The LuLac Edition #3706, February 1st, 2018

TRUMP’S STATE OF ALTERNATIVE FACTS AT THE STATE OF THE UNION

Trump cheering for his own fine self the other night. (Photo: AP)

As a long time student and commentator of Government and American History, it is still somewhat unsettling for me to watch a guy like Donald Trump at the podium in the House of the People doing a joint address to Congress. But “the people” put him there, less 3 and a half million and this is what we got. Since Tuesday was Mrs. LuLac’s birthday we had a day out and got in late. I listened to the speech on radio since she would have none of watching him and I didn’t want to end her birthday celebration with her snarling and cursing at the TV. While getting my lunch ready for work the next morning I was struck by the lies he was flinging left and right in his Address. Here are just a few.

“We enacted the biggest tax cuts and reform in American history.”

This is FALSE. A LIE. But given Trump’s lack of historical knowledge, after all that Fredrick Douglas is a great guy and stuff, I was not surprised.
The fact is it’s not even close, The New York Daily News reported that Ronald Reagan’s, in 1981, was the biggest tax cut. No less an authority than the non partisan committee for Responsible Federal Budget says so. As a matter of fact they say it ranks as number eight. Keep in mind the words responsible and non partisan are foreign to the Trump -ites.

“We are now an exporter of energy to the world.”

This one is bullshit! Classic Trump slinging of the old manure.
The U.S. has been an exporter of energy for generations. The U.S. still imports more energy than it exports, although by some estimates the U.S. could be a net exporter of energy in a decade or so.

After years of wage stagnation, we are finally seeing rising wages.”

NOPE!
As Politifact reports, though wages did increase during the first three quarters of the first year of Trump’s presidency, they fell so hard in the fourth quarter that all of the previous gains were wiped out. Further, wages had been rising since the final years of the Obama administration. Plus keep in mind the economic recovery that REPUBLICANS have billed as “weak” has been going on for EIGHT YEARS!Now they take credit, especially Trump for what they were attacking. It was a Donnie Boy said, "A disashtua".

“The visa lottery — a program that randomly hands out green cards without any regard for skill, merit, or the safety of our people.”

NOT TRUE.
The visa lottery program requires applicants to meet certain educational and work-skills requirements and also undergo extreme vetting (which includes background checks). Only when they’ve met the requirements are applicants awarded visas randomly via the lottery.

“We have foolishly released hundreds and hundreds of dangerous terrorists, only to meet them again on the battlefield — including the ISIS leader, al-Baghdadi.”

A LIE. Plus it is a dangerous LIE.
Only 122 detainees (not “hundreds and hundreds”) were released from U.S. custody and then returned to terrorist activities between 2002 and 2016. As for al-Baghdadi, he was not “released” by the U.S. Rather, he was sent to Iraq, where he was released later under mysterious circumstances.

“We repealed the core of the disastrous Obamacare — the individual mandate is now gone.”

False. If you believe that you just might get a surprise when you file your taxes this year if you didn’t have health insurance in 2017.
The individual mandate is still in effect, and individuals who don’t have health insurance still face fines. The individual mandate’s repeal doesn’t take effect until next year.
So the MAN WITH THE DETAILS didn’t provide that fact.
When I was a kid I used to look forward to the pageantry of The State of the Union. Not anymore. There are many people who might tune in, tune out, whatever but will not believe a word he says!
Politically, it doesn’t matter because any bump he could have had were turned to ashes with the debate about the release of the confidential material about the FBI to the public. (LuLac, The Guardian)

JIMMIE KIMMEL AND DACA

Mrs. LuLac can’t stand Jimmie Kimmel dating back to his days on The Man Show. But the other night I DVRed Kimmel’s interview with good Americans, actually selfish, bigoted, un knowledgeable, ignorant, “I got mine, now you get yours” Americans who came to face to face with a DACA citizen. It is revealing about how hateful we have become. Keep a close eye on the two goobers in the “Make America Great Again” hats. Worth the time to watch.

