The LuLac Edition #2626, March 30th, 2014

HAGGERTY TO FOES:

YOU THINK “7” IS UNLUCKY?

State Representative Kevin Haggerty. (Photo: LuLac archives).

One of the most interesting and ballsy politicians to come down the pike is mixing it up with his primary opponents. Kevin Haggerty who is serving in the 112th District is being opposed by current Representative Frank Farina from the and Bob Munley. Haggerty wants debates in each major town in the district, the other do not. And no wonder, Farina bombed on the radio in his initial run against former County Commissioner Randy Castellani (Farina won that race in the 115th and went to Harrisburg and Munley is regarded as a spoiler for this race. )Anyway, Haggerty has put these guys on notice that he wants to debate more than once. Here’s what he wrote on social media.
Letters have been sent out to Bob Munley and Frank Farina, who are challenging my seat as Representative of the 112th District. (7) debates are being organized, not including the League of Women Voter's debate on May 6th. I have asked civic organizers and our local media to serve as independent moderators and also asked the media to broadcast these debates through the channels they have available. It is only fair to hold these debates in each part of the district. Debate 1: Throop 2: Olyphant 3: Scranton 4: Dunmore 5: Archbald 6: Blakely 7:Jessup
(If you would like to see these debates please share this)
If you ask me, Haggerty is right on this one. Gerrymandering took a Representative out of the equation and the least any candidate could do is man up and do all the seven debates.

YESTERDAY WAS……..WHAT?????

We know all about “The Walking Dead”, Walter White and the plane that has been missing for three weeks. But yesterday was Vietnam Veteran’s Day and barely anyone noticed or cared. Kind of like a rerun f how Vietnam vets were treated when they came home. But just in case you’re interested, President Obama offered up this proclamation in 2012.

Presidential Proclamation -- Vietnam Veterans Day

VIETNAM VETERANS DAY

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

On January 12, 1962, United States Army pilots lifted more than 1,000 South Vietnamese service members over jungle and underbrush to capture a National Liberation Front stronghold near Saigon. Operation Chopper marked America's first combat mission against the Viet Cong, and the beginning of one of our longest and most challenging wars. Through more than a decade of conflict that tested the fabric of our Nation, the service of our men and women in uniform stood true. Fifty years after that fateful mission, we honor the more than 3 million Americans who served, we pay tribute to those we have laid to rest, and we reaffirm our dedication to showing a generation of veterans the respect and support of a grateful Nation.

The Vietnam War is a story of service members of different backgrounds, colors, and creeds who came together to complete a daunting mission. It is a story of Americans from every corner of our Nation who left the warmth of family to serve the country they loved. It is a story of patriots who braved the line of fire, who cast themselves into harm's way to save a friend, who fought hour after hour, day after day to preserve the liberties we hold dear. From Ia Drang to Hue, they won every major battle of the war and upheld the highest traditions of our Armed Forces.

Eleven years of combat left their imprint on a generation. Thousands returned home bearing shrapnel and scars; still more were burdened by the invisible wounds of post-traumatic stress, of Agent Orange, of memories that would never fade. More than 58,000 laid down their lives in service to our Nation. Now and forever, their names are etched into two faces of black granite, a lasting memorial to those who bore conflict's greatest cost.

Our veterans answered our country's call and served with honor, and on March 29, 1973, the last of our troops left Vietnam. Yet, in one of the war's most profound tragedies, many of these men and women came home to be shunned or neglected -- to face treatment unbefitting their courage and a welcome unworthy of their example. We must never let this happen again. Today, we reaffirm one of our most fundamental obligations: to show all who have worn the uniform of the United States the respect and dignity they deserve, and to honor their sacrifice by serving them as well as they served us. Half a century after those helicopters swept off the ground and into the annals of history, we pay tribute to the fallen, the missing, the wounded, the millions who served, and the millions more who awaited their return. Our Nation stands stronger for their service, and on Vietnam Veterans Day, we honor their proud legacy with our deepest gratitude.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 29, 2012, as Vietnam Veterans Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the Vietnam War.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

LULAC EDITION #2623

A week ago we did a story on the late Jim Ward who died twenty years ago this month. Joe Klapatch, an area photo journalist added a few more photos to that story. Here’s the link to that edition. http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-lulac-edition-2627-march-22nd-2014.html

MIKE ROGERS EXITS

Congressman Mike Rogers. (Photo: CNN)

Congressman Mike Rogers who is chairman of the House Intelligence Committee dropped a political bombshell on Friday when he announced he would not seek reelection. Rogers who has represented the 8trh Congressional District from Michigan plans to embark on a talk radio career with Cumulus Broadcasting. Rogers has been in Congress since 2001 and was mentioned for a run at a Senate Seat or to be in line for a position as head of the FBI or CIA under a Democrat or Republican administration. Although a critic of President Obama ‘on most domestic issues he has been a strong supporter of the National Security Agency’s surveillance policy.
Rogers was a mainstay on the Sunday TV talk shows on all networks and was regarded as fair and logical in his arguments. Rogers who told reporters Friday that he believed in a Citizen Legislature (he was a former FBI agent) said that it was time to step aside. And of course hat is his prerogative. But one must wonder who will replace Rogers in this position in the Majority as the National GOP party gravitates toward the Tea Party and Ted Cruz crazies.