Rated one of Pennsylvania's top blog/sites, the LuLac Political Letter delves into issues of politics on all levels (with special concentration on Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties: thus the name LULAC) and pop culture.
The LuLac Political Letter was also named Best Political Blog of the Year for 2014 by NEPA BLOGCON and most recently David Yonki was named Best Blogger of the year 2015 by the publication Diamond City.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
The LuLac Edition #3520, May 31st, 2017
WRITE ON WEDNESDAY
Our “Write On Wednesday” logo.
Frank Deford (Yahoonews)
FRANK DEFORD’S LAST COMMENTARY
Frank Deford, gifted Sports Illustrated columnist, founder of The National Sports Daily in the early 80s as well as a regular commentator on NPR died on Memorial Day. His wit, flowery prose as well as his stunningly accurate humor was one of a kind. We present to you his last commentary on NPR given in early May. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages. I always wanted to use that in a commentary. That wonderful circus introduction, ballyhooed by the splendid ringmaster. But I could just never find the ideal spot. Of course had I, there would be some people who’d say that a circus doesn’t belong in with sports. But hey, just because there’s clowns around doesn’t disqualify certain daredevils from being certified athletes. Equestrians, tightrope walkers, and those who fly through the air with the greatest of ease. That’s why I was so upset to learn that the grandest big top ever, Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey, was going out of business later this month. The greatest show on earth. And it probably was exactly that, once upon a time. Well, by coincidence, this particular tiny show on earth that consists of me talking about sports on NPR, is also folding its tent flaps this May of 2017. Yes, this is my swansong, my farewell, my last hurrah. Adieu, adios, arrivederci, auf wiedersehen. I’ve been delivering these little homilies since 1980. That’s 37 years, and altogether, NPR’s statisticians tell me, my bloviation total is 1,656 commentaries. And I trust you’ve hung onto every word. I have survived so long because I’ve been blessed with talented and gracious colleagues. And with a top brass who let me choose my topics every week, and then allowed me to express opinions that were not always popular. Well, someone had to stand up to the yackety-yak soccer cult. And perhaps just as important—I’ve been blessed with you, with a broad and intelligent audience, even if large portions thereof haven’t necessarily given a hoot about sports. Nothing has pleased me so much as when someone, usually a woman, writes me or tells me that she has appreciated sports more. Because NPR allowed me to treat sports seriously, as another branch on the tree of culture. Thank you for listening. Thank you for abiding me. And now, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages. I bid you goodbye, and take my leave.”
MAYBE I’M AMAZED….that the reason why Trump didn't remember that NATO stood behind us 1000% is because he was looking for those thousands of Muslims in Jersey City cheering! (LuLac re-wind) MAYBE I’M AMAZED…..that when President Trump mentioned that the German people were bad, I naively thought he was referencing Nazi Germany and the atrocities committed during World War II. WRONG! He was referring to the fact that the Germans make money on so many cars that AMERICANS buy! Plus some of the car from Germany are made HERE! I’m not sure he even has a clue as to who was on what side in WWII. MAYBE I’M AMAZED…..that Trump scolded NATO allies for not paying their fair share of expenses. If he had done his homework, he might have known NATO payments have increased since 2015 when it was requested quietly and without embarrassment from his predecessor. Trump seems to forget that after 9/11, NATO countries fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Those counties sent soldiers that gave their lives. Okay, so he is the first President to make a colossal ass out of himself with our allies. But he really topped himself when he said on Friday, a day after he chastised NATO, that the money has been pouring in since he made his comments. Jeez, the countries had no time to even cut a check! Where and how fast was the money coming in? He should be in the bullshit Hall of Fame! MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that during Trump's trip to see Pope Francis, the Pontiff had the look of a guy in a hostage video. MAYBE I’M AMAZED….that when Trump was in Brussels speaking to their leadership, he had a serious concern. Trump was concerned that he could never get a Golf Course built in that country. MAYBE I’M AMAZED….that throughout this entire 9 day trip, there were no press briefings from the United States. To its OWN PEOPLE. The news had to come from foreign sources which I’m sure he’ll label as “fake”. MAYBE I’M AMAZED…..that one Trump official defended Trump saying the President was tuckered out from the trip and was working 16 to 20 hours a day. Poor baby! Wasn’t this the guy who belittled Hillary for having no stamina? Trump chose to ride in a golf cart while his foreign counterparts took a walk through Taormina, Sicily, on Saturday during the Group of Seven summit. Hey, as a person with a walking disability, I get it but Trump might have done it as a dodge so he didn’t have to talk about the Climate Change Agreement to the other six leaders. MAYBE I’M AMAZED…but not…when Trump returned he characterized anonymous sources as not real and that they indeed create fake news. If that is the case, then why are there so many connecting dots to all of these sources? Like the 17 women who claim Trump pawed them, do you mean to tell me that all of these “sources” are liars?
Today marks the 100th birthday of President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy shaped many generations. For sure his own. Kennedy was the first President that was born in this century. That was very significant to the World War II generation. Men and women who served in the military as well as those who worked in civilian capacities felt a bond with JFK. Then there was my generation. Baby boomers who were shaped by his policies, style and charisma. We all remember where we were when his death was announced. His death shaped us culturally in so many ways. It also shaped the way news was covered in the country.
Kennedy’s family always felt that his birthday should be commemorated by most Americans. From the time he died, the family made sure there was coverage of their pilgrimages to the grave site to accentuate that request. But unfortunately most people remember the day he died. That’s why this year the JFK Library made special care to make sure the Kennedy Legacy was highlighted. A special shout out to the Exploration of Space was highlighted on Sunday. Today the Navy midshipmen will play a prominent role in the ceremonies. Various artifacts are on display of items that were never unveiled by the Library. But the Kennedy Library is not done yet. Various events will be held throughout the rest of the year. Here’s information from the JFK Library website: https://www.jfklibrary.org/ Locally, efforts are continuing to place a statue of Kennedy on JFK Blvd in downtown Pittston. The funding mechanism are in place, plans are being implemented and you'll be hearing more about this as the year goes on.
