LEFT AND RIGHT: NATION, STATE, and CITY DREADFULLY OUT OF BALANCE … FORTUNATELY, THERE’S THE PLANET
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY MARCH 11, 2024) — Balance has always been the right approach in life. Without water, you’ll die of thirst. Drink too much, though, and you will die of consumption. If there’s 10 on the left, be sure you have 10 on the right and hold the middle.
Extremes, if they enjoy success at all, do so in short term only, as happens to fools who choose drug abuse. The high takes them out of their misery for a blink, only to throw them lower than they were when they junked. Keep doing it, and they end up dead.
Today, the political volume in America — volume as in decibels but not in numbers — lies in the extremes of left and right, a battle of posturing on the ideological teeter-totter locked in Division Park. On the left, we have “woke,” which THE PLANET defines as the mistaken, often delusional belief that social justice has no expiration date. On the right, we have neocons who find in nationalism an unjustified zero-sum faith summed up by “love it or else.” You’d think they’d balance, but they don’t, not in today’s zero-sum political environment.
Of the two radical poles, the right “enjoys” a much greater shelf life, as the historical record illustrates. It does so by virtue of valuing control and security over freedom. Freedom without security is license, and human beings cannot handle it. Lose control, and the human tendency is toward chaos. The law of entropy will take care of the rest.
Without control, there is no security, as we see in rogue nations such as Haiti and Nigeria, Venezuela and Congo. With too much, we have totalitarianism, the kind in display in North Korea and Eritrea, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. Where do you find the proper balance? Today, it’s in China and it’s “Middle Way.” It used to be the United States, that great experiment that dared put smart money on personal freedom tied to personal responsibility, how THE PLANET defines “liberty.” It was America’s greatest strength and weakness.
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Without liberty, we would not have the First Amendment. THE PLANET could not blog honestly about Mayor Maypole and his
THE PLANET: Knowing which end to light and burn.
controllers without getting the Navalny Treatment in the GOBSIG Gulag. We would be like the Boring Broadsheet and the rest of timid local media, owned by scared partners demanding tribute or paying it. Fortunately, we remain blessed with knowing which end to burn and who needs a red ass.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT: This is NOT a photo of the Mayor of Bitchfield enjoying lunch in the corner office. Repeat: It is N-O-T the mayor. Any resemblance to a living human bering is merely a coincidence.
Without security, though, we see what happens. Idiots are “elected” and ignore the law. Taxpayers get five-figure invoices that “fell through the cracks.” They get frauds like Andrea Out the Doria, the woke D.A. who sucked up (down?) and suspended law enforcement for a laundry list of crimes designed to protect the “privileged classes” that check the right boxes. It was a scary time to be white, Christian, male, and over 30. Crime jumped out of control.
Today, Bitchfield has a self-declared “openly gay” mayor who remains mum as the governor of this f$%&ed-up state prepares to send the city an armada of illegals. They’ll enjoy a free ride on Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski’s dime while seeing that crime continues ascending to the nosebleed seats.
The nation, state, and city have lost balance.
It may change little to nothing, but THE PLANET is here to provide ballast when needed and to toss it overboard when truth requires. While we’re at it, we may also toss some of the babies, even though there’s no bath water.
