The LuLac Edition #2741, September 30th, 2014

FALL NEPA BLOGFEST

NEPA Blogfest

When Thursday Oct 30, 2014 6pm – 10pm Eastern Time

Where The Red Mill, Pittston, PA

SECOND DEBATE TOMORROW

Tom Wolf and Tom Corbett set to face off tomorrow morning on the radio. (Photo: Philly.com)

Governor Tom Corbett and Tom Wolf face off for their second debate tomorrow morning on KYW Newsradio 1060AM in Philadelhia. Long time Philadelphia news anchor and icon Larry Kane will be the moderator. A morning debate on radio is kind of intriguing. We’ll try to get you a report on it this week on LuLac.

OCTOBER 6th IMPORTANT DATE

If you are not registered to vote, you must do so by by Monday October 6th. If you don’t you will not be able to vote in this year’s very important elections.

GOV. CORBETT TO HEADLINE DINNER IN WILKES-BARRE

Governor Tom Corbett and Luzerne County GOP Chair Bill Urbanski. (Photo: Bill Urbanski).

Governor Tom Corbett will be the Keynote Speaker at the GOP’s 2014 Victory Dinner, which will be held Thursday, October 16, 2014, beginning at 6:00 PM at the Woodlands Inn, 1073 Highway 315 in Wilkes-Barre.
“We are very pleased to welcome Governor Corbett to Wilkes-Barre for this exciting event,” said Bill Urbanski, Chairman of the Republican Party of Luzerne County.
“The momentum of the campaign is clearly on the Governor’s side, as voters begin to see just how much of an empty suit his opponent really is,” Urbanski continued. “Polls show Governor Corbett gaining ground, particularly after his resounding win in last week’s debate, and that momentum will continue to build.”
Luzerne and Lackawanna counties are the population hub of Northeast Pennsylvania and the home of many conservative-thinking voters, as well as many other independent and swing voters who very well could be the deciding factor in this year’s Gubernatorial election.
Tickets for the Dinner with Governor Corbett are $60.00, if purchased by October 10th, or $70.00 thereafter. Seating will be limited and tickets may not be available at the door. Reservations and payment must be received by Friday, October 10thto ensure a seat.
The Dinner is sponsored jointly by the Republican Parties of Luzerne and Lackawanna County.
RSVP to Lynette Villano, Dinner Chair, 612 Wyoming Avenue, West Pittston, PA 18643, by email at tlvgop@gmail.com, or by calling 570-654-6567.

The LuLac Edition #2740, September 29th, 2014

Our “Maybe I’m Amazed” logo.

MAYBE I’M AMAZED

MAYBE I’M AMAZED….that in reviewing all the tributes regarding the Derek Jeter farewell tour, this one thing stands out. The fact that Jeter conducted himself well, hell damn near perfectly on and off the field has become the exception rather than the rule these days. Still, Jeter’s 20 years as a Yankee bear recognition as well as the coverage it engendered.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……..that people don’t get that a minimum wage increase in Pennsylvania is long overdue. Right now 23 other states have a higher wage. Accounting for inflation, low-wage workers earn less today than in 1968. That’s despite being better educated and more productive.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…….that people are still grousing about how Tom Wolf will not meet the press. As an FYI, here’s a photo of one Mr. Tom Wolf speaking before a Press Club Luncheon in Harrisburg taking questions. 

MAYBE I’M AMAZED……..and incredulous when I hear people say that Attorney General Eric Holder is the worst Attorney General in the history of the office. Let me give you a few names to counter that argument. John Mitchell who helped Richard Nixon try to dismantle the Constitution and Edwin Meese who was indicted. The problem for Conservatives with Holder reminds me of the old Harry Truman quote about giving them hell. “I never did give them hell. I just told the truth, and they thought it was hell.”
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that the people who tell us how boring baseball can be never get how pennant races work. Once more the very last day of this baseball season went down to the wire. That’s a good thing for the fans and the sport.On to the playoffs.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…….that the tradition of wearing uniforms for baseball managers came about because most of the early managers were also players. The last two player managers in the Major Leagues were Frank Robinson and Pete Rose.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that the latest revelation regarding e mails of a questionable nature sent to Pennsylvania state employees computers (some of them big shots) is totally beyond my comprehension. If something was sent, delete. But whoever was sending them had way too much time on their hands. Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s office came across these when the investigation of the Jerry Sandusky case was going on. What concerns me here is the blatant stupidity to engage in this “sport” on work time on a public computer.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that the current hunt doing on for that cop killer is being second guessed by some arm chair quarterbacks who wouldn’t know how to get out of Kirby Park or Lake Scranton let alone those areas of tough terrain in the Poconos. There is a reason why they are called the Pocono Mountains!
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…….that Congressman Tom “Casino” Marino actually said this Saturday at the GOP State committee meeting. Obama care will be repealed by the GOP. Okay Congressman, after forty tries you think you’ll succeed? What will you do to those people already signed up? What about the pre existing conditions? The difference between a Congressman like Lou Barletta and Tom Marino is this, when the GOP speechwriters say Obama care will be repealed, Lou is smart enough to know that’s not true. Marino obviously is not. Every time Marino opens his mouth it makes me realize what a great Congressman Dr. David Madeira might have been. 

The good doctor and I at Blogfest a few years back. (Photo: LuLac archives).

MAYBE I’M AMAZED……at the insipid commercial promoting Sprint service for Iphones. It is a bunch of shrieking women all excited at the prospect of a new Iphone with Spring as the carrier. So annoying that I would never buy a plan for Sprint if the only thing left for means of communication were two tins cans and a string.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED….at the terrible standards being set by the Secret Service. I never thought I would agree with Republican Congressman Darrell Issa from California on anything but today when he said that “most agencies can get by with a 97% margin of success, the Secret Service has to have a 100% success rate." Not telling the Obamas the White House was shot up while one of the children was home until years later? This is one of the most threatened individuals in the world and they can’t handle it? Sad. It’s as if their incompetence is daring for something to happen to him and his family. Also, know this, I would be saying this even if a nut job like Ted Cruz was in the White House.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…..that hotels that cater to businesses and conference charge a fee for Internet use in the room. Isn’t that counterproductive and just plain silly?

