BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY OCT. 12, 2016) — City officials who brought back metered parking justify it by citing the public meetings held a couple years ago. You know how that exercise goes in Pittsfield.: The Suits want a public policy changed, irrespective of the benefits to the city […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY OCT. 11, 2016) — In Albany, the school department wanted to refurbish a high school. In Albany, citizens had a say. In Albany, citizens voted the project down. In Great Barrington, Cheshire, Schoharie, Freehold (N.J.), Marcellus (N.Y.), and in city after city, town […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY OCT. 6, 2016) — Perhaps the most preposterous claim made by apologists for the hegemonic decision by outside interests to locate two-score-and-10 Syrian refugees in the city of Pittsfield is that “three quarters” of the city is in favor. 75%? No way. 10%? […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY OCT. 5, 2016) — One of the many unanswered questions on the decision by outside interests to locate 50 Syrian refugees in Pittsfield relates to vetting. How well do officials check out the backgrounds of those wanting to come to America, in this […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY OCT. 3, 2016) — Last month citizens and voters — at least the few who were paying attention — saw a rarity. THE PLANET speaks of the exact moment a challenger lost any chance of beating a well-entrenched incumbent. This scarcity occurred at the […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, SEPT. 30-Oct 2, 2016) — Since this is apparently the month that THE PLANET addresses “things you can’t talk about” in an America that allegedly cherishes free speech and a free press, let us deal — as September turns to October — with […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY SEPT. 29, 2016) — Don’t think the moderator of the first presidential debate had his pro-Hillary undies on Monday night? Guess you didn’t watch, or if you did, you weren’t paying attention. NBC’s Lester Holt did not ask Hillary Clinton one question about […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY SEPT. 28, 2016) — Fifty refugees showed up tired, hungry, and broke but otherwise in good health. They were driven out of their homes by war, politics, and the totalitarian actions of a government not interested in their concerns. The fifty were former Pittsfield […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY SEPT. 27, 2016) — Last night’s meeting at the Berkshire Athenaeum on Syrian refugees coming to Pittsfield fits right into our theme for today, which is shutting down the voices of We The People. Organizers did not allow anyone in the overflowing room […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY SEPT. 26, 2016) — Tonight at 6 p.m. the Berkshire Athenaeum will host — — what exactly? A paint-by-the numbers exercise, the kind Donna Todd Rivers conducts for bored women who like white wine? A formality? A firing line with hair-trigger ready to condemn […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION Sept. 23-25, 2016) — Readers will recall our story earlier this week in which THE PLANET commented on the political motivations behind the Morningside “town meeting” regarding Walmart-PEDA. We based our coverage on reports from our spies in the room. The big news we […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY SEPT. 22, 2016) — Continuing the discussion over the do-good proposal (or is it a “decision”) to bring Syrian and Iraqi refugees to Pittsfield, THE PLANET makes several additional points using yesterday’s post-and-comments as a springboard. First, neither John Krol nor anyone else […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY SEPT. 21, 2016) — It is a profound mistake for Pittsfield to bring in Syrian and Iraqi refugees. If the Middle East cannot solve its religious and political differences, that is their problem — in case you forgot. … Forgot the millions of […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY SEPT. 20, 2016) —When The Boring Broadsheet (The BB) sold for a paltry $1 million to three local investors and a fourth from The Battle of The Little Big Horn (or out that way, in any case), the new ownership held a press […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY SEPT. 19, 2016) — Ward 3 councilor Nick Caccamo thinks garbage is a choice he can impose on the city. He’s a millennial, after all. You know the type. They only get their coffee from Starbucks — or Dotties if they want to “be seen.” […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, SEPT. 16-18, 2016) — Citizens of Pittsfield: Do you wish to voluntarily raise taxes on yourself? THE PLANET wants to know. Ward 2 city councilor Kevin “The Barber” Morandi thinks you do. He doesn’t think the shave he gave you at […]
