The LuLac Edition #2618, March 14th, 2014
THE FEDS IN WILKES BARRE
When the Feds come knocking on your door, that is not good news. And this week the political establishment in Wilkes Barre (whether they want to admit it or not) is buzzing about the investigation into the Wilkes Barre Employee Credit Union, the untimely death of its manager along with the fact that Luzerne County DA has asked for help from high authorities in Gas Gate. The significant thing about “extra help” is this. The Feds really don’t care about how much money you have, they don’t care about how hard you worked to get where you are in life and they sure as hell don’t care about how rich you are. Keep I mind that when investigations stall and the feds get involved…things move. Just ask Mike Conahan, Mark Ciavarella and the other thirty individuals who went to jail.
Another thing to keep your eye on is how City Council reacts. Especially watch the Chair of Counci,. Maybe there’s nothing going on…………but if there is, those are the things to watch.
BIDEN AT THE WOODS
DOBASH ASKS FOR AUDIT
Luzerne County Council member Kathy Dobash has written a letter to the Auditor General requesting an audit of uncollected funds in the Courts office. Dobash is also asking for information on Probation Fees: costs, fees, fines, and restitution accounts. I’m not sure this is within the purview of the Auditor General’s office since court funding is a system unto itself. But this will be interesting to see where this goes.ON THE SIDE OF THE UNEMPLOYED
Cartwright Introduces Legislation to Enact Foreclosure Moratorium Due to Recent Congressional Inaction
U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright introduced the Stop Foreclosures due to Congressional Dysfunction Act with the support of 55 colleagues. The legislation would impose a 6-month moratorium on foreclosures for individuals who have lost their emergency unemployment compensation (EUC) due to recent congressional inaction.
The legislation would require that the Federal Housing Finance Agency direct the Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) – Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – to establish a 6-month moratorium on foreclosures of GSE-guaranteed mortgages for borrowers provided that the borrowers were in good standing before losing their unemployment insurance.
“I urge my colleagues to support this vital legislation. Since December 28, due to the inaction of Congress, more than 2 million Americans have been cut off from emergency unemployment insurance,” said Cartwright. “In my district, people have been particularly impacted by the expiration of these benefits. These Americans worked hard, played by the rules, and lost their jobs through no fault of their own. They should not lose their homes as well due to congressional dysfunction. This legislation would support struggling Americans who have demonstrated their willingness to repay their mortgage loans.”
This week, Cartwright joined his colleagues in signing a discharge petition, led by Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), to bring up the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act (H.R. 3546), championed by Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI). The bill would extend emergency unemployment insurance for nearly 5 million Americans looking for work through the end of the year.
Cartwright and Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) have also drafted a letter to FHFA Director Mel Watt urging him to adopt the aforementioned policy in the event of congressional inaction on Cartwright’s legislation. The letter will be delivered once Congress reconvenes.
ON THE SIDE OF BUSINESS
U.S. Chamber Honors Barletta with Spirit of Enterprise Award
Pennsylvania Lawmaker Recognized for Pro-Business Record for 3rd Time
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce presented Rep. Lou Barletta of Pennsylvania with its annual Spirit of Enterprise Award Wednesday in recognition of his support of pro-growth, pro-jobs policies during the first session of the 113th Congress. This marks the third time Rep. Barletta has been honored with the award.“2013 was challenging, but Congressman Barletta worked to pass legislation and enact policies that will keep our country moving forward economically,” U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue said. “The Spirit of Enterprise Award recognizes legislators like Congressman Barletta who have demonstrated their commitment to supporting pro-growth policies in the 113th Congress.”
The Chamber’s prestigious Spirit of Enterprise Award is given annually to members of Congress based on their votes on critical business legislation outlined in the Chamber publication, How They Voted. Members who supported the Chamber’s position on at least 70% of those votes qualify to receive the award.
According to this year’s scorecard, Barletta received a 92% rating with the Chamber in 2013 and has a cumulative rating of 95% for his tenure in Congress.
“As the economic recovery continues to be sluggish, it is more important than ever to support policies that encourage businesses to grow and hire more employees,” Barletta said. “I am honored to be once again chosen by the Chamber, because we really have the same goals in mind – a better, stronger and more prosperous America.”
During the first session of the 113th Congress, the Chamber scored members on eight Senate votes and 13 House votes, including those to reopen the federal government and raise the national debt ceiling, reform the nation’s broken immigration system, delay enforcement of the employer mandate provision of the Affordable Care Act, and ease approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. Also scored were votes on a number of other issues including trade, transportation, legal reform, and the budget.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations
MEDIA MATTERS
KILARNEY KAPERS
Jim Riley, Bobby V and Mike Remish host Kilarney Kapers beginning at 10:30AM and bring you all the color and pageantryof the second largest St. Patty's Day Paradein the country.Hear it all on NEPA SPORTS RADIO - THE GAMEat 1340,1400,1440 AM or 100.7 and 106.7 FM,on your RadioBOLD app oronline at www.NEPASportsRadio.com! This is a long standing broadcasting tradition and these guys do one heck of a job.
