The LuLac Edition #1389, Nov. 30th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: HOME RULE AND COURTHOUSE PHOTO COURTESY PITTSTON POLITICS.COM.

PICK 3

The long awaited decision on who will join the Home Rule Commission as citizen participants came down this evening. The Times Leader is reporting that, James Bobeck, Rob Bakewell and Susan Shoval were chosen tonight for three citizen seats on Luzerne County's home rule transition committee.
Bakewell, Edwardsville, has a master's degree in international relations and has been working at Cardinal Glass Industries in Mountain Top since 2005, most recently as operation support manager/project manager.
Shoval, Kingston, has a bachelor's degree in economics and was co-founder of GUARD Insurance Group. She is co-chair of the Luzerne County Diversity Commission and serves on other boards.
Bobeck, Kingston, is an attorney currently working as an administrative law judge for the state Bureau of Hearings and Appeals, as an associate with Saunders and Rooney P.C. in Plymouth and providing pro bono legal services for indigent clients.

I am certain that there will be a few nitpickers out there saying these were bad choices but I think they will be in the minority. The opponents of Home Rule said constantly that the fix was in for Mike Giamber. Looks like it wasn't. Then there were the ones who said that the citizens panel would be cronies of some of the members. These three candidates are going to be very good choices. Susan Shoval has a laundry list of community involvement and will provide good input from both a business and volunteer standpoint. I'm not sure what Bakewell's degree in International Relations will bring to the table but at least the board was not afraid of someone with an education. And the Christmas miracle in this whole deal is Atty. James Bobeck. They got themselves an Attorney that works sometimes for free. A good start, now let's stop complaining about this new form of government and let these people get to work.

The LuLac Edition #1388, Nov. 29th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: GOVERNOR ED RENDELL.

MUSTO’S DEC. 15TH COURT DATE

The Times Leader reports that a federal judge has scheduled the arraignment of State Sen. Raphael Musto for Dec. 15. Last week, a federal grand jury issued a six-count indictment against Musto on Nov. 23, alleging he accepted $38,000 in cash and services in exchange for exerting his influence as a senator. Musto, 81, was initially scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, but his attorney sought a continuance with the government's approval. U.S. District Magistrate Judge Thomas Blewitt ordered Musto to appear in federal court in Scranton at 11 a.m. for his arraignment. Musto, who will retire from the Senate on Tuesday, is expected to enter a plea of not guilty. This is the first step in a long journey that will take the career politician on a quest to clear his name. It will be interesting to see the defense strategy used by his lawyers . One wonders the impact it will have on people cooperating with the ongoing investigations in Luzerne County.

RENDELL USES VETO PEN

Gov. Ed Rendell on Saturday vetoed a bill that he feared would escalate violent acts by expanding a person’s rights in Pennsylvania to use deadly force, even when safe retreat is possible, if feeling threatened outside their home. Rendell criticized the bill as a dangerous solution to a nonexistent problem that would encourage a “shoot first, ask questions later” mentality.

The LuLac Edition #1387, Nov. 28th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: PRESIDENT OBAMA.

BI PARTISANSHIP?

I get a kick out of many people on the national morning talk shows saying how the President needs to form a bi partisan relationship with the Republican party after their win in this year’s elections. They say the President needs to compromise on tax cuts and other issues. How can he compromise with a party that voted no to his stimulus package, voted no for extending unemployment benefits and voted no against Health Insurance Reform?
How can he work in a bi partisan fashion with a Senate Minority Leader (Mitch McConnell) who said his main objective was the Obama not get a second term?How can he work in a bi partisan fashion when a Republican Senator on “Meet the Press” (John Kyl) could not articulate why he was going to oppose the SMART Treaty? A treaty by the way that pledges to end atomic weaponry on a comprehensive basis. How can a President work with these people? If he is to survive the next two years, this President has to draw the line in the sand and explain just how ridiculous these guys are in their political stances.

LESSONS FROM TRUMP

A lot of the failure of the Obama administration lies in the fact that he and his people have yet to trumpet some of the good things they have legislatively accomplished. Despite my better judgement, I watch Donald Trump’s “Apprentice” program. Trump describes his program, his clothing line, his golf courses, his hotels, anything he is associated with as “exciting”, “fantastic”, “incredible”, “world class” “important” and “best ever” words and phrases. They are called adjectives. Maybe this President should try uses words like that. His recent overseas trip is an example. The President should have pointed out that it will be a long time before the foreign markets will trust our judgement and word again on anything. Instead the White House left the message control to the media outlets that pointed to the shortcomings instead of what this thing was intended to. On the tax cuts, the first thing the Stimulus program did was cut every working Americans taxes. Each worker received a little boost in their bi weekly paycheck. That expires on Jan. 1, 2011. That was a tax cut but because it came in small increments, no one noticed. While George W Bush was scoring big cuts for the wealthy, each American got about $600.00 and a letter saying so from the President. This President has to get on message, stand for something passionately and then don’t back down. If he doesn’t do these things, a busted lip will be the least of his problems.

The LuLac Edition #1386, Nov. 27th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: OUR "INTERVIEW" LOGO.

INTERVIEW

I talked to a bank employee over the Thanksgiving holiday and I asked him about what it was like to work in that industry as a teller.
Q: Toughest part of the job?
A: Making sure I balance out everything at the end of the night.
Q: And if you don’t?
A: It’s on me.
Q: You’re kidding?
A: No someone comes in and tries to cash a bum check for a grand and it bounces, and I didn’t get the proper authorizations, it’s on me.
Q: People say this depressed area has no money. Truth or fiction?
A: Fiction. There are people coming in with tons of money.
Q: They must be pretty happy.
A: No as a matter of fact every single one of them are miserable.
Q: Wow. How about young people?
A: Scary.
Q: Why did you say that?
A: Some of them are so illiterate they can’t even write out a check.
Q: C’mon.
A: Hey I see it every day.
Q: Ever fantasize what you could do with all that money?
A: No, I’m too busy trying to not make a mistake.
Q: Big responsibility. I mean you are the first point of contact for the bank’;s image, if you don’t have a balance at the end of the night, that would really mess things up. A big job. Mind if I ask you your compensation?
A: Nope.
Q: For this responsible job in this crucial industry, what do you get paid here in Northeastern Pennsylvania?
A: $10.25 an hour.

The LuLac Edition #1385, Nov. 26th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: 'KRZ'S SHADOE STEELE AND WARM'S BRIAN HUGHES.

MEDIA MATTERS

SAT NIGHT LIVE

Tune in this coming Saturday night on KRZ FM 98.5 when Shadoe Steele broadcasts his last show on that station. I’ll be honored to be the guest from 9:15PM to 9:50PM talking about my new book “Weather Or Knot”. Steele’s show will then be broadcast on WILK AM and FM starting on Dec. 4th.
Here are a few of Shadoe's most frequently requested songs, "Rocky" by Austin Roberts.

And how about this classic:

Then there was Wayne:

Then there was "Laurie"

Shadoe takes these timeless oldies as well as a whole lot of other better songs with him to WILK AM and FM next week. He might even play The Who.


SUNDAY MAGAZINE

Coming up this Sunday on Sunday Magazine, I will be speaking with Dave Gervasi and John Judge from the Scranton Firefighters Union about the proposed 2011 budget cuts, and what they mean to the department, and public safety. Sunday Magazine airs Sunday morning at 5:30am on JR 93.7, 6am on 97BHT & 97.9X, 6:30am on Magic 93 and 9:30am on WARM 590 AM.

The LuLac Edition #1384, Nov. 26th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: "MAYBE I'M AMAZED" LOGO.

MAYBE I’M AMAZED

Maybe I’m Amazed……that with all of the negative publicity Senator Robert Mellow has received that I think he may not be the subject of a criminal investigation. Ethics is one thing but crimes, maybe not.
Maybe I’m Amazed….that after twenty five years Saturday Night Live at the Oldies is being replaced by a hp hop rapper on ‘KRZ. Yeah that’ll get the phones ringing from Eynon. I give it a year. But I am thrilled that Shadoe Steele’s award winning program will be on WILK AM and FM starting next week. As I said in our last edition, I’ll be a guest on his final program Saturday night from 9:15PM to 9:50PM.
Maybe I’m Amazed….that we have become such craven materialists that we can’t even let workers enjoy Thanksgiving with their families. It’s one freaking day. But I guess if the on line pagan travel company is open on Thanksgiving, someone wanting a discounted knock off a scarf needs to be catered to. But I ask, at what price regarding family?
Maybe I’m Amazed….that virtually no one who is a reader of my site liked our year 1966. I mean no one. I thought it was pretty interesting. Shows you what I know.
Maybe I’m Amazed….that the Woodlands is being cited for underage drinking violations. Here’s what allegedly happened. Under age bimbo hottie gets a bracelet from customer walking out. Under age bimbo hottie looking for illegal liquor and future bed mate has a few blasts at the Woods. Result: Woods get busted. Why are they responsible for underage hottie sponging a bracelet from customer walking out of facility? If I were the Woods, and I lost my liquor license I’d sue underage hottie and her parents for damages. After all, personal responsibility and all.
Maybe I’m Amazed…..that WNEP TV’s Reagan Medgie is not in some major market doing the news. Caught her doing the noon news on Thanksgiving and thought she was excellent.

The LuLac Edition #1383, Nov. 25th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: THANKSGIVING TURKEY, FORMER BUDGET CHIEF FOR LUZERNE COUNTY TOM PRIBULA, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE AT THE OLDIES HOST SHADOE STEELE, POPE PAUL VITH AND OUR 1966 LOGO.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

To all of my readers of my on line content and my books, I say thanks for your patience and stopping by on this site. As we say our thanks this day, surrounded by loving family and friends, let us make certain we never forget those who are less fortunate than us on this great American holiday. Not only on this day of football, friends and feasting, but every day.

BUDGET CHIEF EXITS

The Times Leader reports that the Chief Budget Officer Tom Pribula has resigned as County Budget Chief. Here’s their story:
Luzerne County Budget/Finance Chief Thomas Pribula has abruptly resigned this afternoon. Pribula said the resignation was due to "professional and philosophical differences." He declined to elaborate. Courthouse insiders say Pribula has clashed with county commissioners in recent weeks over the 2011 budget, which is scheduled to be unveiled Dec. 1. County commissioners have publicly praised Pribula for helping them to prepare realistic and attainable budgets. Pribula, Conyngham Township, was hired in April 2008 and was paid $68,000. Before joining the county, he had worked as a financial advisor for Bank of America Investment Services Inc. He has also worked as an investment representative for Edward D. Jones & Co. and as a manager, financial analyst and accountant at Philip Morris Management Corp. and Nabisco. He has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Wilkes University and holds state insurance licenses. My dealings with the budget chief who is my cousin have been few and far between. But I do know he has been trying to run the county budget in a business like manner. I assume there had to be a lot of frustration from some quarters in the Courthouse. Pribula worked very hard to balance the numbers. Most likely he’ll return to private business where he was a success but do not discount the possibility of a return once the county gets up and running after Home Rule is implemented. The larger issue for now is who is going to help present this new budget and work with the transition team for Home Rule.

LAWMAKERS GET RAISES

Pennsylvania’s legislators, judges and top state officials are about to get automatic pay raises of 1.7 percent. Newly elected and returning legislators will get their raises starting Dec. 1, officials said Monday.
The annual salaries for rank-and-file legislators will increase from $78,315 to $79,623. Salaries for legislative floor leaders will rise from $113,468 to $115,364.
The bad news about all of this is that Pennsylvania taxpayers will bear the brunt of the increase as always. The good news is that maybe with this raise, Representative Ken Smith might be able to make a dent in those back taxes he owes.

STEVENS HEADS COURT

Hazle Township native and state Superior Court Judge F. Correale Stevens has been elected to a five-year term as President Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. Stevens, a Superior Court judge of 13 years, was elected unanimously by the 15 elected judges of the statewide intermediate appellate court last week. He will serve a five-year term when he succeeds sitting President Judge Kate Ford Elliott after her term ends Jan. 3. “I’m looking forward to giving the position the time and energy that it needs,” Stevens said, adding that the state Superior Court has been tasked with handling large caseloads while under budgetary constraints, and that tackling those issues will be his first priority as president judge. Stevens formerly served as a Luzerne County Judge, a District Attorney as well as a State Representative in the 116th District.

BENEDICT SURPRISES

In a seismic shift on one of the most profound and contentious Roman Catholic teachings, the Vatican said that condoms are the lesser of two evils when used to curb the spread of AIDS, even if their use prevents a pregnancy. The position was an acknowledgment that the church’s long-held anti-birth control stance against condoms doesn’t justify putting lives at risk.This my friends is huge. The Church is recognizing that some form of birth control is needed for those foreign population that keep on perpetuating poverty by procreation. I think Benedict sent the message in a veiled manner using male prostitutes as an example. This is a crack in a doorway that has been shut for a long time. It doesn’t contradict Pope Paul XI’s encyclical humanae vitae but it sure is an opening. And that is a big deal no matter what others say.

SAT LIVE AT OLDIES

This coming Saturday night, it is my pleasure to tell you that I will be part of local broadcast history. I will be a guest on Shadoe Steele’s “Saturday Night Live At the Oldies”. Steele who has been doing the show on KRZ FM, 98.5 will be doing his final show…there. The next week the long running Saturday night staple will be broadcast on WILK. My segment will air from about 9:15PM to about 9:50AM and I will be discussing my book, “Weather Or Knot”.


AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

1966

The Washington Redskins defeat the New York Giants 72–41 in the highest scoring game in NFL history..Barbados achieves independence………….in Pennsylvania long time Internal Affairs Secretary Genevieve Blatt vacates her office that she held for over 12 years. Blatt who narrowly lost a U.S. Senate race in 1964 was defeated by Republican John Tabor in the Republican Pennsylvania sweep of 1966 and in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties Christmas Club savings are estimated to be more than 18 million dollars. Savings club members (more than 125,000 strong) will be able to spend an average of $232.00 per person. Christmas club checks were distributed by various financial institutions between Nov. 12th and November 28th and the number 1 song in America and LuLac land was “You Keep Me Hanging” On” by the Supremes.

An up and coming hit that was making the rounds was this one by Sandy Posey called “A Single Girl”.
And this song was a sleeper hit that never made the top ten but is one of the best versions of a classic song from the fifties that I ever heard. Billy Stewart and "Secret Love" from 1966.

The LuLac Edition #1382, Nov. 24th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: "WRITE ON WEDNESDAY" LOGO.

WRITE ON WEDNESDAY

TURKEY DAY FOOTBALL

A few weeks ago in our Friday feature, "Maybe I'm Amazed", I opined on the traditional high school football rivalries being relegated to the regular season instead of the Thanksgiving Day games. Dr. Joe Leonardi wrote a piece about this a year or two back. Game Day is no longer Turkey Day................at least for high school football.

Longing for Thanksgiving high school football

This year, for the first time since I graduated way, way back in 1982, I began attending high school football games. My first impression was that of surprise at how few people were in the stands. Today, the bulk of the support comes via the students, district employees, cheerleaders, spirit band, pep squad and families of those involved.
Gone are the days when the marching band, drill team, color guard and majorettes blanketed the field from sideline to sideline and goal line to goal line. It is all much smaller today, however the school spirit is no less intense.
The preparation put in by the students, instructors, parents and coaches is tireless and their efforts are rewarded by incredible performances. I am proud of my alma mater, yet … something is missing.
In the October 18, 1924 edition of the New York Herald Tribune Grantland Rice wrote: “Outlined against a blue-gray October sky, the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. These are only aliases. Their real names are: Stuhldreher, Miller, Crowley and Layden. They formed the crest of the South Bend cyclone before which another fighting Army team was swept over the precipice at the Polo Grounds this afternoon as 55,000 spectators peered down upon the bewildering panorama spread out upon the green plain below.”
To this day, besides wishing I wrote it, the above quote sends a shiver down my spine. The words meld together and right in front of my eyes a gridiron visage unfolds. The vision I see is not one of Notre Dame and Army. No, my mind transports me to my childhood. The month: November.
The day: Thanksgiving.
The names: Jimmy Castellino, Dave Bachkosky, Tommy O’Malley and of course, Jimmy Cefalo.
They may not have been the South Bend cyclone, but they were more than likely the most imposing foursome to ever, at the same time, don the Patriot red, white and blue.
For many years, Thanksgiving football was a Greater Pittston tradition. Some claim that the Pilgrims and Native Americans played football on the very spot where Albert West Park now stands. Okay, perhaps I am exaggerating ---- just a bit, but for most of my formative years, Thanksgiving Day and high school football went hand in hand. Rivalries existed in many communities and some even changed over the years; however, with the mergers that created Pittston and Wyoming Area, the Susquehanna separated schools traditional turkey day tussles were not to be missed.
The entire week before "The Game" was one of intense preparation.
Throughout the east side of the watery divide, homes of players’ families and non were decorated with signs of support and almost totally immersed in red, white and blue. Of course, on the other side of the river green and gold adorned just as many houses. Everywhere you went, there was only one topic of conversation.
In almost every residence, dinners were planned around the big game.
When Turkey Thursday finally arrived, husbands and sons would help get the house set for the waist widening feast and then anxiously depart for kickoff. Once gone, minus male meddling, mom and grandma were free to prepare the turkey and all the trimmings. My first Thanksgiving Day football game is ingrained in my memory. My dad and uncle took me to a packed Charlie Trippi Stadium. Bleachers on both sides were teeming with people and the fence surrounding the field had nary a spot to stand. The assembled masses consisted of those with and without children involved in the game. Greater Pittstonians arrived, participated and watched as a singular family.
On the PA side the fans were in unison shouting "GO! GO! GO!." Each "GO" was accentuated with heavy foot stomps and clanging cowbells. Those wooden bleachers nearly buckled under the fearsome force of the podiatric pounding.
Nestled next to my father for warmth, I was mesmerized at the activity surrounding us. Even today I can still feel the shaking of the bleachers, I can hear the roars of the crowd, I can recall the resonance of the cowbells, I can see the cold breath exiting my mouth and I am, for a moment, a kid again.
I attended the PA-WA game this year. It was played as intensely on the field as ever. The cheerleaders, spirit band, painted pep squad, students and family members in attendance were as loud and as forceful as days gone by.
Unfortunately, gone was the sense of community surrounding the holiday contest. The discussions around town did not center on the game. Only a few homes were decorated. The stands on both sides were not packed full and the fence had too many open spots.
Thanksgiving Day football no longer exists. It became extinct when the PIAA opted to institute a play-off system. While the cross river rivalry remains intact and is as important to the students as it was in days of yore, the communal feel, the bringing together of Greater Pittston for one glorious event --- those days, they are sadly, eternally lost.
Dr. Joe Leonardi
Author: Fat Then Fit Now; A Life Beyond Weight Loss
www.FatThenFitNow.com

The LuLac Edition #1381, Nov. 23rd, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: RAY MUSTO FROM HIS VERY FIRST CAMPAIGN IN 1971.

