The LuLac Edition #2338, January 24th, 2013

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. (Photo: CS Monitor.com)

CLINTON’S TESTIMONY 

As predicted, there is no middle ground in Hillary Clinton’s belated testimony before the Senate and House Committees. The Democrats admired her service and gave her accolades. The Republicans grudgingly wished her well in some of her endeavors but took some hard shots. One of the most stupefying was from Kentucky Senator Rand Paul who said if Clinton was his Secretary of State, he’d fire her. I don’t think that pairing will ever happen but at least we know Paul’s intentions. On Benghazi, let me say this. Yes there were mistakes. Yes there was a breakdown in communication. Yes the Ambassador sent a cable. No one has denied, including the President and his Secretary of State that this was a horrible mistake. The breakdown in communications came because it was a chaotic situation. On that day, Clinton was in talks with other Mideast leaders. The Ambassador’s cable was one of thousands addressed to the Secretary. And I agree that someone should have eyeballed that cable. I agree that someone should have beefed up security, even if funding was continually cut by the same House Republicans taking shots at Secretary Clinton. Clinton was measured in her response but got emotional when speaking about hot she greeted the returning dead home. She also lost it when reacting to questioning from Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson saying “What difference does I make how they died?” Now the GOP partisans have been burning up Face book criticizing this remark. If Clinton runs for President, look for the sound bites in every attack ad against her. But she is right because no matter what method, no matter what lapsed response time, the fact is those people were not killed by Hillary Clinton or the State Department but by terrorists. An investigation into who did this is still going on. And just like Bin Laden, these people will be caught. I think it is interesting that many Republicans are saying this is the greatest tragedy since 911. So if that is the case, are they willing to hold George W. Bush responsible for not reacting to the supposed warning signals before the planes took off? This episode and the State Department’s role in it is not perfect. But for the Republicans to compare four unfortunate and regrettable deaths of Americans to the 4500 lives lost in Iraq looking for imaginary weapons while running up billions of dollars in debt is indicative of just how confused and unaware of the costs of maintaining a responsible Foreign Policy for this country.

Matt Cartwright on the campaign trail in 2012. (Photo: Times Tribune) 

CARTWRIGHT CLIMBING

Cartwright Elected to Serve as Ranking Member of Economic Development Subcommittee WASHINGTON, DC – In a rare occurrence for a Congressional freshman, Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-17) was elected to serve as the Ranking Member of a Subcommittee. Cartwright will serve on the Economic Growth, Job Creation and Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee for the 113th Congress. This post places Cartwright as the top Democrat on the subcommittee which is part of the larger Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Per the Committee, the subcommittee has “oversight jurisdiction over regulatory affairs, impediments to economic growth and job creation, monetary policy, banking, infrastructure, and tax policy. The Subcommittee also has legislative jurisdiction over federal paperwork reduction, data quality, and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.” “I am honored, as a freshman, to serve as the Ranking Member of a subcommittee with such a critical jurisdiction. Accelerating our economic recovery and increasing the rate new jobs are added to the economy should be Congress’ top focus, and it is my highest priority for the 17th District. I intend to be a loud voice in Congress economic expansion and jobs in all of the communities I represent,” said, Cartwright. Cartwright continued, “As Ranking Member, I will stand up for fair wages, enforcement of labor and worker safety laws, environmental protection, consumer and investor protection, and tax fairness. Further, I hope to explore and highlight what I see as the long-term value of grants and seed money for local economic projects. I’m very interested in the link between infrastructure improvements and sustained, local economic growth.” “When I ask people in Pottsville, Wilkes-Barre, Palmerton, East Stroudsburg, Scranton, Easton and elsewhere across the 17th District what’s needed most, the answer is, most often, ‘Help bring in more companies, more well-paying jobs’,” Cartwright concluded. “I intend to use my position in the House and on my committees to push for exactly that.” 

Second District Democratic Chairman in Luzerne County Casey Evans. (LuLac archives).

EVANS OUT

Casey Evans announced on his FaceBook page the other day that he will not be a candidate for Luzerne County Council. Evans said, "Hello everyone. A lot of people have asked me whether or not I plan on running again in this year's election for Luzerne County Council. I've spent a lot of time thinking about it. However, I do not plan on running as a candidate this year. Running for office is very time intensive, and I have too much going on in my life to devote the time and attention that would be necessary for a successful campaign"
Evans ran a decent campaign last time and definitely will be a player in future politics in the County. With all due respect to Bob Moyer, Casey would be an excellent chairman. And that is not an original thought on my part. I got that from seasoned political pros who told me that. 

HOME RULE IN THE LAC

So the new County Commissioners want to beat the voters to the punch and bring to the ballot a Home Rule proposal eliminating the Clerk of Courts, The Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills and Sheriff. The appointees would be overseen by the Commissioners of course and not some stinkin’ manager. These guys are no fools! 

MEDIA MATTERS 

THE PARTY ZONE 

Catch the new extended 70s, 80s, 90s oldies show "The PartyZone" with Shadoe Steele beginning this Saturday from 6 - midnight on 50,000 watt powerhouse WAVT-FM - T-102.

ECTV 

ECTV Live hosts Tom Munley and David DeCosmo will welcome Jim Kundratic to their program during the week of January 28th. Mr Kundratic will be speaking about a Free Public reinaction of the historic Ice Harvest in Sterling Pennsylvania. ECTV Live is seen on Comcast Ch19 each day at Midnight, Noon, and 6pm.  

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine Brian Hughes speaks with Margaret Gibblets, Guidance Counselor from the Pocono Mountain Charter School about National School Choice Week. This Week In Harrisburg examines a review of Pennsylvania’s water protection programs as a result of Marcellus Shale drilling by the state Auditor General’s office, as well as efforts to privatize the Pennsylvania Lottery. State Senator John Yudichak of Luzerne County weighs in. And State Senator Lisa Boscola of Northampton County discusses her resolution that proclaims January as National Blood Donor Month. Magic 93’s Frankie in the Morning speaks with the Ostrowski Family from Berwick about 8 year old Rose Ostrowski’s cover of the Beatles’ hit “Let It Be”, to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. And an encore of Brian’s interview with nutrition expert Dawn Jackson Blatner about healthier options for our favorite comfort foods. Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on Great Country 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X, 6:25am on Magic 93, and 7am on True Oldies 590, WARM.  

SUE HENRY AND MRS. MELLOW 

Cudos to Sue Henry for her interview with Diane Mellow, the ex wife of Senator Bob Mellow. I understand that Mrs. Melloow was being pursued by many media suitoirs but she picked my friend Ms. Hwenry because of her professionalism.

1976 logo. 

1976 

Twelve Provisional Irish Republican Army bombs explode in the West End of London. • – Live from Lincoln Center debuts on PBS……….Senator Hugh Scott says in his weekly Senator’s Report that while he is fond of Ronald Reagan he will be backing President Ford for the Presidency in 1976 no questions asked. Scott says that Ford’s conduct of Foreign Policy has been exemplary and the economy is starting to move…….in Scranton newly re-elected Commissioners  Robert Pettinato and Charles Luger begin the work of reconstructing the Social Services network in Lackawanna Coiunty to make it more responsive to it’s users…..and 37 years ago the number 1 song in Lulac land and America was “Mahogany” by Diana Ross.