AS THE PLANET WAS SAYING …
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION DEC. 12-4, 2025) — As THE PLANET was saying …
Gunboat Un-Diplomacy: Under President Trump’s direct orders, U.S. military forces have blasted 22 drug-laden boats out of the Venezuelan waters. Some 86 narco-terrorists have died. The action, made necessary by Joe Biden’s open border policy, shows that in politics, horrible policies have no clean-up. They only have the least abhorrent of a host of bad options. Trump’s actions have been necessitated by Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro’s drug-running activities. Maduro also emptied his country’s prison, sending the nation’s worst criminals to free entry to the United States, courtesy of Autopen. Some of that unknown number of bad actors–the ones who have eluded ICE, often with the help of misinformed domestic do-gooders–continue to circulate in our communities. It’s a mess.
One and Done: Let THE PLANET officially break the news of the city’s worst kept secret. We can report that Mayor Lumpy will not seek re-election in 2027. He’s a one and done. Playing heavily in his decision is the upcoming lawsuit in federal court, where he faces a lawsuit brought by Victoria May. Could Lumpy’s past be catching up with him in a big way? Will he try to reach an out-of-court settlement with May? PLANET sources on May’s side say she’s determined to see it through in court. She’s not interested in the money. She wants revenge, what we call “justice,” for what occurred while the two were employed at Pittsfield Co-Op Bank. Yeah, and with that, there would likely be money for damages. It’s what we used to call a pickle for the mayor.
White Wash: And what of the council president, Voltron the Porkchop, also known as Pete White? Seems that Voltron’s in the midst of a midlife crisis. He finds himself in a Bela Lugosi movie, in a small room with the walls closing in on him. Our spies say Pete #2 recently appealed to one of his “backers” (read: “masters”) looking for help, only to be met by a closed door and a hung-up phone. Trust us. We know the feeling!
Still time to get your copy at Amazon Books or Barnes & Noble Booksellers. Makes a great Christmas gift for that movielover of yours.
Dumpster Days: And what do we make of Dumpster Earl Persip’s recent “safe” comments about the state of Bitchfield public schools. Dumpster walked back his earlier statements expressing outrage over multiple school scandals. Now, it seems, he thinks all is lovey-dovey in the schools. Big D can’t say enough about school supt. Latifah Phillips. Is it because he’s finally found “someone who looks like me?” Could the Duke of Earl be setting himself up for a run at the corner office? THE PLANET can see it now: The Dumpster Behind Paul Rich, which put Earl on the map in the first place, enshrined on an elevated, lighted platform in Park Square. A major tourist attraction, surely.
Alastair Sim as Scrooge. The best of all the versions.
Fractions: The current class of those who seek and win elective office in Bitchfield comprise a bankrupt group. First, they have to win “Blessings.” Once they are vetted okay, they run for seats either unopposed or opposed with one of two types of opposition–those who have no chance and those who are the same as they are. They then believe the fiction that a certain portion of the vote, which is itself a tiny fraction of the total electorate, supplies them with a mandate. Well, 60% of a 15% turnout gives you about 6% of the total electorate. At that level, you’re in the frozen wastes Kavey-Warren-Lampiasi territory, which is to say “nowhere.” Good government is impossible under these conditions.
Season’s Greetings: Here at the Fortress at this time of year, THE PLANET and the Secret Squadron enjoy Christmas programming. Already, we have viewed five versions of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, Elf, two Andy Williams Christmas Specials, two Perry Como specials, and two from Dean Martin. Dino’s the best, with its loose format, ad libbing, and the crooner’s obvious enjoyment of it all. Oh, yes, Virginia, there IS a Santa Clause.
Have a great weekend, everybody!
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“Santa Claus? Sure, many contracts have a Sanity Clause” — Sir Donald Turpentine, Knight of the Bath.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
Copyright (c) 2025 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.
The 2-Pete’s Pittsfield politics failures are pushing them out the door of elected office.
Earl Persip was the number one voted elected official in 2025. He may run for Mayor in 2 years.
None of the above (pun intended) will speak with blogger Dan Valenti, who is the best journalist in the beautiful Berkshires.
Earl Persip’s radio interview was of a very different tone from his past words about the city’s public schools, as well as the city-side issues.
It looks like local government will receive a lot less state administered, federal aid next year (2026; fiscal year 2027). It may be time for budget cuts, but the fictional Kapanski family is NOT holding their breath.
how can I get a 2-pete pound proof free bag to?
The 2-Pete’s Pittsfield politics pounds people’s purses….
Maybe buy one Pete a cold beer and the other Pete a Voltron toy to play with together.