THOUGHTS ON MUSTO

I started my day at work today thinking the State Senator from our area that would have a less than desirable Thanksgiving would have been Bob Mellow. Instead the news came down today that Ray Musto was indicted. Call me naive, call me a babe in the woods but I’m stunned. Throughout Ray Musto’s long career in government there wasn’t a hint of scandal. This is the guy who walked out of the Abscam scammers when he was a Congressman. No relative of mine works for Musto and those who do work for him or did either ignore me or hate my guts. I campaigned as a high school Junior for Musto when he ran for late Representative to succeed his late father. I thought it was the right thing to do. I met Musto three more times during his tenure. He always said if I ever needed anything in Harrisburg, even to use his office, to stop by. I never did.
Musto has been forthright since the charges were announced submitting to a Times Leader interview as well as going on “Corbett” on WILK this afternoon. He says he will fight the charges and I hope he does. Here’s why:
1. Musto was charged with with honest services wire fraud, corrupt receipt of a reward for official action and making false statements to a federal agent. The easiest charge to throw at anyone is Mail or wire Fraud. That charge is like the proverbial fortune cookie as a throw in with Chinese take out. The corrupt receipt of a reward also bothers me because the name of the company who bribed him is not made public. Why? And then the name of Robert Mericle surfaces. Mercile as we all know pleaded to a few charges and gave the feds Lord knows what in his cooperation. Making false statements to an agent is also a boilerplate charge because no one in their right mind would say to an agent, “Yep I did it, don’t know what I did and what you’re looking for, but yep, I did it”. All of those things bother me.
2. My second question is “where is the pattern”? All of a sudden after 35 years in public life Ray Musto goes off the rails morally? I’d love to see the “intent” behind this deal. It looks to me like Musto was trying to refurbish a building and help someone out. Maybe he should have paid more attention to detail but my question is “where is the pattern?” Did this guy ever go on a junket coming back with a tropical shirt on? Jeez, did this guy ever take a vacation? Sorry Senator but if you were taking kickbacks, it wasn’t to improve your wardrobe. The Senator dressed like a guy from Pittston. Functional suit, tie and shirt. Designers? Uh..no.
3. Much is made of Robert Mericles campaign contributions to Musto. If I had Mericle’s money, I’d have contributed to Ray. But if I gave $29,000 in legal contributions, why isn’t there a pattern of spending, unless of course this was a personal rainy day fund which may come out if that fact is true.
4. On the $3,000 charge from the municipal authority agent, I say, “who was it?”
Those are my questions. Do you mean to tell me that with all of Tom Corbett’s investigations in Bonus Gate, he ignored Ray Musto? Musto made a serious misstep. And it could ruin his reputation and even land him in jail. But he says he’s going to fight the charges in Court. I hope he does. And remember, even with the more than 30 guilty pleas the last few years, remember the person who was proven innocent when an overzealous prosecutor went after him in the late 90s. Let’s hope if there is nothing to these charges, Ray Musto can pull a “Joe McDade” and walk away from this thing with his innocence and dignity in tact. In the meantime, there should be no rush to judgement. Until the Judge opens the trial and the Senator gets his day to tell it all.

The LuLac Edition #1380, Nov. 22nd, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: JOHN KENNEDY, CIRCA SEPTEMBER '63.

JFK, 47 YEARS ON

The LuLac Edition #1379 Nov. 21st, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: "SCRATCHING OUR HEADS" OVER THE SPREADSHEET.

FIGURING THE SPREADSHEET

The hottest e mail going around this weekend among local politicos is the scoring spreadsheet the Luzerne County Home Rule Committee used to make their grades on applicants. Apparently you could get a high score of 15 if one person voted for you. My score was 15 thanks to Commissioner Mary Anne Petrilla. That is heartening and appreciated since I only met the Commissioner for the first time last Spring when we were panelists on WYLN TV’ 35’s Primary Election Night coverage. I am not the best spread sheet reader in terms of speed but it is apparent that the top 3 candidates got their scores from a majority of Home Rule Committee members. Not reading into that, not making a judgement, as they say on the radio, “I’m just saying”.
The top three according to the spreadsheet I got were:
Mike Giamber, he got 69 votes and all them came from Committee members Ciarufoli, Hefron, Kersey and Morelli.
Attorney James Bobeck: his totals came from Commissioner Tom Conney, and Home Rule Committee member Ciarufoli, Hefron, Kersey and Moreli.
Peter Gagliardi: My buddy (and that statement alone will doom any chances he has to go further in this process) got what seems to be the only bi partisan support of the panel from the top tier. Home Rule members Ciarufoli, Hefron and Morelli picked Gagliardi but he also had the bi partisan support of both incumbent Commissioners Steve Urban and Mary Anne Petrilla.
What this mean, who the hell knows?
People on the side of Home Rule No are saying the Committee members stacked the deck. People who are Pro Home Rule are saying this was the fairest process they could devise. Giamber has been active in the Home Rule Yes movement so the votes he got were from people most familiar with him. Bobeck got a nice cross section and Gagliardi seemed to get the most even amount of votes. I can make a prediction here, one of these three top tier candidates, if we are only judging by the numbers won’t be picked. Not to sound sexist here but they can’t pick three guys in the age range of 35 to 56. A woman will have to be picked and I see that being Susan Shoval who had a respectable vote total in the low 40s. That all being said, a lot depends on interviews that are going to be public. And if any of these top 3 sound and look like jackasses, then all bets are off.
Disclaimers: I went to grade school with Mike Giamber and Giamer recruited me to be the moderator for a Home Rule Information Session at Kingston High School. I was given a dinner certificate for my time and efforts that evening.
I went to college with Peter Gagliardi. We both were class mates at King’s College and were Government majors. Later Pete and I were co workers at the old Call Center on South Main Street in Wilkes Barre from 1999 to 2002. Pete and I occasionally have lunch where I regularly chastise him for being so damn Republican.
I have never met Attorney Bobeck or Susan Shoval.

The LuLac Edition #1378, Nov. 20th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: OUR "INTERVIEW" LOGO.

