The LuLac Edition #866, July 3rd, 2009

PHOTO INDEX: OUR 1964 LOGO, VICE PRESIDENT JOSEPH BIDEN AND OUR FOREWORKS SAFETY LOGO.

BOMBSHELLS

Mark Ciavarella said he agreed to testify at a hearing regarding whether a defamation verdict he entered in favor of Thomas Joseph should be overturned because he wanted to set the record straight saying he did nothing wrong in the procedure. The former judge is awaiting sentencing on charges he and former judge Michael Conahan accepted more than $2.6 million in kickbacks from attorney Robert Powell and local developer Robert Mericle in exchange for rulings that benefitted two juvenile centers Powell once co-owned. Unlike Conahan and William Sharkey as well as William D’Elia, the former jurist did not take the fifth. A large part of the testimony focused on refuting allegations that have been lodged against him in the corruption scandal. He adamantly denied that he accepted “bribes” or “kickbacks” from Powell or Mericle. Ciavarella called Powell as an “outright liar” regarding allegations that he (the Judge) extorted him. In a very curious and telling twist, a transcript of testimony of Ann Burns, deputy commissioner of civil trials for the county was read by the Shamrock attorneys. Burns was the person who placed a handwritten note in a court database denoting that the case had been assigned to Ciavarella from an order of Conahan and Sharkey. The assignment was made even though former Judge Ann Lokuta was the person assigned to hear non-jury trials that month. According to the Times Leader, in the statement, Burns acknowledged that the assignment was “out of the ordinary,” and that she wrote the note because she “wanted to be protected myself.” Testimony resumes next week.

BUDGET IMPASSE

Gov. Ed Rendell said at a news conference that he doesn't expect a budget agreement for possibly two more weeks. He met with legislative leaders on Monday and Wednesday going over each line of the budget. He called the session productive and the spirit of the discussion "cooperative," but acknowledged miles separate the budget proposals. "I don't expect to get it done this week or even possibly next week, but I expect we can get this done," he said. Many state employees are hoping it gets done by July 17 so they can avoid having the budget impasse and the state's limited authority to spend money without an enacted budget, begin to impact their paychecks.

BIDEN IN IRAQ

Vice President Biden has arrived in Iraq to visit U.S. troops and to meet with Iraqi leaders, including President Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Speaker of the Council of Representatives Ayad al-Samarrai. The Vice President will reiterate the United States’ commitment to fully implement the Security Agreement and the Strategic Framework Agreement and to carry out President Obama’s plan to draw down U.S. forces. He will discuss with Iraq’s leaders the importance of achieving the political progress that is necessary to ensure the nation’s long-term stability. This is Vice President Biden’s second trip to Iraq this year and his first as Vice President.

KA-BOOM!!!!!

Even in a scorched economy, there's still some money to burn. Operators of the more than twenty fireworks tents in parking lots throughout LuLac land think patriotism, tradition and a strong need to party on a Saturday night will translate into more than a few dollars of profit and more smoldering in America's pockets this Fourth of July. But if you are going to start blowing up your backyard, be cautious. Here is a safety video so you can return to work and/or school on Monday July 6th with limbs and body parts intact:


2 HOT ON THE 4TH

A few of our favorite patriots talk about their plans for the 4th:

1964

President Lyndon Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law, abolishing racial segregation in the United States……Statewide, the Pennsylvania State Senate appropriated $500,000 for the research of acid mine and drainage problems. The bill passed 48 to 1 and was moved on to the House……Noteworthy budget news, back in 1964 the state of Pennsylvania was prohibited by law not to incur more than 1 million dollars in debt in any given budget year...Before big crowds over the July 4th weekend, the Phillies sweep the san Francisco Giants with pitchers Ray Culp, Jim Bunning and Dennis Bennett besting Giants hurlers Ron Herbel, Gaylord Perry and Juan Marichal. Each game was under 2 hours and 55 minutes and on Sunday’s game, nearly 39,000 people attended…..Professor Leroy Bugbee, professor of history at Wyoming Seminary gives an address “This Was The Battle of Wyoming” at the Monument site on the fourth of July. The event started at 10AM with Program Chairman Attorney Keene Mitchell introducing the educator…..Meanwhile across the street, Vice Chair of the Wyoming Historical Society Attorney Harry B. Schooley announces that the Sweatland Homestead would be open for tours right after the monument ceremony…. And 45 years ago this week, the number 1 song in America and LuLac land was “Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying”. The group, Gerry and the Pacemakers were from Liverpool, the same town as the Beatles and were managed by the Fab 4’s guru, Brian Epstein. The song hit number 6 in England but in the British Invasion crazed America, it hit number 1.