The LuLac Edition #2979, July 2nd, 2015

TRUMP’S COMMENTS

Donald Trump must be delusional. Did he really think no one would take offense to his incredible remark when he announced his run for President? Trump is playing on a huge stage. A stage that he cannot control. He can’t get one of his minions to fix this. I predict Trump will bow out soon. He’s losing too much money. But his behavior gives an insight into the type of thoughts he has regarding some of the American people. For once Donald was told, “You’re fired!” More than once!!!

ON THE OTHER HAND

Trump is amazing in an interview. Maybe in another life he was a debate coach because he can turn an interviewer’s question and for the moment turn the question back on the media person. His performance last night on CNN with Don Lemon was remarkable in the sense that he was like a steamroller defending his show, his business relationship with Macy’s and everything else. It was wildly entertaining. At the time it was a scream and great theatre. It reminded me of the time, as a kid when I’d eat those fluffernutter sandwiches. Marsh mellow goo and peanut butter. At the time, it was delicious and satisfying. But an hour later I wondered why I did it. Same thing with The Donald’s interviews. Great going down but left wondering just exactly what the hell you had.

WOLF WILL VETO BUT…..

Your blog editor with then candidate Tom Wolf at an event hosted by Bill and Paula Vinsko. (Photo: LuLac archives).

Governor Tom Wolf has vetoed the fiscal spending plan for Pennsylvania. The whole thing. That is unprecedented in state history. But Wolf, a reasonable man will begin talks again on Monday with both the House and the Senate Republicans. This budget was passed strictly on party lines. As a candidate he spoke of his ability to negotiate and compromise. Let’s hope it works. Wolf believes he has the solutions, the GOP thinks they do. There has to be a meeting of the minds somewhere.

PBPC COMMENDS GOV. WOLF ON VETO OF REPUBLICAN BUDGET AND TELL US WHY WOLF WAS RIGHT IN VETO

Our friends at the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center sent us an e mail regarding the veto. They commend the Governor for his bold action. Here’s what they had to report:
Dr. Mark Price, an economist and interim research director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Wolf's veto of the Republican 2015-16 budget last night:
"The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center commends Gov. Wolf for swiftly vetoing last night what amounts to his predecessor’s fifth budget. Gov. Wolf had no choice. This budget, hastily thrown together at the last minute by Republican legislative leaders and rammed through the General Assembly, was bad for Pennsylvania.
This budget contributed a pittance toward restoring the $1 billion in funding cut from education over the last four years. Pennsylvania’s school children would have paid the price by having to continue to learn in more crowded classrooms in schools with fewer staff and programs.
This budget’s anemic investment in higher education would have resulted in higher tuition at our state-funded schools. Pennsylvania’s young adults and their parents would have paid the price by having to incur more debt to pay that tuition.
This budget denied hard-pressed Pennsylvania seniors and families property tax relief. Pennsylvania’s homeowners would have paid the price as their local property taxes rose in response to the state’s continuing inadequate share of public education funding (Pennsylvania ranks in the bottom five of states on this measure).
This budget didn’t invest in training and job creation. Pennsylvania’s workers would have paid the price as their skills became less competitive, and the state became a less attractive place for employers to locate.
Yet this austerity budget found money to fully restore the legislature’s line item and increase funds for the Commonwealth Financing Authority – a grant program over which legislators have a veto.
In sum, this was a budget that benefitted the legislative leaders who drafted it and gas drillers, who were again spared a severance tax, at the expense of the average Pennsylvanian. Gov. Wolf did the right thing in vetoing it.
We call on legislators to return to Harrisburg after the holiday weekend and negotiate in earnest with the Governor on a budget plan that will be a better deal for all Pennsylvanians

 

ATTENTION SAME SEX COUPLES

During the 2012 election I worked with a few people who were interested in the issue of gay marriage. They were also ardent supporters of President Obama. On Election Day I asked if they had voted yet. They told me they’d go after work and asked where to go. I got suspicious and asked if they were registered. When a blank look came on their faces, I broke the news to them that they had to register.
Now this situation is atypical but a cautionary tale. The right to wed was won by a relentless campaign to increase awareness over a half century. A Supreme Court upheld the right to marry. But to those who think the victory is over, it is not. When you do vote, remember the party that produces a Ted Cruz from Texas who vows to repeal this decision. He can’t or won’t but watch the rhetoric and where it is coming from. This is the national party that worked to deny this right and calls Ted Cruz a member. Remember who got you this victory. It was not the national GOP.