HIS BIRTH
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, on May 29, 1917. He was the second son of nine children born to the multimillionaire business executive and financier Joseph P. Kennedy (1888–1969) and his wife, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy (1890–1995). Joseph's father had served in the Massachusetts Legislature and in elective offices in Boston, Massachusetts. Rose's father, John Francis Fitzgerald (1863–1950), had been a state legislator, the mayor of Boston, and a U.S. congressman. Joseph himself had served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission, and ambassador to Great Britain (1937–40). Thus, the Kennedys were a wealthy family with a history of political and public service.
FORMATIVE YEARS
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was second of the four children of Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Fitzgerald. While his father was a banker, later serving as the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Ambassador to Great Britain, his mother was a debutante. Born in Brookline, young Kennedy completed his preliminary education from various schools, before the family shifted base to New York. Mischievous and playful, he excelled in English and history - subjects he had profound interest in, but remained a mediocre student overall. Following his elder brother, Kennedy attended The Chaote School for his higher education. He graduated from the same in 1935 and wished to enrol himself at the London School of Economics. But his constantly failing health forced him to return to America where he sought admission at the Princeton University. After spending a semester in Princeton, Kennedy moved to Harvard in 1936. His academic life at Harvard was a replica of his former years – he excelled in subjects that he loved but remained an average student on an overall basis due to his diversified interest. With time, Kennedy developed an interest in political philosophy which made him serious about education. He completed his thesis in 1940 on ‘Appeasement of Munich’, which was so well received that it was turned to a book under the title ‘Why England Slept’. The book became a bestseller. Same year, Kennedy graduated from Harvard with a Bachelor of Science cum laude in international affairs. Kennedy who would later join the Navy, (his first choice was The Army but he was turned down because of illnesses) become a war hero when in his words “The Japanese sunk my boat”. Politically he served in Congress, The U.S. Senate as well as President. There are many quotes that you can pick out from John Kennedy. But for me, one of my favorites is this one. He once said, ‘Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men”. To me that perfectly summarizes his philosophy of life. For me that is truly a lasting legacy of a man frozen in time. But that eternal flame still burns brightly in the hearts of many Americans who still consider him the reason why they got involved in government or public service. (LuLac, JFK Library, Famous People.com)
While we enjoy the kick off to the summer of 2017 this Memorial Day, it’s important to understand the history of the holiday. Our late friend and frequent poster Jim Petrie, a Vietnam War Veteran, would emphatically tell you it’s not the same as Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a national holiday in honor of those who died in war, and has its origins dating back to the Civil War. In comparison, Veterans Day in November, which started as Armistice Day to celebrate the first anniversary of the end of World War I, honors American veterans, both living and dead. On May 5, 1868, three years after the nation’s deadliest war ended, an organization of Union veterans established Decoration Day as a time to place flowers on the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers. Following President Abraham Lincoln's assassination in April 1865, commemorations were ubiquitous. The sheer number of soldiers of both sides who died in the Civil War (more than 600,000) meant that burial and memorization took on new cultural significance. Under the leadership of women during the war, an increasingly formal practice of decorating graves had taken shape. Although various cities claim to have held observances before then, the 1868 Decoration Day at Arlington National Cemetery was the first large observance with about 5,000 people in attendance, including Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. About 100 years later, actually it was 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y., as the birthplace of the holiday, saying the town honored local veterans who fought in the Civil War two years earlier than the event at Arlington. Initially only honoring fallen soldiers in the Civil War, Memorial Day was expanded after World War I to honor all those who have died in American wars. Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday in 1971. On Memorial Day, the flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon. It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day. The half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their country. At noon, their memory is raised by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all. (Source: Veteran’s Administration, Wikpedia, LuLac). Charles Ives's symphonic poem Decoration Day depicted the holiday as he experienced it in his childhood, with his father's band leading the way to the town cemetery, the playing of "Taps" on a trumpet, and a livelier march tune on the way back to the town. It is frequently played with three other Ives works based on holidays, as the second movement of A Symphony: New England Holidays.
Donald Trump’s son-in-law and head pof most everything in the Oval Office, Jared Kushner, had at least three previously undisclosed contacts with the Russian ambassador to the United States during and after the 2016 presidential campaign. The sources are at least 6 former U.S. officials. The contacts include two phone calls between last year. By early this year, Kushner had become a focus of the FBI investigation to see if there was any collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin. FBI investigators came upon this as they began looking at former national security adviser Michael Flynn’s connections with Russian. The Washington Post reported Friday that Russian envoy Sergei Kislyak Kislyak told his superiors that he and Kushner discussed setting up a secret communications channel between the Trump transition team and the Kremlin. The Post report, citing anonymous U.S. officials who were briefed on intelligence reports on intercepted Russian communications, said Kislyak told his superiors that Kushner proposed using Russian diplomatic facilities for their discussions, apparently to make them more difficult to monitor. The Post said Kislyak was reportedly "taken aback" by the suggestion. A few things here. Establishing a back channel is nothing new in U.S Foreign policy. It was done by Bobby Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis as well as by Henry Kissinger during the Nixon administration. It was a way for Foreign governments to avoid international conflict. It was done as a matter of policy. This appears to be a matter of either enrichment for the Trump empire and advantage for Mr. Trump in the election. When the Russian Ambassador is even surprised at the request, you have to think that either Kushner was naïve, incompetent or arrogant. White House lawyers say Kushner will be ready willing and able to tell his story. You can bet that somewhere in the War Room defense of these stories, the blame will be placed squarely on…………………….wait for it………. 1. The Media. 2. President Obama. If it turns out that all of this was done to protect and expand Trump business interests, one has to wonder how greedy the Trump family is for more. MORE. MORE MORE! It’s fine to be rich, to be a billionaire, but when you are not satisfied with what you have, we go from being aggressively rich to just plain greedy. But that’s still to be determined.
FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE BULLY IN CHIEF
Donald Trump’s behavior on the campaign trail and after has given others permission to bully just like their hero. Trump has said that the media is the enemy of the people. No less an authoritarian than the late Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev never used that one! He even halted the Soviet government from using that phrase after he took over for Josef Stalin. You cannot tell me that there isn’t a direct line between this behavior and that of the
TAHFQ who happens to be our President. This is from Fox News: Greg Gianforte, the Republican candidate in Montana’s special congressional election, allegedly body slammed and punched Guardian political reporter Ben Jacobs during an interview in Bozeman, Mont., Wednesday. The altercation between the reporter and Gianforte comes on the eve a special election to replace Secretary Ryan Zinke, who left Montana’s sole House seat vacant when he was President Donald Trump tapped him to lead the Department of the Interior. Jacobs asked Gianforte about the Congressional Budget Office’s score of the House’s recently passed American Health Care Act, according to an audio recording of the altercation posted by The Guardian. Wow! If this Tony Soprano wanna be gets can’t answer a question about something mundane as a CBO score, imagine if he were realty challenged. REPUBLICAN THUGS! But the voters of Montana followed suit and picked another little bully to kiss the President's rump. Trump's rump!
TRUMP INSULTS NATO
Donald Trump called out the NATO allies for not paying their fair share. Other Presidents have done so in private. Trump most likely was advised to do so but he had to be the big mouth bully and put on a show. Calling out NATO publicly was one thing but Trump did not reaffirm what every President before him did. Affirm the "Supreme Guarantee" of "All for one and one for all". That clause was only used once in the entire history of NATO and it was done to support the United States! It should be remembered that ALL of the NATO allies stood behind America 1000% after 911. Trump, however doesn't remember it because he was too busy watching those thousands of Muslims cheering the attack from Jersey City that day! NOT.
We'll be taking a few siestas away from the Trump madness but look for our Memorial Day and JFK 100th anniversary editions this weekend.
This Trump budget will cut $616 billion over 10 years from the Medicaid program for low-income and disabled Americans and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The CHIP program is a life line to children in this state. This county. Trump had promised as a candidate to leave Medicaid untouched, along with Medicare and Social Security. Hillary might have called the Trump-ites "deplorable" just once. Trump will treat you like that for as long as he breathes. Right side of history.
WILKES BARRE AREA SCHOOL BOARD RACE REDUX
One of the biggest surprises in the race for Wilkes Barre Area School Board was the showing of Melissa Etzle Patla who came in second in last week’s election. Patla had the support of the Save Our School coalition. She seemed nice enough but not terribly versed in the minutia of the details of the board. She did oppose the new school building plan and advocated for neighborhood schools. That message resonated and one has to wonder why the Save Our Schools people didn’t run a slate. With more viable candidates they might have upended the school board power structure. Patla was viewed as very sincere and that goes a long way.
FIRST STEP IN JUSTICE FOR DEEJAY MO
DA Stefanie Salavantis (Photo: Times Leader)
The late Mike Onley. (Photo: Citizen's Voice)
After three and a half years, there is a step in the right direction for my late coworker Michael Onley. Onley was known as DJ Mo and was a community activist against violence. But to me he was a guy who sat across from me and quietly mused about our jobs and the state of music.
District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis made the announcement saying that the case has been worked for at least a few years. Charged were Roberto “Ruthless” Battle, 28, and David “D-Rock” Nealy, 36, in the homicide of Michael Onley, 34, of Wilkes-Barre. Onley, a Coughlin High and Wilkes University graduate, was known professionally as DJ Mo.
The U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force arrested Battle without incident in New York City on Tuesday after learning of his whereabouts, U.S. Marshal Martin J. Pane announced.
It was determined that the men were thrown out of the bar, picked up a gun and just took out their immature, entitled anger on anyone who got in the way. Unfortunately that was deejay Mo.
He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Step 1 for long delayed justice for Mike.
HOUSE PASSES JUVENILE JUSTICE BILL WITH BARLETTA LANGUAGE HELPING AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS LIKE SHINE
BARLETTA CHANGE MAKES AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL
Congressman Lou Barletta (Photo: LuLac archives)
Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) today voted for juvenile justice reform legislation containing a change he negotiated to enable afterschool programs – like the successful SHINE (Schools and Homes in Education) program in Pennsylvania – to compete for federal grants to keep students on the right path. The bill, the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2017, H.R. 1809, today unanimously passed the House of Representatives and now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Last Congress, during consideration of the bill in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Barletta succeeded in inserting afterschool programs into the list of eligible recipients of grants to states to prevent juvenile delinquency. The change, which was retained in the version of the bill introduced this Congress, means that states will be able to compete for five-year grants to help local leaders meet specific needs in keeping students headed in the right direction through programs such as SHINE.
“SHINE has a proven record as a very effective afterschool program benefitting students and working families,” Barletta said. “I am very proud to have expanded access to more grants for programs like SHINE, because we have seen how effective they can be in giving children greater educational opportunities.”
SHINE is an afterschool program for students in grades kindergarten-eight that focuses on a project-based STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) curriculum. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning recently analyzed 75 studies of 68 afterschool programs and found that students showed improved behavior and performed better academically than students who did not participate in afterschool programs. And according to a study from 2007 to 2012, of the 1,600 students who participated in SHINE during that period, 79 percent improved their academic performance; 96 percent advanced to the next grade; and 92 percent had exceptionally good or satisfactory attendance.
Barletta and Pennsylvania state Senator John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon) have championed SHINE together, working closely with Luzerne County host institution Wilkes University and its president, Patrick Leahy.
