* THE PLANET has had a large response at this address to our protest of the $27.55 charge to veterans and their families to take out a small ad on Veterans Day. We thank those who realize the seriousness of this issue, and why it is in extreme poor taste to charge that particular demographic […]
Random thoughts on a Sunday evening: * What, you thought the Patriots were going to run the table? The “experts” will say the team got caught in a “trap” game, but THE PLANET would disagree. The Browns under Eric Mangini are a young team rounding into shape. Look for New England to bounce back, as […]
THE PLANET has heard from a number of people about our post yesterday, protesting the Berkshire Eagle’s tasteless decision to charge $27.55 for families and loved ones to honor veterans. We talked to one such veteran today, a gyrene who read our report and thanked us. He wondered if the Eagle would be charging $27.55 […]
VETERANS: IF YOU READ THIS, PLEASE PASS IT ON. LET’S MAKE IT VIRAL, IN HONOR OF THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE. PLEASE HELP. Richard is a vet. He served in Korean and saw front-line action — nasty stuff, actually, the kind of action that, when you try to talk about it, the words get caught […]
When will the much-anticipated report of special independent investigator Paul Ware be released? My media colleagues at the Boston Globe, who exposed the details of the “pay for play” scheme in the state probation department and much more worminess, say it will come within the next couple weeks, most likely next week. The Globe’s Spotlight […]
Not much to say after Election Day. Numbers speak for themselves: low turnout (defined by THE PLANET and anything that is not 50% plus 1 person) combined with machine politics = no change + plus still unsolved problems x even-increased apathy. THE PLANET would suggest three immediate reforms of Election Day: (1) Make it Election […]
Throughout the busy day today, THE PLANET shall try to check in periodically with thoughts, observations, what not, and all of the above. * Secretary of State Bill Galvin is expecting a large turnout, perhaps record breaking. As a minute sliver of evidence, when THE PLANET voted this morning at Stockbridge Town Hall, there was […]
Endorsements are like chicken soup when you have a cold. They may not do any good (which is, of course, to say “they MAY”), but they certainly can’t do any harm. Note that these are THE PLANET’s endorsement, not our predictions. That’s another story. Nostradamus, we ain’t. What makes us dare to speak out? THE […]
On Tuesday, Nov. 2, the most important single election contest in recent memory will take place in Pittsfield. It’s the race for 3rd Berkshire District state rep pitting incumbent Chris Speranzo vs. challenger Mark Miller. This will be meoldrama wrapped in suspense framed by import. This race has morphed into an early onslaught for the […]
THE PLANET had a private meeting with gubernatorial candidate Jill Stein (Green-Rainbow) at a hidden location cleverly designed as an exact replica of The Tavern at the Red Lion Inn. Stein was campaigning through Berkshire County today with 3rd Berkshire District candidate Mark Miller and 4th Berkshire hopeful Scott Laugenour. We met Stein and Langenour […]
Too Far? Sir, You Must be in Jest! ‘Tis Not Gone Far Enough In the past week, The Planet has heard from a couple Establishment pols who are basically saying we’ve gone overboard in our criticisms of the corrupt Speranzo campaign. This tells us, of course, that we are having an effect. We are no […]
It’s not enough, apparently, that Chris “No Show” Speranzo ducked two debates with Mark Miller, refused public comment on it, will not make public appearances, will not knock on doors, and will not return media inquiries about his furtive double dipping. Nope. The Great White Dope pushed the sword into his ample gut a little […]
Before telling you about the forum The Planet moderated today for the Vox network (Larry Kratka producing and Clarence Fanto sitting in as guest panelist), we must share the latest word on the skulking and sulking of hulking Chris Speranzo. Our Spies Check In * A field report from our spies who were there at […]
We had a chance to come back on later and correct some typos in the following story, which snuck in as a consequence of the haste in which it was written, a condition made necessary by the fact that we had an Eagle column to write, a Gazette column to finish, papers to corrent, and […]
It’s been a busy morning in the universe. The Planet guested on “Good Morning, Pittsfield” with John Krol. We didn’t feel we were on our A-game. Thought-wise all was fine, but mouth could not keep up with mind. We’ve been doing live radio for too long to know it happens now and then. Krol did […]
The Planet had to laugh at the coverage given to the installation of solar panels at seven buildings at Berkshire Community College. Full disclosure: The Planet is an adjunct professor of English at BCC, which means I have many contacts there. Not all of them drink the Kool-Aid. Sure enough, there’s a story attached to […]