Don’t forget about Kufflinks, Tricia Country Buffet, and all of the other officials who love Pittsfield.
I thought the g man said he handed out jock straps in his previous job? But can he be any worse than shot glass, tired,or lumpy?
Why in this world does this gutsy and accurate statement have eleven minuses (11) and zero 0) pluses? Gutsy statement, Jonathon. As usual, on target.
There are numerous reason to thumbs down someone on social media:
1.Disagreement with content
2.Disapproval of writing(style/grammar)
3.Grading issues, otherwise not specified
4. Or, just something about that person just pisses you off.
In JM case, his signal is matter that carries a negative charge, hence the overwhelming negative power. It’s Dark matter like and crucial for the quantum balance of media energy. If DV were to eliminate it, all would turn to zeros and the characters would scramble into entropy. Nothing to worry about.
As I posted about yesterday, any democRAT or left-loon that’s complaining about President Trump eliminating narco-boats headed to the US with their deadly poison, can STFU.
I don’t remember any of them saying sh!t when Bathhouse Barry flexed his drone muscles and drone struck weddings, civilian living areas, and even killed American citizens.
Barry killed thousands of POC-brown people.
But that’s ok, because he’s a democRAT.
Isn’t that correct Meanwhile/Larry Bird, Zohran Mammelle? Care to comment? I’d like to hear it.
Then why isn’t all of the information, especially the video, being released to the public if Hegseth on down believe they are in the right on the boat strikes?
Both political parties in the U.S. Congress are inquiring about the government’s Use(s) of Force with the aforementioned boat strikes.
Barack Obama captured and killed Osama bin Laden. Trump took out one of Iran’s top military leaders.
Neither Obama, nor Trump, themselves ever issued an illegal order.
I proudly stand with my awesome Congresswoman, Maggie Goodlander.
I believe that Obama and Trump alike take U.S. national security very seriously.
Zohran, were you living under a rock or asleep these past four years under the Autopen/Harris Administration (Obama Shadow Government) and their flying in millions of unvetted illegal aliens from countries who HATE the USA-much like yourself.
No democRAT and national security should EVER be used in the same sentence.
It’s like saying Bitchfield Pubic Scohols and the Bathhouse Barry Administration are scandal free.
I love the U.S.A. I love my fellow Veterans.
I scoured the internet to try and find the whole interview that Earl “Big Dumpster” Persip did the other day. Believe it or not, I found it. I attached the clip below.
In this clip, the Big Dumpster gets down to issues facing Bitchfield. Big Dumpster was well thought out. Addressed each issue head-on and you can tell he’s really put a lot of thought and consideration towards the Bitchfield taxpayer with these answers.
Without further ado, may I present the next mayor of Bitchfield, Earl “Big Dumpster” Persip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxlsNijicyc
The GOBSIG’s better be cautious with BD. He has that “race card” he can toss on the table when he decides to go against them. That’s kryptonite to older, white, liberal democRATS.
In case you really want to know it was a WAMC radio interview available on their website
Let me take a wild stab at this. You didn’t graduate in the upper level of your class? Or at all?
Am I right, or am I correct?
Thats all we need is a black mayor. He will finish giving away the store to every thug and thief with there hands out. Did a mention only to people of color.
Why was the post re: Krol being sued by Citizens Bank pulled off your column yesterday?
I missed that one… Whats up with that? I’m very curious
Maybe The Bank made an error. Maybe he’s suing the bank. The cat thing wasn’t true either.
A person on this blog reported that Krol was being sued over a $5,000 debt owed to Citizens Bank. Dan pulled the post. Just wondering why.
“The job makes the man” Hank Devereaux Jr.
It took those cats a lot of time and lettuce to put each of those councilors in each specific seat and ensure their campaign signs flood the streets on the mark at once. So, the simplest explanation is that there is a dispute between two over who gets to leave the council, and one is demanding something that spoils the board. Pete White was too successful maybe.
Sounds sort of like the Hemingway example in the ( 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises, where one character, Mike Campbell, is asked how he went bankrupt and replies: “Two ways gradually, then suddenly”) The factions that Dan makes reference to exist for sure, but it took years for us to get to this point and will take a long time to solve it.
Indeed, very good
Say “hello” to your new Daddy.
It seems that Mayor Lumpy has absolutely no control or oversight of any of the departments in his Administration.
