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COVID: A LITTLE MORE THAN THE FLU, BUT THE EXPERTS HAVE PROGRAMMED US (& U.S.) OTHERWISE

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY APRIL 29, 2020) — Good to see the mayor’s defenders coming out of the woodwork, telling what a wonderful job the city has done dealing with the “pandemic,” this as Barrington Stage shuts down its 2020 season, officially joining Jacob’s Pillow. Of course, readers of THE PLANET, the area’s highest-trafficked journalistic site, already knew about Barrington’s fate. Days ago, they read it here.

That diamond-stud halo the apologists want to hang on Heronor seems tarnished and not fit for the gated community.

As pandemic’s go, this one’s odd. Now that we have a couple months of hard data, guess what: COVID-19 has a mortality rate a tad higher than the common, everyday, ordinary …

… flu.

Don’t get us wrong. The flu kills. Between 30,000 and 60,000 people die every year in America because of it, and that’s with a vaccine. Nonetheless, we don’t shut down the economy every year in a blind panic. More than 40,000 people die in highway accidents every year. We don’t lower the speed limit to 5 mph, even though it would save nearly all those lives. In those cases and many more, we display cost-benefit intelligence. With COVID, however, this being a presidential election year, we cut our finger then amputate the arm to stem the bleeding.

The hard data show the COVID death rate at between 0.01% and 0.05%, from 1 to 5 people in 100. Scientists and the CDC tend to go to the middle, a little more than 2/100, about what it is for the flu season. Moreover, the chance of actually getting the C-19 virus for a reasonably healthy person with few or no underlying conditions is like the flu, minimal. For those who contract the condition, the VAST MAJORITY recover with home care of rest, fluids, and NyQuil. Bing, bang, boom. Done and over, and you’re ready for the Holy Magnolia.

America’s politicians, though, put the world’s No. 1 economy into the deep freezer, lid closed and locked. Brilliant. Makes Al Gore’s lockbox look attractive. It’s the Democrats’ desperate move to stop the presidency of Donald Trump, of course. They tried and failed with the “Russian Influence” matter. They tried and failed with impeachment. What was left? How about totaling the best functioning economy in history and hope the blame falls on the President in November. As a plan, the cynicism makes Bierce, Mencken, and THE PLANET look like Ned from the Third Grade Reader.

Don’t think the response has been political? Unemployment benefits will go to an average of $978/week, aided by the $600/week boost Ok’d by the nerve-whites on Capitol Hill. That will give most of the laid-off labor force more money than they made while employed, since a little more than half the country’s workers earned $957/week or less in the first quarter of this year (U.S. Dept. of Labor, Wall Street Journal). True, it puts money into consumer pockets — money that would have been there had the economy not been killed — but it also creates huge disincentives for workers to get off their butts.

Take Tom Hoffman, please.

Hoffman runs nine Hoffman Car Wash locations in the Albany, N.Y., area. Because the hot-dog New York governor deemed car washes “nonessential,” Hoffman had to layoff 500 employees. He also had to take out loans to stay afloat with the proviso that he recall the 500, most of whom work part time. He pays $13/hour. The government, however, pays these people $23 an hour, full time, to stay at home. No surprise that Hoffman can’t get enough people to ramp up production.

This will occur throughout the United States, providing near-impossible conditions for a return to normalcy … or a facsimile thereof.

Another example would be the mortgage market. Banks and lenders have suspended payments because of the virus. What happens, though, after the current “crisis” passes? Borrowers will have to repay every cent of the missed payments. The ensuing chaos could bring back a summer rerun of the 2008 recession.

In the end, history will scratch its head and wonder why the United States committed suicide. As “pandemics” go, COVID-19 pales. THE PLANET could easily name a few dozen much worse scourges such as The Black Plague (1347-1351) and The Third Pandemic (1855-1950s), which began in Yunnan Province, China and killed 12 million people in China and India alone.

This new “plague” reflect the wimp-iza-tion of America, a noxious blend of freedom without responsibility, indulgence without constraint, and cultural coarseness without intellectual or artistic energy. Three snowflakes show up on Doppler Radar over Lake Ontario in February, and The Berkshires’ panic.

The question for historians looking back at COVID-19 will be, “What were they thinking?” The answer will be paid for in Chinese renminbi, not U.S. dollars.

—————————————————————

“Give me liberty or give me meth”Patrick Henry Spectrum.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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. 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 Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and this website’s terms of service. All users of this website — including readers, commentators, contributors, or anyone else making use of its information, hereby agree to these conditions by virtue of this notice. When PLANET VALENTI ends with the words “The Usual Disclaimer,” that phrase shall be understood to refer to the full text of this disclaimer. Copyright (c) 2020 by Dan Valenti.

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Krian Kris Konelle
Krian Kris Konelle
4 years ago

Please let this fly in Danno. China outsmarted the U S. Plain and simple. Trump has not only a gutted economygutprobably the worst social atomosphere since the Great Depression. And you know what we do In a depression?

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Krian Kris Konelle
4 years ago

I agree this all comes back to China who was very sneaky about not telling the world about this virus until it had spread to 184 countries. They knew about the hypoxia and the overreaction of the immune system that this virus causes and which could have been treated had the world known and many lives would have been saved. Sending people home after they were diagnosed positive was not a good idea because many people died of hypoxia that could have been saved. Hypoxia is when your tissues are being starved of oxygen, but you are breathing fine so you don’t know how bad it is until you collapse and at that point it’s usually too late to save the patient. The overreaction of the immune system is now being treated with drugs to suppress your immune system which you would think you shouldn’t do with a virus, but this treatment has been saving many lives.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Pat
4 years ago

Pat,what other countries are backing up Trump with his claim?

Pat
Pat
Reply to  The school committee
4 years ago

All of them except the ones who have been threatened by China.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
4 years ago

Follow up open letter (#2) to Patrick Fennell

April 28, 2020

Hello Pat,

I agree with your negative views on U.S. Congress. Instead of “Capitol Hill”, they should call it “K Street extension”. Instead of “Congressman”, they should be called “PAC-Man”. U.S. Congress is a country club for politicians who are multimillionaires. A successful candidate for U.S. Congress spends millions of their PAC dollars to get elected every 2 years for a salary that pays a couple hundred thousand dollars per 2 years. If your Congressman doesn’t pay back the vested and special interests, he or she will not have the PAC dollars to get re-elected. Most of the Members of U.S. Congress children don’t serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, especially during times of conflict. Yet, they send the poor and uneducated young adults into war.

I am very frustrated that U.S. Congress has taken the month of April of 2020 off from work. I think it is horrible that the U.S. House of Representatives is extending its 5 week long recess for a second time beyond May 4, 2020. Our country is in a public health crisis. Our economy is in a historic recession. Millions of workers have lost their jobs and health insurance. Over a million people are infected with coronavirus. Over 58,300 people have died of coronavirus. One would think that U.S. Congress would be working on legislation and funding for all of this, but, of course, they would be wrong.

Governor Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts State Legislature are facing a lot of problems, too. Massachusetts is a national hot spot for coronavirus cases. The Holyoke Soldiers Home is a debacle on par with the “Big Dig” debacle. Massachusetts state government has a $5 billion budget shortfall. Many workers lost their jobs and health insurance, while Pittsfield State Senator Adam Hinds and Lenox State Representative Smitty Pignatelli want to raise the gas tax, along with other transportation taxes to the tune of $600 million taxpayer dollars per year. If they want more proverbial blood from the many laid off workers who otherwise spend their hard earned money on commuting to and from work, Hinds and Pignatelli should lead by example by forgoing their pay and benefits by putting their taxpayer income and benefit dollars into the state’s general fund. But that will never happen because Hinds and Pignatelli are nothing more than career political hacks that serve their big wheel Democratic Party political masters in Boston.

I agree with you that we don’t really know the whole story about coronavirus. I hope you are wrong that nursing homes, hospitals, and the like, are cooking their books to get more taxpayer dollars for themselves while so many people are dying. If that is the case, then we are in more trouble than we thought.

Best wishes,

Jonathan [Melle]

The school committee
The school committee
4 years ago

Fox News,Beck Limbaugh, Hannity and Tucker want the little guy to get his ass back to work.The christian right wing message is the flock needs to be sacrificed for Don Trump. Bozo has lost his rythm.