Barletta was instrumental in saving the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, which provides nearly 50 percent of SHINE’s funding. Beginning in February 2015, Barletta began working to save the program after an early version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization eliminated it. As a result of Barletta’s efforts, the 21st CCLC program was reauthorized on a bipartisan basis under the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Barletta is continuing to work to save federal funding for SHINE. In March, he sent separate letters to Office of Budget and Management (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney and U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos requesting that the Trump Administration reconsider its proposal to eliminate the 21st CCLC program.
MEDIA MATTERS
BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM
This week's guests are John Aciukevich and Annie Ellis discussing Luzerne County's Court Appointed Special Advocate program. Tune in Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400-The Game, NEPA's Fox Sports Radio and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River.
WALN TV
SUNDAY MAGAZINE
This Week on Sunday Magazine.
Brian Hughes speak with James May, Michael Taluto and Sylvia from PENNDOT District 4.0 about Summer driving safety and road projects for the summer months.
Brian speaks with Cheryl Rawls, Director, Pension and Fiduciary Service, for the Veterans Benefits Administration, about benefits and services available for the families of deceased veterans.
And Brian speaks with Dr. Theodore Fields about the stigma of Gout, and how it keeps people who suffer from Gout from bringing up the issue with their doctors.
ECTV
Rusty Fender mans the ECTV Live desk during the week of May 29th as he and Director Mark Migilore welcome Dennis Giordano of the Pennsylvania Department of Transpiration to the program.
ECTV Live can be seen on Comcast channel 19 (61 in some areas) and is aired during the Noon, 6pm and Midnight hours each day of the week. Following Monday's Live program the show will become available on Electric City Television's YouTube channel which can be viewed on your computer.
BIG BEATLE TRIBUTE TOMORROW ONE MORE DAY TO GET TICKETS
Louise Harrison on the right with Beatledd, the promoter of the show.
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
Janet Guthrie becomes 1st woman to drive in Indy 500…..Sue Press is 1st woman golfer to hit consecutive holes-in one...Cleveland Indian Dennis Eckersley no-hits California Angels, 2-0......."Beatlemania" opens at Winter Garden Theater NYC for 920 performances…
NBC News & Information Service (24 hr news) ends on radio….. USSR President Podgorny resigns "Beatles Live! At Star-Club in Hamburg Germany" released….."Brady Bunch Hour" last airs on ABC-TV......in Pennsylvania NBC affiliates scramble to get new programming after the NBC News Service ends….in Wilkes Barre WBRE Radio decides to continue the all news format for a time with a local bent. News anchors Guy Randall, Bill Graham and Joe Gries remain on the air along with Bud Brown to keep the format alive……meanwhile up the road at WVIA FM an overnight all news broadcast begins with David Kush, Roger Heydt and Ed Karpovich….and forty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Feels Like the First Time “ by Foreigner.
BOB CASEY WAS AN UNDERSTATED SENATOR. THEN CAME TRUMP
Last week The New York Times had a front page article outlining the evolution of Senator Robert P. Casey Junior and his change in attitude and demeanor since the election of Donald Trump. Now Casey was always on the side of the middle class but his stances have been more vocal. Like Casey, many of us have hardened our beliefs in the face of the Trump onslaught. Perhaps Bob Casey is remembering the words of his late father who talked about public service. His mantra was, "What did you do when you had the power?" Maybe Bob Junior realizes this might be, for better or worse, his moment. This is an excellent read. Here's the link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/19/us/politics/bob-casey-was-an-understated-senator-then-came-trump.html?_r=0
Edd Raineri, host of “The Beatledd Fab Four Hour” on WRKC-FM, in conjunction with LOUISE HARRISON, sister of the late GEORGE HARRISON of THE BEATLES, present: LIVERPOOL LEGENDS Friday, MAY 26th, 8 PM The F.M. Kirby Center Liverpool Legends are the COMPLETE BEATLES EXPERIENCE! These incredibly talented musicians and actors are handpicked by Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison. This is their first visit to NE PA. The band performs songs spanning the entire career of The Beatles and on through their solo years. With precise attention to every musical detail, along with costume changes, vintage instruments and special effects, Liverpool Legends will make you feel like you are watching the real thing! Liverpool Legends has performed at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA; Busch Stadium in St. Louis; Carnegie Hall in NYC; and the Cavern Club in Liverpool. They recently performed before a sold-out crowd of over 16,000 at Arena Ciudad de Mexico. Again! They’ve performed with Denny Laine (Wings); former Beatle, Pete Best, and the Boston Pops. They’ve appeared on The Travel Channel’s “Beatlemania Britain” and headlined at “International Beatles Week” in Liverpool, England. Also, nationally known comedian/impressionist, Jeff DeHart, will be coming in from NYC and taking the stage as “ED SULLIVAN”. A very good friend of fellow comedian, Bob Saget, Jeff DeHart is hilarious! Tickets on sale at the Kirby box office; online at kirbycenter.org and charge by phone at 570-826-1100.
Edd Raineri, host of “The Beatledd Fab Four Hour” on WRKC-FM, in conjunction with LOUISE HARRISON, sister of the late GEORGE HARRISON of THE BEATLES, present: LIVERPOOL LEGENDS Friday, MAY 26th, 8 PM The F.M. Kirby Center Liverpool Legends are the COMPLETE BEATLES EXPERIENCE! These incredibly talented musicians and actors are handpicked by Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison. This is their first visit to NE PA. The band performs songs spanning the entire career of The Beatles and on through their solo years. With precise attention to every musical detail, along with costume changes, vintage instruments and special effects, Liverpool Legends will make you feel like you are watching the real thing! Liverpool Legends has performed at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA; Busch Stadium in St. Louis; Carnegie Hall in NYC; and the Cavern Club in Liverpool. They recently performed before a sold-out crowd of over 16,000 at Arena Ciudad de Mexico. Again! They’ve performed with Denny Laine (Wings); former Beatle, Pete Best, and the Boston Pops. They’ve appeared on The Travel Channel’s “Beatlemania Britain” and headlined at “International Beatles Week” in Liverpool, England. Also, nationally known comedian/impressionist, Jeff DeHart, will be coming in from NYC and taking the stage as “ED SULLIVAN”. A very good friend of fellow comedian, Bob Saget, Jeff DeHart is hilarious! Tickets on sale at the Kirby box office; online at kirbycenter.org and charge by phone at 570-826-1100.
