A PLANET “TWO-FER” — 1st story: HOLY TOLEDO! AMERICA CONTINUES TO LOSE ITS MIND OVER RACE … 2nd story: PARK LOVERS DECRY PLANNED SPRINGSIDE BIKE TRACK
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY APRIL 19, 2021) — Lots going on, and to fit some of it in, THE PLANET presents two stories. Up first …
WHAT YOU HAVEN’T HEARD ABOUT ADAM TOLEDO
On Chicago’s West Side, police are alerted to gunshots in an alley. It’s 2:30 a.m. They respond. Two Hispanic males immediately start running away.
Stop THE PLANET if you’ve heard this one before.
The officer pursues on foot, yelling at them to stop. They continue running.
One of the suspects gallops into the darkness. The other one, losing ground, finally stops, a handgun in his left hand. The officer keeps yelling for him to stop and drop the gun. Finally, the kid deposits the weapon behind a fence. It doesn’t appear that the officer has seen his drop the weapon. The person raises his hands. The officer opens fire with one shot in the chest, a fatal wound.
He’s middle schooler Adam Toldeo, 13. Family and friends say he was a polite, smiling Boy Scout, altar boy, star athlete, and saint. He lit up the room with his smile (don’t they always do that?). Those bad old killing-crazed cops, shooting for no reason.
Holy Toledo!
Immediately, the rush to judgment pours in in torrents. Around the country, “peaceful protests” turn violent. In Oakland, Calif., to name one city, rioters burn buildings, loot stores, and club one police officer in the head. Authorities allow the rampage. Not one arrest is made.
What you don’t hear about Toledo:
- The other person in the alley was Ruben Roman, 21. Every 13-year-old hangs out with an adult at 2:30 a.m. on a school night.
- The parents are AWOL.
- The kid has gun residue on his hand from a recently fired handgun. Doesn’t every 13-year-old own a gun?
- Three nights before the shooting, the boy’s mother calls the police to report her son missing.
- Toledo returns home the next night, March 27.
- The mom doesn’t notify the police.
- On March 31, two days after the boy’s death, morgue officials call the mother saying the body matches the lad’s description.
- After his death, Toledo’s friends pay tribute on social media, calling him by his street names: “Lil’ Homicide” and “Bvby Diablo.”
- On social media, the Latin Kings vow retaliation.
Did Toledo have to die?
Of course not.
Does he and his family bear responsibility for his death?
Yes.
Did he deserve to die?
No, but death is the cup’s brew from which we shall all eventually have to drink. Toledo made choices that assured the cup would overflow far too soon — a kid that age, in a gunfire back alley at 2:30 a.m. on a school night, armed with a loaded handgun.
What could go wrong?
But that’s not the favored line in these fractured times. Such a line wins you condemnation from the the “inclusive and diverse” zealots, a motley mix of social engineers, do-gooders, the “we-know-what’s-best-for-you crowd,” young people who don’t know their assets from a hole in the head, schemers, and con artists whose time has arrived for “playing the system.” It wins condemnation from the likes of Al Shapton and Maxine Waters.
(CAPTION) Maxine Waters, loud mouthing as only she can.
Waters (D., Calif.) told Brooklyn Center, Minn., demonstrators to “stay in the street” and become “more confrontational” if former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is acquitted of killing resident George Floyd.
The hate-spewn narrative dominated by social media will distort the story into a lopsided one of “innocent, helpless victim” vs. “oppressive, heartless institution.” Violent rioters will use the Toledo shooting as yet another excuse to sow chaos, enrich themselves with stolen sneakers, and feel important. They will face no consequences for the damage they do. The officer will lose his job, face a kangaroo trial, and then be sent up, just as Chauvin and Kim Porter soon shall be.
The city will them pay Toledo’s family tens of millions of dollars. It’s a new cottage industry, one identified not only by THE PLANET but all reasonable and objective sources. Though it’s more dangerous than the lottery, it more of a sure thing, this new version of “So You Want to be a Millionaire.”
———- ooo ———-
GROUP SAYS SPRINGSIDE PARK BIKE PATH WILL DESTROY PARK’S AMBIENCE
As a public service, presents this statement from citizens opposing a mountain bike pump track planned for Springside Park. The group will make its presentation tomorrow night (Tuesday April 20) at the Parks Commission meeting.
