BARRETT, SCHOOL, COPS, MOON, VETS, AND THE FLY … or … WHAT’S A WEEKEND FOR?
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION OCT. 9-11, 2020) — With blissful downtime coming our way, THE PLANET dusts the office furniture and cleans a fraction of the rhetorical “junk drawer.”
GRIN & BARRETT — “I’ve seen this before, and it’s not pretty. Critics of Judge Amy Coney Barrett are framing their skepticism with a noble-sounding pretext: Judges shouldn’t bring their personal views into the courtroom. But their real worry is far more chilling. To put it bluntly, America’s cultural elites aren’t sure that a faithful Christian can be entrusted with the law,” Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Brian Hagedorn writes in The Wall Street Journal.
“Judge Barrett’s career demonstrates that you can be a person of faith and a faithful judge. As Washington debates her nomination, my plea is this: Judge her on her merits, not on her faith. Let’s not impose a religious test for public office.”
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SCHOOL’S OUT FOREVER — “Schools play a critical role in ensuring vulnerable children receive needed care. That is why President Donald Trump has emphasized the importance of opening schools using safe, common-sense measures. Keeping children out of school can result in long-lasting and unforeseen harm, particularly in disadvantaged communities,” writes Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, in Newsweek. It’s an interesting article of deep local relevance.
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NYC DEM COUNCILMAN BLASTS DEFUNDING COPS — Shootings have spiked 127% in New York City this year, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo is calling for Mayor Bill de Blasio to get it under control, but city officials say liberal pushes to “defund the police” have hindered the NYPD’s ability to keep the city safe.
“Defunding the police is perhaps the worst idea in NYC government history,” Democrat Councilman Robert Holden told Fox News. “We can’t legislate using fashionable slogans that fit on protest signs. It hurts every New Yorker. The NYPD are the gold standard for law enforcement around the world. Any issues that need to be addressed require more training, which costs money.”
The city, however, disagrees, with de Blasio backing a city council vote in July to slash the police budget by $1 billion. Crime has only worsened in recent months and police response times have grown.
Yeah, and while we’re on the topic, how are things in peaceful, downtown Pittsfield?
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MOON EQUIPPED — Locally, THE PLANET contacted Ward 1 councilor Helen Moon about her claim that Boston Police took her out at gunpoint and jailed her for driving on a suspended license.
Moon, obviously feeling little love for her former employer, DA Andrea Harrington, who was also stopped in Pittsfield for a similar reason, immediately played the race card: “Must be nice to be a white woman and district attorney when encountering the police. Instead of taking issue with a petty story, focus on decriminalizing being poor and a person of color.”
Moon issued serious charges. She called the D.A. and cops racists while playing the victim. Local media have requested more information from Moon about her claims, which is what we have done. THE PLANET Wednesday asked Moon is that information is accurate. We requested documentation, especially in light of multiple local law-enforcement sources telling us that the Boston Police Department has no such incident in their case logs. When the phone didn’t ring, we knew it was Moon not getting back to us.
Did Moon lie? Now is her chance to clear this up. She owes not just her constituents in Ward 1 but every Pittsfield citizen an explanation. Race-baiting is inexcusable in these charged times. This story isn’t going away until the public gets answers. Until she responds, she will keep getting taken into the boards, and we have no doubt that she’s a sitting duck in Ward 1 and next year’s municipal election. She will probably have to resign because of ill health when the voters get sick of her.
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VETERANS KILLING THEMSELVES — Inside of a week, Pittsfield has seen one young women murdered in a gang “hit” and another stabbed nearly to death with a dangerous car chase ensuing. Bad enough, but what about the silent and unreported rash of local veterans who have been left either homeless or, having shelter, not having help to cope with huge issues? You haven’t heard a word about that, right? We have. Talking with personnel from several funeral homes, they tell THE PLANET of “a lot of dead veterans lately, either drinking themselves to death or suicide. Just welfare funerals in city plots for nobodies.” There have been enough such deaths lately as to constitute a trend. Pretty much sums up the state of social care in the city. The grant $$ make headlines while the forgotten continue to die. The local daily would do well to take a closer look into this mysterious and unreported problem. There’s a great and important story there. Hint, hint, Kevin Moran, Larry Parnass, and Heather Bellow.
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FLY IN THE OINTMENT — The Fly stole the show in the sedate, we mean the debate, between VP Mike Pence and Democrat VP nominee Kamala Harris. It landed on Pence’s head and stayed there for two minutes and three seconds, providing the best 183 seconds of this year’s presidential campaign. Best line came from Steven Colbert, who quipped that The Fly was probably Pence’s only black friend. Cheap shot, yes, but funny. Personally, THE PLANET thinks The Fly was actually David Hedison. If you get that joke, let us know. As for the debate itself, a grinning, smirking Harris showed why she isn’t ready for Ward 1 city council, let alone the vice presidency. When she ran for president, she couldn’t outlast Tom Steyer, Andrew Yang, Cory Booker, or Deval Patrick. Her 2020 campaign was a mess. But there she was getting embarrassed by a well-prepared, cold-as-an-assassin Mike Pence, who, when he let up on the barrage, came off as presidential. In the end, it was Harris caught in the web screaming a high-pitched, “Help me! Help me!”
Have a great weekend, everybody.
———————————————————————————————–
“‘Here’ has no meaning without a localized reference point, but ‘now’ being outside of time applies universally and absolutely” — Sir Donald Turpentine.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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What about Biden being under investigation for framing Trump/Russia hoax?
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/10/breaking-joe-biden-subject-federal-criminal-investigation-role-spygate-activities-ukraine/
“Joe Biden is the Subject of Federal Criminal Investigation Into His Role in Spygate and Activities in Ukraine”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e_hJVgkpWE&utm_source=deployer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=on+the+air&utm_term=members&utm_content=20201008194222
The REAL Russia Collusion Story–Involving Hillary Clinton!
No BS Here Tom Fitton/Judicial Watch
Time to graduate to your own blog.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/10/fbi-refuses-provide-answers-congressional-inquiries-related-hunter-bidens-criminal-activities-revealed-bombshell-senate-report/
“The Senate Finance and Homeland Security Committees released a devastating report on Hunter Biden, Burisma and corruption Wednesday morning.
The crooked Biden family enriched themselves and Barack Obama knew.”
MT went to bed at midnight. over/under what time he wakes to continue his rantings
Sorry the truth hurts you so much , Tommy boi.
If you think/know what hours people sleep, you’re a pervert or a peeper! Which one are You? Both?
heeee’s up. the old fools awake
We’ll just call You “Peeping perverted Tommy boi” from now on!
ROFL!!!!
Peeping Tom for short?
More is just the Planet bully. Contributions? Zero. Moving the discussion forward? Not!
MR. F
Just as I value what you say and you contributions, the same with TM. Thom has taken me into the boards more than most, but on the whole he adds to this board. As you do.
Dan,
I’ll deal with Peeping Tommy boi as he insults me
Ditto here, as well.
Joe Biden on BLM?
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/10/breaking-black-lives-matter-rioters-looting-milwaukee-videos/
Black Lives Matter Rioters Go on Looting Rampage in Milwaukee
O.K. Libs rufute me……….