TRUMP CUTS FOOD STAMP, LOCALS CHEER!
The new Trump budget outline is set to cut the SNAP program. Naturally the right wing haters in LuLac land have gotten on their high horses and are cheering their guy for taking money away from the poor. In many cases the working poor. The facts are the SNAP program is designed to help the agricultural industry and was crafted by no less of a Conservative than Bob Dole. The program provides food for people. It makes up 1% of the United States budget. It also provides agricultural subsidies to farmers. People were opining on the radio and Facebook that people were abusing the program. Let's be clear. If someone is found to be abusing it, like selling the card or loaning it out, I say go after them.One strike and you're out as far as I'm concerned. But if someone is buying food, that’s what it's for. I don’t give a rat’s ass if people use their Food Stamps to buy shrimp, lobster or anything they want. IT IS FOOD! No one should judge anyone for the food they buy. If you are too cheap or a senior on a fixed income and want shrimp and lobster, why not stop standing in line at Turkey Hill buying twenty bucks of Lottery tickets at a clip everyday? Why not take a break from the Casino? There are many anecdotal stories of people buying high end items. The owner of Thomas’ Family Market said there was a huge amount of fraud in the program because he sees people buying all this seafood and other stuff he "judges" them to be unworthy of because they are poor. Okay, it’s FOOD Tom! How welcome do you think you're SNAP customers will feel coming to your store now? My question here is this, did he have any receipts? Did he have any documentation of just how much FOOD was in his estimation “stolen?” Sure there will be people who will scam the system. But for the most part people are still trying to get by. I worked with a guy a few years back and he had two little kids, well both were 7 and 9. He decided to buy them Lobster for New Year’s Eve and went to the old Leggierri’s Market on Grove Street across from his house. He was stunned at the cost (this was 2004) but paid the money because he wanted to do something special. He was a member of the working poor. He went without for a week for that splurge. The working poor deserve to give their kids a break. I hope he applied for SNAP if his fortunes have not changed. To those loudmouths who talk about people scamming with the card, have they ever tried to apply? I have a friend, a Vietnam War veteran, it took him 6 years to get them and he only got them when he retired. It is colossal nerve for people in this region, some, who have had political jobs all their lives, who are on pensions that in many cases we pay for, cheer the Trump budget and the owner of Thomas’ Market. Anyone who gets SNAP, just don’t go to Thomas’ if he doesn’t want your business. Surely not all of his consumers are abusing the system! But if he has painted a broad brush...DON'T GO THERE! One more quick story. One Friday afternoon I’m was Weis in Nanticoke and a woman in front of me is paying with a SNAP card. I had no clue what she was buying. I couldn't care less if it was gold crusted waffles! But a busy body old woman who most likely prayers The Rosary and tells you how much she loves God was standing behind me and blurts out to the cashier, “Where can I get one of ‘dem cards?’ The woman with the card stared straight ahead. NO ONE SHOULD BE HUMILIATED WHEN THEY ARE BUYING FOOD. The cashier, God Bless her, looked at the woman and said nothing. After the SNAP card holder, left I got my items. I paid with my AMEX. I took my stuff but before leaving said to the woman, “Are you going to bitch about my card! You should be ashamed of yourself”. I don’t think she got it but it had to be said. All that said, for those who need help, here’s the link to get a SNAP card. http://www.dhs.pa.gov/foradults/supplementalnutritionassistanceprogram/D_000639 Buy what the hell you want. If I can buy 6 Hershey bars, 2 cases of Diet Snapple, skim milk and yogurt with my AMEX, buy what you want.I'd rather have my tax dollars go to YOU rather than a billionaire in the 1%. And if you get hassled by a sainted elder of LuLac land with their big mouths and their SUV with Trump bumper stickers on it, tell them to “***k off”.
Edd Raineri, host of “The Beatledd Fab Four Hour” on WRKC-FM, in conjunction with LOUISE HARRISON, sister of the late GEORGE HARRISON of THE BEATLES, present: LIVERPOOL LEGENDS Friday, MAY 26th, 8 PM The F.M. Kirby Center Liverpool Legends are the COMPLETE BEATLES EXPERIENCE! These incredibly talented musicians and actors are handpicked by Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison. This is their first visit to NE PA. The band performs songs spanning the entire career of The Beatles and on through their solo years. With precise attention to every musical detail, along with costume changes, vintage instruments and special effects, Liverpool Legends will make you feel like you are watching the real thing! Liverpool Legends has performed at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA; Busch Stadium in St. Louis; Carnegie Hall in NYC; and the Cavern Club in Liverpool. They recently performed before a sold-out crowd of over 16,000 at Arena Ciudad de Mexico. Again! They’ve performed with Denny Laine (Wings); former Beatle, Pete Best, and the Boston Pops. They’ve appeared on The Travel Channel’s “Beatlemania Britain” and headlined at “International Beatles Week” in Liverpool, England. Also, nationally known comedian/impressionist, Jeff DeHart, will be coming in from NYC and taking the stage as “ED SULLIVAN”. A very good friend of fellow comedian, Bob Saget, Jeff DeHart is hilarious! Tickets on sale at the Kirby box office; online at kirbycenter.org and charge by phone at 570-826-1100.
