The LuLac Edition #3053, October 23rd, 2015

HILLARY’S TRIUMPH

Hillary Clinton.  (Photo: CNN)

I listened to the grilling of Hillary Clinton Thursday when I was going to Scranton and then an event in Dupont. (That in a future edition). As I listened to the sneers of the GOP and the questions, then the opinions and then the frustration, I concluded one thing. The GOP Benghazi committee handed Hillary Clinton a victory. She was reasoned, didn’t blow up, seemed like a scholarly professor trying to teach a lesson as those students kept on harping. It was the male members of the Benghazi committee that got shrill while Mrs. Clinton plodded on with details and good humor.
As I listened I wondered why when the 911 attacks happened no one grilled President Bush. When the Iraq War was found to be conducted on a lie, no one called Dick Cheney into a hearing room.
Iraq 4500 dead: Benghazi 4.
Sorry those are the facts.
Here are other facts. This committee is the longest investigative committee in the history of the Congress. 75 weeks.
Kevin McCarthy has said this was a political way to bring Hillary Clinton’s numbers down. Yesterday this committee proved it.
What Hillary Clinton proved yesterday is that she can withstand unreasonable and unfair attacks. What better way to prove how tough she can be in a sustained situation. If anything, that committee yesterday proved Hillary Clinton could be ready for anything. If she could deal with these GOP clowns, she could sit down with Mr. Putin.
I cannot tell you the number of people I spoke with who told me today that as a result of this hearing, they are now strong for Hillary. As a matter of fact, reports are that the committee filled Clinton’s campaign with a lot of cash.
Hillary Clinton will be elected because of her skills, her message as well as how she can persuade the American people as to her leadership. Another reason she will be elected is because this committee of GOP wannabees acted liked partisan politicians. She acted like a President.

BIDEN’S ANNOUNCEMENT

Vice President Joe Biden in the Rose Garden. (Photo: CNN)

Vice President Joe Biden announced the other day that the window of opportunity for a Presidential run was now closed. Like past politicos Teddy Kennedy (who said no in ’72, and ’76), Hubert Humphrey who said no in ’76, Nelson Rockefeller in ’68,and Colin Powell in 2006 this was not a no. This was “damn I’d love to do this but there isn’t a path”. The aforementioned candidates were firm in their decision. Find someone else they said. But Biden seemed sad and reluctant. There was no sarcasm of a Rocky, the defiance of a Humphrey who said he didn’t want to be seen as the horse who jumped when the leaders snapped and Teddy who cited family reasons and the fact that he wanted to live longer than his three brothers.
Biden and his people know that this was what he was prepared to do all his life. When he participated in those 2008 debates he was regarded as the winner on policy. Local Democrat Jim McNulty was so convinced Biden was going to run that the wily politician from Scranton was forming a scenario where Biden and Mrs. Clinton would bury the hatchet in the Electric City once the nomination battle was over. Attorney Bill Vinsko said on Facebook that Biden would have been a great President.
But Presidents, great or otherwise are held hostage by timing and events. I think Biden knew that as he made his statement.
Here are a few things to watch. He chose the Rose Garden with the President watching. He boldly told many Democrats who have been cowardly lions (see Joe Mancian on gun registrations in 2013) that they should run on the Obama agenda. And he did not endorse.
A day is a lifetime in politics and Biden wisely said “so long” and not “farewell”. That window Joe Biden spoke of might be closed but that doesn’t mean he can’t peer longingly out of it. And if events change, he can stand there and motion to many Democrats who highly regard him indicating, “Still here guys, still here”.

BARLETTA LEADS LETTER TO GOV. WOLF: RELEASE FEDERAL EDUCATION FUNDS DURING BUDGET IMPASSE

HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS ADVANCED FUNDS WHILE SCHOOLS FACE DISASTER

Congressman Lou Barletta. (Photo: LuLac archives).

Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today requested that Pennsylvania Governor Thomas W. Wolf release federal education funds already appropriated by Congress and dispensed to the Commonwealth while the impasse over the state budget continues. School districts across Pennsylvania are encountering severe financial distress as a result of the stalemate between the Wolf Administration and the state legislature. Barletta led a letter signed by seven other members of Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation, whose districts are especially impacted, asking Wolf to release the funds.
“We all understand that political disagreements happen from time to time, but holding school funds hostage is beyond the pale,”Barletta said. “This isn’t a Republican or Democrat issue. This is a Pennsylvania issue. School children should not be the ones hurt simply because the governor is trying to score political points.”
“The governor is withholding federal funds that are used to support impoverished children and disabled learners across the Commonwealth,” saidRep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, PA-5. “The funds appropriated by Congress should not be subject to the ongoing budget impasse. It is time for the Governor to step up and stop putting politics over the well-being of the Commonwealth’s young learners.”
‎"My highest priority is taking care of the teachers, students and schools in Southwestern Pennsylvania,” saidRep. Tim Murphy, PA-18. “Congress intended these education dollars to get back to local school districts and into the classroom. I implore Governor Wolf to release the federal funds right now and help my local schools survive this budget meltdown.”
According to the Pennsylvania Auditor General, at least three school districts in or near Barletta’s 11th Congressional District are experiencing severe financial distress, causing them to seek loans or dip into emergency funds: Mt. Carmel, Warrior Run, and Steelton-Highspire. In addition, the Capital Area Intermediate Unit, which includes Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry Counties, is in peril.
“While we acknowledge the state’s right to negotiate a budget that both the state legislature and the governor’s office can agree upon, holding federal education funding hostage during this state budget impasse is unacceptable,” the letter reads in part. “As you know, the lack of funds has forced schools to take extraordinary measures to keep their doors open. Teachers have gone without pay. Vendors have provided products and services on credit. Schools themselves have taken out private loans. The continued failure to fund Pennsylvania schools could result in school closures as early as November 1, 2015.”
The members of Congress noted with alarm that while at least one school district had been denied an advance of its funding, the House Democratic Caucus had been able to secure a $1.9 million advance to keep its political employees working.
“Schools seeking actual loans are paying four to five percent interest just to keep their doors open, while the House Democratic Caucus continues to run smoothly without interruption or additional cost,” the Congressmen wrote. “This is intolerable and should be embarrassing to all parties involved.”
The Pennsylvania House members specifically referenced federal Title I, II, and III funding, as well as federal grants provided through the 21st Century Learning Centers Program, which provides critical afterschool programs for at-risk children. Afterschool programs such as SHINE (Schools and Homes in Education) at work in Carbon and Schuylkill Counties for the past decade, and this year in Luzerne County, will also suffer tremendously.
“While this money is being held in limbo during your ongoing budget disagreement, school districts in more rural and urban settings are being affected the most,” the letter reads. “Please do not allow partisan conflict to interfere with federal funding that should already be flowing.”
The letter to Gov. Wolf was signed by Barletta; Rep. Mike Kelly, PA-3; Rep. Scott Perry, PA-4; Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, PA-5; Rep. Bill Shuster, PA-9; Rep. Tom Marino, PA-10; Rep. Keith Rothfus, PA-12; and Rep. Tim Murphy, PA-18.

YOUNG DEMS ON THE MOVE

Beth Gilbert with your blog editor earlier in the year along with Controller candidate Darren Synder. (Photo: LuLac archives).

The Luzerne County Young Democrats have picked their officers and they are on the move. Elected President was Beth Gilbert currently the Democratic nominee for Wilkes Barre City Council in District B, Dominic Butchko was named Vice President, and Matthew Ford was named Secretary. These are three very strong leaders who are essentially the future of the Democratic Party in the County. We wish them luck in bringing new ideas and energy to the party.

MEDIA MATTERS

ECTV

Photo of miners from Hazleton. (Photo: ECTV)

It will be "Johnny Mitchell Week" on ECTV Live during the week of October 26th. Hosts David DeCosmo and Rusty Fender will welcome Margo Azzarelli to the program to discuss the great coal strike of 1902 that brought the likes of Labor Leader Johnny Mitchell, and famed Attorney Clarence Darrow to Scranton. ECTV Live is carried on Comcast Cable channel 19 (61 in some areas) and is aired three times daily throughout the week.

THE RIVER ON AM RADIO

I do hope this lasts a while. The River 104.9 is on AM 1340. A reader informed us Fox Sports is on the 1400 frequency in Scranton. It is good to have music back on the AM side.

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week's guests are Steve Pitoniak and George Kelly, members of the Lackawanna County Land Bank Committee. Jim Riley hosts Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on The Game Sports Radio 1400/1440 and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine
Brian Hughes speaks with John Fabiseski about the "Celebrate Sobriety at the Movies" event, coming up on November 4th at the Dietrich Theatre in Tunkhannock.
Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with Melissa & Suzanne from Junior Achievement about their 2nd annual "Chair Affair" fundraiser.
Brian speaks with Michael Desiderio about getting an Executive MBA.
And Brian speaks with Olympic softball star Jennie Finch and Dr. Jennie Murase about Eczema Awareness Month.
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.

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.

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SOCK HOP!!!!!

The Doo-Wop Sock Hop can be heard every Sunday night from 6P to 9P on “105 The River (104.9 FM) Host is the incomparable Bobby V. www.105theriver.net
www.doowopsockhop.net

1965

Our 1965 logo.

British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and Commonwealth Secretary Arthur Bottomley travel to Rhodesia for negotiations……British police find the decomposed body of a boy on Saddleworth Moor….. The Soviet Union declares its support of African countries in case Rhodesia unilaterally declares independence……Anti-government demonstrations occur in the Dominican Republic….. Brazilian president Humberto de Alencar Castelo Branco removes power from parliament, legal courts and opposition parties....Süleyman Demirel of AP forms the new government of Turkey (30th government)…..French Foreign Minister Maurice Couve de Murville travels to Moscow…….

Pope Paul VI promulgates Nostra aetate, a "Declaration on the Relation of the (Roman Catholic) Church with Non-Christian Religions" by the Second Vatican Council which includes a statement that Jews are not collectively responsible for the death of Jesus (Jewish deicide)……

In St. Louis, Missouri, the 630-foot (190 m)-tall inverted catenary steel Gateway Arch is completed…..Former Governor George Leader indicates he is flattered that the Democrats might want him to run for another statewide office but indicates his business affairs are keeping him busy….in Scranton James Walsh and Bill Schmidt count down to the final days before the election for Mayor of Scranton…and the number one song in America and LuLac land is “A Lover's Concerto “ by The Toys.