The LuLac Edition #3469, April 14th, 2017

A MIKE STACK MOMENT?

Lt. Governor Mike “Moment” Stack (Photo: File Photo)

News has come that Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Mike Stack has some issues. Stack apologized Wednesday to his state police-provided security detail and other staffers Wednesday for how he and his wife Tonya treated them.
PennLive has reported that Gov. Tom Wolf called on Inspector General Bruce Beemer to investigate allegations of verbal abuse and demands that the Lieutenant Governor's security detail use their sirens in non-emergency situations.
It has been observed that Wolf and Stack rarely appear together. Remember that Wolf ran as an outsider and Stack is the ultimate insider. During his campaign for the second spot, Stack used his grandfather’s role as a Congressman for leverage in his advertising. The guy is a member of the entitled political class that will tell the middle class bumpkins how much he cares but will act like an arrogant loudmouth who feels entitled.
Wolf frankly could have done much better. But the voters pick the second spot. Ed Rendell was not thrilled with having the later Katherine Baker Knoll as his second in command and sent her off to the Senate where she enjoyed the job of presiding officer. Plus she did a good job.
It is bad enough we have an arrogant, rude out of control person as President. We don’t need this guy a heartbeat away from the Governor’s office in our state who excuses his own actions as “moments”.
Stack said, "Both of us are deeply sorry for offending anybody and we're going to make it up for everybody because we feel we can make it better”.
A statement worthy of a member of the POLITICAL CLASS who is afraid of losing his perks.

ABE’S CLOSED GOOD FRIDAY

Just a reminder that Abe’s Hot Dogs on South Main will be closed on Good Friday. I saw the sign Thursday morning when I went in for one dog. Abe’s will reopen Saturday at 6am and will be closing at 4pm.
It is very rare these days that a business would close for Good Friday. If you are not in the political class and work in private business, if you choose to go to church on Good Friday you use a paid vacation day.
Now skeptics will ask how many hotdogs would Abe’s sell on Good Friday? Not as many but I’m sure but enough to keep the doors open.
Kudos to Abe’s for observing the reason why this Friday is Good.

SPICER TRULY A GAS!

Sean Spicer (Photo: CNN)

Sean Spicer needs to read a history book. The other day Spicer said that “Dolf" Hitler didn’t use nerve gas during World War II. Maybe he should watch “Schindler’s List” sometime.
Spicer said he was sorry but here’s the thing. When you are the Spokesperson for the President of the United States you cannot afford to be intellectually lazy, hopelessly uninformed about historical frame of references concerning YOUR country and act like a petulant child (oh wait look who his boss is) when you have this job.
Today Spicer said groups like NATO were coming to Trump’s position. Yeah, not many believe that because he lost any credibility at all.

MARINO A DRUG CZAR!

Congressman Marino (Photo: PennLive)

It appears Congressman Tom Marino of the 10th Congressional District got his political payout from his early support of Donald Trump. Marino is in the vetting process to be named the White House Drug Czar.
In Washington, Marino is known for his work on drug-control issues.
But at home Marino has been a woeful Congressman bringing nothing to his district and pretty much hiding out during his Congressional breaks. There is no record I see of him even having one town meeting so that he can take on the issues of his old pal.
This appointment comes just in the nick of time for Marino because I’m sure a strong candidate like Dr. David Madeira could have knocked him off at some point.Note to Dr. Dave, we don't agree on 99% of things but at least you'll be there for the right reasons.
Trump picked 5 Congressmen for his administration. They were Reps. Tom Price of Georgia (now serving as Health and Human Services secretary), Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina (director of the Office of Management and Budget), Mike Pompeo of Kansas (CIA director) and Ryan Zinke of Montana (Interior secretary).
Pompeo seems to be the only one who could do the job. Marino will fit in well with the rest of those mediocrities.

