The LuLac Edition #2824, January 23rd, 2015
JOHNSON AND "SELMA"
1. Lyndon Johnson was not against the march but urged Dr. King to put it all out there to get Americans behind him. Johnson had already won a landslide election and wanted to get the Voting Rights Act signed not for him but for black Americans. He encouraged it and didn’t fight it as intimated in the movie. There are hundreds of tapes of Johnson reiterating his support.
2. LBJ never tapped Marin Luther King’s phones. Bobby Kennedy did two years earlier as Attorney General under JFK.
These are two huge critical historical points that cannot be ignored. It is no wonder the Academy Awards people kind of looked at this movie with a jaundiced eye and bypassed it for nominations.
A friend of mine went to Mississippi a few years back and reenacted some of the steps of the Civil Rights worker both black and white fighting for freedom. He visited a house that prominently had photos of John Kennedy and Martin Luther King. He asked the home owners about whether Johnson’s importance was the same as JFK and MLK’s. He really couldn’t get a straight answer.
The bottom line is Lyndon Johnson in terms of Civil Rights and all he did for that cause is the most unappreciated American President in this great fight. When Oliver Stone made JFK, people in my generation had to debunk some of the tall tales he told for “dramatic effect”. Johnson was behind the assassination, a cabal of gay men in Louisiana were involved in it and elements of JFK’s government were behind it. I don’t want a new generation of young people to see a total misrepresentation of the way it was back then. History is hard enough to comprehend in its most complex form without muddying it up with “theatre”. To diminish Johnson’s courage, political acumen and true role with lies is both editorially ignorant and shameful.
"Selma"…………………off my list. .
TAXPAYERS BURNT BY BBQ
So now it comes to light that the recently closed eatery in Wilkes Barre, Maer’s BBQ was given a Luzerne County business development loan to the tune of $42,000. Oh man. This is what really kills me. We are told, hey small business is the fiber of America, pull yourselves up by your bootstraps, you welfare slugs in public housing, why not start a business. Take a chance, be an entrepreneur. That sound great but not without money from a county that needs every penny. Now I know this loan was given or pissed away, anyway you want to slice it in 2011. But taxpayers should pay for services, roads and yes even employees. But not for working capital for a restaurant. Did Abe’s need a small business loan when it started years ago? You think China Queen got a loan to open up? When the place closed they chalked it up to a dangerous downtown. No one wants to go there anymore. Sorry not buying it. You can’t get parking anywhere some nights, that’s how vibrant the downtown is. The police presence there is good. County taxpayers bitch about $5.00 vehicle fee but then we see this happen? I hope this stops and doesn’t happen again. Maybe the County Council should take a page out of the GOP playbook when they told unemployed workers that they couldn’t afford no more extensions for unemployment. We can’t afford to get burnt anymore by BBQ. You want to start your own business……do it on your own.
OBAMA TO SNUB NETANYAHU
Word came out of the White House this week that President Obama will not meet with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Prime Minister is arriving in March just two weeks before an election in Israel. The White House said the President’s decision was to keep in standing with his policy not to meet with heads of state when that meeting is in close proximity to their election. Meanwhile both Mitch McConnell and John Boehner have invited Netanyahu.to address joint session of Congress. The White House says that negotiations with Iran are at a delicate stage in terms of that county owning atomic weaponry. I get that negotiations are important but just who is our ally here? Is it Israel who has stood for freedom since 1968 or Iran who held American s t by for 444 days? The snub to Israel to me is really out of line. It empowers nations that want to eliminate Israel and gives them the impression that the U.S. is not behind Israel. Politically it harms the President because loud mouth nuts jobs like Michael Savage will keep screaming that Mr. Obama is a Muslim (which he is not) and wants to destroy Israel. Not a good move all around.
CARTWRIGHT, CASEY, TOOMEY INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO MAKE PEPPER SPRAY PILOT PROGRAM LAW
U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced the introduction of legislation to make permanent the ability of Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Correctional Officers and any correctional worker who could respond to conflicts – including all Correctional Officers, unit staff, and cafeteria or administrative workers in housing units – to carry pepper spray. Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Pennsylvania Senators Bob Casey, and Pat Toomey.