The LuLac Edition #2739, September 27th, 2014

DR. TOM O'DONNELL PASSES AWAY

The late Dr. Tom O'Donnell with his son Dr. Brian O'Donnell. (Photo: Citizen's Voice archives)

Former Wilkes Barre Area School Director Thomas O'Donnell has died. O'Donnell was a School Director for two decades on the board spanning the 60s, 70s and 80s.
O'Donnell was also a major political force in the Wilkes Barre Area for that time. His movements both political and recreational were reported almost every week in the old Sunday Independent.
It might have been a blurb about his Kelly green jogging suit as he joined the running craze of the late 70s, his golf game constantly chronicled by the late Tom Heffernan and Don Zimmerman or his political moves by the late Bill Luksic, whatever it was Tom O'Donnell was front and center on the political scene.
While easily winning elections for the school board, O'Donnell tried his hand at the 11th Congressional district seat when a myriad of political figures were trying to succeed Dan Flood and then Ray Musto. He had support of the 6th District Democrats but it was not unanimous because of Wilkes Barre Attorney Frank Harrison's (later Congressman Harrison) presence in the race.
O’Donnell lost that ace but after that served with the Casey administration as well as other local Educational posts. In later years he lent political guidance to many aspiring candidates for office including his sons Neil and Brian.
O’Donnell never tired of talking about his children. It seemed like he was the type of guy who could hold court anywhere. During the 90s when I could still move without a cane, I’d go to the Saxon Pavilion in Edwardsville at 5:45AM every morning to do get some physical time in before heading to Rock 107. After a heart surgery, I’d see O’Donnell there taking his therapy on a recumbent bike. For a time he’d pedal by himself but as the gym filled up, he’d be surrounded by old political allies and foes. The subject was his family, with politics and golf being equally discussed.
O’Donnell was one of the old lions passing from the political scene. It would serve many younger people involved in the process to see his tremendous body of work in both Education and on the local political scene.
His obituary appears in the local newspapers Saturday.

AARON KAUFER AND BOLIN FAMILY TO HOLD ENDORSEMENT RALLY IN WYOMING SEPTEMBER 28TH

The Kaufer Now Committee is pleased to announce our endorsement rally in conjunction with the family of the late John Bolin. The rally will take place at John Jude Bolin Park (Formerly Butler St. Park) in Wyoming on Sunday, September 28th beginning at 1PM.
We will be formally announcing the endorsements of over a dozen Democratic public officials crossing the aisle in support of our campaign to bring common sense government back to the 120th District of Pennsylvania.
The rally is open to the public and will feature free food and refreshments from Valenti’s Restaurant.
Kaufer said in a release provided to LuLac, “We are extremely excited for this opportunity to engage the community and our elected officials. By crossing party lines and doing what we know is right, we can lead by example and enact policies that strengthen our community.”

The LuLac Edition #2738, September 25th, 2014

THE PEANUT GALLERY, COUPONS AND MAYOR LEIGHTON

The Mayor and I back at the Rooftop Party for the Library few years ago. If we had a coupon, we'd have used it. So there!!! (Photo: LuLac archives)

Facebook is a pretty useful tool that I use personally to get in touch with old friends and find out information for my job, my books as well as LuLac. I think photos of food are ridiculous and the crazy stuff the right wingers put up there make me laugh because of their infantile stupidity. Nothing pretty much offends me or gives me a problem.
But last week someone posted on Face book the observation that Mayor Tom Leighton walked into a Dunkin’ Donuts, ordered a coffee and muffin using an AARP card and a coupon. Then the comments were made by the hallelujah choir opining on how Leighton should watch the city of Wilkes Barre’s money as well as he watches his own.
Allow me a few thoughts.
First, if you are taking Mayor Leighton’s administration to task for his budgeting skills, look at the mess Hazleton and Scranton is in! It is so easy for these people who have never mounted a credible challenge to say things are not good financially in Wilkes Barre. You win elections by getting registrations committed to beating the incumbent. Hasn’t been done yet.
The second thing is that even as Mayor, can’t this guy get a break? Jesus, thank God he didn’t spill the coffee on himself and then you’d see the rumors flying. I’m sure not many people give a rat’s ass about how the Mayor pays for his Dunkin’ fix.
Except me.
Thanks to Mrs. LuLac, I have an app for Dunkin’ on my phone. I get free discount deals! I even use coupons in combination with them. I love getting that deal. I also use coupons from the company I work at. I also clip coupons because even though we aren’t starving, it's nice to get a deal.
I’m not as well known or important in my position as Mayor Leighton but I’d love to shout out in Dunkin’ when I get a deal that I did. But no one will care.
I have disagreed with the Mayor on a few things. But as 2015 draws closer, things like this silly comment about a guy grabbing a coffee will drive more people into this guy’s camp if he chooses to run.
Legitimate criticism is fair and my heavens important to a democracy. But childish comments on social media just say more about the poster and less about the frugal guy who is just trying to live his life and grab a cup of Joe.

LOL

I laughed out loud and then shook my head when I saw in the newspaper that County Manager Bob Lawton and the County Council were encouraging the public to make donations for saving or improving Moon Lake park. The park has fallen on hard times and the brain trust on Council has hatched a plan to accept donations. Who the hell is going to be in charge of that? Hey, let’s put a show on in the barn and have a hoagie sale to boot!!!
The thing that irks me is that a former City Administrator in the County sent the Council a plethora of ideas. At press time he has not received an answer. I even put the letter he sent to them on LuLac. Nothing.
http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-lulac-edition-2732-september-17th.html
I was strong for the charter but am amazed at how many caring citizens send legitimate ideas and get no response. I finally figured it out it was because it wasn’t the Council’s idea!
Let’s nix the idea of getting corporate sponsorship and have Harry Haas, Jim Bobeck and few of the others out there doing a coin drop some weekend. Yeah, I’ll stop!!!! 

EDITOR'S NOTE: I was informed that Harry Haas and Edd Brominski did acknowledge receipt of the ideas sent to all of our council. I did not have that information at the time of publication. 

MEDIA MATTERS

WAS THERE A GOVERNOR’S DEBATE MONDAY NIGHT???

First section of Tuesday's Times Leader.

I’m asking the question because on Tuesday morning I thought I was in a dream state. Having worked my regular job, attending Matt Cartwright’s event, then watching the Corbett/Wolf debate and then posting my thoughts on it on Monday, I was kind of groggy Tuesday morning when I arrived back at work. I picked up The Times Leader and eagerly wanted to see their take on the Corbett/Wolf debate. I went through the first section and saw nothing.
At lunch I looked at the paper again thinking I was missing something. Nothing.
Now the Times Leader has a cadre full of good local reporters who have broken wonderful stories that made this community better. The Editorial board is full of smart people. BUT the paper is then edited in Ohio. That’s what happens when you outsource.
Okay guys, a primer….this guy is your Governor. He had no debate Monday night.

