The LuLac Edition #3889, September 30th, 2018

A LITTLE ABOUT BRETT KAVANAUGH

The Brett Kavanaugh hearings have been top of mind now for three days. I did not see the hearings live but did hear a lot of it on the radio coming home from work and then going to the Property Tax Meeting on Thursday night at King’s.
Looking at this objectively as best I could, Brett Kavanaugh did more harm than good for himself when he testified after Dr. Christine Blasey-Ford. Here’s why. But before I do, a brief caveat.
First off, I understand and clearly accept more than others the fact that elections have consequences. I have held my nose in past elections and voted for the lesser of two evils if I knew that my interests, personal or political, would be harmed. Those progressives and Libertarians who stayed home, or wasted their vote on a Green or Third Party because they “didn’t care for the nominee of the Democrats” PUT Donald Trump in office. It’s okay for them to get out bent of shape and protest now but truth be told, their pique and vanity brought us to this point. My Democratic and LGBT friends never want to hear this but it’s true.
I was at this rodeo before when in 1968, the supporters of Gene McCarthy, and Bobby Kennedy, who were passionate anti war advocates didn’t vote for the Democratic nominee then, and as a result we got Nixon. In part, they are responsible for the thousands of thousands of lives lost in Vietnam from ’69 to 73 and Nixon’s Supreme Court picks.
So I get why the Republicans feel they have a right to this seat. Holding up Merritt Garland’s chances last year is something the GOP is going to be paying for in years in my mind but this year, Trump by reason of election had a chance to nominate his own person.
The hearings though became flawed when the GOP Senate Leadership did everything they could to rush this through. And like our moms told us, “Haste makes waste!”.
All that said, even though we were told Kavanaugh was a stellar pick, we never got the rest of his story. Not many people seemed to care or want to know what he did in the Bush 43 administration. There was no great outrage when only 5% of the documents weren’t released.
But sex is a story that even the dullest witted of any party can understand. When the allegations against Kavanaugh surfaced two weeks ago, a fire storm broke through.
It lead to Kavanaugh’s accuser’s testimony and later his. It also showed the complete disregard the GOP Senators have for the truth and process. But here’s my humble take on Kavanaugh’s testimony.
1. He cried, she didn’t.
2. He whined, she didn’t.
3. He brought up the freaking Clintons as being behind this. My God, if they really did everything the GOP said they did, they’d be broke and exhausted.
4. He appeared to be snarky instead of defiant. Unhinged instead of controlled. Say what you want about him but Clarence Thomas, back in '91, that dude was in control with calculated outrage articulated way better than this Prep school bully. 
5. Judges are supposed to be staid, measured, logical and sometimes unemotional. Kavanaugh was anything but.
6. His focus on beer and then his defense of his drinking by being combative reminded me of eight heavy drinkers I came across through the years. Some men, some women. His posturing had all the symptoms of a man who has not yet come to terms with why “he likes beer”.
7. I’m struck by the distrust of the Republican party of the American people. It seems like Kavanaugh, a smart man took bad advice from his advisers who wanted him to emulate the guy who picked him, old Diaper Don!Toughing it out didn't work for him.
Kavanaugh would have been better served by saying, “Look I drank in college and if what she said is true, I can’t tell you but because I honestly don't remember. I drank too much at parties and if anyone was hurt along the way because of that, I am truly sorry. I wish I could undo whatever people say happened. I don’t drink to excess anymore and I certainly never conducted myself that way since college. I apologize”.
Boom! That’s all he needed to do because a majority of Americans (never mind the face book crazies) would forgive him and let it proceed.
But now with an FBI investigation and further scrutiny, I would be mildly shocked if he had the votes in the Senate to get him through. Plus by his demeanor displayed this week, he’ll be lucky if he hangs on to his Federal Court seat now. 
However as things stand with the recent news about what the FBI can and can't do in their investigation, it looks like Kavanaugh will get the seat barring any unforeseen circumstances. If you have the votes, you could do anything you want. 
So mu advice to people unhappy now and who will be more so if he wins confirmation,  my advice is to get out and vote. Get your friends to do so too. It is evident that the Republican party has put all the chips on the table to get control of the Supreme Court at the expense of losing outraged women voters and thoughtful citizens through the years. If you're that pissed, let the GOP pay for it at the polls.