My pleasure. Rioters and protesters need to be kept separate — it is untruthful and disingenuous to confound the two. The two may overlap, but not much. Rioting is not to be accepted or condoned. Protesting on the other hand is the US free speech way of life. I believe in the black lives matter concept and I understand when minorities feel ignored and marginalized when the BLM slogan is watered down by trying to make it morally equivalent to all or blue lives matter.
Fire away, thirty-percenters.
BLM is a front organization for the DNC, ALL funding goes through the DNC.
The riots mayhem and chaos are thus promoted and endorsed by the DNC. There has been NO denouncing Burn Loot and Murder by the DNC nor Democrat candidates, that includes Biden and Harris. Biden went so far as to say BLM is a movement, not an organization nor a terrorist group.
Well look at D-run cities where the feral beasts have been let to roam loot plunder and pillage. Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis, Chicago,NYC, ………
Every American matters, say that, and a BLM/democrat will assault you. It’s happened many times already.
Every American should be equal in every respect. That is not BLM
You are categorically wrong. BLM is not an organization funded through the DNC. BLM is a philosophy, to which I adhere, and is decidedly not a terrorist group. The affirmative action, social engineering component is something that you and yours disagree with (“…Every American should be equal…”), which I do understand because none of us likes to be subjected to the unequal distribution of advantages.
WRONG!!!
BLM funds go directly to “Act Blue” aka the DNC.
You are Pakard full of $#!t!
BLM/DNC is associated with George Soros.
Jerry, you are either terribly uniformed or extremely naive. BLM is a marxist organization that wants to destabilize the republic. People want to make it something wonderful, but in reality they ignore the real problem…black on black killings. A far greater problem than a handful of awful crimes by a relative few bad police officers.
It’s ironic that many white BLM protesters (aka rioters) loot and destroy inner city black owned businesses in the process. Sounds like members of the KKK have found a way to express their hatred in a politically correct method.
October 8, 2020
Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s family has been part of a reactionary Pentecostal Catholic group for decades. I read about her conservative Catholic upbringing. She has called “Roe v Wade” “barbaric”, and said negative things against Obamacare, which includes legal protections for people with preexisting health conditions. She is a controversial nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Public education is caught in the COVID-19 pandemic. Children who are vulnerable to COVID-19 are at great health risks if they go to school. It should be decided on a case by case basis.
Police are important to society. Inner city Pittsfield is dangerous. The FBI always list Pittsfield in the top 10 in Massachusetts for violent crime. If you Google “Is Pittsfield Massachusetts a safe community?”, the top answer states: “Pittsfield has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes”.
I would shit my pants if I had to walk around inner city Pittsfield, especially after hours!
“Did Helen Moon lie?” Who knows? Joke: “How do you know if a politician is lying?” The punchline: “His or her lips are moving”.
Veterans suicides should be prevented by VA mental healthcare. I participate in VA mental health peer groups to give and receive emotional support. For civilians, there is emergency psychiatric care for suicidal people.
Mike Pence is a religious extremist nut who is hated by both the homosexual and feminist groups. Kamala Harris is a chameleon politician. She has a pretty smile, but she chooses power over beliefs.
– Jonathan Melle
Jonathan,
You are so uniformed. Read the section in the articles about there should be no religious test for any government position. I would quote you the exact quote, but I too lazy to gown to my office and get my copy of the constitution and its articles.
You also lie about the pre=existing conditions, another lying democratic talking point. You are such a sad case.
Hedison Was in the horror movie, The Fly. Talk about flies.
JS2
Correct-o-Mundo! David Hedison, Vincent Price, Herbert Marshall: The original THE FLY. Great camp horror!
Pence ate Harris’ lunch. She was a smirking, lying, See You Next Tuesday, who couldn’t or wouldn’t give a straight answer. No American who values the American way would vote her ticket. I may hate her more than grab effin warren and Hillary.
Crude and uncalled for. Pence was stiff as a board. Even the fly eventually got bored and left.
No points for a relaxed personality, jon. Pence was as he always is. Steady as a rock. Harris was as phony as she always is. Only a damn fool will vote for her. And I tell it like it is. Everything I posted about her is a fact. She didn’t even grow up in America, couldn’t wipe that smirk off her face, lied about several things, including Honest Abe, and is nothing but a no good, See You Next Tuesday!
I didn’t think she was that bad. Pence has a calming demeanor usually – but he was loggy in the debate. Sitting with a fly on one’s head is weird too. Maybe it’s a Christian/Zen ninja technique. Pence is interesting because he often seems like the grown up compared to Trump but he does have extreme religious views and I doubt he could ever get the Republican nomination on his own. So he is a bit like the Republican fringe counterpart to Kamala.
Jack Downey made a fortune converting a nursing home to a residence for homeless veterans and now they have numerous apartments on the property too. I’m a vet too Dan but vet or no vet I’m sick and tired of all the bums in this city hitting people up for money. Plenty of help wanted signs, but ya gotta want to help yourself. God helps those who help themselves.
MGL Chap 272
Section 63: Tramps; begging or riding freight trains as prima facie evidenceSection 63. Whoever, not being under seventeen, or a person asking charity within his own town, roves about from place to place begging, or living without labor or visible means of support, shall be deemed a tramp. An act of begging or soliciting alms, whether of money, food, lodging or clothing, by a person having no residence in the town within which the act is committed, or the riding upon a freight train of a railroad, whether within or without any car or part thereof, without a permit from the proper officers or employees of such railroad or train, shall be prima facie evidence that such person is a tramp.
Section 65: Arrest of tramps without warrant; making complaintSection 65. A sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or police officer, upon view or information of an offence described in the two preceding sections, may, without a warrant, arrest the offender, and make complaint against him therefor; and the state police shall make such arrests and complaints. Mayors and selectmen shall appoint special police officers, who shall also make such arrests and complaints in their respective towns.
Section 66: VagrantsSection 66. Persons wandering abroad and begging, or who go about from door to door or in public or private ways, areas to which the general public is invited, or in other public places for the purpose of begging or to receive alms, and who are not licensed or who do not come within the description of tramps as contained in section sixty-three, shall be deemed vagrants and may be punished by imprisonment for not more than six months in the house of correction.
Plenty of tramps in Pittsfield, because Pittsfield let’s them get away with it.
How else would they embezzle Community Development grants ?
Section 67: Vagrants; arrest without warrant; taking before court; complaintSection 67. Sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, constables and police officers, acting on the request of any person or upon their own information or belief, shall without a warrant arrest and carry any vagrant before a district court for the purpose of an examination, and shall make complaint against him.
Section 68 and 69 deals with vagabonds. Which, like Tramps and Vagrants, the City of Pittsfield has many.
The spill over has effected nearby towns. At the Center in Lenox ,you can find these persons. Like Mayor Tyer, the Lenox Selectmen don’t seem to care.
Some bum with pink hair tried hitting me up at elm Street Plaza yesterday. Used to be just Big Y and CVS West. Lucky I didn’t hit him. Nice shoes, money for pink hair dye. Too lazy to get a job.