Ohio Governor John Kasich. (Photo: CNN.com)

Governor Tom Corbett. (Photo: AP)

This guy is our Governor. He had a debate Monday night. Here in Pennsylvania!
I’ll go slower next time if you need me to.

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine
Part 2 of Brian Hughes' interview with judicial activist Bruce Levine & Lou
Jasikoff from the Wilkes Barre Independent Gazette about the problems that exist with the family court system.
Brian speaks with Dr. Jessica Spencer and Caroline Gold about genetic testing.
And a disturbing increase in heroin abuse in Pennsylvania, featuring State
Senator John Wozniak from Cambria County.
Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X, and 6:25am on Magic 93.

ECTV

ECTV Live host David DeCosmo
airs several times each day on Comcast Ch19 in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties. Former WYOU Weather forecaster Barry Finn will Co host the program

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

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.

CORBETT’S SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME

Every Wednesday at 5PM, Steve Corbett shines the light on a Public official with his “Somebody’s Watching Me” segment. Corbett picks an alleged public servant to eye ball and observe. Batten down the lawn furniture in the driveway and that e mail machine. There is nowhere to hide when “somebody’s Watching”. Wednesdays at 5 on WILK’s Corbett program.

Our 1974 logo.

1974

BART begins regular transbay service, love that subway system in San Francisco.....Bob Dylan records Blood on the Tracks.....President Ford announces conditional amnesty for US Vietnam War deserters US General Haig becomes NATO supreme commander in Europe.....Many say the position was a way to get Haig who reportedly negotiated Richard Nixon's pardon out of the Ford administration.....

The late NATO Commander, Secretary of State and Presidential candidate Al Haig. (Photo: Time).
Courageous (US) beats Southern Cross (Aust) in 23rd America's Cup….Hurricane Fifi strikes Honduras with 110 mph winds, 5,000 die…Hurricane Fifi hits coast of Honduras; about 5,000 die US Mariner 10 makes 2nd fly-by of Mercury…."Gypsy" opens at Winter Garden Theater NYC for 120 performances….BBC Ceefax begins 1st teletext service…..Al Kaline, Detroit Tiger, is 12th to get 3,000 hits……in Pennsylvania former Governor William Scranton becomes a defacto advisor to the new President Gerald Ford…….in Luzerne County Congressman Dan Flood gears up for the fall campaign by touring little towns in his district in a white convertible and forty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was "Rock Me Gently" by Andy Kim.

The LuLac Edition #2737, September 24th, 20114

Our "Write On Wednesday" logo.

WRITE ON WEDNESDAY

Chris Kelly & Corbett have lost that lovin' feeling

The Times tribune's Chris Kelly penned this article for his column and we're putting it up for "Write On Wednesday." Kelly recounts his near encounter with Pennsylvania's incumbent Governor. As they say in the news biz, a brief, breezy read.
The Times-Tribune editorial board invited me to its Friday meeting with Gov. Tom Corbett, R-Drillers. His re-election campaign insisted I be uninvited. Why? Because a month ago, I almost went to work for Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane.
She is a Democrat and Mr. Corbett feels threatened by her.
Stunned by the snub, I went home and climbed into bed with a gallon of ice cream, an ’80s power ballads CD and a notebook. When my wife walked in, I told her “I Want to Know What Love Is.” She grabbed the Rocky Road and fled to her sister’s house.
I dimmed the lights and started scribbling...
Dear Tom,
The world is spinning and I’ll probably make a fool of myself, but there are some things I need to get off my chest.
Obviously, I’m upset about Friday.
After all we’ve meant to each other over almost four years that felt like forever, how can you shut me out? Do you have any idea how hard it was to know that we were in the same building and I couldn’t even say hello to you?
Forgive me for thinking the governor of a state of nearly 13 million people should be able to face one snotty newspaper columnist who is also a constituent and taxpayer. The second-floor conference room is a safe, controlled environment. The chairs are like upholstered clouds.
I only had one question, and it got asked despite my absence. You’ve said innumerable times that an extraction tax would chase drillers out of Pennsylvania, the “Saudi Arabia of Natural Gas.”
Do you really believe that?
You told the editorial board yes. If I had been there, I could have winked or pulled my ear as a signal that you were saying something no sane person could believe. Instead, I was at home catching up on “The Roosevelts” on PBS. Teddy Roosevelt walked softly and carried a big stick. You speak loudly and come off like a dipstick.
OK, that was mean, but the op-ed page hath no fury like a scribbler scorned.
About Kathleen: We were never more than friends. She asked me to go steady, and I said yes. That’s on me. But when I realized it would mean losing you, I changed my mind. Kathleen and I never went all the way, and we broke up weeks ago. She dumped a bucket of ice water over my head.
I don’t blame you for feeling vulnerable. You’re cratering in the polls and the thing most voters seem to like about your opponent is that he’s not you. Such are the perils of public life. As someone who has been on the public payroll his entire professional career, you really ought to have a thicker skin. Snubbing me just makes you look petty and paranoid.
But I’m not mad, Tom, and I’m not giving up on you. Playing hard to get just makes me more determined. I know what love is, and, like Glenn Close in “Fatal Attraction,” I’m not gonna be ignored.
CHRIS KELLY, the Times-Tribune columnist, doesn’t handle rejection well.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Kathleen Kane.......call me!!!!

The LuLac Edition #2736, September 23rd, 2014

CARTWRIGHT OPENS HEADQUARTERS

REMINDS DEMOCRATS OF ROOSEVELT ROOTS

As I was driving home from the Cartwright  event, I had an inspiration of what a great photo this would be for LuLac. Thanks to my friend Scott Cannon of Video Innovations for making the magic happen.

