BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION JAN. 31-FEB. 2, 2019) — It didn’t take long before reports trickled out of the Berkshire County District Attorney’s office, led by newbie Andrea Harrington. Our new Hamilton Burger assumed office with the startling agenda of going after “crime” on the basis […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JAN. 30, 2019) — In early September, Pittsfield begat another bizzywerk brainchild of government in a welcoming event for the 20 or so people who would make up the Citizen’s Academy — and believe us: We mean “make up,” because the event proved […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JAN. 28, 2019) — One subject that needs to be added to the public school curriculum is money. THE PLANET first learned about money and how it works in grammar school. We had our first bank book in first grade. Today, it’s not just […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, JAN. 24-27, 2019) — Too bad the light from the Beacon Cinema can’t serve as a lighthouse for itself, because the Good Ship Movie House on North Street is heading for the rocky shoals. Here is an edited post from AgentSmith, shared […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JAN. 23, 2019) — It’s been a while since THE PLANET dipped into the Letter Box. These are comments sent to us (usually by e-mail) that aren’t posted here but are also not submitted as off the record. We ALWAYS respect a writer’s call for […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JAN. 21, 2019) — On Oct. 17, 2017, the New York Times ran a prophetic piece on an online furniture and home-goods company. The article questioned how it would be possible for the firm, Wayfair, to compete given its razor-thin profit margins in an […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION JAN. 18-20, 2019) — You’re an online business. You lose $151.7 million in the third quarter 2018. Customers file countless complaints about bad service, cheap products, and “bait and switch” practices. Your customer relations are a mess. You’ve just been hit […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JAN. 16, 2019) — Yet another company looking to sell dope to dopes has applied to operate in Pittsfield. The growing number of would-bes includes Tenesel Wellness, Pure Botanicals, and Berkshire Roots. There may be others, but forgive THE PLANET for losing track. Sometimes […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JAN. 14, 2019) — Is Donald Trump a traitor? That’s the question at the heart of the FBI probe into the President, an inquiry taken over by Robert Mueller. It’s a large question, as outsized as Trump himself. Short answer, based on the […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION JAN. 11-13, 2019) — Before we open up to open comments, allow THE PLANET to share a few random observations. It’s Not My Fault, Mommy! — To say that Mayor Tyer came to office inheriting the problems of her predecessor — to […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JAN. 9, 2019) — Cities, like people, have temperatures, pulses, and vitals. No case is hopeless, and no run of health immune. THE PLANET recalls a meeting with Jim Shulman when he was building his carousel. He recommended a book whose title escapes […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JAN. 7, 2019) — If the Democrats hope to pry the White House from the clutching, begrudging hands of President Donald Trump in 2020, party leaders better hope that newbies such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez do not gain traction that makes them the […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, The Weekend Edition Jan. 4-6, 2019) — On Tuesday, Andrea Harrington was sworn in as Berkshire County District Attorney. Took the solemn oath. Pledged. Pinky promised. Triple-dog-dared. You know, what politicians secretly call “lying.” THE PLANET need not remind anyone. ———- ooo ———- Harrington […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JAN. 2, 2019) — THE PLANET presents an exclusive look at the speech Mayor Linda Tyer will not present in her State of the City address. Before we unveil the sacred anti-text, we need to ask why this exercise in self service even happens. […]