Here is the statement:
To the Pittsfield Mayor, City Council, and Parks Commission,
We are requesting a hold to be put on the current proposal for a mountain bike pump track at Springside Park. It is clear that the process has not been advanced in a way that is equitable, transparent, and democratic. The Parks Commission and other city officials have not been given a full view of the nature, intent, and destruction of mountain biking, and options for its location in Pittsfield. At This coming Tuesday’s meeting on 20 April we will present specific and new points supporting our position.
Any fair process will include a full public understanding of what is being proposed, meaningful input by the public, a series of announced and widely-known meetings in real time and space, comprehensive discussion, and full vetting by all parties concerned, including the public, of the nature, actual proposed details as opposed to vague estimates, and consequences of allowing mountain biking to be inserted in natural areas, especially one like Springside that is meant to be an undisturbed natural open space since its donation to the city in 1910 and 1939.
Despite the pronounced advocacy by proponents, including some in city government, of public engagement and vetting, there in fact has to date been none, except those created and sponsored by the bike community and their industry and association underwriters.
Examples of this one-sided advocacy are visible in the NEMBA website where the January 1, 2021 PR promotion for the Springside pump track is characterized by falsehoods, misinformation and distortions, all giving the impression that the track proposal is a benign, completed proposal with the implication that the entire park will be eventually used. Calling Springside ‘underused’ and ‘in disrepair’ are simply not true, as people of all ages, income levels, and backgrounds consistently use the park. Statements that there is a ‘history of negative activity/crime’ are totally false, as Springside has no more abhorrent activity than any other similar park. People from all over the city and from all life circumstances already use the park with direct and easy access, and have a healthy, safe experience of nature, its highest value for our citizens.
https://www.nemba.org/berkshirebikepark#.YHjXy6C5K6Y.gmail
We strongly believe that the Public, Parks Commission, City Council, and Mayor will be able to meaningfully discuss, give input, and vet this proposal, including alternate sites for its placement, once full information has been manifested. We feel these city offices and groups want to have full disclosure and with new information not yet considered, will be able to better understand and decide on this proposal. This will result in a transparent, democratic process that will allow the best decision to be made for the welfare of the city, its people, natural spaces, and Springside Park.
We are enclosing here links to articles documenting the consequences, destruction, and facts regarding the penetration of this activity in natural areas.
1) how some communities have confronted mountain biking in natural spaces with a video:
https://www.cbc.ca/archives/why-montreal-didn-t-want-mountain-bikes-on-mount-royal-anymore-1.5631802
Why Montreal didn’t want mountain bikes on Mount Royal anymore
By the mid-1990s, city wanted to discourage cyclists from tearing up trails going down the mountain
2)
The NEMBA website list of Berkshire biking spaces/trails already used by mountain bikers:
Charlemont Trails
Greylock Glen, Adams
Kennedy Park, Lenox
Kenneth Dubuque State Forest, Hawley
Mount Holyoke Range State Park, Amherst
October Mountain State Forest, Lee
Pittsfield State Forest
Retreat Trails, Brattleboro
The Boulders, Dalton
3)
One of hundreds of articles showing the consequences of mountain biking internationally:
https://inews.co.uk/news/mountain-bikers-war-with-hikers-fines-use-park-barcelona-956920
Mountain bikers go to war with hikers after they were threatened with fines if they use park near Barcelona
After confrontations between hikers and bikers, authorities have said they will fine cyclists and may seize their bikes
4)
Communities trying to deal with unending illegal trails constructed by mt. bikers, mirroring those here in Berkshire County at October Mountain State Forest among others:
CEN calls for mountain biking study to be put on ice
5)
The importance of allowing mountain biking, if at all, in an appropriate venue, and not a natural environment like Springside:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-19/brisbane-new-mountain-bike-trails-revives-tensions/13260370
Mountain biking tension continues amid concerns Brisbane’s new strategy won’t stop illegal trails
We appreciate your consideration.
Royal Hartigan … Gene Nadeau
Elizabeth Kulas … Joseph Koprek
Charles Garivaltis … Fran Nadeau
Mark Miller … Daniel Miraglia
———- ooo ———-
THE PLANET welcomes all views on this any any other topic. While we haven’t studied the biking proposal and have no position, we support the grass-roots advocacy of the opposition group. That said, it seems to us that the pro-biking community has commandeered the public discussion to the point where it is able to get whatever it wants in a circumventive, anti-democratic manner. Just venture down North Street in downtown Pittsfield. Count the numbers of bikers who use the bike paths vs. the number of vehicles and pedestrians inconvenienced by a poorly conceived and executed plan.