Congressman Matt Cartwright opened up his campaign headquarters on Monday evening. The 17th District Congressman drew a decent crowd with various people from all walks of life cheering him on for a second term. I saw young people there, Attorneys, laborers, senior citizens and people willing to make an effort to show up for an event for a Congressman that is regarded as a virtual lock for re-election.
Why would any person do that?
Maybe Cartwright’s little speech will shed some light on the reason. Cartwright began his remarks by referencing the 14 hour documentary on PBS by filmmaker Ken Burns. The Congressman said that for him the series was in effect the kick off to a fall campaign that is in desperate need of FDR pragmatism and commonsense. Cartwright noted that all the Democrats were now housed in his district as a majority courtesy of GOP gerrymandering in Harrisburg. Noting that he could relax a bit and just coast to victory, the Congressman urged those in attendance to work on races that usually aren’t competitive for Democrats. Cartwright also recounted the story of Owen Roberts, a prominent Philadelphia Attorney who later served on the Supreme Court under FDR. Roberts switched his vote a few times to make sure Social Security and a few other rulings become the law of the land. Roberts was known as “the switch in time that saved nine”. Roosevelt wanted to add justices to the Supreme Court to get the populace agenda that was needed in this country. Roberts is said to have prevented that confrontation by sane judgments.
At the end of his speech, Cartwright advised that sign up sheets were available. After the applause died down, those sheets started to get signed. That brings me to my earlier question as to why people showed up for an event where a Congressman was quite formidable.
Democrats of all stripes are sick and tired of loud mouth, bullying talk show hosts decrying the very foundations of The New Deal. Most right wing Republicans think that history began when Ronald Reagan got elected. Democrats have been stampeded into believing that the FDR program was socialism. That the Obama programs are socialism. That our freedoms are being stripped away. It has been more than a year since the GOP and some weak Democrats stopped Gun Registration. Has anyone come for anyone’s guns? Nope.
If you look at what progressives have done for this country it is staggering. From Teddy Roosevelt’s meat inspections (I wonder why any Republican in the last thirty years has not had the balls to run as a Teddy Roosevelt Republican!), his championing of child labor laws, to other programs passed and implemented by Democratic Presidents, things like Social Security, meaningful Civil Rights, Environmental Protections, Medicare, and now the Affordable Health Care Act. All of these benefits the Republicans use, take for granted but decry because it costs too much. Yet this new era GOP has spent billions on two wasted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. They’ll go against welfare for a struggling family (remember these guys refused to extend unemployment compensation over and over again) defying logic that the unemployed actually stimulate the economy. The GOP  said it cost too much.
What I saw at the Cartwright event is this. The sons and daughters, as well as the grandchildren of those who benefited from Social Security, Civil Rights, The GI Bill, Higher Education grants, decent working conditions have not forgotten their history. These Democrats ranging from ages between 21 and 81 are sick and tired of having what made the middle class in this country great in the last century chipped away bit by bit by lies, lack of perspective and even political entities trying to take them away.
FDR might have been on PBS last week. But his spirit is alive and well in generations born after his death that understand what he did for working people. Unlike the GOP crazies who worry more about saving the unborn while living and breathing children go without nutrition and educational opportunities, these Roosevelt Democrats get it.
Successful or not, they’ll be coming for those who will lie the Roosevelt legacy away. That’s why the Cartwright event was worthy of note. 

 Our "In Focus" logo. 

Wilkes Barre Area School Board member Shawn Walker with the Congressman. I had a very long conversation with the Reverend and he actually gave me hope for the Wilkes Barre Area School Board. 

The Congressman and I had an extended chat about his opponent, the NFL, Soup and the Governor's race. 

Attorney Marion Munley Cartwright chats with former Kanjorski aide Paul Maher. 

Mr. Tom Bindus took this photo of me, Cartwright staffer Bob Morgan and Bob Caruso. 

Photos taken by Brian Dowd. 

Cartwright office is located at 220 Carey Avenue in Wilkes Barre.

The LuLac Edition #2735, September 23rd, 2014

CORBETT-WOLF DEBATE WRAP

Governor Corbett and Tom Wolf shake hands at the end of the first debate. (Photo: Philly.com)

It was called “All About Tom" at the Hershey Lodge Monday night when Governor Tom Corbett and challenger Tom Wolf strolled the stage in front of an audience of 1800 at the Annual Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry dinner. Three major subjects dominated the debate. 
Education was front and center as well as finances and taxes.
Prior to the debate many political experts said that Corbett would be rattled and exasperated by Wolf’s easy style and calm demeanor. That did not appear to be the case. Corbett was strutting, jovial and more animated than I’ve ever seen him. Wolf brought to the stage the same measured performance that has been the hallmark of his campaign. Corbett defended his record, even at one point saying that both he and Wolf were pretty much saying the same things but disagreeing on how to get there. Well to me that’s why we hold elections. The GOP and the Democrats have always had conflicting designs on the machine called government.
Corbett got some applause during the night but he was among many people in the audience who were in agreement with his pro business stance. But Wolf blunted that by reminding the audience, on TV and in the Hotel that he was one of them, a businessman who twice worked to bring businesses, his business back from the brink.
Corbett held a sign saying Pensions while Wolf used no visuals.
The Governor portrayed himself as a champion of the tax payer saying he would not tax needlessly. He wanted to know where Wolf was going to find the money for his proposals. Wolf on the other hand was not pinned down on specifics saying he had no crystal ball. But he did say Pennsylvania was not moving forward. He pointed to his business ownership saying that you had to increase productivity. Wolf also refused to get tripped up on a question by moderator Dennis Owens of Channel 27 WHTM in Harrisburg who asked how Wolf would shift the burden from high income taxpayers to middle class ones. Wolf did say that the share of the tax burden has to come off property owners. Both candidates never got around to the definition of what constitutes the middle class in terms of income in the Commonwealth.
Corbett dodged a question on the minimum wage while Wolf said he would support it.
Both men presented themselves well and accomplished one big thing this evening. No one made a major bonehead mistake. Both sides I’m sure will say the debate was won by their man. The significant thing about debates is that they tend to energize the base. Corbett’s people will point to his performance and try to get out the vote. So too with Wolf.
Wolf is still leading in the polls but even he cautions that the Dems can’t take anything for granted.
The debate was a rapid fire affair with candidates needing to sum up their issues in a timely manner. Wolf as a challenger proved he could be in the same room, ie the Governor’s Mansion as Corbett. Corbett proved that he can come alive and be more personable. At one point he announced the birth of two grandsons, twin boys Elliot and Theodore (shades of the Roosevelts!!) and Wolf constantly touted his business experience and how he could manage the state better than Corbett 
The big take away on this debate is that Tom  Corbett came out swinging. He put his party on notice that he would defend his record strenuously and almost dared them to rally around him. With a Wolf lead in money and pols, the question remains if this was too little, too late.  Wolf on the other hand seemed nonplussed by the barbs remaining as always a different kind of candidate.
Result: Entertaining, fast paced and just enough details to entice interested voters in Round 2 in less than two weeks.

