BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION JUNE 21-3, 2024) — During last year’s mayoral campaign, the two candidates differed sharply on public safety. John Krol wanted foot patrols, especially downtown. Pete Marchetti called for unarmed social workers. The recent gunplay and murder near NON suggests one man […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JUNE 19, 2024) — There’s a scene in The Honeymooners (classic 39) where Ralph suspects Alice of having an affair with a “man” named Harvey. Turns out, she’s babysitting for a little boy named Harvey. When the child sees a coonskin-capped Kramden for the […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY ADD 1 MONDAY evening: THE PLANET heard back promptly from the most responsive public official after city clerk Michelle Benjamin. Newly appointed police chief Thomas Dawley got back to us today to put to rest the rumor that he DID NOT live in Pittsfield. Quoting the chief: […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY ADD 2, 6-14 — Just as we noted the gun murder on Fenn Street in Pittsfield, authorities report two more shootings. These took place on North Street at Bradford Street. On late Friday afternoon (today), two individuals were shot and wounded in the area of North Street and […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION JUNE 7-9, 2024) — So many stories, so little time. —Accident in the Pants?: Everyone must watch this video from June 6 in Normandy, France for D-Day ceremonies. It shows French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife standing on the review […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JUNE 5, 2024) — Recently, the Boston Herald ran a piece about the arrest of four illegal aliens, Guatemalans, busted and charged with ripping off various Home Depot stores along the eastern seaboard. Authorities said in this latest arrest, the illegals stole goods […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JUNE 3, 2024) — THE PLANET invites you to join us on rumination concerning the recent “guilty” verdict in the sham trial of ex-President and leading presidential candidate Donald Trump. He lost the battle but he’s winning the war. A cross-section of polling with third-party […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION MAY 31-JUNE 2, 2024) — “The road to Acapulco is very hard indeed, and it don’t get no easier if you haven’t any weed” — New Riders of the Purple Sage. Yeah, but the road to Bitchfield makes Acapulco look like […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY MAY 30, 2024) — Who started the rumor we shall never know. “The ink pad is dry!” The panicked call echoed within city hall. It send shockwaves throughout the building until council president Voltron the Porkchop, looking for a secret place to wank-off […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY MAY 27, 2024) — THE PLANET doesn’t have much to say today as we bring to a conclusion this long weekend. It’s a day America sets aside to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in war. Ask those who have been through war, […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY ADD 1 SUNDAY MAY 26 — THE PLANET received this release from the Pittsfield Police Department, which we share with our readers: On May 25, 2024 at approximately 6:50 PM, the Pittsfield Police Dept., Pittsfield Fire Dept., and County Ambulance responded to the area of 664 West […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY MAY 22, 2024) — Today, THE PLANET discusses a few odd and recent items. Brain Drain–THE PLANET has obtained an exclusive look at the recent brain scan of Bitchfield city council president Voltron the Porkchop. Seems our Right Honorable Good Friend claims his vast collection of […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI ARTS A review of 4,000 Miles by Amy Herzog, now running through June 1 at the Berkshire Theatre Festival’s Unicorn Theater, Stockbridge. Cast: Evan Silverstein (Leo), Gabriela Torres (Bec), Alison Ye (Amanda), and Maria Tucci (Vera). Directed by Lizzie Gottlieb. 1 hour, 50 minutes, no intermission. Box office 413-997-4444. BerkshireTheatreGroup.org. PLANET […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION MAY 17-9, 2024) — Our ideological, guilt-before-innocence times have the Devil’s Advocate working overtime. In short supply: reason and common sense. In surplus, irrationality and prejudice. No, the sky isn’t falling; THE PLANET assures you despite the assertions of Chicken Little. […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY Final of Two Parts (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY MAY 15, 2024) — Don’t you just love the Bike Mafia. THE PLANET does. Not only do they want to despoil Springside Park, but it wants Pittsfield taxpayers to pick up the tab. This audacity comes after Alison McGee, […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY First of Two Parts (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY MAY 13, 2024) — Recently, someone asked us about the continuing delay in building the mountain bike complex at Springside Park on upper North Street in Bitchfield. THE PLANET found it a pertinent query, since the ambitious–and ambitiously expensive– […]