BARLETTA’S BILL TO IMPROVE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCESS TO INTELLIGENCE PASSES COMMITTEE
LEGISLATION REQUIRES INVENTORY OF FACILITIES CERTIFIED TO STORE CLASSIFIED INFORMATION
Congressman Lou Barletta (Photo: LuLac archives)
The House Homeland Security Committee yesterday passed legislation introduced by Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) to strengthen information sharing between local, state, and federal law enforcement. The DHS Classified Facility Inventory Act, H.R. 2443, requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to maintain an inventory of all “SCIFs,” or facilities that are certified to store information classified above the Secret level. Law enforcement officials at all levels of government commonly share counterterrorism information. However, a recent report by the Inspectors General of the Intelligence Community, DHS, and Department of Justice found that, while counterterrorism information is usually classified at the Top Secret level, DHS personnel lack sufficient access to SCIFs where this information can be shared in the field. Barletta’s bill addresses this issue by ensuring that the physical locations of all DHS-certified SCIF facilities will be known and accessible to DHS personnel. “The importance of information sharing across the government cannot be overstated,” Barletta said. “As a former mayor, I understand that our local law enforcement officers are the first line of defense against terrorism. We need to make sure they are getting all of the information they need to keep us safe in a secure and timely manner. This bill eliminates unnecessary roadblocks that could prevent or delay efforts to protect our communities.”
MEDIA MATTERS
WBRE TV-WYOU WINS BIG AT PAB
Lonnie Miller, Andy Mehalshick, Jayne Ann Bugda and Steve Daniloff (Photo: Pa Homepage.com)
Jayne Ann Bugda and Andy Mehalshick members of the Eyewitness News Team (WBRE/WYOU) were recently honored at the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters Awards Ceremony in Hershey. Jayne Ann Bugda, won a PAB Award for Outstanding Documentary “What Happened to the Girl Next Door”. Bugda was the senior producer of the documentary that took a close look at growing problem of sex trafficking in our communities. Andy Mehalshick, won a PAB Award for Outstanding Investigative Report on Luzerne County Rental Scam. Photojournalist Lonnie Miller won for his work on the investigative series. Bugda is also the co- host and producer of Newsmakers Public Affairs Program, Producer of Eyewitness News at 7 on WYOU, and web producer for PAHomepage.com. Mehalshick is the Lead I-Team Reporter for WBRE/WYOU Eyewitness News and co-host of Newsmakers Public Affairs Program. Steve Daniloff, Vice President and General Manager of WBRE/ PAHomepage attended the weekend conference in Hershey. Members of the Eyewitness News Team who were honored for their work on the documentary include: Former Eyewitness News Reporter Laurie Monteforte, Videographer/Editors: Tom Gregory, Tim Haberski, Lonnie Miller; Production Assistant, Brianna Strunk, Graphic Design, Rebecca Stitzer, News Directors Rod Jackson and Jim DePury. The Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters annual convention was held at the Hotel Hershey on May 7-8.
Liverpool Legends are the COMPLETE BEATLES EXPERIENCE! These incredibly talented musicians and actors are handpicked by Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison. This is their first visit to NE PA. The band performs songs spanning the entire career of The Beatles and on through their solo years. With precise attention to every musical detail, along with costume changes, vintage instruments and special effects, Liverpool Legends will make you feel like you are watching the real thing! Liverpool Legends has performed at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA; Busch Stadium in St. Louis; Carnegie Hall in NYC; and the Cavern Club in Liverpool. They recently performed before a sold-out crowd of over 16,000 at Arena Ciudad de Mexico. Again! They’ve performed with Denny Laine (Wings); former Beatle, Pete Best, and the Boston Pops. They’ve appeared on The Travel Channel’s “Beatlemania Britain” and headlined at “International Beatles Week” in Liverpool, England. Also, nationally known comedian/impressionist, Jeff DeHart, will be coming in from NYC and taking the stage as “ED SULLIVAN”. A very good friend of fellow comedian, Bob Saget, Jeff DeHart is hilarious! Tickets on sale at the Kirby box office; online at kirbycenter.org and charge by phone at 570-826-1100.
TOOMEY SELLING OUT PENNSYLVANIANS IN HEALTH CARE BILL
Senator Pat Toomey (Photo: CNN)
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released a paper outlining the harmful impact of changes that Senator Pat Toomey is proposing to the health care bill as negotiations continue in the Senate. The details of these changes, just now emerging, would do significant harm to Pennsylvania’s economy, our children, seniors, parents and persons with disabilities. The House-passed bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would effectively end the Medicaid expansion and radically restructure Medicaid by converting it to either a per capita cap or block grant. Together, these changes would cut federal Medicaid spending by $839 billion over ten years and reduce enrollment by 14 million people by 2026, relative to current law. Some Senate Republicans, led by Senator Pat Toomey, are seeking additional changes to the per capita cap that would dramatically expand those already highly damaging cuts. The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center and the Pennsylvania Health Access Network released the following statement regarding this development: Marc Stier Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center said, “Senator Toomey is proposing changes to Medicaid funding that are far more radical, and far more harmful to Pennsylvania, than those found in the already devastating American Health Care Act that passed the House two weeks ago. Huge tax increases or, far more likely, devastating cuts to the Medicaid program will be the result. Cuts in the Medicaid program, which already is far more cost-effective than both Medicare and private insurance, cannot be sustained at this level without a radical reduction in benefits or eligibility. The consequences for our rapidly aging population in Pennsylvania are predictable: far fewer people receiving any health care; far fewer people receiving all the care they need; and far fewer seniors obtaining the long-term care they need. People will die for lack of health care or senior care." Antoinette Kraus, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network said, “ The GOP bill that passed the House last week would radically restructure Medicaid and end a 50 year entitlement program that has helped children, seniors and individuals with disabilities get the care they need. Senator Toomey’s proposal will only make a bad bill worse. We are calling on Senator Toomey to stop playing politics with people’s lives and instead reject any