The school committee
The school committee
4 years ago

Fox News wants you to get back to work because you followed orders to kill the virus.Dont go back until the numbers say you go back.By the way car accidents are not transferable.Also if you touch car you cant bring it home and kill your grandmother. This is a weak argument that works for Trump but not intelligent people who understand the argument except the marching orders were given to get America back to work…Follow the Fox

Gigi
Gigi
4 years ago

RINO Gov. Baker is using MA General Hospital’s Covid-19 Simulator to determine his policy regarding lifting the lockdown. This is a computer model not unlike the model used by Fauci which was way, way off in estimating covid deaths. Read this and weep;

https://www.masslive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/coronavirus-simulator-shows-lifting-stay-at-home-advisory-in-may-could-lead-to-more-than-20000-coronavirus-deaths-by-the-end-of-the-summer.html

This “model” predicts that if the lockdown were to be lifted by May 25th, the state could have as many as 26,900 deaths by Aug. 31. This ought to set off b.s. alarms in every state resident’s brain. It seems to indicate that the lockdown should be extended to Aug. 17th. No way Jose!

Keep in mind that Baker is in political cohoots with Gov. Cuomo, who has spectacularly mismanaged his state’s response to the Chinese Flu. These two governors don’t make a full loaf!

Harrison
Harrison
Reply to  Gigi
4 years ago

The term RINO is such bs. There are all spectrums of Republicans, same with Democrats. Guess who else is a RINO according to your limited definition. Yup, your man Trump.

Gigi
Gigi
Reply to  Harrison
4 years ago

Harrison,
What is my limited definition of RINO? You claim to know. Please share.
Baker ran on the Republican ticket, yet he doesn’t support his own President.
Baker is anti-gun, anti-constitution and has joined an unholy alliance with regional Democratic governors during this shutdown.

Your argument is bs.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Gigi
4 years ago

What does anti gun mean?Are you talking no gun allowed to be sold?

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Gigi
4 years ago

I believe ma. number was about 4500 with loosening in may 20th

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
4 years ago

April 29, 2020

Attention: Patrick Fennell

Hello Pat,

On Wednesday, April 29th (2020), the Massachusetts State House of Representatives will vote on a “Power Grab” that will reduce transparency on putting state Legislators’ votes on the public record.

State House leaders are attempting to push through a dangerous rule change that further endangers transparency in Massachusetts state government by increasing the numbers of Representatives needed for a “roll call vote”, aka a vote where they actually record the results of who votes which way (normally these results aren’t recorded).

Please call your Massachusetts State Representative before 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.

Our representative democracy is at stake in Massachusetts State House governance!

State House Leadership proposes Emergency Rules that should do one simple thing, enable State Reps to vote in formal session remotely. Instead, their rules are an explicit power grab that will make any publicly recorded vote nearly impossible without the Speaker’s (for life Bob DeLeo’s) approval.

The biggest cause for concern is a rule which would increase the number of Representatives required to record a vote via roll call from 16 Representatives to 40, that’s 25% of the legislature needed a vote on the record (rule 7c).

With this rule change, Massachusetts will be the 2nd worst state for obtaining a recorded vote, only behind Rhode Island.

Pat, Speaker for life Bob DeLeo is already a de facto dictator. He receives near unanimous votes on his legislation in the Massachusetts State House of Representatives. He is exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to consolidate his dictatorial power at the expense of representative democracy.

Please let me and everyone else know what you think about this issue.

Best wishes,

Jonathan

Johnny Dimentia
Johnny Dimentia
4 years ago

That seems a rather convoluted word salad to me Dan.

And I know about such things.

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
Reply to  danvalenti
4 years ago

I think you threw in some croutons, Cheetos and a couple of coco puffs.
A little something for everyone.

Kermit Frog
Kermit Frog
4 years ago

Hoffman’s is a great business. I wish we had one in town. The thing is they do more business in the summer – like our tourism businesses- BUT it’s largely kids in the summer or year round in those jobs. I think the difference is that most low paid jobs in the Berkshires are done by people who are a head of household and they are trying to raise a family on that $13, which isn’t possible.
Also, I thought I read North Adams was the divorce capital of the state. I have met so many single mothers in Berkshire Co – mostly yoga types — not drinking on the stoop types – but still many women who can’t manage a summer and childcare at $13 an hour. People locally need decent jobs. There really aren’t any which is probably why every jack wants to run for office. They can not find gainful employment elsewhere.
I am discouraged by the lack of accountability in fans of the mayor – why is it ok to keep giving out money to individual and interests. Buy a parking lot so the community can benefit, or improve internet access or pay for the GD water updates out of economic development instead of giving more money to Carver. I guess community investment puppet position man could interview businesses/people asking them why they leave the area. But they would never publish the true response.
Also, the DAs minions should not be in the clouncil – it’s a conflict. But basic ethics issues seems to bewilder these local politicians who want to rampage against complainers like Putin.
Lastly – Re unemployment – I have read in the financial press that the government wants inflation – so that all the borrowing to pay for this shutdown is of lesser value. Not sure what to make of that.

RN
RN
4 years ago

Absolutely disgusting post today Dan.

Social distancing worked. Since it worked, this looks like a non-event. If we had let people continue as normal, millions not thousands would have died.

Want a good example, Holyoke Soldiers Home. EVERY care facility would have looked like that. EVERY hospital would have looked like that. Every major metropolitan area would have been a NYC with dead bodies stacked like cord wood. Hospitals would have been overwhelmed and people hurt in car accidents or having heart attacks would have been left to die.

Be thankful old men like you were saved by the fact that most sacrificed so you could go on acting like it was no big deal.
I’ve read some really stupid things recently but your manipulation of things working and saving lives is pure garbage.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  RN
4 years ago

I think “pure garbage” adequately describes your post today, RN. It certainly is not based on science & data, but on fear-mongering and useless fake models.

Replete Binature
Replete Binature
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
4 years ago

If Stooge doesn’t look stupid on that ridiculous morning show.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
4 years ago

Fox media wants all Trumpers to go back to work .

Markus Aureluis
Markus Aureluis
Reply to  The school committee
4 years ago

TSC-what’s your thoughts on Tara Reade? All of your heroes: Kamala Harris, Pochahontas Warren, Pelosi, seem to be very quiet. As do you. Why? During the Brett Cavanaugh hearings, the #MeToo movement were the first five stories on ABC World News Tonight. Last night, I only saw that Hildabeast endorsed Biden.

So, TSC inform the planet why so quiet on this?

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Markus Aureluis
4 years ago

I believe there should be a quick investigation.I believe if hes found to have done it Biden like Kavanaugh and Trump have no business in our goverment…

Pat
Pat
Reply to  The school committee
4 years ago

President Trump NEVER sexually assaulted anyone! Neither did Kavanaugh for that matter. Kavanaugh’s accuser later turned out to be a complete phony. She was accusing him because she was worried about women losing their abortion rights.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Pat
4 years ago

Trump is now seen by the majority as incompetent. John Doe will beat Trump by 5 million.Its not even about Trump and the new right wings policy. Its about his crazy crazy behavior.Remember Fox News and Sean Hannity want Trumpers to get their ass back to work.Make customers confident again.

School committee
School committee
Reply to  Pat
4 years ago

Pat when you touch people without their permission as you go in for the kill that is sexual assault.Trump stated if your a hot shit like he is they just let you.He is assuming alot.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Markus Aureluis
4 years ago

True and let’s not forget (although I wish I could) the hysterical screamers during Kavanaugh’s hearings. They were out of control and screeching about “All women need to be believed”. It was such high drama and now these same phonies are nowhere to be found.

School committee
School committee
Reply to  Pat
4 years ago

Fox news is screaming and Trumpers are screaming.

Trumpconomy
Trumpconomy
Reply to  RN
4 years ago

Som now there is a proposal to give two thousand dollars a month to Americans up to six months or until pre Covid numbers are at the same unemployment levels. Everyone again will get this except rich folks.

JohnnyComeLately
JohnnyComeLately
Reply to  RN
4 years ago

The initial models factored in stay at home and social distancing. The reality turned out to be no more serious than the flu. You didn’t see supermarket workers and Home Depot workers and target workers, etc dropping like flies.

