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.
Saturday, June 30, 2018
The LuLac Edition #3821, June 30th, 2018
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST GONE @ 10
The complex in one block of the city of Pittston put together by the master visionary Monsignor Joseph Super.
When the church was demolished soon to be followed by the school and convent.
A monument marking the place where the church stood.
(Photos: LuLac archives)
It is 10 years to the day that St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Pittston had its last Mass. A packed church on that hot, sunny Sunday afternoon in 2008 worshiped for the final time as the doors closed. The church was a haven for Slovak immigrants who in the 1890s grew the building into a church, convent, school, and athletic center. All that stands now is a parking lot with a monument on it. But those memories of a time well spent have never ceased.
This announcement came this morning from Luzerne County GOP Chair Ron Ferrance.
REPUBLICAN PARTY OF LUZERNE COUNTY VOTES UNANIMOUSLY TO APPOINT SUE HENRY AS REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE IN PA 121ST
Republican party Leaders and Volunteers surround Greg Wolovich, Sue Henry and Chairman Ron Ferrance at a Monday night endorsement meeting. (Photo: Luzerne County GOP)
The Republican Party of Luzerne County voted unanimously to appoint Sue Henry as their Nominee for State Representative in recently vacated PA 121st District. Upon receiving the appointment Sue Henry stated, "I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the Luzerne County GOP during this election. They have incredible enthusiasm and a tremendous ground game. I look forward to meeting as many constituents as I can as I travel the district and asking for their support. With them, a change in the 121st District is very possible." Luzerne County GOP Chairman Ron Ferrance added, “All of Luzerne County, not just the Republican Party, is fortunate to have such a strong and hard-working candidate stepping up to represent us. Sue embodies the values of the residents of the 121st District. Mr. Pashinski is not in touch with what is near and dear to us in Wyoming Valley. He’s more suited to represent an area like Philadelphia. Come November, we’ll have someone who will champion what we believe in in Harrisburg.” Ron Ferrance Chairman Luzerne County Republican Party PO Box 2503 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703-2503 570-814-8357 https://www.facebook.com/Luzerne-County-Republican-Party-212161432143880/ A few things about the endorsement. It now gives Sue Henry the ability to really hit the ground running in an attempt to unseat Pashinski. Many had questioned why a mechanism was not in place when she announced. The fact is Greg Wolovich had to resign with the state. But I understand there were numerous strategy discussion after that blockbuster surprise announcement. For Henry, she has a legitimate shot if the Republican party in the 121st doesn’t let her down. For the County party it is still another demonstration of just how they have an ability to “think out of the box”. According to reports of those in attendance, the only sour note was Chairman Ferrance's pique about not being informed of the Wolovich-Henry announcement before hand. Well in my view, this was something that had it leaked, would lose the potency of surprise. Plus Ferrance should understand that Henry needs support from just more than the Republicans in the 121st District. The WB city District as well as the 118th are the worst performing ones in his party in terms of elect-ability. Tony Brooks broke through in '15 and proved it could be done. But that by no means is a sure thing for the GOP. As for the Democrats, reports are that the Pashinski group was shell shocked at first but recovering to get the usual suspects in line to preserve the seat. Regarding Greg Wolovich, this is the guy who made it happen. Without his decision, there is no Sue Henry candidacy. By recognizing that he was underfunded and has years to give service to the party his act of political selflessness is going to be one for the ages. Plus I firmly believe Wolovich made the decision for the District and not the party. Look for a huge battle starting very soon after the 4th.
WB PROPERTY TAX PAYERS GET SHAFT
The Times Leader reported that The Wilkes-Barre Area School Board approved a final budget for the 2018-19 school year with the maximum tax hike allowed by state law without voter approval, increasing property taxes from 17.4434 mills to 18.0364 mills, or 3.4 percent. A mill is a one dollar tax on every $1,000 of assessed property value. Total spending for the new budget is set at just over $121.7 million. Business Manager Tom Telesz said it was higher than the 2017-18 budget by less than $1 million. Despite the tax increase, only one of six people from the audience who spoke addressed the budget. Sam Troy, a frequent critic of district spending, suggested the budget vote be delayed because two members — Ned Evans and John Quinn — were absent. The district is required by state law to pass a final budget by June 30. This is an issue that GOP challenger Sue Henry will beat Eddie Day Pashinski over the head with. There is even talk of some Democrats trying to figure out how to change his mind on his stance on Property Tax relief. Plus local tax payer Advocate Charles Urban is gearing up for his big September meeting on this very issue.Wilkes Barre's Board raising taxes will be Exhibit A in the fall.
DEMS ROCK THE COUNTY
Meanwhile Sunday night the Democrats of Luzerne County “rocked” it. They had a good representation of party elders and enthusiastic new people for the Sunday night ash at The River Street Grille. The election of a new Chairman John Pekoroski taking the helm and you can bet the Dems will be waging a strong fight.
Matt Cartwright talks things over with 11th Congressional District candidate Denny Wolfe.
Local Democratic and Union powerhouse Tom Bindus made the scene.
(Photos: Ben Hoon Facebook)
CARTWRIGHT DENOUNCES SUPREME COURT DECISION ON JANUS v AFSCME
Calls decision a “major blow” to working families in Northeastern Pennsylvania
Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)
The United States Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision released today, ruled against unions in Janus v AFSCME and ignored 41 years of legal precedent upholding the right of unions to collect “fair share fees” for the services they are legally required to provide to workers, such as negotiating for decent pay and fair workplaces. "This 5-4 decision is another direct attack on union rights, on working families, and will have a profound impact on the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania, where union rights are a time-honored tradition. I continue to stand with our union members, and will not stop in my efforts to protect and maintain collective bargaining rights,” Cartwright said. “Furthermore, I plan on responding to this decision with legislation in the United States House of Representatives this week,” added Cartwright.