SCOTT, CARTWRIGHT, CASEY, AND MANCHIN INTRODUCE BILLS TO PROTECT MINERS, STRENGTHEN SAFETY STANDARDS

LEGISLATION WOULD PREVENT COAL COMPANIES FROM UNFAIRLY DENYING BENEFITS TO DESERVING MINERS AND FAMILIES

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)

This week Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03), Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-17),and Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2017, H.R. 1912 and the Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2017, H.R. 1903. These bills would reform the federal program that provides benefits to coal miners suffering from black lung disease and provide the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) with improved tools to investigate unsafe mines and ensure that irresponsible mine operators are held accountable.
“The reforms proposed in the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act and Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act are long overdue,” said Scott. “The black lung reforms would ensure that miners have equal access to medical evidence and better access to legal resources. The Byrd improvements would strengthen MSHA’s authority and deliver stronger criminal penalties needed to deter operators who knowingly operate outside the margins of safety and recklessly expose miners to serious risk of injury or death.”
The Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act would reform the federal program that provides benefits to coal miners suffering from black lung disease. Federal law requires that coal companies compensate disabled miners who contract black lung, which is caused by inhaling coal dust over an extended period of time, but coal companies routinely deploy an array of unfair tactics to avoid paying miners the benefits they deserve. The bill would allow miners, or their survivors, to reopen their cases if they had been denied because of unscrupulous medical interpretations that have since been discredited.
“Black lung is a debilitating, often fatal disease. Thousands of coal miners develop black lung, yet coal companies exploit federal loopholes to avoid compensating them,” said Cartwright. “We must reform the claims process to ensure these hard-working miners and their families receive the benefits they deserve. This bill would help miners obtain unbiased medical evidence, ample legal representation, and up-to-date benefit payments adjusted to cost-of-living increases.”
The Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act would improve mine safety and close glaring loopholes in our nation’s mine safety laws that could help save miners’ lives. Moreover, it would make it more difficult for corporate management to put profits and production ahead of the safety of miners.
“Coal miners and their families deserve action on safety and benefits, not more talk,” said Senator Casey. “We owe them honest health and safety protections. It’s time we enforce meaningful, commonsense protections that every worker deserves.”
The Members introduced the legislation on the seventh anniversary of the Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster in West Virginia – a completely preventable coal dust explosion that took the lives of 29 miners and remains the worst coal mine disaster in this country in 40 years. This was a direct result of corporate management consistently putting profits and coal production ahead of the safety of the miners who worked there.

MEDIA MATTERS

JIMMY COLES ON “DESIGNATED SURVIVOR

One of my softball buddies from the 80s, WNEP’s Jimmy Coles appeared on “Designated Survivor” this week with Sharla McBride. The series is using WNEP talent as fictional news anchors in the show. Glad Jimmy got his shot!

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine.
Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with pitchman Anthony Sullivan about learning to swim, during Adult Learn To Swim Month in April.
Brian Hughes speaks with Dr Blair Jobs from the Allegheny Health Network about a connection between heartburn and Esophageal Cancer.
And Brian speaks with former college baseball star Emil DeAngelis, author of the book "Hard To Grip", as he discusses his struggles after being diagnoses with Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of 23.
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

ECTV Live welcomes Julio Caprari to the program during the week of April 17th to discuss plans for Pittston History Day. 

 The event is scheduled for April 22nd and is the latest in a growing list of special events in the city of Pittston. ECTV Live is produced and hosted by David DeCosmo. Rusty Fender co-hosts and the program is Directed by Mark Migilore. ECTV Live is seen on Comcast channel 19 (61 in some areas) and is seen during the Noon, 6pm, and Midnight hours each day throughout the week. After its initial live broadcast Monday at Noon the program will also be available on Electric City Television's Youtube page each week. Previous episodes are also available on the ECTV Youtube channel.

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week's guests are Lisa Durkin and Tammy Marcinkevich from United Neighborhood Centers' Angel's Attic food pantry. Tune in Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on NEPA Sports Radio-The Game 1400/1440 am 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. The show will run Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. on WILK, and on KRZ, Froggy and Max 102 early Sunday morning.

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 he heartwarming comments on the issues of the day on Webster and Nancy with Karel Zubris.

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SOCK HOP!!!!!

Bobby's show is back again live this Sunday @6PM on The River.

1977

Our 1977 logo.

Check this out for an oddity. The Cleveland Indians set club record for longest, 9 inning game (3:17). One can hope for games like that today………Ireland sets fishing zone at 50 mile US Supreme Court says people may refuse to display state motto on license…there was the 1st baseball game played at Montreal's Olympic Stadium……in Pennsylvania Governor Shapp touts Penn Dot’s performance during the harsh winter…in Scranton the GOP primary for Mayor heats up with a contest between Reverend Vernon Searfoss and Peters administration Communications Director and former WSCR broadcaster Ed Hughes and 40 years ago this week the number one song in America and LuLac land was “I've Got Love On My Mind” by Natalie Cole.