The LuLac Edition #2850, March 5th, 2015

NETANYAHU’S SPEECH

Benjamin Netanyahu before Congress. (Photo: CNN.com)

I’m confused. In a country where we declare “I might not agree with what you say but I will fight to the death your right to say it”, why were there so many people afraid of what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had to say?  The Obama administration has been frosty to the leader of our strongest ally in the Mideast. I’m afraid that this administration is soft pedaling the commitment to Israel. Every U.S. President since Harry Truman has been a partner with Israel. Yet this administration has put the country at arm’s length. 
For Democrats like me, it puts me in the same tent with members of the GOP House. I understand that we don’t want Iran to have weapons but it appears we are being way too polite. Let’s look at the balance sheet. This is a country that took hostages from our embassy in 1979 and held them for 444 days. This is a country that has a faction of radical Islam true believers  that can and will be a force in their government.
On the other hand Israel has stood by us in every endeavor. In a way their government has more decisiveness in utilizing its military than we have recently. Did you ever notice when Israel is attacked, their fight is furious and at least for a time their enemies knew what hit them. I can’t imagine other armies in the Mideast doing what Israel has done historically. When we send military aid to Israel, the soldiers don’t run away and don’t leave their guns behind. They do what soldiers do, fight, survive or die. No gray area here.
As long as the Iranian government does not disavow the actions of Islamic terrorists, we should do everything in our power to stop them from having atomic weapons. Israel is our philosophical partner in the Middle East. Their culture and values is the closest to ours. On a more practical level why are we wasting all that money we put into the Israeli government since it started? Are we rooting for failure here? The Prime Minister laid it out and made no bones about the danger. Here’s what the Prime Minister said, “The greatest danger facing our world is the marriage of militant Islam with nuclear weapons. We can't let that happen. But that, my friends, is exactly what could happen if the deal now being negotiated is accepted by Iran. That deal will not prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. It would all but guarantee that Iran gets those weapons, lots of them”.
Here’s a what if. What if the Westboro Baptist Church, an extremist religion in the United States had religious power in our government? Would we be trusted to do the right thing? Don’t think so. By trusting Iran to do the “right thing”, by saying pretty please to our former enemy and essentially thumbing our noses at a long time ally is not only foolhardy but dangerous.

HIGH STAKES AT THE HIGH COURT….AGAIN

KING V. BURWELL THREATENS TO DESTROY GAINS IN COVERAGE, STRIP HEALTH COVERAGE FROM 329,000 PENNSYLVANIANS

Oral arguments begin in King v. Burwell, a case which pits partisan opponents of the health care law against millions of Americans benefitting from it. A ruling against the Affordable Care Act in this case would strip premium tax credits from people who live in states like Pennsylvania, where lawmakers declined the opportunity to establish a state-based marketplace. Invalidating tax credits for roughly 9 million Americans would have immediate and severe consequences, destabilizing insurance markets across the country and destroying the gains in coverage made possible by the ACA in the past two years.
More than 422,000 Pennsylvanians are currently enrolled in private health plans through Healthcare.gov; 81% of them received financial help via the law's tax credits to do so. A ruling against the ACA in King v. Burwell would force these newly-enrolled Pennsylvanians to come up with an extra $200 a month to keep their coverage (the average annual tax credit per enrollee in Pennsylvania is $2,610). That's not a viable option for these folks, nearly all of whom have low or moderate incomes. Estimates show that without financial help, 329,000 Pennsylvanians would lose coverage.
Karen Bernard and her husband Bill Pepmeyer, would be among those losing coverage if the Supreme Court sides with opponents of the ACA. Karen and Bill enrolled in the Marketplace at the start of the first open enrollment period and can't afford to lose their coverage. Karen works part-time at a grocery store; until recently, Bill ran his own small business. Bill was forced to give that up to focus on his health after being diagnosed with leukemia. Karen and Bill, like so many others, are worried about what the Supreme Court will do. Karen said: "My husband has cancer. He had to sell his small business and now he receives disability checks. I work but do not make much. Without the Affordable Care Act we cannot afford health care. Period."
There is no legal basis for the Supreme Court to take health insurance away from Karen and Bill, and 9 million others. The clear intent of Congress in crafting the Affordable Care Act was to make coverage affordable for all Americans, no matter where they live. Advocates are hopeful that the Supreme Court will take into account the context and intent of the law and uphold the ACA once more.
"The consequences of this case cannot be overstated: A ruling against the ACA would be devastating to millions of Americans and wreak havoc on our health care system. If they take this away from people the tears of joy we've come to see in the eyes of those we've helped get covered after years of being denied or priced out of the market will once again turn to tears of frustration, anxiety and fear. Said Antoinette Kraus, Director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network."