NEWEST FRANKLIN AND MARSHALL POLL

The newest Franklin and Marshall poll seems to bode well for the Democrats about one month away from the November mid term elections. Here are the results in key races and the way people are thinking.
Six in ten (60%) of the state’s registered voters are “very interested” in the 2018 mid-term elections; more Democrats (64%) than Republicans (58%) or independents (49%) say they are “very interested.”
Half (50%) of the state’s registered voters in Pennsylvania believe Governor Tom Wolf is doing an “excellent” or “good” job as governor, which is which is similar to his ratings in prior surveys.
Two in five (42%) registered voters believe Senator Bob Casey is doing an “excellent” or “good” job as the state’s U.S. Senator, which is similar to his ratings in recent surveys.
About two in five (37%) registered voters in Pennsylvania believes President Donald Trump is doing an “excellent” or “good” job as president, which is similar to his ratings in the August survey.
More registered voters prefer the Democratic candidate for U.S. House (51%) than the Republican candidate for the U.S. House (36%). Among likely voters, more favor a Democrat (49%) than a Republican (38%) for the U.S. House.
President Trump continues to be an essential motivating force in the upcoming mid-term elections. Three in four (74%) of those who plan to vote for a Democratic congressional candidate are casting their ballot mainly as a vote against President Trump and Republicans in Congress; while four in five (80%) of those who plan to vote for a Republican candidate are casting their ballot mainly as a vote to support President Trump and the Republicans in Congress.
Governor Wolf (52%) currently leads his Republican challenger Scott Wagner (30%) among likely voters, with (17%) remaining undecided.
Senator Casey (50%) currently holds a lead over his Republican challenger, Representative Lou Barletta (33%), among likely voters, (15%) remaining undecided.
This survey reflects interviews with 545 Pennsylvania registered voters, including 256 Democrats, 213 Republicans and 76 Independents conducted by the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College from September 17-23, 2018. The sample error for this survey is+/- 6.1 percentage points. A complete methodological statement can be found in the full report.
The Franklin & Marshall College Poll is produced in conjunction with the Philadelphia Daily News, WGAL-TV (South Central PA), Pittsburgh Tribune Review, WTAE-TV (Pittsburgh), WPVI-TV6/ABC (Philadelphia), Times-Shamrock Newspapers, Harrisburg Patriot-News/PennLive, LNP media group, and the Reading Eagle. It may be used in whole or in part, provided any use is attributed to the college.
Complete results can be found at http://www.fandm.edu/fandmpoll

BARLETTA GETS NOD FROM STATE TROOPERS

PENNSYLVANIA STATE TROOPERS ASSOCIATION ENDORSES LOU BARLETTA FOR SENATE

BARLETTA ENDORSED AS ‘TREMENDOUS ADVOCATE FOR

LAW ENFORCEMENT

The Pennsylvania State Troopers Association (PSTA) endorsed Congressman Lou Barletta for the United States Senate. Barletta, who has been endorsed by Fraternal Order of Police lodges from across Pennsylvania, has received the overwhelming support from law enforcement in the race for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania.
“From my time as mayor to my time in Congress, I have always backed those who keep our families and communities safe in Pennsylvania," Congressman Lou Barletta said. "When in the Senate, I will always strongly support law enforcement and fight for them as they work every day to keep our families safe.”
“Congressman Barletta has been a tremendous advocate for law enforcement in Washington,” said PSTA President David Kennedy. “We need more people in the United States Senate who will fight for the resources police need to protect and serve their communities across the nation. Nowhere is that more necessary than Pennsylvania where our department of 4,400 troopers is responsible for policing 85 percent of the commonwealth.”
The PSTA endorsed Barletta for the U.S. Senate one day after endorsing Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf for re-election. The endorsement by PSTA comes after Barletta received endorsements from the FOP Fort Pitt Lodge No. 1, the nation's oldest FOP lodge representing 900 active and 965 retired members of law enforcement in Pittsburgh; the Le-Hampton Lodge 35 FOP, representing 40 police departments across the Lehigh Valley; and the Hazleton FOP Lodge 18, representing members of law enforcement with whom Barletta worked while mayor of Hazleton.