proposals that will result in an increase in the number of uninsured, the radical restructuring of Medicaid or any proposal that ends Medicaid Expansion. Key Highlights from the Center on Budget Report: Under the AHCA, starting in 2020, states would receive the amount of money they spent per person on each Medicaid beneficiary under the program. The cap would increase over time by a fixed amount based on some index of inflation. A key determinant of how much a per capita cap reduces Medicaid spending is what index of inflation is used. Under the AHCA, the cap increase annually through 2019 at the rate of increase of the the medical care component of the Consumer Price Index (M-CPI), which the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) expects to grow by 3.7 percent per year over the next ten years. Beginning in 2020, the caps for seniors and people with disabilities would rise by the M-CPI plus one percentage point. This is already too low. CBO expects that cost to Medicaid of providing care under current law will increases not at the M-CPI rate of 3.7%, but at 4.4% over ten years. Senator Toomey has proposed using the general inflation rate, which CBO projects to be 2.4% over ten years, as the index by which the per capita cap goes up. This means shifting a large portion of the cost of Medicaid to the states, which would leave to either huge state tax increases or, more likely, devastating cuts to the number of Medicaid beneficiaries and the services they receive. Here's the link from the Pennsylvania Health Access Network. http://www.cbpp.org/research/health/toomey-lee-proposal-would-significantly-expand-house-bills-already-deep-medicaid?link_id=6&can_id=14d54a67e813747261f74c18ad475b56&source=email-release-gop-health-plan-would-hit-rural-pennsylvanians-hard-2-2-2&email_referrer=release-gop-health-plan-would-hit-rural-pennsylvanians-hard-2-2-2&email_subject=report-senator-toomey-seeking-massive-cuts-to-medicaid-funding-in-senate-health-care-bill
I can understand a person who has backed a candidate to the hilt and reacts to criticism of that person. The beauty part of American politics is that you can announce loudly your defense of a candidate or a President, but at some point you have to be reasonable. Many listeners to talk radio are saying there is a Media cabal that is coming after President Trump. All that said, a few points: The Media has not made up these stories. The Media is only reporting what the President said and did. Then the Media reports what his staff said he (the President) said and did. Then the Media reports what he tweets which usually contradicts his staff about what he said and did. Here’s my point, if during the campaign these Trump people believed Wikileaks about Trump’s opponent, why are they having trouble believing the stuff about Trump after the campaign? Wikileaks comes from an outside organization that does not seem to have the best interests of our county at heart. But the Media is attacked everyday just by reporting what is happening. All of these happenings are self inflicted by the President. First the Trump supporters said there was a 5:30pm deadline and new facts about the alleged Russian ties were put out by the Washington Post and New York Times.Everyday. But other news organizations are jumping on board. Yahoo News, McClatchy, both not even affiliated with the Times. Everybody can’t be making this stuff up. There is no media cabal out to get Trump. Everything that is reported is something HE DID or SAID. Or something he then contradicted about himself. There is no fake news, just news that has emanated from a man who is unprepared to deal with his own fantasy world. It is not the media, it’s what he is telling the media.What he is doing. One last point, a caller to WILK said that former President Obama and his wife were in Valerie Jarrett’s basement doing all this stuff to discredit the President right after Inauguration Day. Yeah….and Dave DeCosmo, Gort, Harold Jenkins and I were delivering pizzas and hoagies to sustain their energy.
THE CAMPUS COWARDS AT PENN STATE
(photo: emergentmath)
With all the news going on recently about Trump and our local elections, this story flew under the radar. But the recent indictment of 8 college fraternity members at Penn State (including two students (ahem) from The Lac) was disturbing. To recap, a student from New Jersey died in February, two days after he was injured while pledging the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Now this fraternity house is one of the most glorious structures at Happy Valley. Mrs. LuLac has driven by it many times and was stunned to learn it was a frat house. The fraternity is sustained by a multi million dollar donation from a former pledge. The cause of death was traumatic brain injury that resulted from several falls, including a fall down a set of basement stairs, according to a 65-page statement issued by Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller after a county grand jury investigation. The kids who were hazing the Jersey youth waited 40 minutes to get help. Then there were texts that were erased to try and cover up their inaction. Eight of them were charged, they face manslaughter charged on on that night. This fraternity that has stated in its charter that no alcohol be be used, spent nearly $1200 on booze for this “celebration”. The bill for the parents of the deceased and now the accused will be much more expensive.Here are the court papers on this. https://www.scribd.com/document/347431625/Notice-11-FINAL-Charges-and-Presentment
TRUMP AND THE WITCH HUNT?
How does Donald Trump call this the biggest Presidential witch hunt on a sitting President when he hired private detectives to scour Hawaii to see if Barack Obama was really born there. Really? Trump made his career in Presidential politics trying to disprove Obama was a United States citizen. And the crazies who would eventually vote for him bought it. But in his world, all it takes is a sideways glance at him and he and his supporters get their itty bitty feeling hurt!
TRUMP’S POOR ME SPEECH AT THE COAST GUARD
(coast guard logo)
Picture this. You are the parents of a student that is graduating from the Coast Guard Academy. You proudly wait for the ceremony begin. This year is special. The President of the United State is the Commencement Speaker. Your child will get a message imparted from THEIR Commander In Chief. With trouble spots flaring up all around the world, you wonder what he will say. You wonder if he will inspire your child to serve and defend the country they obviously love with words that will stay with them forever. Then what do you get? You get this: President Trump told US Coast Guard graduates that “no other politician in history… has been treated worse or more unfairly” as he had, and urged the young men and women to “fight, fight, fight” when they met adversity. There were some that cheered. But the point here is that the adversity these graduates face serving the country will not be self inflicted. And knowing Coast Guard veterans like I do, they certainly won’t whine when they do face adversity.
