The LuLac Edition #4,019, February 28th, 2019

TRUMP'S RECENT SUMMIT NOT A FAILURE 

Kim and President Trump (Photo: AP) 

You might be reading reports in the media that the recent Donald Trump, Kim Jong-Un was being subbed a failure. I disagree. Trump walked away from any deal with North Korea and did the prudent thing. The fear was because of the investigations surrounding him that the President might make any concession. But he did not.  His administration has given more legitimacy to this dictator than is necessary so it was refreshing to see President Trump act like a President in this case.

WHINY CALLER TO WILK THINKS DIAPER DON IS THE BEST

I set my alarm for 6:45 every morning and if a story on NPR is not doing it for me, I switch over to WILK. I did that yesterday and came across a caller who was beyond repair both intellectually and emotionally. I thought, “My God local Trump supporters who call into WILK Radio are essentially off their rockers.” This guy calls Wednesday, attacks  the Morning co host and then posits that Diaper Don is the greatest President in his lifetime. This guy must have had a pretty sorry lifetime. Then he goes after the Board Op making accusations about the person’s intelligence and college education. Yep; those bitter old white men are alive and well in The Lac. But for guys like this, the reckoning is near.
Look, I get it: It’s really hard to keep track of all the latest twists and turns in the investigations around Donald Trump.
But here’s the big picture from yesterday’s testimony. Under oath and in an open session of Congress, one of Donald Trump’s most trusted advisors implicated him in criminal activity while he’s been in the White House.
And this is on top of the 34 individuals and 3 companies that have been indicted, convicted, or pled guilty – including Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman and former National Security Advisor.
Our criminal justice system is hanging on and doing its job – the truth is coming out – despite unprecedented, relentless, and potentially illegal pressure from Donald Trump and his associates in and out of government. But this guy thinks Diaper is the greatest. No accounting for taste or brains in that part of the Lac!

COHEN’S BIGGEST REGRET-LYING TO THE FIRST LADY!

Cohen testified that he was especially disturbed that the president told him to lie about Trump’s alleged affairs with Daniels and McDougal.
“He asked me to pay off an adult film star with whom he had an affair, and to lie to his wife about it, which I did,” Cohen said, adding, “Lying to the First Lady is one of my biggest regrets. She is a kind, good person. I respect her greatly and she did not deserve that.”
During questioning, Cohen was asked repeatedly about the lies he had told about his work for the president, and he again brought up the first lady.
“Not only did I lie to the American people, I lied to the first lady. When the president called me I was sitting in a car with a friend of mine and he had me speak to her and explain to the first lady,” Cohen testified.
Look for Melania to dump Diaper Don’s sorry ass very soon after he leaves office.

REPUBLICAN REP. GAETZ WARNS COHEN HE WILL PLAY ROUGH AT HOUSE HEARING

Hours before his scheduled public testimony before the House Oversight Committee, Michael Cohen received a warning, of sorts, from Rep. Matt Gaetz, about what awaits him.
First off, he comes from Florida which is a cesspool of thuggish Republicans who can’t argue the facts but make threats just like Diaper Don.
Gaetz’s taunt came after reports that Cohen, Donald Trump’s longtime attorney, plans to testify Wednesday that his former boss was involved in an illegal scheme to use campaign funds to pay off porn actress Stormy Daniels. Cohen pleaded guilty last year to charges related to the hush money scheme.
The preview Gaetz offered of what he and other Republican members of the committee may bring up was cited by some political observers as highly improper and possibly illegal, under statutes that make it a crime to attempt to intimidate a witness in a federal proceeding.
Confronted on Capitol Hill shortly after he posted his tweet, Gaetz bristled at the suggestion his words might be considered witness tampering.
It was a threat and last time I checked that was witness tampering. Maybe Gaetz is trying reprise the role of one of the mafia members of the Corleone family or better yet, the Gotti family where witness tampering was turned into an art form!
Lanny Davis, Cohen’s lawyer, called Gaetz’s warning “a new low” in American politics.
“We will not respond to Mr. Gaetz’s despicable lies and personal smears, except to say we trust that his colleagues in the House, both Republicans and Democrats, will repudiate his words and his conduct,” Davis said in a statement. “I also trust that his constituents will not appreciate that the congressmen has set a new low — which in today’s political culture is hard to imagine possible.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also took note of Gaetz’s tweet and took the opportunity to remind her colleagues of social media protocol.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders echoed Trump’s assertion that Cohen couldn’t be trusted. As if wht comes out of mealy mouth with her furrowed brow is trustworthy too? C’mon Sarah Christian baby!
Cohen is scheduled to begin serving a three-year sentence on May 6 for crimes including campaign finance violations stemming from the hush money payments to Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.
_