NOTABLE DEATHS

SCOTT DIETTERICK

Scott Dietterick, a former Kingston Councilman and State Representative passed away last week at the age of 75. As a Representative in the 120th he succeeded Franklin Coslett. Dietterick was a straight shooter when it came to politics and always was easy to help in his office near the Forty Fort Borough Building. He also was a devotee of clams on the half shell. Somehow I was at an event with him where there were clams on the half shell. It was a hot day and we were demolishing plates and plates of them. Someone warned we'd get ill. We didn't and concluded it had to be the hot sauce. Hadn’t seen him in years but we send our condolences to his family.

ANDY HORNICK

I used to go to Andy's Diner with my friends Joe Leonardi, the late Jim Petrie and Wil Toole. I also used to go there with my cousin P.J. Pribula and my sister Sandee. Every time I'd go I'd ask for the same thing for breakfast. Two eggs, one scrambled, one sunny side up. The beleaguered waitress always went back to Andy and ask him if he could do that. Every time he'd come out and explain he never separated egg orders. I never understood the reasoning but he was so cheerful when he was saying no you couldn't be upset. I think it might have been Petrie who said that guy could fire someone and make them think they are doing you a favor. When I'd go for burgers, there would be no special requests from me. He had the best burgers from any diner I ever ate in the area. And it just might be my imagination but it always seemed I always had just a tad more meat on my burger. Most likely my reward for not being a pain in the ass about the eggs. He was a mainstay in Plains and he'll be missed.

LEONARD NIMOY

I never watched "Star Trek" as a kid...except when my uncle Joe Pribula came to visit on a Thursday night. A WWII veteran of the Army Air Corps he was fascinated by the show. I saw Star Trek in reruns but never really got the Mr. Spock character until I was dating Mrs. LuLac. I went to the movies, all of them and became a fan. The outpouring of comments when Mr. Nimoy died was a testament to how he crafted the character. I had seen him in a few "Untouchables" episodes but never saw the full scope of his work until looking at his total body of work as a director, author and character. The very fact that his death spanned three news cycles speaks for itself. It is only logical that he will be missed.

LESLEY GORE

There were Shelly Fabares guys, Connie Francis guys and Sandra Dee guys. I was a Lesley Gore guy. That came about when I bought one of those 10 packs of 45 rpms (people under 30 google that!!! ) at McGrory's in Wyoming. Stuck in between such gems as "The Big Al Walk" and "National Everybody Hates Me Week" was Lesley Gore's "Maybe I Know". I followed her career and even saw her in concert at the Kirby with Mrs. LuLac in the 80s. Midway through the concert Mrs. LuLac said I should have brought her, Lesley Gore, flowers. Wow!!!! She was a fan too. 
Her music pretty much was part of the era of the 60s. She came out in 2005, which for me made her more intriguing, and was related distantly to Al Gore. I mean what was there not to like. It is kind of insane when your first entertainment crush (Noreen Corcoran from Bachelor Father was my other one) dies at the age of 68. But then you hit the old fast forward button and realize you aren’t 11 anymore. At least on some days.

