BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, AUG. 16-8, 2024) — THE PLANET is always open to guest columns, and we have the honor of publishing this one. It is authored by former city councilor Charles Kronick, better known on THE PLANET and elsewhere as Sir Chaz. If […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY AUG. 14, 2024) — Recently canonized saint/taint Kamala Harris has had two major decisions that the voting public can use as a barometer for her Presidential fitness. The two decisions: Picking a running mate Deciding how she would campaign. She had done a […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY AUG. 7, 2024) — THE PLANET has cracked the biggest local mystery. We speak of why presumptive Democrat presidential nominee Kamala Harris would choose Botchfield, Mass., a.k.a. Bitchfield, Mass., for her first fundraiser. She raised $1.4 million. Donald Trump’s VP choice J. D. […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, JULY 31, 2024) — Kamala Harris. We think we’ll keep her. In 2020, she ran for president, spent $43 million on a campaign platform that consisted of calling Joe Biden a racist, and won ZERO delegates. Biden rewarded her with the VP slot because […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE WEST, WEDNESDAY JULY 24, 2024) — If THE PLANET told you a mere few days ago that (a) Donald Trump would be shot by a would-be assassin and (b) barely more than a week later, one of the two presidential candidates would have to […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JULY 17, 2024) — THE PLANET here, checking in from the high desert and giving our beloved readers another fresh slate for The Comment Line. Not much to add to the national discussion about the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. The Republican convention […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JULY 10, 2024) — THE PLANET back in town quickly for personal reasons and business, and we thought it would be the perfect time to refresh the screen and give our welcome commentators the continued opportunity for Free Speech. After all, THE PLANET […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JULY 1, 2024) — It’s that time. And what time might that be? Time for THE PLANET to head into the desert and solitude (sort-of!) for R&R&R–rest, recreation, and repast. Meanwhile, during the bacchanal, we shall leave the Comment Line open and in […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY ADD 1, SATURDAY MORNING — As reaction from the foreign press came in with respect to the Trump-Biden debate, one thing was clear: America’s present state and status under Biden has fallen to a stunning new low. THE PLANET shares this snippet from a story posted by […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JUNE 26, 2024) — It’s been called the most important presidential debate since Nixon-Kennedy in 1960, barely edging out when Rob Tuttle smeared the floor with Lew Markham. THE PLANET doesn’t fully buy the analogy, but there’s enough truth in it to be […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JUNE 24, 2024) — As you might guess, THE PLANET receives a bunch of private queries. Most we answer privately, but some are worth sharing. With that, let’s attack a mailbag’s quartet. By the way, the DEAR PLANET salutation is house style. The letters have […]
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 […]