WAGNER-BARTOS REPORT NEARLY $7 MILLION COMBINED CASH-ON-HAND

WAGNER RAISED OVER $2.5 MILLION FROM DONORS IN 2017

Scott Wagner and Jeff Bartos (Wagner/Bartos campaign)

2018 Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner and his running mate Jeff Bartos today reported a combined $7 million cash-on-hand. Wagner also raised over $2.5 million from donors in 2017. He received donations from more than 3,300 different Pennsylvanians, who contributed to 78 percent of the amount he raised.
“We’re grateful for the broad support our campaign to change the status quo in Harrisburg has earned throughout the Commonwealth,” said Wagner and Bartos. “The people of Pennsylvania are excited about finally having a government that answers to them, and the strong financial backing we’re receiving will be critical in making that happen.”
“We had two main goals for our 2017 fundraising efforts and we achieved both of them,” said Campaign Manager Jason High. “Our first goal was to raise as much money as possible from as many unique donors as possible. Our second goal was to incentivize even stronger finance numbers in 2018 by proving to our donors that we will provide them with tangible returns on their investments. By putting our resources toward voter contact and a robust paid media plan, we were able to take Scott’s outsider message across the Commonwealth, resulting in a substantial lead in internal polling and overwhelming support in the State Committee endorsement process.”
Finance Director Jenise Harris said of the announcement, “Today’s report demonstrates that our focus on building grassroots enthusiasm for Scott’s candidacy is paying off. In an age where statewide campaigns are relying more and more on national dollars, the bulk of our donations came from Pennsylvanians. We are encouraged by what we raised last year, but we will continue to fundraise aggressively so that we have the necessary resources to defeat Tom Wolf in November.”

PTCC MEMBERS AND HOME OWNERS. UPDATE ON HB/SB76.

Our friend Charlie Urban sent us this information about the attempts get Property Tax Reform before the glacial State Legislature in The Commonwealth. A group of Senators are currently working to craft a bill that would eliminate school property taxes in Pennsylvania sources say. Sen.. David Argall (R) Schuylkill told the Philadelphia Inquire he is working with a number of his colleagues in Harrisburg to come up with a bill that could succeed in doing away with the tax..
According to the Inquirer's report.
(http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-school-property-tax-eliminate-plan-argall-21080122.html) some options under consideration are eliminating school property tax on primary residences and increasing income and sales taxes for school funding.
As soon as this week, Argall plans to sit down with fellow senators and assess feedback from informal polling on the issue. ' We're taking a headcount to see what version the members prefer." Argall told the publication. "And the once we have solid count then we hope to move forward on the issue."
The effort to strike property taxes has heated up after a constitutional amendment passed in November allowing Pennsylvania to exempt owner-occupied homes from real estate levies, including school taxes.
"To say that school property taxis antiquated would be a severe understatement. This burdensome tax, which dates back to the 1830s is not only crippling the American dream of home ownership for current homeowners but for future ones as well", Argall said in in an Op-ed (http://www.senatorargall.com/2017/01/op-ed-yes- constitutional-amendment-property-taxes/) ahead of the vote on the constitutional amendment
Argall said his constituents have told him they are months away from losing their homes, "others are considering moving to one of our neighboring states. where school property taxes are significantly lower."
Argall's effort to eliminate property taxes is years in the making. . He is the prime sponsor of The Property Tax Independence Act (http://www.senatorargall.com/senate-bill-76-explained/), which was defeated in 2015, It has since been introduced and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
A spokesman for Governor Tom Wolf told the Inquire he would review any proposal upon formal introduction.
This might be the last chance to eliminate school property tax. SB/HB/ 76 is the complete answer. So its time to get active and call these lawmakers in our area who do not support. 76. CALL Sen. John Blake #570-207-2881 Sen. John Gordner #570-784-3466. Rep. Mike Carroll #570-655-4843. Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski #570-825-5934 Rep Marty Flynn #579-342-4349. Rep Kevin Haggerty #570-342-2710, Maureen Madden #570-894-7905. Ask them to support the peoples legislation . excepts no excuses , because WE the people are the GOVERNMENT Do it ASAP and contact your friends.by email or phone.
Charles Urban Pres. Luzerne County Property Owners
83 N Thomas Ave. Kingston, Pa 18704 #570-288-2972 E mail curban6@aol.com,