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“The problems is not so much whether one trusts the news as whether one finds it” — Writer Joan Didion.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
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The violence culture of trash has to stop by all sides! The police have to stop. The suspects have to stop. The protestors have to stop. It all has to stop. Violence is wrong. Only in extreme circumstances, violence should be used as a last resort. Our trashy culture glorifies violence, sex, money, materialism, gangsters, mobs, drugs and alcohol, war, weapons – especially guns and rifles, power, status, conflict, and the like. Why? Because “SEX SELLS!” Put a guy with big muscles and/or a lady in a sexy bikini in an ad and you can sell anything out there. It is all a sick cultural fantasy that has put our cultural messaging into the proverbial toilet for the Almighty Dollar. Just look at the 46th U.S. President’s son Hunter’s new book where he writes about having smoked crack cocaine every 15 minutes and drowning himself in alcohol and have a street criminal point a gun at his head. But Joe Biden says that he is proud of his last surviving son, Hunter, instead of denouncing the message Hunter’s new book is sending to America’s youth. My theory on glorifying violence is that we are all psychologically insecure, and that instead of embracing our insecurities from within, we project violence from with out. We don’t want to feel human towards ourselves and each other because then we would have to directly cope with our personal insecurities. It is easier to bully and tear someone else down than to help ourselves and each other. Let us go nuts about immigrants, China, the far left Marxists and right wing extremists, and all of the other wedge issues out there rather than work for the common good in our society. When will we ever realize that we are all Human Beings living together on one Planet Earth?
It’s happening all over the world,not just Chicago or Minnesota or Oakland.
Come on down to Pittsfield and we’ll give you a ride a long with the p o lice John Boy
I have a new word for cops that will be subjugated to the microscopic examination of all arrests in the future. Chauvinism. And keep the bikers on North Street gutters,that’s what they’re there for? Not parks. We have to have space for our homeless.
The country seems to be spinning towards a civil war. But exactly who will be fighting and on which side? The marching protests last summer suggests strong white support for black causes. Whose side will these white supporters be on? How will any given combatant know who the enemy is? If a person of color decides to label all whites as his enemy he could easily be targeting those who marched in support of his cause and is actually his friend. And the white man does not know who whose side all those white people are on. So while it may be labeled a civil war or race war it will be so so much more.
A war fueled by paranoia where everyone is everyones enemy. A biblical Rod Serling free for all where humanity self destructs before our very eyes. No one will be safe and no one will benefit.
Ignorant white fools bamboozled by the Mau Mau. Makes me nostalgic for George Wallace’s 1963 speech.
If Springside is supposed to be left wild how come there are baseball fields behind North and Softball fields by the water tower with another ball field? Seems people in the past allowed such use. Maybe with more people in Springside the homeless won’t make it their summertime retreat. I am neither for or against the proposal but I am definitely against whatever they did on North St. What lines are you supposed to follow when you are driving?
Maxine Waters is throwing gasoline on the fire with her aggressive language that would encourage more civil unrest. This isn’t the first time she has done this and she has been warned in the past. She should be removed from Congress.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/maxine-waters-confrontational-protesters-republican-brooklyn-center
She surprised me with that move. She is normally a great American who fights for all of us. But that was not at all helpful.
Gene,Charles? The bands back together?
Talk swirling of eliminating policing all together.
Where?
At least she did not assist in the insurrectson of the capitol building like Cruz, Hawley, Gatze and that crowd. Maybe if Trumps supporters would like her more today.
So,it is ok to assist as long as it isn’t at the capital? Encouraging violence anywhere in the country isn’t a benefit to anyone.
Maxine forever.
It makes me wonder if the politicians and others really care about what is happening after speaking out like this, because right after comes the fundraising off it, every single time.
The republican party of white violend rifle shooting survivalist who are making fear their reality…every comment from the right is made in fear with a gun
BlueQanon forever
It’s so hard to comply with police when being wrongfully detained. It is a mind f*. Literally, to comply, is hard to do.
Yes, in the case of wrongful detention. Still, even there your odds are better with compliance.
Chauvin is innocent. Watched the whole episode today. He desisted arrest and said he couldn’t breath? Then was fighting with officers while saying all this? Da is correct. If you don’t comply you might die.
