By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, NOV. 4, 2014) — Today we keep the message simple. It is election day. Get out and vote. Before that, though, let us shout a quick thanks to supercitizen Terry Kinnas for doing a great job guest-hosting PLANET VALENTI TELEVISION. We heard from a number of folks who enjoyed seeing a different side of TK on PV-TV. His “guest,” Minion Dave, proved to be a gas. We shall have them back.

THE PLANET hesitates to call voting your “duty” or “civic obligation.” Not voting is as much an option as casting a ballot, and in fact, the vast majority prefer this option. Some do not vote out of principle. They don’t vote the way they wouldn’t loot a store even if the opportunity presented itself. It doesn’t feel right and by doing it, you not only engage in wrong-doing but advance it. Conscientious non-voters have concluded the system is rigged against them and that by voting participate in and advance the evils so obvious in what masquerades as “participatory government.” THE PLANET can live with, accept, and respect that type of non-voter.

Democracy Demand Intelligence

The others do not vote because they are too lazy, ignorant, stupid, politically naive, myopic, or cued in on Honey Boo-Boo‘s mother rather than the issues of the day. Actually, THE PLANET would prefer that these people do not vote at all. Democracy demands intelligence from the electorate, and that commodity has been long gone from the body politick.

We realize, of course, that this situation plays right into the hands of candidates and their entourages of Special Interests, like the teachers who signed the bulk letter to the editor lecturing us of the “need” for a needless $51 million renovation of Monument Mountain High School. You will see this phenomenon play out next year in Pittsfield’s municipal election. The Status Quo will try to suppress voting to award greater proportionate weight to the votes they can control — similar to what happened with the “vote” to switch health insurance for city workers from the cost-saving GIC to the money-eating Blue Cross-Blue Shield.

THE PLANET is sorry to say this, but the municipal election has turned into a pool of weighted votes. All votes are not equal, and one person = one vote does not apply. This became true the moment bad government delivered on its promise to drive the casual (but informed) voter away from the ballot.

How to Repair a Broken System

Traditional wisdon, for example, will say you can’t win in Pittsfield without the teachers’ union vote. Pander to that constituency and you have a built-in advantage. In 2015, however, “traditional wisdom” may be thrown out the window. If there is a candidate who enters the race from the outside, who is well-funded, well organized, intelligent, creative, and brings an artistic sensibility to a relentless “scorched earth” campaign style, all bets are off.

We’re not talking about “token opposition.” You’ve seen those candidates come and go. They may have ideas but they don’t have money or organization. If, however, an outsider of intelligence, funding, and organization gets involved … well, that would be an fun thing to witness.

THE PLANET says fun because under such a scenario, we might well revive “democracy” (from the Greek, “demos” [people) and “krasis” [power] — literally “power to the people”).  Such a candidate would give a broken system its fix: Energize the electorate and give The Suits the worst nightmare of their collective life (the only life “they” live).

What are the odds of such a candidate emerging? THE PLANET shall let you ponder.

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Obfuscation on THS ‘Weapon’ Incident … or … ‘The Little Girl’ Writes

Regarding the “weapon” incident Thursday at Taconic High School, THE PLANET has confirmed what Payroll Patriot first reported on this website:

* The incident tnvolved two students, not one as initially reported.

* The “weapon” involved was a gun.

* One of the two — not the one on whom the gun was found — had talked on his Facebook page of “shooting up” the school.

Isn’t it interesting, as one of THE PLANET’s commentators noted, that the press release was issued not by the police department but by the mayor’s office. Is the mayor that much a part-timer that he can’t issue a statement under his own name? Was it too much of an embarrassment? The mayor’s woefully inexperienced “director of administrative services” is obviously in way over her head, as has been demonstrated on any number of public actions — including the press release she issued on the THS gun.

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October 30, 2014

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Julia Sabourin, 499-9322

Date: 10/30/14

Pittsfield Public School families were recently notified of an incident that occurred at Taconic High School this morning. A student was arrested for creating a disturbance at the school due to insubordination. Upon being brought into custody by the police, a search of his property at the police station revealed a weapon. At no point was the weapon made visible to any student or staff member at Taconic[.]

The families “were recently notified.” Why not share the exact time? In matters such as guns and schools, exact times must be part of the public record for many reasons, including legal and liability.

“Creating a disturbance due to insubordination.” — This meaningless phrase provides a textbook example of an incompetent bureaucrat saying something while trying not to say it.

And what are we to make of this linguistic monster, stitched together from dead body parts: “Upon being brought into custody by the police, a search of his property at the police station revealed a weapon.” This would tell us the student had a gun, possibly loaded, on him at all times after the “disturbance” and prior to his entering the police station. Anyone see a horrible lack of security here?

THE PLANET can see why one community leader, who heads a large cultural organization and is involved in other downtown efforts, refers contemptuously to the lightweight Sabourin as “the little girl.”

“The little girl” just got a big pay raise from the $50 grand she had been pulling down. In city government, taxpayers never get what they pay for.

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“When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep, and I fall asleep counting my blessings. When my bankroll is getting small, I think of when I had none at all, and I fall to sleep counting my blessings.” — Bing Crosby, “Count Your Blessings,” (1948).

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.