East St across from library and Allendale intersections, are tramp, vagrant, and vagabond haunts/stomping grounds also.
Tommy More? ROFL!!!!
A few weeks ago I was in the parking lot at the Stop and Shop in Allendale and this dude comes running out of the store with a hand cart full of meat, jumps into the passenger side of an SUV, and they peel out of there in two seconds heading towards Dalton. A manager came out one minute behind him but the SUV was too quick. If I had more time I would have jumped in my vehicle and followed them.
The panhandling and shoplifting needs to stop. If you don’t crack down on small stuff, it becomes big stuff. It’s the broken window theory, and it’s true. And while there may be laws that protect freedom of expression, that people use to get away with panhandling, I would think the city could pass a safety ordinance that at least bans panhandling at intersections.
These people aren’t starving. They’re on their cell phones and smoking cigarettes at $10 a pack with their hand out and people need to stop giving them money. If they stood there all day and no one gave them a cent, how many days do you think they would continue?
If you stop feeding a stray cat, it stops coming around. It’s one thing to help get someone back on their feet. It’s another to enable people to lead a non productive life at the expense of others.
This stuff may not be easy, but it isn’t that difficult either. Society rises or falls to the level that is tolerated. And in this city, we tolerate way too much.
“Don’t feed the Bears”
JD
I agree with your statement on “the small stuff.” That’s where the best policing begins.
Way to tell it like it is jon.
Drug addicted zombies all over the place. And nobody should give the pan handlers even two cents. It’s enabling behavior. They are a disgrace to a once fine city. Plenty of jobs. Problem is these shit bums don’t want to work. I say let em starve.
I agree about wanting to want help. There are two questions here: 1. What is it about the military that seems to screw up so many of those who served? 2. What is it about the individual person that gets in the way of a productive, healthy readjustment to civilian life? I am in complete agreement about individuals needing to take personal responsibility for the choices the make. Without that, there’s no sense in continuing. I am suggesting, though, that a good investigative piece, multi-part, would take a look at ALL the factors.
Dan, you are absolutely right on the money, and I appreciate your astute observations, and your column. Just real sick and tired of the panhandlers. Veterans are, as you suggest, more likely to be homeless, and the reasons for the homelessness are the usual suspects; substance abuse and mental illness, and money, or lack thereof. You pose two great questions and perhaps people that volunteer to serve are more at risk for substance abuse to begin with, and joined for the “geo cure” – but as a wise man once said, “wherever you go, there you are.” In other words, you can run but you cannot hide, from yourself that is. The geographic cure is short lived. Sooner or later you look in the mirror and realize change only comes from with. Of course the GWOT is a potential big factor too. Thousands of men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan theater, some several times, some both places, some suffered tremendous psychological and physical trauma that endures until death. Perhaps the local fish wrap with uncover the reasons.
https://academic.oup.com/epirev/article/37/1/177/412707.
1. What is it about the military that seems to screw up so many of those who served?
Taking Veterans who have served in combat out of it; I think the answer to question #1 lies in the fact that many of the people were screwed up before they enlisted.
For years the service was a place were a lot of young men with no direction and often many issues, wound up. In some cases it gave them new found purpose and direction. In other cases, the people just spent 4 years getting drunk (you could drink on bases at 18). I’ve known many people who fall into both groups.
So I would posit that of the people enrolling in the service over the last 40 years, a larger percentage of them had issues to begin with than the general population, which is why a larger percentage of them still have issues years later.
Combat veterans are a whole different story. People in combat are sometimes forced to see or do absolutely horrible things, and not everybody can walk away from that unscathed.
I think combat veterans deserve preferential treatment over veterans who never left the states or risked their lives. That’s not to say they didn’t do this country a service-they did just by being there and ready if the need arose. But you don’t get PTSD if you pushed a pencil or peeled potatoes for four years at Fort Biloxi.
JD
It’s probably the case.It would be interesting to research the type of person who volunteers for military service? How are they different from the rest of the population? How are they the same? I agree 100% about combat vets. They should get put ahead of everyone else.
Neural pathways & safety & trust – brain, bodily organ functions – fight/flight. Primal instinct, severe cases can’t shake it – survival is a mode & it changes the pathways in the brain. “….Fear itself”, & that is the rason why not to. You can’t mind f* yourself into feeling safe, human senses are True & the alarm is within the cells. Reactions are dysautonomia. In battle & also, some homes next door. This is why they need a home first.
Dan,you dont really watch Fox for news.Anyway as Pence preplanned interruption of the composed Harris and his disrespect for the moderator shows deep down why he could promote the drug nicotine to all Americans and promote Trump to all Americans.If Trump led in February the entire country would be in school.The mess of Covid is Trumps alone….Also disgusted that Trump continues to display a mental illness on live TV and Donald Junior to his credit wants his inner circle to do a metal health intervention as he sees a dangerous decline different than anything so far in his 4 yeat battle with mentall illness……What are Trump supporters waiting for as he accused gold star families of giving him COVID because they all want to hug him so much……Secrets,secrets secrets…..he wants Obama and Clinton arrested…OK ,you guys still see a hero of white men.Now he wont debate and he gave covid to the security head of the WH and hes now in critical condition…..who believes he can make it to election day before he is removed from his job…….He is a lunatic…Wake Up…..how is his Militia kidnapping the Govenor of Michigan going? Sand down Trumpers and Standby….Crazy America…you great yet?
TSC, you must have flunked English composition.
Break things up into coherent sentences and paragraphs.
TSC,
You are so misinformed on so many issues.
World Health Organization released info this past week, death rates of Covid-19 same or less than many flu years. Now that more testing is being, death % is about normal. During swine flu, the country was never shut down, the elderly and weak sadly perished. Unfortunately, many of these sickly people would have been overcome by a serious case of the common cold.
You have so many other lies here, too numerous to respond.
On the arrest of Clinton, Obama, Biden and co-conspirators, that should have happened a long time ago. The evidence is now coming out in volumes. You will never hear about it in the local news rag, but I assure you that what they did was treason!
They should all be tried by a military court, and if found guilty, be sentenced to death, as is the usually punishment for this crime.
Well said.
An Andrew McKeever was just elected to the board at PCTV.
Of course. Once you sell-out, they own you. And when they own you, they toss you little scraps of meat from the Adult Table. For some, that’s enough. They have allowed their standards to sink so low that they don’t realize they are both self-abusing and allowing themselves to be used.
You mean like a “Rutberger” Mc D- meal Dan?
Pun intended Mc-D meal, to D-s in general, and the Left Winged Parrot owner.
Mike Pence was so good in the debate that the far left liberal media had to latch onto the fly issue to take the attention off all of the good points that VP Pence was making. His points on Kamala’s support for the Green New Deal and how ridiculous and expensive it is and the numerous other far left issues she endorses were avoided by the media by focusing on the fly.
Not much on how: 1) the D-s treat criminal aliens better than American citizens, giving them free everything (housing food medical driver licenses…) and 2) letting them off on criminal charges, or 3) how they plan to abolish the 2nd amendment either.