The LuLac Edition #3888, September 28th, 2018

EYEWITNESS  NEWSMAKERS FEATURE HENRY-PASHINSKI RACE 

Friday 11:30AM WBRE 
Saturday 11:30AM WYOU

PROPERTY TAX REFORM EVENTS 

Wednesday and Thursday night were big events in LuLac land for people interested in eliminating Property Taxes. The Unions and some Democrats will try to tell you that this is a bad bill because it will hurt people of lesser means, renters as well as make everyday goods taxable. The fact is there will be exceptions which we will get into later this weekend. But from last night and this evening's event, here are a few photos. 

Wednesday night a great presentation was given at Old Forge High School. From left to right, Rod Boltz, Charles Urban and Jim Rodkey. A word about Urban. He has almost single hand-idly raised this issue on his own in the Lu. The guy lives in Kingston, is 87  and pretty much has gotten NO SUPPORT from the Wilkes Barre contingent who got their little itty bitty feelings hurt because Charlie was urging them to action. If this becomes a reality, I intend to call out the naysayers who sat on their asses and did nothing! Both Boltz and Rodkey repeated  their presentations in Wilkes Barre last night. 

Candidate for Governor Scott Wagner pledged to be the leader in making sure House/Senate Bill 76 passes. Wagner, as always was impressive and to the point. Wagner made a special trip up to Wilkes Barre last night changing a busy schedule to show his enthusiasm.

Lest you think this was only a Republican issue, State Representative Gerry Mullery was in attendance. Next to him is Charlie Urban. 

 Sue Henry candidate in the 121st and Frank Scavo candidate in the 22nd Senatorial were there. Scovo is running against the guy who stopped the bill in the Senate, John Blake, a Bob Mellow crony. The cowardly Blake has refused to debate Scavo in the Poconos where Property Taxes are the highest in the state! 

Justin Behrens candidate in the 119th and Sue Henry have a word before the event.

I have a fan! Joyce Domboski Gebhardt wanted a photo with me. Joyce and her late dad were always mainstays at political events through the years. 

There was a big crowd. More than 100 activists ready to go out and work for candidates who want to eliminate property taxes were on hand. 

WHERE WAS EDDIE DAY PASHINSKI? 

The old school teacher was "absent!" 

CASEY TOUTS RECORD

Senator Bob Casey and your blog editor (LuLac Archives)

Hit with the inevitable questions about his track record in office, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania is putting more muscle into showing what he’s accomplished in his second term as the Democrat vies for a third six-year term in November’s election.
Accomplishment is the theme of his first campaign ad in the Philadelphia media market. On Monday, seven weeks until the election, Casey went to a micro-metal stamping and screw-machining firm to tout legislation he helped write to emphasize vocational skills training for high-demand industrial-sector jobs.
Being accused of doing nothing in office is a recurring theme for Casey. In 2012, his Republican challenger called him “Senator Zero” and this year, President Donald Trump and Casey’s his Republican challenger, U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta of northeastern Pennsylvania, called him a “do-nothing.”
Casey shrugged it off Monday, saying his track record belies such claims.
“Not that it should, but if the election just came down to this metric of which candidate for the Senate had more bills signed into law by President Trump, I’d win that,” Casey said Monday.
Just this year, he’s had three pieces of legislation signed by Trump that he helped author, he said.
On July 31, Trump signed the vocational skills legislation, a bill the administration had prioritized.
Advocates for the bill say it updates an outmoded federal law at a crucial time to respond to a national workforce skills gap. They say traditional blue-collar jobs are being displaced by technology and schools and training programs need to adjust to emerging, high-tech skills jobs that are in demand, but don’t require a four-year college degree.
A second Casey bill requires the federal government to get involved in trying to help grandparents navigate bureaucracy when they are raising a grandchild, a growing phenomenon because of the prescription painkiller addiction crisis.
A third law signed by Trump this year that Casey helped introduce guarantees a maximum Pell Grant to an eligible child of a law enforcement officer or emergency responder killed in the line of duty.
Meanwhile, Casey’s campaign is running a TV ad in Philadelphia touting a 2013 law he helped write to prevent sexual assaults on college campuses and protect victims.
Barletta, a four-term congressman has the backing of Trump. Barletta is one of Trump’s biggest defenders in Congress, attacking Casey for opposing the president’s immigration policies and the tax-cutting law Trump signed last December.
“Now Casey has the nerve to pat himself on the back for all he hasn’t accomplished,” the Barletta campaign said in a statement.
Including Casey, 10 Democrats are defending seats in states won by Trump in the 2016 presidential election.
But Casey and fellow Democrats are finding smooth sailing this year in the so-called industrial-belt “blue wall” states — Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — that former President Barack Obama won twice before all four flipped parties and backed Trump in 2016.
Outside Republican campaign groups with money to spend — including super PACs that support Trump — have been absent from Pennsylvania for Barletta.
For his part, Barletta has badly lagged Casey in fundraising, and no independent poll puts him within striking distance, making it a low-profile race. AP Casey website

