The LuLac Edition #1833, November 12th, 2011

Maybe I'm Amazed Logo.

MAYBE I’M AMAZED

MAYBE I'M AMAZED........that the new District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis says she’ll jump right into one of the big cases if needed. I’m, sure a twenty year lifer in the D.A.’s office will be thrilled to hear that. Salavantis though is not lacking for confidence and says, "I will be surrounded by the top prosecutors in the area," Salavantis said. "... It'll be an adventure." Adventure indeed!
MAYBE I’M AMAZED….that the legacy of Joe Paterno is now in ashes because of the way this mastermind of detail let things get away from him. When it comes to sexual abuse of children, that’s something he needed to be on top of. But the administration of Penn State needs to be blamed. Tell me where an employee who is retired, let go, eased out, fired can come back continually and use area facilities and lift in the weight room. How the hell does that happen?
MAYBE I’M AMAZED….that Eileen Sorokas came within 60 votes of being on the new county council. Equally amazing is the fact that only 2 women made it to the councilmanic body.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…..that Lesa Gelb came within a few votes of actually losing a double nomination. She pulled through but at one point it was Dick Hughes vs. Gelb instead of Hanlon Mirabito.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…..that little old WYLN TV 35 got the first news feed out of State College that Joe Paterno was axed. While the other stations were setting up live, ‘YLN’s Beth Mensinger walked outside of the meeting room and broadcast the news through an internet camera that was heavily used the night before in the station’s Election Night coverage.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED….that when I subbed for John Webster on Election Morning with WILK’s Nancy Kman, very few people talked about the elections but about Penn State. It got to the point that it didn’t seem like there was an election.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…..that WILK’s Rusty Fender does not read his traffic reports. He sits down in front of a microphone and does them all from memory.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED….that Presidential contender Rick Perry could not name all three agencies he said he wants to eliminate as President. Debates are showcases that even the dimmest of candidate bulbs prepare for. The reason why John Kennedy won the debates was that he looked good but that he was ready for any eventuality. Perry is either not knowledgeable enough to be President or was not prepared enough to take the debates or the race seriously. The last thing we need is another Texan Governor who has a passing acquaintance with intelligence about public policy.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…..that there are still people angry that Tom Leighton won a third term as Mayor of Wilkes Barre. The way you beat an incumbent is make the case that you can do a better job. Lee Namey did it against Tom McLaughlin and Leighton himself did it against Tom McGroartey. The GOP has to begin a long term project to become successful in Wilkes Barre. It can be done but it might take a generation or two before it happens.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…..that voters in Lackawanna County gave a resounding thumbs up to both Jim Wansacz and Corey O’Brien. Even more amazing is the fact that they are now shocked and dismayed that county taxes were going to go up.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED….that the students at Penn State decided that a riot would be the proper response to the firing of Joe Paterno. A drunken mob never solved anything. But the Penn State story reminds me that everyone wants a piece of this story. That’s fine but the people who damaged property and put the lives of media members in danger should be jailed and prosecuted. I remember when college students protested against important things like war, racial segregation and human rights. By the way, please do not interpret this as a slam against all college students. Some are quite articulate, intelligent and non violent.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…........................that porn actress, some call her a legend but c’mon……..Sasha Grey was a guest reader at Emerson Elementary School in Compton, California earlier this month, joining first and third grade students in their Read Across America day. Grey certainly enjoyed the experience, tweeting, "Spent the am with Read Across America Compton, reading to the sweetest 1st & 3rd grade students @ Emerson Elementary!" The problem, TMZ reports, is that parents aren't happy -- and that school officials, instead of addressing the issue, are claiming it never happened. Obviously the school officials trained at the Penn State school of public relations and problem solving.