THE PLANET PRESERVES, SECURES, & ENHANCES FEEDBACK SECTION, THE AREA’S BEST AND MOST READ
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY APRIL 10, 2019) — Some of our readers and correspondents have noted that when they post, the comments sometimes do not immediately show up on THE PLANET. Remain calm. All is well. No need to post more than once.
The actions are part of new software to improve site security. As we have long discovered, allowing live, real-time comments on internet platforms invites the inevitable in the form of a classic “I have good news and bad news.” The good news is that no other medium can provide such an important, current, and relevant marketplace of ideas. This serves a vital public interest. Hence, the value of this site. The bad news is that allowing free access invites trolling on equal terms. That’s life on the internet. The neutralizer, outside of disallowing comments, comes in the form of software “patches” that allow moderation and regulation. Posting is a privilege not a right. Patches see that the privilege is earned.
THE PLANET‘s belief in the importance of free speech must be balanced by efforts to keep the dialog on as high a level as one reasonably can. It’s the internet, remember?
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Software randomly assign selected comments for moderation. The moderator then will either post or delete, a judgment call based on one simple consideration: Does the comment advance the discussion? Implied is the converse: Does it stall or retard the debate? If you operate in good faith, your comment will be posted. We lean that way, to always allow you your say. These judgment calls aren’t infallible, which we readily admit, but they do achieve the intended result of keeping the comment section alive, well, and robust.
No other site can match THE PLANET‘s for the opportunity to publish. No other site has content exciting enough for people to WANT to comment. For example, go to iBerkshires. It has six stories on its landing page, each open to comment. The six typically generate maybe two or three comments combined. That’s how dry the stories. THE PLANET, on the other hand, routinely hits scores and triple digits. The Boring Broadsheet, we needn’t tell you, allows ZERO comments online.
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“Should I stare / If I am called a bear, / And it is not the truth?” — Robert Graves, from his poem, “To Be Called a Bear”
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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This comment is not really here.
Dan,
Thank you for allowing us Kapanskis’ the opportunity to vent. I hear if you printed out all your columns and comments they would stretch from sea to shining sea!
J-99
Your are most welcome. Yes, if all the columns and comments were printed out, we’d reach to Mars and back. Thanks for your participation here.
You’re welcome Dan, glad to participate. Only 238,900 miles to the moon, give or take a few thou. You met that distance in your first year or two. And I hope to get that many miles on my old car, because with the high taxes and fees in the best small city in New England, I can’t afford another.
After watching the Nixon hearings it is remarkable that we are repeating the same mistakes.For those that remember it appears we will be having the same fight for information as they had then.Nixon took the position that he could do what he wanted and did not need to be transparent.The American people want to know the story of the investigation……
Our Attorney General provided a brief summary of the Mueller Report. A summary is a very brief overview before the actual report is given and gave Mueller’s final decision on the investigation. It was thoughtful of our Attorney General to give the summary considering the entire report COULD NOT be given to the public due to grand jury testimony and other classified information UNTIL this information was removed. The intention was ALWAYS to release the majority of the Mueller Report.
The far left knows all this, but is spinning more suspicion since their original Russian collusion plot went nowhere. They know the report will be out next week, but they can’t wait to pick it apart and spin more conspiracy theories to dispute Mueller’s findings.
Pat at this point in history Barr has complete discretion.Its now his interpretation of the report,not good
Just remember, it was the democratic majority that put in place the disclosure LAWS after the President Clinton investigation. They did this to protect witnesses and grand jury testimony from becoming tabloid fodder.
They did it to protect their own, now it protects President Ty.
Get on with your life.
Trump
2 years of daily hate is something the liberals cannot let go of.
As this writer stated just after the Barr summary, the thing will be redacted.
But I’d like to see the moonbats subpoena the rest, and then watch the court fight.
Once again, the problem here is that the executive branch is not designed to check itself.