The LuLac Edition #2734, September 20th, 2014

2014 GOVERNOR’S RACE: THE FIRST DEBATE

Tom Wolf and Tom Corbett. (Photo: wfmz.com)

Monday night Governor Tom Corbett and his challenger businessman Tom Wolf are set to square off in their first debate for this year’s big race for the top job in Harrisburg.
The event will take place at the Annual Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry's Annual Dinner. In its 30 year history, there has never been a larger number of people who bought tickets to their dinner. 1800 tickets have been sold for this big event.
Here’s what to watch out for. Tom Corbett is going to have to state his record in clear terms. Corbett will have to outline his Education record explaining even with the restored cuts he says he made , why teachers are not happy with his work. Wolf will have to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Education was cut and explain if not defend the Rendell stimulus contribution. This is an issue that has so many blurred lines I believe it will be a challenge for both candidates to make the case. The bottom line here is that each group of supporters will believe what they want and the ads regarding education will keep running until election day. Wolf can make the case that with added Gas Drilling money, Education can be funded more efficiently.
Another hot topic will be the taxation of the Marsellius Shale industry. Wolf will be for it, Corbett will not, pointing out the taxes already charged to the gas developers. What will ensure next I believe will be a difference of opinion as to fiscal and taxation policy in the state.
Corbett will have to outline his financial plans for the Commonwealth in his next term if he gets one and Wolf will have to explain his campaign ads in more debt. How will he fund education, what types of jobs will he create and logistically how can Pennsylvania beat its chest as a business destination with fierce competition all around us in not only the Middle Atlantic region but the rest of the country.
Gubernatorial debates in the past have been yawners. Voters eyes glaze over when the candidates start talking facts and figures. But because this race is so one sided, look for a different dynamic here. Corbett down in the polls by a large margin has nothing to lose. He can be the grumpy old doctor who tells voters he knows the medicine tastes bitter but we have to take it to get better or he can be the reasoned prosecutor presenting his facts and going on the attack against Wolf.
Wolf on the other hand needs to be measured, thoughtful and kind of be a boxer avoiding the jabs and the punches thrown at him. Seeing him in his previous debates with his Democratic challengers he can take the heat. But he has to simultaneously debunk Corbett’s attacks on issues where voters have doubts about him and offer himself as a better alternative to the current Governor. Wolf, a Democrat must make the case that he can be the exception to what appears to be a GOP trend nationally in the off year elections.
There are other debates set for the rest of the year but the first one sets the tone and will be the one most covered by the pundits and the media. If it is a measured calm affair, you won’t see much interest in the other ones as the election continues. If it becomes lively, it may set the pace for the others ahead.
Bottom line is this: Corbett needs to be aggressive but not mean and present the side f him that many of his supporters say is there, that he is a good man.
Wolf needs to show the voters that he doesn’t have horns, is not the liberal tax and spend devil depicted by many right wingers and is the different kind of leader this state needs Those who have met Wolf see the potential of a 21st century 1960s era Bill Scranton type who can get things done. He needs to translate that to the people interested in the General Election.
The debate is at the Hershey Lodge and PCN will have live coverage starting at 7PM. The next debates are in the Philadelphia Oct. 1, and Oct. 8 in the western part of the state.

GOP TO HOST GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE WATCH PARTY

The Republican Party of Luzerne County, in partnership with the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, will host a Gubernatorial Debate Watch Party on Monday, September 22, 2014 beginning at 7:00 PM. The debate itself begins at 7:30 PM.
The Watch Party will be held at GOP Headquarters, 41 South Main Street, in Wilkes-Barre. The Headquarters is located next door to the Thai Thai Restaurant, about one block from Public Square.
Pizza and soft drinks will be provided. The Watch Party is open to the public and admission is free.

CARTWRIGHT OPENS HEADQUARTERS 

1964 PHILLIES @ 50

'64 Phillies @ 50 logo.

Fifty years ago this week the slide of the Philadelphia Phillies began with a series of games and actions that doomed the team that already had World Series tickets printed up. From MLB, Wikipedia Philly Sports History, Johnny Goodtimes, Steve Wulf and LuLac, the slide:
On 21 September, the team returned to Philadelphia to begin a three-game series (a sweep of that series would've clinched the flag for the Phils) against the Reds as part of a seven-game home stand, which included four against the Milwaukee Braves. Then the Phillies would go on the road, play three games in St. Louis, and end the season with 2 games in Cincinnati
Art Mahaffey began his first start since a 9-1 loss to the Giants on the 12th, pitching against John Tsitouris in the first game against the Reds. It was a pitcher's duel until the 6th inning when Chico Ruiz hit a single which was followed up by Vada Pinson hitting a line drive through the pitcher's box and past second base until Johnny Callison got the ball and threw out Pinson as he tried to reach 2d base. Ruiz made it over to third on the play. Frank Robinson then came up to bat, and swung and missed for strike one. Ruiz, on third, noted that Mahaffey had not checked him before pitching. On the next pitch, Ruiz broke for home plate. Surprised, Mahaffey pitched high and wild and the Phillies' catcher, Clay Dalrymple, jumped high but missed the ball, which went back to the screen. Ruiz successfully stole Home Plate, giving the Reds the lead and the game's only run Richie (later Dick) Allen said of the play: "The play broke our humps."
Chico Ruiz's steal of home has evolved into a popular culture legend. Some Philadelphia sports fans still refer to the "Curse of Chico Ruiz" as the reason for many of their teams' misfortunes.
In the next game, manager Gene Mauch rode Robinson, Ruiz and the rest of the Reds hard from the dugout, yelling over at them constantly about Ruiz and his stealing home the night before. The Reds responded with Frank Robinson hitting a two-run homer off Chris Short, who had to be taken out in the fifth inning. The Phillies lost and their lead was down to 4 1/2 games. In the third game of the series with the Reds, things went from bad to worse, when Dennis Bennett lasted six innings with a sore arm as the Phillies lost again, 6-4, with Pinson and Ruiz hitting home runs. The lead was now down to 3 1/2 games.
Milwaukee came in next and Bunning was the starter in game one. Joe Torre drove in three runs with two triples due to misplays in the outfield in a 5-3 loss, the fourth in a row. Then Chris Short pitched on two days rest in the next game, the Phillies lost, and the losing streak was at five, with the lead now down to a game and a half. The Braves then beat the Phillies, 6-4 (Art Mahaffey starting for the Phillies), and the lead dropped to a half-game over the Reds. Bunning then came in for game four, also pitching on two days rest, and lasted three innings in a 14-8 loss. With the fourth loss against the Braves and the 7th loss in a row, the Phillies dropped to second and Reds, having swept a doubleheader, took first place by 1 game. The Cardinals were right behind, a game and a half out of first place. The Phillies had lost every game of their last home stand of the season.
The crucial series came when the now second-place Phillies traveled to St. Louis to play the Cardinals after their losing home stand. They dropped the first game of the series to Bob Gibson by a 5–1 score, their eighth loss in a row, dropping them to third place. The Cardinals would sweep the three-game set and assume first place for good.