School committee
School committee
Reply to  JohnnyComeLately
4 years ago

Distancing works

Pat
Pat
Reply to  RN
4 years ago

Social distancing has worked and can continue to work even as we open up across the country in some places, but Dan is completely right that the far left is using this crisis to their advantage to promote their agenda. Americans need to be aware of this as we move forward.

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
Reply to  Pat
4 years ago

You seem to be arguing both sides of the same issue. Now that I think of it, so does Trump. He loves China but China is bad, bad, bad. He hates North Korea but their president is his good buddy? By the way, is Mexico finished paying for the wall yet?

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
4 years ago

I don’t think like a politician. I think like a human being.

Hendrix
Hendrix
Reply to  RN
4 years ago

RN, I don’t think Dan was making his argument for not social distancing, rather shutting down the entire American economy. I thought the point about the car wash was fair…. there are THOUSANDS of businesses that could operate while adhering to the social distancing guidelines. We allow liquor stores to remain open, but you can’t go through or use a car wash in which the stalls are much further apart then 6 feet?

The “staythefuckhome” and “I am a healthcare worker I can’t stay home” crowd is about to see what 80 degree weather and no income or health insurance does to the average worker. People are restless and over it.

School committee
School committee
Reply to  Hendrix
4 years ago

Dan is making the Trump Fox News Right wing talking point…Talk Radio talking points….pound the message all day everyday everywhere.

Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxychloroquine
Reply to  RN
4 years ago

Social distancing at wal-mart…..they drop like flies in there…..oh the humanity.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Hydroxychloroquine
4 years ago

Are employees wearing masks in our local Walmart?

RN
RN
Reply to  danvalenti
4 years ago

We do know. Look at places that didn’t social distancing. We don’t need to model anything we can loot at Italy and the disaster that was.

It’s easy to be brave and caviler after the facts, it’s easy to second guess when it wasn’t your ass on the line or you making the decisions. It’s what cowards do.

Hendrix
Hendrix
Reply to  RN
4 years ago

Look at the states with lax social distancing measures. They are fairing the same if not better then the most restrictive including MA, NY, CT, and NJ.

When we look back in a few months and think “what the hell did we do?” Sweden no doubt will be the country that got it most right. Protect your most vulnerable like we try to do anyway, and let the rest of us get back to providing for our families.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  RN
4 years ago

RN is on the money.

Pat
Pat
4 years ago

Social distancing has worked, but people can still work and stores can open while people practice social distancing. Everybody needs to wear a face covering and half of the office workers go back to work while the other half works from home. People can’t be packed like sardines in local stores as Pittsfield has been doing for years. This has to stop. We need more stores with wider isles so we don’t have these dangerous overcrowding situations. Nursing homes need to have far fewer patients in them and not worry about getting medicare money instead they need to think about the safety of patients. Pittsfield has to change for this new reality. There will be more dangerous viruses in the future and the country needs to make structural changes to prepare. We had to close down at first so we got a handle on this virus, but now that we know basic facts about this virus and have had some time to know how to fight it, we eventually have to go back to business. No thanks to China who could have helped the world enormously by letting people know about this virus and how it behaves.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Pat
4 years ago

Pat,should retail stores keep unmasked people out?

Pat
Pat
Reply to  The school committee
4 years ago

If somebody shows up without a mask, I think the stores should try to provide some masks for these people. Obviously they couldn’t do this for everybody because masks are in short supply, but this is a problem that each store will have to solve to keep everyone safe. Many stores are supplying masks for their employees so they should have some extra available for customers without masks.

Johnny2Shoes
Johnny2Shoes
Reply to  The school committee
4 years ago

Just the masked with weapons should be kept out. Crime to rise soon.

Gobsig
Gobsig
Reply to  The school committee
4 years ago

TSC, please wear a mask and a bag over your head.

School committee
School committee
Reply to  The school committee
4 years ago

If you dont respect this virus and Fox viewers are iffy then the chances are we will repeat this isolation..WE are looking at 21 more days so stay on course and not screw this up.The hospitals and the nurse’s need a break.Grow a pair and put your mask on.If we get control of this I think the economy might be OK….Pittsfield will be fine but Williamstown, Stockbridge and Great Barrington will not get tourist dollars.

The school committee
The school committee
4 years ago

In one poll 86% believe that Cuomo and the Northeast Govenors have led and are doing things correctly.Trump is down around 40%.Fox news needs you at work to help Trumps failing leadership.Tucker and Hannity need to go volunteer outside their protective shell.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  The school committee
4 years ago

It’s not President Trump’s failing economy, it’s the failing economy of all of us and your children and grandchildren. We also have to think of the future and what that will look like if the economy stays in lock down too long.

School committee
School committee
Reply to  Pat
4 years ago

Trump was given a beautiful stright up arrow graph of a expanding Obama economy…..Hes not doing too good and hes just not up to running this ship.The republicans are running on Trumps policies of huge debt big tax cuts for rich people and bailout for business along with cutting medicare and SS.Healthcare alone will defeat this guy.Trump does not deserve another term and it a lock right now that he loses.What in Gods name can he point to as a success

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
Reply to  The school committee
4 years ago

If anyone on this blog was in a foxhole in the middle of battle and they could call either Cuomo or Trump for help, NOT ONE of them would call Trump. I know and they know it. But they have been conditioned to lie to themselves.

Acute Angina
Acute Angina
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
4 years ago

call cumo’s brother Fredo.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Acute Angina
4 years ago

Andrew & Chris – alias Dumb & Dumber

School committee
School committee
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
4 years ago

Don Don Jr.Eric….dumbest family in the world.I know you guys think they are brilliant

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
4 years ago

Not one

Mr. G
Mr. G
4 years ago

I find it quite an impressive pivot that you, Dan, and the Republican establishment have seized upon in this. With Trumps just awful response to Covid, which has been Indecisive, ignorant of science and truly destructive (the perfect example being him telling us he had “complete authority” yet denied any responsibility for anything. His ignoring of regular intelligence briefings on this for 2 MONTHS, then saying “no one could’ve predicted this” is another!) The Republicans started weeks ago accusing the Democrats of “politicizing” this crisis. Now the Republicans politicize it, saying the relief measures were over the top, disincentivizing..whatever you say above. Fact is…the Republicans voted for it!

It is disingenuous douchebaggery to suggest otherwise now. Covid has infected millions and killed 60,000 already in this country and it’s far from done. It is not a political plot by the Democrats to get Trump. It is not a worldwide, deep state conspiracy to get Trump. These claims are, on their face, ridiculous and deeply paranoid. It is a global pandemic the likes of which have not been seen in over 100 years and to which we as a nation have responded very poorly.. To suggest otherwise makes you sound foolish and like you get your talking points from a guy who is nuts enough, megomaniacal enough to truly think it’s a plot to get him. Let’s get through the problems first, scientific and economic first. There will be time enough to assign and argue about blame later.

Thomas More
Thomas More
Reply to  danvalenti
4 years ago

It’s ‘Tory’.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Mr. G
4 years ago

G stands for Globalist Troll.. “Not a political plot.” Sure!
Hillary Clinton 4-28-20, “This would be a terrible crisis to waste,” as she uses covid to advance her radical socialist agenda including universal health care.
Dems all across the country are either sending out mail-in ballots (Cuomo) or pushing this most corrupt of all voting methods.
The head of the U.N. called for global leaders to “ use the pandemic recovery to roll out global climate change” including allowing fossil fuel companies to collapse, and using taxpayer stimulus money to fund green jobs.
George Soros has called on governors to release prisoners in the name of pushing his globalist agenda.
And this is just the short list,

School committee
School committee
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
4 years ago

I heard that on Fox also

Mr. G
Mr. G
4 years ago

“The only way to have a viable economy and society is to control this epidemic. So it’s not really a trade-off. The question is how to be effective in controlling the epidemic and driving the transmission of the disease to very low levels. Simply letting the virus run through the society would be unacceptably costly, and that’s why essentially no country in the world is doing that. The real issue is to be effective in the response, and unfortunately the United States has not been effective so far.” Jeffrey Sachs

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Mr. G
4 years ago

What about Sweden?