INTERVIEW

This week the warden at the Lackawanna County Prison resigned after a longer than average tenure. There were things in the prison that weren’t running right and a change was in order. I talked to a former inmate who did her time at the prison across the street from Andy Gavin’s.
Q: When you were in prison, what did you think about?
A: (Laughing) Going to Andy Gavin’s for some wings and a Pepsi.
Q: Seriously.
A: I thought about getting out. Doing my time.
Q: How long were you there?
A: 13 months. I was sentenced to three years but I went to a halfway house in New York and served out the rest of my time.
Q: What were you in for?
A: Drug possession. The cops found $10,000 worth of drugs in my car. But it wasn’t mine.
Q: Yeah, you told me that before. They all say that.
A: You’ll never believe it but the Judge did. I didn’t get as near as I should’ve.
Q: What were the drugs doing there?
A: A guy I knew put them in my car.
Q: The doctor?
A: Uh, let’s just call him a medical professional.
Q: But he wasn’t a medical doctor?
A: No, we don’t want to make doctors look bad.
Q: What was prison life like?
A: Well, for me it was routine. Regimented. And I was okay with that because I went to Catholic school had a strict family, had curfews, had chores and towed the line. I was the oldest so more was expected. So it was like that movie “Ground Hog Day”, it was the same thing every day.
Q: What were the guards and staff like?
A: Okay. There were some dumb asses and some nasty people but if you were smart you never fought them.
Q: Were you ever asked to do something you didn’t want to do?
A: Uh toilets.
Q: That was a chore, were you ever harassed sexually or physically by any of the guards?
A: No.
Q: You’re a pretty girl, why not?
A: Because I think I reminded them of their little sister. And boy did I play that up. I knew some of the guys were local and I’d always engage them in conversation relative to Scranton.
Q: Do you know of anyone harassed by guards?
A: Anything is possible but look, if you are a guard, are you going to risk losing your job?
Q: Some might.
A: I didn’t know of any.
Q: Were you ever denied medical care?
A: I never got sick. But I still don’t know how that girl with the baby, how, how that was missed.
Q: Did you have any friends in prison?
A: Two, an older lady my gram’s age and a lady a few years younger than my mother.
Q: Was there opportunity to have sex in prison?
A: Oh yeah.
Q: You’re bisexual, did you ever?
A: No.
Q: C’mon.
A: See that’s the male stereotype. You think women prisoners, you think lesbians.
Q: I got news for you kid, men will hear the words “girls night out” and we think that.
A: Yep.
Q: So why no sex?
A: Can’t say.
Q: C’mon. This is anonymous.
A: Okay.
Q: So why?
A: The chicks were butt ugly. Dave, I tell you I thought I was in a reverse beauty contest.
Q: Kind of catty?
A: True.
Q: What did you do to pass the time?
A: Read and play cards. By the way my block loved “A Radio Story”.
Q: Thanks. Never made any sales on that but it's nice to hear. Why do you think you survived so well in prison?
A: I wasn’t into drugs and didn’t have an angle. I was there, nothing I could do.
Q: But were you busted for selling drugs.
A: Yes. But only the fools use. And I never did.
Q: But you sold right?
A: Dave.......not saying.
Q: Best days in prison?
A: Sundays and Tuesdays.
Q: Sundays. Don’t tell me you found Jesus!
A: No I believe in JC but I’m not a nut about it. Sunday was a day to kick back. Everything was slow.
Q: Tuesdays?
A: You know.
Q: C’mon.
A: You and my mom came to visit.
Q: Yep. We took 15 minute shifts. Gave her a chance to see you and get back to work.
A: I still think she has no idea why the hell you came to visit. Every once in a while she says “what was he doing there?”
Q:Yeah well. Going in the lobby was a trip. I was heavier there, sitting in the lobby with my cane. I didn’t think anyone would notice. I thought I’d blend in.
A: Dave you wore a suit every time you went there. My cellies thought you my lawyer.
Q: How was your lawyer?
A: They bled my parents financially. I just stopped it and did the time.
Q: You’re married now, does your husband know about the sentence?
A: Oh yeah, I mean I’m forever a felon. But he’s a good guy and we’re married now 3 years.
Q: Did you ever go into the complexities of your case with him?
A: Naw, I wouldn’t bother him with that, he’s from Mississippi.
Q: Oh yeah right.
A: Not a city slicker from Scranton like me and you.
Q: Do you follow the news about the prison?
A: No.
Q: I know this is a strange question but did you think your stay there was stress free from the people who ran it?
A: They had rules but I never felt I was ever in danger. I mean from them. The guards, the prison. And then you have a group that watches you in terms of your cellies. I mean I'd never recommend it to anyone. But I never felt abused, or unsafe.
Q: What advice do you give to people maybe your age now or your age when you were busted on how to survive jail?
A: Stay out of trouble, keep quiet and be nice but firm.
Q: Good luck kid.
A: Thanks.
Q: Hey, any bambinos on the way?
A: Uh I’m reserving judgement on that for now. Being careful.
Q: Why?
A: Hey I told you he’s from Mississippi.
Q: Oh, right.

The LuLac Edition #1377, Nov. 19th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: "MAYBE I'M AMAZED" LOGO.

MAYBE I'M AMAZED

Maybe I’m Amazed……that the GOP in Congress took so short a time to show their hands and true colors. Stopping unemployment benefits right before Christmas is so much in the spirit of this current Republican party who are hellbent on eliminating the middle class. They won’t be happy until they change the name of this country to the “United States of Potterville”. (Note to vapid Young Republicans with no clue as to pop culture or history and who think history began on the day they were born: “See “A Wonderful Life”.
Maybe I’m Amazed……….that Jessica Simpson has found another unemployed loser to marry. No pre nup, and she even bought the ring for herself. Why can’t me I have met women like that when I was on unemployment.
Maybe I’m Amazed…..that I heard a college student (male) commenting on the alcoholic energy drink “Four Loko”. Was he talking about the ban of it in some states? Was he warning other teens not to drink it? No, he was telling the interviewer that he was going to the store to buy four pallets of it so he can have it in stock just in case it gets banned. That supply should last until New Year’s Eve.
Maybe I’m Amazed….that after another big layoff at my old Alma Mater Blue Cross this week, they are still advertising heavily on TV and Radio and doing phone blitzes to member’s homes (Mrs. LuLac just got a call) inquiring about her wellness. Now when I got laid off from Blue Cross, they were very empathetic and helpful. Classiest place I ever got booted from. But hearing that commercial on the radio as you are driving to a job interview can’t sit well with the newly minted bunch of workers “right sized” from “Cross”. And by the way, Mrs. LuLac hung up in the middle of the automated message. Jeez shouldn't’ have said that, they’ll raise her premium. And when they do, the Republicans will blame it on Obama!
Maybe I’m Amazed….that the average turtle can’t reproduce until they are 25 years of age. Yeah, teen pregnancy is God’s big joke on all of us. Or maybe bad parenting.
Maybe I'm Amazed......that over 3 billion cups of tea are consumed every dai in the world.

The LuLac Edition #1376, Nov. 18th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: A SCENE FROM DALE KRIDLO'S FUNERAL COURTESY JOE VALENTI, SENATORS MUSTO AND MELLOW EMBRACING ON THE SENATE FLOOR THIS WEEK, THE UPSIDE DOWN GOP LOGO AND OUR 1966 LOGO.