FRANKLIN & MARSHALL COLLEGE STUDENTS WILL BE AMBASSADORS TO THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN CONFERENCE WITH FOCUS ON EXPANDING POLITICAL DIALOGUE AND ENGAGEMENT ON CAMPUSES

During the weekend of February 2-4, Gavriel Rubenstein, a junior, and James Galasso, a senior, will represent F&M and participate in the National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement conference, coordinated by the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School.
This year’s conference program will focus on catalyzing broader student participation in political dialogue and engagement on college campuses. Participants will identify processes and strategies to support open, diverse and inclusive political conversations that can provide first steps toward reconnecting college students and Americans who often see no common ground.
“We are excited to explore this year’s theme – civil discourse – with students from all over the country. The National Campaign Conference is a unique opportunity for diverse perspectives to converge and for students to explore productive and effective methods of dialogue which they can bring back to their respective campuses – a necessary and relevant course of action,” said Eloise Kaehny. Harvard College ’19, National Campaign Committee Chair.

Since 2003, the IOP-led alliance of over 30 colleges and universities has held annual conferences to identify collaborative projects, foster engagement in electoral politics, assist students in pursuing careers in public service, and provide a foundation in civic education. Led by a team of Harvard undergraduate students, the collegiate ambassadors to the National Campaign work together to achieve concrete goals, such as working with local election offices to improve the voting experience for their campus communities.
“We at the IOP are committed to supporting programs like the National Campaign, which allow students to openly discuss areas of political and social disagreement and develop strategies to expand the scope of civil discourse on campus,” said IOP Acting Director Bill Delahunt.
“As the faculty representative, I’m delighted to attend what will be a rewarding conference. This will be a great learning experience for the students, and they also get to interact with their student colleagues from all over the country,” according to G. Terry Madonna, Director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs, Franklin & Marshall College. (Source: Franklin and Marshall College)

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN TV

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week's guests will be John Gleason and Kim Fitzgerald from Keystone Mission. 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.

ECTV LIVE

A group of dedicated community citizens has taken the "Neighborhood Watch concept" to a whole new level in the borough of Dunmore.

 Gary Duncan from Dunmore Neighborhood Watch joins ECTV Live host David DeCosmo during the week of February 5th to talk about the organization, its objectives, and future goals.
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.

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!”

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SOCK HOP

SUNDAY NIGHTS!

1960

Our 1960 logo

In Greensboro, North Carolina, four black students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University begin a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter. Although they are refused service, they are allowed to stay at the counter. The event triggers many similar non-violent protests throughout the Southern United States, and six months later the original four protesters are served lunch at the same counter. A section of lunch counter from the Greensboro, North Carolina Woolworth's where the Greensboro sit-ins began is now preserved in the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History...

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Harold Macmillan makes the Wind of Change speech to the South African Parliament in Cape Town (although he had first made the speech, to little publicity, in Accra, Gold Coast — now Ghana — on January 10)....The first CERN particle accelerator becomes operational in Geneva, Switzerland…in Pennsylvania Senator Hugh Scott is mum on who he will back for President after Dwight Eisenhower leaves offices. Interested contenders are New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Richard Nixon the Vice President, and fifty eight years ago this week Catholic School students take Diocesan Mid term exams facilitating half school days and the number one song in LuLac land and America was “The Big Hurt” by Toni Fisher.