By DAN VALENTI As someone told us this morning, THE PLANET’s commentary on Korea certainly came at the right time. It just so happened that the latest fireworks (the North’s attack, the South military exercises with the U.S.) occurred as we were preparing our series on this site based on Historian Bruce Cumings’ penetrating book, […]
By DAN VALENTI Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, perhaps the most misunderstood moralist of all time, had an intriguing and compelling look at the nature of history. As he often does, he uses concrete images to convey deep truths. In “The Uses and Disadvantages of History,” Nietzsche discusses the nature of time by placing us in a […]
By DAN VALENTI It is not a stretch to say that the underpinnings of the Bernie Baran case relate in more than a tangential way to several relatively recent events involving public figures in Pittsfield. Over time, these relationships may become apparent as dots become connected. That will take time. For now, though, we must […]
BY DAN VALENTI THE BARAN CASE: STILL ALIVE AND WELL, BUT THIS TIME ON THE SIDE OF JUSTICE Perhaps the most egregious miscarriage of justice in Berkshire County history can be found in the case of Bernard Baran of Pittsfield, falsely accused, unfairly tried, cruelly convicted, and forced to spend 20 years in state prison, […]
By DAN VALENTI Korea: The Beginning of the End Dean Rusk is not the kind of war criminal you associate with the phrase. He wore a suit, had horn-rimmed glasses, and talk in measured tones. He seemed positively avuncular. THE PLANET would put him in that category, however, and not for what most people remember. […]
We all have much for which to give thanks. Yet how easily we move through the abundance of our lives here in America, and in the Berkshires, on autopilot, oblivious to how well off we are, even the poor among us. We don’t have to worry about a secret police bashing down our doors in […]
BY DAN VALENTI The United Educators of Pittsfield agree that their second work-to-rule action of the year isn’t about money. It’s about “respect.” Nonetheless, the UEP has presented a request for a substantial pay raise for part of its membership (school nurses). That’s about money, not respect, irrespective of whether or not you feel the […]
BY DAN VALENTI North Korean ‘Attack’ a U.S. Production, 60 Years in the Making The markets are predictably overreacting to the cap gun fight between North and South Korea. Little more will likely come of it. Western media is uniform in characterizing the exchange as an unprovoked attack by the North justifiably answered by the […]
BY DAN VALENTI Today, 47 years ago, the American government was overthrown when a bullet tore through the head of President John F. Kennedy. That forlorn day was THE PLANET’s 12th birthday. Here the story I wrote about it, published today in the Berkshire Eagle (with edits and info not available on the Eagle version). […]
BY DAN VALENTI * Today, a brief few quick hits, since THE PLANET has given you a lot this week. First, the investigations into the corrupt beyond belief Massachusetts Probation Department will likely continue, as the Inspector General’s office now wants in. THE PLANET wants to know what agency, authority, or board will now do […]
BY DAN VALENTI BTF, Colonial Mix n Match A quick comment on the merger of the Berkshire Theatre Festival of Stockbridge and the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. This combination, essentially made to steady the shaky administrative ship at the latter, has a tremendous upside. This would include shared programming and flexibility in scheduling for both […]
BY DAN VALENTI The Ware Report, 337 pages detailing massive corruption in the State Probation Department (SPD), confirms what has been one of the biggest jokes in the state and here in Berkshire County. Who, for example, is shocked to hear of a “corrupt” and “rigged” hiring system? Who is stunned to hear of “pervasive […]
BY DAN VALENTI Let us venture away from Teapots, Tempests, and “Tamings of the Shrew” to venture into a little Hot Stove League baseball, Pittsfield style. THE PLANET throws out the first pitch. Last year was a year of firsts for the Pittsfield Colonials. It was a year of experimentation and enterprise, of trial and […]
Whither, or should it be “wither,” Pelosi? When THE PLANET is asked about our political affiliation, we reply: not a Democrat and not a Republican. We are Pedestrian. Our political agenda consists solely of getting across the street in one piece. So what makes a good party? Hacking with a dull machete, we would agree […]
Blasting Off? We Shudder Assuming Pam Malumphy holds her promise to blast off from THE PLANET for good —which we hope is not the case since it is rarely good form to storm off with the football because the game didn’t go your way — we shall probably be done with the non-story she created […]
The En Ef El, or, The Stooley Comes Up Big If you’ll recall, on Saturday we posted our picks in three “local” NFL games. We said the New England Patriots would beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, in Pittsburgh, by 10 points. This was a game, by the way, in which nearly all the “experts” picked the […]