REP. CARTWRIGHT INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILL TO PROMOTE FINANCIAL LITERACY
Congressman Matt Cartwright (LuLac archives)
,U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright re-introduced bipartisan legislation that would make financial literacy education more accessible to students. The Financial Literacy for Students Act would create incentive grants to states who agree to provide financial literacy education in Title I public elementary and secondary schools. This bill would allow for significant flexibility, creativity, and innovation in the integration of financial literacy and entrepreneurship education into existing curriculums. Additionally, this bill encourages appropriate professional development for teachers for the teaching of financial literacy education. “This is a key step to improving financial literacy in U.S. schools,” said Rep. Cartwright. “This bill will prepare students to make sound financial decisions as they enter college and the workforce. I look forward to working with my colleagues on this important legislation.” Under current law, individual states are left to create and implement financial literacy education curriculum and courses in their districts and schools. As a result, only four states require a minimum of one semester of financial literacy education in primary and secondary school, and only 20 states require that the topic be taught within another subject area. The Financial Literacy for Students Act is supported by Junior Achievement and the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
BARLETTA BACKS BILL TO IMPROVE CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION
BARLETTA TOURING THE LUZERNE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAREER AND TECHNICAL PROGRAMS.
Congressman Lou Barletta voted for bipartisan legislation to help prepare Americans to enter the workforce with the skills they need to compete for high-skilled, in-demand jobs. In a mark-up in the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Barletta voted for the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, H.R. 2353, which strengthens and reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. The bill was approved by the committee by unanimous vote and now heads to the full House of Representatives for consideration. “If we want to maintain our position as a global leader and truly compete in the world economy, then our workforce must be able to set the pace,” Barletta said. “I often hear from local employers who say they have jobs, but cannot find the workers to fill them. This legislation will provide much-needed resources to equip students with the skills they will need to fill good-paying jobs.” Since 1984, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act has provided federal support to state and local Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. CTE programs offer students the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to compete for jobs in a broad range of fields, such as health care and technology. However, because federal law has not been updated in more than a decade, it no longer reflects the realities and challenges facing students and workers. H.R. 2353 improves how government invests in the American workforce and strengthens American competitiveness and jobs training. The bill is nearly identical to legislation the House passed in September of 2016 by a 405-5 vote. Specifically, the legislation will Deliver states more flexibility to use federal resources in response to changing education and economic needs. Ensure career and technical education prepares all students, including historically disadvantaged and vulnerable students, for success in high-skill, high-wage occupations and careers in nontraditional fields. Improve alignment with in-demand jobs by supporting innovative learning opportunities, building better community partnerships, and encouraging stronger engagement with employers. Enhance career and technical education through increased focus on employability skills, work-based learning opportunities, and meaningful credentialing so students are prepared to enter the workforce poised for success. Streamline performance measures to ensure career and technical education programs deliver results for students and taxpayers. Reduce administrative burdens and simplify the process for states to apply for federal resources. Reward success and innovation by directing federal resources to replicate promising practices that best serve students and employers. Provide parents, students, and stakeholders a voice in setting performance goals and evaluating the effectiveness of state and local programs. Empower state and local leaders to develop plans that improve the quality of career and technical education and take into account unique local and state needs. As part of his commitment to closing the skills gap and supporting CTE programs, Barletta last week participated in a press conference at Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) to discuss the importance of reauthorizing the Perkins Act. Barletta then toured LCCC and met with students learning various trade skills. “Learning trade skills offered by community colleges like LCCC is a pathway forward for our country right now,” Barletta said. “Reauthorizing the Perkins Act ensures programs like these can continue to help our students meet the demands of job opportunities available to them here in Pennsylvania and across the country.”
MEDIA MATTERS
BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM
Tune in Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400-The Game, NEPA's Fox Sports Radio and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River.
WALN TV
SUNDAY MAGAZINE
This Week on Sunday Magazine. Brian Hughes speaks with Ray & Mike from the Back Mountain Railroad Club about their club and their model, representing what the Back Mountain looked like in the 1930's thru the 1950's.An encore of Frankie in the Morning's interview with Jason Harlan from Wyoming Valley Alcohol & Drug Services about their annual Golf Tournament on Friday at Blue Ridge in Mountaintop. An encore of Brian's interview with Brian Hallock, Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus St Ann's Council about their 2nd Annual 8K Trail Run & 2K Walk, coming up on Sunday at Aylesworth Park in Jermyn. And Brian speaks with Dr. Stanley Goldstein & Takiesha about National Asthma & Allergy 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.
ECTV
ECTV Live can be seen on Comcast channel 19 (61 in some areas) and is aired during the Noon, 6pm and Midnight hours each day of the week. Following Monday's Live program the show will become available on Electric City Television's YouTube channel which can be viewed on your computer.
BIG BEATLE TRIBUTE SHOW ON THE WAY
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
US, USSR and other nations sign the Environmental Modification Convention which prohibits weather warfare having widespread, long-lasting or severe effects "Smokey & the Bandit," premieres...."Fiddler on the Roof" closes at Winter Garden NYC after 167 performances......102nd Preakness: Jean Cruguet aboard Seattle Slew wins in 1:54.4….SD Padres beat Mont Expos, 11-8, in 21 innings…..in Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo faces controversy over relations with the African American community…..in Wilkes Barre Congressman Dan Flood gives the commencement address at King’s College for the Class of 1977. Stellar graduates taking their degree are James Gibson of Kingston, Ronald Ungvarsky of the Philly suburbs and Peter Gagliardi of Wilkes Barre. All three would be involved in politics as staffers, administrators or candidates and forty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was “So In to You” by The Atlanta Rhythm Section.
Location: Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, United States
Political analyst for WBRE TV's Pa. Live program and post election commentator for WBRE TV's Eyewitness News Daybreak show. Author of the book "A Radio Story/We Wish You Well In Your Future Endeavors" and "Leges Vitae" "26 Rules of Life" and the new novel, "Weather Or Knot". The blog editor also writes various news articles and columns as well as upcoming literary projects. The blog editor was a frequent guest on WYOU TV'S INTERACTIVE NEWSCASTS when political issues were discussed on the national, state and local level. Yonki was a weekly panelist on WYLN TV 35's Friday Topic A program. He also appeared on the Hazleton, PA. station on Election Night doing coverage and did special projects and stories for WYLN TV 35's 10PM Newscast "Late Edition".