CARTWRIGHT CALLS OUT CHRIN ON LIES, MEDICARE

Congressmen Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)

Doubts about John Chrin’s credibility continued to surface today, as Congressman Matt Cartwright released a new ad directly refuting nearly every commercial that Chrin has run up to this point.
In his new ad, aptly named “Ads,” Cartwright tackles the inaccuracies head-on. “Here’s the truth,” Cartwright says, “My taxes are paid and John Chrin knew that when he started saying I was refusing to pay my taxes.” The ad goes on to refute Chrin’s “outrageous” immigration ad and highlights votes Chrin cited from before Cartwright’s time in Congress. Cartwright sums up the meaning of lies: “Now he’s (Chrin) insulting your intelligence.” The ad is currently airing on broadcast and cable throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.
The ad can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/IC1Wo2C2KwM
Haphazard citations and half-truths have plagued the Chrin campaign from the start, but Chrin’s newest ad raises even more questions. In this spot, Chrin again accuses Cartwright of raising taxes. Chrin cites H J Res 71, a budget resolution that passed in October 2017, as evidence. Cartwright voted “no” on the measure, invaliding the claim on its face. However, one of the reasons Cartwright opposed the measure was the changes the budget measure proposed for the Medicare program.
To balance this budget, House Republicans made severe cuts to mandatory spending programs, and the cut from Medicare totaled $486 billion over ten years. The budget also proposed changing Medicare from the traditional program to a premium-support model, which is alternatively called vouchers.
On Wednesday, Cartwright noted this on Facebook and challenged Chrin directly, asking “So John Chrin for U.S. Congress, question. If you are criticizing me for not voting to cut Medicare and turn it into a voucher program, are you in favor of those things? The voters would like to know.”
Cartwright campaign spokesman Mike Szustak criticized the challenger: “Out-of-touch doesn’t even begin to describe John Chrin. He’s on record supporting cuts to Social Security, and now he wants to cut and privatize Medicare as well? Matt Cartwright is firm. No cuts to Social Security or Medicare benefits, ever, and no to privatization.”
Chrin has yet to respond to the question. The issue figures to be divisive in a district with a high proportion of retirees.

NEVER MIND ME SAYS BARLETTA,  “SAVE THE PRESIDENT”

Just received this fundraising e mail from Congressman Lou Barletta. Here’s what he had sent:
I was one of the first members of Congress to endorse President Trump and I have been proud to stand by him during his time in office. Sadly, some Democrats will do everything in their power to impeach President Trump if they gain control of the body for which I’m running: The US Senate.
That is why this election is so important. If the Democrats take back the Senate, their first order of business will be to get rid of President Trump.
Notice that Barletta is not touting his own achievements or what he will do. Except for maybe save Diaper Don’s ass! 

SELF DESCRIBED DEPLORABLES COME TO TOWN SUNDAY!!!! 

MEDIA MATTERS

DR. LEONARDI’S E BOOKS

Our good friend Doctor Joe Leonardi has been writing up a storm lately. Here’s a link to his information.
https://www.shortstoryscribe.com/single-post/2018/08/06/“The-world-breaks-everyone

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

Julie Esty of the Dearly Departed Players will join hosts Rusty Fender and David DeCosmo along with program Director Mark Migilore on ECTV Live during the week of October 1st. The group hosts tours at the Dunmore cemetery each year during which the players, in period costume, recreate the personal stories of some of the people buried there.

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!”

THE FREDDIE FACTOR

Tune in every Sunday at 3pm on WILK Newsradio for The Freddy Factor. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll wonder why but in the end, it will be one hell of a good time!

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SOCK HOP

SUNDAY NIGHTS!

