The LuLac Edition #3425, February 6th, 2017

TRUMP ON TERROR

President Trump has been making some pretty questionable and inappropriate comments regarding terror. Trump today undermined the very fabric of American institutions by saying that if there is a terror attack in America,  as the travel ban is debated through the courts, then he believes that the Judicial system would be to blame. Wow.
Already he is positioning a scapegoat to throw under a Bob Bolus bus if that tragedy does occur. Trump also attacked the media by saying that there wasn’t enough coverage of the previous terror attacks in America. He said, “It’s gotten to a point where it’s not even being reported. In many cases, the very, very dishonest press doesn’t want to report it. They have their reasons and you understand that,” Mr. Trump said.
Uh where was he during the campaign? Did he not see the wall to wall coverage in Orlando? There is no evidence that the media NEVER covered up the attacks in Paris, in San Bernadino or anywhere else.
Logic tells you that it would be against the media's  very self interest NOT to cover it.
It is troubling that this man who took an oath on January 20th is detached from basic reality.
Polls, The Apprentice and crowd size are one thing, when he starts to say this stuff on terror, well that’s pretty terrifying.

WILKES BARRE MARCH IN REVIEW

This Saturday there was a huge turnout for a Rally Against President Trump’s Refugee Executive Order. The rally was organized by The Sisters of Mercy, The Peace and Justice Center, and the Islamic Association of Northeast Pennsylvania. This first rally against Trump's executive order. Mirrors the protests, held in Williamsport to Hazleton and in Scranton.
Here few photos from our friend Scott Cannon of Video Innovations.

Wilkes Barre City Council woman Beth Gilbert

TRUMP’S INTERVIEW WITH BILL O’REILLY

Here is Bill Reilly interviewing President Trump before the Super Bowl yesterday. Watch this and you’ll notice two things.
1. When someone calls Trump out and he gets defensive and his voice gets louder.
2. Take a look at O’Reilly’s face, he seemed to be pleading “I’m trying to give you softballs here guy! What are 'ya doin'?"

THE SUPERBOWL AND THE BUSHES

Former President George H.W. Bush and his wife former First Lady Barbara Bush attended the big game just weeks after hospital stays. Take a look and this and it will warm your heart and maybe give you an idea of how a President and Gentleman comports himself.

More on the Patriots in and why people hate Tom Brady in future editions. in future editions.

REP. CARTWRIGHT APPLAUDS HOUSE PASSAGE OF BILL ESTABLISHING PERMIT PROGRAM FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ON ROUTE 209

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)

Last week H.R. 560, a bill amending the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Improvement Act,passed the House of Representatives. Congressman Matt Cartwright is an original cosponsor of this bill, which was introduced by Congressman Tom Marino (R-PA).
Federal law prohibits commercial traffic from entering National Recreation Areas. This legislation would allow commercial vehicle access for local residents and businesses on Route 209 through the Delaware National Water Gap Recreation Area over the next five years.
“This bill will ease traffic congestion and improve accessibility for people who live and work in the surrounding area,” said Rep. Cartwright. “It’s a pleasure to work with my Republican colleagues to support small businesses in local communities.”
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish a permit program and fee for the use of Route 209 by commercial vehicles limited to four axles. Exempt from these regulations are local school buses, fire, ambulance, and other safety and emergency vehicles.
“This legislation is critical for the day to day life of thousands of employers, business owners and homeowners in the region,” Rep. Marino said. “I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to waste no time in taking up this legislation so we can offer real relief to the many people affected by this oversight.”

HOUSE PASSES BARLETTA BILL TO ENHANCE FUSION CENTERS, IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATION

REQUIRES DHS TO COORDINATE WITH STATE & LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO FIGHT TERRORISM & CRIME

Congressman Lou Barletta (LuLac archives)

Congressman Lou Barletta recently successfully guided to passage his legislation to improve the cooperation of federal, state, and local agencies in detecting, preventing, and responding to terrorist or criminal threats. The bill, the Fusion Center Enhancement Act, H.R. 642, clarifies and enhances the partnership between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the national network of fusion centers. A fusion center is a collaborative effort of two or more agencies, including federal, state, and local entities, which share resources and information regarding terrorist or criminal activity. The bill passed the House of Representatives by a voice vote. Barletta also had introduced the legislation in the 114th Congress, when the bill also passed the House of Representatives by voice vote, but was not considered by the Senate.
“After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, State and local governments created fusion centers as a way to communicate Federal homeland security information to State and local law enforcement officials, as well as fuse State and locally collected information with Federal intelligence,” Barletta said. “As a Member of the Homeland Security Committee and a former mayor, I have heard concerns raised by law enforcement in my district and elsewhere about the lack of information and coordination. This bill adds important requirements and accountability in how the Department of Homeland Security interacts and shares information.”
The bill improves fusion centers by:
•Directing DHS to make sure its components are providing information and personnel to fusion centers to better cooperate with state and local officials.
•Requiring DHS to coordinate with fusion centers and State Homeland Security Advisors in carrying out assigned responsibilities.
•Requiring DHS to submit a report to Congress on its efforts to meet these requirements.
Barletta singled out the work already being done by a fusion center in Pennsylvania, the PA Criminal Intelligence Center (PACIC), which is operated by the State Police. In 2015, PACIC received the Fusion Center of the Year Award from the National Fusion Center Association. Barletta extended his congratulations to the men and women of PACIC for their commitment to security and public safety.
“PACIC provides intelligence and information products to over twelve hundred local, state, and federal criminal justice agencies, while also working with over six thousand private and public center partners to also share information to help protect critical infrastructures and key resources,” Barletta said. “A significant amount of progress has been made by States and fusion centers within the National Network to improve information sharing and analytic support. Many centers, including PACIC, provide all crime, all hazard support. This bill recognizes the progress and focuses on enhancing DHS’s responsibility to support, share information, and coordinate with fusion centers.” 

REAGAN @ 106 

Ronald Reagan would have been 106 years old today and to be honest with you I'm not sure what he would make of our recent relationship with Russia. To review, this is how Reagan handled Russia. President Reagan challenged Gorbachev to "tear down this wall!". He transitioned Cold War policy from détente to rollback, by escalating an arms race with the USSR while engaging in talks with Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, which culminated in the INF Treaty, shrinking both countries' nuclear arsenals. Reagan's presidency came during the decline of the Soviet Union and just ten months after the end of his term, the Berlin Wall fell, and on December 26, 1991, nearly three years after he left office, the Soviet Union collapsed. (wikipedia)
Reagan forged relationships by truly being tough and saying "trust but verify'.
Not if anyone was nice to him.
He had Nancy and Nancy only for that.