JEFF BARTOS: “LETS GO DEBATE IT AND LET THE PEOPLE OF PENNSYLVANIA DECIDE”
RIPS WOLF-FETTERMAN TICKET FOR DUCKING DEBATES
2018 Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, Jeff Bartos, in an interview this week with WAEB’s Bobby Gunther Walsh criticized John Fetterman and Tom Wolf for not wanting to debate the Wagner-Bartos ticket in front of the people of Pennsylvania.Gunther Walsh used to be at WILK in the 80s and has transitioned into talk radio. Bartos has become the point man for the unrealistic attempts to get Tom Wolf to debate. Remember, it was Wolf who never gave a significant interview during the 2014 campaign. Does the Wagner campaign think they'll shake Wolf with this debate stunt? But it was good radio. Here's the info on it.
TRANSCRIPT
JEFF BARTOS: “Well, and by the way that’s a great point because my Democrat counterpart, John Fetterman - BOBBY GUNTHER WALSH: “Oh, my gosh, that guy is an extremist.” BARTOS: “He is an extremist. I have met him once, and look, he is a very affable guy, he’s a very bright man. We have a fundamental disagreement about philosophy. I am a free market capitalist, and he is an unapologetic Democratic socialist, he is a Bernie Sanders guy. Scott and I have challenged Governor Wolf and John Fetterman to 67 debates. We figured we would do town halls in each of the 67 counties, the governor and John Fetterman rejected that. We then, Scott immediately accepted 12 invitations that were put out by various groups around the commonwealth to debate the Governor. The Governor said no, I am too busy with the budget. By the way he did nothing with the budget, but he was too busy with the budget. He had enough time to film a commercial with John Fetterman, the two of them went shopping for a tie. So he had time to film a commercial, but he didn’t have time to respond to the debate challenge or the debate invitations. And I have spoken to John Fetterman, I said look we’ll do it respectfully, let’s go out and show the people of Pennsylvania the difference between free market capitalism and the job growth and innovation that comes from unlocking people's potential and Democratic socialism, you know John that’s your philosophy, you have been up there on a stage with Bernie Sanders, lets go debate it and let the people of Pennsylvania decide. Bobby, they won’t stand on the stage with us.” WALSH: “So I saw that where Scott Wagner accepted, I thought it was 16 debates. So it is not with the Governor, he just accepted them from organizations and you mean the Governor has accepted zero?” BARTOS: “So far the governor has accepted zero, he has been “too busy.” Look, Scott and I are going, we are going to do town halls in every county, we are going to go to the 12 debates and if we have to debate an empty chair, we will debate an empty chair, but at the end of the day we have the right solutions to all of the problems that are facing Pennsylvania, because they are simple. Unlock the potential of people and get government out of the way.” Bartos’ debate challenge to the Wolf-Fetterman ticket comes on the heels of a York Daily Record editorial last week pointing out how it should be incumbent on the Governor to debate, and to debate in York County in particular. “And we have to believe that ultimately Gov. Wolf will agree to debate Sen. Wagner. The governor is a proponent of transparency, and what could be more transparent than defending your record in public and making a case for another term?.... But this year, no offense to Harrisburg, a strong case can be made that the midstate debate should be held in York. It’s basically the same media market. It’s a short drive down I-83 for the state government pols. It might be good for the York County economy – for one evening, at least. And York, in case you haven’t noticed, is the center of the Pennsylvania political universe right now, with two candidates for governor, one candidate for lieutenant governor, a sitting state auditor general, and several influential members of the Legislature. Yeah, this pretty much has to happen. What do you say, Gov. Wolf? (York Daily Record, 6/21/18) Wagner and Bartos originally challenged the Wolf-Fetterman ticket to 67 town hall oriented debates, but the Democrat’s declined. Last week Wagner accepted 12 debate invitations from third parties. The Governor has not yet agreed to any debates.
MEDIA MATTERS
WALN TV
Happy Jack, Emily and your blog editor.
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.
ECTV LIVE
Detailed plans for a massive rally against substance abuse and addition will be unveiled on ECTV Live during the week of July 2nd. Hosts David DeCosmo and Rusty Fender welcome Martin Henehan, founder of the "Forever Sami Organization" to the program to discuss the rally and the battle against the area drug abuse problem.
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
Cuba nationalized the Texaco oil refinery in Santiago de Cuba, after the corporation refused to process Soviet petroleum. The seizure of Esso of Cuba and Shell Oil refineries followed two days later.......The first weather satellite, TIROS, was shut down by NASA after 78 days, 1,302 orbits, and almost 23,000 weather photos...
At 12:01 a.m. (0101 GMT), the Belgian Congo was proclaimed independent by Belgium's King Baudouin. The new Congolese Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba, then delivered an angry speech about colonial rule. Two days later, the first rioting began, followed by an army mutiny and civil war….in Pennsylvania Senator Joseph Clark says he will support John Kennedy for the Democratic nomination…in Wilkes Barre plans are finalized for a Fourth pf July event and fifty years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Wonderful World” by Sam Cooke.