BARLETTA STATEMENT ON NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS WITH CUBA

Congressman Lou Barletta. (Photo: LuLac archives).

In a press e mail, Congressman Lou Barletta, issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s announcement that Cuba and the United States will open embassies in each other’s countries and reestablish diplomatic relations:
“There is little doubt that most people would like the United States and Cuba to have normal diplomatic relations, especially considering our proximity to each other. In my view, the only way that should ever occur would be for Cuba’s dictatorial class to make dramatic changes in their policies toward their own people, and allow them the freedoms we too often take for granted in this country. That has not happened, yet the president has moved to normalize relations anyway.
“Until the Cuban regime stops the terrorization, suppression, and political incarceration of its own people, we should not be rewarding them with full diplomatic relations. The lesson we are teaching to the entire world is that if an oppressive regime wishes to change American policies, it only needs to wait us out and we will eventually lose our will.”

MEDIA MATTERS

LULAC ON PA. LIVE ON THE THIRD

ABOUT THE FOURTH!!!!

We’ll be on Pa. Live this Friday, the day before the Fourth of July. We’ll be speaking with Jasmine Brooks on the importance of Pennsylvania in the Declaration of Independence.

Jasmine will be moving to the mornings but replacing her will be Valerie Tysanner. Jasmine is a consummate professional and a natural in front of the camera. I'm afraid Wilkes Barre will not have her that long because of skill set and incredible personality. Valerie came to Eyewitness News from WVTT, an independent television station in Western New York. While there, she spent much of her time covering Pennsylvania's northern tier. Before moving to the Empire State, she worked at KNBC-TV in Los Angeles. 
While at NBC4, Valerie worked as an editorial assistant. She also field produced for NBC's coverage of the 2012 London Olympics, and Conrad Murray trial. 

Prior to working at KNBC, Valerie reported for Santa Barbara City-TV, and KCSB radio. She also interned for Dateline NBC and the FOX affiliate in L.A. in her career that brought her to WBRE TV. (Pa. Homepage, LuLac). 
So it was a pleasure appearing with Jasmine and I'm sure providence willing the same will hold true for Ms. Tysanner. Like Dean Martin sang, “How lucky can one guy be!” Here's what you'll see tomorrow:

 

KAUFER ON TARONE NEXT WEEK 

 State Representative Aaron Kaufer. (Photo: LuLac archives). 

State Representative Aaron Kaufer appears next Wednesday on The L.A. Tarone Show on WILK. July 8th, 8pm. I'm sure the Freshman representative and Tarone will have a lot to talk about.

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

Mike Conroy discusses the Fresh Air Fund. Tune in Sunday morning July 5 at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on The Game Sports Radio 1340/1400/1440 am and 100.7 and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River

ECTV

James May of Penndot will join David DeCosmo and co-host Rusty Fender on ECTV Live during the week of July 6th. 

He'll discuss ongoing area highway projects and some special summer programs to be operated by the Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania State Police. ECTV Live can be seen three times daily throughout the week on Comcast channel 19 (61 in some areas) and is a Public Affairs Program of Electric City Television

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine
Brian Hughes speaks with Jodi Okum, founder of College Aid Advisors, who discusses the findings of a recent survey on how parents feel about financially aiding their children's college education.
An encore of Brian's interview with Gayle Voytush Klink about her film project on the life of Schuylkill County native Donna Garze, who became one of the top female amputee golfers in the U.S.
And an encore of Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning's interview with Peterlyn West, area coordinator of Cultural Home Stay International, about how area families can host foreign exchange students.
Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM 93-7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X & Sports Radio 590, WARM, 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.

1965

Our 1965 logo.

79th Wimbledon Mens Tennis: Roy Emerson beats Fred Stolle (62 64 64)…72nd Wimbledon Women's Tennis: Margaret Smith beats M Fraiser (64 75)….. Phillies Dick Allen & Frank Thomas get into a fight during practice….USSR & Persia sign dam building & economic aid pact…. Harold Strachan, member of the Communist Party of South Africa and Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress, is served with a restriction order in terms of the Suppression of Communism Act….20th US Women's Open Golf Championship won by Carol Mann…..Rock group "Jefferson Airplane" forms......Otis Redding records "Respect"…………………in Pennsylvania the Phillies Dick Allen & Frank Thomas get into a fight during practice…

…in Wilkes Barre the 4th of July is noted by fireworks displays across the Valley and fifty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land was "A Walk In The Black Forest" by Horst Jankowski.