The LuLac Edition #830, May 27th, 2009

PHOTO INDEX: PRESIDENT OBAMA AND PUZZLE PIECES INDICATIVE OF A WIDE RANGING INVESTIGATION.

PUZZLE PIECES

News reports Tuesday confirmed that the FBI is requesting information from Luzerne County Community College. A spokesperson said the college is cooperating with the federal government and providing the information. Sources say it's unknown what information the FBI is seeking. But it was a matter of time before LCCC became the subject of an inquiry given the millions of dollars going through there and its political connections over the years. The FBI investigation continues to be one big jigsaw puzzle that is connecting little by little, day by day, bit by bit. It might take years for the picture to be made whole or the puzzle solved, but the effort is on a painstaking path to the truth.

SMOOTH GUY!!

The Scranton Times reports that convicted Lackawanna County official Chuck Costanzo had himself a high old time at Mohegan Sun back in April. Old lover boy put the moves on a patron that just did not fall for his Soprano like charms. From the Times: Costanzo was charged with misdemeanor harassment and disorderly conduct by state police at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs the night of April 23 into the morning of April 24, accused of making unwanted advances toward a casino patron. Police distributed a news release about the incident Monday. Mr. Costanzo, 48, and Brian Dunda, 43, were playing slot machines when Mr. Dunda spoke to passer-by Tara Consoli, 37, of Forty Fort, asking where her boyfriend was and letting her play a few rounds on his machine "for good luck," police said. As Ms. Consoli played the machine, Mr. Dunda wrapped his arms around her waist, placed his head on her chest and put his hand up her shirt, police said. She withdrew and began to argue with Mr. Dunda and Mr. Costanzo and retreated to the back of the high-limit room, police said. Mr. Costanzo approached Ms. Consoli, told her to "forget about that guy" and made a lewd proposition, police said. Mr. Dunda faces a harassment citation, state police said. The recent charges may be the least of Mr. Costanzo's legal worries. Mr. Costanzo was convicted last month of 19 federal counts - including charges of money laundering, conspiracy, wire fraud and tax evasion - carrying a potential of 186 years in prison and fines of up to $4.75 million, plus possible restitution to the county. Costanzo was given his big contract by then County Commissioner Bob Cordaro. This little incident just adds more unseemly behavior by a person who was tabbed to do the taxpayer’s business. Plus, if his comments, “forget about that guy” were accurate, Chuckie is not worth his salt as a “wing man”.

OBAMA’S SUPREME PICK

President Barack Obama chose federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor as the nation's first Hispanic Supreme Court justice on Tuesday, praising her as "an inspiring woman" with both the intellect and compassion to interpret the Constitution wisely. The pick, as Rush Limbaugh said “tells us a lot about who Barack Obama is as President." I agree with that one phrase Rush was saying, the other garbage he was spewing was predictable. Clues to Obama’s pick could be found in his biography “The Audaucity of Hope”. He wasn’t looking for the reincarnation of Justice William Douglas nor a sparring partner for Justice Scalia. All he wanted was a reasonable assurance that his pick would have the ability to recognize that sometimes the opposite side just might have a point. Obama voted against John Roberts as Chief Justice in 2005 after much agonizing because he wasn’t comfortable that Roberts might use his skills on behalf of the haves and not the have nots. An argument of strong vs. weak if you will. There’s a reason the President had the nickname “No Drama Obama” in the campaign. His pick indicates a pragmatism that will move the country forward without ideological battle lines drawn in the sand. His choice today was a reflection of his vision for not only his Presidency but the nation. From YOU TUBE, here’s his announcement made to e mail recipients: