The LuLac Edition #3954, December 13th, 2018

13 QUESTIONS

Our “13 Questions” logo

1. What are your thoughts on the way the turnpike is operating?

Wow! Never got one like that before. I rarely use it but when traveling with Mrs. LuLac she has the Easy Pass and it is less expensive and well, easy. We never had an issue on the road. Even when I was doing a sports column and taking it to go to The Vet every other week in the early 80s, I never had a problem.. In my opinion, but keep in mind we are not frequent users, it’s fine.

2. You were a fierce critic of George Bush 43. Has your opinion changed about him?

I was against his policies and his over reliance on Dick Cheney. I think he even regrets that. Bush followed his father’s tradition in never leaving the White House for a Christmas vacation until after the big day so Secret Service agents could spend time with their families. Unlike the current occupant, I don’t believe 43 or any President, even Nixon woke up every morning not wanting to do the best job for the nation. Trump is giving even the worst Presidents a leg up because of his ignorant disastrous tenure.

3. Have you seen the movies about Gary Hart and Dick Cheney?

Nope. Want to though.

4. What do you make of John Kerry saying he thought of asking John McCain to be his running mate in 2004?

Man that would have been interesting! McCain had no great love for 43 at that time and might have been ripe for the plucking. The two disparate philosophies on the war would have been brilliant. Many nominees had thought about such a deal, Humphrey seriously was thinking about seeking out Nelson Rockefeller in 1968. FDR toyed with the idea of asking Wendell Wilkie in 1944. That would have been horrible because Roosevelt was in grave health and Wilkie died in October of '44 just weeks before the election that saw FDR garner a 4th and final term.

5. Any Christmas holiday doings?

It’s the best time of year. Connecting with family and friends. Beautiful church services and sharing thoughts with new co workers as well as recent ones.

6. Your kind of built like Santa  and jolly, ever play Santa?

Once. 1971 at St. John the Evangelist High. I was the pre game show between St. John’s and I think Cathedral. I came dribbling out in my Santa suit and on the first shot made a basket throwing underhanded. Wasn’t anywhere near mid court either! 
God was with me and I never took another one because why blow it? I was smart enough to stop. That was the only time.

7. Is there a song that takes you back in time to Christmas?

Yes. “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms. Here’s why. I remember as a child that song playing on the radio at 83 Cliff as our Christmas Eve suppers were being prepared. I picture my grandfather in a rocker, all  his sons with their families arriving, my Aunt slaving over that big old Pittston coal stove that was like a blast furnace and all the love that was in that house. When I saw that scene as a kid, I remember that song being played and it was seared forever into my memory.  Except for one, all my dad's siblings are gone as well as that home the way it was. But the memory remains.

8. Do you miss your old job?

I loved what I was doing and I miss the people but I’m finally getting to use my government degree. After nearly 7 years it was time and I'm grateful for this opportunity but thanksful for my time at Campbell's and Nestle. 

9. I heard on the radio that George H.W. Bush was a double agent or something like that which is why he was head of the CIA. True?

Absolutely not. You most likely heard that on Coast to Coast which in my opinion has very few redeeming qualities. I like Peter Davenport and I guess that’s about it. The show is essentially full of shit!
Noory has a good thing going and has people calling in saying they fed Bigfoot Applesauce and they were really talking dogs from Mars. And he never challenges them.
What you heard was a crackpot who was referring to a book written about Bush trying to connect him to drug cartels. Any reputable biographer will tell you Bush loved his job as Ambassador to China after he was appointed by President Ford. But Ford called on him to take over an embattled CIA which was under the leadership of William Colby. The agency was reeling from its involvement in Watergate as well as the numerous conspiracy theories that they funded the JFK assassination. While Bush served well in that one year and gave the agency better morale for his successor Stansfield Turner, the last thing he and Barbara wanted to do was leave China.

10. Your reaction to the Bush family inviting Trump to the funeral?

The deceased President always had more respect for the office than the current occupant. He knew Trump was a jackass but the office was more important than his opinion of Diaper Don.

11. Your reaction to the Clintons staring straight ahead of Trump at the Bush funeral?

Class. Smart. Dignified. Unlike him. I’m glad they  ignored him. He deserves it.

12. Can you believe the Nationals are spending 500 million dollars on three pitchers?

That to me in unbelievable. And the record for these guys are not Koufax, Drysdale, Palmer Spahn records. One guy was 11-7 and got millions.

13. I guess you’re salivating for the Dems to impeach Trump?

Not at all. I do not want to see impeachment. I want the report to come out. Let those around him get arrested. The country can run itself.
I want to see him, his policies, racism and ignorance repudiated at the polls in 2020. Then I want to see Marshalls arresting him after the new President takes office.
But no, impeachment would be too good for him. Plus, 35% of the public would make him a martyr and the nuts on Noory would have a field day.