Mr. G
Mr. G
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
4 years ago

See Fritz…That is not an answer. If Mr. Trump had been more interested, starting with the intelligence briefings back in early January, he could’ve talked to other world leaders, medical experts, etc., and made THAT decision; to pursue a strategy like Sweden’s. He said he has absolute authority after so he could’ve done that. He couldve done a lot of stuff. Instead he denied and made light of the virus and showed no leadership at all. Lead for chrissake!

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Mr. G
4 years ago

What are you smoking G? Your response shows a complete ignorance of what happened. Perhaps you should get your info from someplace other than CNN.

Mr. G
Mr. G
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
4 years ago

Their death toll in Sweden is now 10x higher than any of neighboring countries

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
4 years ago

Another great gaffe by the Dem presumptive presidential nominee – Creepy Joe stated on Monday that travel bans prevent “economic intercourse” around the world.
Say waat??
His wiener has completely taken over his brain!

Economic Injun
Economic Injun
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
4 years ago

I think you can get economic intercourse at Cumby’s at 3 am. But check with Barry.

Lenny
Lenny
Reply to  Economic Injun
4 years ago

Yeah, it’s called “screwing the taxpayer.” See Tyer’s proposed covid giveaway.

Chester Guod
Chester Guod
Reply to  Economic Injun
4 years ago

That’s stupid.

The school committee
The school committee
4 years ago

If you believe that retail workers or big box stores will make you sick nobody with clear thinking will go..I believe Trump is right in that there is pent up demand waiting to be unleashed but only if the consumer is confident that places are clean employees masked .Maskless people are spitting on you and the merchandise. Most govenors know what they are doing.Trump needs to make frontline workers feel safe and have overwheming supplies.Look to the Northeast and West Coast Govenors to lead with logic and common sense. Trump has failed and will lead by politics and Sean Hannity s advice.

Free Bird
Free Bird
4 years ago

Meanwhile in Texas two women were arrested for providing beauty salon services at their home. So let me get this straight- drug dealers, rapists, and robbers are being released from prison early while police spend their resources doing an undercover sting on hairdressers !?

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Free Bird
4 years ago

That is a great example of government using police and going too far to keep people under control. There are so many examples like this. I just heard a crazy example of a restaurant that was giving free meals to police and firemen, but they were going to be fined and threatened with jail time because they were allowing people to sit outside of their premises to eat their free meals. These were policemen and firemen who were sitting outside eating their free meals and the restaurant owner said he felt weird telling them to move along, but it looks like now he has no choice. They were eating outside so I don’t see the problem. So ridiculous to punish a company that is trying to help during this pandemic.

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
4 years ago

So the mayor is going to dole out 789,000 bucks to Pittsfield business s. Will a business get money from her if they are also getting money from the Federal govt.? And is there a committee who decides who deserves and needs the money or will it be done from the “scratch my back I’ll scratch your” crowd?

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
4 years ago

The mayor and her crew are deducting $80,000 for “administrative” costs. Yah, right!!!!!
This is why the people are on their knees begging Mr. Kerwood to initiate the forensic audit now. What is he waiting for? When it is all over we may all applaud him for doing such a great job. But he needs to get it started if wants all the kudos. (which would look great on his resume I might add)

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
4 years ago

Johnny Absurd for mayor!
Great questions. I believe ruthless Ruffer & her team will be calling the shots.
Pittsfield is a mess. While other communities like Lee & Lenox are cutting budgets including schools…… Mayor Crayola is busy handing out Kapanski cash. How much of that cash will be slipped out in unmarked envelopes? CPA taxes used to bail out a select few renters? Why not be fair & extend tax cuts to ALL residents? But noooo……

Hendrix
Hendrix
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
4 years ago

We don’t need a committee to know that Hotel on North, Dotties, a brewery that never existed, and Methuselah will get the money long before any long standing businesses in Pittsfield do.

Merry & Bright
Merry & Bright
Reply to  Hendrix
4 years ago

HON, Dotties and Methuselah could all have curb side pickup dining if they weren’t so lazy. But then again I am sure all three businesses have been told by Mayor Crayola not to worry about a thing, she will take care of them. I realize it is tough times, but businesses if at all possible should at least be making an attempt to bring in revenue. How come other restaurants have found a way to still serve the public, bet they aren’t getting any monies from Crayola. Also, after watching last nights latest virtual CC meeting, a relative told me that it reminded them of the old Laugh In show where windows would open and a head would pop out and tell a joke. The CC is one big joke but, unfortunately they are not the least bit funny. I do want to thank Chris Connell for at least trying to help the taxpayers. I also feel maybe his little dog who was the highlight of the night should take over for the President of the Council. Dog has much more personality than our current CC President, at least the dog acted like it wanted to be there. As a little follow-up to a question I posted a few days back about the speed limit being 70 to 75 on Merrill Road and Dalton Avenue which Mayor Crayola declined to answer. I did a little query this morning of the PPD Log. In the past week there has been a whopping 13 Motor Vehicle Stops in the whole City. But then again you can’t stop traffic when the cruisers are parked in Wahconah Park, New York Avenue watching the deer, behind Silver Lake electric substation, behind the BIC building and the empty McKay Street parking lot. Once again I realize that it is tough times, but we keep reading about all the protective equipment the PPD has received. Why are they not performing traffic duty? Don’t they have a loud speaker on their cruisers that they could pull people over and tell them to slow down? If the PPD can’t do this, why is Crayola not asking the State Police to help out?

Hendrix
Hendrix
Reply to  Merry & Bright
4 years ago

Have you seen some of the ridiculous social media posts? Dottie’s for example has had post after post and even going as so far as starting a go-fund me to reopen? Are you kidding me? The owner did say in a social media post they could have reopened if this happened years ago, but now because of having a family, she cannot. I guess all of the businesses doing takeout and working even harder/longer hours to keep businesses afloat must not have any family responsibilities..

Take a look at the donor list on that go fund me, you will recognize some politically connected names.

Harrison
Harrison
Reply to  Merry & Bright
4 years ago

I was going east on Springside today and there was road construction detail near Benedict with an officer present. I wasn’t sure what to do so I flashed my lights, but officer didn’t respond with a wave or whatever. He was chatting with a crew member. So I proceeded anyway toward Benedict. I was stopped at the light and noticed drivers turning from Benedict onto Springside not knowing wtf to do. I just wish these guys would help us out figuring how to maneuver these sites. Not too much to ask.

Merry & Bright
Merry & Bright
Reply to  Harrison
4 years ago

Harrison, I have seen the same. Nice gig they have, I wouldn’t mind making $250.00 a day to do absolutely nothing but chat with the construction workers.

Johnny2Shoes
Johnny2Shoes
Reply to  Merry & Bright
4 years ago

LSCM= Lucky Sperm Club Money

Be The Change
Be The Change
Reply to  Merry & Bright
4 years ago

Who owns the real estate @ Dotties & Methuselah ? Who is the property manager ?

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
Reply to  Hendrix
4 years ago

And it is absolutely essential that the taxpayers get a hold of Mayor Tyers list of beneficiaries so that they can decide for themselves whether they deserved or needed it. My guess is that I will be boycotting any business that I deem to be undeserving and I will be spreading my thoughts far and wide.
The list may be hard to come by but if anyone gets it please post it here in its entirety. I would also like Mr. Kerwood to itemize in detail the “administrative costs” of managing this hand out. I would think any city councilor should have access to this info.

Johnny2Shoes
Johnny2Shoes
Reply to  Hendrix
4 years ago

I’m wondering about that cigar joint? Somehow a few bucks might make it that way even though it hasn’t even got started yet.

RN
RN
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
4 years ago

Dottie’s will ask for the max, you wait and see.

Merry & Bright
Merry & Bright
Reply to  danvalenti
4 years ago

Dottie’s Go Fund donations are $5,972.00 so far. Is this amount being deducted from the amount Crayola gives her? Ha! Ha! In our wildest dreams.

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
Reply to  Merry & Bright
4 years ago

Ask her if she applied for Federal money or Tyers money. I am sure she would be upfront about that.

Be The Change
Be The Change
Reply to  Merry & Bright
4 years ago

“Go Fu nd yourself !”