Concerning the 1st amendment, the D-s support that, unless you don’t agree with them. When that happens the slurs start: racist, nazi, uncle Tom, KKK, supremacist , ………
So then it looks like Pence pretty much wrapped up the election for Trump huh? Cool beans right there I’d say. Trump has so many people voting for him that if some were to stay home he would still win by a large amount. So sit tight Pat and save your gas on election day. It’s in the bag thanks to Pence.
How many ballots You mailing in Johnny?
Pelosi has made it official. She is now working for China not our country. She wants to remove the president from office due to his supposedly ill health. This is just the beginning. The far left has “insurance policies” for every potential outcome of the November 3rd election.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pelosi-25th-amendment-trumps-health
Well if Pelosi is officially working for China and Trump is officially working for Russia maybe we can sign some nice trade deals.
Biden is working for both, but not America.
Pence was awlful just pitiful.
Kumala may have blown willie but Pence blew her outta the water
Scared?
Let us know when you wake up from your dream. Pence knocked her into next year.
No civilized country in the world gets rid of their police which means the far left is fine with the crime rising because they know that will happen when you make police the bad guys. It’s all part of their plan to create chaos just as the virus was part of it from their friends in China importing the virus to the world. Then after all the turmoil they have created, they have the nerve to say, “This is Donald Trump’s America, do you like it?” They think Americans will buy into their trickery.
I meant to say that very friendly to the far left in this country China exported the virus to the world and this country to tank our economy and then they blame President Trump for the death count. Another example of everything they accuse our president of doing, they themselves are the culprits.
No civilized country puts children in cages. Neither do they reject all professional medical opinions when it comes to pandemics allowing almost 1000 of their countrymen to die each day. The virus may have started in China but it became Trumps virus when he rejected the advice of all the experts in the field and started calling all the shots on how to deal with it himself.
Those were Barry Sotero’s kiddie cages with Hiden Biden as VP. Let Joe take credit where it is due!
Biden/Pelousey pissed on Trump, when he closed travel to/from China, got called “racist” like the D–s do when they don’t get their way.
I know I complain a fair amount on this forum, but I really have to give the city some credit when it is due. I took a spin down North St for the first time in a couple of weeks today and was shocked to discover they are finally addressing a much needed improvement downtown, A FREAKIN BIKE LANE. In the middle of a pandemic with city businesses closing every other week, a ridiculous rise in violent crime, and a homelessness crisis we decide to integrate bike lanes on North St.
What idiot thought this was a good idea? Am I assume now the hooligans that are on their bikes on North St now will remain in the bike lane? How are emergency services supposed to respond to anything on North St?
It’s really for the Tramps, Vagrants, and Vagabonds.
The median strips at intersections are getting overcrowded.
Besides, there are street drains that double as latrines, which keeps the poop and pee off the sidewalks.
What is the difference between a Vagrant and a Vagabond?
A vagrant is someone who hangs around without any VISIBLE (the key) means of support. A vagabond is a vagrant who is constantly on the move, never in one place too long.
They are preparing for the Green New Deal where we all, willingly and with a smile on our faces, surrender our private vehicles to big Marxist government. Nobody will raise their voice or interrupt while this revolutionary takeover takes place.
So Pat are you on the same theraputics Trump is on? And I ask because you are both talking like bonafide cucukoo birds. And while it is entertaining to be sure, I would hope no more of the gullible types gets sucked in by reading your utter and unadulterated gibberish.
Bike Lane as a priority! During a pandemic. During an economic downturn that is making North Street resemble a ghost town. A Bike Lane, with winter around the corner! A Bike Lane, that will narrow the space for cars! A Bike Lane, that many bikers will ignore! A Bike Lane, for all the bikers who don’t want to travel through downtown. Think about this: Not even Northampton has a bike lane downtown.
Dan, totally agree. To add to this great priority. The City streets are currently a dangerous mess due to the storm that blew through on Wednesday evening. Large trees and limbs blocking roads. The Mayor and her boy toy Morales evidently feel that painting a jig saw puzzle on North Street is much more important than clearing up storm damage on the City streets. Some streets in the Allendale area are still basically impassable. Speaking of impassable, wondering how emergency vehicles are not going to be able to get up & down North Street when it is down to one lane each way, with the new added bumper to bumper traffic? Are these emergency vehicles suppose to drive through these new relaxation areas? Where are vehicles suppose to pull over to allow emergency vehicles to get through? Have they let surrounding towns know about these traffic changes so they are aware when rushing a patient to the hospital? Once again our Mayor does not realize there is a city with hardworking taxpayers beyond her Dynamic (NOT) North Street.
It strikes me that many of Pittsfields politicians, certainly the higher level ones, are in their positions for all the wrong reasons. I do not see this mayor as someone who really cares about Pittsfield at all. And if she does she is getting really bad advice on how to prioritize the cities real needs.
The city could slash 25 million from its budget with the right mayor and still pick up the garbage and fix the roads. Dog parks are for well to do communites, not communities overrun with drugs, gangs and homeless people.
God bless us all.
You ain’t seen nothin’ Take ride down Melville if you want some laughs. They’re going to make two ‘parklets’. One in front of the trophy shop and another across from the Boys Club. The kids are going to be able to gather there and do what kids do.
What is a parklet?
https://scs.georgetown.edu/news-and-events/article/7858/creating-community-sense-of-place-parklet
https://www.westernmassnews.com/news/northampton-to-remove-shared-streets-project-from-main-street/article_32b0756c-f469-11ea-8f70-97c318ef5cca.html
I STILL don’t understand the concept, even after Ricardo Morales explained it to me.
How soon before Squeaky is using the bike lane as her own personal lane for commuting.
Moonbeam lied when she didn’t have to.
This was the same thing Craig Swineson aka the toy solider wanted to do in So county.
If, as you say, Harrington tried to get selectmen not to publish her name in the Eagle over her failure to pay taxes as is standard, it is a situation many would consider more egregious than her driving without a license. It should be reported to the ethics commission. A selectperson who fails to do so may be considered negligent in their duties. Will they confirm or deny it?
i want to see when the bank calls in her mortgage, for all to see?
Totally agree, that is the big story there. And if true, would be a gross misuse of power, right on the heels of her releasing names of police she say abuse powers.
Ironic, no?
Within five years they will close off both ends of North street and send all traffic over First st. It will become its own ghetto where only zombies dare to go. And I am in favor of that.
50 years ago, Thursday nights were “vibrant and dynamic!!!! …….” on North St. All the stores stayed open until 9PM.
That’s when there were stores, and several place to see movies.
The curbs were sensible, a little different than now, to accomidate winter snows. …………….
Winter snows? As opposed to summer snows MT? Where do you live, in the gotdam Rockies? Please make some small attempt to get on the same page as the rest of us will ya?
There have been fall and spring snows, JA.
I agree. I also know why Mayor Tyer uses the word “vibrant” so much. If you read many of these far left news articles, which I do just to keep on top of their craziness, you will see the words “vibrant city” or “vibrant community” scattered throughout their propaganda pieces. Democrat politicians are likely constantly receiving these far left articles regarding their vision of the future of this country once the globalists/Marxists are in charge.