U.S. SEN. BOB CASEY ADDS BACKING TO $15 MINIMUM WAGE BILL IN US SENATE

Senator Bob Casey (Photo: Casey website)

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey said Tuesday that he is adding his support to legislation to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, joining the party's growing chorus at the state and federal level ahead of the 2020 presidential election.
The bill Casey is joining is already backed by 30 fellow Democrats. It is written by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and backed by five other Democratic senators who, like the politically independent Sanders, are seeking the party’s nomination to run for president.
Casey acknowledged that winning passage in the Republican-controlled Senate is a tall order, but that it is important to build support for it now if a Democrat is elected president in 2020.
“I would not be a candidate during 2020 running for Senate or Congress not supporting this because I think it’s popular across the board,” Casey said. “Not only do people know the data on wages, they’ve lived these lives of very little wage growth and I think it’s the No. 1 economic challenge that we have.”

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN TV

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week's guest will be Gary Duncan, Historian of the Scranton Saint Patrick's Day Parade. 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 is seen on Comcast channel 19 (61 in some areas) and is aired three times daily throughout the week.
The program is Produced and anchored by David DeCosmo with Rusty Fender as co-host. The program is directed by Mark Migilore. After its initial broadcast the program will be available for viewing on the electric city television YouTube page.

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!

1969 

Our 1969 logo

In Toulouse, France the first Concorde test flight is conducted………Soviet and Chinese forces clash at a border outpost on the Ussuri River....in regards to the Apollo program: NASA launches Apollo 9 (James McDivitt, David Scott, Rusty Schweickart) to test the lunar module.

In a Los Angeles court, Sirhan Sirhan admits that he killed presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy.

In Pennsylvania petitions go out for Superior Court seats in the state…..in Luzerne County Congressman Dan Flood says it is too early to tell how the Nixon administration will perform in terms of policy but says the new President will have to work with a Democratic Congress and fifty years ago the number one song in America was “Proud Mary” by Creedence Clearwater Revival”. The song will be destined to be a fixture j every oldies radio station format for decades to come.

The LuLac Edition #4,018, February 27th, 2019

WRITE ON WEDNESDAY

Our "Write On Wednesday" logo

TL SAYS POLICE DOING GOOD JOB UNDER TOUGH CIRCUMSTANCES

Less than a week ago, the city of Wilkes-Barre was in some quarters mear panic. It was the drive by shootings that had some calling for The National Guard to come in. But as the Mayor said, the residents should remain calm because there was work being done to remedy the tense situation. 
Now one week later, one shooter is in custody and another is very close to being apprehended. The Editorial by The Times Leader last week spoke to how a crisis is handled by law enforcement, its partners and the administration they work with. This is this Wednesday's "Write On" feature. 
There is good reason to be concerned about Wilkes-Barre’s recent spike in gun violence.
Police say the rash of drive-by shootings have not been random. While that may bring limited comfort for the rest of us, Chief Joseph Coffay also made it clear Wednesday that the suspected perpetrators have opened fire into homes and vehicles with no regard for where the bullets land or who gets hit.
This dangerous trend, whether it be true gang activity or a personal feud out of control, threatens the safety and security of the entire community.
If there is any silver lining from the past few days, it is this: We are heartened by the reaction of city police, and especially Chief Coffay, during these scary times.
First, the chief has kept the media — and therefore the community — informed as much as possible as each incident unfolded, either personally or though updates on the department’s Facebook page.
We understand there are a lot of things he simply can’t talk about while investigations are underway. We hope our readers understand that as well — that we, too, are asking many questions, although answers could be slow in coming for entirely legitimate reasons.
Second, Coffay’s presence at the crime scenes demonstrates leadership and hands-on policing that are reassuring to us — and, we suspect, to members of his force.
It speaks volumes to see the chief conferring with officers and detectives out on the street and conducting observations of his own. We saw that with the shooting investigation on South Main Street last week, when Coffay could be seen examining a bullet-riddled car in which two young women were shot.
Based on what our editors and reporters have observed in recent weeks, we as an organization have confidence that the city’s police department is well led and determined to bring the perpetrators to justice.
No one should assume that will be quick or easy, however.
“This isn’t a TV show or a reality game, this is reality,” Mayor Tony George said during a Wednesday press conference. “It takes time to solve crimes. They aren’t solved overnight. Just because you don’t hear anything doesn’t mean they aren’t working their tails off to solve this.”
As reporter Dan Stokes wrote, city police are working with law enforcement from the local, state and federal level including: ATF, FBI, AG’s Office and Luzerne County DA’s office. Coffay also noted that members of the Pennsylvania State Police are patrolling the city along with its officers during the midnight shift, Stokes explained.
We feel this sort of multi-agency response also sends all the right messages. We hope and pray that their efforts will be successful sooner rather than later, before someone gets killed.
Wilkes-Barre residents should stay calm but also remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police.

