The LuLac Edition #661, Dec. 9th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: CONGRESSMAN PAUL KANJORSKI AND JUDGE ANN LOKUTA.

FIGHTING IN THE FORGE

Charges have been dropped against the vice president of the Old Forge School Board and his sister, both of whom were accused of getting into an altercation over an anonymous letter. Lawrence Enderline, and Joni Trabal. Both were in Central Court after each was charged with simple assault and harassment for their alleged roles in the Oct. 30 altercation. Magisterial District Judge Terrence V. Gallagher dismissed the charges, with the understanding that both Mr. Enderline and Ms. Trabal will stay out of trouble. According to investigators, the arguments began when Mr. Enderline confronted Ms. Trabal about an anonymous letter his daughter received at school, a letter Mr. Enderline believed his nephew wrote. After screaming at her about her son, Mr. Enderline allegedly pushed his sister to the ground, Ms. Trabal told police. During the fight, Mr. Enderline’s finger accidentally slipped inside her mouth, cutting her cheek. She bit his finger, police said. This story appeared in the Scranton Times today and I must call your attention to the last sentence. If a finger can get into one’s mouth by accident, well that’s a WWE wresting move.

KANJO DENOUNCES STORY

Congresman Paul Kanjorski denounced an AP story this week that said the Congressman taking was compromised by a ticket he received to attend the Washington Nationals’ first home baseball game with a company’s (Freddie Mac) chief executive and four lobbyists. Kanjorski pointed out that the ticket was under $50.00 and that in no way an attendance at the opener, good seat or not compromised his decision making process in the Freddie Mac controversy. Here’s the thing, Washingtonians are going to socialize with each other lobbyists, Congressman, power brokers. That is a fact of life and to dwell on something so petty is missing the bigger picture. Let’s take a look at the big sweetheart deals made by this administration with Haliburton before we bitch about a baseball ticket (albeit a great seat) to a Congressman who has been articulate and passionate in his defense of the taxpayers on this issue.

NEW STRATEGY

Apparently Judge Anne Lokuta has embarked on a new strategy to save her job. Today a contrite Lokuta apologized for the pain her behavior on the bench caused attorneys and court staff who appeared before her and vowed she would agree to any restrictions the Court of Judicial Discipline imposes upon her it the panel allows her to remain on the bench.
In a five-minute statement before the court, Lokuta said she has been “humbled” by the case brought against her by the state Judicial Conduct Board. While insisting she never meant to harm anyone, she acknowledged her behavior has caused some people pain. We shall see if this strategy works or not. My inclination is these boys already have their minds made up and I would’ve gone out with a blaze of glory. But maybe not. As I said, we shall see. More to follow.