During his visit to USP Canaan in April 2014, officers from the Council of Prison Locals, a part of the American Federal Government Employees Union that represents federal prison employees approached Cartwright about legislation to make permanent the current pepper spray pilot program.
“Since the tragic death of Office Eric Williams, I have been committed to finding ways to provide a safer work place environment for these men and women, “said Cartwright. “Correctional Officers and prison employees put their lives on the line every day to meet inmates’ needs and keep our communities safe. This legislation is a great first step, but more needs to be done to address severe underfunding and a lack of adequate staffing to safeguard prison workers.”
In February 2013, Cartwright wrote to the BOP to immediately expedite the pepper spray pilot program to include all USPs after USP Canaan Correctional Officer, Eric Williams, was murdered in the line of duty by an inmate.
Subsequently, in March 2013, the current pepper spray pilot program was extended to all 20 high-security prisons in the U.S., including USP Canaan. And, in April 2014, the BOP expanded the pepper spray pilot program from Correctional Officers in certain posts to unit staff as well, including case managers and counselors who work directly with inmates.
During the 113th Congress, Cartwright convened Pennsylvania Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey, as well as Rep. David McKinley (R-WV), to continue working on proposed legislation to make the pepper spray pilot program law. As a result, the four lawmakers introduced The Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act of 2014.
In November of last year U.S. Bureau of Prisons Director Charles Samuels announced the expansion of the Pepper Spray Pilot Program to include staff who work in recreation, food service, and receiving and discharge. Additionally, the Bureau is providing pepper spray to staff in all of the designated positions at six medium security institutions.
“I welcome the expansion, but there is still more work to be done. This legislation would make the pepper spray program permanent, as well as expand pepper spray availability to medium and higher security facilities,” said Cartwright.
The Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act of 2015 would also permanently extend availability to all correctional workers, not just certain correctional officers and unit staff, and require workers to complete a BOP-directed training before carrying pepper spray.
PASHINSKI: WATCH FOR THOSE UTILITY IMPOSTERS
State Representative Eddie Day Pashinski. (Photo: Articlewn.com).
State Representative Eddie Day Pashinski sent a notice to area citizens who might be approached by rip off artists impersonating utility workers. Utility companies are reminding you that criminals sometimes pose as their workers to gain entry and rob your home. These fake workers will say they are investigating a dirty water complaint by a neighbor or checking water pressure due to a nearby main break. Once they get inside, they will divert your attention by sending you to the basement or kitchen to run a faucet while they, or an accomplice, rob another area of your house.
You should know that utility workers will never show up at your home without an appointment. However, if a workers does come to your home and you weren’t expecting them, DO NOT let them inside without proper identification. Also, a worker on scene will never ask for nor accept payment at a customer’s home or business.
Don’t be afraid to ask for photo ID, and take the time to examine the ID badge whenever someone from a utility company arrives at your home. If you are still unsure and have any suspicions about the individual’s identity, call 9-1-1 immediately.
STORM POLITICS
David Yonki and Tiffany Cloud on Election Night 2012. (Photo: WYLN TV 35)
One week from tonight--perspective shifts--A NEW episode of The Storm.
Guest host: Liberal David Yonki, LuLac Political Letter
In the hot seat, guest: Yours truly!
Yep, switching it up...I'll be answering the questions...and will not hold back.
WYLNTV35 8pm Wednesday Jan 28th
SUNDAY MAGAZINE
This Week on Sunday Magazine
Brian Hughes speaks with Stephanie Wissman from API Pennsylvania about gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale region and the impact of lower energy prices.
Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with Will Beekman from the Kirby Center about their 2015 schedule.
Brian speaks with Ron Davis about "Bowl For A Cause" coming up on march 15th at Chacko Lanes in Wilkes Barre.
And This Week In Harrisburg features highlights from the inaugurations of Governor Tom Wolf & Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack and Senator John Blake of Lackawanna County weighs in on non profit groups in Pennsylvania.