Sarcasm: The use of deadly force was unintentional. The indicted former police officer did not mean to kill the suspect. The suspect should have complied with the police so he did not have to die during his arrest. The police are always right and the suspect(s) are always wrong.
Look. If you don’t want a situation then don’t create one.Cop was justified. Chi town is a dangerous place for cops and more dangerous to gang bangers who walk around the streets at night with a weapon that is loaded with bad intentions.
You finally got it right Melle
Ashli Babbitt’s Killer US Capitol Special Agent David Bailey DELETES ALL OF HIS SOCIAL MEDIA Hours After RedPill Media’s Bombshell Report!
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/02/breaking-exclusive-police-lieutenant-shot-killed-ashli-babbitt-lead-murder-suspect-ashli-babbitt-case/
Ashli Babbit was white. That means that her death by gunfire from Agent Bailey, a black man, was just an unfortunate accident, no harm, no foul. If she had been black, and she was shot by a white officer during one of them violent, mayhemic, urban street “protests,” she would be a martyr. There would more violence, burning, and looting, an officer would be fired and on trial, and the family would get millions in settlement money. Bailey is an immigrant from Brail. He allegedly had a FB page that threatened to kill Trump supporters.
Guilty as charged, wait the were no charges
You can take the Mau Mau out of the jungle but you can’t take the jungle out of the Mau Mau. No amount of propping up the gang banger pistol packing negro is going to make them socially acceptable, or civilized.
MMM: You, sir, are a fool.
How about the white rifle militia rioting at out capital
Trumps famous line at his rally..”we would beat the hell out of him”…Go to the Capital and take your country back with violence….never ever has a country been led by a fascist violent punk thug like lying Don Trump
You mean FDR
Or Maxine?
Yes ok
Dan can the recent 31 million from the government be used to pay for the costs of the sewer plant?
Not sure. I’m guessing yes, because I think the money can be used for infrastructure.
There you go!
When you see Maxine Waters at a department store, at a restaurant, at a gasoline station, form a crowd, and PUSH back on her. Let her know that she is NOT WELCOME
anywhere, anymore.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/brian-sicknick-cause-of-death-natural-medical-examiner-says/
It’s comforting to know now that the gentle folks that visited our capitol on January 6 didn’t cause officer Sicknick’s death.
So now Yuki and her crowd are having a sans mask dance party with Yuki and the girls dancing on her bar. Oh what wet fun. Will linda and Pete White be the next ones to shake it with the Yukster?
Who has Yuki dancing on the bar, everybody unmasked, and a customer yelling “It’s the f****** meth lab” on their bingo card?
THE PLANET shall have this story, including comments from YUKI, in our next column.
I love it when the Planet writes about Pittsfield politics! The lovely ladies are making Pittsfield vibrant and dynamic. It is 2021 and the women are gaining political power in government. Let the lovely ladies dance on the bar all they want.
https://youtu.be/lNNW0SPkChI
Sounds like a loose cannon.
Real class act there. A sitting council member.
Makes ya wonder what goes on when there are no cameras.
Another morning full of vindictive hate speech in the local hate rag. I am amazed they can still operate in this day and age but again I am surprised people like the racist Maxine Waters is allowed to speak or in that matter hold a job. Her forte has always been hate, but I guess as long as you belong to a certain group it’s ok to conjure up hate and violence. Someday I hope society can turn all their energy into building up society as America used to instead of constantly trying to tear it apart
Dennis Powell was correct. The fix was in. This Portia Bonner resume was amazing.
Yes he was correct
Mad Max asked for protection from a taxpayers security detail before going to MN.
https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2021/04/20/maxine-waters-asked-for-police-protection-during-trip-where-she-urged-being-confrontational-n364849
Sharpton himself was sued in the Tawana Brawley charade scam. What a joke. The photo says it all.
The entire scam that is the BLM and Black Victimization Money Train in one picture.
I heard the Stooge tell the mayor Curtis should be the superintendent of schools? Did she vote for Joe?
Probably. And her vote may be the ony one that really counted.
She did vote for Joe.
Curtis is now the worst Superintendent hire in America.Pittsfield has great teachers and awlful administrators.The whole building up there is overflowing with selfish employees.The least Pittsfield can do now is an Audit of the finances for the last 20 years.Pay whatever it cost to get it done.No consolidation in sight and Curtis will spend our city into oblivian…The schools had a real chance at change and the 3 votes from morons cost us big.