The LuLac Edition #4,017, February 26th, 2019

DIAPER DON CRIES ABOUT SPIKE LEE

I always liked Spike Lee. Lee is one of the most innovative and creative film makers this country ever had. So I was thrilled when he won an Oscar For “Black Klansman”. But true to form, old Diaper Don, the racist thug sitting on the john in the White House came out in full blast against Lee. Lee made a comment about his heritage and that chafed old Diaper Don in his little itty bitty feelings. See Diaper goes after black entertainers and athletes, not white ones. I guess we can all be grateful that Scott Baio is safe these days but this is Trump’s way of demeaning the black experience in America.
Trump said Lee's acceptance speech amounted to a "racist hit" against him.
In his acceptance speech, Lee referred to his family's history in the U.S., which he said could be traced to the first slaves being brought over from Africa.
"Before the world tonight, I give praise to our ancestors who have built this country into what it is today along with the genocide of its native people," Lee said. "We all connect with our ancestors. We will have love and wisdom regained, we will regain our humanity. It will be a powerful moment."
He added that the 2020 presidential election was just "around the corner."
"Let’s all mobilize," he continued. "Let’s all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Let’s do the right thing! You know I had to get that in there."
Lee never mentioned Diaper Don’s name because maybe, like Elizabeth Warren, Lee knows that old Diaper Don will be loading his drawers and slinging his shit from a jail cell by 2020.

ROCK THE VOTE 2019

The Luzerne County Democrats had a petition party Sunday Night at Old Tyme Charlie’s in Plains. I wanted to go but did some damage to my right knee. It is on the mend but I missed the event because I had an afternoon date with a bag of ice to reduce the swelling There was a big crowd with candidates running for County office attending and getting their petitions filled out in short order.
Here are a few photos from the event.

Kathy Bozinski, Ben Hoon and Wendy Cominsky were front and center at  the event. 

Eddie Day Pashinski, as always gave a stem winder of a speech at the gathering.  

Reverend Shawn Walker and Bob Caruso.  

Polly Delaney, one of The LuLac Women We Love in 2018, Congressman Matt Cartwright, Colleen Gerritty and Tom Bindus.

(Photos: Ben Hoon)  

The LuLac Edition #4,016, February 25th, 2019

MEME MONDAY!!!!

The LuLac Edition #4,015, February 22rd, 2019

ROCK THE VOTE THIS SUNDAY IN LUZERNE COUNTY 

The Luzerne County Democratic Party is excited to kick off 2019 by hosting the 3rd annual Rock the County Petition Party and this year we are stepping up our game!

Like previous years, live music will be provided in the front bar with Rick Gillette of Nowhere Slow. In the back bar will be the Luzerne County Democratic Olympics. The six individual districts will compete to win the prestigious “Marty” Award (named after Senator Martin L Murray). Like the Stanley Cup, there will be only one “Marty.” The winning district holds the Marty with bragging rights as the ultimate champions of the county Olympics (at least until they have to defend it at the next Olympics). These Olympics are purely for fun and to build camaraderie. Details are below if you wish to participate. We will also have a “selfie photo booth” and a 50/50 drawing!

Admission is free, except candidates with petitions must contribute $10.

Food will be provided. Cash Bar.

Sunday, February 24, 2019

4pm - 8pm

Ole Tyme Charlies

31 S River St, Plains, Pennsylvania 18705

We hope to see you there!