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“Our form of democracy is bribery on the highest scale” — Gore Vidal.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
Copyright (c) 2023 By Dan Valenti, PLANET VALENTI and EUROPOLIS MANAGEMENT. All rights reserved. The views and opinions expressed in the comment section or in the text other than those of PLANET VALENTI are not necessarily endorsed by the operators of this website. PLANET VALENTI assumes no responsibility for such views and opinions, and it reserves the right to remove or edit any comment, including but not limited to those that violate the website’s Rules of Conduct and its editorial policies. Those who leave comments own all the responsibilities that are or can be attached to those comments, be they rhetorical, semantic, or legal. Such commentators remain solely responsible for what they post and shall be and remain solely accountable for their words. PLANET VALENTI shall not be held responsible for the consequences that may result from any posted comment or outside opinion or commentary as provided in, but not limited to, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and this website’s terms of service. We serve as a marketplace of ideas, without prejudice and available to all. All users of this site — including readers, commentators, contributors, or anyone else — hereby agree to these conditions by virtue of this notice and their use of/participation in this site. When PLANET VALENTI ends with the words “The Usual Disclaimer,” that phrase shall be understood to refer to the full text of this disclaimer
I recently read a news article that cited Pittsfield, Massachusetts is a city with a violent crime rate that more than doubled the statewide average since at least 1980, which is 44 years ago now. Andrea Harrington served one 4-year single term as the Berkshire County District Attorney from 2019 – 2022. While violent crime remained just about the same in Pittsfield during her one-term, it is statistically untrue to say that she failed in her duties as the county’s top prosecutor because violent crime in Pittsfield since has been a sad and scary reality since at least 1980. It fair to say that one does not agree with her views of restorative justice based on gender and racial social justice because it is not a widely accepted mainstream legal practice in the U.S.A.
It interested me that the failed political establishment in Berkshire County – including the very wealthy Sherwood Guernsey and the greedy lobbyist Dan Bosley – wrote unfavorable letters against D.A. Andrea Harrington during her 2022 failed reelection campaign. I believed that the failed political establishment wanted someone else other than her who would be in their pocket instead of solving the long-standing matter of violent crime in Pittsfield, which is still an ongoing social problem in 2024.
Mayor Peter Marchetti publicly stated that he requests a 90-day grace period free from negative criticisms, along with him saying he is not a fan of social media commentary in Pittsfield, nor does he like the blogs that write about Pittsfield politics. My reply to the openly gay Mayor, who is my relative as we share the same great-grandparents from before we were born in Pittsfield, is that he works for the people and taxpayers of Pittsfield, and that he should respect Freedom of Speech in Pittsfield politics.
The openly gay Governor, Maura Healey, has confused me because she is sending Pittsfield (and beyond) illegal immigrants, homeless people and families, and other members of the underclass population, while at the same time, she cut state funding for Social Services Agencies that the city relies on to help these marginalized people and families. In her fiscal year 2025 state budget proposal, she is making additional cuts in state funding for social services programs that assist people, families and communities in need of assistance. She is a proponent of gambling in Massachusetts, which on a policy level is really regressive taxation that targets the mostly financially illiterate low- to moderate-income residents, while the greedy lobbyists see the inequitable state revenues from gambling as means to give their big business clients even bigger state tax breaks in Boston.
In closing, I write one word: DISSERVICES.
Jon Melle
It was announced today that Pittsfield will get a new facility for distribution of Camp Lejeune Spring water
Hello Governor Maura Healey,
Please read the editorial in The Dirty Bird rag (Berkshire Eagle). Concerning the starving underclass families in Western Massachusetts due to systemic failures in elitist leadership in Boston and beyond, the Eagle wrote: “we balance our public budgets on the backs of the most vulnerable.” Why, misguided Maura?
Jonathan A. Melle
Our Opinion: “Berkshire food pantries straining to meet increased demand deserve our recognition and our support”, The Berkshire Eagle, Editorial, March 9, 2024
You misread the editor. He is using the crisis to excoriate taxpayers asking for tax relief while food pantries are diminishing. It’s a false argument since there is no relation between property taxes and social services.
“ all while we as citizens preemptively wring our hands at the prospect of any new taxes, then our society should at least see with clear eyes what the result is when we balance our public budgets on the backs of the most vulnerable.”
Will Marchetti join Pete White and be co masticator?
Mutual mastication.
Very thoughtful blog today. If I may I would like to share my thoughts on the subject. I see the “philosophical fight” between those who believe in freedom and capitalism vs. those who want a communistic nanny state. As you stated above the Republican Party is the one that considers Personal Responsibility as the most important aspect of the American system where as the Democrat Party believes people are victims that need the state to take care of them(ie Communism).