Akbar Fukwad
Akbar Fukwad
4 years ago

In regards to the muslim man who was assaulted when returning from services–are mosques exempt from the ban on gatherings? Does the ban just apply to churches and synagogues?

Replete Binature
Replete Binature
Reply to  Akbar Fukwad
4 years ago

Right now the old deer, beats trump.

GMHeller
GMHeller
4 years ago

Hi Dan,
Your anonymous posters are a joke. Look to a Trump LANDSLIDE! (Maybe 47-49 states.) Poor Biden looks like an old deer in the headlights each time he appears in quarantine online. (He just got Hillary’s endorsement. That’s good for the dozen or so voters who still worship Bill and Hillary in their Chappaqua exile.) If Joe’s dementia doesn’t sink his campaign, then son Hunter’s Ukraine/Chinese baggage will. (Maybe Stacey Abrams as VP will garner Joe the sore loser vote. Oh yeah, there’s a winning combo!)
And does anybody actually believe, other than the toadying Alan Chartock (who uses WAMC Public Radio as his own personal piggy bank), that Andrew Cuomo has a prayer in presidential sweepstakes? Cuomo’s fiscal mis-management of New York State is a real disaster — long before Wuhan Virus made its NYC appearance. Cuomo’s signature bail reform law is another dismal failure — guaranteed to reincarnate ‘Willie Horton’ ads. And if you want to really wallow, check out Andrew’s 2002 divorce from Kerry Kennedy. Ugh!

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  GMHeller
4 years ago

Trump loses by 10 million votes to anyone.

Johnny2Shoes
Johnny2Shoes
Reply to  The school committee
4 years ago

That’s what they said when he ran in 2016. If the democrats ran a stronger candidate it would a better situation for them. By the time the second debate ends you will see Trump tick up. Mail in ballots and harvesting is Biden’s best chance. Oh, throw in a few trunks loads of ballots that were chain broken might help him also.

School committee
School committee
Reply to  Johnny2Shoes
4 years ago

I dont think people understood the President was a spoiled little boy who wont take responsibility and he is seen as a word class leader in deception.

Be The Change
Be The Change
4 years ago

corporation or corpse.

UAlbany
UAlbany
4 years ago

Dan is 100% correct. The models that led to the “shelter in place” were wrong. Terribly wrong and we will be paying a terrible price for a long time. All the decision makers have not missed a paycheck, have access to unlimited testing and can stay home if needed. Meanwhile the unwashed deplorables man the counters a the gas stations, supermarkets and liquor stores putting themselves at risk in the name of self-respect and self reliance. Most of whom are illegals that Trump wants to ban – without illegal employment the economy would C R U M B L E.

Lenny
Lenny
4 years ago

The Mass. legislature’s Joint Committee on Revenue will be discussing legislation S 2659 that would give illegal alien workers $1,200 in state stimulus assistance during the pandemic. Adam Hinds is chair of this committee. A number of legislators are pushing for this aid, as illegals are not eligible for federal covid stimulus funds.
Why should our tax dollars be given to people who unlawfully take jobs from our least fortunate?
You can email your displeasure to adam.hinds@masenate.gov

Also, the legislation to grant drivers licenses to illegals (H. 3012/S. 2061) plus bills to makeMass. a sanctuary state (H. 3573/S. 1401) are still in the mix. You can email Hinds (above) and Tricia at Tricia.Farley-Bouvier@mahouse.gov

Patrick
Patrick
4 years ago

Dan,
You might want to check your math.
It’s not 1-5 per thousand, it’s 1-5 per 100

Patrick
Patrick
Reply to  danvalenti
4 years ago

Please do, that’s a significant difference,

Patrick
Patrick
Reply to  danvalenti
4 years ago

Dan,
Thanks for the attempted amendment… please amend again.
1-5 per 100, not 1-5 per 1,00.
Your English is exemplary, your math…not so much!

Auto Phil
Auto Phil
4 years ago

The models were wrong. Covid isn’t killing everyone who steps outside for a breath of fresh air. People are so goddamn scared and paranoid about catching covid or spreading covid, that the simple act of holding a door open for someone results in often awkward and sometimes angry or annoyed reactions. This new normal sucks.

At some point we have to let the chips lay where they fall. We will not eradicate this virus. It will linger on and millions of people will be exposed. Exposure doesn’t mean infection. Infection doesn’t mean death, or even severe illness. But we are only delaying the inevitable.

Originally the stay at home orders were to flatten the curve. Now social media is sharing videos of health care workers playing around, recording Tik Tok dance routines on the job. Are we fighting the battle of our lives or are our hospitals in need of more patients? We may have actually mitigated the crisis TOO much.

We went into this knowing the trouble China had, and then witnessing the horrible situation in Italy. The assumption became “we’re all going to die if you don’t stay in your house.” Which now we know is complete BS. Who knows how many people have already been exposed and/or infected.The majority of the population will survive sarscov2 just fine. The people who will not were already susceptible to death and severe illness as a condition of their precarious health conditions.

And someone should fire that Fauci guy.

Harrison
Harrison
Reply to  Auto Phil
4 years ago

We don’t really know do we? So if Georgia and Florida have been so gracious to lead the way, let them be the model. It’s a gamble. The numbers are still high here in MA Phil so let’s just give it a couple more weeks.

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
4 years ago

Just curious how many of the Trump supporters think it was pretty cool of Vice President Pence to go into the MAYO CLINIC of all places and not wear a mask like every other person in the building. Curious to know what Pats excuse will be for him.

Lenny
Lenny
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
4 years ago

Have you tried talking to people while wearing a mask? It’s difficult to say the least. Pence gets tested everyday – he doesn’t have the virus. Everyone else was wearing a mask. What’s the big deal? Get a life Johnny!

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Lenny
4 years ago

Pence wanted to look these people in the eye who are on the front lines…100% Bullshit.I guarentee nobody wanted him there.

Mad Trapper
Mad Trapper
Reply to  The school committee
4 years ago

Ms Pelousey addressed congress without her mask on, it was on her neck. She is much easier on the eyes with her ugly mutt covered. I’d like her to wear a mask and a bag.

Does the Wicked Witch of the West Coast get a pass, TSC?

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Mad Trapper
4 years ago

There is no comparison. Pence exhibited a very bizzar stance about not masking against the hospitals policy. I have no doubt he was told by Mr incompetence it would look bad.Fox news watchers would be confused by the message.The cadets wont be allowed to mask at Trumps political commercial speech to the military grads.

Johnny Dimentia
Johnny Dimentia
Reply to  Lenny
4 years ago

Pence is not even a real person. He is an android. Trumps experiment with artificial intelligence. And obviously it is not working very well. Does not matter if he wears a mask or not because his motherboard has developed a blue screen.

Mad Trapper
Mad Trapper
Reply to  Johnny Dimentia
4 years ago

Pence is a vast improvement over the Al Gorebot and DEMented Joe Biden.

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
4 years ago

So the cadets at West Point have finished their semester and have all gone home without an official graduation ceremony. But Trump is talking about having them all come from all over the country back to New York to have a ceremony just so he can speak at it. Who thinks this is a good idea and why?

C Winadont
C Winadont
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
4 years ago

Camps should not be allowed to open this summer

JohnnyComeLately
JohnnyComeLately
Reply to  C Winadont
4 years ago

Bullshit.

Owtoftounerz
Owtoftounerz
Reply to  C Winadont
4 years ago

I agree,if kids stay in cabins together. -9..you hit a nerve.

Chuck Garivaltis
Chuck Garivaltis
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
4 years ago

Johnny, Who thinks it is a good idea, and why, I do, and here’s why? After graduation for the next five years they must serve as officers in the U.S. Army or Marine Corps. In a charge against enemy lines they lead the way. Follow me is the word. Many, many, of these young men are first to die because they lead the charge. MacArthur, Eisenhower, Patten Bradley, to name a few are West Point graduates. West Point cadets do not pay tuition. You, as a taxpayer, pay for their college education. In return they give you five years of service and leadership in defending the USA. That’s why I think it is a good idea for these young graduates to return to West Point for their graduation ceremony. They are special guys and ladies. You pay but in return they give leadership in defending our country. Asking these special young people to attend a graduation ceremony with The President of the United States in attendance is an honor these young people are deserving of. You deserve it, too.

