The LuLac Edition #2154, August 10th, 2012

Our “Maybe I’m Amazed” logo.

MAYBE I'M AMAZED 

MAYBE I’M AMAZED……….at the problems the installation of Kronos system at the Courthouse is causing. Kronos is a time card keeping system that is used by most of modern civilization without incident. It’s very simple, hourly employees sign in and out and are paid that way. Kronos keeps track of their breaks and lunches. Salaried people also can access the system by swiping their card when they enter the office and leave. Presumably if they return, they re swipe in. Managers keep track of the data to make sure people are getting paid for the hours they work. What exactly is soooooooo hard about that except that it is Luzerne County and every movement into the 21st century is a struggle. 
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……..that the city of Scranton owes Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania 2 million bucks. The money is for health care of the retirees, their families, and current city workers. BCNEPA had to sue them to get the city’s attention. All health insurance agencies like BC are in business to primarily pay claims. Can you imagine if the company didn’t pay a claim for an employee? A deal is a deal. And for the city to not pay an employee’s health insurance, especially if they are contributing to it is a disgrace. Blue Cross has taken many hits for its huge surplus. The more than 150 people they laid off pretty much have nothing good to say about them. But they are a local entity tuned to the local community. I wonder how long Scranton’s credit would be extended if the insurer was an out of town corporation that had no idea where “The Electric” aka “Deadbeat” city was on the map? If you ask me, BCNEPA has been more than patient. 
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…….that airports in eastern Pennsylvania are under fire for lack of federal funding come 2013. When you see stories like this, you can thanks Fox TV screamers like Anne Coulter who screams “We don’t want government programs! Get rid of them”. Yeah, next time Coulter decides to have an epicurean feast, (having two glasses of water with mint instead of just one!) I hope her water is clean and pure. Yeah the government she despises so much takes care of that too! 
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……at the number of people who are saying they will vote for President Obama. His lead in battle ground states is at least to me suspect. In the 80s, in Los Angeles former Police Commissioner Tom Bradley , a black man ran for Mayor. He lost. Then he ran for Governor. He lost again too. But he was way ahead in the polls. Turns out white voters were telling pollsters they’d vote for him because they didn’t want to be considered racist. In Philadelphia, numerous white voters told pollsters that they would never vote for Frank Rizzo for Mayor of Philadelphia. They were afraid of being branded bigots if they supported Rizzo. He won big twice. The Obama people have to be concerned about the accuracy of some of these polls. I know I would be if I was in their shoes. 
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…………..that the Baltimore Orioles are making a solid run at first place in the American League East. Baltimore has been down for so long it comes As a surprise to many people that Buck Showalter’s charges are doing so well. Meantime, my Indians after a good start are plummeting as the dog days of summer commence. I’m hopeful on the Pirates though.. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a 70s style match up against the Birds in the Bucs in the fall? 
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that Mitt Romney’s internal polling says he should take the hits for not releasing his tax returns. They are standing firm on this and I have to think it has to do with the Mormon Church, his business dealings within it and the huge amount of money he as amassed. Even Wall Street wizards are amazed at his 100 million dollar IRA. 
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…….at the number of awards and entertainment kudos the late Marvin Hamlisch received in his life. Hamlisch received the following, those who have been awarded an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. He was also one of only two people to have won those four prizes and also a Pulitzer Prize. Hamlisch also won two Golden Globes.
 
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…..that major companies decided to drop their advertising for Penn State football. Big companies advertising budgets are the lifeblood of not only football programs but the way to promote them. At least for the first year, Penn State will take a big hit. But if there is fan support and these underdogs win a few, the clients will be back. 
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that the other night, Mrs. LuLac and I realized that “The Big Chill” was still as overrated a movie in this century as it was in the last. This ponderous, naval gazing tribute to baby boomers was and is still plain awful. We switched it off when the movie’s director shot a bunch of scenes about what each boomer was carrying their respective suitcases. Yes, hippest of the 60ps bought hair dryers in the 80s. No need to dwell on that as if it was the my artery of life. 
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…….that there could be no more unappealing way of trying to sell something than what the powers that be at the minor league ballpark stadium did last week. They sold seats from the old PNC/Lackawanna County Stadium. Most people would have loved just one but the deal was you had to buy four. Any married man bringing those home Saturday would no longer be married by Labor Day. Plus the seats were all piled in a heap that looked like nothing but debris I’m shocked they made over $8,000. Imagine if they put a little work into it.