The Rogovoy Report 5.6.24

From around the corner to around the globe...

May 06, 2024

Just How Dangerous Is Europe’s Rising Far Right?

(NYT) - Across Europe, the far right is becoming the right, absent any compelling message from traditional conservative parties. If “far” suggests outlier, it has become a misnomer. Not only have the parties of an anti-immigrant right surged, they have seen the barriers that once kept them out crumble as they are absorbed into the arc of Western democracies. Could this resurgence of parties with fascist roots really overturn European freedom and democracy? The optimistic view is that they are no more than pale descendants of history’s tyrants, constrained by the existence of a European Union that was created to guarantee peace among its members. That is a lulling view. The language of these parties may be less incandescent than former President Donald J. Trump’s invocations of “bloodshed,” but as they whip up support by scapegoating immigrants, and even move to lock in systems that could perpetuate their power, the threat to the postwar order seems real enough.

FASCIST TAKEOVER WATCH:

Donald Trump has now made clear that he won’t concede if he loses the election. Believe him. (New Yorker)

Trump compares Biden administration to Gestapo secret police (The Guardian)

Trump threatens to prosecute Bidens if he’s re-elected unless he gets immunity (The Guardian)

Casita a Little House of Big Flavors at MASS MoCA

(ATU) NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Imagine the joy of discovering Chingon, a Mexican food cart with a name loosely translated to “badass,” transformed into Casita, meaning “little house,” a light-soaked, plant-heavy, super vibey restaurant in the courtyard of MASS MoCA in North Adams, Mass. Throw in cocktails inspired by visits to Oaxacan mezcal producers, all-day dining with a taco-forward lunch menu, between-service snacks and dinner specialities. Finish with a focus on community collaboration and a lovely patio for summer. Whether dining is your end goal or a pit stop during a MASS MoCA visit, you definitely should go to Casita.

Trés Niños in North Adams may be for sale (B Eagle)

The Meat Hook hangs its newest whole-animal butchery shingle in Hudson (RI)

The Farm Shoppe is not your average farm stand in Hudson (HV Mag)

How Crackers Went From Survival Food to Gourmet Treat. Exhibit A: House-made crackers from Hudson's Talbott & Arding (WSJ)

Return Brewing’s indoor taproom now open in Hudson (Chronogram)

Fresh Ravioli a la Arthur Ave at Via Ravioli in Coxsackie (Chronogram)

Magazzino adds the art of Italian cooking to its repertoire with Cafe Silvia (Chronogram)

RZA of Wu-Tang Clan has a beef with meat (NYT)

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NEWS FROM THE BERKSHIRES

The main building of the Miss Hall's School campus in Pittsfield, Mass. (photo Josh Landes/WAMC)

A Decades-Old Campus Culture of Open Student-Faculty Relationships, Fear, and Repression Permeated Private School in Pittsfield

(WAMC) PITTSFIELD, Mass. - As allegations of sexual abuse continue to emerge from a private all-girls school in Pittsfield, former students and staff members are speaking out about an unsafe campus environment where relationships between teachers and children were well-known and unchallenged. This spring, multiple alumnae of Miss Hall’s School have leveled accusations of sexual abuse, exploitation, and grooming at the hands of former history teacher Matthew Rutledge. Students who attended the school while Rutledge allegedly preyed on those leveling abuse charges say that the inappropriate relationships were an open secret in the tight-knit campus community, that they feared repercussions for speaking out, and that it was impossible for administrators to not have known about them. Read also, A fifth Miss Hall’s School alumna comes forward with sex abuse claims against former teacher (WAMC)

READ MORE:

It’s town meeting season in Berkshire County, with a handful set for tonight (WAMC)

Railroad Street merchants in Great Barrington protest closing street during Berkshire Busk performances (Berkshire Edge)

Great Barrington’s River Walk opens for the season (B Edge)

Flynn’s Pianos Sales and Service hitting all the right notes in Great Barrington (B Edge)

Housatonic Water Works proposed settlement in rate case not a done deal (B Edge)

Specialty Minerals in Adams released wastewater into the Hoosic River multiple times in recent years. It will pay $299,000 to 4 local groups (B Eagle)

MASS MoCA offers billboard for North Adams Pride to welcome LGTBQ+ people to city (B Eagle)

Berkshire Flyer NYC to Berkshire train loop returns this summer. Will another season make the train a permanent fixture or sunset the pilot? (B Eagle)

Allegrone Cos. to bring two major housing projects to North Street in Pittsfield (B Eagle)

Holocaust historian Sam Kassow and Yiddish Book Center founder and director Aaron Lansky on tap for talkback following ‘Who Will Write Our History’ screening at Triplex Cinema on May 14 (B Edge)

NEWS FROM THE HUDSON VALLEY

Hudson-Athens Lighthouse (photo Lucas Willard/WAMC)

Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Placed on National List of Endangered Places

(WAMC) HUDSON, N.Y. - Surrounded by the Hudson River, the Hudson-Athens lighthouse has stood for 150 years. And now, a new recognition is boosting the effort to ensure it stands for 150 more. The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, just off the southern tip of the Middle Ground Flats island, is a stately two-story brick structure with an attached tower that still guides boats today. But it’s in danger....

READ MORE:

Police investigate vandalism at Jewish cemeteries near Schenectady (ATU)

Columbia County sees 4.8% decrease in sales tax collection (HV360)

Farmers in the Hudson Valley have a housing problem, too (ATU)

Farm to Yarn organizer wants to avoid ‘Fybrefest’ snags (ATU)

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