Sunday Magazine, Sunday mornings at 5am on NASH--FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X & Sports Radio 590 & 6:25am on Magic 93.
ECTV
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 1965 logo.
1965
Anti-Hindi agitations break out in India, because of which Hindi does not get "National Language" status and remains one of the 23 official languages of India……….Generalissimo Francisco Franco meets with Jewish representatives to discuss legitimizing Jewish communities in Spain…..Iranian premier Hassan Ali Mansur assassinated by 17-year-old Mohammad Bokharaei, a member of the Fadayan-e Islam………US launches TIROS 9 weather satellite…..The Beatles appear on Shindig (ABC-TV) this week, it was a rerun of their 1964 appearance
and also on the same network, King Family Show" (musical variety) premieres…
in Pennsylvania Governor Bill Scranton states that a new Constitutional Convention should be a goal that both the Executive and Legislative branches can work toward……in Wilkes Barre Council Robert Brader takes charge of the Office of Public Works as Council doles our responsibilities to each member and fifty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was “The Name Game” by Shirley Ellis.
posted by David Yonki @ 8:25 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Yonk, your comments on the Republicans inviting Netanyahu to address both Houses is way off base. Like it or not, Friends and enemies =come and go in politics and Obama has been working long and hard to come to some form of truce with Iran. Other nations also believe this is a good thing but they all recognize that no effort is bad and if things work out and Iran goes wrong then it will call for their own destruction. What Boehner and McConnell did ws way out of order and a direct slap ant Obama. I'm surprised you came down on the side you did.
It is about time the truth of LBJ is coming out. The man was a horrible racist, his only goal was getting votes, not achieving equality. And perhaps the producers of Selma really understand what LBJ was.
Manyare now seeing past the historical revision, and it is really getting under the skin of LBJ supporters.
LBJ was a miserable human being, a bully and yes, racist to his core.
Buying into the stereotype that blacks were afraid of snakes he’d drive to gas stations with one in his trunk and try to trick black attendants into opening it.
Lyndon Johnson remarking on civil rights in 1957:
“These Negroes, they’re getting pretty uppity these days and that’s a problem for us since they’ve got something now they never had before, the political pull to back up their uppityness. Now we’ve got to do something about this, we’ve got to give them a little something, just enough to quiet them down, not enough to make a difference. For if we don’t move at all, then their allies will line up against us and there’ll be no way of stopping them, we’ll lose the filibuster and there’ll be no way of putting a brake on all sorts of wild legislation. It’ll be Reconstruction all over again.”
Lyndon Johnson, had been installed in his position by Southern Democrats precisely in order to block civil rights legislation. Until the 1950s, Johnson’s record of opposition to all civil rights legislation was spotless. But he was ambitious and wanted to be president. . . .
After dragging his feet on the civil rights bill throughout much of 1957, Johnson finally came to the conclusion that the tide had turned in favor of civil rights and he needed to be on the right side of the issue if he hoped to become president. . . .
Every thing he did in regards to race was to bolster his position and make African Americans feel they owed him.
In Flawed Giant, Johnson biographer Robert Dallek writes that Johnson explained his decision to nominate Thurgood Marshall to the Supreme Court rather than a less famous black judge by saying, “when I appoint a n--- to the bench, I want everybody to know he’s a n---.”
Robert Parker, Johnson’s sometime chauffer, described in his memoir Capitol Hill in Black and White a moment when Johnson asked Parker whether he’d prefer to be referred to by his name rather than “boy,” “n-----” or “chief.” When Parker said he would, Johnson grew angry and said, “As long as you are black, and you’re gonna be black till the day you die, no one’s gonna call you by your goddamn name. So no matter what you are called, n-----, you just let it roll off your back like water, and you’ll make it. Just pretend you’re a goddamn piece of furniture.”
And let us not forget his opinion of those of Asian decent.
"“hordes of barbaric yellow dwarves” in East Asia."
Johnson was as ugly on the inside as he was on the outside.