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
Reply to  Chuck Garivaltis
4 years ago

Sorry Chuck I have to disagree. They are tough men. They surely understand the circumstances. If they are now home safe with their families why would they travel and then mingle, risking getting the virus and bringing it back home. The reward is not worth the risk in my opinion.

Lenny
Lenny
Reply to  Chuck Garivaltis
4 years ago

Thank you Chuck, I also agree with you.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
4 years ago

These cadets are being used as political pawns for no good reason.

TSC's psychiatrist/bartender
TSC's psychiatrist/bartender
Reply to  The school committee
4 years ago

Sorry to say your therapy isn’t going very well.

Be The Change
Be The Change
Reply to  The school committee
4 years ago

They can’t handle the ‘truth’. They are oblivious.

JohnnyComeLately
JohnnyComeLately
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
4 years ago

When you graduate your on active duty in the army. You don’t go back home.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
4 years ago

Fox news watchers believe its a good idea.

Pat
Pat
4 years ago
RN
RN
Reply to  Pat
4 years ago

Lots of wrong numbers there. Pittsfield is over 200 cases. Stockbridge, Great Barrington, Lenox, Richmond, north Adams all wrong

Be The Change
Be The Change
4 years ago

That money’s going right into crayola’s petunia patch!

Nate Gongdreeni
Nate Gongdreeni
Reply to  Be The Change
4 years ago

Crane stationery closing. Almost three hundred jobs. Heard it from an employee?

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
4 years ago

April 29, 2020

Re: Adam Hinds op-ed in the Boston Globe

I mostly concur with Pittsfield (Mass.) State Senator Adam Hinds’ op-ed in the Boston Globe. U.S. Congress should provide bailout funds for state and local government during the coronavirus pandemic. Massachusetts state government faces a $5 billion budget shortfall. Its local governments also face big budget deficits due to the loss of revenue compounded by the increases in social services.

What is frustrating to me is that Adam Hinds did not practice what he is preaching to Capitol Hill when he exercised his first vote on major legislation to increase his own pay and benefits in early-January of 2017. He did not speak out against Beacon Hill’s State House of Representatives when they voted to increase the gas tax, along with other transportation taxes, by $600 million in early-March of 2020, despite his large legislative district’s workers’ huge commuting expenses in rural Western Massachusetts.

I do not believe Adam Hinds has looked out for his taxpaying constituents over the past 3 years and 4 months on Beacon Hill’s State Senate. Instead, his focus is on the state government’s agenda of legislative pay raises, the last two fiscal years of billion dollar budget surpluses with a $3.5 billion slush fund, and tax hikes on workers who spend their hard earned money on commuting costs.

I was disappointed with Adam Hinds when he did not oppose the worldwide controversy and unethical sale of historic artwork by the Berkshire Museum for tens of millions of dollars. Pittsfield politics’ former Mayors Gerry Doyle and Jimmy Ruberto led the shakedown. Instead of standing up for a good cause and against the likes of Doyle and Ruberto, Adam Hinds was nowhere to be found. If I were in his shoes, I would have spoken out against that terrible injustice!

I have followed Beacon Hill politics for decades. In fact, 21 years ago, my dad, who was a Berkshire County Commissioner at that time, and I spoke at a legislative hearing on county government in the Spring of 1999. I told the legislative committee that they were hypocritical to abolish Berkshire County Government when the state government mismanaged Boston’s “Big Dig” with many billions of taxpayer dollars in cost overruns. Then State Representative Marty Walsh, who is now the Mayor of Boston, replied to me that I had already emailed the entire state Legislature of my thoughts on the matter, and that the “Big Dig” is an “engineering marvel”.

I want to let Marty Walsh know 21 years later that the “Big Dig” has claimed peoples’ lives, and it leaks millions of gallons of dirty water everyday, and that it cost well over $20 billion of taxpayers’ hard earned money. I want to let Adam Hinds know that he is similar to Marty Walsh in that he doesn’t practice what he is preaching to U.S. Congress.

In Truth,

Jonathan A. Melle

Honey L
Honey L
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
4 years ago

Where did this actorcome from anyway,Hinds. He’s already a political hack, came out to endorse the Mayor? First vote gave himself a raise? He and Stooge grow beards together, that should tell you something. I would like to see a list of all of the non profit,for profit, and anyone else getting fed monies.

Aside…If the jail is made to release prisoners free,how many jobs get lost at thleast jail.Do we want that?

JohnnyComeLately
JohnnyComeLately
4 years ago

I wish people would dummy up. There is no way you are going to Corona walking in the woods with your partner, or walking around the block, or driving in your car, or sitting in your front yard. People need to grow a brain. Even the surge general said most masks don’t help, and to leave the N95s for the med pros.

Lenny
Lenny
4 years ago

Sheriff Tom Bowler, a man of reason in this age of nutty DA’s releasing criminals.
Thank you Sheriff!
Also, great letter-to-the-editor regarding the politicizing of covid – by Leo Delaney in today’s Eagle.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Lenny
4 years ago

I agree. Sheriff Bowler said released prisoners would have no follow-up plan and are just released on to the streets. They are more likely to catch COVID-19 after release and are safer in the jail. Many who have been released are committing crimes again and getting into other trouble. Harrington just wants to release as many as possible. Unbelievable!

Called Hoxewill
Called Hoxewill
Reply to  Pat
4 years ago

Pittsfield should go bankrupt.Readjust the pension payouts by sixty percent or to ssi levels

Johnny Dimentia
Johnny Dimentia
Reply to  Lenny
4 years ago

I agree with him. Releasing prisoners anywhere is nutso and will make everything worse. Shop lifting OK. But sending bad people out into the population will result in social chaos as they will need to steal to survive.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Johnny Dimentia
4 years ago
Be The Change
Be The Change
Reply to  Pat
4 years ago

Whom ever believes “druggies” are low level criminals obviously were never victimized by the violence, thievery and lies, DWI, neglect, exposure to infectious disease…. addiction is a “disease”, well then quarantine those vinegars.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Be The Change
4 years ago

How many drug addicts have broken into residences looking for money and end up killing anyone who is home at the time? Same with low level property crime thieves. Just watch Forensic Files. It happens a lot.

Anderson williams
Anderson williams
Reply to  Pat
4 years ago

Pat, going out on a limb here. You watch way to many crime shows and way way to much fox news the National Inquire was you favorite paper. Hun the link tells you it’s fake news sorry trying to be respectful just try to keep up.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Anderson williams
4 years ago

Forensic Files is a really great show. You would learn so much. Many people have decided to become forensic investigators after watching it. It’s not trash TV that’s for sure. I watch very little television except for movies, but Forensic Files is an exception and some FOX news, but I also turn the channels to see what is happening on MSNBC and CNN (keep the enemy close). I never stay long on those channels, but you have to keep up on what trash they are pushing.

Be The Change
Be The Change
Reply to  Lenny
4 years ago

There’s property development grants going out and kudos given to those managers, yet released inmates are homeless, waiting for a follow-up call from Construct. How long before recidivism becomes the only option!

Maggie May
Maggie May
Reply to  Lenny
4 years ago

The Sheriff tested positive as well as several of the staff and no inmates? Yeah Right!

Pat
Pat
4 years ago

Crane Stationery closing in North Adams. This is very bad news for Berkshire County.
https://www.iberkshires.com/story/62130/BREAKING-Crane-Stationery-Plant-Closing-in-June-Nearly-300-Jobs-Lost.html

Jay T E
Jay T E
Reply to  Pat
4 years ago

Does Stooge realize how stupid his show is? It’s like a bum dragged out of the gutter glorifying all the interviewed and criticizing politicians, because they’re not in the arena. This guy is creepy. Why does he have to be on the radio? Lifelong T B R listeners aren’t listening to that ridiculous show anyway.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Jay T E
4 years ago

THEN WHY ARE YOU LISTENING TO THAT RIDICULOUS SHOW???
Geez, you must be an idiot!

Makin Hey
Makin Hey
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
4 years ago

Agree J T I don’t watch him either but do listen when the stupid show is over only on the radio. Fritz lighten up.