1960

Our 1960 logo

In an address at the United Nations, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev surprised the gathered world leaders by calling for the Secretary-General to be replaced by a "troika", a three-member panel drawn from the Western nations, the Communist nations, and the non-aligned (Third World) nations. The proposal was never seriously considered…

The two leading U.S. presidential candidates, Republican Richard M. Nixon and Democrat John F. Kennedy, participated in the first televised presidential debate, which took place in Chicago at the television studios of WBBM-TV. The one-hour-long event began at 8:30 pm local time.[53] The first debate demonstrated the power of a television image in influencing voter choices, with Kennedy appearing tan and charismatic, while Nixon, due in part to a poor makeup (and a recent hospitalzation), looked unkempt and tense. A special act of Congress was passed in order to allow the American television and radio networks to broadcast the debate without having to provide equal time to other presidential candidate..

Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox retired from major league baseball, playing in Boston against the Baltimore Orioles. In his very last at bat, Williams closed his career with his 521st home run and a 5–4 win....In Cuba, Fidel Castro created the "CDRs"—"Comites para la Defensa de la Revolucion" ("Committees for the Defense of the Revolution")—with volunteers reporting to the government about any counterrevolutionary behavior by their neighbors'. Officially, there were more than 100,000 CDRs and 88% of the adult Cuban population were members in 1996.. At the United Nations General Assembly, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev angrily interrupted British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. Ever the gentleman, Macmillan calmly waited for Khrushchev to finish the harangue in Russian, smiled and commented, "I should like that to be translated", then finished his address....

My Three Sons made its television debut, with veteran film actor Fred MacMurray as the widowed father, Steve Douglas, and William Frawley (formerly Fred Mertz of I Love Lucy) as the boys' grandfather, "Bub" O'Casey. 

The series would from 1960 to 1965 on ABC and from 1965 to 1972 on CBS, with numerous cast changes…

then on a Friday evening at 8:30PM the nation was urged by ABC TV to “Meet The Flintstones” a cartoon series that become iconic and prolific….in Pennsylvania Labor Unions go out in full force for the Kennedy-Johnson ticket…..and that holds true for LuLac land where unions, especially the ILGWU Stand fast with JFK and LBJ and fifty eight years ago the number one son in LuLac land and America was “Dreamin” by Johnny Burnette.

The LuLac Edition #3887, September 27th, 2018

PROPERTY TAX FORUM TONIGHT 

REMEMBER BACK IN THE DAY WHEN GAMBLING WAS SUPPOSED TO GIVE US PROPERTY TAX RELIEF?

Check out this article from Philly.com from our friend Frank Scavo 

who is running for State Senator against coward John Blake.

https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/05/23/what-happened-pennsylvania-promise-property-tax-relief-decade-ago/

The LuLac Edition #3886, September 26th, 2018

WRITE ON WEDNESDAY

Our "Write On Wednesday" logo

The race for the United States Senate was supposed to be a battle of the Titans of LuLac land. But apparently it appears that this once touted race will be very, very predictable. Much to the chagrin of the GOP in the state I bet. Here's an analysis from our friends at Politically Uncorrected.