DALE KRIDLO

I really haven’t said much about the death of Dale Kridlo because to be frank I have been trying to process this terrible loss. While each one of us appreciates the service of all of our military, it never has a concert impact unless you know someone in the service. When I was growing up, two people I knew went off to the Army. My neighbor Barry Prandy and my cousin Francis Zujkowski. Barry wound up in Germany in the Air Force and Francis wound up in Vietnam in the Army. A few years later the two kids I grew up with in the Junction, Bruce Prandy also went into the Army while John Chedrick went off to the Air Force. When it’s close, it hits home. I never knew Dale Kridlo but I knew his family all of my life. And as I sat working one night on some writing projects, I shuddered when I heard Candace Kelly say the name Kridlo. As anyone can attest, the Junction in Pittston is a unique place. There's a saying “You can take the kid out of the Junction but you can’t take the Junction out of the kid”. When I heard this young man was killed, it was like a kick in the head. Even though I never knew Dale, I knew the family. Dale’s grandmother Alberta was a frequent visitor to our living room every time my mother had a quilting party. Every few months, the ladies of Cliff, Union., Dewitt and Chapel Streets gathered and sat toiling with needles making quilts. Mrs. Kridlo was one of them and always joined in the conversation which included news about recipes, politics and strategies for watching us kids in the neighborhood. Alberta and Al lived across the street on Cliff from the Yonki family homestead. Al Kridlo served as Pittston City Councilman for about twenty years. For a few years I had his campaign poster hanging in my room next to Bart Starr, Vince Lombardi, Clete Boyer, the Beatles, Ronnie Dove, Jack and bobby Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey. (I wanted him to sign it but my father told me I’d look like an ass so I never asked him). But what was great about Councilman Kridlo was the fact that we never called him by that title. He was “Al”. As I got older and got involved in politics as a campaigner for other candidates the conversations “Al” and I would have were just plain fascinating. I went to St. John the Baptist Grade School with Renee and Debbie. I remember walking the Union Street Hill every day after school. discussing the pluses and minuses of the Slovak nuns. Albert Kridlo, Dale’s dad was a bit older having been a football standout on the 1967 Champion Patriots team. Albert used to ride around in the summer with his dad when Al worked for a beer company driving a truck. I think my late grandfather singlehandedly got raises for all the Kaier’s employees with his weekly order. Dale’s grandfather, Al and his brother William aka “Tricky" (which by the way is one of the great nicknames of all time) served as ushers at St. John the Baptist Church. It is ironic that on the hallowed ground where “the Baptist” stood, hundreds gathered to honor Dale Kridlo. Knowing that he died made it sad for me and the family. But hearing that a bunch of so called religious zealots were going to protest the funeral in the name of Christ enraged me. The fact that this young man's sacrifice would be vilified made this very personal for me. On the day Dale Kridlo’s funeral Mass was said, people who were Methodists, Baptists, Greek Catholics, Buddhists, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Calvary, Jews, Zions, Evangelicals, Assembly of God, Muslims, New Life Fellowship, Atheists, Ukrainian Greek, 7th Day Adventists, Orthodox Jews and other sects stood in silent tribute to a fallen hero. In the meantime, the so called Christians were not seen. Some say they never showed up. A few others said they came and then like cowards turned tale and ran when they saw the true children of God. See, you don’t dishonor one’s military service and his religious beliefs. You don’t defile his memory by staging a protest that in its kindest description could be classified as insane. You don’t do that in Pittston and you certainly don’t try that with someone from The Junction. We take things like that personally.

HERE WE GO

It is unreal but it didn’t take long for the House GOP to rear its ugly head and try to deny unemployment benefits for people without work right before Christmas. If I hear one more time how extending these benefits will be a burden to our children and grandchildren, I think I will puke. Most of these Congressman are millionaires and their heirs if they grow up unspoiled and sober will not have to worry about money. Unemployment benefits will cost us 12 billion dollars. That money will go back into the economy buying things like groceries and clothes. The extension of the Bush tax cuts will cost over 7 billion. But that’s okay because the Republicans can give the money to their fat cat friends. We are in for it. Paul Kanjorski once told me local taxes will go up when these cut happy GOPers start slashing services that local government will have to pick up. The opening volley of what the New Congress will do has been fired and if you think the Republicans are on the side of the little guy, you need your head examined.

PELOSI BACK

House Democrats elected Nancy Pelosi to remain as their leader this week despite massive party losses in this month's congressional elections that prompted some lawmakers to call for new leadership. Pelosi, the nation's first female House speaker, will become minority leader when Republicans assume the majority in the new Congress in January. She defeated moderate Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler of North Carolina, 150-43, in secret balloting in a lengthy closed-door gathering of House Democrats in the Capitol. I think this is a good move. The Republicans can’t vilify or lie anymore about her and the Democrats need someone to object to the party that is hellbent on destroying the middle class. And the sad part about it, the party of “no” has the consent of the middle class that think the GOP is one of them. Yeah next time they invite you to an exclusive golf club or to a soiree call me. You’re more likely to see a spaceship land in Minooka sooner than you see that. Pelosi will keep them honest. And I don’t think she gives a crap what the GOP says and does to her.

WEST WARD HO

The pendulum has swung back to the Western part of the state with the election of new Pa. House leaders. Swept out of office were long standing eastern politicos. The minority party’s floor leader for the 2011-12 legislative session will be Rep. Frank Dermody of Allegheny County, who has served as whip for the past year. He is a Clarks Summit native. Rep. Michael K. Hanna Sr., D-Clinton, won the closed-door secret-ballot vote for whip. Philadelphian Dwight Evans was replaced as chairman of the Appropriations Committee, a job he has held for 20 years. Rep. Joe Markosek of Allegheny County, most recently the Transportation Committee chairman, will be the ranking Democrat on Appropriations. Rep. Mark Cohen of Philadelphia, the caucus chairman, was defeated by Rep. Dan Frankel of Allegheny County, leaving Philadelphia and its suburbs shut out of the leadership contests.

MUSTO AND MELLOW ERA ENDS

After a combined 68 years in the State Senate, Ray Musto and Robert Mellow called it quits. Both men spent their last sessions in Harrisburg. Both were considered Senate institutions. No matter what controversy dogged them, they both did good things for LuLac land. We wish them good health and rest in their retirement from public service.

THE BRISTOL STOMP

A rural Wisconsin man blasted his television set with a shotgun after watching Bristol Palin's "Dancing with the Stars" routine Monday night, saying he was fed up with politics and Palin wasn't a very good dancer, according to court documents. Steven Cowan, 67, of the town of Vermont, about 15 miles west of Madison, then pointed the gun at his wife, 66-year-old Janice Cowan, who escaped and called police, authorities said. A SWAT team surrounded the couple's farmhouse, and officers were able to talk Cowan out Tuesday morning after an all-night standoff. Cowan had been drinking before he sat down to watch "Dancing with the Stars" Jeez ya think?

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT


1966

In Togo, the army crushes an attempted coup...... The Beatles begin recording sessions for their landmark Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album............In Vancouver, the Saskatchewan Roughriders defeat the Ottawa Rough Riders to win the 54th Grey Cup………………….In Pennsylvania it is revealed by the State Republican committee that one of their first choices for filling the Lt. Governor’s slot in May of ’66 after the death of then candidate Walter Alessandroni was 10th District Congressman Joseph McDade. McDade declined the invitation and went on to win another term against Councilman Neil Trama…in Luzerne County a prison riot was quelled when guards stopped three inmates trying to incite the riot over radio privileges and 44 years ago this week the number 1 song in America and LuLac land was…….Jimmy Ruffin’s “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted”. Ruffin was the brother of Temptation lead singer David Ruffin and edged out the Supremes for the number 1 spot.