MEDIA MATTERS

WYLN TV 35 BROADCASTING WILKES-BARRE ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE—LIVE!

For the fourth year, WYLN35 based in Hazleton, PA and airing throughout the Wilkes-Barre market will broadcast the Wilkes-Barre St. Patrick’s Day Parade LIVE.
The parade coverage will begin 2PM EST Sunday March 15th and rebroadcast several times (check local listings or go to WYLNTV.com for details regarding rebroadcast days/times).
The televised coverage will be hosted by WYLN35 news personalities: News Anchor, Ann Gownley and Reporter/Topic A host Gary Perna. The station’s Sports Director, Eric DeBerardinis and Sports/Features Reporter, Gabriella Justin will be in the roles of correspondents on the streets. Additional on-air WYLN35 talent will be at the parade behind the cameras, including the station’s Chief Meteorologist, Joe Garbacik.
Interviews will include this in the parade, spectators, the Mayor of Wilkes-Barre and the parade’s grand marshal.
WYLN35 serves northeastern PA and can be watched on the following cable and UHF channels:
Channel 7
Service Electric Cablevision Hazleton & Mahanoy City
Metrocast Berwick
Service Electric Cable TV & Communications Wilkes-Barre
Channel 15
Shen-Heights Television
UHF Channels
Channel 5 Williamsport
Channel 24 East Stroudsburg
Channel 35 Hazleton
Channel 47 Berwick

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine
Brian Hughes speaks with Alyssa Maria from Home Instead Senior Care about keeping seniors safe during the winter months from illnesses and falls.
Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with representatives of Domestric Violence Service Center about their big "Laugh Out Loud" fundraiser coming up on March 20th at Genetti's in Wilkes Barre.
An encore of Brian's interview with Ron Davis about next weekend's "Bowl For A Cause" fundraiser at Chacko Lanes in Wilkes Barre to benefit Wyoming Valley Relay For Life.
This Week in Harrisburg examines reactions from both sides of the political aisle following Governor Tom Wolf's initial budget proposal earlier this week. We'll hear from State Senators John Blake & David Argall & GOP House Speaker Mike Turzai And Republican senators weigh in on the advantages of the natural gas impact fee over Governor Wolf's proposed gas severance tax.
Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X and Sports Radio 590, WARM, and 6:25am on Magic
93.

ECTV

Laureen Maloney of the Lackawanna County Children's Library will join ECTV Live hosts David DeCosmo and Rusty Fender to discuss both on going and upcoming programs. ECTV Live runs several times daily on Comcast Channel 19 (61 in some areas) The Library program will mark the 256th edition of the Public Affairs program!

GOLD BOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

Our guest will be Bill Lazor, CPA to discuss tax preparation. Jim Riley hosts Sunday at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on NEPA's Sports Radio-The Game 1340/1400/1440 am and 100.7 and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River

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

The United States Air Force 2d Air Division, United States Navy and Republic of Vietnam Air Force begin a 3½-year aerial bombardment campaign against North Vietnam...The film of The Sound of Music premieres at the Rivoli Theater in New York City...Alabama State Troopers attack 525 civil rights demonstrators in Selma, Alabama as they attempt to march to the state capitol of Montgomery....Some 3,500 United States Marines arrive in Da Nang, South Vietnam, becoming the first American ground combat troops in Vietnam....The second attempt to march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, under the leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr., stops at the bridge that was the site of Bloody Sunday, to hold a prayer service and return to Selma, in obedience to a court restraining order. Later in the day, White supremacists beat up white Unitarian Universalist minister James J. Reeb in Selma……………

in Pennsylvania Governor Bill Scranton says that the each citizen in the U.S. should have the rights and privileges equally. Scranton ran as a moderate in the 1964 GOP nomination fight and supported the Civil Rights Act of 1964…..in Wilkes Barre Councilwoman Ethel Price shuns any type of talk for County office in the 1965 County races and fifty years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Goldfinger” by Shirley Bassey.