Why any American would fall prey to the Communist ideology is confounding. Any time the Government has tried to get involved in any aspect of Americans lives they have been a complete failure. Unfortunately for the next generation the government is so big they will have no chance of knowing what freedom was or is and they can thank the baby boomers for this, I read a great article about how to fix Social Security they should stop paying the baby boomers any because they screwed it up so badly that it will be an amazing miracle if it lasts another 20 years.
My suggestion for a start to fix the system is same day voting with an authentic ID. This small item would start a change where people will be able to actually regain their voice in the government.
Thanks for this thoughtful contribution, SHIRL.
I agree with everything you said except about ending social security to baby boomers. I’m a late baby boomer and I didn’t help to create the chaos in the system. As usual it’s the so-called important people at the top who created the problem. They may very well be boomers, but all boomers shouldn’t pay the price for the stupidity of the politician boomers.
A big step would be to stop the SSI disability payment scams to those who get money for themselves and children if they have them. I’m not talking about those who are truly disabled, no I’m talking about the ones who get it for years because of things like a hangnails etc..
Absolutely. And how many non-profits in Pittsfield are directly or indirectly supported with taxpayer money? Thinking, museum, Colonial, Arrowhead etc.
Not to mention private business s getting taxpayer assistance with infrastructure and tax abatement’s. This crap is another special interest drain on hard working and lower income homeowners. A mayor and city council who ran for office for the right reasons would be all over this but in Pittsfield it seems ingrained into the budget. a government that is not really a government at all.
The leaders ( boards) of these NP’s pay the top people very well in salaries to boot. Much more than what they would get else where for having the same job description. Most of the top employees are connected to those who decide what the pay scale will be. I also believe tax breaks for private investors shouldn’t happen at all!
“Any time the Government has tried to get involved in any aspect of Americans lives they have been a complete failure.”
Especially when it comes to abortion.
Shirl, your belief and statements about Dems and communism are exaggerated and over-the-top.
Why don’t you make statements that are more moderate and closer to reality? Democrats are barely even socialistic never mind communistic.
How do you define communism?
Communism is ‘from each according to his ability, to each according to need.’ Socialism, a stage in transition to communism, is defined as ‘from each according to his contribution, to each according to need.’
Good one, NATT. Those are the classic definitions. Socialism at least has a built-in expectation for “contribution.” The U.S. government at all levels gives to illegals without expecting a “contribution.” By definition, that’s communistic.
Check out Dr. Sowells thesis on Communism. It’s quite a bit more sensible. And, it’s written by a self-described (ex) Marxist. Marxism: Philosophy and Economics. Therein he warns you away from common grist definitions.
That is actually sounds very pretty, kind, but it makes no sense. It fails to be a definition. You apply that pablum just as well to Adam Smith.
If it’s written in German, you need a better translator.
Trump wants to take your freedom away as the first Authoritarian.This is who you support.Talk about a nanny state to make him wealthy.Trump lost every penny in free capitalism so now he steals his cash or sells secrets..He knows how to scam you guys.His daughter in law just took over all your donations and guess where that cash is going ?Turn the channel.lol
TDS and alcohol first thing in the morning is a bad way to start the day
In the morning? How about all day long?
LOL You view FOX 24/7
Yep, trump will turn that into his personal bank account 100%. He is not going to waste it buying adds for republicans running for office that is for sure.
You are disingenuously substituting Trump for your “president” Bidenocchio.
Saw that at the Trump crime speech where he talks like you are all his little children
Shoot, I hardly have a bank account after 4 years of this nightmare. The old man wants me to rage about ‘shrinkflation’ and ignore the 20% cut to my paycheck.
I’m still waiting on the usual TDS crowd to post a picture of their newly welcomed illegal alien houseguests.
You know the, the usual’s: Snark, TSC, JM, Mr. Worldwide, Kindergarden (aka-Ms Fahrenheit), NutButter, etc.