CHICO RUIZ AND THE BONEHEAD PLAY OF THE YEAR

September 21st is, quite simply, the darkest day in Philly Sports History. It was on this date, in 1964, that a mediocre utility infielder born with the name Hiraldo Sablon Ruiz did one of the stupidest things a baseball player can do, and in so doing started a chain of events that resulted in one of the most monumental collapses in the history of sports.
Born to a cigar maker in Cuba in 1938, at the time of the events in question he was a 25-year old rookie known as Chico. He is today more famous in Philadelphia than he is in his native city of Santo Domingo. If you don’t know who he is, ask your father. Or better yet, don’t. He seems happy. You’d hate to ruin his day. If your father is the salty sort, he’d probably just utter, “Chico F***ing Ruiz…I don’t want to talk about it.”
Ruiz is the gut punch in Philly that Bartman is in Chicago, and nearly as unlikely. He was a utility infielder with a .236 batting average when the Reds faced off with the Phillies that afternoon in 1964. The Phillies had Art Mahaffey on the mound, and a 6.5 game lead in the National League with 12 games to play. At 2:30 that afternoon, a young second baseman by the name of Pete Rose stepped into the batters box at Connie Mack Stadium, and the darkest day in Phils history began.
The 1964 Phils were a team whose whole was greater than the sum of its parts. The Giants had Mays, the Reds had Robinson, the Pirates had Clemente, the Braves had Aaron, the Phils had…Cookie Rojas. But it was a gritty team, the kind that Philadelphia falls madly in love with (see ’93 Phillies, 2001 Sixers). Go Phillies Go! bumper stickers started appearing on cars, and when World Series tickets went on sale in September, 90,000 were sold within hours. When their plane landed in Philly on September 19th after a West Coast swing, 2,000 fans had greeted them at the airport.
Mahaffey had his best stuff that day, and the game went into the 6th inning at double nil. With one out, Chico Ruiz got a single. Vada Pinson lined a screamer off of Mahaffey’s glove and into right field. Pinson tried to stretch it into a double, but Johnny Callison nailed him at 2nd with a perfect throw. And so, with two outs and Chico on 3rd, up to the plate stepped the dangerous Frank Robinson. Mahaffey quickly ran up two strikes on the right handed slugger, paying little attention to the Cuban dancing off of third base. Mahaffey wound up to deliver the pitch that he hoped would quell the Reds rally…and inexplicably Chico Ruiz broke for home.
If there is anything in baseball that is stupider than stealing home with 2 outs, 2 strikes, and a right hander at the plate, I can’t think of it off the top of my head. Mahaffey would explain why years later. “Chico Ruiz stole home with two outs and two strikes on Frank Robinson. Now you must realize that with two outs and two strikes, if you throw a strike Frank Robinson swings and knocks Chico Ruiz’s head off. It was just so stupid. Ruiz wasn’t even thinking. Robinson was so upset because he was one of the league’s leading hitters and near the lead in RBI and this guy’s stealing home with him hitting. It was just such a crazy thing. We didn’t know it was going to start a 10-game losing streak, but it couldn’t have started in more ridiculous way.”
Mahaffey was shaken by Rico’s brazen stupidity, perhaps scared that if he threw a strike he would be an accessory to an involuntary manslaughter. The ball went flying out of his hands, far outside of catcher Clay Dalrymple’s reach. Ruiz slid safely into home. There was a stone silence, as Phillies fans shook their heads in shock, and the Reds bench was dumbfounded by the stupidity of their 3rd basemen. “It was,” said Pete Rose years later, “The dumbest play I’ve ever seen. Except that it worked.” The Reds took a 1-0 lead, and they held it. The Phillies went 0-8 with runners in scoring position, and the game ended 1-0 in the Reds favor.

After the game, Phils manager Mauch would scream in the clubhouse, “Chico Fucking Ruiz beats us on a bonehead play of the year. Chico Fucking Ruiz steals home with Frank Robinson up! Can you believe it?” The next night, Mauch ordered his pitcher to drill him in the ribs. Ruiz smiled as he walked to first.
The “bonehead play of the year” started the monumental collapse of 1964. The Phils would lose their next 9 games as well, manager Gene Mauch would panic and start his two best pitchers (Bunning and Short) on two days rest 6 times, despite having Ray Culp waiting in the wings. The rest of the collapse is another story for another day. But today is a dark anniversary of the steal that started it all.
As for Chico Fucking Ruiz? In 1967, he became the first and only player to ever pinch hit for Johnny Bench. In 1969, he would utter one of the most hilarious sentences in baseball history. After starting for two straight weeks for injured shortstop Leo Cardenas, Ruiz stormed into the managers office with an ultimatum. “Bench me or trade me!” He was traded to the Angels, where he had a Gilbert Arenas moment with teammate Alex Johnson, allegedly pulling a gun on Johnson in the clubhouse. In 1972, he died in a car accident in San Diego. He was 33-years old. In his 8-year career, he stole home one time.
I was 10 at the time. I lived an died with the Phillies that year. I was obnoxious when they won, I was inconsolable when they lost. After the slide, I was comforted by the fact (just barely) that my father’s team the Cardinals were in the World Series against the Yankees. As a young boy it was valuable for me. Things never go the way you plan and as those philosophers of rock The Rolling Stones sang to us later, well you know what they sang. 

The LuLac Edition #2733, September 18th, 2014

THE “SURVIVALIST” IN HIDING

First off the blatant assassination of a State Trooper last week was horrible. There is a suspect and he is a person dubbed as a “survivalist”. Ironic that this person played war games, thought of himself as a military man and seemed oh so nasty chose a the most cowardly way to kill someone. Now “the survivalist” is said to be in hiding. Because that what all cowards, cunning or not do. In the meantime they buried the State Trooper Bryon Dickson today who served his state by doing a thankless job fighting crime. Not from the shadows but on the front lines, face to face. That’s what real men do Mr. Survivalist, that’s what REAL MEN do!

