The LuLac Edition #325, Oct. 15th, 2007

PHOTO INDEX: CONGRESSMAN CHRIS CARNEY AND FAMILY, DEMOCRATIC SHERIFF CONTENDER MIKE SAVOKINAS AND FORMER TOP LAWMAN CARL ZAWATSKI.

SAVO SIGNS SWIPED

Democratic candidate for Sheriff Mike Savokinas had a lot of his campaign signs stolen over the weekend. First and foremost it is an act of theft and bad political gamesmanship. And the candidate offering a reward is a good thing. This type of petty politics borders on oppressing freedom of speech. In the 2004 election, I can't tell you the number of times I had to replace an Arlen Specter sign in my front yard. The sign was stolen numerous times and since there was no passionate uproar for the Democratic candidate that year, I can only assume it was the Pro-Life crazies stealing the sign. In no small measure it is a terrible thing and frankly you feel violated. On the other hand, Savokinas has to be flattered. His candidacy must be a threat to someone. In the 2006 election I'd drive through various neighborhoods and see stacks of Rendell signs on porches. No one took them. Same thing with representative races, they'd be sitting there on a committeeman or woman's porch and no one touched them. 100 at a pop leaning against a swing or a set of steps. It's a pain and an insult to Savokinas but you have to believe someone is running scared. And for election day, that's a good thing for Mr. Savokinas.

CARNEY'S CARNAGE

Chris Carney's campaign for Congress is heating up as this year ends. He's raising money, visiting the district, making his way around towns. But there seems to be chinks in the old armor. There was a fascinating letter in the Scranton Times from a former supporter that I think bears sharing with you. If this letter is representative of the core group of people who supported Carney in '06, he might have some trouble in this upcoming race. This letter reminds me of the old country and western song entitled "If You Don't Stand For Something, You'll Fall For Anything." Here it is from the Scranton Times:

Carney's 'betrayal'

Editor: An open letter to Rep. Chris Carney:

Dear Chris,

I voted for you. The fact that you were running against yet another faceless Bush rubber stamp . . . a "family values" guy who got caught allegedly choking his mistress and then paid her off to keep her quiet, certainly made my decision less than painless. Plus, from all accounts you are a stand-up guy. Nice wife. Good kids. No mistress. I even broke one of my cardinal rules and placed one of your signs in my front yard. So many Democrats have embarrassed me by becoming mini-Liebermans, that publicly supporting the party became akin to self-flagellation. So I generally just pulled the lever and hoped for the best. But for you, I made an exception. I not only voted for you, I encouraged others to do the same.

I also publicly endorsed Bob Casey against Rick Santorum. Now while it's true I would have endorsed a Shetland pony if one ran against Santorum, I had high hopes for Casey. He then promptly went along with Bush and said it's OK to wiretap me without court approval. You and many other Democrats were swept into power last November on a current of anti-war fervor. Bush and his draft-dodging band of ideological foot soldiers have turned the so-called "war on terror" into a jihadist feeding frenzy. Our brave men and women in uniform are now stuck in the midst of a sectarian civil war. But all this would soon change. You were put there to end the war. Our long national nightmare would soon be over. Except it isn't. Largely because you, especially, have done your best to expand it. When Bush needs more billions, you give it to him, seemingly oblivious to the fact that we don't have it to give, and are simply borrowing it. When this master military tactician proposed his "surge," you endorsed his delusions. Other than the not choking a mistress part, it's hard to tell the difference between you and Don Sherwood. And just in case anybody was still giving you the benefit of the doubt, you recently joined with Republicans in voting against Hate Crimes legislation. To be fair to you, I and many others conveniently ignored the fact that while working at the Pentagon, you were actually instrumental in building the bogus case for war against Iraq. How you, with your insider clearance and access to reams of so-called "intelligence," could have gotten it so wrong while folks like myself, armed only with common sense which is, alas, not classified, were proven correct is certainly aquestion for the history books.I shudder at what your magic 8 ball will say Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is capable of. The more I think about my active support for you, the more I feel betrayed. And furious. Your campaign promised change. You said you were different. The only question in my mind right now is why the Republicans would even contest your seat in the next election. You're already doing their bidding. For free.

TOM FLANNERY

ARCHBALD

This letter illustrates the true frustration not only citizens feel about the war but also about the Democrats elected to effect change. True, there are no veto proof majorities but if the Dems don't watch it, in the Bush world of swiftboat propaganda, they'll get blamed for the evils of this war instead of the party that started it.

AND IN LUZERNE COIUNTY...

Greg Skrepenak and the Democrats, both elected and unelected took a hit from this WB Township resident annoyed with the entire Courthouse crowd and the fact that Skrep called Steve Urban a "terrorist".

Check this one out:

I take issue with the letter to the editor in the Oct. 8 Citizens’ Voice about my military status and employment with Luzerne County.
People like Hyder and Guesto are only county employees. They are bottom-feeders off appointments made by Skrepenak. As far as me being fired by the county three times, there’s a lot more to it.
Hyder, you claim you never sued the county. Well, isn’t it true you are suing the county and Commissioner Urban about revealing the $70,000 workers’ compensation settlement you received?
I was an Airborne Ranger K-75 with my Ranger team in Vietnam for 18 months with Mike Katchur from Dillsbury, Joe Kohler from Altoona, and Mike Stepanski from Pittsburgh. We were attached to the 4th division in An-Khe, Vietnam, in 1970-1971. So get your facts straight or shut your mouth.
Now, the real facts: Skrepenak, produce the records and whereabouts of the $58 million of taxpayers’ money for the juvenile detention center. Plus, what is the cost of the next two years to lease it?
Fact two: Reassessment figures. Produce the paperwork to the public. Taxpayers have that right to know. What is Guesto hiding? Commissioner Urban is your boss. He should fire you. Bring it out before the election. Is Skrepenak running scared?
Fact three: The $10,000 of taxpayer money wasted to go to Los Angeles. Hyder, where are the informative classes or lectures to police departments. What a joke.
Fact four: Hyder is looking to become warden. Check the records. How many friends did Hyder get a county job? Now, who has the facts and is telling the truth?
Please, veterans and their families, remember that Skrepenak called Commissioner Urban a terrorist. Vote Skrepenak out, along with his cronies.
Joseph Naperkowski

Wilkes-Barre Township