The LuLac Edition #972, Oct. 11th, 2009

PHOTO INDEX: FARM FRESH PRODUCE AND PRESIDENT OBAMA AND MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR.

WHAT’S ONLY RIGHT

When I was a kid sometimes my dad would bring home a dozen ears of corn or a cabbage from a farm that was on Coxton Road. The farm was on his way home from Coxton Railroad Yards. The owner of the farm would give the railroad men something because he appreciated the presence of the railroad yard in proximity to his property. He felt that the noise of the trains kept trespassers (translation: kids looking for a secluded place to make out) off the premises. The railroaders never, ever took from the farmer. That would be unthinkable. That would be stealing. They took what they were given. And sometimes when they were flush they refused. I thought about that today when a story emerged about O’Mailia Farms in Plains. Seems the owner has a gun at the ready because people are stealing his flowers and vegetables. In effect they are stealing his work product, the food off of his table. Some locals, include a few of my friends at WILK were outraged the owner had the temerity to carry a gun as means of deterrence. Why shouldn’t he? My heavens stealing is against the law. Just because someone grows something in a field doesn’t mean people have the right to take it for themselves. One of the O’Mailia family called Sue Henry and talked about people in late model cars coming to the farm and hauling away flowers, produce and even equipment. These individuals are taking away the livelihood of the farmer. This farmer had to bend over and plant. He had to do hard physical labor to grow his crops. He had to buy equipment and hire people to help him. He couldn’t go to a baseball game, the movies or a Penn State game or whatever other freeloaders in this area do with their time because he was tilling the land. The people in Northeastern Pennsylvania have a curious relationship with the land. People think nothing of dumping mattresses and stained couches on the road sides. They think nothing of going on a farmer’s land and helping themselves. A few years back when my mom was alive, Mrs. LuLac went to get flowers for Mother’s Day for my mom and her mom. When she went to the store on the West Side, they were wiped out. No it wasn’t heavy sales telling mom how much she was loved, it was a thief who made off with the entire inventory. Just because it comes from the earth and someone walks the earth doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a similarity of ownership. I think Mr. O’Mailia and every farmer should have the right and even be saluted for protecting their property. If I had a farm, and people were stealing from me, I’d have a gun at the ready. I’ve always felt that guns should never be in any home or if they were they should be locked up in a secure place. But a businessman has every right to carry a gun and use it when his very livelihood is being taken away. And I don’t buy the argument that times are tough and people need food. There are programs in place like soup kitchens and outreach programs that are paid for by my tax dollars and Mr. O’Malia’s tax dollars.

OBAMA’S PRIZE

When I research this site, I usually work ahead. I saw an item I was going to use for the end of this week on Martin Luther King being awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1964. Much to my pleasant surprise, I heard the news that President Obama received the peace prize this past Friday. Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday because the judges found his promise of disarmament and diplomacy too good to ignore. The five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee – said awarding Obama the peace prize could be seen as an early vote of confidence intended to build global support for the policies of his young administration. They lauded the change in global mood wrought by Obama's call for peace and cooperation, and praised his pledges to reduce the world stock of nuclear arms, ease U.S. conflicts with Muslim nations and strengthen its role in combating climate change. Now this award can be either a blessing or a curse. And certainly it is unusual to award someone on potential. But it was a majority vote. The reaction of the Republicans is predictable saying they’d like to boycott the Peace Prize. One of the friends on my Facebook page said, “How can you protest peace? What’ya gonna do, go around and punch everybody in the mouth as a protest against peace?” In the meantime if any of my readers would like a commemorative tee shirt, I can hook you up for $20.00. Let me know.

KANJO AT THE KIRBY

On Tuesday, October 13, Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11), will announce significant federal funding for the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre and provide an update on the center’s projects.
WHEN: Tuesday, October 13 at 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: The F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
The Kirby is an area institution and needs help to sustain it as a mecca of cultural entertainment.