The LuLac Edition #1375, Nov. 17th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: "WRITE ON WEDNESDAY" LOGO.

WRITE ON WEDNESDAY

SAYING GOODBYE

Joe Valenti from Pittston Politics.com wrote a beautiful piece on the funeral of Corporal Dale Kridlo. Here's what he reported on Wednesday.
There is no greater love than to lay your life on the line,” Monsignor Bendick said in his homily at the funeral Mass for SPC Dale Kridlo. Dale loved his family, his friends, his community and his country. And, yes, he gave the ultimate sacrifice when he was killed in the line of duty. Words cannot even express what it was like to see thousands line the streets to pay tribute to our fallen hero. While standing in the balcony overlooking the funeral Mass, I was overcome with tears. Watching the daughters of Kridlo proceed pass their father’s casket, retrieve the holy gifts, bring them to the front of the altar, and hand them off to Monsignor Bendick was one of the most touching moments I’ve ever witnessed in my entire life. While words are tough to come by to explain such a tragic event, Monsignor Bendick came through for the family, friends and the community. Bendick in his homily even touched on the protest the West Boro Church was planning saying, “Dale wanted to preserve the rights for speech and protest.”
(The protestors never showed)
“With those rights,” he continued, “we sometimes forget about our responsibilities.”
“Words are painful and can damage like a bullet that pierces our flesh,” Bendick continued. The final part of the Mass was quite powerful as well, when two solders in full dress uniform deliberately unfolded the flag and slowly re-laid it across the casket. Media reports have it that hundreds showed up in front of the church in support of Kridlo. Well, those reports were wrong. It was more like one to two thousand. Mike Vogt, Senior Ride Captain of the Patriot Riders gathered the group prior to the procession arrival. “We’re here as mourners, not protesters,” Vogt said. He continued to say, “Please do not hold signs up because that is a form of protest.”
I never knew Dale Kridlo.
After Wednesday morning, however, I realized he was a friend - a friend to his community, a friend to his country, and most of all, a friend to Greater Pittston and all of NEPA. Finally, it was a privilege and an honor to witness this outpour of love and support for Dale.
It is something I will hold dear to my heart for the rest of my life.
Valenti has owned a newspaper, The Greater Pittston Gazette and has operated his website for over 7 years. Here's his link:
http://www.pittstonpolitics.com.

The LuLac Edition #1374, Nov. 16th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: THE FLAG.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Church to protest military Mass in Pittston, let’s show
our support for our own. Never have I ever asked our community to unite on such an event such as this. The news media is reporting the West Boro Church plans on protesting the funeral mass outside of St. John’s Church on William St for SPC Dale Kridlo of Hughestown. The mass is scheduled for Wednesday at 9:45AM.
I am calling on all of Greater Pittston, Luzerne County
and NEPA to show up and show our support for our fallen hero who was recently killed in the line of duty while serving in the Middle East.
Please, don’t even think about violence. We need to show our support of solidarity for one of own in a peaceful and respectful manner. What we need to do is show up very early to take up every square inch so they can’t get anywhere near the church.
Joe Valenti, Pittston Politics.

AND FROM ONE OF OUR POSTERS

Tonights news indicates that the crazy christian demonstrators from Bloody Kansas are coming to our area to protest at the services in Pittston for a fallen soldier. I believe action should be taken and suggest we do what citizens in a small midwestern town did. They surrounded the Funeral home and the church with a human shield and large American flags blocking visual access for the "protestors".
I would volunteer and I feel sure many others would. Perhaps since this is your home turf, Lulac could play a part by calling on all readers to participate. These people are among the many who give Christianity a bad name. If we cant stop them we should at least do our best to nullify, as quietly as possible, their misguided and I believe criminal efforts. Personally I think they should be run out of town and not allowed to continue anywhere. We dont need these sick, heartless bastards here and the family certainly should not be forced to deal with the apparently legal, but insane actions of a few demented fools.
Something needs to be done. What the hell is wrong with these people and what God do they pray to? This situation really pisses me off and I know I'm not alone!
God bless the family and friends of a young man who did his duty as he saw it and served his country.
Pete Cassidy, U.S. Army Vietnam Vet

The LuLac Edition #1373, Nov. 15th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: "WEATHER OR KNOT" COVER.

Disclaimer: The actors pictured in this You Tube Video, whether in character, person or photo still do not endorse the sale of “Weather Or Knot” for any profit. The video’s intention is to parody and promote, nothing more, nothing less.


WEATHER OR KNOT

My third book “Weather Or Knot”, a murder mystery novella has been released. The project was started in 2005 and has taken a long time to come to fruition. As with most works of fiction, it is based on real life experiences as well as writer’s research. I’d like to thank all of the people who read it, edited and kept on kicking it back to me until it was a suitable product. It’s under 10 bucks, available now at Barnes & Noble. Given my propensity for self promotion and the lull in elections, I can assure you that you will be hearing more about “Weather Or Knot” in the near future.

The LuLac Edition #1372, Nov. 14th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: THE BLOG EDITOR LOOKING AT A TV AT A YARD SALE AND BLOG EDITOR WITH LOU BARLETTA CIRCA 2008.

IN FOCUS

In the first photo you see me looking at a blank TV screen. This was taken in September at my friend Kathy Bozinki’s yard sale. I don’t go much for Yard Sales but when I saw on Kathy’s Facebook page she was having one, I went. I bought a few Christmas pillows but then I spied a little TV. Bozinski told me this little TV was the one she had in her office when she was employed at the Luzerne County Courthouse. Ironic since the word and rumor mill had her having a 54 inch flat screen in her dome digs. So that’s the rest of the story, or the real story as one pundit used to say.
In the second photo, you see a picture of me and Lou Barletta taken at Marc Cour’s Block party. On Friday’s Corbett show, the new Congressman’s attire was brought up as he appeared on the Friday Beer Buzz on WILK. Even elected officials are afforded the opportunity to wear casual clothes. Here’s the link to the Friday Beer Buzz to see his shirt.
http://www.wilknetwork.com/pages/3037502.php.

The LuLac Edition #1371, Nov. 13th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: 13 QUESTIONS LOGO.

13 QUESTIONS

1. HOW DID YOU DO ON THE ELECTION PREDICTIONS?

AWFUL. PICKED KANJO AND CARNEY. THOUGHT TOOHILL WOULD WIN BUT NOT BY THAT MUCH. I PRETTY MUCH THOUGH WAS WRONG ON EVERYTHING.