Special counsel reports to DOJ, not Congress. Seems like they should bring back the independent counsel statute, whereby the counsel reports directly to Congress.
Otherwise, do your own damn report, Shiffty et al.
But I get a kick out of the fatuous “AG Barr lacks the trust of the American people.”
Keep it up, moonbats–Trump at 53% and rising . . .
CNN and MSNBC might be off the air by Nov 2020
councilors in Ward two and seven agree on he catch phrase, do we want it or need it,Councilor in Ward two says we don’t have g e here anymore. says g e left, and things have changed. Mayor was asked if schools need upgrades,says were are diverse? These are the people in charge of roads,disaster,schools,disaster,budget,disaster,crime,disaster. Councilor In wad two must go,has droppped the ball in the Ward.
Everybody to-day wants to be a Big Brother.
Let’s begin with cutting regulations by deregulating Planet Valenti’s code of regulated speech.
Let’s try Fridays as a no-rules comment day.
Let it all hang out, baby.
And that’s the bottom-line!!
Good idea Brian, but would you agree that on Friday we must use our given names and not the silly titles such as Pat, Johnny99 and Thomas More. It’s so easy to hide in the shadows and call others names such as creepy joe when we don’t have to own up to it.
Thomas Moore . . . that’s been my beef all along.
Dan justifies it by claiming that a few of his avatars are government employees (either local or state), and wish not to be exposed for fear of retribution, retaliation, or reprisal from their respective employers.
I’m not buying into it, Dan!!
BRIAN
Of course you’re not buying into it. It’s not for sale!
Dan . . . Got it.
THOMAS
Now if we could get this as the format — that (a) Anything Goes Friday … ANYTHING and (b) with the proviso that only real names be used — THE PLANET would agree to it in a second. Even with (b), it’s an intriguing idea. What say? Should we try Anything Goes Friday as an experiment? My leaning is to “no” but I have an open mind.
I vote no to Brian’s/Thomas’s plan.
I have enjoyed the regulated and upgraded site security on the Planet the last few weeks. Don’t ruin a good thing!
It could be called meatless Friday because no one except Jonathan, the two Chucks, Ron K and of course Brian would be here. It would be a day off for many.
One important theory of learning is humans are unreliable raters of other humans (and that goes especially for PV avatars). We know this also through the idiosyncratic rater effect.
And that’s the bottom-line.
Brian – why don’t you start your own blog?
Unless you know everyone on Earth you don’t know if all names are real.
Anon speech is protected by the Supreme Court.
Any public figure has a larger burden to show libel than a publisher (Freedumdum of Speech) in that they would have to show actual malice on the publisher and or reckless disregard. Recklessness is easier to prove than malice (which requires a state of mind that may not be proveable). Dan has a filter – not reckless. Twittter lawyers must be busy all day.
I would bet dollars that if anyone were complaining about libel re this site it would be from one of two humorless offices. I won’t say which but I will say – I bet a State Senator has NOT complained.
TM, nothing is stopping you from using your real name here.
Yes,you can use your real name then you better say the police chief does a great job,mayor Tyer is fantastic at running city goverment,DA Harrington could not be better and how about how decent Marchetti is at running a city of 40k like there was 60k contributing and before I leave I would like to say McCandless and Joe Curtis are really hood with money.Heres my name everybody so keep up the good work.I know you’ll sweep the streets when you get time.
TSC,
You are right 100% on better be a bobble head if you post on this site using your real name. I believe the retribution for many would be swift. I know myself and some family members would experience some turbulence from it. Even though certain towns have benefited from donations of funds and property to them, it would cause issues on the personal side and work side.
And excuse me,If the mayor and council should decide to paint lines in the road befor someone dies that would be a great idea .The best PR for tourist driving in Pittsfield is to see painted crosswalk bright street lights and painted lines.Im begging you tremendous councilors and mayor can decide that sweeping streets now today and painting lines immediately is good for business…..light up the drug neighborhoods ,you must know where they are by now…. Lincoln, Cherry,1st,2nd,Fenn this is a no brainer
My input for today concerning Pittsfield politics is for the voters to vote everyone out of office except the lovely Linda Tyer, who is the best Mayor of Pittsfield EVER!