Poor Donald Trump.Thats all Im allowed to say.
TSC
Who or what is preventing you from saying more?
The Trump Police aka Proud boyz.
His school union leader.
MOM
Trump will be on Limbaugh today. I think starting at 12:07. Not sure for how long–an hour? more?
810 AM/103.1 FM
https://www.rushlimbaugh.com/
I use this feed online: https://newstalk1290.com/, but I’m sure you could do WGY and any others that carry the show in the nation.
It is amazing how all conservative speech has been removed from the Berkshire airwaves. Gone from local radio are Glenn Beck, Howie Carr, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, etc.
The only thing the media elites want you to hear is the globalist lies of the radical left.
Fortunately, we can still pick up the Albany stations, who would have thought that the Albany area has a more conservative community than Pittsfield. Also, iHeart radio app works well in the car while traveling.
Frank Luntz group of undecideds on the Harris-Pence debate pretty much says Pence won by unanimous decision.
All the Dims got is fly, mansplaining, interrupting the woman, which means they know Pence won big.
As usual, no substance, just whining and labeling–and now won’t answer questions.
Because, you know, “if I do, you’ll make it all the headlines.”
Yeah, Joke, it is called running for president. Go back to you nap now.
Hmm, Debate Commission has some questions to be asked of them. The names are familiar to all , I’m sure.
https://www.revolver.news/2020/10/rigged-presidential-debate-commission-frank-fahrenkopf-color-revolution/
It all comes back to this “color revolution” that the deep state is using to take over our country. Glenn Beck has done a lot of research on this color revolution and also says they are attempting this revolution in our country just like our state department has done in other countries. These are all globalists and they are in our State Department, Department of Justice and throughout our entire government. This deep state of globalists is really running the country and has been working continually against President Trump since his election.
Who is “them”?
Biden. A “patriot”
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/10/exclusive-update-video-joe-biden-calling-muslim-jihad-created-translated-promoted-endorsed-us-government/
“It appears that Biden made it up from his basement and did the call from his backyard. During the call, Biden quoted the Prophet Mohammad and said this:
This a call for Jihad in the Muslim faith.
The next day Emgage created a video calling for one million Muslims to vote for Joe Biden. (The video can be seen here at the Illustrated Primer – it is too large to upload.)
Shortly after that, four Voice of America (VOA) employees (i.e. US government officials) took the Biden statement on the Zoom call and spliced it with the Engage video and added Urdu text.”
Pence bothered with a fly, while Kamala told her lies!
Fact check her D-s……….
Captain Lee Crane absolutely understood that reference, Dano.
I liked watching the Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. Ah, the great old shows of the past.
Ah, yes, JS2. With this post, you are ready for post-graduate work, getting Hedison at this level.
BULL
You are in the upper 0.05 percentile. Your astuteness, never in doubt, taken here to a new level!
As a veteran who has served in VN I must say that the US has taken great advantage of veterans who risked their health and lives by serving in battle. The way this country and the VA in particular treats its veterans is shameful and criminal.
Then you know all about the Sotero/Biden run VA.
Right from the start they treated you guys without care. So sorry. They continue to bamboozle.
Looks like Socialist Don and Not so fancy Nancy are going to pass another stimulus. And Republicans are conservatives? Debt climbs again.
Thank you.
President Trump has been adamant that Veterans Affairs establish the key programs to care for both the physical and psychological wounds of our returning service members. Through taking executive action and signing bipartisan reforms into law, he has time and again demonstrated his own commitment to delivering the reforms our veterans deserve. He has also made sure the government provides them adequate resources.
The budget allocation was a record $201 billion for Veterans Affairs this year, and the budget request for next year calls for raising that figure to $220 billion. Some of that money will go toward attracting medical and management talent to Veterans Affairs that was lacking in certain areas, a task furthered by the Veterans Affairs Choice and Quality Employment Act. The Trump administration has also taken crucial steps to improve the prospects of future veterans. The National Defense Authorization Act this year has raised military salaries by 2.6 percent, the most in nine years.
Money is not everything, though, which is why President Trump has also worked with lawmakers to reform how Veterans Affairs works and will continue to ensure that dollars are spent wisely for our veterans and their families. To that end, he signed the Veteran Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act, the Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, and the Mission Act, all designed to create flexible new treatment options while building a culture of accountability. The Mission Act notably allows veterans to use benefits at private medical facilities if their local Veterans Affairs hospital is unable to fully meet their needs.
I appreciate your summary but will only believe it when I see it. That is, I will believe it only when I see our Veterans getting the attention and health care that they deserve. As it is now, if I have health-related issues, because of lack of funding and staffing, the VA is the last place I go to have those issues taken care of.
Sad to see the Planet spend any time on the fly at all.
Colbert a total prick–waste of time on him too. His unhinged TDS in early 2017 made me ask, “Is this supposed to be entertainment?”
But right overall on the debate–Pence under control and clear; Harris nothin’ but smirky snark, which might work in freshman English class with the valley girls, on SNL, and with Erin Burnett (if you show some cleavage) but not as any kind of leader.
‘Cause the Left ain’t nothing else.
Trump talked to Limbaugh for at least an hour and a half today. So looks like you’re right, Nazi Pelosi, get crackin’ on that inane bill on the Twenty-Fifth Amendment because he is truly incapacitated, and you should know. What and how many meds are you on so you can speak in complete sentences? You couldn’t for a while there.
Harris smirky snark bothers you? There is a guy named Donald Trump who takes smirky snark to a whole new level. Check him out sometime. Smirky Snark could be his stage name.
Trump does have a major league smirk. He doesn’t use it so much in debates as when he has a captive, friendly audience and is working the crowd.
Don’t worry, it looks like Trump will dominate the election in a lopsided victory. No one is showing up for Biden events; there is no enthusiasm for his campaign.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/10/omg-no-one-showing-biden-harris-events-no-one-watching-online-biden-harris-3-president-trumps-online-viewership/
Quite frankly I think Pelosi wants to be president and that’s why she is prepping the waters with this 25th amendment commission. She thinks that if Joe wins, he can be forced out through the 25th amendment, and since Kamala is ineligible to be president since she is not a natural born citizen (neither parent was a citizen) the office would fall to Pelosi as House Speaker, 3rd in line. There are a lot of “ifs” involved – “if” the election is rigged for the Democrats, “if” Pelosi is still Speaker. Nancy has been having speech and focus issues so if anyone should be under the health microscope it should be her!
Signed right here in the Berkshires…
https://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/oct/8/thousands-scientists-urge-end-devastating-lockdown/?fbclid=IwAR10NgFKVuHuOnPI71jOjbC2z-rGLACkpgZqImLPOKBRo2SluZclB2DecgM
True. You can’t even get a dental filling in many dentist offices in Pittsfield and I’m sure it’s this way across the country. They are terrified of using any water spray that they normally use and are holding out for more expensive equipment. Meanwhile, dental health across the country is going downhill except for the wealthy Democrats who can afford to get first rate dental care from dentists who wisely ignore these insane lockdown rules.