The Olympic games will start at 4:30 with Pool, Foosball and Darts. This will be “round robin” tournament style, with two players per round. Who ever scores the most in a certain time frame. The district with the most wins, well, wins. Players must live in the district they are competing with unless that district has filled all the slots, then the players may play for other districts. Players can email their district (Listed below) in advance or arrive no later than 4:30pm to sign up…..Get your game face on!

2019 ELECTION YEAR CALANDER

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF COMMISSIONS, ELECTIONS AND LEGISLATION

2019 PENNSYLVANIA ELECTIONS IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

First day to circulate and file nomination petitions … February 19

Last day to circulate and file nomination petitions .....March 12

First day to circulate and file nomination papers ....March 13

Last day for withdrawal by candidates who filed nomination petitions ...March 27

Last day to REGISTER before the primary ..........April 22

Last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot........May 14

Last day for County Board of Elections to receive voted civilian absentee ballots ..May 17

MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ....May 21

First day to REGISTER after primary .....May 22

Last day for County Board of Elections to receive voted military and overseas absentee ballots (submitted for delivery no later than 11:59 P.M. on May 20) ....May 28

Last day to circulate and file nomination papers ....August 1

Last day for withdrawal by candidates nominated by nomination papers .August 8

Last day for withdrawal by candidates nominated at the primary ...August 12

Last day to REGISTER before the November election ......October 7

Last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot.....October 29

Last day for County Boards of Elections to receive voted civilian absentee ballots ...November 1

MUNICIPAL ELECTION .......November 5

First day to REGISTER after November election ....November 6

Last day for County Board of Elections to receive voted military and overseas absentee ballots (submitted for delivery no later than 11:59 P.M. on November 4) .....November 12

The LuLac Edition #4,014, February 22nd, 2019

ONE WAS HATCHED

THE OTHER BORN 

WE'LL SET IT STRAIGHT GEORGE

ALL YOUR HARD WORK WILL NOT GO TO WASTE

The LuLac Edition #4,013, February 21st, 2019

TWO ADDENDUMS FROM EDITION #4,013

We tried to upload two videos from the previous edition but had technical difficulties. Here they are, an announcement from ABC's Paul Harvey about David DeCosmo's marriage and then the number one song in LuLac land in 1969.

The LuLac Edition #4,012, February 21st, 2019

DAVID DeCOSMO'S  6 DECADES IN BROADCASTING

DeCosmo  at the start of his storied career. 

 On the air doing one of thousands of stand ups with his video side kick the late Bob Dennis. 

Here he is in great form and better than ever on ECTV. 

(Photos: DeCosmo blogsite)

Long time broadcaster David DeCosmo is celebrating 6 decades in broadcasting this year. 60 years. He started hanging around radio station WAZL at he age of 15 and things in broadcasting have changed since then. Now most anyone can get sound from an IPhone but Davis first assignment was to tape a presentation by then Congressman Dan Flood. For those of us who remember the dulcet tones of Flood, it was almost impossible to keep up with the ebb and flow of his vocal levels but somehow DeCosmo brought back a finished product that could air. 
 Starting out as a teenager in Hazleton Area radio has led to Dave becoming  a veritable institution in this radio and TV market. For years he was the News Director of WILK in Wilkes Barre and a well known fixture in County government covering meetings and the like. During the 1972 flood DeCosmo helped found the Agnes Flood Radio network putting together a string of local radio stations that provided vital information at time of crisis. 
David was also the very first President of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Media Association. Those meetings, which I was a part of were seminars conducted by the broadcast and news print greats of NEPA.  DeCosmo also served twice as President of the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters Association.
In 1973 he went on to WMJW and won many broadcasting awards there as News Director. DeCosmo later shifted to TV where he and the late Kevin Jortdan were the premier news duo for WYOU TV. DeCosmo stayed at the station covering a myriad of stories that bordered on the national corners of the news realm.
He was the last witness to testify at a Coroner's inquest regarding the Teddy Kennedy-Mary Jo Kopechne situation.  He has been an educator of students wanting to get in the media and his wealth of institutional knowledge is untouchable.
Not content to sit on the sidelines, DeCosmo still does a weekly TV show on ECTV which we promote weekly here on LuLac. 
David and his wife's wedding was announced on National Radio by none other than Paul Harvey on ABC when Harvey was detailing the number of marriages that stood the test of time. Dave ad his wife Leona were barely newlyweds when Harvey bestowed  that honor. Plus I'm sure Harvey is smiling somewhere knowing that the "two kids" he mentioned years ago are still together and thriving.
For me, he has been a mentor, friend, confidante and supporter of every endeavor I have undertaken. He was the best damn softball pitcher my softball team, The Lady Killers ever had. 
On 60 years of excellence and dedication, we salute David DeCosmo and hope you will too.