MIKE SISAK TO NEW YORK
Citizen’s Voice reporter Mike Sisak is on his way to the AP in New York. I spoke with Mike a few times during the Corruption trials and he was always very knowledgeable and cordial. Our best to him.ECTV
ECTV Live host Tom Munley will again be joined by veteran broadcaster Rusty Fender during the week of March 17th as the program welcomes Dr. Paulette Merchel of Marywood University to discuss the school's FREE Children's Theater which will be presented the first week of May. ECTV Live is shown on Comcast Ch19 and is offered throughout the week with primary showings scheduled for Noon and Midnight,SUNDAY MAGAZINE
This Week on Sunday MagazineMagic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with Tonya Oliviani from Big Brothers/Big Sisters on Northeast pa. about "Bowl For Kids Sake", coming up later this month.
Brian Hughes speaks with Bridget Purcell about the Pat Purcell Memorial Scholarship 5 K Run, coming up on Saturday May 3rd at Nay Aug Park in Scranton.
And an encore of Brian's January interview with Scott Cannon & Duke Barrett from the Gas Drilling Awareness Association about a recent state court ruling and its possible impact on gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale region.
Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X, 6:25am on Magic 93 and 7am on True Oldies 590, WARM.
SUE HENRY’S SPECIAL EDITION
Tune in to Sue Henry's "Special Edition" this week as Sue recaps the week's news. Special Edition is heard Saturdays and Sunday on these Entercom stations, WILK FM Saturday at 2pm Sunday at 6 am on Froggy 101 Sunday at 7 am on The Sports Hub 102.3 Sunday at 7 am on K R Z 98.5 Sunday at noon on WILK FM 103.1.BUDDY RUMCHEK
Want to hear some great parodies on the news? Tune in to WILK Radio at 6:40 and 8:40 AM on Mondays. As Ralph Cramden used to say, “It’s a laugh riot!”KAREL ON THE STREET
Tune in Wednesdays on WILK Radio for Karel on the Street. Hear some of the funniest and heartwarming comments on the issues of the day on Webster and Nancy with Karel Zubris.Our 1974 logo.
1974
Most OPEC nations end a 5-month oil embargo against the United States, Europe and Japan…………Vice President Gerald Ford defends embattled President Richard Nixon as pressure mounts on the White House to have the White House release more information……..The President meanwhile spends a quiet St. Patrick’s Day celebrating his wife, First Lady Pat Nixon’s birthday……also in 1974 first term Senator Joe Biden reflected on the big business of big money in campaign financing. Here's what he said on a PBS program called The Advocates: “We were told that we politicians, as the young kids say, rip off the American public. I think the American public, in a way, rips off we politicians by forcing us to run the way they do. To raise $300,000 is no mean feat. And unless you happen to be some sort of anomaly like myself, being a 29-year-old candidate who can attract some attention beyond your own state, it’s very difficult to raise that money from a large group of people.” in Pennsylvania Senator Hugh Scott the Senate Minority Leader says that President Nixon should just come clean regarding Watergate……in Lackawanna County, Robert Mellow prepares to seek a second term as Senator in the 22nd District. Mellow is heavily favored to win a re-election bid although GOP candidate Gene Garvey says he will give the one term incumbent a spirited fight and forty years ago this week the number one song in America and LuLac land was a duet by recently married Carlie Simon and James Taylor entitled “Mockingbird”.
posted by David Yonki @ 6:44 PM
12 comments
12 Comments:
I absolutely love Cartwright. We have never had a Congressman who is so untiring in his efforts to do the job he promised.
Good morning students,
Why Mr. Yonki continues to harass me with decrepit memories of the dreadful year of 1974 strains my credulity. Yet, I shall carry forth…..
First of all, I welcome Vice President Biden to our area this Monday. Your humble Professor shall be in attendance at this venue (my doctors have given me the A-OK). There are many things I would wish to inquire of the Veep such as where are the millions upon millions of jobs promised in 2008 and most intriguingly will he challenge Secy. Clinton (who in my view is most definitely running for the Democratic nomination) and when he loses to her will he be angry at our President for not backing him up in the primaries. Yet, as Harry Truman once noted, one does not dress down a man in public, for it is the lowest form of behavior. So, I shall sit quietly Monday and listen to what Uncle Joe has to say. If I will end this subject with one point in the Vice President’s favor, it is that he would be a much better leader than the present occupant of the White House----then again, the applies to anybody…you may laugh.
The work of this classroom goes forward….