Saw a post on another local blog showing actual recent pictures of many of the Pittsfield Police Department cruisers with expired inspection stickers, even one cruiser with a rejection sticker. Why is this being allowed to go on? Do taxes have to be raised again to pay for the inspections? Does the City feel they don’t have to follow the laws of Massachusetts? Of course the City ignored the ruling on releasing the investigation at PHS. We have already seen this blatant ignorance of rules and laws in the Public Works department and School department. So may I ask, what exactly does the Mayor do? Does he have any clue of the goings on while he hides in the corner office? He must not even look out the window because the pathway to get into City Hall which is right outside his office was glare ice the other day. Pittsfield is a train wreck, why would any company want to bring their business here! The past two small businesses that opened businesses here were blatantly forces to close by Lumby’s Administration.
When police cruisers are driving around with expired or even rejected inspection stickers, that isn’t a paperwork error. That’s what happens when oversight disappears. Vehicles don’t inspect themselves. Standards don’t enforce themselves. Someone, somewhere, is supposed to be paying attention — and isn’t.
Which brings us, inevitably, back to the corner office.
The Mayor is the city’s chief executive, yet department after department appears to be operating without direction. Police. Public Works. Schools. Compliance. Records. Accountability. Pick one — the same drift shows up every time. We’ve seen rulings ignored, deadlines shrugged off, and basic obligations treated as optional. Even the walkway outside City Hall recently became glare ice. If leadership can’t see what’s happening outside their own window, it’s fair to ask what’s happening inside their administration.
So what exactly does the Mayor do — beyond reacting after the damage is already done?
Now to the Police Department.
Since Chief Wynn retired, the department hasn’t merely changed tone — it has lost command gravity. Wynn was not universally loved. He was rigid, controlling, and often abrasive. But he ran the department. Policies mattered. Expectations were enforced. People knew where the lines were.
What followed has been something very different.
The current Chief is widely regarded as personally kind and well-intentioned. But within the department and among observers, there is growing concern that kindness has replaced leadership. This isn’t about personality — it’s about presence. Department chatter suggests a Chief who avoids conflict, hesitates to assert authority, and appears more focused on reaching retirement than rebuilding a department that clearly needs direction. Whether fair or not, that perception is corrosive.
And then there’s the succession talk.
Rumors circulating inside and outside the department suggest a leapfrogging promotion may be in the works. A passive and compliant Lt. will be jumping over Captains and into the Chief’s seat. Again — rumor. But when the same concern keeps surfacing, it deserves attention. The issue isn’t whether these individuals are “nice.” Most people agree they are. The issue is whether Pittsfield keeps confusing pleasantness with leadership.
Soft-spoken reassurance does not substitute for decisiveness. Avoiding waves does not steer a ship. Institutions in trouble don’t need caretakers — they need leaders.
And while all of this is unfolding, labor negotiations quietly tell the same story.
Union contracts that should have been settled in June are only now being finalized in December. That delay didn’t save money. According to widely circulated chatter at City Hall, the Mayor attempted to play hardball, declared victory as a “numbers guy,” and now believes he made great deals.
What he actually created was a long-term financial problem.
Dragging negotiations out produces back pay, compounded costs, damaged morale, and future budget pressure. Anyone who understands long-term budgeting knows this. Apparently, understanding spreadsheets is not the same as understanding consequences.
It would be laughable if it weren’t so expensive.
Expired inspection stickers. Ignored rulings. Leadership drift. Delayed contracts. Short-term optics sold as strategy.
These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re symptoms of an administration that mistakes not rocking the boat for steering it.
Pittsfield doesn’t lack good people.
It lacks leadership willing to be uncomfortable.
And until that changes, the drift will continue — quietly, politely, and entirely at the city’s expense.
It’s a shame that Lumpy, Voltron, and the big Dump are the only ones considered. Talk about the 3 stooges!!! Hopefully, someone will step up to run for mayor of Bitchfield and help lead the city out of the pit that it finds itself in.
Question is this: Should such a person “step up to run for mayor,” would enough people turn out to vote. That is the only way an outsider will get elected–drive a high turnout. No insider would have a chance, say, if the city had a 70% turnout, even 60%.
Unfortunately Dan, the answer is a resounding no. People have given up, decades of mismanagement and poor decisions. The players have changed and the results stay the same. Having a shitty Newspaper, publishing propaganda doesn’t help.
JOE
You may be right. The signs of resignation and apathy are everywhere. Sad to see. Those of us of a certain age, who remember a far different city, can read the signs better than most anyone.
More people have voted with their feet (moved away) than voted in Pittsfield politics municipal elections.
If the mayoral candidates are Lumpy, Voltron and the Dumpster, then 2027 will be yet another shit sandwich in “the Pitts”.
Aside. Taconic had a girl quarterback on boys varsity football this year and she threw a 52 yard t d in a game. Cool.
You have only one alternative. One. Go to town manager. You can keep electing these
Retread city councilors.
Who would control the hiring of that TM?