Coming to Bitchfield soon:
U.S. Evacuates Haiti Embassy As Gang Violence Escalates (forbes.com)
“Diversity,” Tricia Farley-Country Buffet (D-illegal aliens) and Linda Flat Tire.
Markus, I will post pictures of my illegal alien houseguests when you post pictures of the non-aborted babies that you are caring for at your house.
First off, that was a liberal “issue” in 2020/2022-MOVE ON!!
My two adult children are grown up and out of the house. We didn’t abort them.
For an educated man, you are DUMB!!
One more time genius, abortion is a state’s right to decide. Not the federal government. It’s not a constitutional right. But keep beating your liberal chest out of an issue, that only liberals bring up.
Now, let’s see those pictures.
Are they Haitian? Chinese-military aged men you can converse with in their native dialect? Ethiopian?
Where are the fetuses you are caring for at your house, Markus? You and your govt are deciding to have them be born instead of the women bearing them, so aren’t you willing to take them in?
Give it a rest Kindergarden.
I’ve been around a lil too long for the redirect by an amateur like you. There isn’t a “fetus invasion” at the southern border. US Vets aren’t getting kicked out of housing in favor of “fetuses.”
How about giving your opinion about China Joe Xiden and the democRATS overwhelming support of: the illegal alien invasion, war in the Middle East, war in Ukraine, record high inflation, record setting violent crime in inner cities, Laken Riley, you know CURRENT issues.
The only ones beating their chests about abortion are liberals trying to redirect the focus on the sh!thole of a country Joe Xiden has allowed it to become and ALL the major issues plaguing Americans.
Ok, you win.
Markus, while I do wish to dismiss your arguments, I do not wish to dismiss your persona, as I’m sure you are a very nice person.
My point on the abortion issue is, of course, twofold – first, it is inane for you to believe and suggest that I should house migrants because I favor a more humane policy on migrants, just as it would be ridiculous to suggest that you should care for non-aborted babies just because you are anti-abortion.
Second, you conservatives who decry govt intervention think it’s just fine for govt – whether federal or local – to intervene when it comes to a woman’s decision about her pregnancy.
I know you don’t like my ‘redirect’ to abortion, but you are kidding yourself if you think that is an issue gone by. Liberals are beating their chests not to redirect, but to point out a glaring inequity.
Violation of the Bill of Rights. States have a power to write their own laws.
The federal government has been GROWING and usurping states’ rights along the most troubling lines. The federal government serves two purposes only: 1. Provide national defense. 2. Provide for a national currency. That’s it.
And write treaties. It was adopted to make certain that the States survive as a body in a hostlile world. The fear was and would still be, that the State of Georgia would suddenly become part of the Mexican empire. Otherwise, what’s the point?
Isn’t the main point that one is not supposed to ‘abort’ a fetus whereas governments by nature restrict borders. There is not a single nation on this globe that I can think of that will even allow you to enter without a visa or a passport.
And bonus point: governors are asking for volunteers to board their illegals. So, I see MA as correct that the supporters of these governors have to state either ‘yes’ I support your policy and will board them or “no” I do not support your policy.
You have my support because you are a Veteran who served honorably. Thank you. I disagree with you using my name/initials about illegal immigrants. I believe in the rule of law, not men. I do NOT like that the underclass is placed in cities with distressed and unequal economies, not the wealthy suburbs and high median income neighborhoods. Joe Biden is in New Hampshire today (Monday), which is his first visit in NH since April 2022. His name did not appear on the NH primary Democratic Party ballot in early-2024. If I bump into him, I will relay your concerns to him, as well as mine.
JM, I add your name to the list of TDS candidates because you don’t seem to grasp that you can’t have it both ways.
This isn’t your dad’s democRAT party.
To simplify things for you:
A vote for Joe Xiden, supports American (my/other Planet posters) tax money going to illegal aliens getting housing over US Veterans. It’s also fast tracks America towards communism.