Students, I see today that this classroom is quite sparse. I can only assume that most of the missing are attending the Scranton St. Patrick’s day parade. In view, I would hope that if some, if not all of you ingrates who are heading up to the Electric City following this lecture will convince them (and yourselves) to avoid vomiting in the streets following your consumption of ten, eleven or twenty beers. Scranton has enough trouble picking up garbage nowadays, the last thing the good citizens need on Monday morning is the stench of vomit on the streets as they head to their jobs or the welfare office.
Why Scranton even continues to host a parade is beyond me. For years the liberal spend it all governments which presided there refused to think of the day the wolf would be at the door. From McNulty to Wenzel and the GOP poser Jimmy Connors right up to the incompetent Daugherty and the even more incompetent Courtright, we have seen mismanagement gone wild. But to be fair, the city was never one to shine (hence the irony of calling it “Electric”). I recall in the second debate in 1960 between Sen. John Kennedy and VP Dick Nixon when Scranton (and Wilkes-Barre) were described by both candidates as “a depressed city” on national television. Wonderful. And look at all the progress we have made since then. A taxpayer funded mall where no one shops. A brand new taxpayer funded minor league baseball stadium that no doubt will be pushing up weeds in a few years’ time which could have been solely funded by the richest team in baseball. On and on.
As you know, I am against welfare. Yet, to be fair, if people are expected to stand on their own two feet should we not expect the same of local governments. Last, I heard, no local government has offered to fund the remodeling of my club. And it has a far, far better clientele that the mall or the stadium.
It is said that St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. If only he would return and drive the slackers out of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Perhaps then, true revitalization would occur.
In closing, if you must drink this weekend (and you will) or do drugs please, please….do not drive. The life you save may be mine. And perhaps a few good Irishmen on their way home not from a bar and grllle but from church.
Something to think about this morning…….
Class Dismissed!!!!!!!!!!!!
okay..here goes.......the professor is spot on about scranton. also have to tell you that james taylor looked crazzeee back then.
as always good job in giving us the heads up on our congress men. or people.
Let business work and create jobs and you will have fewer unemployed. Too bad Cartwright thinks the unemployed run the show.
The Professor rocks that's all I gotta say.
How can James Taylor let Carlie Simon go? Man what a tool, love his music though.
The deal with Biden is pretty funny considering how much money Obama/Biden needed to get elected. But give Biden props for this, he realized he was pretty lucky.
The streets are filled with drunken fools.
Another St Pats Day Parade in Scranton is over.
Hopefully nobody went missing this year.
Darby OGill
I just returned from a shopping trip to Cabelas to pick up some fishing supplies for the upcoming season. For those who don't know, Cabelas is located midway between Allentown and Harrisburg. The store was absolutely packed with shoppers. They had 24 registers going, but the checkout line still snaked halfway thru the store. All the restaurants in the area around Cabelas were equally busy. Seems to me the economy under President Obama has recovered nicely from the economy under President Bush. All this despite the continuous roadblocks put in front of President Obama by Congressman Lou and his Republican obstructionists.
Dave, I kind of like 1974 Seasons in the Sun notwithstanding.
I think you are correct about Wilkes Barre, things are heating up Teflon Tom can't last forever man.
Dave Wenzel is not happy about being included with the Prof's Democrats. Do your homework, Sir the spelling of Mayor Doherty's name is
incorrect! That aside I agree for the most part with his comments about Scranton. I would love to take my Grandchildren to the parade but any town that opens its bars a 9AM
is just looking for trouble!
Cabelas had ammo and we stocked up.
Redneck's save their money for fishing, hunting and shooting. Obama can try and stop us but we will prevail.
Don't draw conclusions about the rest of the economy 'cause we can eat our catch.
The Pittston St Patrick's Day parade held Saturday March 8th was outstanding. They has 120 units 5 of which were pipe and drum bands. It was a beautiful day, every restaurant in town sold out, the few bars that esist did do well and didn't have the ususal amature drunks ruining a great day. Pat Toole, Ginger Murphy, Councilman Atty Mike Lombardo and the rest of the committee did an outstanding job and I hope they mainatin their interest and do it again next year. As usual, the city's street department worked behind the scenes and had the downtown and the bandshell looking good. I had a great time and I don't drink!
RE: 11:52:
Young man,
If you read my lecture somewhat more carefully you will note that I did not identify Mr. Wenzel as a Democrat. I simply expressed that Mr. Connors was a GOP poser...he was a former REGISTERED DEMOCRAT who switched parties---DO YOUR RESEARCH!!! Wenzel, though inept, was more of a traditional REpublican---his war injuries from Vietnam prove that. Nevertheless, a failed administration on his watch...I am not afraid to point out GOP failures, unlike Democrats who hoist even the most pathetic of their crew to the guise of sainthood.
As for my spelling--or mis-spelling of Mayor Doherty's surname...I used the traditional Irish prose in doing so. If this offends you, in future lectures on Mr. "Doherty" (and I doubt there will be..I will cease to your request.
Young man,
You are Dismissed!!!!!!!!!!!
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