invested in the market things look great, but do not confuse the stock market with the economy. The vast and ever growing Republican deficit from the giant tax cuts for the wealthy are like the giant bear lurking just outside the door.
I have a better job. The economy has improved for myself and many others. Thank you President Trump!!!!
Must be a very good job Pat that lets you sit in front of a computer and spew your nonsense here all day.
Sir, you know not of what you speak. Or you lie. Or you’re brainwashed. By every measure the economy is incredible. You wander off from being wrong to possibly making some sort of prediction, and I will allow for you to do so. And I won’t be interested enough in your prediction to remember it tomorrow. But for today, it’s just astounding that anyone can be so defined by the party they vote for that they can’t admit that the economy is doing well. When you’re that blatantly partisan it discredits everything else you say.
Mr. G, you’re just being a parrot. What companies are you speaking about?
“S&P 500 companies rewarded shareholders with $384 billion worth of buybacks during the first half of 2018, according to a Goldman Sachs report published Friday. That
big bonanza for Wall Street
is up 48% from last year and reflects
spiking profitability
thanks to corporate tax cuts”
Oh…and there’s this: The Congressional Budget Office forecasts the current year deficit to reach $973 billion and surpass the $1 trillion mark in fiscal 2020
Look, I am heavily invested in the stock market. I’m benefitting like mad. But what % of Americans have money in stocks?
Better than half do
Even with having the house, the Democrats do NOT have a mandate to do anything against President Trump which is all we have heard for the last 6 months by the liberal media.
Hehe hehe
I don’t hate to say it, but I told you so.
Suck it up losers!
Pat I am sure you have no trouble with the new congress taking a peek at Trumps tax returns right? I mean, they are all legit and everything…right?
As I said earlier, there is no law that says he must release his tax returns. So, how are you going to “force” him to?
Let’s hope the knew congress can get my food stamps back, and my smokes, need my smokes.
Walmart is hiring, get out of bed and get a job.
The prez has nothing to hide,they will be available.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
the fight is over let the change begin…as we’ve seen with the current Mayor things are going great in this sad little impoverished, liberal city –
Congratulations !! Andrea .. The problem with AH is she believed her own BS The problem with PC is he didn’t believe his own BS but the votes are counted and we had our say. Arlos quote after losing, ” It’s just an election, they have them every year. “
Unfortunatley Ron, now we have the four year a thon..including Mayor. Just sayin….
Trump Fox News propaganda media organization is real.Fox watchers can now just relax into your chairs and listen to your Trump bedtime stories and without guilt fall asleep .
Fair and balanced article from I Berkshires on history of the campaigns.
https://www.iberkshires.com/story/58671/The-Twists-and-Turns-of-the-District-Attorney-s-Race.html
It just occurred to me Judge Fredric Rutberg from the Berkshire Eagle was right !
Right about what?
Nockers weren’t enough.
She’s gonna buy herself a pair of knockers?
Pelosi kicked scumps but last night. That is not fake news. Having controlled the entire govt. For the past two years scump and the republicans have accomplished nothing for the American people except division and fear. The total lie count for scump is 6439. The democratically controlled house will start to look at each of these lies and start exposing them so that even the misinformed scump disciples who swear by his lies will see them for what they are outright Lies. Look for things to get significantly better under house control because lies will not be tolerated as they have for the past two years by the republicans. Things in govt. will be much better under the dems. That’s not fake news. Anything will be better other than than lies and deciet by Scump. He is now a very lame duck and rightfully so.
Trump being dictator at press conference. This is the most vile man on the planet.
Be a good little clown and go change Ginsberg ‘s diaper. Trump will be replacing her soon.
Bryer’s ready for the home too. Bye, bye see you at the nursing home Ruth and Steven. You two have fun with your coloring books Trump will find real judges to replace you.
Hopefully Dan will have a spicy new column to detract from the OCD that has consumed this column for a month. Obsessive Compulsive. Over and over. The subjects have been beaten to death…..
yes Spa girl, we beat it to death, as well we should have, all things considered, and yes we are moving onas Dan Da Man made clear.
To no one’s surprise, democrats claimed 26 seats that were in Clinton’s districts. They lost several senate seats, so the executive office can confirm judges without fear of damaging exposed republicans in Democrat states. Imagine Kavanaugh’s confirmation without waiting on Alaskan and Maine senators.