2. YOU SAY YOU ARE A ROMAN CATHOLIC, NOT A CHRISTIAN, DO YOU GO TO CHURCH AND DO YOU GET ANYTHING OUT OF IT?

I GO EVERY WEEK. I THINK I MISSED ONE WEEK IN OVER FIFTY YEARS AND THAT WAS BECAUSE OF THE CANCER SURGERY. I THINK IT KEPT THE BONDS TO MY MARRIAGE GOING DESPITE MY BEHAVIOR. I CAN’T SAY I PRAY, I THINK MY PRAYERS ARE MORE LIKE BEESEECHMENTS. LIKE I THINK, “HOLY CRAP, GET ME THROUGH THE WORK WEEK”, STUFF LIKE THAT. I DO TEND TO DO A LOT OF SECULAR THINKING IN CHURCH. I’VE COME UP WITH IDEAS FOR THE BLOG, IDEAS FOR MY WRITING PROJECTS. IT’S A QUIET PLACE TO THINK. WHAT I GET OUT OF IT IS A SENSE OF CONNECTION AND CEREMONY. I DON’T THINK THAT MAKES ME THE GREATEST CATHOLIC IN THE WORLD BECAUSE I COULDN’T NAME THE 900th SORROWFUL MYSTERY OF WHATEVER BUT I’M THERE. AND IN A WEIRD SORT OF WAY, FOR REASONS I CANNOT EXPLAIN, I CAN’T SEE ME NOT GOING.

3.WHAT WAS THAT BIG FIGHT ON WYLN TV 35 ON ELECTION NIGHT? I JUST TUNED IN AND YOU GUYS WERE APOLOGIZING. WHAT HAPPENED?

TARONE BUSTED JOE ZOBA, ZOBA RESPONDED IN KIND, DON PACHANCE TRIED TO CALM US DOWN, THEN TARONE STARTED TALKING ABOUT HOW OUR FREEDOMS ARE GOING AWAY IN 30 YEARS, THEN I ASKED TARONE (LOUDLY) WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME HE GOT STOPPED AT A STATE BORDER, THEN ZOBA STARTED TO REITERATE HIS POINT, THEN WE WENT TO BREAK. IT WAS AFTER 10PM, THE KIDS WERE WATCHING MTV OR HAD THEIR IPODS PLUGGED IN AND WERE NOWHERE NEAR WYLN TV 35. THE INTERESTING THING WAS NO ONE WAS SHOOTING US E MAILS OR TEXTS UNTIL THE “DISCUSSION” BEGAN. IT WAS LIVE TV AT ITS BEST!

4.WLL HILLARY GO AFTER OBAMA IN 2012?

NO. HER PRESIDENTIAL AMBITIONS ARE OVER. THE TWO GUYS YOU WANT TO WATCH ARE RUSS FIENGOLD FROM WISCONSIN AND HOWARD DEAN. THEY MAY POSE A CHALLENGE FROM THE LEFT.

5.YOU ARE ON A DESSERT ISLAND FOR A LONG TIME. ONE CANDY BAR FOR THE DURATION. WHICH IS ITY?

M&M’S FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. THEY MELT IN YOUR MOUTH AND NOT IN YOUR HANDS.

6.1966 IS FINALLY GOING AWAY AS A FEATURE. IT SUCKED. WILL WE HAVE A BETTER YEAR TO REMEMBER IN 2011?

YES, I THINK I MIGHT ACTUALLY MOVE INTO THE 80s .

7.HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED WRITING A HISTORY OF POLITICS IN LULAC LAND?

WHAT A PROJECT. IN ORDER TO DO IT RIGHT YOU’D HAVE TO DO IT BY VOLUMES. IF I WON THE LOTTERY AND DIDN’T HAVE TO WORK, I’D CONSIDER WRITING IT. BUT IT IS A DAUNTING TASK.

8.HAVE YOU HAD THE McRIB SANDWICH?

NO. I BUY A SMALL BREAKFAST FROM THE DOLLAR MENU AT THE McDONALD’S IN MOUNTAINTOP. $1.06 EVERYDAY, WHEN IT’S A FRIDAY, $2.12. I TEND TO STAY AWAY FROM McRIBS BECAUSE IF YOU ARE GOING TO BLOW CALORIES ON RIBS, COOK THEM YOURSELF OR GO TO SMOKEY BONES. MRS. LULAC CLAIMS SHE HAD A McRIBB SANDWICH AND IT WAS A PATTY. SO NO, I HAVEN’T HAD ONE AND PEOPLE I’VE TALKED TO SAID IT WAS DIFFERENT THIS TIME AROUND.

9. WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE OUTCOME OF THE WORLD SERIES?

I ALWAYS LOVED THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO FLAMING GODSLESS LIBERAL THAT I AM. ON ONE OF MY VISITS, DON ZIMMER WHO WAS THE BENCH COACH AND ROGER CRAIG WHO WAS THE MANAGER WERE VERY GENEROUS WITH THEIR TIME TO ME. LOVE THE FACT THAT LONG SUFFERING FANS LIKE L.A. TARONE AND MY GRADE SCHOOL BUDDY BOBBY PARA FINALLY GOT A WORLD SERIES WIN. SO I’M GLAD THE GIANTS WON. ALTHOUGH I MUST SAY TEXAS' NOLAN RYAN WAS ALWAYS A GENTLEMAN TO ME WHEN I WAS WRITING SPORTS IN THE 80S AND TRAVELING TO THE VET.

10.YOUR LEAST FAVORITE SHOW AS A KID?

I HAD NO PATIENCE FOR GILLIGAN’S ISLAND. IT WAS THE SAME THING EVERY TIME AND I WAS FRUSTRATED BY GILLIGAN’S INCOMPETENCE WHICH I REALIZE WAS THE POINT OF THE SHOW. BUT I HATED IT.

11.WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL WITH OLD FORGE PIZZA?

DAMNED IF I KNOW. MOST OF THEM USE DOUGH FROM AGOSTINI’S. IT’S DOWN ON MY LIST. I MEAN STILL IN THE TOP 15 BUT NOWHERE NEAR THE TOP.

12.YOU’VE DONE TV THROUGH THE YEARS. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE VENUE?

LOVED THE SPONTANEITY OF BEING ON WYOU TV BECAUSE I’D BE WORKING AT MY DESK AT BLUE CROSS AND THEN GET AN E MAIL AT 1PM ASKING ME TO COME IN. BUT MY FAVORITE WAS DOING PUBLIC AFFAIRS ON CHANNEL 44 IN THE 70s. HAD ONE HOUR ON A FRIDAY NIGHT AND GOT TO MEET A LOT OF IMPRESSIVE POLITICIANS. LOOKING BACK I DIDN”T REALIZE THEN WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY IT WAS.

13. NOW THAT THE GOP IS TAKING OVER THINGS, DO YOU HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE PLAN PERSONALLY?

YEAH, BRITISH COLUMBIA.