Gobsig
Gobsig
Reply to  Jay T E
4 years ago

Probably just likes to hear himself talk. Too bad. His show could be much more.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
4 years ago

Lockdown news you may have missed!
– Gov. Pritzker of IL latest Dem governor to break his own lockdown rules (locked down till end of May) – flew his wife & kids to FL!
– Mayor DeBlasio of NYC is distributing 500,000 free halal meals during Ramadan. Mosques allowed to stay open while churches & synagogues shut down. Did he distribute free meals for Palm Sunday, Passover or Easter? Of course not!

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
4 years ago

Bending over backwards for one religious group while ignoring another. Can everyone see the direction this country is heading toward? It’s not good. This is the future too that Americans will create if they are not careful. We would be living under all of these strict rules under their socialist system while the politicians they want to give all the power to think we are all nuts to want to live like that, they are going to treat themselves to the good life while we live in misery.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
4 years ago

Any lawyers in the audience?
Apparently the Illinois lockdown was temporarily suspended by a judge, based on IL law stating that a lockdown would be limited to 30 days from initial date of decree. Gov. Pritzker’s extension of the lockdown to May 30th was deemed to be against the law.
How about MA? Is a similar law in effect here? Business owners – might be worth checking into!

Mad Trapper
Mad Trapper
4 years ago

What is Dr Fauci’s agenda?

1) He has ties to the Wuhan lab suspected of bringing us the Kung Flu. He orchestrated USA $$$$ to the Wuhan lab, despite warnings of them working with Corona/bat viruses.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/paid-for-the-damn-virus-thats-killing-us-giuliani-rips-fauci-over-grants-to-wuhan-laboratory

Dr Fauci is friends with: George Soros, Bill Gates, and is closely tied to the Chi-Coms and NWO

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/04/tying-together-china-dr-fauci-french-company-sanofi-pasteur-george-soros-gates-foundation/

2) He has dismissed hydroxchloroquine, in combination with two other readily available drugs. Why?

a) patents are out on these drugs and BIG Pharma can’t make a killing.

b) The “studies” refuting hydroxychloroquine, have only been conducted on gravely ill patents with pre-existing conditions, NOT using the combination of drugs proven effective. Meanwhile, studies show patients with early cases of covid-19, virus free, after 5 days of treatment…..

https://www.redstate.com/diary/martin_a_knight/2020/04/29/828471/

c) Dr Fauci, is pushing a VERY EXPENSIVE new Big Pharma drug. I wonder why?

https://ussanews.com/News1/2020/04/30/huge-as-we-predicted-dr-fauci-praises-new-tests-on-expensive-gilead-drug-remdesivir-but-sneared-at-less-expensive-and-more-effective-hydroxychloroquine/

“….On Tuesday the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) released a report endorsing hydroxychloroquine saying the drug has about a 90% chance of helping COVID-19 patients.

But as we reported earlier this month Dr. Fauci has his own favorite, the more expensive Remdesivir by Gilead!…”

Which brings me to the media frenzy and motives for restricting our civil liberties and unconstitutional decrees/edicts

https://www.redstate.com/streiff/2020/04/29/828354/

If You Are Still Wondering How Death Camps Happen Just Take a Look Around You

“….When I was in college, one of the landmark psychological experiments with which everyone was familiar was the so-called Stanford Prison Experiment. In this experiment, students were divided into ‘guards’ and ‘prisoners’ and the study claimed to find that the students chosen to be ‘guards’ quickly embraced authoritarian, even sadistic, behavior towards the ‘prisoners.’ There has been a lot of discussion on this over the years and attempts to discredit it, but, I think, whatever its methodological shortcomings, that exercise was prescient in regards to the Wuhan virus panic……”

Mad Trapper
Mad Trapper
4 years ago

Since I’m waiting for Dan’s censors to release my last post regarding Dr Fauci’s true agendas, which is NOT American’s health, rather his connections to Bill Gates, George Soros, China, NWO, and Big Pharma……..

Here is another good read;

https://truepundit.com/exclusive-top-scientist-disturbing-details-of-threats-research-theft-tainted-vaccines-fraud-cover-ups-pay-to-play/

EXCLUSIVE: TOP Scientist & HIV/AIDS Research Pioneer Dr. Judy Mikovits Blows Whistle on Dr. Fauci; DISTURBING Details of Threats; Research Theft; Tainted Vaccines; Fraud; Cover-Ups; Pay to Play

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Mad Trapper
4 years ago

Dr. Fauci could have done so much earlier to slow this virus, but he didn’t. He also has a very close connection to the head of WHO who listened to China and didn’t warn anyone of this virus. Fauci has called him a good guy.

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
Reply to  Pat
4 years ago

So why did Trump put him at such a high level position? And is he still there? Does Trump know all the bad things you know about the doctor and if not maybe you should phone him and get him up to date? Be a good soldier?

Johnny Dimentia
Johnny Dimentia
Reply to  Mad Trapper
4 years ago

And so if Trump is keeping Fauci as a chief advisor then obviously Trump is also in collusion with the Chinese in an effort to overthrow our government and take everybody’s soap and toilet paper. This needs to be reported to Fox news and Hannity so they can put Jared on it and save the planet from the Sino/American plot to make the earth a second rate planet.

Johnny2Shoes
Johnny2Shoes
Reply to  Johnny Dimentia
4 years ago

If Trump cut loose Dr. Kildare the media would go bonkers .

Mad Trapper
Mad Trapper
4 years ago

Are we experiencing, “The Lucifer effect?”

http://lucifereffect.com/

“Welcome to LuciferEffect.org, official web site of The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil (Random House, 2007). In this book, I summarize more than 30 years of research on factors that can create a “perfect storm” which leads good people to engage in evil actions. This transformation of human character is what I call the “Lucifer Effect,” named after God’s favorite angel, Lucifer, who fell from grace and ultimately became Satan.”

— Philip Zimbardo
Professor Emeritus
Stanford University

https://www.redstate.com/streiff/2020/04/29/828354/

“….When I was in college, one of the landmark psychological experiments with which everyone was familiar was the so-called Stanford Prison Experiment. In this experiment, students were divided into ‘guards’ and ‘prisoners’ and the study claimed to find that the students chosen to be ‘guards’ quickly embraced authoritarian, even sadistic, behavior towards the ‘prisoners.’ There has been a lot of discussion on this over the years and attempts to discredit it, but, I think, whatever its methodological shortcomings, that exercise was prescient in regards to the Wuhan virus panic……”

know Playbill
know Playbill
Reply to  Mad Trapper
4 years ago

On the camp closed no idea. There are a ton of out of Townes who will bring the virus to the berkshires. NO CAMPS. Four thousand contracted Corona new cases in n y Wednesday. I would shut everything down where social distancing cannot be contained. I would also send out at least two more stimulus checks to my anyone unemployed or on SSI or SSDI.

JohnnyComeLately
JohnnyComeLately
Reply to  know Playbill
4 years ago

You’re nuts.

RN
RN
Reply to  Mad Trapper
4 years ago

The Stanford prison experiment was fake. Post experiment interviews with participants indicate the abuse was both coached and faked. Students were paid to lie.

Wake up!

Johnny2Shoes
Johnny2Shoes
Reply to  RN
4 years ago

I was in Attica one time.

Camp Nunchuxes
Camp Nunchuxes
4 years ago

Cancel ALL THEATRE venues. A real rats nest for virus. Many have already anyway. The former Mayor lives in Lenox so it won’t affect him here.

Simon W
Simon W
Reply to  Camp Nunchuxes
4 years ago

Cancel Camp Winadu. Many out of town congregate there.

Johnny2Shoes
Johnny2Shoes
Reply to  Simon W
4 years ago

I’ve seen parents land in Helicopters to visit the kids on parents weekends. Most from NY. The camp councilors come from all over our country and from abroad. The owner is Shelley Wiener and his wife.

Tag Posterionotez
Tag Posterionotez
Reply to  Johnny2Shoes
4 years ago

Wiener? Why is important who owns the Camps and stop whining. I tried to get a job years ago there and didn’t even get a reply.