Linda is not going to like you telling people to vote out her personal stooges. She needs those rubber stampers sir. What would happen if the people were able to elect councilors who actually gave a shit and cross checked every thing she did?
Feel free to amend your statement Johnathon.
BAM!
AG Barr will be investigating the FBI investigators! And all roads lead to the Obama White House!
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/04/10/barr-reviewing-conduct-fbi-investigation-2/
Obama is always giving pointers to other far left followers in his speeches. Just yesterday telling them not to worry about purity in their goals and not to turn on each other which would risk the movement. Funny how they used that same tactic against average Americans by setting us against each other with identity politics, but that was just fine since they wanted to divide us to make it easier for them to spread the far left philosophy.
Yes. I hear the big guns being turned around and wheeled into position, and now aimed at Obama/Clinton.
Inspector General’s report out on DOJ soon.
The Dems reaction to Barr’s mumble of “spying” is telling.
Gotta get to the truth, right? Best thing for the country and our democracy, right?
Yup, yup, yup.
Gigi good Erica report from b b thank you.
Our New York sanctuary state neighbors just refused to pass a bill providing free college tuition for Gold Star families.
They were, however, happy to approve $27 million out of the NY state budget to provide college tuition assistance to illegal aliens.
Despicable!
https://www.syracuse.com/politics/2019/04/ny-assembly-no-free-college-tuition-for-gold-star-families.html
They know those rascally veterans families will not vote socialist/communist like the illegal guests they love so much.
True, the free tuition is just for future voters. The truth is that most colleges have tons of money especially the really prestigious colleges and should be giving the free college tuition on their own with NO assistance from the federal government. The federal government giving free tuition would only cause these colleges to charge even more outrageous tuition because, why not, since the federal government is footing the bill.
I agree Gigi that Gold Star families deserve the free tuition much more than illegal immigrants. How terrible!!
GIGI
“Despicable” is the word. Also cowardly, heartless, ignorant, and dumb.
Donald Trump is John Galt.
I’m resisting the temptation to ask “Who is John Galt” because of copyright rules!
John Galt was in the audience when the 3 stooges played the Colonial .
Yes. Historical research indicates, in fact, that for one show, Curley was sick. Galt, a huge Stooges fan, stepped in an did a credible job as the Third Stooge. Galt was later that day spotted with Ayn Rand at the old Bridge Lunch. Rand, story goes, was pumping Galt for material about a novel she was writing. Something about “shrugging.” None other than Peter Arlos related this story to THE PLANET.
Don’t know if this is relevant to this discussion but there was a Dr. John Galt in Pittsfield who was a very successful and popular eye doctor for decades. I believe his son-also John Galt-went on to be a pioneer in laser eye surgery.
John Galt, my arse. Trump is a Trumpist, and has no problems with government action and lots and lots of spending.
He’s no conservative, no libertarian, no Objectivist.
To those suggesting no holds barred comments on Friday – Dan tightened up the blog out of necessity, and the discourse is much more civil and respectful. Twas getting a little rancid before.
To those suggesting we post with our true identities – Most of us, and me for sure, have a job, and need money. If the GOBSIGs found out who we were, you can bet your booty there would be payback.
To the poster that said only the two Chuck’s and Ron K, and Brian would post under their own name – those guys are mens’ men, for sure, but I believe the two Chuck’s and Ron K are retired, and therefore have no jobs to loose. And Mr. Melle posts under his own name, and he doesn’t have a job either.
The GOBSIGs are alive and well in Pittsfield. Don’t think for a minute things would stay the same if you post under your own name, and have something to loose.
We need to have the freedom to remain anonymous, in order to post the truth.