Total bill: 1 billion dollars, plus everyone has the hideous visage of a leering prematurely grey haired clown forever tattooed in their minds. Now, the Democratic Party owns responsibility for everything that they will not accomplish for the next two years. I can’t feel the urge to celebrate.
Good use of money?I
Surprised by Harrington ‘s win. Interesting news all around. I wish the prosecutors and clerks working there the best of luck. They will need extra backup copies of forms.
I wonder how many ADA’s will quit?
How many will be let go?
How many will be willing to work under Dohoney?
How many will be able to tolerate having Krol there?
Will Rinaldo DelGalo be in that office?
Anyone who currently works in that office knows volumes more than Bad hair Harrington.
What will become of the non lawyers who work in that office.
All this will be amusing for the public but my heart goes out to all those who currently work in the DA’s office
Also, do the state cops who work there have option of transferring out? Probably a good move for them if they can.
Sad to see anyone cheerlead for the implosion of the DA’s office.
Only your first two questions are legitimate and worthy of a response.
How many ADA’s will quit? Not many. Unlike you, the majority are probably very civic minded. Most did not get heavily involved in Caccaviello’s campaign. And it’s not like Pittsfield is loaded with opportunity for former prosecutors.
How many will be let go? Again, probably not many. And I’m sure anyone who’s let go will be let go for a legitimate reason.
You do not seem to grasp how widely David Capeless was and is despised. And his ADA’s likely bore the brunt of his sociopathic ways. It is absurd to assume they might be fearful about working with Harrington, given that they cut their teeth with Dr. Evil.
Since when are questions cheerleading Andrea?
As was stated previously. This is the classic case of the dog that finally caught the car.
Was Capeless running again?
Yes, in the form of his long-time henchman.
That’s your delusion .
Cacc said during our first write-in meeting that Andrea had reached out to consult with Northwestern DA Sullivan right after the primary. Sullivan told not to “take all the wheels off the bus at once”. Good advised from a seasoned DA.
Good luck, Madam DA!
If Cacc and Capeless had a fully functioning brain between them – they would’ve put up Capeless for re-election this year.
After Capeless won, is sworn for another tortuous term next January – he could have passed off his office keys and SUV to Cacc – soon thereafter.
This would’ve given Cacc a solid four years in office. By election time next all might have been forgotten, giving Cacc a free ride to his own four years in office.
Instead, their little plot to circumvent the system sparked immediate outrage from local powers-to-be. Sharpies, they are not!
That’s what institutionalization does to all ready mushy brains.
S.C.
Most organizations survive incompetent management. (think Apple) Pressure is higher on lower levels to compensate. As for promises to go easy, does Harrington have the guts? Imagine the headlines announcing neighborhood thugs picked up on felonies but not prosecuted.
Opening cases pertaining to Williams College allegations? That would take years and be messy. College kids make lousy witnesses.
Can you imagine the outrage from parents, OCR, and other stakeholders to find out Williams College outsourced over 70+ sexual assaults cases with little or no attention from authorities? And then consider how many Williams buried deep in Bossong’s dusty closet. Yikes!!
Would you send your teenage daughter to Williams College? I know I wouldn’t!!
Daughter yes. The boys have exposure.
Planet Bulletin……..Sessions Resigns….
DV no one outdid you in coverage of this race. Harrington owes you one lol! I love your writing, your the best in the county. Sharpest intellect too. I worked for her and we couldn’t be more pleased.
BARBADOS
We appreciate the appreciation. Andrea owes us nada, but she does owe We The People fulfillment of her campaign promises.
Pay dos, you are an idiot. The Planet was clearly for the opponent. Harrington will wish she never took this on. Do you think police are going to give her a mulligan, more arrests now, and she lets them free?We already have that.This will times it by ten.
H. Maybe DV can clarify, but he did not support either. Well played.
HARRISON
You are correct. THE PLANET supported no one and both. We were an equal opportunity promoter and basher.
Thanx C just turned it on, uellers next.
I hope I am a welcome addition to this blog.