May I suggest as an older white male, you read up on what past leaders did to their enemies of the state. Guys like Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot, and Kim Jung-II, to name a few.
As a white male, always keep in mind, “white supremacy is our countries greatest threat,” China Joe Xiden.
A vote for Trump, is a vote for the return to normalcy. Maybe you’ll get a few mean tweets. I don’t know, maybe NOT READ his tweets.
My god man, you made it through US Army basic training in the 1990’s and mean tweets by bother you that much?
I’m truly speechless JM.
At some point you all need to admit your love of Donny dictator is deranged
Perhaps you can post a photo of all the homeless Veterans you have housed Rube.
Apples and bowling balls a$$clown.
I’m a Vet. Did you even serve? If so, what was your MOS/AFSC? Smart money tells me you couldn’t cut it.
Is your hair still green?
All kidding aside, that was a great pic of you at the Drag Time story hour. Green hair to match your shirt. Who woulda thunk?
Oooh you’re so butch Markus. What branch did you serve in Rube? The Cub Scouts? Your obsession with drag queens makes me wonder about your sexuality. It’s ok Sweetheart, it’s 2024, feel free to express yourself, I won’t tell anybody. So, I guess you Haven’t offered to take in any homeless vets?
In Da know was definitely a POG. In the navy I would guess.
Please don’t post pictures of your homeless love sheep.
In Da know was in the Nam, than he took a test. Was a firefighter I believe, probably in Bitchfield. If you say anything about firefighter he gets his panties in a bunch.
Mucus Garcia
Yes, the city, state, and country are all in rough shape. Imagine going into the local Walmart and even finding the socks and underwear isle behind locked doors. Does anyone prosecute shoplifting anymore? I know it was a huge problem at the former Berkshire Mall.
The politicians and wealthy people who are the masterminds of what is happening in this country will find themselves unable to protect themselves from the chaos they are intentionally creating. The strongest gated mansion and security team will prove to be worthless against the terrorism and crime that is in the future for all Americans unless something is done very quickly to turn things around.
Great point Pat ! Chaos and terrorist activities are lurking right around the proverbial corner. Radical change in the positive sense( ie; border etc.) occur within the next 3-6 months if we hope to curtail the increasing likelihood of terror and chaos in our nation.
Authoritarians will always take you guns.
“our mayor is fat and gay” is beating a dead horse at this point. Looking for more creativity from you Dan, or at least a local scandal.
He is also afraid to tell the special interests no on the ballpark/stadium/multiplex that almost none of the taxpayers see a real need for and certainly cannot afford. I just wish he was responsible and caring instead of a bought and paid for tool. Real men do not let themselves be led around by the nose.
Change beating to eating and you have a very accurate statement.
Monday, March 11th, 2024
Hello honorable U.S. President Joe Biden,
The Veterans in New Hampshire and their families are feeling anxious about the new VA travel pay ineligibility rules for non-VA facilities that are authorized by the VA Office of Community Care. The Veterans learned that the VA travel office now reports to a non-VA travel agency, which is new. The new non-VA travel agency is taking away some of the Veterans’ travel pay eligibility benefits. This happened on your watch. New Hampshire, along with Alaska, does not have a full service VA hospital. In NH, Veterans are sent to VA authorized appointments to non-VA facilities on a greater basis than the Veterans who reside in the other 48 states with full service VA hospitals. This matter is a big deal to the Veterans I communicate with in NH. Please issue an executive order to change the rules back to the prior VA travel pay eligibility benefits. Please stop taking away Veterans’ benefits under your administration. Thank you.
Jonathan A. Melle
Veteran
This is the thanks veterans are getting for serving! These cuts are taking money and services from those who earned every penny and service they get to cover the costs for others who have no right even being here in the first place. You get what you voted for.