Yup. You, J-99, and others have pointed out what THE PLANET has long known: Speak out under your own name, and you run the risk, especially if you are in any way connected to/dependent on The Suits for a living. Careers have been derailed for daring to “speak out.” That’s why we will keep taking “nome de plumes” as well as keeping in tact our new software for monitoring the site. You last sentence says it all.
And many seem to need the accountability of not being anonymous to post the truth. Trade-offs either way.
If we don’t know who you or how you’re connected to an issue, we can critically evaluate your comment(s).
If you’re the Pittsfield building inspector, for example, and there are flaws in the system that go unnoticed or ignored by city officials – tell us who you and how you know this. Credibility is weighted by an officeholder with direct, hands-on knowledge not some masked avatar on Planet Valenti.
And that’s the bottom-line!!
P.S. Dan Valenti might learn a few ‘unmasking’ lessons from the Obama administration!?.
BCM
Our “masked avatars” occasionally do post here. That said, most of our government informants do it privately. Most prefer the “Deep Throat” method of dimly lit parking garages, structures largely figurative but once in while literal.
All the Valenti’s Men (gender neutral, species implied).
Gotta love it.
And with apologies to Robert Penn Warren, we hope.
The new DA has formed a “A Berkshire County Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force and an 18-member steering committee that includes local and state officials, including state Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer and North Adams Mayor Thomas Bernard”, because sexual and domestic violence has reached a “crisis point” in the county, according to todays’ Boring Broadsheet. “Harrington said her office plans to take on perpetrators, past and present, and work to identify victims of sex trafficking.”
In accordance with my theory of productivity, the more people on a committee, the less that gets done, and with 18 members on this, including two mayors and Hinds, I am not hopeful. Let us hope the sheriff is on the committee as well as some real cops.
The article is full of lack of specifics, and gives no year over year comparisons for any meaningful period of time. They are also going by reported crimes, versus actual crimes committed. As usual, no one asked the hard questions, like how many hookers are there that Harrington can rescue? It will be interesting to see what comes of this, and I guess we should be thankful that at least Harrington hasn’t issued a 65 page get out of jail free manifesto.
On another note, Pittsfield’s’ politicians are waiting to see how much marijuana tax comes in, before they decide how to spend it. Uneffinbelievealbe!!!!!!. Every nickel should go to offset the property tax increase or the water and sewer increase for the taxpayers.
The goals sound good but they won’t be achieved with the collection of GOB nit wits on the committee.
Classic example of symbolism over substance.
Joe,
I am confused about what you are arguing against. A “task force” to combat this type of problem should include as many well-intentioned people as possible. It is not a money spending proposition, but an idea based one. Your theory of productivity does not apply here. L.
Louis,
The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and so was the road to saving Pissfield, that is now a despicable mess along with the roads. As many well-intentioned people as possible? Seriously? How’s PEDA working out for you? How about some actually qualified people and that means people that actually know and understand the problem. How about starting by actually justifying the task force by telling us when the crisis point was reached and backing it up with facts? The key word here is “transformative”. What exactly is Harrington going to transform? If she is going to throw the former DA and prosecutors under the bus, along with the former victim advocates, cops etc, etc, by suggesting they let the problem reach a crisis point, at least convince us with facts. As to it not being a money spending proposition, you are perhaps either naive, or an optimist. The proof wull be in the pudding as they say. Lastly, how many sex trafficking “victims” are really in the county, and crack whores handing out bj’s like candy, outside “cumby’s”, no pun intended, don’t count. And let’s not confuse reported rapes with rapes that actually happened, like the Williams college fake news story the progressives drummed up to help get Harrington elected. If I am in mental health care at one of Stockbriges fine facilities and I reported I was raped every day for a month by 30 different men, then the stats for Stockbridge would be through the roof. Doesn’t mean a single rape happened, except Harrington says her office is working to create a culture where “victims are believed” , as if the former DA and staff and the cops don’t inherently believe victims, it’s about the truth Andrea, not the Me Too Movement.