He strived to keep African-Americans repressed, not equal. He pushed for them to be on welfare, to be constantly dependent on the government, and more importantly, democrats, as their providers, or perhaps a better word for a man of LBJ's ilk, their masters.
Try the Jerusalem Post, Anon 12:07 AM, as backup to your conclusion on Netanyahu playing politics, sabotoging the Iran nuclear limit talks that conclude this summer, and sanctions by us on Iran.
The sanctions are fine now as talks are going on. Oil price collapse aids the mess too.
But Republicans have introduced tougher sanctions on Iran. Obama opposes that as leading to end of talks on nuclear limits.
They are meddling in foreign affairs again.
The Constitution says the President handles that, not Congress.
Neither Netanyahu, nor Republican leaders in Congress give a fig about that paragraph of our Constitution.
The net for Bibi is to slap Obama, and get reelected at home in March.
The net for Congress is to slap Obama, have more sanctions, collapse the nuclear talks, then blame Obama for a policy failure THEY illegally manufacture.
Just another day in D.C.
Erie Eyes
10:37 AM IN RESPONSE
A horrible human being? Look that story about Johnson and the snakes has been around for years. Men of that era, people of that era were products of a culture that has receded. Quite honesty I don’t think it is gone yet given some of the interactions I’ve had with people in other parts of this country. But it was part of the fabric of life sad to say.
But you cannot ignore the fact that Lyndon Johnson stepped up to finish the Civil Right legacy of JFK. JFK by the way had to be pushed into his action. He wasn’t going to do anything until after the ’64 election. If you think that all Johnson cared about was votes, then why did he ram the Civil Rights Act of 1964 through Congress in an election year? One of the best reads on this comes from Clay Risen who wrote The Bill of the Century: The Epic Battle for the Civil Rights Act and The Civil Rights Act of 1964: The Passage of the Law That Ended Racial Segregation by Robert D. Loevy. Both detail how tough it was. The southern wing of Johnson’s party was against him. These were the guys who brought him to power in 1952 just four scant years after winning an election in Texas. He was in danger politically from the Kennedy left who thought him usurper to the throne and the right who didn’t want this bill passed. I’m shocked there wasn’t a challenge from the right in '64. But Johnson was blessed by a Republican party who turned away from moderates like Bill Scranton and Nelson Rockefeller and voted for Barry Goldwater. Goldwater by the way voted against the Civil Rights Act of ’64.
After his election, Johnson urged King to get his people mobilized because he knew that many Americans felt that blacks should be satisfied with the '64 act. The Voting Rights Act of ’65 was pushed by the White House as well as liberal and moderate Republicans. There was still opposition in the South.
After that victory, Vietnam intervened between King and Johnson. King believed the war was wrong and unfairly targeted the most disadvantaged for the draft and Johnson did little to get himself out of that quagmire. The Housing Act of 1968 was passed in a watered down version because by that time Vietnam, assassinations and a general unrest in the country prevented an earlier passage.
Johnson might have not been the poster boy blacks and liberals wanted. He might have had those snakes but he also remembered being a teacher when he got out of college. He heard the plaintive questions of young Mexican students who asked “why do people hate me because I’m different?”
Was he flawed? You bet. Was he egotistical? Certainly. Did he treat people around him like crap? Of course. This week marks the anniversary of the death of Winston Churchill. 50 years ago Johnson made news by snubbing his new Vice President Hubert Humphrey by not sending him to the funeral. In my mind, I always felt he cost HHH the election by being so stubborn about the war in ’68.
Was he a prick? I’m sure. But here’s what I go by. If I wrote this once, I’ve wrote it a million times, the late Governor Bob Casey always said, “What did you do when you had the power?”
The sainted JFK dawdled, the sainted RFK wiretapped King, the guy with the snakes in the trunk worked to pass the three landmark bills that changed America. And I find it interesting that the same Conservative wing of the GOP party that opposed the bill has been trying to suppress the vote in this century through Voter ID. Just saying.
OBAMA TO SNUB NETANYAHU?
Where the hell you been Yonk? Obama's been rudely snubbing him from the get go.
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