I Berkshires article quoting mayor as saying that all residental and commercial property taxes are going down this fiscal year. Wonderful news and I commend her for it. But, when is the huge school surcharge getting added on, which is actually a hundreds more per year increase? Some wishy washy language towards the end about school tax. When is it coming? I suspect we are getting ready to be hammered over the head with the surcharge, next year, hence the illusion of a cut, that is an overall increase. The cut doesn’t even even cover the cost of the community preservation tax.
https://www.iberkshires.com/story/58676/Tyer-Proposes-Property-Tax-Cut.html
Tax rate is going down but property values are going up. Does not mean tax bill will go down.
Chuck,
The Mayor is telling me that the average single family tax bill will go down. Also, the median commercial tax bill will down. Iberkshire’s has a good article with all the details.
Dear Barry Clairmont! Please, watch August09,2018 Human Rights Commission meeting under leadership of
mental health person–Drew Herzig.(PCTV)
I ordered DVDs and already mailed it to several foreign Consulates:))
Mr. Clairmont—I always supported you!
Please watch it to see how crazy it was.
Drew Herzig did not allow any conversation about Free Speech or Women’s Privacy and Mayor appointed girl from BCC college supported him:)) No Free speech and No privacy! Good city–indeed!
Question: were those two items on the agenda?
Christina Wynn for the win.
Her knees must be getting scabbed beyond belief with all those appointments
So when do we start the parade for saving $10/year on my property tax. The city has all that free cash because the toter plan flopped.
But hey gotta put in that effort on her final year of this term.
Tyer 1/4 effort.
Of course the accomplishments come in the final year of the term.
Makes it look like she was successful and pushes back the constant failures over 3 years.
Not a fan of Trump but no blue wave came about. Not even in Governor races
Midterm Election, Most House Seats Lost by President’s Party in Power
2010 Obama: -63
1994 Clinton: -52
1958: Eisenhower: -48
1974 Ford (Nixon): -48
1966 Johnson: -47
1946 Truman: -45
2006 Bush: -30
1950 Truman: -29
1982 Reagan: -26
2018 Trump: -26
*NY Times data since 1946
Trump is just the third president in 100 years to gain Senate seats in midterm election.
President Trump is awesome. The radical left is only interested in getting rid of Trump because he threatens their agenda of big government control with them in charge. They don’t want people to actually have good jobs and be independent of government. Socialism would not be welcome under those conditions and they know it. They need people to have to depend on government.
Excellent info, Agent Smith.
’94, now that was a wave. One thought at the time that the House was in play, but the Senate??!!
Dems: If you could choose anyone except Nancy (or Maxine) for Speaker that would be great. Trying to minimize my annoyance.
Now, y’all understand that the new Congress doesn’t sit until January 3, right? House ain’t going to impeach Trump before then (if ever).
I mention it because people who should know better have acted like it takes effect immediately.
Yeah, I mean you, Jim Braude (NECN). Whatever happened to that guy?
Another lie that the media is pushing lately is that Republicans “paid a price” for impeaching Clinton in 1998. Some might have lost seats, but GOP held the House until 2007–and got it right back in 2011.
Jim Braude left NECN in 2015 to go to Boston Public Radio/WGBH.
Does Trump know the Attorneys General is not his lawyer.The New Attorney General will now defend Trump against the American people.
Only the radical crazies on the left are attacking Trump. Everyone else loves him and what he is doing for the economy and jobs. So please do not say the American people like you are including everyone.
This new guy is going to be the hired gun that Trump will have fire Mueller. Trump is too obvious. You can put lipstick on a Trump but he is still a moron of the highest order. (he would like the part about the “highest order”)
Dusty,
Only novels built on symmetrical devices are obvious and predictable. I predict the President is awaiting Mueller ‘s next move and is prepared to respond as needed.
What would you do?
Obama had Eric Holder to shield him. Why shouldn’t President Trump have someone he has confidence in by his side? If power mad people were coming after me, I would do the same. Anyone would.
Hopefully all those who supported all the local and state candidates can now focus on actually leading.
Don’t count on it. Liz Warren is busy planning her fairly tale presidential run. Fairy tale because the rest of the country will not participate in her fairy tale.
Local politicians will throw a few crumbs to the public like a property tax cut to try and smooth the way to their own upcoming elections after which, if they win, the working class public will be ignored again for the next 4 years until right before election time.
At the federal level, the Democrats will spend the next two years trying to rid the country of President Trump to try and satisfy their power mad base. Nothing good will happen for the American public except for the usual recipients of Democrat concern and goodwill….illegal immigrants and those who want to live off of the government.