THE PLANET has heard from a few law enforcement types about the D.A.’s supercommittee. The reviews, as we expected, are terrible. They to a man and woman blasted the effort as a “PR stunt” and criticized its vagueness — no specifics, generalities … the “platitudinal” approach to office. One source with connections to the D.A. office (working with that office on a near-daily basis, in fact) says the “Me Too” aspect of the committee will go in “always with the presumption of guilt, not innocence.” Wow. That’s all we can say. Wow.
This is about co-opting the time and attention of politically active people to get them inside her tent. So whatever good they may or may not be doing elsewhere, she’s now sucked them into her circle jerk.What does Adam Hinds say about what value he could possibly add here – please followup! To make matters worse, as you point out, Dan, there is a presumption of guilt? Get us more here, please.
Joe,
I think you need to try to view this more objectively. You obviously dislike Harrington, but something like this should be evaluated on the merits alone. Your arguments as they stand don’t make much sense. Consider just this line: “How about starting by actually justifying the task force by telling us when the crisis point was reached and backing it up with facts?”
If you don’t believe that domestic violence and sexual assault are massive problems that demand the focus of DAs and civic leaders then you are not worth speaking to. L.
Louis, you don’t fill task forces or committees with well intentioned people – you fill them with properly qualified ones. That most certainly did not happen there. This latest task force will accomplish absolutely nothing except give the very false impression they are doing something about a problem. This is what progressives do – identify a problem and come up with a solution that will not address the root cause of the issue one bit. In fact, it usually has the opposite effect. This is like the Green New Deal for domestic violence.
Question, are any members of this new waste of time task force receiving any $$ for their ‘efforts’?
LW
Excellent analogy” ” … the Green New Deal for domestic violence.”
LW,
This is not a task force to eradicate drug dealers or something like that. Addressing this issue involves much more than law enforcement. Your claim that the people on the task force are “unqualified” is patently false. This is a social problem as well as a law enforcement problem and the list of names on the task force is impressive. You say they will not address the “root cause” of the problem one bit. Then maybe you should help them. Give some advice – what IS the root of the problem and how should they address it? You appear to be an expert so I look forward to your response. L.
Louis,
I don’t see where Joe mentioned it being a money spending g proposition, though progressives and liberals have a history of throwing money at a problem, and often times making it worse. Kinda like the war on poverty – a failure by any reasonable measure and largely a waste of money.
Johnny,
You are correct that he did not say that explicitly, good catch. He implied it, but I think somebody else said it more explicitly and I got mixdd up.
I could not agree more about the “war on poverty” and the futility of thinking you can just throw money at problems to solve them. But I don’t think any of that applies regarding this particular issue. L.
The taxpayers should be able to vote on how the marijuana tax money is spent. They are the ones smoking the dope that generate the tax after all. I am sure they would love to send it in the direction of a special interest friendly.
Give us a vote or we will buy our dope on the street where it cost half as much.
Sounds like a manufactured crisis to me
I didn’t know Edgerton and Doyle were on the Community Preservation Committee.
Two more nit wits.
I read on a Pittsfield social media site that there was a hit and run at or near Conte school. Does anyone know if this is true and if so why it did not make the paper? Or did I just miss it?
Hit and run. 45-year-old woman in hospital with serious head and leg injuries. Driver sped off but the car was later found and, we’re told, a suspect. No charges yet, though.
Guess you scooped the Eagle again cuz for some reason they seem to be holding this one in the can. Maybe it involves a high profile sort and they have been told to lay back.
Being mayor means recognizing the real estate tax tipping point emergency.Pittsfield best and brightest at some point has got to stop being 1 % elitest.They must be leaders of the working poor not cocktail drinking politicians.Leaders can be 100% effective in selling a green agenda if they show they can handle money.The working poor know about money and mayors,superintendents,councilor do not.Councilor Moon can not handle money.She like White can spend it but they can’t control it.All of them have no self awareness that others a struggling paying for their weakness in arithmetic.
