BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY SEPT. 24, 2018) — In our previous column, THE PLANET broke an important story that the local mainstream media missed about a phone call made by Democratic nominee for district attorney Andrea Harrington to city councilor Melissa Mazzeo. They missed it because they didn’t […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, SEPT. 21-23, 2018 THE WEEKEND EDITION) — Two simple, declarative sentences neatly sum up the state of the race for Berkshire County district attorney: (1) “This is going to be a wild one.” (2) Did she or didn’t she? (1) This is going to […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY SEPT. 18, 2018) — Just as THE PLANET predicted, we got the October Surprise. This time, it came in September. President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court, U.S. District Judge Brett Kavanaugh, seemed headed for a smooth confirmation after the usual and grueling […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY SEPT. 17, 2018) — Acting D.A. Paul Caccaviello will not attempt a write in candidacy against Democratic nominee Andrea Harrington, according to a well-placed source who requested anonymity. The source, self-described as a “close confidante” of Cacc, also says it appears “likely” that […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION SEPT. 14-16, 2018) — What’s the surest, most-proven, practical, and time-tested way to drive economic improvement for any size community by any governmental authority? Tax cuts. Once again, we have seen this nationally, with investors reaping huge profits, particularly from smaller […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY ADD 2, Sept. 12, early evening — Our first addendum, intended to explain our remarks on 9/11/01, apparently did the trick. No one responded directly to our points made either there or in my answers to reader’s comments. So be it. Let us therefore be brief. First, we […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY SEPT. 10, 2018) — Even after the primary, the D.A.’s race in Berkshire County refuses to go away. It will not until Paul Caccaviello makes his decision on a sticker campaign for the November general election. Though it is far from unanimous, many […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION SEPT. 7-9, 2018) — Andrea Harrington’s narrow win in the Democratic primary may be enough to see her through the November election to become the next Berkshire County district attorney. The only thing certain at this point is that she won’t […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY SEPT. 5, 2018) — Now that the Dumpster Behind Paul Rich has run off with the Big Red Repaving Machine to bring to a merciful end the race for Berkshire County District Attorney, THE PLANET can turn our attention to another matter involving judicial ascendancy. […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, LABOR DAY [9-3] 2018) — Happy Labor Day, everyone. The day marks the unofficial end of summer as we take up the life, again, of school, business, responsibility, and all of that. Here on THE PLANET, we mark the day in the most responsible manner […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION AUG. 31 TO LABOR DAY, 2018) — One of The Ol’ Professor’s favorite essays to use in Comp I classes was “Warfare in the Forest is Not Wanton” by Brooks Atkinson. In it, the author describes the fury and ferocity of […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY AUG. 29, 2018) — News items too big to fail: Sign of the Times — A campaign sign belonging to District Attorney Paul Caccaviello was not stolen yesterday. That sign, plus one located in Caccaviello’s basement, are the only two of his signs […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY NEWS FLASH! THIS JUST IN TO THE PLANET’s NEWS DESK: SOURCES TELL US THAT “HUGE LAYOFFS” COMING IN NOVEMBER AT CRANWELL RESORT. THIS WILL INCLUDE MANY LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES. YOU READ IT HERE FIRST. NOW TO OUR REGULAR COVERAGE. ———- 000 ———- (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY AUG. 27, […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, AUG. 24-6, 2018) — Two city councilors have blasted Mayor Linda Tyer for the city’s mismanagement of the dog shelter. Their criticisms come after communications sent to this address regarding concern for the unfortunate dogs who find themselves in the facility. […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY AUG. 22, 2018) — Let’s start with the name. It would be a “Police Oversight Committee,” not a “Police Advisory Board.” You don’t need THE PLANET to tell you there’s a gulf’s difference between “oversight” and “advice.” A PAB would have gums. A POC, if […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY AUG. 20, 2018) — Apropos to nothing but in some tangential way related to everything, THE PLANET 51 years ago today sat in Fenway Park, rf-line boxes and watched in disbelief as The Impossible Dream Red Sox swept the contending Angels in a doubleheader […]