Wow Barry have you come full circle…you went from turning in the Mazzeo’s to the state for illegal behavior with their food truck from a previous election to handing out food and beverage in another…you will make somebody a great wife someday Mrs. Tyer.
I did no such thing.
Mr. X . . . Barry Clairmont did not file the State Ethics complaint against Missy Mazzeo.
It’s history; let it go!!
Didja see that the mayor is going to lower our property taxes? And then clobber the shit out of us with the water /sewer increase? Cuz we are that stupit.
I guess she needs at least another term to get that $5 million pension…
Both she and water boy do think we are that stupid.
Nothing more than political hocus pocus.
Yeah. First they hoax us them they pokes us.
Scump has gone dirty again. His appointing Whitaker is to obstruct justice in the Mueller probe. It is as clear as can be that this move is an attempt to obstruct justice. This may backfire on scump because there are many republicans in the house and senate who will not tolerate this move. Scump has crossed a red line with this move and the dem house will move swiftly to impeach him. There is a bill filed by dem Chris coons to ask for a bipartisan vote to protect the Mueller probe. Look for this to take place very soon.
1000 dem planed protests across america tomorrow to protect the Mueller probe. Look for many pubs to break away from scump in the near future as they will not want to be seen as supporting a criminal who will be indicted for criminal charges soon. Scump has crossed the red line that even pubs said he shouldn’t. The near future looks to be fraught with scump lies but the house now has the power to impeach him and it looks to be a certainty that he will be impeached. Its a good time to be a democrat.
Big blue drip, how do you plan 1000 protests overnight?
What most scumpsters are not aware of is the fact that no matter what scumps tries to do to squash the Mueller probe it will fail. Look for a mass migration of republicans who will run for office in 2020 to be bailing on scump soon because they know that being associated with scump is certain suicide. The people have made clear that scump needs a check on his power and they have delivered it in the house. Trump is in huge trouble and the only ones not aware of it are scumps brainless disciples including several on this board. Look for facts and truth to rule the days from here on.
Art,
You’ve been wrong on the last several national political issues. A prognosticator you are not. Turn off CNN – it has warped your brain.
He actually gets his news from his girlfriends on The View.
What happened to your blue tidal wave? I’m going to start calling you the blue drip.
Moron AA do you think I AM GOING TO PUT ON 1000 PROTESTS?? Read my post again. You appear to be an even bigger moron than I thought you are. Please at least try to sound intelligent. Your batting 0 and as I stated before you have never had an intelligent post ever. Your way out of your league.
You put on 1000 protests? I think you have trouble putting on a pot of coffee in the morning putz.
How do 1000 protests spring up overnight pea brain? And I apologize in advance to peas.
He’s an artist without a Cause, AA. Heed it not.
AA and levitan as dumb as dumb can be. Let me spell it out for you___ There are 1000 dem protests scheduled across america today to protect the Mueller probe.
You should try counting bubbles in your next soft drink. Kinda like counting “Democratic ‘ protests.
Barry,property value went up which means property tax collected went up and tax rates are being proposed to be lowered…..tell us Mayor Tyer is in talks to consolidate 500,000 square feet of high school space to serve 1600 kids.PHS is half used and some rooms built for 30 kids has 8 kids.There are 2 high schools paying 2 teachers 150 k to teach 16 kids at 2 different sites…..this really is our immediate problem…..the health department needs to get out of town land lords in line in the hood…many home rents are backed by taxpayers….The mayor needs get to work on the hard stuff now
Thanks, SC. Those are the driving issues.
Very credible comments
Above in response to the school committee
Tyer and Kerwood must think the people of Pittsfield are stupid.
Saving less than $10 a household on taxes?
There are two factors that seem to be driving this, new growth and using free cash to lower the tax rate.
New growth is all the building permits and revenue from newly taxable buildings and property.
“Free cash” is like a bottle deposit. It’s money you’ve already overpaid to the city via shifting monies around.
It mostly comes from the fact the city is so bad at budgeting they over budget, then when the budget comes in under the money can be certified as “free cash”.
It’s money you’ve already paid but wasn’t used.
Now here’s the real kicker, Pittsfield May have $11 million in free cash BUT they are $75-100 million in the hole as they haven been putting off the wastewater treatment updates.
So yeah you’ll get your $10 back this year, on average overpayment per year of $118 ($236 per household since Tyer has taken office) and some will think this is amazing.