WHY IS THIS GUY SMILING??????????

Dallas Cowboy Michael Sam. (Photo: ESPN.Com)
When Michael Sam the first publicly announced gay players was drafted earlier this year, the big hue and cry was that his sexuality was going to offer a big distraction to the NFL. Thousands of words were written by scribes who pondered how America would treat him, how his team mates would accept him and just what team would choose him. After the Rams tabbed him, there was speculation as to how long he would stay. Then when he did get cut, people argued if that was fair or not.
Samm is now with the Cowboys Practice squad. Bu no one is saying a word about it because the NFL had bigger problems with heterosexual lunk head thugs who thought it was perfectly acceptable to beat on their women. Then the NFL Commissioner was taken to task for his very weak condemnation of their actions. It is even said that he might lose the job he has coveted most in life because he treated the thugs as athletic Gods who could do no wrong. Harm to some but no wrong on the playing field.
What Goodell and his minions have not noticed is this. People in America are football crazy. They don’t give a rat’s ass if Ray Rice pummeled his wife in an elevator. Women even wore his jersey. It is not about the player but the game. Goodell would have been better off to send these guys packing. Oh there might have been some heat for a few weeks but he would have done the right thing for his integrity and in the long run the game he so loves.
To prove my point, please tell me who the running back was on the Ravens before Ray Rice and who was the guy who Adrian Peterson replaced?
You can’t. The games go on. The players are interchangeable. Mrs. LuLac’s late boss Joan Costello used to say “No one is irreplaceable”. By thinking his mighty players gods were, Roger Goodell just may find out he is not the indispensable man he fashioned himself to be.

Cartwright Applauds Inclusion of His Legislation in Appropriations Bill for 2nd Year; Will Provide Pay Raise to Nearly 2,000 Blue-Collar Federal Workers at Tobyhanna Army Depot

Congressman Matt Cartwright. (Photo: LuLc archives)
U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright released the following statement after the passage (319-108) of H.J.Res. 124 the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015. The legislation provides funding for the U.S. Federal Government operations through December 11, 2014:
"I am thrilled that this appropriations bill has once again adopted the language from the Wage Grade Employee Parity Act, which I introduced in November, 2013. The legislation and its inclusion provides nearly 2,000 Wage Grade (WG), or hourly, employees at Tobyhanna Army Depot and nearly a quarter million blue-collar federal workers across the country a 1% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in addition to the 1% COLA received over the past fiscal year.
"Additionally, the inclusion of the 1% COLA will positively affect hourly workers at both the Social Security Dock and Veterans Hospital in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County. I’d like to thank the Committee on Appropriations for again including my legislation and recognizing the important contributions of our blue-collar federal workers."
Rep. Matt Cartwright represents Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District, which includes Schuylkill County and portions of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, and Northampton Counties. Cartwright serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Cartwright News Release.

MEDIA MATTERS

ECTV

 Find out what the Lackawanna County Library system has in store for the Fall season on ECTV Live when the program airs its September 22nd series. The program is hosted by David DeCosmo and can be seen on Comcast Ch19 (Ch 61 in some areas). It is broadcast several times each day throughout the week

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

Sunday morning on Community Forum Mike Remish talks with Doug Harbach from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Tune in Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker, 6:30 on The Game Sports Radio Network 1340, 1400 and 1440 am and 100.7 and 106.7 fm, and at 7:30 on 105 The River

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine

Part 1 of Brian Hughes' 2 part interview with judicial activist Bruce Levin and Lou Jasikoff from the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Independent Gazette about the difficulties with Lackawanna County Family Court.
Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with Karen from PROSPER about their 5K Run/Walk next Saturday in Scranton to benefit drug and alcohol prevention programs.
And Brian speaks with Cindy Gentry from the Life Happens Foundation about the importance of life insurance for the "Millennial Generation. Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X, and 6:25am on Magic 93.

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.

CORBETT’S SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME

Every Wednesday at 5PM, Steve Corbett shines the light on a Public official with his “Somebody’s Watching Me” segment. Corbett picks an alleged public servant to eye ball and observe. Batten down the lawn furniture in the driveway and that e mail machine. There is nowhere to hide when “somebody’s Watching”. Wednesdays at 5 on WILK’s Corbett program.

Our 1974 logo.

1974

Lou Brock ties (104) & then sets (105) baseball stolen base mark…NY Dolls disband.Portugal recognizes independence of Rep of Guinea-Bissau....Teuvo Louhivouri sets cycling distance record of 515.8 mi in 24 hrs....Cards beat Mets, 4-3, in 25 innings record 202 plate appearances, Félix Millán & John Milner come to bat 12 times each...Coup overthrows Emperor Haile Selassie in Ethiopia (National Day)...Jeff "Skunk" Baxter joins Doobie Brothers 1st broadcast of "Rockford Files" on NBC-TV

The Phillies set NL record, using 27 players in a game, St Louis uses 24, tying record of 51. Phils win 7-3 in 17……………in Pennsylvania Governor Milton Shapp proclaims that in his first term Pennsylvania tackled tough issues that were ignored by previous administrations. His opponent Drew Lewis paints the Shapp administration as riddle with corruption and as a tax and spend government…in Luzerne County word goes through the political grapevine that a charter study commission question will be put on the ballot in 1975 and forty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was "Then Came You" by Dionne Warwick & the Spinners.


