The LuLac Edition #1904, January 16th, 2012

Martin Luther King, Junior.

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

I never insult easily but one day in the late 80s when I was in Millersburg, Pa doing some lecturing I began to talk about the late Martin Luther King Junior. A kid in a HACC (Harrisburg Area Community College) tee shirt raised his hand and requested that I not talk about King because I had no knowledge of the man. Plus he said, “It was a black thing”.
Even though I wanted to let the little piss ant have it, I proceeded to tell him chapter and verse of the night Dr. King got killed. I proceeded to tell him that as a young boy watching TV, one of the most formative moments of my life (next to the JFK assassination) was that March on Washington. Anyone who grew up in the 60s had a connection to Martin Luther King. He was on the news constantly and was the course of great division between all Americans. I remember an argument at a neighborhood gathering when one man was wondering about King’s epitaph. It read, “free at last, free at last, thank God almighty I’m Free At last”. After the man repeated, he said aloud, “who the hell was stopping him from being free?” A cousin of mine weighed in saying, “Guys like you”. A melee nearly ensued because even people who lived in the time didn’t quite grasp what King was fighting for.
There was a time in America where there were separate bathrooms for folks of a different color.
There was a time when you blacks couldn’t sit at the same lunch counter or ride in the same section of a bus.
Growing up in the 60s, King was like this blazing star that dramatically blazed across America. He was cut down at the age of 39.
Everyone of my contemporaries remember him, his life, his speeches, his legacy and his death. We have the dubious luxury of knowing first hand that Martin Luther King wasn’t just “a black thing”, but “an American thing”. Even though Martin Luther King had to drag most of America kicking and screaming into humanity for all, he will be forever remembered as a great American change agent. That’s also part of what I told that kid more than 20 years ago in Millersburg. He called me last night to console me on the Packers and ended up giving me a story to write for Martin Luther King Day. We’re both now good with Martin Luther King Day and why we have it because it is after all, an American thing. With truth, freedom and justice for all.

HUNTSMAN OUT

The Huffington Post reports that Jon Huntsman is dropping out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination, according to campaign officials.
An aide to Huntsman confirmed the news to The Huffington Post and said the former governor of Utah would endorse Mitt Romney on Monday. The aide added that Huntsman "didn't want to stand in the way of the candidate most prepared to beat Obama and turn around the economy."
Huntsman will deliver a speech on his decision on Monday at 11 a.m. ET in Myrtle Beach, S.C., according to the aide. Romney will not stand alongside the Utah Republican as he delivers his remarks.
With Huntsman bowing out, that leaves the “moderate/progressive” wing of the GOP to Mitt Romney. With the endorsement of Rick Santorum by Christian religious leaders, and the fading of Gingrich and Perry, his withdrawal and subsequent endorsement of Romney leaves a classic battle between Romney vs. Santorum. What is open to question is how long the race will go on.

LUZERNE COUNTY DEMS ENDORSE

At their January meeting this week, the Luzerne County Democratic Executive Committee voted to endorse Bob Casey for U.S. Senate, Patrick Murphy for Attorney General, Rob McCord for State Treasurer, and Eugene DePasquale for Auditor General, the Committee announced. "We are incredibly proud to support Senator Casey, Congressman Murphy, Treasurer McCord, and Representative DePasquale in their bids for their respective offices. They have all demonstrated their commitment to standing up for middle and working class Pennsylvanians. We strongly endorse their candidacies because of their integrity and their dedication to social justice and equality, economic fairness and opportunity, and for government that works for everyone, not just the privileged few," said LCDC Public Relations director and 2nd District Chair Casey Evans.

LIBERTARIANS COME TO WILKES BARRE

During its November state meeting in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania selected Wilkes-Barre to host the 2012 State Libertarian Convention. According to current LPPA state chair, Lou Jasikoff, convention dates have now been confirmed and will run from Friday April 20th through Sunday April 22nd.
The convention will be held at the Kirby Center for Performing Arts and the Best Western Genetti Hotel and Convention Center. A kick-off “Meet and Greet” for Gary Johnson, former two-term Governor of New Mexico, and other guests begins a festive Friday evening at the Kirby Center, ending with a rocking “Friday Night at the Oldies” disco party open to the general public. Michael Badnarik’s highly renowned Constitution Class will also be offered starting Friday night. Jasikoff added that in 2004 Mr. Badnarik was the Libertarian candidate for President.
If Lou Jasikoff is going to be hosting this convention, he’s going to have to be as visible in the city as he was during Betsy Summers 2011 campaign for Mapor. And since the newly re-elected Mayor Tom Leighton usually greets visitors to the city, Lou better make sure the Mayor knows how to pronounce his name. (It's about 2 and 1/2 minutes in to this video of the debate).