If you dally for this you deserve both Tyer and Kerwood for forever.
It’s snake oil,smoke and mirrors, Marty “10%over” Kerwood running up the numbers to give “refunds”.
He’s been sitting on $11 million earning 4% a year and has $100 million in bills coming due, but will shift those to enterprise costs and make it seem like he’s done you a favor.
Excellent post, Agent! It’s all smoke & mirrors.
And according to Sundays Eagle this guy Arace owes over a half MILLION dollars in back taxes to the city of Pittsfield. Has not paid for decades. And once again he is looking for a break like the ones he has been given by friends in city hall forever. Disgusting that city officials have let him get off while going after other less connected people all these years.
Take his property and make it the City DPW department.
Maybe Barry can explain why this wasn’t part of the tax title auction?
Todays’ eagle reports there were actaully 3 shootings last weekend, and the shooting victim, another newyorker to pittsfield transplant, Dapper Dan, has died, meaning another homicide victim inside of 3 weeks. Remeber, Tyer campaigned on crime and blight. Worse than ever, despite the pissed away millions. Let’s hope the eagle isn’t foolish enough to quote the three stooges again – and remember, all will be well next year because Harrington’s community engagement model will predict crime before it happens, so the cops can prevent it.
The division of pre-crime, just like the movie… Minority Report. Now if Pittsfield can only find the three psychics, we will be all set.
Has the cost of the new Taconic HS been included in our new tax rate?
I ask this because I was assured by a reliable person that it WAS NOT.
My guess is principal is not included in this year’s budget nor will it be included in next year’s budget. Only interest payments will be included. Why? Because the city typically issues bond anticipation notes which require full repayment upon maturity, These notes are typically short term, under a year and carry a low interest rate. At maturity the BAN is paid off by issuing a new BAN or issuing a bond which is typically carries a maturity of greater than 20 years and requires either principal + interest payments or principal and interest payments.
The city will try to BAN the debt as long as possible so you might not see the full effect of the debt for several years. The danger in doing this is interest rate risk. In a rising interest rate environment a bond issued today might carry a rate of 4% but 4 years from now the issuing rate could be 8%. Ouch!
Maybe this topic will be discussed when the tax rate is set in December.
Gotta love a good Ponzi scheme.
Reads like a convoluted Ponzi scheme.
Hi Chuck,
It is my understanding that a portion of the debt (I don’t know how much) has been bonded. The way I heard it was that bond council warned of rising interest rates and advised the city bone, rather than the usual short term bands.
So yes, part of the principle payments are in the budget. What percentage I don’t know.
Barry
CHUCK
One would hope that this issue is discussed next month at the tax rate hearings. That assumes, of course, that councilors understand these mechanisms. BANning the debt, as you rightly point out, should be avoided, as it carries excessive risk vs. the short-term gain. Pushing debt forward with more debt spells big trouble down the road. As some point, it will all come due. Then we can make with the Ouch! and Double Ouch!
I want Mazzeo to run for Mayor .I want her to announce a consolidation of the school department.Sell Pittsfield High and save millions right away.Start promoting school choice and encourage those who can leave the system to go.Close that dump Crosby before every special ed child is sentenced to get services there.Let High school kids do remote work from home.Get out of the juvnille justice system and focus on organized education of students.Violence in schools by mouth or body suspends you for 1 year.Add 30 police and focus on the hood.Target 1 block with round the clock coverage a move block by block and build a reputation for a gang free town.
Anyone read the editorial in today’s Eagle about the DA’s office?
A sore loser is bad but a sore winner is WORSE! Not implying PC is a poor loser.
Grandma Ginsberg tripped over her Depends diaper and is in the hospital. Donald, hope you have someone in the wings waiting.
Here comes SCJ recommendation number #3! I don’t wish Ginsberg any harm, but she is way past her prime and should have retired several years ago. Whip out that list of conservatives President Trump!
According to news sources….leftists are calling her hospital & volunteering their ribs & organs in case RBG needs them. The Democrats are desperate to keep her on the bench! Their heads are exploding over the thought of her being replaced by a conservative! This is so entertaining!
I wish her no harm but she probably shouldn’t buy green bananas.
Can she still be a SCJ in a nursing home?
Let me try this once again:
The executive branch is NOT designed to check itself–that is the job of the legislative and judiciary branches.