LOU BARLETTA'S PERFECT STORM

Pennsylvania is holding a U.S. Senate race this year (if you hadn’t heard, you are apparently not alone). Congressman Lou Barletta (R) is challenging incumbent U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D).
While Casey and Barletta are the names on the ballot, Donald Trump is the issue in the race. Barletta has been joined at the hip with Trump on policy since becoming a very early supporter and co-chair of Trump’s Pennsylvania 2016 campaign. Consequently, Barletta is perceived as one of Trump’s acolytes while Casey has been one of his strongest critics.
At the moment Barletta isn’t doing too well. The RealClearPolitics polling average has him down about 15 points.
Why Barletta isn’t doing better is a good question.
After all, the congressman is a four-term incumbent in his district (the old PA 11th which extends from the Pocono regions to southeast of Harrisburg). Moreover, in the district he's been fairly popular, personable, and with some accomplishments.
He was seriously considered for a major cabinet post (Labor) in the Trump administration and President Trump strongly supports him. In his youth, he was actually a decent enough baseball player to get a major league tryout.
But Barletta is running far behind in spite of these qualities. Indeed, Barletta’s plight owes to the convergence of a virtual avalanche of political forces that threaten to fatally wreck his candidacy.
His problems start with his opponent. He is running against a storied name in state politics, Senator Bob Casey Jr., the scion of a near legendary former governor. Casey himself has run five times statewide for three separate offices in the past 15 years, winning all in a landslide. He is a formidable opponent.
But Barletta’s troubles run much deeper than Casey, offering in fact a case study about what matters when running for statewide office in Pennsylvania. The political resources any candidate needs to run successfully are well known. One of them is high statewide name recognition, which is a powerful predictor of electoral success.
Another is timing. No one relishes running in a midterm year as a member of the president’s party. The president’s party usually takes it on the chin in the mid-term.
The president’s popularity is also important. Candidates of the administration in power almost always do better the more the president is liked and his job performance is strong.
Then there is money: always important in modern politics. As a challenger you would want either deep pocket supporters or the ability to personally fund raise – preferably both.
Policy matters too: running on issues popular with voters is a big advantage to any candidate. Particularly important would be having a popular “signature” issue associated with your candidacy-- one issue you are well known for.
There also are a few other things good to possess. Experience running a statewide campaign is one of them, especially in a big, multi-media market state like Pennsylvania - while being the candidate of the largest (majority) state political party helps too.
This is a pretty good list of the major political resources any challenger would want, especially running against a well-entrenched incumbent.
It’s also a pretty good explanation for why Barletta is running 15 points behind Casey in the polls.
“Name recognition” or more precisely lack of it illustrates Barletta’s challenge. Ominously, his name recognition is around 45 percent; that means half of the state's voters have never heard of him.
What about presidential popularity? In Pennsylvania, President Trump is treading water with an approval rating of about 38%. Not good for any candidate!
And there is the mid-term problem – during mid-terms senatorial challengers of the president’s party beat incumbents 9% of the time – and 91% of the time they don’t. Money doesn’t augur well for Barletta either. Casey has been outraising Barletta about 7 to 1. Perhaps worse, the often-influential national Republican PAC’s are not putting significant funds into Barletta’s race.
Issues also look problematic: Barletta’s overall record is strongly conservative in a state fairly described as center-right. Most precarious for him is immigration, his “signature issue”, where he is positioned hand-in-glove with the president. About one-third of Pennsylvanian’s approve while almost 60 percent disapprove of the Trump/Barletta immigration stances. Barletta’s immigration policies are particularly unpopular in the voter thick Philadelphia suburbs.
Alas for Barletta, he also doesn’t score well in other important electoral assets, such as statewide experience, or running as the candidate of the majority party. He has never run in a statewide race, and his Republican Party has about 815,000 fewer voter registrations than the majority Democrats.
Can we then say unequivocally that Barletta will lose his contest with Casey?
No! Elections are unpredictable and electorates even more so. Donald Trump is just the most recent prominent example stretching back through American history of “sure loser” candidates that won on election day.
But we remember so well the “underdogs” that win because they are the rare exception – and the only rare exception about this race so far is the unusual combination of forces arrayed against Barletta – low name recognition, bad timing, an unpopular president, feeble fundraising and weak issue messaging.
Indeed, Barletta has found himself caught in a perfect storm: a confluence of hostile political winds relentlessly battering his campaign, making him the wrong candidate in the wrong race at the wrong time.
It’s not hard imagining Congressman Barletta winning other races in other years. It’s just hard to imagine that happening in 2018.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This column, jointly authored by Dr. G. Terry Madonna and Dr. Michael Young. In this column, Madonna and Young examine Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate race. Madonna is Professor of Public Affairs at Franklin & Marshall College, and Young is a speaker, pollster, author, and was Professor of Politics and Public Affairs at Penn State University. Madonna and Young encourage responses to the column and can be reached, respectively, at terry.madonna@fandm.edu and drmikelyoung@comcast.net.

The LuLac Edition #3884, September 25th, 2018

PROPERTY TAX REFORM WEEK 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th OLD FORGE HIGH SCHOOL 6PM 

THURSDAY,  SEPTEMBER 27th, KING'S COLLEGE, 7PM 
click on flyer to enlarge

JOHN BLAKE'S DEFENSE

To be fair, we are providing a link to State Senator John Blake's website where he explains why he voted no to put HB 76 in play. Here's that link: http://www.senatorblake.com/sb76/. 
It's too bad Blake cancelled a  debate with his opponent Frank Scavo in the Poconos. Why, I wonder does he not want to defend this in person.

LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE 

October 9- Last day to REGISTER TO VOTE before the November election

The LuLac Edition #3883, September 24th, 2018

TOM WOLF COMES TO TOWN

The Governor came to town on Saturday to talk about education. Naturally members of the Union Educational community were there. Our good friend Scott Cannon took this video and here are the speeches from that day.

SUE HENRY'S WEBSITE

A few people have been asking for information on 121st District candidate Sue Henry's website. Here it is:
https://friendsofsuehenry.com/

BIG EVENT NEXT SUNDAY

The Luzerne County Republican party will be working with some diverse groups next week to get the vote out. I'm not sure how this will help Lou Barletta in his statewide race for Senate but this should be an interesting time nonetheless. 

The LuLac Edition #3882, September 23rd, 2018

WRKC FM 50 YEARS ON!!!

Last night was a wonderful gathering of King's College WRKC FM alumni. Students and radio station personnel from 5 decades stopped by Karl Hall for a celebration of memories, tributes and just plain catching up with one another.
WRKC FM started in a small room at Holy Cross Hall in 1968.
When I joined the station in 1973 it was in the Sheehy Student Center broadcasting at 440 watts.
By 1980 the station had gone Stereo. A few years back, the wattage was at 1000 and currently is at 1500.
The relationships built there have stood the test of time. Radio people catch the bug and it never leaves you.
Some have stayed in broadcasting as a career, some have come, gone and then come back again, others moved on to other media but always stayed on the fringes of radio.

In the first photo, front row me, Bob Manfre Station Manager from 74-76, Pat Padden (P-Fadd) and Jill Wollett who worked at WILK, later owned a station in Jersey Shore with he late husband and a hell of a scrap book keeper. Back row, John Flynn and The Mad Drummer.
The next photo below features Attorney and former Congressional staffer (to two of them no less) Ron Ungvarsky and Pat (P-Fadd) Fadden who after 50 years all of a sudden finds himself with a nickname courtesy of the Drummer. 

We are holding a special license plate made especially for Father Thom Carten who was an inspiration to all of us and a person who started the longest running reading service for the blind in the country (44 years). 

The third photo features Mrs. Drummer, me and Sue Henry who played a pivotal role in getting this thing together.

Here's Jill Wollett with Karen Dolan. Karen actually did political ads for me in the 1970s for Scranton City Councilwoman Grace Shimmelfinig and Tom Lehman's Senate campaign in 1978. She traveled all the way from New Orleans.  

Bill Gall was from The Class of 1970 at King's. He was one of the first students to broadcast on WRKC FM in 1968. Here he is with his wife Sylvia. 

Brian Carey a former WRKC FM broadcaster was with WNAK, WILK, WINS in New York and later ABC Network news. 

From left to right, Borys Krawczeniuk of the Scranton Times Tribune, Magic 93's Frankie Warren and Stan Phillips.
Like the ink on those damn FCC Third Class Licenses we all had to pass back in the day, the imprint of our time here is indelible.

The LuLac Edition #3881, September 21st, 2018

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF WEEK COMING UP

This coming week there will be big news about Property Tax relief. Here is the schedule and agenda for next Thursday evening. More to come on Lulac this coming week from both sides.

PASHINSKI GETS 300 AT BREAKFAST

On Sunday, Eddie Day Pashinski got 300 people for his annual breakfast. The interesting thing here was all the tables were sold and there wa not a seat to be had as he embarks on another run at Harrisburg.

DEMS IN WILKES BARRE GATHER…

The 121st Democratic Committee gathered in Wilkes Barre Thursday night. The evet was hosted by Congressman Matt Cartwright and Eddie Day Pashinski. . It was a good event with a packed house at Rodano's Dems in the 121st are revved up.
Congressman Cartwright gave a rousing  speech and asked for people to get out and vote. Cartwrright did not resort to personal attacks.
State Representative Eddie Day Pashinski gave his usual stem winder of a speech and touted all the issues Democrats have been on through the years in terms of helping people.
Carl Frank and Rick Gazenski the Chair of the 121st did a bang up job organizing the event. 

A few photos courtesy of Scott Cannon our friend at Video Innovations. 

Longtime party leader and Counsel Carl Frank and your blog editor have a chat. 

New party chair John Pekarovsky and Committeewoman Wendy Cominsky. 

The two main attractions at this event were Eddie Day Pashinski and Matt Cartwright in races for State Representative and Congress respectively. 

