The LuLac Edition #177, March 18th, 2007

PHOTO INDEX: POSSIBLE 10TH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE AND SECURITY ANALYST FOR NEXSTAR BROADCASTING, JOSEPH PETERS, LAW AND ORDER'S SAM WATERSON WHO, LIKE FRED THOMPSON, HAS BEEN MAKING POLITICAL NEWS TOO AND
FORMER 11th CONGRESSIONAL GOP CANDIDATE TURNED BLOGGER, DR. JOSEPH LEONARDI.




WATERSON TOO!!!!

Law and Order actor Sam Waterson is also getting involved in the political process. The actor was on ABC's "This Week" talking abojut a bi-partisan organization he is behind that would give the country an opportunity to vote for candidates on a bi-partisan basis.
Waterston has joined Unity 08 (click here for link), an effort to empower the political center and elect a bipartisan ticket to the White House.
Sam Waterston: There's a huge majority of the American people who are ready for this, who are not represented in the current system, and this is an opportunity for those people to speak up, go to Unity08.com, sign up, become a delegate and participate in the process.
I think by its existence it will have a beneficial effect on anybody who is running for president, because they will be obliged to look over their other shoulder at the center and not simply address the partisan factions that have so much sway in primaries.
If standing at opposite ends of the room, throwing things at each other, was going to produce a consensus on that or a solution for this, I think it's fair to say that it would have been done by now. And it hasn't been done.
So the center is not such a bad place to be. It's actually where American politics, in the end, takes place.




THE DONALD AND STEVE!!!


If you were tuning in to Steve Corbett's talk show on Saturday over WILK Radio, there was a comic exchange between Corbett and a caller who was imitating real estate magnet Donald Trump. This was ironic because just the night before "The Donald" was on CNN's Wolf Blitzer show opining on the weaknesses of Secretary of State Rice (she refuses to make a deal), the Iraq War (a disaster from the start) and the current administration (everything has been pretty much based on lies). The guy covered a few of Corbett's topics and truth be told was a very good impersonator. To Corbett's credit, he let the guy do his thing, rolled with it and because of that, it made for great live radio. Now if we could get the real Trump to call Corbett or Kevin Lynn, now that would be golden.



JOE PETERS AGENDA


First off, Joe Peters is an attractive candidate in the Republican roster of candidates. Peters is the son of two term Scranton Mayor Eugene Peters (1969 through 1977), has worked in the Clinton administration and also for Governor Tom Ridge. Peters ran a credible race for Auditor General in 2004 but was beaten by incumbent and former primary running mate of Bob Casey Junior in the 2002 Governor’s race, Jack Wagner. The Auditor General’s office has been a stronghold for Democrats since 1960. Seven of the last eight elected auditor generals, starting with Tom Minehart in 1960 and Grace Sloan in 1964, have been Democrats: Minehart, Sloan, Casey Sr., Al Benedict, Bailey, Casey Jr. and Wagner. Hafer is the lone Republican to hold that office in the past 44 years. So, Joe Peters really didn’t come out badly in his first statewide attempt.
Currently, Peters has been making the rounds of political people throughout the state but most importantly throughout the 10th Congressional District. There are many who feel Peters would be the perfect candidate to take on one term Democrat Chris Carney. Many GOP people feel the Carney is just a one term reaction to the scandal surrounding ex Congressman Don Sherwood. In the unofficial primary leading up to the actual election year of 2008, Peters seems to hold many cards that also include name recognition, an ability to raise money, a political heritage as well as a connection to the powerful and respected Scranton dynasty.
Peters also seems to be helping himself by becoming WBRE TV’s “Security Expert”. Peters has appeared on WYOU TV as a panel guest and on WBRE TV news. In fact, this morning, Peters was the featured guest on the WBRE TV Public Affairs Show. By getting face time on TV, Peters is building more name recognition for himself. One has to remember the recent Judicial race in Lackawanna County where Tom Munley, a long time TV pundit on WYOU TV easily won a double nomination for Judge of Common Pleas. Many have said Munley was helped immensely by his TV work. You have to think Joe Peters and his people are thinking the same thing.




NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE

During last year’s Congressional race for the 11th District, Dr. Joseph Leonardi really impressed many people with his campaign abilities, forceful arguments and charismatic personality. Leonardi who ironically received no help from the national GOP while they poured money into the sinkhole that was the Sherwood candidacy pulled in a respectable vote against long term incumbent Paul Kanjorski. More importantly, Leonardi brought to the forefront many dormant issues that at some point in the future might make the Congressman politically vulnerable.
Leonardi is in the process of rebuilding his practice after the long campaign but has not given up his penchant for talking about the issues. The good Doctor has joined the “blogging” world and has a lot to say. Here’s his link and a sample of what you’ll see on his new and informative site.
http://joeleonardi.wordpress.com/


Libby’s Guilty —– Big Deal-Joe Leonardi



I. Lewis Libby, I refuse to call an adult Scooter, has been convicted of perjury, obstruction, and lying . Special prosecutor Fitzgerald has reportedly said that there will be no further indictments, that the investigation is “inactive.”
Well all is right with world, correct? The Democrats and the Left are awash in a celebratory glow, so much so that Senator Harry Reid has decided that the Constitution now gives him the power to tell the President who he can pardon. The Republicans and the Right are overwhelmed with indignant anger; White House spokespersons Limbaugh and Hannity are now convinced the the jurors are all filthy liberals. All of this is just, I hate to say, a disgrace.
I don’t care either way about Lewis Libby. Did he perjure himself ? Did he lie to the FBI? Did he obstruct justice? Maybe, the jury thinks he did, but I don’t care. What bothers me about this entire mess is that a CIA agent was outed. She was most likely exposed for political retribution and this trial and conviction is more of the same. We should be ashamed of all involved.
I served in the in a branch of Naval Intelligence, and while not an operative, I learned the importance of National Security. I learned the seriousness of protecting intelligence. I also was extremely aware, if not involved in, that the most dangerous off all was HUMINT; human intelligence. Of course, the fact that a person possibly engaged in HUMINT was exposed has been lost in the wake of the trial. I’m sure that the hearing, book and movie deal will reveal all from the Wilson’s side, but for now and through most of this, we have neglected the true tragedy of this saga.
Valerie Plame was an employee of the CIA. At the time of this disclosure there had been claims and speculation that she was or was not covert. The right claims that she wasn’t and the left claims she was. Nonetheless, it doesn’t matter what her status was at the time. The simple fact of the matter is, at one time or another, she MAY have been covert. That is what makes her name being disclosed obscene and irresponsible if not possibly treasonous. Intelligence gathering is an ongoing endeavor and in most cases operations rarely cease. They build upon each operation forming layers upon layers.
If Ms. Plame was a covert agent at any time during her service, her status must be protected. Why? Because, any agent who had been affiliated with her through any previous operation can now be at risk. This is common sense. However, in D.C. and the politics of personal destruction this doesn’t matter. Her name and position were given to a prominent CONSERVATIVE columnist, Robert Novak. Mr. Novak subsequently published this tidbit in his column. Novak claims he learned of Plame’s CIA affiliation from Richard Armitage and confirmed it with, I know here was the big surprise, Karl Rove —- shocking. If these two gentlemen didn’t know that it was wrong to give out Valerie Plame’s affiliation they should have been immediately fired and never allowed to serve in government again. The reason, they must be stupid. Not to let Bob Novak off the hook, he should have used reasonable judgment and quashed the story. I don’t know about most people, but I am an American first and it is simply wrong to release something that common sense tells you could be a danger to national security.
Bob Novak is a columnist, commentator and pundit of great renown. If he got scooped on this story it would have done nothing to his reputation, his status or his earning potential. However, to those of us conservatives who genuinely put America first, he has fallen to the level of — Al Franken.
The members of the Silent Service are dedicated individuals who function with little recognition. Their reward is the knowledge that their efforts ensure the safety and security of the United States. These brave agents are well aware that they live in a clouded, mysterious sphere of cloak and dagger activities, though I’m sure they never expected members of their own government to use the dagger on them.
Joe Leonardi