The LuLac Edition #777, Apr. 7th, 2009

PHOTO INDEX: TYRA BANKS AND EEYORE.

SALLIE MAE

The news that Sallie Mae is going to add 600 new jobs in Luzerne County met with mixed reactions. If you listened to WILK on Monday, there was a range of thought from positive to questioning. (Not necessarily negative but borderline). The fact is that this is big news because anytime you add jobs in this economy, it’s a plus. I mean the story made the national financial news. We had the CEO from the company as well as a Congressman and Senator making the announcement. So it was all good, right? But then the questions began about starting salary, when do the benefits kick in and whether or not these jobs are going to stay in the area. Senator Casey said “he’d be keeping an eye on that”. Believe me, this is a good news situation. But it is tempered by overly cautious optimism. Some are saying, “600 jobs!!! What more do you want?” And they are justified in saying making that statement. But workers in this area are used to being told a company is here to stay only to have the jobs evaporate. Workers in this area can calculate salary and they know what other areas pay. Plus with 6,000 people or more out of work, 600 jobs, to some, seems like a drop in the bucket. A PA HOMEPAGE poll conducted by WBRE asked the question "would the addition of 600 new jobs begin to turn the economy around in NEPA?" 22% said yes, 77% responded no. All that said, this is a gift and blessing in this very stagnant economy. Some will choose to look the gift horse in the mouth while others will take it as an opportunity. If you are a political leader like Kanjo and Casey, you have to be dismayed that there is nothing more than a yawn over this. These guys had to have busted their butts in getting this accomplished. But the underlying factor is this: people in both Luzerne and Lackawanna counties have been so underpaid for so long that they expect the worst instead of the best. The corruption scandals as well as the nepotism in all things governmental erodes confidence in even the best intentions of a public and private sector partnership. If Missouri is known as the “show me” state, LuLac land might be categorized, with or without good reason, as the area with an “Eeyore” complex.

HE SAID/SHE SAID

Unsuccessful Vice Presidential candidates seem to fade away but not Sarah Palin. The latest controversy involves the Alaska governor’s daughter Bristol. Apparently, the B girl and her intended, Levi Johnston broke off their engagement. Levi, instead of skulking away or taking some “me” time for introspection instead made a beeline for a model. Well, a model’s TV show. Johnston appeared on one of my personal favorite tall girl’s program, Tyra Banks. In the exclusive interview with Banks, the hockey hunk says the Republican vice presidential nominee knew that he was having sex with her daughter before she became pregnant. He also said his relationship with Bristol is on icy ground. In the exclusive interview with Banks, he says the Republican vice presidential nominee knew that he was having sex with her daughter before she became pregnant. He also said his relationship with Bristol is on icy ground. Sarah Palin countered that the high school dropout is just trying to extend his 15 minutes of fame at Bristol's expense. In a statement, the Alaska governor said, "We're disappointed that Levi and his family, in a quest for fame, attention and fortune, are engaging in flat-out lies, gross exaggeration and even distortion of their relationship”. Johnston said his relationship with

Bristol Palin turned sour after the birth of their son, Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston, in December. His family said they were snubbed the day Tripp was born. Johnston's sister, Mercede, said her family was told nobody could be at the hospital, but then she "heard that all Bristol's family, cousins, aunts went in." In the interview, the Johnston family reveals Bristol Palin, who became pregnant at 17, forced Levi to attend the Republican National Convention in September. Mercede said, "Levi told me [Bristol Palin] called and said that, 'You're going,' and he said, 'I want to go hunting,' and she said, 'You're going.”
Okay, first off Levi Johnston is an 18 year old kid. And dating the Governor’s daughter was, I suspect, way out of his depth. But all that said, when you impregnate someone, you cease to be a boy but become a man. It might not be fair and it might not be just, but you have another life you are responsible for. You make it work. You don’t walk away. And any issues you need to resolve with the family, you do with them face to face, not across the couch from a talk show host. I never was a fan of Sarah Palin, criticized the obvious hypocrisy of her daughter’s situation juxtaposed with her right wing beliefs on sexuality issues, and I even took her to task for her parenting skills. But I agree with her on this: this beau who apparently had no clue about the historical significance of being invited to a national convention because he wanted to go hunting and fishing is now trying to get his 15 minutes of fame. Ironic that if he had done the right and responsible thing, he might’ve had a lifetime of that fame he is accused of coveting right now.