As an Independant I do all my own dental work. And it is not as hard as dentist make it seem to be. And you can get everything you need on ebay for a song including crowns and spit bowls. My new book on self dentistry will be out in time for Christmas and will include a free toothbrush and dental floss.
Limbaugh, or guest host?, mentioned Sunetra Gupta the other day.
In shock that this was even allowed to happen–and in the Looney Left Berkshires, in the heart of moonbat central?
These scientists will probably suffer detriment to their positions and careers–scientific truth not actually welcome. At least not until Harris-Biden win. Then all will be different.
Sort of like, remember, when in 1992 we had a HUGE homeless problem in the United States? I don’t know, 10 million, 20 million? homeless, all over the country. Really terrible. And those mean ol’ Republicans just didn’t care (sound familiar?).
Well, as if by a miracle, the homeless problem went away on election night 1992. Never to be heard of again–until the next Republican administration
And then in 2012, remember the scourge that was Wall Street? Terrible. Occupy Wall Street out in their tents in the cities?
But, never fear, that all went away on election night 2012. Even though Obummer took plenty of money from Wall St., as do Harris-Biden, outraising McCain 4 to 1 from Wall Street, and outraising ROMNEY from BAIN 2 to 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Haven’t heard a thing about Occupy since that night.
So don’t worry, as soon as Harris-Biden win, the virus will subside and will be peachy.
D-s are sunk truth comes out
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/10/breaking-mike-pompeo-says-hillary-clintons-deleted-emails-will-begin-releasing-election-day-video/
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday dropped a little October surprise said his department has Hillary Clinton’s ‘deleted’ emails and will release them before the election.
“We’re getting them out,” Pompeo told Fox News Dana Perino.
“We’ll get all of this information out so the American people can see them,” Pompeo said. “There will be more to see before the election.”
“You will remember there was classified information on a private server. It should never have been there. Hillary Clinton should never have done that. It is unacceptable behavior.”
Now the Durham Report will not come out until AFTER the election. This is the deep state at work hoping that Biden is elected and all of this can be swept under the rug and their corruption can continue unchecked.
Also to those who keep saying that the far left doesn’t want to get rid of private vehicles, this article explains how Americans need to end their dependence on cars and rely much more on public transportation. Even electric cars aren’t good enough. These far left globalists want mainly public transportation in the future.
https://www.curbed.com/2019/8/28/20833410/bernie-sanders-green-new-deal-transportation-debate
Seven more kid cases of Covid in Berkshire County. North Adams school system is going to have problems.
This will help Biden:
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday dropped a little October surprise said his department has Hillary Clinton’s ‘deleted’ emails and will release them before the election.
“We’re getting them out,” Pompeo told Fox News Dana Perino.
“We’ll get all of this information out so the American people can see them,” Pompeo said. “There will be more to see before the election.”
“You will remember there was classified information on a private server. It should never have been there. Hillary Clinton should never have done that. It is unacceptable behavior.”
October 9, 2020
Per Danny Jin’s news article, below, concerning Beacon Hill not even proposing a fiscal year 2021 state budget after over 3 months and counting, I take Pittsfield State Senator Adam Hinds, Pittsfield State Representative Tricia Farley Bouvier, and Lenox State Representative Smitty Pignatelli’s statements as nothing but hot air. Rather, I believe Beacon Hill not even proposing a state budget as a financial shell game. They don’t even know how big the state budget deficit is. Moreover, they have yet to close the books on fiscal year 2020, which ended on June 30, 2020. Furthermore, they are supposed to be planning on for fiscal year 2022. Nothing has been done by Beacon Hill’s do nothing state Legislators!
If and when Beacon Hill raises taxes, and/or cuts funds, and/or borrows money to close its multi-billion-dollar state budget deficit, it will cause additional economic losses for taxpayers. Raising taxes on millionaires and closing corporate tax loopholes will only go so far, while making other states more attractive for the wealthy to do business in. Cutting funds after over 3 months and counting will compound the funding cuts higher on a prorated basis. To illustrate, a 10 percent cut would actually be a 20 percent cut at this point in the fiscal year on a prorated basis. After another month or two, a 10 percent cut would actually be a 30 to 40 percent cut on a prorated basis to local government and their public school districts. Borrowing money to close the huge budget deficit will hurt taxpayers over the next decades.
Hinds, Farley Bouvier, and Smitty all voted themselves a 40 percent pay raise over 3.5-years-ago. Their legislative pay raise vote cost state taxpayers over $18 million. They should lead by example and vote to rescind their legislative pay raise vote, and then they should pay back all of their taxpayer loot, including their padded state pension benefits.
Beacon Hill has not held even one formal legislative session since July 31st, 2020, which means that all of the state’s legislative business has been done in secret for over 2 months and counting. No one has any idea what is going on under Boston’s “Golden Dome”. In closing, it is state government at its very worst!
– Jonathan Melle
Money is being printed by the 1000s of billions, very soon it will be every man for himself, if you don’t have a life raft you go down with the ship
Harris typical lib who knows jack shit about history. The only time the Left cares about history is to find some support for their whacked talking points. Such as the embarrassing Timothy Snyder. Or when all of a sudden they were interested in Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings to defend Billy Bob and his bouncing bobbit.
Or, like Harris did in the debate, just make it up to suit your needs, as with the bogus Lincoln quote. What would we do without Tucker to expose this drivel?
And you want this woman anywhere near the power of the president?
Yup, smartest effing people on the planet (not this one).
China banned VP Pence saying anything about Beijing during the debate by cutting out that part of the debate. Their people are not allowed to hear anything that goes against the communist party. That’s one way they keep control over the population. The far left in this country is learning important lessons from China about shutting down free speech.
Joe Biden calls climate change the “existential crisis” of our times and the far left calls the vehicles sitting in our driveways the “ultimate climate deniers”. Yes, the globalists are going after private vehicles using climate change as the excuse.
THE PLANET disagrees with Trump’s China policy. China is poised to become the World’s #1 superpower (the U.S. still holds on to #1, but tenuously). We need engagement, not hostility, with China.
Dan, I think that they are only poised to become the number one superpower because our country has enabled them to do so. We have been engaging with them over the years and it has done nothing to change their government at all and, if anything, they have become even more totalitarian. We have involved them in so many aspects of our society including our colleges and teaching them detailed aspects of our society, but they remain very secretive. Engagement with the rest of the world has not softened their policies or liberalized them at all that I can see.
PAT
I understand what you’re saying, and they are fair points. But the purpose of engagement is not, nor should it be, changing the the policies or politics of another government. It should be to keep them close at hand. Dialog over demonization. China has adapted in a manner that’s been effective, taking the best of capitalism while reinforcing its authoritarian structure. Quite the trick. Xi Jinping has replaced Putin as the world’s best politician.
I do agree with that. We shouldn’t be on a mission to put our values on another culture. We have seen a lot of that from our own State Department. Coming to the table as equals is good and not caving in to China’s demands as I have seen Hollywood and even Netflix do such as not airing anything that might offend China, but in doing so goes against our values. At least for now, in our country we do not accept a government having total control over their citizens and our movies and other media should reflect our values and not those of China.