Mad Trapper
Mad Trapper
4 years ago

“Youthful” indiscretions as a democRAT……. Chris , Tedward, Joe……….

Joe Biden selects fellow sexual assaulter , Chriss Dodd to help select who will be running mate…..

https://www.redstate.com/bonchie/2020/04/30/joe-biden-appoints-waitress-sandwich-guy-to-help-him-find-a-vp/

“Joe Biden Appoints ‘Waitress Sandwich’ Sexual Assaulter to Help Him Find a VP”

” Before history is rewritten, and you know it will be, Dodd and (Tedward) Kennedy didn’t deny the event happened. Instead, they blamed it on immaturity. Of course, Dodd was 41 years old at the time, so citing youthful transgressions doesn’t exactly pass the smell test.”

” It’s now been five weeks since Reade told her story and Biden has taken over 100 questions from the media. Not a single “journalist” has asked him about the alleged incident. But they are such a vital part of our society, I’m assured.”

https://www.redstate.com/sister-toldjah/2020/04/30/freebeacon-analysis-of-how-often-biden-has-been-asked-about-reade/

“Six days after Tara Reade stepped forward with her sexual assault allegation against Joe Biden, my RedState colleague Bonchie wrote about how often the Washington Post, the New York Times, CNN, and MSNBC had covered the former Biden Senate staffer’s disturbing claim involving an alleged rape she says happened in 1993.

The number, as shown from a Daily Wire analysis at the time, was zero – which stood in stark contrast to how often they had covered Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s allegations against then-SCOTUS nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh in 2018:….”

Joe is DONE!!! And DemocRATS are DONE voting, not that their votes matter, ask H-Beast.

So will H-beast be the nominee again? Cuomo? Remember, democrats, it’s chosen, not elected. That’s the DNC views on, democracy. Or is it demoncrazies?

Johnny Absurds Doctor
Johnny Absurds Doctor
4 years ago

So Mike Pence, Trumps corona virus cigar, did not know that you should wear a mask in a hospital with Corona cirus patients? Trump really does hire only the best.

the school committee
the school committee
Reply to  Johnny Absurds Doctor
4 years ago

Pence was lying.

Maggie May
Maggie May
4 years ago

Let’s hope no covid cases hit the jail god forbid they would have to be taken to BMC by the van load. ” Listen up, ladies and gentlemen! Our fugitive has been on the run for 90 minutes. Average foot speed over uneven ground, barring injury, is 4 miles an hour which gives us a radius of 6 miles! What I want out of each and every one of you is a hard target search of every gas station, residence, warehouse, farmhouse, henhouse, outhouse and doghouse in that area. Checkpoints go up at 15 miles! Our fugitive’s name is Harry Chandler Jr. Go get him.”

Deacon Fann
Deacon Fann
4 years ago

Agree on the camp windy Du close camps down for summer including boys club.

Jail Vegetables
Jail Vegetables
Reply to  Deacon Fann
4 years ago

Did someone mention third Mayhem Thursday’s is cancelled?

JoeKapanski
JoeKapanski
Reply to  Deacon Fann
4 years ago

Open America you fools!

M Mulktitude
M Mulktitude
4 years ago

Jacobs Pillow is done.

Johnny2Shoes
Johnny2Shoes
4 years ago

This is at Winadu

Salem Esstate
Salem Esstate
Reply to  Johnny2Shoes
4 years ago

Windy Du!

Gigi
Gigi
4 years ago

Project Veritas reports New York hospitals listing coronavirus on death certificates, without lab confirmation. Physicians were sent documents coaching them to fill out the certificates as covid-19 whether or not it was the cause of death, in order to increase federal funding.
Same state where Gov. Cuomo is sending covid-infected patients back into nursing homes.
Same state where Gov. Cuomo is implementing a test and trace program, initially funded by Bloomberg, to test and TRACK all New York residents. Key word here is TRACK.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/04/okeefe-strikes-funeral-directors-covid-19-epicenter-doubt-legitimacy-deaths-attributed-pandemic-video/

Gigi
Gigi
4 years ago

Town of Amherst reports DPH incorrectly posted the number of corona cases in town; DPH reported 83 cases, town officials reported 33. Last week, Middlefield had zero corona cases; DPH reported 89. In Winthrop the DPH reported 12,877 cases instead of 583.
How often has this misrepresentation of the facts happened?

https://www.masslive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/town-of-amherst-says-the-mass-department-of-public-health-misreported-the-number-of-coronavirus-cases.html

Gigi
Gigi
4 years ago

Poor Pocahontas…..she’s not making the top three choices for Sleepy/Creepy’s VP!

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/donors-elizabeth-warren-democrat-running-mate/2020/04/30/id/965482/

Chuck Garivaltis
Chuck Garivaltis
4 years ago

How about today’s photo? Titled “Clapp Park work: They’ve got it covered.” Got what covered, and for what reason? Grass at Clapp was always green thanks to plentiful rainfall and the fact that the Housatonic River ran in the rear of the park. If there is anyone who knows this better than I do please step forward. I’m a Clapp kid from six years of age and baseball and football practice during seasons while at PHS. There was skinny dipping at the Cinders, first kisses behind the big tree just pass the brick restroom facilities, and lifetime friendships made at the swings and monkey bars. It was a park where youngsters could run, jump, hide and play. Common Park is the same. Now, at Clapp Park, Pittsfield is spending a small fortune installing fences, fake turf, blacktop on what was once a park, winter sledding cut by half and, a complete ruination of what was a quarter-mile track. The track is a mudhole. This, they are calling progress. What they have done Is not even legal. Under the General Laws of Mass., Part 1, Title V11, Chapter 45. Public Parks, Playgrounds, and the Public Domain, the power to do this should rest with the duties of boards of park commissioners. This sad group doesn’t know what is going on. Unfortunately, the children of Pittsfield are the ones to suffer because of this dereliction of duty.

Salem Esstate
Salem Esstate
Reply to  Chuck Garivaltis
4 years ago

Nice comment Chuck! Always good to read your posts. All we are is dust in the wind,just like the song.

JohnnyTwoCents
JohnnyTwoCents
Reply to  Chuck Garivaltis
4 years ago

Right on chuck. Went by there the other day, and my young son asked what the heck was going on. He was surprised they were still at it. I believe it was around 9 months ago they were working on it. He was hoping to use the playground last year. My favorite city park, and one of, in not the best, ruined. Are those your initials in one of the old trees on the hill? Or somebody elses? Can’t make out the year or the initials too well these days. How many Bossidy Bucks were wasted in this park? And the so called parking lots are despicable. And while I’m on the soap box, Wild Acres has completely gone to the dogs.

Chuck Garivaltis
Chuck Garivaltis
Reply to  JohnnyTwoCents
4 years ago

Johnny, I know we’re a day late but I know folks are still reading this blog. Your son is perceptive. Clapp Park has been nothing but a money hole for the connected. Just look at the silliest of construction taken place there. What a disgrace! Yet our so-called city leaders think this is progress. Your question on initials on trees. They are mine. Done 1947 with Peg Kennedy, too. I wonder, Peg are you still there? That’s how parks used to be. Now we have fools in charge.

Gigi
Gigi
4 years ago

China/WHO Joint Commission unable to find any adult to child transmission of the virus. Children appear not to pass it along to others. The virus affects children “less often with less severity.”
So why aren’t schools reopened??

https://www.newsmax.com/health/health-news/children-transmission-adults-immune-system/2020/04/30/id/965465/

Slick Tiffs
Slick Tiffs
Reply to  Gigi
4 years ago

How’s the Trump economy working for everyone here? Joust sayon…Be part of the Thirty million unemployed and take the summer off,stare out the window, or cut grass. At least we’re not on a Cruise ship.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Gigi
4 years ago

It is not time to reopen.We are very hard hit by this .

TSC's psychiatrist/bartender
TSC's psychiatrist/bartender
Reply to  The school committee
4 years ago

When the state doesn’t have money for your EBT card where will you get your smokes, beer and scratch tickets?

James
James
4 years ago

In case you want the names of the progressive DA’s who signed the statement that prisoners should be released to spread covid and crime. Their’s ours front and center,the one thing she did during covid. https://fairandjustprosecution.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Coronavirus-Sign-On-Letter.pdf