LUZERNE CTY. GOP LINCOLN DAY DINNER

This year the Luzerne County GOP will be holding its Lincoln Day diner. After the big win by Donald Trump in the County, the GOP stopped having it. Chairman Justin Behrens announced the event will be on Saturday March 2nd at 9am at Genetti’s.


ANOTHER TEACHER ON COUNCIL

The Luzerne County Council chose another teacher, that makes 8 to fill the vacanvcy of Edd Brominski who retired earlier this year. This was no big surprise because as early as the initial interviews, it was going to be Joe Bilbow all the way. The other applicants, all Democrats as required: Dominic Butchko, Gene Camoni, Martin Dartoe, Hal Gabriel, Michael Giamber, James Kennedy, Lois Komensky, Bonnie Markowski and Michael McGlynn
never really stood any chance.
Bilbow has 25 years of experience in public education, including 13 in administrative functions.
He has said he wants to work with the 10 council members to come up with the best solutions for citizens. As a principal, he said he is accustomed to making decisions and resolving problems.
He applied largely because he saw it as an opportunity to get involved instead of sitting back and complaining about and critiquing council’s decisions. So did the others, one wonders why a citizen advocate closer to the Brominski mold was not chosen. I guess the other teachers wanted to be more comfortable in their decision making and not have a gadfly to bother them with the details. Bilbow’s appointment is a chance for the County GOP to make hay on this pick. 
That said, the Council works in tandem and is running pretty well with no great damage done to the way things are run. It was a majority vote and for those who have complained about too many educators, take a look at some bof the School Boards we've had in the past.


MESSAGE FROM NEWT

Failed former Speaker and Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich is alarmed. Alarmed we say because of the Democratic Green New Deal. Here’s what he’s been telling people. . The radical Left's Green New Deal is alarming. It is nothing more than an excuse to drive our nation towards Socialism. Their poorly-written proposal promises to rebuild or update nearly all buildings in the United States and almost completely eliminate air travel and non-electric cars. Guess who they want to pay for all of this? That's right, it's YOU
To fund their far-reaching reforms, Socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) — one of the main proponents of the Green New Deal — proposed a tax increase to 70 percent on top income earners. History has shown time and time again that Socialism doesn't work.
Neither does the tax cuts for the rich Newt. I love how they play the old Socialism card when no one realizes that if they were ever stuck in a trulky socialist country, they’d be screaming like little piggies.

SCAVO RUNNING IN THE 114TH

Frank Scavo of Old Forge is running as a Republican for the seat that was held by the late Sid Michaels Kavulich. Scavo has been non stop in his efforts to get elected and has decided that this race might be winnable for him. We disagree nationally on things but there is no doubt he will bring passion to the position. Here’s some info on an event coming up in a few days. 

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


Jamie Hailstone will be the featured guest on ECTV Live during the week of February 25th to outline plans for this year's Saint Patrick's Parade in Scranton. ECTV Live is seen on Comcast channel 19 (61 in some areas) and is aired three times daily throughout the week.

The program is Produced and anchored by David DeCosmo with Rusty Fender as co-host. The program is directed by Mark Migilore. After its initial broadcast the program will be available for viewing on the electric city television YouTube page

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!

1969

Our 1969 logo

Four hundred Major League Baseball players boycott spring training over owners' refusal to increase their pension-fund contributions along with television broadcast revenues. Te boycott will end in late February…..The Mariner 6 Mars probe is launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station…….Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District: The U.S. Supreme Court rules that the First Amendment applies to public schools…..in Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mayor James Tate says that infrastructure improvement in the city will contuse…meanwhile in Scranton Mayor James Walsh launches his re-election bid and fifty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Traces” by the -Classics IV featuring Dennis Yost.

The LuLac Edition #4,011, Februry 20th, 2019

WRITE ON WEDNESDAY

Our "Write On Wednesday" logo.

