The LuLac Edition #2975, June 28th, 2015

RAINBOWS ALL AROUND

If you are on Face book you’ll see many people changing their profile photo to reflect a rainbow. Governor Tom Wolf did it yesterday.

On Friday night the White House also was bathed in the rainbow colors. A few people on Face book commented that it was an “In your face” taunt from The White House.

I’m not sure I would go that far but I can understand how some people might think that.
While I have always been a supporter of gay marriage, primarily for the protection of the financial rights of a deceased partner, I have to say I’m not comfortable with using The White House as a prop. It has always been deemed the people’s house and there are some Americans who need to evolve on this issue. Lighting up the White House is not the right way to sway people who still need time to be supportive and get on board with you. Comments made to me have indicated that there are many religious people who feel this action was an exclusion of their Christian values. Again, I don't agree with that but I understand their point. 
It should be enough for The President that the law was upheld by the Supreme Court. Again, I am for this monumental change but I think better judgment should have prevailed in this case. It looked nice but it is something I personally would not have done. Perhaps the President was overcompensating for his coming late to this party. Let’s not forget it wasn’t until Vice President Joe Biden went on national TV and supported this thing that the President changed his stance. His administration should give the same chance to those not as enthusiastic as he.

RESOLUTION TO PROTECT OPERATIONS OF 55TH BRIGADE IN SCRANTON PASSES SENATE

Senator John Blake. (Photo: John Blake newsletter).

This past week there was concern that the 66th Armored Brigade Combat Team out of Scranton would be in financial peril and/or transfer of its operations. State Senator John Blake gave information on a resolution in the State Senate to protect the 55th. Here is a statement from Blake’s on line newsletter.
A concurrent state Senate Resolution urging the United States Army to reverse its decision to deactivate the 55th Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) in Scranton unanimously passed the state Senate on June 22.
Senate Resolution 149 also urges the United States Congress to take all necessary action to prohibit any force structure changes; to prohibit any transfer of AH-64 Apache helicopters from the National Guard to active duty; and to maintain the PA Army National Guard at 350,200 soldiers until the National Commission on the Future of the Army (NCFA) has reported its findings to the U.S. Army.
The continued operation of the 55th Armored Brigade is critically important not only to our state and national security, but to the economic strength of Scranton and Northeastern Pennsylvania. There are more than 3,500 Pennsylvanians who capably and selflessly serve our country as members of the 55th Brigade. These fine men and women deserve unwavering support and we cannot stand by while the Army moves to deactivate this proud and decorated unit.
The geographic presence of the 55th ABCT is important not only in response to the Army’s requests for mobilization, but it is absolutely vital in order to remain agile in response to state and federal emergencies in PA and in our surrounding states. Further, the National Guard is a tremendous economic value to the Army. A drilling Guardsman or Woman costs approximately 15% of the cost of Active Duty Soldiers and – even when mobilized by the Army under Title 10 terms and conditions – the National Guard imposes costs at 80 to 95 percent of the cost of Active Duty Soldiers with no loss in quality, reliability or capability.
Several Regiments within the 55th ABCT trace their origin to the Revolutionary War and are among the oldest in Pennsylvania. These Regiments, including the 109th Infantry, the 109th Field Artillery; the 103rd Armored; and the 104th Cavalry have been decorated for meritorious service in every theater of engagement since, including for recent service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I commend the efforts of U.S. Senator Bob Casey as well as Congressman Matt Cartwright on this matter and thank all of my colleagues in the Pennsylvania state Senate, particularly, Senator Lisa Baker, Senator John Wozniak, and Senator John Yudichak, for their support of this resolution and the 55th ABCT.
Here’s the ink to Senator Blake’s site. http://www.senatorblake.com/enews/2015_6_24_55th_Brigade.htm

COSTELLO GOLF TOURNEY SET