I see The city Council is still blocking emails. The latest one was.epersip and when they’re running for office, they come out with this line that they were interested in, but the taxpayers have to say there could be nothing further from the truth
Two issues here regarding the photographs. First, you are smoking a green cigar. You mustn’t. Insist on aged Connecticut leaf and settle for nothing else. Second, you absolutely must remove the label before ignition.
The man with the hamburger has a beard that will certainly impede his ability to eat it.
CHAZ
Nope. I don’t do candelas often, but it’s a mild, semi-sweet, oaky impart. This one has Dominican long leaf and Cameroon binder. The bit about “absolutely” on the wrapper is as out-of-date as VHS and Beta. All that said, with wine, whisky, and cigars: drink/smoke what you enjoy. Best rule there is.
Excellent rule! I’m, according to Josh Landes, a ‘conservative,’ so I’m sticking to it.
Neocons are more aligned with the democrats. A uniparty if you will. Trump threatens the unis with traditional American slightly right of center values.
I have never seen in my life time the Democrats come across and vote for a Republican bill, yet they are always saying we must come together and work together, yadayada
At the time, planners proposed tearing down the open-space schools Conte and Morningside Community School to be rebuilt in the same footprint but Curtis encouraged a larger study on the district, which is now the subject of a restructuring study that could result in different grade alignments and consolidation.
Why is it the City’s always talking about tearing down the buildings that they own instead of repairing them they never keep up with maintenance on their buildings
Dan,why don’t you describe yourself as the first local sexually straight male blogger.It is odd to continue to describe our mayor in sexual terms.You definitely have a hangup about who he is drawn to in sexual terms.You need to stop this unless you are willing to describe Trump as a straight sexual male drawn to raping women.There are 25 victims of his sexually straight male rapes.Trump is drawn to criminal money making felonies.Trumps is openly admitting he assaults women and he thinks they let him because he is Don Trump.I don’t think you would be OK with his straight male sexual assaults if it was a more personal experience of someone you knew.I know you support the Civil jury convicted rapist but only because you believe his version of being an openly male rapist.
To your rhetorical question, I don’t describe myself that way because it’s irrelevant and no one else’s affair. It was not I but the MAYOR HIMSELF who, in his first public statement in the new office, described HIMSELF as “openly gay.” HE’s the one to throw it in our face. I’m merely returning the favor … and will continue to do so. It was THE MAYOR who decided that his sexuality was the most important thing to communicate when he took office. It was odd in the extreme but clearly, it was a planned remark and of vital importance to him. We are only giving him the tribute he desires.
Former President Donald Trump on Monday suggested he was open to making cuts to Social Security and Medicare after opposing touching the entitlement programs and attacking his GOP presidential primary rivals over the issue.
Trump was asked in an interview with CNBC whether he had changed his outlook on how to handle entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid in order to tackle the national debt.
Inflation is rising….
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/consumer-prices-rise-more-than-forecast-as-inflation-pressures-persist-123226166.html
….as Mayor Peter Marchetti is preparing his fiscal year 2025 municipal budget that will increase Pittsfield’s spending by between 5 percent to 10 percent beginning this Summer 2024 on July 01st, 2024.
Jon Melle
P.S. #90 day Grace Period????
Can we all come together and chill a little bit ? The air is getting thick and becoming to seriou around here. How about we all sing a verse of the newest release of Kumbaya 2.0
The Biden Administration Kumbaya Song:
(16 tons of…..Adam Schiff)
Some people say Biden’s made out of swill
Made to be a crook, thwarting everyone’s will
Made to ruin all, while he strings us along
A mind that’s weak, an intent that’s wrong
A load of sixteen tons, what do we get
A bloviating President, a nation in debt
Xi don’t call him ‘cause he don’t know
He sold his soul , for the Soro’s cash flow
Is the Hess Jungle really gone? I didn’t vote for Marchetti but this is a real win if he had anything to do with it.
The Hess Jungle will live forever as a toxic site beneath the ground. There is no remediation possible. No win.