It’s called Pete White privilege.
Being mayor means never having to say you’re sorry. Yeah, “Love Story”-ish.
Crazy Bernie summed it up best – You want to be a millionaire write a best selling book !
The Planet offers the best platform locally to speak your piece, with the most bang for your buck !
I agree. Too bad it could not somehow be a part of the government. A citizen source of ideas and innovation where the people actually had some input.
If Bernie wanted to, he could contribute alot of his money to the US gov’t to help reduce the deficit. In other words he could impose a wealthy tax on himself. But oddly enough, he just keeps all his money to himself unless it’s a tax write off.
Thanks, RK!
Mune is a professional beverage taste tester and is up on all the latest gadgets from which to pour the beverage into, including jars. Peter like the ambiance of a good taco,burrito and Chinese dish on occasion.
A great book called “The History of the Future” about a brilliant young man who was destroyed by the far left because he dared to go to a Trump rally. He is a liberal who was curious about President Trump, but his sin was unforgivable by the far left. They will destroy even their own if they do not march in lock step.
Stooge has school hack Cameron on the radio. Will someone please bring back music to t b r.
Please Ban Stooge from WT B R. Please.
Wow, I just posted the biggest news of 2019 and Dan’s security blocker refused to post it. Shame you missed it all!!!!
Umm yes, I am joking. I have never met Dan but he strikes me as someone with a sense of humor. I hope.
Our libel laws are pretty relaxed in the US but better safe than sorry. Lady Gaga did say social media was the toilet of the Internet. Not sure where the good parts of the internet are but I might never know how to fix anything without YouTube.
KERMIT
We appreciate a good jest, indeed!
Don’t besmirch toilets as they can come in pretty handy sometimes.
Haha! Yes, they do.
A few years ago there was quite an uproar over the cost of insurance premiums to city employees (teachers included).
At that time their share was considerably lower than for us in the private sector. CONSIDERABLY! And for some reason we haven’t heard much if anything about the cost to the taxpayers.
So…..the question is: What percentage do city workers NOW pay for their health insurance? And perhaps an effort can be made to use any extra money to make their share consistent with the rest of us.
City workers are block voters. No mayor is going to mess with their bennies.
When I see a pothole I think that McCandless is spending that money,when I see a burned out police officer I think Curtis buys enough software for 20 police officers.When the city does not sweep and paint street line I think purchasing agent Behnke went from 85 k to 120k.When I see tree limbs blocking street lights in the violent neighborhoods I think schools blowing money at the end of the year to not return cash.
There is one simple answer to city healthcare cost that is fair and hurts nobody.You grandfather in current split it healthcare.As people retire you can go from a 85 to 15 split to a 65 35 split and one day in the future you will be at 65 35 for all.Works for everyone.
Hurrah for the NY Post, for calling out Rep. Omar for her outrageous remarks regarding 9/11!
https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2019/04/11/new-york-post-puts-ilhan-omar-on-blast-for-downplaying-9-11-terror-attacks/
How disgusting that she says “something happened” when referring to 9/11. Yes, Ms. Omar, that something was 3,000 people dying in a fiery inferno. Rep. Omar really needs to resign.
Why grandfather anyone. Just faze in a 5% adjustment each year until you get to your desired ratio.
Exactly Gigi and reprimandations for leaving her hubby with the two kiddos and lover on the side.
What is going on with people hitting people with their vehicles and just taking off and not bothering to see if the person is dead or alive? Another one happened here in Pittsfield. A woman ran over another woman giving her a serious head injury and just took off.
It’s called the nylon law. Didn’t know I hit anything.
Trump is teaching you can do and say what you want
Trump did say during the campaign….,it’s not like I’m going to let people die in the streets,…remember that one?
No, that’s only for politically connected democrats in Pittsfield.
Faky news regarding President Trump.