The LuLac Edition #666, Dec. 13th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: 13 QUESTONS LOGO.

13 QUESTIONS


1. AS THIS YEAR CLOSES OUT, AND I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A TOUGH ONE FOR YOU PERSONALLY, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE EVENTS?

PERSONALLY I’VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROCESS WHAT HAS HAPPENED UNTIL NOW. AN ILLNESS AND THE DEATH OF A PARENT NORMALLY MAKES ONE REFLECT AT THE TIME BUT BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS RIGHT ON TOP OF EACH, THAT WAS NOT POSSIBLE. I’M GRATEFUL I GOT THROUGH THE YEAR BUT WILL DEAL WITH THINGS IN THEIR PROPER PERSPECTIVE WHEN THE QUIET OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON SETS IN. AS FAR AS THE NATION, WE HAVE MANY PROBLEMS AHEAD OF US. PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA IS GOING TO HAVE HIS PLATE FULL AND MY FEELING IS IT WILL TAKE YEARS TO UNDUE THE DAMAGE OF THR BUSH ADMINISTRATION. I THINK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE A REALSTIC VIEW OF WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND WILL BE PATIENT WITH THE NEW PRESIDENT. EVEN DIE HARD “BUSHIES” REALIZE THE GUY SCREWED UP ON SO MANY LEVELS THAT IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE ONE ADMINISTRATION COULD DO THAT. I’VE ALWAYS BEEN AN OPTIMIST, I MEAN I HAVE MY MOMENTS BUT I THINK WE AS A COUNTRY WILL DO JUST FINE.

2. FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MEMORY?

I AM BLESSEED TO HAVE SO MANY THAT THEY RUN INTO THE THOUSANDS! THAT I’M GRATEFUL FOR.

3. MOST OVER RATED AND UNDER RATED PRESIDENT?

OVER RATED, RONALD REAGAN. I LOVED THE WAY HE COULD COMMAND A STAGE AND RALLY A NATION WITH HIS PERSONA. HIS CHARISMA AND CHARM MADE US BELIEVE IN A STRONG AMERICA AGAIN AND HIS FOREIGN POLICY WAS ONE OF SHEER “BALLS”. I BELIEVE REAGAN ALONG WITH POPE JOHN PAUL II IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE END OF THE COLDF WAR. HOWEVER, I THINK REAGAN’S TAX CUTS HID WHAT HE WAS DOING TO THE MIDDLE CLASS. UNDER REAGAN, TAXES ON INCOME WERE CUT BUT USAGE BENEFITS WERE ELIMINATED. LIKE GETTING A TAX BREAK ON A NEW CAR OR A CREDIT CARD. HE GOT RID OF ALL THAT STUFF THAT IN REALITY ADDED UP TO MORE TAXES AND USER FEES FOR THE LITTLE GUY. THAT’S WHY I THINK HE IS OVER RATED. THE MOST UNDER RATED PRESIDENT IS JAMES K. POLK. POLK SEFVED ONE TERM BUT PRESERVED THE UNION AND EXPANDED THIS COUNTRY AS A COAST TO COAST NATION WITH HIS ACQUIREMENT OF MOST OF THE WESTERN STATES INCLUDING CALIFORNIA. WITHOUT HIS INSIGHT, WE MAY NOT HAVE HAD OUR “SEA TO SHINING SEA” COUNTRY. HE WAS THE ONLY PRESIDENT WHO WAS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT TOO.

4. ANY THOUGHTS ON THE NEW MOVIE FROST/NIXON?

I REMEMBER SEEING IT AS IT HAPPENED. FASCINATING. NIXON GOT $600,000 WHICH BY TODAY’S STANDARDS IS CRAZY. THE FUNNIEST THING I HEARD ABOUT THAT ENTIRE PROCESS WAS NIXON, TRYING TO BE A REGULAR GUY ASKING DAVID FROST, “SO DAVID, HAVE YOU DONE ANY FORNICATING OVER THE WEEKEND?” PRICELESS!

5. REAL TREE OR FAKE?

REAL. BEEN THAT WAY SINCE I’VE BEEN MARRIED. MINI FIGHT EVERY YEAR TRYING TO GET THE DAMN THING IN ONE OF THE HUNDREDS OF TREE STANDS MRS. LULAC HAS PURCHASED OVER THE YEARS BUT WORTH THE EFFORT AFTER IT’S DECORATED AND LIT.

6. FAVORITES FOR THE 2010 GOVERNOR’S RACE?

JACK WAGNER ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE AND TOM CORBETT ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

7. PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY DINNER OR THOMPSON STREET BLOCK PARTY?

THOMPSON STREET BLOCK PARTY HANDS DOWN.

8. YOUR YOU TUBE VIDEOS ARE PRETTY GOOD. ANY MORE IN THE OFFING FOR 2009?

YES.

9. STRANGE QUESTION AND YOU DON’T HAVE TO ANSWER IT BUT HERE GOES. YOU WALK WITH A CANE FROM AN AUTO ACCIDENT. YOU HAVE CANCER AND FROM WHAT I CAN TELL OF THE DISEASE YOU HAVE, YOU’RE ON THE WAY TO A CURE. IF YOU HAD TO PICK ONE, WHICH WOULD IT BE, CANCER OR HAVING NOT BEEN INJURED SO BADLY IN THE ACCIDENT?

A STRANGE QUESTION DESERVES A STRANGE ANSWER. KNOWING WHAT I KNOW ABOUT THE CANCER AND THE WAY IT IS AGRESSIVELY BEING TREATED, I’D PICK THE CANCER. I MISS WALKING LIKE A NORMAL HUMAN BEING. DANCING, SPRINTING. CARRYING STUFF WITH TWO HANDS. DON’T GET ME WRONG, I’M NOT ASKING FOR A PITY PARTY BECAUSE I DO GET AROUND AND THINGS COULD ALWAYS BE WORSE. BUT YEAH, I’D WANT TO WALK AGAIN. THERE’S A CURE FOR THE CANCER, NOTHING FOR MY WALKING PROBLEM. AND I’VE TRIED EVERYTHING!

10. ANY FEEDBACK ON YOUR EDITION ON THE LUZERNE COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME?

NOT A WORD.

11. HOTTEST PRESIDENTIAL DAUGHTER?

OH STOP IT! MARGARET TRUMAN. THERE! HOPE YOU’RE HAPPY. OKAY, HERE’S MY REAL ANSWER, LUCI JOHNSON.

12. FAVORITE CHRISTMAS FOODS?

EVERYTHING RELATED TO THE SLOVAK/POLISH AND ITALIAN CULTURES. I'LL EAT IT ALL AND WHAT I CAN'T, I'LL TAKE HOME WITH ME.

13. FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONG?

AS A CATHOLIC, YOU HAVE TO GO WITH “SILENT NIGHT” TO STAY ON THE SAFE SIDE BUT ONE SONG I LOVE TO BLARE THESE DAYS IS SOMETHING FROM WILSON/PHILLIPS. “HEY SANTA”.