Radio's "Duke From Dallas" (when they let him on) is seen here with Pashinski. 

Gort 42, me and NAACP official Ron Felton. 

Mayor Tony George and Wilkes Barre's Dean of Political Wise men, Paul Maher. 

Representative Eddie Day Pashinski schooling me on Property Tax Reform.  

Matt Cartwright revving the troops up.  

 and the crowd loved it.

REP. CARTWRIGHT INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO ELIMINATE COAL ROYALTY LOOPHOLE

BILL WILL IMPROVE THE ECONOMIC VITALITY, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND WELFARE OF COAL COMMUNITIES ADVERSELY IMPACTED BY THE LOSS OF COAL JOBS

Representative Matt Cartwright introduced the Coal Royalty Fairness and Communities Investment Act of 2018, a bill that would provide $70 million to struggling historic coal communities to help build economic resilience, diversify industries, and promote new job creation opportunities; ensure fair returns on publicly owned coal; and improve the transparency of the federal coal program.
Communities across America have built their economies and livelihoods around the extraction, transportation, and manufacturing of natural resources. However, economies and industries change, often leaving these communities struggling in the wake. Significant decreases in demand for coal power generation have negatively impacted workers and communities that have relied on the coal industry for decades.
This bill allocates $70 million to help coal communities build economic resilience, diversify industries, and promote new job creation. In addition, $5 million dollars will be allocated towards funding the design, construction, and operation of large-scale projects to capture and store carbon dioxide emissions from industrial sources.
“Significant decreases in demand for coal power generation have negatively impacted workers and communities that have relied on the coal industry for decades,” Rep. Cartwright said, member of the House Appropriations C ommittee. “This legislation will close loopholes that the coal industry is taking advantage of while assisting struggling coal communities overcome the challenges associated with changing natural resources markets.”
The legislation pays for the investments by closing loopholes in the federal coal royalty payment system. Currently, by selling to their own subsidiaries at below market rates, coal companies often cut corners and avoid paying fair royalty costs on coal extracted from federal land.
"The federal coal program is rigged with loopholes that cost taxpayers millions of dollars a year in lost revenues and unfairly disadvantage Appalachian coal communities,” said Nicole Gentile, deputy director for Public Lands at Center for American Progress. “This measure will help fix major flaws in the federal coal leasing program and create a significant new revenue stream for local communities that are working to expand opportunities and diversify their economies."
Reports have previously found that coal sales to subsidiaries and other non-competitive activities cost the federal government as much as $139 million in royalty payments every year. Thus, this bill would be both deficit positive and provide additional funding to historic coal communities that need it most.

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN TV & RADIO

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week's guests are April and Kim Holgate, discussing their play that will be part of the Scranton Fringe Festival. 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

Rusty Fender will host ECTV Live during the week of September 24th. His guest will be Nikki Keller, Vice President of Communications for the Lackawanna/ Wayne County United Way Campaign. Ms. Keller will discuss the current United Way Campaign and explain how donations are put to use in our area.
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!”

THE FREDDIE FACTOR

Tune in every Sunday at 3pm on WILK Newsradio for The Freddy Factor. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll wonder why but in the end, it will be one hell of a good time!

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SOCK HOP

SUNDAY NIGHTS!

1960

Our 1960 logo

The Howdy Doody Show presented its 2,343rd and final episode, after a run that started on NBC on December 17, 1947.

After the marionette Howdy Doody, and host Buffalo Bob Smith, gave their farewells, Clarabell the Clown— who had used pantomime and honking horns to communicate, but had never spoken— surprised his audience by saying, "Goodbye, kids."......The Dallas Cowboys played their first NFL game, losing 35–28 to the team they later faced in three Super Bowls (1976, 1979 and 1996), the Pittsburgh Steelers..... the New York Yankees clinched the American League pennant with a 4–3 in over the Boston Red Sox. In Pennsylvania, the day before, The day before, the Pittsburgh Pirates won the National League pennant for the first time in 33 years, despite a 4–2 loss to Milwaukee, after the St. Louis Cardinals were eliminated by a 5–0 loss to the Chicago Cubs……in Wilkes Bare The United Fund campaign kicks off with agencies gathering to help the needy and 58 years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Theme From the Apartment” by Ferrante and Teiischer.