President can fire anyone that he can appoint/nominate. Period.
I heard this morning on NPR (amazingly) that the Starr investigation was governed by a congressional statute (never realized this) and so Congress had direct oversight of it.
This was not the case with Watergate or now with Mueller.
So the Dem House will now be able to control things a bit more–but they must do it themselves and not count on EXECUTIVE branch personnel to check the president. But without the Senate they won’t get that statute thing.
In short, impeachment is all you got.
It is amazing how few people on this board are aware of the extent of the blood bath that is coming in water and sewer rates. Mr Gaetani has been detailing for three years that the 75 million dollar updates T the sewer plant and the 69 million dollar proposed at the water plants will raise W/S rates by 800%. This means if you are paying 100 dollars per quarter that goes up to 800. per quarter. your present 400 per year rate will go to 3200 per year look again at those figures that is what is coming your way in the future. Mr. Gaetani was able to convince the council to allow him the opportunity to give his proposal to the public works sub committee on December 10 th . Mr Gaetani and his team of Engineers and scientists will offer alternate proposals for both the water and sewer projects. He has stated potential savings for both projects in the range of 10’s upon 10s of millions of dollars. Remember he saved us over 100 million dollars in the 80’s when he built the water plants I always say that the Gman is the most important person who has ever lived in pittsfield and now you know why I say that. Let’s all get behind the Gman he is working to keep you in pittsfield
Maybe if you stopped whining about Trump you might get somewhere. It’s your own fault for wasting time.
Trumps firing of sessions is abuse of power and obstruction of justice. Sessions firing is creating a constitutional crissis. It is possible that scump could be impeached for just these two infractions. Latest dem pick up count for house is now 31 I predicted 30 to 40 seats. I’m not sure whether there is any other contested outcomes. Does anyone know??
You keep using that word. I do not think that word means what you think it means..
Art is low IQ and low information.
In the end he Americas Attorneys General not Trumps.He will uphold justice or he will defend his client
Just found out there is 12 undecided congressional races.
Whitaker is a legal light weight. He was chosen by scump because no one of any real intelligence would take the job. many republicans are now starting to distance themselves from scump because they know scump is doing every thing he can to kill the Mueller probe. Look for pubs to be bailing on scump as they do not want to be perceived as aiding him in criminal activity. Any pub that sticks with scump will be eliminated from office in the 2020 elections. Scump is in real danger now and it is just a matter of time before he is forced to resign or he is impeached. Look for scump to be gone in late February or early march2019
One more time: appointed positions in the executive branch serve at the pleasure of the president. He has an absolute right to fire those he wishes.
Would make no sense, constitutional or otherwise, to say that he can’t.
Art II, sec. I: “The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.”
sec. 4 “The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”
Note the key words: “Impeachment for, and CONVICTION OF”
Also note that it does not say removed “by excessive and constant whining because you don’t like the guy and your side lost last time and it really, really hurt, and you flail about trying to see if something, anything will stick to discredit a sitting president, and then you send your mobs out to harass and intimidate persons that don’t agree with you, and then have various hacks in the media and entertainment parrot and re-parrot your hysterical charges over and over and over again.”
But, go ahead, spend the next two years going after Trump and Kavanaugh and do nothing else–and then lose the House in 2020.
The pres can hire and fire his appointed people. The question here is motive. It appears his motive here is to shut down an investigation of his own wrong doing. This is the key sentence his own wrong doing. Look for a bipartisan vote in the senate to protect the Mueller probe very soon. If they do not take a vote look for the house to take a bipartisan vote . May be even both houses vote. Scumps days are numbered
Remember the caravan that scump was stirring up his moronic base with__well it is no more . actually it was never a threat to anyone except scumps moronic base. Sad so sad.
Looks like 4 more congressional seats will go democratic. That will total 35. I predicted 30 to 40 seats would be won. I did quite well in my call. Look for real trouble coming scumps way very soon. His new AG will be gone in the blink of an eye. He was hired to be scumps hatchet man but it is going to backfire on scump. Many republicans looking to distance themselves from scump. It is all they really can do and look for them also to be voted out in 2020 for cow towing to scump the past two years
Art, did you make it Park Square with the rest of the lunatics? I drove by but I didn’t see you there. Did you have fun with your looney tune buddies?
Just evaporated, huh? Bye, bye.