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The LuLac Edition #2732, September 17th, 2014

Our “Write On Wednesday” logo 

WRITE ON WEDNESDAY

EYEBALLING MOON LAKE

This week’s Write On Wednesday is about Moon Lake Park in Luzerne County. For a few generations the county had Moon Lake Park as a recreational facility that was used by many residents. With the County budget in recovery, albeit a long one, places like the park have been put on the back burner. But our friend Wil Toole has written a letter to the Council and the local newspapers expressing his ideas. Here is what he wrote:
Dear Member of County Council,
Below is a copy of a letter to the Editor I sent with regard to Moon Lake. Many of the points in the letter I made to the county during regular monthly meetings.
One additional point I want to make is that in today's paper, it was noted that the facility having been acquired and built using "Project 70" money might hinder the possibility of timbering the wood lands. I would just point out that the argument could be made that proper timbering could be consider an act of conservation thus protecting the property for future generations.
MY LETTER TO THE EDITOR IS AS FOLLOWS"
Dear Editor,
Over the past few years, I have appeared at county commissioners and county council meetings to offer suggestions on various subjects. I am well aware that the quality of life is always a major contributing factor when big business is in search of a new location. Geographically, Luzerne County has more to offer than any other area in Pennsylvania. We have various cultural and entertainment facilities, quality colleges, access to the Susquehanna river which grows cleaner every year and lakes as well as our great four seasons. The highway system allows for easy access and the WB-Scr Airport are all part of the enticement and the abundance of industrial infrastructure all play a major part. Another important factor is the availability of health care facilities.
Recreation is always needed and appreciated so for us to allow the Moon Lake recreational area to go to waste just doesn't make sense. With the recent suggestion the county invest 2 million dollars in the park, I thought it was time for me to once again offer some suggestions that would help revitalize the Moon Lake facility. I did give these suggestion to a member of the county council but he indicated there was little interest but he would continue to try to move ahead with them.
Please note that some of the suggestions I mention can be revenue producing. The following are the suggestions I have made with regard to Moon Lake:
Create a realistic operating budget and then try to sell the naming rights to cover the yearly operating cost or as much of it as possible. Corporations or even the Mohegan Sun have shown interest is such efforts with regard to the arena so it might work with Moon Lake.
Use prison help to clean up the park.
Offer a section of the park to both the boy scouts and girl scouts to have their own camping area and they can "police" the grounds on a weekly basis.
Build docks and rent season docking space to fishermen and boating enthusiasts.
Ask high school Key Clubs to adopt the park as a club project to help maintain the facility.
Request the Voc-Tech schools to use the facility as a classroom project to repair facilities. This would be good hands on experience for the electrical class, carpenter class and masonry class. If the schools have an "architectural design" class, they can design various projects and if they don't have such a course, LCCC does.
Build some large pavilions for group rental.
Open the park for camping all four seasons. Offer winter use for snowmobiling, cross country skiing, ice fishing and even ice skating.
Offer a concession for food stands.
Refurbish the camping sites. Make season rentals of camp sites available.
A well planned forestry program designed by Penn State and the State Forester would provide income and a safer wooded area.
A walking (hiking) and biking track would be a great addition.
Those are most of what I've talked about over the past several years and there may be things I have forgotten and I'm sure that others would have suggestions if encouraged.
Insist that the Vacation Bureau put an effort into advertising the park facility and what it has to offer.
Looking down the road, a large boat launch on the Susquehanna would be well used and appreciated.
There are no limits as to what can be created with imagination and a cooperative attitude.
Wil Toole

The LuLac Edition #2731, September 16th, 2014

STAR SPANGLED BANNER @ 200

The anthem and Francis Scott Key. (Photos: Robinson Library.com) 

Key was even on a  stamp. (Image: Collect.com)

Today marks the 200th anniversary of The Star Spangled Banner. As a historical recap, The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort M'Henry",a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in the Chesapeake Bay during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. Key wrote a poem on the back of a letter he had kept in his pocket. At twilight on September 16, he and Skinner were released in Baltimore. He completed the poem at the Indian Queen Hotel, where he was staying, and titled it "Defence of Fort M'Henry".
The poem was set to the tune of a popular British song written by John Stafford Smith for the Anacreontic Society, a men's social club in London. "The Anacreontic Song" (or "To Anacreon in Heaven"), with various lyrics, was already popular in the United States. Set to Key's poem and renamed "The Star-Spangled Banner", it would soon become a well-known American patriotic song. With a range of one octave and one fifth (a semitone more than an octave and a half), it is known for being difficult to sing. Although the poem has four stanzas, only the first is commonly sung today.
"The Star-Spangled Banner" was recognized for official use by the Navy in 1889, and by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, and was made the national anthem by a congressional resolution on March 3, 1931 which was signed by President Herbert Hoover.
Before 1931, other songs served as the hymns of American officialdom. "Hail, Columbia" served this purpose at official functions for most of the 19th century. "My Country, 'Tis of Thee", whose melody is identical to "God Save the Queen", the British national anthem, also served as a de facto anthem. Following the War of 1812 and subsequent American wars, other songs emerged to compete for popularity at public events, among them "The Star-Spangled Banner". (Wikipedia.com, Robinson Library.com).

The LuLac Edition #2730, September 15th, 2014

HARRIS WOFFORD HONORED

 
Former Senator Harris Wofford. (Photo: Google.com)

Friday night the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee honored former Senator and co founder of the Peace Corps Harris Wofford. The Jefferson/Jackson Dinner gave Wofford the Lifetime Achievement Award. The candidate for Lt. Governor State Senator Mike Stack presented Wofford with the award. Over 300 people attended the event which kicked off a weekend of meetings that dealt with everything from the possible location of the 2016 Presidential nominating Convention in Philadelphia to the 2014 Governor’s race. Candidate Tom Wolf made an appearance at the meeting on Saturday morning.
Remarks were made by former Scranton Mayor James McNulty who outlined the career of Harris Wofford. McNulty highlighted Wofford’s career calling him a “living Pennsylvanian legend”. Utilizing a slide show, McNulty orchestrated presentation of the career of Wofford through pictures and his words. He also referred to Wofford’s tenure as Secretary of Labor and Industry in the state as well as his various involvements through the years in volunteerism and public service. When Wofford mentioned this, when Wofford won the Presidential Medal Winner of Honor, the crowd gave the honoree and by extension the speaker a standing ovation.
In accepting the honor, Wofford spoke of the many friends who ran for Governor. Wofford proclaimed he hoped he could be around the future Inaugurations. Wofford recanted great memories and thanks the crowd for the honor but also the opportunity to serve.


Former Scranton Mayor Jim McNulty said that the award is long overdue. McNulty noted that people of a certain quality, a person like Harris Wofford that comes along in only one generation should be recognized while they are still around to hear it.

Former Scranton Mayor James McNulty with Harris Wofford at the event on Friday.

Wofford was indeed around along with 300 others around Friday night to hear the kind words and thoughts of his fellow party members.
Here is the video that was shown at the event introduced by Mayor McNulty.Hit the arrow on the left to view.

Wofford Jefferson Jackson Dinner Award from CCD on Vimeo.
Here is a video that was a tribute to Mr. Wofford last year.  

Harris Wofford with JFK. (Photo: google.com)

Harris Wofford with President Clinton. (photo: google.com)

Harris Wofford with President Obama. (photo: google.com)