School choice out as fast as you can.
As much as I try to like Al Sharpton I always come back to Tawana.
It always leads back to where it started.
Kkk is in many police departments and recruit other kkk.Its not on FOX information approval list
Yup, TSC just did a Peter Pan off the deep end.
Sharpie has come a long way. From sweat suits and taxi cabs to join in protests to the picture above.
The number 1 most violent terror attack treat is America’s white rifle militias supported by Fox news media and Trumps republican party of conservatives who dont like the idea of minority run government in 20 years.Fox news is promoting white violence on TV.America was attacked by Trump terrorist 1/6/2021….Never forget what the conservative whites are capable of doing……call it out
Acquittal prediction. Better get the guard ready.
Maxine is part of the click. She’s out there warming up the bleeding hearts because she knows this cop won’t lose this verdict. I Guarantee it. Sharpton another phony. In it for the money and always has been. Blacks don’t have a friend in the media either. Blacks don’t run the media. This is a diversion to protect the elite and stir up the African American community to do the dirty work.
Republicans = Violence
Dan, no prediction on verdict? I’ll say hung jury.
The Eagle doesn’t even have a column that the verdict is in?
The President and Maxine Waters shouldn’t be saying anything before the verdict. States are responsible for verdicts,not the federal government. Do you see the Minnesota Governor saying anything about this case? If there are riots expect to be stopped by the National Guard.
You’re stupidity privilege is showing again.
Come on Dan, Prediction?
Quick verdict usually indicates guilty. That’s where it will go.
Probably dead wrong on this and the news experts are saying it can’t possibly be a hung jury. I Disagree. One juror, one juror could have said,I’m not changing my mind Period. All it takes is one.
Must be a 60 year affirmative action protected person
Tinfoil cap man BLM and Antifa are the ones looting all the private businesses and the government isn’t doing anything about it…let’s try to figure out where this will lead
Be sure to use one of your free articles and read today’s Boston Globe story. It focuses on Western Mass. and tolls death for the Mass. marijuana industry. “It was a good run while it lasted.” Local news coverage? https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/04/20/marijuana/with-marijuana-legal-new-york-other-states-close-behind-will-mass-dispensaries-along-state-borders-survive/
Predominately Jewish area of Long Island N Y shooting at supermarket
Capital projects included the water sewer. Pay down on the bill Mayor Tyer. We cannot afford to tax our grandchildren!
Water Sewer pay it down MAYOR with our thirty one million!
Verdict is in. I’m thinking not guilty.
I wouldn’t be a cop nowadays for 100 g a year. Do t let Chauvin die on the vi e. Think about it? With witnesses and cameras rolling do you think Chauvin was intentionally trying to murder Floyd?
Was Yuki smoking some Massachusetts grown marijuana?
Methuselah Closed Until Further Notice for COVID-19 Complaints / iBerkshires.com – The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.
All police will be subjugated to microscopic examination if there is a guilty verdict. Personally I don’t think Chauvin is guilty. I’ve listenened to all the testimony. And for both sides. What we have to look at is, did Chauvin try to commit murder intentionally or unintentionally? Hell No.
I am happy to see that Hinds will have a challenger for his seat. Brendan Phair, pro-life pro- second amendment, pro-energy is running against Hinds and I can’t wait to sign his nomination papers.
Hinds is useless!
Me to!
Adam Hinds is yet another career political hack in state and local Pittsfield politics. Like his counterpart, Tricia Farley Bouvier, he voted for his own 40% legislative pay raise in early-2017, and received 3 legislative pay raises at the start of this year of 2021. Now, Beacon Hill want to pass a surcharge tax on millionaires who live in Massachusetts, which will kill successful small businesses while giving the wealthy a big incentive to move out of Massachusetts to a low tax state that doesn’t punish success. I hope Pittsfield won’t be stuck with Chrome Dome for decades of disservices like Pittsfield has been with Tricia Farley Bouvier’s useless political career in Pittsfield City Hall and now under Boston’s shiny Golden Dome where taxpayers get shaken down for Boston politicians’ huge egos.
And hopefully a challenger will emerge for Trisha Buffet’s seat. She needs to be kicked out as well!
Yep-she’s trying to pad her voting numbers by giving illegal immigrants DL’s. Country-Buffet is like the Blutowski of Animal House.
The number of bills Trish has introduced and have passed the House, to help better the working class households?
Zero Point Zero.