While I agree with keeping your friends close and your enemies closer, we have gone out of our way, as has the rest of the world, to engage China, but China has gone even more totalitarian despite these efforts. At this point, I think we are enabling them to become the #1 superpower especially with all of the access we give them to the details of our American society while they remain shrouded in mystery and secrecy.
Totally agree with you Dan. People can say all the nasty things they want about China but 5-10 years from now you are not going to want to be on their bad side. Maybe even two years at the rate of American decline.
Yes, American decline caused by the far left in this country and therefore helping to make China the #1 power in the world. The China virus helped with American decline because before that our economy was booming. The far left in this country wanting to destroy our government and go Marxist is causing American decline also. This all sounds so planned.
Chinese government unleashed this virus on purpose to take down Trump
Thanks JD
Engagement failed. They took advantage of us biggly.
Yes, engagement failed, because we had the wrong people at the table. Engagement only works if you are at the table as an equal and conduct business that way.
Tucker did a great job exposing Kamala for the liar she is. You are right Ed, the libs contort & distort history to meet their purposes.
I’d say Willie Brown exposed Kamala long ago as to her politics. Many politicians will do anything to gain power, money etc… to get elected and stay elected.
sicko gnurrow
I seriously want to know who came up with the stupid idea of a “bike lane” on North St. What person, commission, group, CC, mayor, etc.?
Who out there has the guts to tell us?
Yeah,it was that Councilor from ward four years ago who wanted bike lanes near your backyards also.
he moved to Lenox – Ward
Good question Spider. I avoid North St. like the plague due to the number of pedestrians jay-walking and people on motorized scooters traveling every which way. It’s an obstacle course. Factor in bicyclists and it’s a recipe for disaster.
Just came up North from the park Square direction. So there is indeed a bike lane against the curb and cars parked in what was the right hand travel lane. So now, while it is maybe (or maybe not) safer for the bikers, be very super careful that someone is not going to open their car door into the travel lane. And if you are parking (in what was once a travel lane) be very super careful that your door does not get ripped off as you exit your car into the travel lane. Same same if you are riding your bike be super very careful that someone exiting their car does not whip open their door and you slam into it at 35mph and sail headlong into a parking kiosk knocking your sorry ass unconcious. WTF?
Nicholas Russo is the dullard who though this was a good idea.
https://www.facebook.com/nick.m.russo
https://www.facebook.com/thepittsfielder/
Nick – I don’t recognize the name. What is his claim to fame?
Doing dumb things like this.
He works with or for Alta planning and design.
DOWNTOWN STREET PROJECTS FAQ
Hi all – I want to introduce myself as the coordinator for the downtown street projects you have been seeing over the past week. I will answer some FAQs here, and will be around in the comments for another 30 minutes or so to talk.
Happy to answer constructive comments or questions. I’ll be scrolling past caps-lock comments, profanity and jokes/sarcasm. Please read the whole thing before asking a question!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> These projects are intended to be small demonstrations funded by the MassDOT Shared Streets & Spaces grant program, which you can read more about here -> https://www.iberkshires.com/story/63111/MassDOT-Announces-Shared-Streets-Spaces-Program-Funding-Awards.html
https://cityofpittsfield.org/press_detail_T32_R596.php (some projects have changed scope or location since this page was published)
They are not part of a larger bike network or master plan at this time; simply “snippets” to show how protected bike lanes and other street changes could work.
> We are aware that traffic has backed up at short times at rush hour on North Street. At the end of last week, we adjusted signal timing at Depot Street to give longer green time to North/Southbound traffic. Hopefully we will see an improvement starting next week. Please be patient! Or, consider First Street or Seymour Street as alternative options.
> This week, we’ll be adding more advance warning about the dropped southbound lane as you are heading toward Depot Street. Sometimes things don’t all fall into place at the same time unfortunately!
> This grant proposal was originally written by myself and colleagues at Alta Planning + Design, a consultancy group brought on with funding from a charitable foundation to propose these projects. The proposal was then reviewed by the chiefs of fire and police, city engineering, public services, and the mayor’s office, before being submitted to MassDOT. MassDOT then approved and funded the projects.
> Emergency vehicles have to negotiate many two-lane streets in cities all around the world. The fire department and ambulances have the ability to “pre-empt” the signal – that is, turn the light green in advance of reaching the intersection, and helping to clear it out. You may have observed this happening in the past when you see white strobe lights flashing on top of the signals.
> If you see an emergency vehicle approaching, you may need to continue through the intersection if possible, or turn to a side street. Immediately pulling to the side might not always be the most prudent option. We all need to play our part to get them through.
>I know the timing of these projects is weird – going into colder weather in the fall. The intent was demonstrate these projects during the height of work-from-home/quarantine, but the grant arrived at a different time. We are required to implement the projects this year; we can’t wait until the spring.
> The good news is that everything purchased through the grant will be retained by the city, and can be re-used for future seasons to come!
> If it turns out some projects don’t work, it its much easier to cover up paint and remove posts than to jackhammer out concrete and asphalt. Failing cheaply and quickly is an option! But at the same time, please give a chance for the dust to settle and to establish a routine before we score winners and losers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you made it this far, THANK YOU for your time, and please use this information to spur a positive attitude among your own social circles and to help us all make a better downtown!
I remember North Street. I remember England Bros., Myers, Holden Stone, Lidos, Liggett’s, Fanny Farmer, and the Five and Dimes. I remember the Sweet Shop, Sugar Bowl, Majestic and Brass Rail restaurants, both sponsored baseball teams for Pittsfield youngsters. This is just part of what made Pittsfield a special place to call home. Thursday evenings required extra and special security guards on North Street because of shoppers for family goods, not shoppers for drugs or physical satisfaction. There was always hope for recovery here. Now we have people making decisions that know little, or worse, don’t care about Pittsfield’s history. This has been our historical business district, not a play space. Now there are bike routes eliminating auto lanes! An auto lane on North Street has been eliminated. These bicycle routes are on the street, not the walking areas. Unfortunately, they are not kidding. North Street may be forever ruined as a business district. What they don’t understand is their decisions are detrimental to Pittsfield, and to safety of youngsters on these new main street bike routes. Do our so called leaders know that major auto routes converge on North Street before going off to Albany, Boston, New Youk City? Lots and lots of autos and truck traffic next to the new bicycle routes on North Street. For those who don’t know, these bicycle routes are on the auto road routes, not the walking areas.
Also remember these bikeefs are just the same as a pedestrian in the road or a jaywalking Stooge. The bikes won’t just have to contend with cars,but people who actually walk in the streets. And it’s not unusual at all to get close lined by a car door. I’ve seen that a few times.
All of these proTrump post and Thumbs up will be for nothing in a few weeks. Then what are you going to do? Go local rants? Chuck. You forgot my two favorite spots..Kelly’s Hamburgers and the Broaster Chicken and-of course, the China Clipper.
Kelly’s was another good burger place. A&W where they brought the food to the cars and trays would hook on to the windows was another treat at times.
Dopey’s where you got the foot long hot dogs was another place where they packed them in.
Totally idiotic. They’ve made a mess of North St. and are creating a maze on Melville. Wahconah St. is next.