When I was a kid growing up in a Catholic family, I was told never to waste food. My mom came from a family of 13, my dad from 7. Both were Depression era children and knew the value of good food. This was reinforced by the nuns who taught me. When that tray came to you in the cafeteria with that government surplus food, you were expected to eat it, A co worker of mine used to tell me about the waste he saw at one of the big box stores we all are familiar with. There is a need in this country to stop wasting food and that was highlighted on CNN by Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Here's that article and the link:
DR. GUPTA: AFTER ALL MY YEARS OF REPORTING, THIS HAUNTS ME
Most of the time when you hear me talking about food, I am talking about the food we eat. But a few years ago, I realized I needed to talk more about the food we DON'T eat. Far too often, food is thrown in the trash and dumped in landfills instead of filling hungry bellies. You have probably heard the statistics: Nearly 40% of our food goes to waste in the United States -- either in the fields, on the docks, in grocery stores or in people's homes. That's 165 billion pounds of food every year. It is an astonishing number and one that sadly reflects both the extravagance and the waste seen in one of the richest countries in the world. I promise you that our children and grandchildren will rightly hold us accountable for this tragic misuse of food that has led to a plundering of our land, an accumulation of greenhouse gases and the loss of precious water used to grow and produce that wasted food. What boggled my mind, though, is the unacceptable disconnect between food waste and hunger. How is it possible that we trash this ridiculous amount of food while one in six children (one in eight people of all ages) in the United States is food-insecure, unsure when or if they will receive another meal? This is why I chose to focus on the charity Feeding America for CNN's Champions for Change series.I didn't get into journalism to become an advocate for anything. In fact, the more I learn, the more I realize I still don't know. So it is not my nature to be so certain that I become dogmatic and categorically convinced that I am right. Yet after 17 years of traveling the world reporting on both natural and man made disasters, this particular issue has haunted me more than most. And I now know it is one we can absolutely solve.Witnessing mass hunger and starvation during the 2011 famine in Somalia was the most emotional story I have ever covered. To this day, to speak about it, my chest tightens, my eyes redden, and I can't hold back the tears. It gets to me because it was senseless and so unceasingly brutal to watch. Also, I hate to feel helpless, which has gotten me into trouble at times as I dive headfirst into situations wanting to do something, anything, to try to help. During that famine, the UN estimates that more than a quarter of a million people died for lack of food, and there was nothing meaningful I could do about it. What is happening in the United States is not a famine by any means, but it is a lot worse than people tend to realize. Despite gains in employment and economic growth, many people you probably know have never really recovered after the recent recession. They are your friends, neighbors and colleagues, and a significant percentage of them are staring down empty cupboards and refrigerators. I recently spent time with a woman named Charity Mills in Colorado Springs and saw just how much the face of hunger has changed in America. Charity is educated, eloquent and employed. She also waits in a food bank line most days of the week just to feed her family. Charity described her situation to me as "the tyranny of the moment." At the time, I wasn't entirely sure what she meant, but I was reminded of artist Willem de Kooning, who once said, "being poor takes up all your time." It's true. Today, 41 million Americans aren't sure where their next meal is coming from, and for them, it is all they can think about. Luckily, Americans are among the most generous people on Earth. As a result, organizations like Feeding America are able to create a web of 200 food banks across the country and help make sure more than 40 million Americans like Charity have a good shot at securing their next meal. Formerly called Second Harvest, Feeding America works under the philosophy that America already has enough food to feed everyone if we can just connect the food that is being wasted with the people who so desperately need it. As with most things, this is trickier than it appears. First off, for big businesses to simply donate food, they have to spend money. They have to package it, ship it and store it or refrigerate it properly. Without organizations like Feeding America, it is often easier and cheaper for companies to throw out the extra food. Second, many organizations worry about the legal risks of donating food, even though they shouldn't. The Good Samaritan Food Donation Act protects good-faith food donors from liability if the recipient should become ill. Finally, most of us consumers often trash our food much earlier than we should because of somewhat arbitrary "use by" and "sell by" dates. These dates aren't even required by federal law, except for infant formula, and have nothing to do with safety of the food. You can eat your eggs more than a month after purchase, even though the "use by" date is much earlier. Unless your produce is clearly spoiled, it is still fine to consume. The expiration dates in this case are more an indication of freshness. And even I was surprised to learn that canned meat can last five years past the date stamped on the container. It is time for all of us to start thinking more about the food we don't eat, because when it comes to hunger and food insecurity, we all have a role to play. We don't need to be so picky when it comes to our food. Resolve to eat uglier but perfectly edible fruit. At the grocery store, buy only what you need instead of what you want, and don't worry so much about the dates stamped on your food. And when you think of throwing food in the trash, remember Charity Mills and the tyranny of her moment. I am not asking you to turn your world upside-down or even to make tough sacrifices. Simply cut down your food waste, and I am convinced we can successfully feed Charity and the rest of America. In the past, Charity and her family qualified for food stamps, now known as SNAP, the supplemental nutrition assistance program. They used to get $963 a month for a family of seven, which is about $4.58 a day per person. But nowadays, Charity and millions of other Americans find themselves in an unforgiving middle ground, not benefiting from the recent improvements in the economy but having their benefits slashed nonetheless. With her husband back in school and Charity back at work, her family is still food-insecure but no longer able to qualify for food stamps. The reality: They are now dependent on the generosity of others to eat. https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/21/health/fighting-hunger-in-america-sanjay-gupta-cfc/index.html
When I was a kid growing up, Top 40 music radio had great crossover with Country and Western Music. One of the biggest stars of that era that did the crossover thing quite frequently was Eddy Arnold. Arnold was so popular in both mainstream pop and country that he was easily recognizable on TV, Radio and in concert.
I even owned an Eddy Arnold album! At one point, he was so popular there was even talk of him running for Governor of Tennessee. I’d hear songs of his on WARM as well as WGBI AM 910. (Or as they called it, 9 1 OH!) Arnold was born 100 years ago this year and as our series of centennial births rolls on, Arnold was a logical choice. Richard Edward "Eddy" Arnold performed for six decades. He was a Nashville sound (country/popular music) innovator of the late 1950s, and scored 147 songs on the Billboard country music charts, second only to George Jones. He sold more than 85 million records. A member of the Grand Ole Opry (beginning 1943) and the Country Music Hall of Fame (beginning 1966), Arnold ranked 22nd on Country Music Television's 2003 list of "The 40 Greatest Men of Country Music." Arnold was born on May 15, 1918, on a farm near Henderson, Tennessee. His father, a sharecropper, played the fiddle, while his mother played guitar. Arnold's father died when he was just 11, forcing him to leave school and begin helping on the family farm. This led to him later gaining his nickname—the Tennessee Plowboy. One of his brothers, PFC John Hendrix Arnold, fought in World War II and died in the Normandy landings. In 1934, at age 16, Arnold made his debut on WTJS-AM in Jackson, Tennessee. He began performing at local nightclubs and was hired permanently by WTJS in 1937. In 1938, he was hired by WMPS-AM in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was one of its most popular performers. He soon left WMPS for KWK-AM in St. Louis, Missouri, followed briefly by a spot at WHAS-AM in Louisville, Kentucky. He performed for WSM (AM) on the Grand Ole Opry during 1943 as a solo artist. In 1944, Arnold signed a contract with RCA Victor, and with manager Colonel Tom Parker, who would later manage Elvis Presley. Arnold's first single was little noticed, but the next, "Each Minute Seems a Million Years", scored number five on the country charts in 1945. Its success began a decade of unprecedented chart performance; Arnold's next 57 singles all ranked in the top 10, including 19 number-one successes. In 1946, Arnold scored his first major success with "That's How Much I Love You". In 1948, he had five successful songs on the charts simultaneously. That year, he had nine songs in the top 10; five of these were number one and scored there for 40 of the year's 52 weeks. With Parker's management, Arnold continued to dominate, with 13 of the 20 best-scoring country music songs of 1947–1948. He became the host of Mutual Radio's Purina-sponsored segment of the Opry and of Mutual's Checkerboard Jamboree, a midday program shared with Ernest Tubb that was broadcast from a Nashville theater. Recorded radio programs increased Arnold's popularity, as did the CBS Radio series Hometown Reunion with the Duke of Paducah. Arnold quit the Opry during 1948, and his Hometown Reunion briefly broadcast in competition with the Opry on Saturday nights. In 1949 and 1950, he performed in the Columbia movies Feudin’ Rhythm and Hoedown. Arnold began working for television in the early 1950s, hosting The Eddy Arnold Show. The summer program was broadcast successively by all three television networks, replacing the Perry Como and Dinah Shore programs. He also performed as a guest and a guest host on the ABC-TV show Ozark Jubilee from 1955–60. Arnold featured in the syndicated Eddy Arnold Time from 1955 to 1957. From 1960 to 1961, he hosted NBC-TV's Today on the Farm. In 1955, he asked songwriter Cindy Walker to write a song for him based on the idea of unrequited love, with the title "You Don't Know Me". They share co-credit for writing the song.
With the rise of rock and roll in the mid 1950s, Arnold's record sales began to decline, though fellow RCA Victor country recording artist Jim Reeves found a greater audience with popular-sounding string-laced arrangements. Arnold annoyed many in the country music establishment by recording with Hugo Winterhalter and his Orchestra at the RCA Victor studios in New York. Winterhalter's pop-oriented arrangements of "The Cattle Call" and "The Richest Man (in the World)", however, helped to expand Arnold's appeal beyond its country music base.
This style, pioneered by Reeves and Arnold, became known as the "Nashville Sound". During 1953, Arnold and Tom Parker had a dispute, and Arnold dismissed him. From 1954 to 1963, Arnold's performances were managed by Joe Csida; in 1964, Csida was replaced by Jerry Purcell. Arnold embarked on a second career that brought his music to a more diverse audience. In the summer of 1965, he had his first number-one country song in 10 years, "What's He Doing in My World" and struck gold again six months later with the song that became his most well-known, "Make the World Go Away", accompanied by pianist Floyd Cramer on piano and featuring the Anita Kerr Singers. As a result, Arnold's rendition became an international success. "Make The World Go Away" became his only top ten pop hit.
Walker's orchestra arrangements provided the lush background for 16 continuous successes sung by Arnold in the late 1960s. Arnold performed with symphony orchestras in New York City, Las Vegas, and Hollywood. He performed in Carnegie Hall for two concerts, and in the Coconut Grove in Las Vegas. In 1966, Arnold was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the youngest performer to receive the honor. The following year, Arnold was voted the first-ever awarded Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year. Two years later, he released an autobiography named It's A Long Way From Chester County. Having been with RCA Victor since 1944, Arnold left the label in 1973 for MGM Records, where he recorded four albums, which included several top-40 successes. He returned to RCA in 1976. During the 1980s, Arnold declared himself semiretired, but he continued recording. In 1984, the Academy of Country Music awarded Arnold its Pioneer Award. His next album, You Don't Miss A Thing, was not released until 1991. Arnold performed road tours for several more years. By 1992, he had sold nearly 85 million records, and had a total of 145 weeks of number-one songs, more than any other singer. In 1996, RCA issued an album of Arnold's main successes since 1944 as part of its 'Essential' series. Arnold, then 76 years old, retired from active singing, though he still performed occasionally. On May 16, 1998, the day after his 80th birthday, he announced his final retirement during a concert at the Hotel Orleans in Las Vegas. That same year, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences inducted the recording of "Make The World Go Away" into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2000, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts. In 2005, Arnold received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy, and later that year, released a final album for RCA entitled After All These Years. Arnold died from natural causes on May 8, 2008, in a nursing home in Nashville, exactly one week before his 90th birthday. His wife of 66 years, Sally Gayhart Arnold, had preceded him in death by two month. (LuLac, wikipedia, Look Magazine).
Today marks the first anniversary of the death of our friend L.A. Tarone. June 25th, 2017. It was a Sunday. The weekend started out ominously on the Friday afternoon preceding that Sunday. I left work at 3pm and made my way to the Nursing Home in Nanticoke where L.A. was supposed to be transferred to Hazleton. However, something told me to go down there that day. When I arrived, it was intimated to me that l..A.’s condition had worsened. Unlike our previous visits, this was not good get together. L.A. was unresponsive and in great pain. Sunday morning, those close to him got messages that if we wanted to see him, this would be the day. I was on my way to a surprise anniversary party for my friends Pat and Marian Fadden who were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. After attending the Mass at St. Leo’s and then the part of the party, I went to see L.A. Throughout the day friends and relatives came to say good bye. My work wife, Kathleen Smith commandeered a Reverend earlier in the day to give a blessing for L.A. Later on around 5pm, a Roman Catholic priest came to give the Last Rites. A few hours later, during the 7 o’clock hour, L.A. passed away. The last 365 days have been monumental in terms of the things we both discussed, on and off the air, politics. I know we’d have some pretty healthy arguments. His radio show and its energetic presentation and content is now a distant memory. It took me about 3 months to actually cry over Tarone’s death. Even though I saw him fading away, a world without L.A. bursting through a room, nervously pacing when he was waiting for a hot news tip and hearing that voice crashing through a broadcast speaker was unreal to me. He was remembered well on the days after his death. But the thing with Tarone is, even after a year, you can’t stop talking about him, missing him and loving him. That will continue as long as his contemporaries keep talking about him. Here’s a few links from that day and week.... one year ago. http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-lulac-edition-3541-june-25th-2017_25.html http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-lulac-editiomn-3543-june-30th-2017.html
Pat "Cheese" O'Malley and his boy Wallace in happier times. (Photo: WNEP.com)
Triple dipper Andy Wallace stepped aside as the Chief Clerk Of Lackawanna County. You remember Wallace. He was the government pensioner that Pat O’Malley engineered into that position after Evie Refalko McNulty’s name was on the door. Apparently there is an incident report from Archbald Police involving Wallace at a P&R Grocery Store. Wallace said he was resigning for health reasons and the old stand by, “To spend more time with his family!” More to come/
REPUBLICANS MAKE THE SCENE AT CAMP CADET FUNDRAISER
Local Republicans attended the Camp Cadet events this week. Even Gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner made a stop. It was a beautiful night at the PSP Troop P clam bake benefiting Camp Cadet.
From left, State Representative candidate in the 119th Justin Behrens. Sen. Scott Wagner, candidate for Governor; Sue Henry, announced GOP candidate in the 121st, U.S. Congressional candidate John Chrin.
VICE PRESIDENT PENCE ENDORSES SCOTT WAGNER
Vice President Pence and Scott Wagner (Photo: Fox 29 TV)
This week, after the two appeared together in Philadelphia for a fundraiser for the Republican Governors Association, Vice President Pence endorsed Scott Wagner. Vice President Pence tweeted, “Proud to be in Philadelphia today campaigning for @realScottWagner- the next great governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania! Scott will fight for all the hardworking people of Pennsylvania! Support Scott Wagner & #FixPA!” “I am incredibly grateful for the support of Vice President Pence,” added Scott Wagner. “While the Vice President has our national economy booming, Governor Wolf’s failed policies have given us an unemployment rate almost 20 percent higher than the national average. Governor Wolf wants to take from Pennsylvanians the savings they are receiving from the federal tax cut. I look forward toward working with Vice President Pence to get our economy on par with the rest of the country and to ensure Pennsylvanians keep more money in their paychecks.”
2018 Republican gubernatorial nominee Scott Wagner today announced he has accepted invitations to 11 gubernatorial debates to be held at venues across the commonwealth. The announcement follows Wagner’s call for a rigorous town hall oriented debate schedule, which Governor Wolf declined. To date, Governor Wolf has not publicly accepted any debates. “The Wolf campaign responded to our initial proposal by saying that we ‘ducked’ debates during the primary in spite of the fact that we participated in twelve debates -- which is more than any endorsed gubernatorial candidate in recent history,” said Campaign Manager Jason High. “We hope Governor Wolf applies that standard to himself, doesn’t ‘duck’ any debates and participates in at least 12 with Scott in the general election. We have accepted every debate request we have received so far and look forward to adding more to this schedule.” Wagner has accepted the following debate invitations: 1. NBC 10 Debate 2. Fox 29 Debate 3. Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce Debate 4. The Chamber Of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia 5. Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Debate 6. League of Women’s Voters, WTAE Debate 7. NAACP Debate 8. WPXI Debate 9. PennLive / CBS21 Debate 10.WGAL Debate 11.WHP Radio Debate Wagner is committed to participating in all 11 debates listed above regardless of Governor Wolf’s attendance. Wagner also is open to participating in more debates, especially in traditionally underrepresented media markets like Johnstown-Altoona, Erie and Scranton. Okay, it's clear that Wagner wants to debate but these invitations are just that. The proof will be in the eating of the pudding as to whether Tom Wolf will even debate Wagner three or four times.
It is nearly a year since my good friend l.A. Tarone passed away from Lung Cancer. Sunday there will be a race at Kirby Park to combat that disease. Our friends at WILK put up information on their site. Here’s the link: When you get to the page, you’ll see the WILK Team Tarone highlighted. Click on it to donate in his memory. https://wilknews.radio.com/events/join-5k-walkfun-run
TRUMP BACK FLIPS
President Trump signed an Executive Order allowing parents to be housed with their children once they are denied or detained at the border. The pressure from Trump was enormous with even members of his own party. But here’s the rub. The administration has intimated that “it won’t lift a finger” to help reunite those children already dispatched all across the country with the parents they have been separated from. So this was just another pointless and impotent announcement.
KELLY ANNE AND HER USE OF CATHOLICISM
During the last few days, Kelly Anne Conway has been trying to show off her Roman Catholic credentials in her defense of President Trump’s separation of children and their parents in the name of Immigration reform. Trump and Ms. Conway will tell you that to let people in this country for asylum will let in gangs, murders and rapists. These people in the photos released by the Government, the Trump administration, don’t look all that dangerous to me. Here’s what I was taught as a Catholic. You embrace the dignity of all people. In my life, I have never passed up an indigent person on the street if they asked for money. This quote stuck in my head many times, Jesus taught that on the Day of Judgement God will ask what each of us did to help the poor and needy: "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." From first grade on, that was drilled into my head. What if the hobo was Christ in disguise seeing if we treated him with dignity? What is we failed that test? If that meant giving a guy a buck at the Penn Plaza when I was coming out of that wonderful bakery there and seeing him take the buck into the liquor store, so be it. As a believer, at least I was taught to give and show compassion to those in need. The nuns taught me that through our words, prayers and deeds we must show solidarity with, and compassion for, the poor. The moral test of any society is "how it treats its most vulnerable members. The poor have the most urgent moral claim on the conscience of the nation or the world. The vulnerable just aren’t those who are here among us, they are in the world. When a government takes public policy and does not keep the most vulnerable in mind, it lacks a moral core. Pope Benedict XVI wrote that "love for widows and orphans, prisoners, and the sick and needy of every kind, is as essential as the ministry of the sacraments and preaching of the Gospel in the Catholic faith. This preferential option for the poor and vulnerable includes all who are marginalized in our nation and beyond! We are not taking are of those “beyond” looking only for what all immigrants asked for, a better life.
KELLY ANNE CONWAY AND CHRIS CUOMO
The other night, Monday as a matter of fact, Chris Cuomo on CNN invited Trump shill Kelly Ane Conway to his show. What transpired was one ugly interview that was not Cuomo’s doing. The vapid mean and spiteful behavior of this so called “patriot” reminded me of a person who just couldn’t face or tell the truth. If you can stand watching this, try it.
US COMMERCE SECRETARY HELD RUSSIA, CHINA-LINKED ASSETS: REPORT
Wilbur Ross (Photo: CNN)
US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross held assets for much of last year that created conflicts of interest and has since transferred ownership to a family trust instead of divesting outright, Forbes reported Monday. Days before coming under negative media scrutiny last year, Ross shorted stocks in a company tied to Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle in a way that would have let the commerce chief benefit from falling share prices, according to the magazine. The Commerce Department told AFP that, along with the US Office of Government Ethics, it had certified that the transactions at issue were in compliance with legal requirements. (AFP)
STATEMENT: ON THE AGREED-UPON PA BUDGET SPENDING PLAN
Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center Director Marc Stier made the following statement after the PA House Appropriations Committee passed a budget spending plan: "When Governor Wolf released his budget proposal in March, we said that his plan had the right priorities but, given the political realities he faced, understandably did not put forward initiatives bold enough to close the deep public investment deficit in Pennsylvania. "Our first take on the general appropriations bill that passed the House Appropriations Committee reaches the same conclusion. The new budget provides welcome new investments in pre-K and K-12 education, special education, higher education, workforce training, child care, treatment for substance abuse disorder, and intellectual disabilities (although we have some concerns about the lack of an increase for the birth to three early intervention program). These are all welcome initiatives, although in many cases they are far less than we think Pennsylvania needs. "That these new investments are smaller than they should be is largely due to the failure of the General Assembly to take needed steps toward increasing general fund revenues from those most able to afford it. There is no shale tax, no corporate tax reform, and no fee for local governments that rely on the State Police instead of local police forces. "The budget includes a new $60 million initiative for school and community safety. We worry that a large new spending program created to show that the General Assembly recognizes the intense public concern over school safety will lead to wasteful spending while also letting the General Assembly off the hook for taking action on reasonable gun control measures. "And the biggest and most striking gap in the entire plan of which this general appropriation bill is a part is that it does not call for an increase in the minimum wage. It appears that the General Assembly will again fail Pennsylvania’s working people on that front. "This budget takes steps in the right direction and rightfully funds many of Governor Wolf’s priorities. But by leaving so many gaps in funding for education, higher education, human services, and infrastructure and the environment, it is not the budget that Pennsylvania really needs." The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center is a non-partisan policy research project that provides independent, credible analysis on state tax, budget and related policy matters, with attention to the impact of current or proposed policies on working families. Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, 412 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 | 717-255-7156
MEDIA MATTERS
WALN TV
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.
