BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JAN. 23, 2019) — It’s been a while since THE PLANET dipped into the Letter Box. These are comments sent to us (usually by e-mail) that aren’t posted here but are also not submitted as off the record. We ALWAYS respect a writer’s call for […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JAN. 21, 2019) — On Oct. 17, 2017, the New York Times ran a prophetic piece on an online furniture and home-goods company. The article questioned how it would be possible for the firm, Wayfair, to compete given its razor-thin profit margins in an […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION JAN. 18-20, 2019) — You’re an online business. You lose $151.7 million in the third quarter 2018. Customers file countless complaints about bad service, cheap products, and “bait and switch” practices. Your customer relations are a mess. You’ve just been hit […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JAN. 16, 2019) — Yet another company looking to sell dope to dopes has applied to operate in Pittsfield. The growing number of would-bes includes Tenesel Wellness, Pure Botanicals, and Berkshire Roots. There may be others, but forgive THE PLANET for losing track. Sometimes […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JAN. 14, 2019) — Is Donald Trump a traitor? That’s the question at the heart of the FBI probe into the President, an inquiry taken over by Robert Mueller. It’s a large question, as outsized as Trump himself. Short answer, based on the […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION JAN. 11-13, 2019) — Before we open up to open comments, allow THE PLANET to share a few random observations. It’s Not My Fault, Mommy! — To say that Mayor Tyer came to office inheriting the problems of her predecessor — to […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JAN. 9, 2019) — Cities, like people, have temperatures, pulses, and vitals. No case is hopeless, and no run of health immune. THE PLANET recalls a meeting with Jim Shulman when he was building his carousel. He recommended a book whose title escapes […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JAN. 7, 2019) — If the Democrats hope to pry the White House from the clutching, begrudging hands of President Donald Trump in 2020, party leaders better hope that newbies such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez do not gain traction that makes them the […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, The Weekend Edition Jan. 4-6, 2019) — On Tuesday, Andrea Harrington was sworn in as Berkshire County District Attorney. Took the solemn oath. Pledged. Pinky promised. Triple-dog-dared. You know, what politicians secretly call “lying.” THE PLANET need not remind anyone. ———- ooo ———- Harrington […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JAN. 2, 2019) — THE PLANET presents an exclusive look at the speech Mayor Linda Tyer will not present in her State of the City address. Before we unveil the sacred anti-text, we need to ask why this exercise in self service even happens. […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE, 2018) — THE PLANET is thrilled to announce the winner of this year’s coveted ORBIT AWARD. Before we announce the victor, let us thank the Selection Committee (SC) for their stalwart work, taking the time as they did from their attentions both […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION DEC. 28-30, 2018) — No doubt your attention has been riveted to the latest news concerning THE PLANET‘s coveted ORBIT AWARD. Many names have been put in nomination by you, our readers, and each one has gone before The Selection Committee for […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY [EDITOR’S NOTE: Be sure to tune into THE PLANET on Friday as we announce details pertaining to the winner of this year’s coveted ORBIT AWARD.] xxx00xxx00xxx00xxx00xxx (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNEDSAY DEC. 26, 2018) — Our dear friend Chuck Garivaltis and THE PLANET weren’t the only ones to be baffled, perplexed, […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MERRY CHRISTMAS, 2018) — No news today and no commentary. Today, let remove ourselves from “the game” to focus on something more important. Though it’s been said many times, many ways, Merry Christmas, to you. May the fullness of blessings and all good things […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION DEC. 21-23, 2018) — It’s that time of year. Time to put aside our petty concerns, gripes, and ponder the gift of having made it through another 365. One of THE PLANET‘s Christmas/New Year traditions is to re-read the Declaration of Independence, […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY DEC. 19, 2018) — Not to ruin the Christmas season for anyone, but Pittsfield and North Adams need to brace for even more gang activity, this spurred by the infamous MS-13 group. This revelation comes in the wake of a report in The Boston […]
