The LuLac Edition #1724, August 19th, 2011

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

MAYBE I’M AMAZED

Maybe I’m Amazed………that Pittston City officials had to tell the press that renovations to the Downtown was taking place. This weekend is the annual tomato festival and there was fear that people may not attend because of the congestion. The construction work is not going to help but the Tomato Festival is always congested. So drive care and enjoy yourself.
Maybe I’m Amazed……..that people are begrudging President Obama a vacation. Reagan, Bush 41, Bush 43 all took time off. Clinton who was a workaholic enjoyed being President so he showed up almost every day. If I were Obama, I’d not only take a vacation, I’d take a drinking vacation. The Friday Beer Buzz would pale in comparison to what I would do if I were in his shoes.
Maybe I’m Amazed…….that people think Alex Rodriquez owes them an autograph. The only thing A-Rod owes that crowd anywhere is a performance where he tries his best. And as far as the Saturday fiasco where no one was at the box office to take the money from fans who wanted to see the game, I can’t blame the Yankees. They were simply following the Great American Business Model: make it difficult for people who want to spend money on your product to do so. We are the only country in the world where if you have a fist full of money and want a specific item, someone will either try to talk you out of it or make the customer service so awful that you pull your money away. Or the business will say, “sorry I can’t………………….”
Maybe I’m Amazed………that after his back operation, Governor Corbett was taking to the river. Good recovery.
Maybe I’m Amazed…….that there doesn’t seem to be any middle ground in American politics these days. You are either with me or against me and quite honestly you can’t blame the Democrats and Obama on that one. The Tea Party will not budge on any of their issues and even though they were elected to do that, the time to govern is now.
Maybe I’m Amazed………that people are surprised that Tom Corbett has not yet raised a tax on gas drilling and that the Tea Party (see previous comment) won’t compromise on any issue. Even though I don’t agree with both of these entities on both counts, they are doing something rare in politics. Actually doing what they said they were going to do in the first place.
Maybe I’m Amazed………that during Mark Ciavarella’s trial, his lawyers didn’t pull up his original campaign spot from 1995 where he said to thousands that he would indeed jail offenders. That might have helped.
Maybe I’m Amazed……….that there are people in this community who think that Michael Conahan is going to get a lesser sentence than Ciavarella. If he plead to 20 years, I don’t see how the Judge could extend it without throwing out the agreement.
Maybe I’m Amazed…….that Penn State football is already here. Another season for JoPa and the Nittany Lions hopefully ending with the following, a decent season, a bowl appearance and a graceful exit by Mr. Paterno. I’m hoping that 2012 will be his last so he can get a goodbye tour.
Maybe I’m Amazed……..that former Lackawanna County Commissioner Bob Cordaro is already asking for a new trial. Looking back on those June days, it might have been wise for Cordaro to not testify. His accusers told so many conflicting stories and were so shady that if his attorneys played them off of one another, Bobby might have walked. What do O.J. Simpson, Joe McDade and Casey Anthony have in common? Two thing: they never took the stand in their own defense and they were acquitted.
Maybe I’m Amazed………..that the city of Wilkes Barre Zoning Hearing Board on Wednesday approved the Salvation Army’s request to operate a 24-hour Adult Rehabilitation Center at 60 New Hill St., a few hundred feet from its current site on Hazle Avenue. Sure bring them here from out of town, let them rehab and then go out and kill a few more neighbors like some of them did in the past. I’m all for giving people a second chance but you put your rehab center in the woods somewhere. You give your patients the best treatment possible. You invest in transportation to bus them there. But you don’t put it in the heart of town where distractions, temptations and old associations make it tempting to go off the rails. It is not fair to the residents nor is it fair to those being rehabilitated.
Maybe I’m Amazed……at the Yahoo Sports story that came out about the jailed booster for the Miami Hurricanes. The stories about the excursions to the Miami hot spots to get recruits really is a black eye for the school. Miami never a hotbed for standards looks absolutely culpable at all levels. And the funny thing is the guys at Ohio State who were penalized by the NCAA are most likely bitching asking, “We got tattoos and they got lap dances?”