I agree, TM. The good part, at least as it was explained to me, is that these installations are experimental and temporary. Of course, when government promises something is temporary, don’t hold your breath. Example: ANY tax hike that the politicians call “temporary.”
Great post, CHUCK. This may finally put North Street out of its misery. For those of us who remember downtown and upstream as the commercial and social hub of a thriving city, the realization is especially painful. For the carpetbaggers and those too young to know, who do not have this knowledge of what a “vibrant, dynamic” downtown actually looks life, you and I can only shake our heads at their ignorance.
Fanny Farmers, Liggets, the five & tens, A&P and First National were the only national stores. Just about all the others were locally owned and we or our parents knew personally all of the proprietors. Besse’s, Mike’s and Rosenfelds the sales were personal. They seemed to know everyone.
Yup. Shandoff’s. Toggery Shop. MAC Finance. Nugent’s. So many. Great point about service. I remember going into so many of those stores with my mom back in the day, and how they greeted her … and sometimes with a little goodie for me! Ralph at the Sugar Bowl would always come through. At Liggett’s my big treat was a lime rickey. At Newberry’s, mom would get coffee and a donut. I would get a Coke and a donut. She would ask for extra cream so I could have the contents of one of these mini-milk-bottles made of heavy glass, cardboard lid.
Great stories Dan!
Kathy Polidoro worked in the Toggery Shop. Very nice girl. She has been touted less reverently in her later years.
The Sweet Shop is where my parents first met. Sugar Bowl is where I had many lunches while spending the day at the Boys Club. Hamburgers were great.
Remember the hot dog joint across from the Boys Club. Man his fries were good.
I bought the first hamburger of my life there, alone and without my parents, with my own money. January 1965. Might be the best one I ever had!
Per Beacon Hill getting nothing accomplished for over 2 months and counting, I ask “WHY?”
Why is all of Beacon Hill’s state legislative business being done in secret since August 1, 2020? Why haven’t they held even one formal legislative session in over 2 months? Why haven’t they gotten even one thing accomplished, including not even proposing a fiscal year 2021 state budget after over 3 months and counting?
What do Adam Hinds, Smitty Pignatelli, Tricia Farley Bouvier, Paul Mark, and John Barrett III do all day? (Answer: NOTHING AT ALL!) Why are they still getting all of their pay and benefits paid for by taxpayers when they have done nothing for so long now? Why did they, except John Barrett III, all vote themselves a 40 percent legislative pay raise that also padded their state pensions, which cost taxpayers over $18 million, over 3.5-years-ago?
Why do retired Beacon Hill Legislators such as Dan Bosley, Peter Larkin, and Stan Rosenberg, who all collect their state pensions, and then return to Beacon Hill as Lobbyists to shakedown taxpayers for 6-figure lobbyist salaries on top of the state pensions? Why does the Massachusetts state pension fund have such huge liabilities?
Why won’t Governor Charlie Baker comment on the hundreds of millions of dollars stolen from the state’s unemployment fund due to fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shouldn’t the public and taxpayers who pay into the state’s unemployment fund get truthful answers from Governor Baker?
Why won’t the U.S. Congress stop taking month-long recesses and work together to pass a new stimulus bill while millions of Americans are unemployed, uninsured, dying in the hundreds of thousands, infected by the millions, and families trying to stay financially afloat? Why does D.C.’s K Street corporate Lobbyist industry run Capitol Hill instead of American Citizens through their elected legislative delegates? (Answer: MONEY!)
Should the states receive bailouts? If they don’t, then they will go financially insolvent, which will mean deep cuts to public services, local government and their public school districts. I don’t like bailouts, either, but there is no alternative.
Our country’s founding was founded on Massachusetts asking King George III for a bailout. He refused, and told his needy subjects to raise taxes. The people rebelled. The rest is history.
Again I am asking this question. Who was the idiot (or idiots) who came up with the stupid idea for a North St. bike lane and why didn’t others in authority, just using good common sense, put a stop to it. Duh!
Finding any authority with common sense around Pittsfield to stop the idiot (s) is a big part of the problem.
Many people with 2 degrees and no common sense.
J2S – Couldn’t have said it better!
It was the former ward four Councilor. He also negotiated the petricca mess for residents in ward one? And he was in was in ward four.
Nope. This was not park of Ward’s master bike path plan.
The money was dangled in the face of beleaguered cities such as Pittsfield. The city bit. It makes it look like they’re “doing something.”
Thank you, Dan. But did the grant specify that it had to be used for a “bike lane” on North St.? Were there any other options that would have really benefited the city?
NBC News Ch9 Denver, ‘bodyguard” murders man at Trump rally.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/10/breaking-denver-trump-supporter-shot-local-news-reporters-bodyguard/
Denials are already in.
Shooter, Matt Dulloff is Antifa hired thug by NBC affiliate, Ch9 Denver Co.
What’s senile Joe got to say?
Planned “peaceful protest’ against Trump rally, was promoted as a “food drive” by the BLM/Antifa/Communists. No denial here needed, there are posters distributed by the leftists promoting the “food drive”.
The food to be “distributed” were canned goods. Which were then thrown/”distributed”, at Police and Trump supporters. What’s better? a 12oz can of soup or 5oz tuna?
Hired NBC “bodyguard” , Matt Dulloff, is up on 1st degree murder. All caught on video.
Kamala, Joe?
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/10/domestic-terrorism-denver-antifa-holds-canned-food-drive-hurls-cans-patriots-police/
Denver NBC 9Wants To Know: 1-303-871-1799
Now when there is another food drive for those in need, people will have second thoughts. The ones getting the cans chucked at them are the ones who donate more on the average. Nice job idiots.
MSM/NBC news sponsored murder.
It’s a Mad Mad World out there! Crazy on steroids!
Biden: For those who question my short term memory,it is excellent! My short term memory is pretty good also.
Rich Little
No wonder people are so confused about the Covid and how to handle it.
https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/global/coronavirus-who-backflips-on-virus-stance-by-condemning-lockdowns/news-story/f2188f2aebff1b7b291b29773
1c3da74
Dan, if you might I’d like to make my Super Bowlpredictionright now. It will beSeahawks vs Steelers. And Seahawks will win the Super a Bowl. One thing we can agree on on? The New York Jets,Stink.
Those are good, safe picks five games in. Who knows, though. There might not be a Super Bowl. The NFL schedule borders on chaos. And yes, the Jets and Giants are a combined 0-10. To quote that noted scholar Bill Parcells: You are what your record says you are. All in all, this year shouldn’t count for ANY of the sports. The virus has made things too weird.
IN the name of the virus, the super bowl should be called….ready? …….The Toilet Bowl…….
Is there some reason that the City’s administration has not cleaned up from the storm that hit on Wednesday. The City is a mess! All the surrounding towns have completely cleared their towns of trees and limbs. For four days seen plenty of City trucks cruising around the City not doing anything. You would think the Mayor would be embarrassed that the streets are such a mess, especially when she caters to the tourist rather than the local taxpayers. Although, I bet they cleared her street so she is all set. That’s all that matters.