The LuLac Edition #1064, Jan. 6th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: MY LATE FATHER STEPHEN "JAKE" YONKI (HE'S IN THE RAILROAD HAT ON THE RIGHT IN THE GLASSES WITH HIS RAILROAD CREW) THEN DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHESTER MUROSKI AND THIS BLOG EDITOR AT AN EVENT IN 1979 WHERE I HAD THE HONOR TO INTRODUCE HIM. (HAVEN'T SEEN HIM IN PERSON SINCE!)

JUST THE FACTS

Thirty years ago to the day, today, Jan. 6th 1980 my father died suddenly at the age of 66. Since that Sunday I have not gone a day without thinking about him or coming across a lesson he imparted in some way. Unlike his son, my father was a pretty low key guy. Growing up in a family filled with opinions, I always wondered why my dad refused to engage in arguments and debates with people like my more vociferous uncles were prone to do. He told me that he didn’t have the time or energy to do so because most people don’t want to be confused by the facts. The facts are not sexy, exciting.
I thought about that today as the story of Judge Muroski’s accident made its way into the media. This morning Judge Muroski appeared on the Sue Henry program and gave a detailed timeline explanation of what had happened to him on Monday night. The facts are that Muroski had a full day swearing in various and sundry officials under the dome. He made the rounds to some events which were alcohol free. He swore in a few Courtdale officials as a favor to a long time aide. Muroski then stopped by an eatery and had a drink and a half. He then headed for Bear Creek Village off of Route 115. 115 in Bear Creek is notorious in the summer for traffic overload on Pocono Race Days and in the winter time for quick icing when the temperature gets below 25 degrees. Muroski said his car slid, he hit a few mailboxes, had no cell phone, was helped by a good Samaritan and his family, and waited for the police. When they were not arriving, Muroski thinking of the imposition on the family of the rescuer asked to be driven home where he called the police and reported the accident. The facts are he reported it, did not try to conceal it, has been open with everybody about it (in my opinion too open) and has taken responsibility for an accident that I might add injured no one except the Jurist. Those are the facts.
What followed on the Sue Henry Show was a cacophony of ignorance by callers who said Mursoki made the rounds of all the parties all day, should have had an On Star call the police and really was using his office to cover something up. When Henry asked them if they were there with the Judge, knew of any evidence or had proof, the callers replied in the negative. But I bet it sure felt good to hear them raise all kind of opinions on a man who has done more public good in his lifetime than they will ever even think about. In my late father’s words, even after Muroski’s pointed and explicit explanation these people did not want to be confused by the facts. Today I again understood more clearly why my father always was “the quiet man” at a public gathering while my uncles tried to intellectually mud wrestle idiots who ignored all the facts. Three decades after my father’s death he is still imparting quiet lessons to me. In the case of Muroski’s accident, I choose to believe the Judge. Like my father, I’m not going to waste my time and energy arguing with people who ignore the facts. I have better things to do…..and so do you.