ECTV LIVE
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 Moscow, KGB Chairman Aleksandr Shelepin secretly delivered a report to Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, warning that, according to KGB sources in the U.S., "the chiefs at the Pentagon are hoping to launch a preventive war against the Soviet Union". Relying on the misinformed report, Khrushchev publicly stated ten days later that the Soviets would use their own missiles if the U.S. attempted to invade Cuba….The Charlotte Motor Speedway opened in Concord, North Carolina, and hosted the first World 600 NASCAR race. Joe Lee Johnson won the first running of the 600.…..On his tour of the Far East, U.S. President Eisenhower encountered his first hostile reception, while visiting the island of Okinawa. A crowd of 1,500 protesters demonstrated in favor of the island's return from U.S. administration to Japan… At New York's Polo Grounds, a crowd of 31,892 watched Floyd Patterson became the first person to regain the world heavyweight boxing championship. In the fifth round, Patterson knocked out champion Ingemar Johansson with a powerful left hook that left the Swedish boxer unconscious for ten minutes. Johansson then walked out under his own power….
Nan Winton became the first national female newsreader on BBC television….
The last operational B-29 bomber flew its final mission, a routine radar evaluation flight. On the day that the unpopular U.S.-Japan Security Treaty went into effect, Japan's Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi announced his resignation. Kishi was replaced by Ikeda Hayato.....Rival Congolese leaders Joseph Kasavubu and Patrice Lumumba agreed to share power, with Kasavubu to become the former Belgian colony's first President, and Lumumba to become the nation's first Prime Minister......The Romance of Helen Trent, which had been a daytime soap opera on the CBS Radio Network since its debut on October 30, 1933, was broadcast for the 7,222nd and last time, ending a run of almost 27 year…in Pennsylvania, Senator Hugh Scott says that the Republican convention will be interesting since it appears that New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller might make a last minute run. Others in the state are concerned that “Rocky” only has two years under his belt as a sitting Governor…in Wilkes Barre Congressman Dan Flood continue to tout the candidacy of Senator Kennedy and fifty eight years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Paper Roses” by Anita Bryant
First Lady Laura Bush weighed in on the horrific policy of the Trump Family separation debacle. This is worth the read.
LAURA BUSH ON THE CHILDREN
On Sunday, a day we as a nation set aside to honor fathers and the bonds of family, I was among the millions of Americans who watched images of children who have been torn from their parents. In the six weeks between April 19 and May 31, the Department of Homeland Security has sent nearly 2,000 children to mass detention centers or foster care. More than 100 of these children are younger than 4 years old. The reason for these separations is a zero-tolerance policy for their parents, who are accused of illegally crossing our borders. I live in a border state. I appreciate the need to enforce and protect our international boundaries, but this zero-tolerance policy is cruel. It is immoral. And it breaks my heart. Our government should not be in the business of warehousing children in converted box stores or making plans to place them in tent cities in the desert outside of El Paso. These images are eerily reminiscent of the Japanese-American internment camps of World War II, now considered to have been one of the most shameful episodes in U.S. history. We also know that this treatment inflicts trauma; interned Japanese have been two times as likely to suffer cardiovascular disease or die prematurely than those who were not interned. Americans pride ourselves on being a moral nation, on being the nation that sends humanitarian relief to places devastated by natural disasters or famine or war. We pride ourselves on believing that people should be seen for the content of their character, not the color of their skin. We pride ourselves on acceptance. If we are truly that country, then it is our obligation to reunite these detained children with their parents — and to stop separating parents and children in the first place. People on all sides agree that our immigration system isn't working, but the injustice of zero tolerance is not the answer. I moved away from Washington, D.C., almost a decade ago, but I know there are good people at all levels of government who can do better to fix this. Recently, Colleen Kraft, who heads the American Academy of Pediatrics, visited a shelter run by the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement. She reported that while there were beds, toys, crayons, a playground and diaper changes, the people working at the shelter had been instructed not to pick up or touch the children to comfort them. Imagine not being able to pick up a child who is not yet out of diapers. Twenty-nine years ago, my mother-in-law, Barbara Bush, visited Grandma's House, a home for children with HIV/AIDS in Washington. Back then, at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis, the disease was a death sentence, and most babies born with it were considered "untouchables." During her visit, Barbara — who was the first lady at the time — picked up a fussy, dying baby named Donovan and snuggled him against her shoulder to soothe him. My mother-in-law never viewed her embrace of that fragile child as courageous. She simply saw it as the right thing to do in a world that can be arbitrary, unkind and even cruel. She, who after the death of her 3-year-old daughter knew what it was to lose a child, believed that every child is deserving of human kindness, compassion and love. In 2018, can we not as a nation find a kinder, more compassionate and more moral answer to this current crisis? I, for one, believe we can. Laura Bush The Washington Post http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-laura-bush-separating-child-immigrants-20180617-story.html
NINE NEW MEMBERS REPRESENT LULAC (LUZERNE & LACKAWANNA COUNTIES) AT DEM STATE MEETING
The future of the Democratic Party is represented by 9 new members from LULAC land. At their first meeting they were involved in a major party re-organization contest that demonstrated the power of Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties. Gov Tom Wolf's endorsed candidate for State Chair, former Allegheny County Chair, Nancy Mills, was easily elected as Dem State Party Chair, along with Sen. Sharif Street of Philadelphia, as Vice-Chair. Nancy Mills received 216 votes to a combined 100 votes for Chuck Pascal of Armstrong County and Shari Morgan of Franklin County. Billy O'Gurek, Dem Chair of Carbon County, was unanimously re-elected Chair of the Dem NE Pa Caucus. Sen. Street clearly established himself as a rising star in the party, with his outstanding oratorical skill touching members hearts in his defense of "Family Values" at our Southern Border, respect for "Law and Order", and "Support for our allies". The future of the Democratic party seems to be in great hands with these representatives from Luzerne and Lackawanna County.
NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE, PENNSYLVANIA PRO-LIFE FEDERATION ENDORSE LOU BARLETTA FOR U.S. SENATE
National Right to Life, the nation’s largest pro-life organization, and Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, Pennsylvania's largest pro-life organization, endorsed Lou Barletta for the United States Senate in Pennsylvania. “We strongly commend you for maintaining a perfect 100 percent pro-life voting record throughout your years of service in Congress,” National Right to Life President Carol Tobias, Executive Director David O’Steen, and Political Director Karen Cross said in a letter to Barletta announcing his endorsement. “All Pennsylvania voters who are concerned with the right to life and with the protection of the most vulnerable members of the human family should vote to send you to the U.S. Senate, so that you can continue to work to advance vital pro-life public policies.” Not a big surprise since the Pro Life movement has demonized Bob Casey every step of the way. My question to Barletta is where does he stand on the children who are alive being locked up by his sainted President? Once they leave the womb, they get torn from their parents? You can't be moral on one issue and indifferent on the other.
Paul Manafort was incarcerated on Friday for Jury Tampering. Even when on bail, facing serious charges, Donald Trump’s campaign manager was jailed by the Judge in his case. She said she had no choice. Meanwhile, Trump campaign strategist Steve Bannon was on “This Week” yesterday saying that Trump needs to be a factor in the 2018 election. Bannon posited that a straight up and down vote on Trump would give the President a resounding win in the fall.
SESSIONS COMES TO TOWN AND DEFENDS CAGING KIDS
Protesters outside at the Sessions speech (Photo: Times Leader)
The Attorney General, Jeff Sessions stopped by Lackawanna College the other day and defended the Trump administration practice and policy of separating children from their parents who are seeking asylum. The diminutive little sack of manure also said that Pennsylvania has nearly 200,000 illegals right here. He never elaborated where they were or what he has done. The administration has now resorted to quoting the Bible saying it was justified to do this. When will Evangelical historians figure out whether this bargain they made with devils is worth it? Even Press Secretary Sarah Sanders quoting scripture was relevant because "This was the law" Uh, no it isn't!!! while weakly defending the policy. When you have to resort to scripture to justify a secular policy, you look not only foolish but show no respect for religion. Once more some Christians have made my point for me. I classify myself as a Roman Catholic because I'll be dipped if I will be associated with these clowns.To be fair, Christian leaders like Franklin Graham and others have spoken about the immorality of separating children from their parents. But one day, Christian leadership in this country will have to decide whether one seat on the Supreme Court was worth all this non Christian behavior. BTW, kudos to the protesters who stood up for humanity against little bigot Sessions the other day.
PA RACES AT A GLANCE
Our friends at Franklin & Marshall, Drs Terry Madonna and Michael Young released their earliest poll on the General Election. The numbers are early but it appears to be good news for Governor Tom Wolf and Senator Bob Casey. Democrat Tom Wolf leads Republican Scott Wagner 48% to 29% in the governor’s contest among registered voters with 23% indicating they are undecided. Democrat Bob Casey leads Republican Lou Barletta in the U.S. Senate contest 44% to 27% with 28% indicating they are undecided. The two major races are filled with undecided voters who aren’t familiar with the GOP ticket of Wagner for Governor and Lou Barletta. The money machines will ramp up toward the end of the summer but fo now it appears the Democrats have the edge. Plus let us never forget that we here in The Lu are in a Trump-Barletta bubble. The rest of the state may not follow our lead.
I.G. REPORT ELECTS TRUMP
The bottom line about the IG Report is this: Jim Comey dropped a bomb about Clinton e mails and gave credence to the fact that there was something illegal going on. That’s it! Whatever the Trump apologists say, this was the thing that got Trump to the finish line. Trump people seized on a text between two FBI personnel and ignored the rest.
PENNSYLVANIA COALITION OF TAXPAYER ASSOCIATIONS ANNOUNCES
PENNSYLVANIA STATE SENATE ENDORSEMENT
The Pennsylvania Coalition of Taxpayer Associations (PCTA), a statewide grassroots education finance reform alliance, today announced its endorsement of Frank Scavo for Pennsylvania Senate District 22 in the November 6 general election. In making its endorsement, the PCTA noted Mr. Scavo’s unequivocal support of Senate Bill 76, the Property Tax Independence Act, legislation that will abolish and equitably replace school property taxes and restructure a crumbling, antiquated education finance system. David Baldinger, spokesperson for the PCTA, said: “For thirty years the homeowners of Pennsylvania have been deceived time and again by phony, unsound property tax relief schemes and false promises of property tax reform. Mr. Scavo has taken a definitive stance on this vital issue with his pledge to champion the passage of legislation supported by the PCTA that will at last give legitimate, sustainable relief to the beleaguered homeowners of Pennsylvania through total school property tax elimination. Unlike the District 22 incumbent who strenuously opposes the Property Tax Independence Act, who works against its passage, and who callously disregards the hardships of overtaxed homeowners, Mr. Scavo is firmly committed to the will of the people as expressed in Senate Bill 76, legislation that will forever abolish and replace the onerous school property tax and will finally give legitimate, sustainable relief to beleaguered families. The Pennsylvania Coalition of Taxpayer Associations wishes Mr. Scavo much success in his bid for the District 22 Senate seat. The PCTA is an alliance of eighty-six grassroots taxpayer advocacy groups from across Pennsylvania that is dedicated to equitable education funding reform through the principles and mechanism of the Property Tax Independence Act.
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".
