The LuLac Edition #1960, February 25th, 2012

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WRKC FM Award nominees: Tom Taraszewski, award nominee; Sue Henry, WRKC station manager; and award nominees Kelly Caloway, WRKC news director; Lukas Tomasacci; Sarah Scinto, WRKC program director; Christopher Wilson, WRKC station manager; and Jennifer Momenzadeh. Also nominated are Michael Deegan, Brandi George, Drake Nestor, Brandon Leon-Gambetta, Cory Zalewski and Mark Zurek. (FRom Times Leader).

MAYBE I'M AMAZED

MAYBE I’M AMAZED………that in the photo above, it looks like WRKC FM has the same albums in the background of the photo that were there when I went to King’s in the 70s. That said, WRKC is among four nominees for best radio station for colleges or universities with an enrollment less than 10,000 students. Well actually I’m not so amazed because WRKC FM has a heritage of attracting people who care about the craft of broadcasting. I was associated with the King’s station in the mid 70s and we too had our share of recognition. I always felt that the radio station always got short shrift from the “academics” at the college who wrongly looked at the radio station as just another club. This is a licensed, honest to God station governed by FCC rules and anything that is put on the air comes from a responsible and trained individual. Best of luck to the nominees.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…….that people think Bill Amesbury should not have spoken up about the closing of Myers High School at a recent public meeting. Amesbury has always been a South Wilkes Barre guy. He built his electoral reputation as a Magistrate and then a Judge by walking the neighborhoods of South Wilkes Barre. He has also been known as an intricate part of athletics in the Wilkes Barre Area. I’m glad Amesbury put to rest any concerns people might have had but as long as I’ve known the Judge, he has always been proud of his education at Myers. Once a Mohawk, always a Mohawk.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…….that it took this long for Rick Santorum’s endorsement of Arlen Specter in 2004 for the U.S. Senate over Pat Toomey in the primary to bite him. Santorum was a national figure at the time. He was directly behind President Bush when “W” was inaugurated for his second term. Specter was putting intense pressure on the White House for the endorsement from the President. Santorum, even though he was more in line philosophically with Toomey was handling many a joint project with Specter. He pretty much had to do it. But now Mitt Romney is citing the endorsement as a lack of political courage on Santorum’s part. It’s a good talking point but will not hurt Santorum’s ultimate bid for the Vice Presidency in the long run. By the way, the 2004 election was the one where I switched to the GOP to vote for Specter in the primary. Switched back to the Dems, but as a result, still get GOP e mails.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…….that American soldiers were killed by an Afghanistan soldier over a religious book. Get offended, yes. Punch them in the nose, go ahead. But the killing was nothing more than an excuse for extreme violence. We’ve been there 10 years. These people are pretty much intellectual savages that do not understand let alone be able to live by the nuances of a free government. Let’s get the hell out of the region and arm Iraq and Israel to the teeth so they can topple and annex those countries. If I were President, I’d get on the air, point to the map, (after getting everyone safely out) and say, “We’re done”.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that the human brain takes up 2% of body weight but 20% of its energy.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that the fourth year into his term, President Obama is still getting crap about whether or not he is an American in values. The guy has a family life that we constantly preach about. Normal. Two parents, two kids, home at 6 every night for dinner. I can’t help but think it’s racial. Sorry for all you bigots out there.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…….that we are lucking out in terms of snow storms this winter. Please keep this lucky streak rolling along.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…..that inspectors in Dunmore gave a pass to Anna Maria’s restaurant even after the Food Network found almost inhabitable conditions. Could it be that someone turned a blind eye? The show was very good and I wish the revitalized eatery much success. But there should be some questions asked regarding food and health safety. Another Scranton restaurant that I always thought was overpriced and overrated was “Amici’s”. They are going out of business and couldn’t find a buyer to take it over. The restaurant business is thankless but when some can’t even do the basics like keeping it clean, you really have to wonder. Getting back to Anna Maria’s, you have to wonder if the Food Network program, “Restaurant Impossible” might have helped them in the short run but hurt them in the long view.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that Rick Santorum turned into a cross between Bob Dole and Phil Graham the other night during the debate in Arizona. Santorum was more of a technocrat explaining the reasons why he did things as a Legislator than what his view of the future could be. The problem with Senators running for President is that there are many votes they take as a matter of public record. Some are out of need, belief, and political expediency. In the 2008 rate, John McCain had more explaining to do since he had a record of distinction and his opponent Barack Obama did not.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…….that when the newscaster says, “There was a meeting of the Wilkes Barre City Council tonight” you just never know what you’re going to see. Thursday night tower Bob Kadluboski was doing his best Geico squealing pig imitation in front of members of Council. The ex tower was asking for public records on LAG towing receipts. The Council of course was doing what it does best, not responding and that apparently drove the Bobster up a wall. City Council Chair let the tower essentially fight with himself. Take a look:

From Mark Cour, Wilkes Barre, The Blog father.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that there is more and more talk of a brokered convention in Tampa this summer for the GOP. A brokered convention means that not all the candidates have a majority after the first ballot. The last time that happened was in 1952 when Adlai Stevenson won the nomination for the Democrats on the third ballot. A contested convention is when candidates get to the convention with delegates pledged to them but it is so close or the front runner does not have enough for a majority. This happened in 1960 when the JFK people were about 15 votes short of a first ballot majority and 1976 when Gerald Ford led Ronald Reagan by 90 votes. Both Kennedy and Ford won on the first ballot. In this video clip, L.A. Tarone discussed a brokered convention with a caller, Tony Antonello.

MAYBE I’M AMAZED………that a 19 year old inmate (who was arrested for beating up a Chinese Food delivery man) from Pittston was arrested for rape of a 13 year old girl. He had sex with three girls under 16 who he gave the same “Promise Ring” to but that was cool with them because it was “consensual”. I didn’t know teenage tramps know the definition of that word. But I do know that even if the girls consented, this guy should be labeled as a sexual predator.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…….that the mother who had the twins in the Luzerne County jail couldn’t afford pre natal care for her twins (one who died) but certainly could get herself an Attorney to sue the County. Sue the county? For getting her to the hospital? Any judge who lets this go to a jury should be thrown out.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…….that when President Obama seemingly backed down on the Birth Control issue and Health Care for Catholic institutions, the GOP contenders did not let it go. They continued to talk about contraception even during this week’s debate. They should have started on the high price of gas and try to put Obama in the box over it. But they didn’t. President Obama may be blessed in his re-election bid more by his enemies than his own performance.