FRANK CALI AKA

CHRIS STARR OR CHRIS O'BRIEN

Last month Frank Cali passed away. Frank was a well know radio announcer at WBAX, WARM and WEJL in this market. I'm sure there were many more stations he landed at. As an intern at WBAX during The Bicentennial Year of 1976 I'd work in the newsroom during Chris' shift. They did 20/20 news at the time and his banter with then radio newswoman Madeline Fitzgerald was classic. His good friend Andy Palumbo had this appreciation for him on his blog and it is worth repeating.
Frank Cali started working at WARM maybe a year after I did, in the very early 80's. Frank, under the name of Chris O'Brien, did the overnight shift at first. Yes, this was the time when real radio stations had real live people working around the clock. It was called "full service radio."
I was the evening news person at the time, and I'd hang around after my shift ended at 11:30 PM, just shooting the bull with Chris for hours, hearing some old stories and learning about the business. He loved radio. Let me repeat: Chris loved radio. Before his arrival at WARM, Chris programmed a few radio stations in the market. I will never forget his advice. Chris believed radio programming wasn't all that difficult. All you really had to know was "shut up and play the hits." Of course, it was a little more than that. He had one odd accomplishment. It seems every station Chris joined, excluding WARM, had a polka show, and he always canceled it.
When Chris was "between jobs," he borrowed my typewriter to bang out resumes. I'd drop it off at whatever place he was renting and pick it up a few days later.
Chris was what we in the business call a "floater." He changed jobs frequently. It's usually viewed as a negative. I didn't see it that way. He was just constantly looking for something new, a challenge.
Chris might have been the original Dr. Johnny Fever. I remember when he arrived at WARM, he needed a card in front of him to remember his new air name and the station's call letters.
One of my favorite stories was when Chris worked at a radio station with big windows in the studio, looking out onto a used car lot next door, run by a shady operator. As Chris was talking on the air, he watched the used car lot owner get punched in the face by an angry customer. Yes, I know assault isn't funny, but even after all these years, I still think of the way Chris told the story, and I can get a good laugh out of it.
We stayed in touch long after the WARM days. He hired me to work with him at WKRZ AM 1340 in Wilkes-Barre. I almost jumped, but WARM offered me more hours as a counter. I stayed. We reconnected a few years back, going out to lunch a few times. It was good to talk with an old friend.
Chris, and I always called him that rather than his given name (he didn't mind), collected old television memorabilia. Out of privacy and security concerns, I won't give the list of everything I saw in his most impressive collection, but there was a chair from Al Bundy's "Married with Children" shoe store, one of Johnny Carson's coffee mugs, some of Soupy Sales' old cancelled checks and contracts. plus tons of 3 Stooges stuff. He was friends with cartoon voices, including June Foray, who brought Rocky the Squirrel to life. Chris knew Moe Howard's daughter. He had several autographs of the major movers and shakers from his time at the Voice of America in Washington.
There were plenty of health problems over the years, and that made me sad. He had a lot left to give.
Chris used to live in a high rise a few miles from my house. Even though he had moved, I'd pass the high rise and say to myself, "I have to see how he's doing." The road to hell is paved with good intentions. I'm sorry.
Frank Cali, Chris Starr, Chris O'Brien died Friday night.
I lost a teacher.
I lost a friend.
https://andy-palumbo.blogspot.com/

The LuLac Edition #4,010, February 19th, 2019

“COME HITHER” COLLINS SAYS TRUMP NATIONAL EMERGENCY IS A BAD THING

(Photo: Pressherald.com)

Susan Collins said that President’s Trump’s National Emergency was something that wasn’t good for the country. But really, how can we believe a thing she says?
After Brett Kavanaugh voted to uphold an anti-choice law in Louisiana, Susan Collins doubled down.
She already defended him in her famous floor speech -- insisting he wouldn't overturn Roe v. Wade. Now, despite the fact that the Supreme Court previously struck down a nearly identical Texas law in 2016, she says Kavanaugh took a "logical approach."
I’ve had enough of Collins, her laughable defense of Brett Kavanaugh and now her tut tutting about the National Emergency when we know she’ll fall in line with the other GOP Senators who are cowards. .
Because of Susan Collins, Brett Kavanaugh has a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court and can advance the far-right agenda he's defended his entire career.
Even as a circuit judge, Kavanaugh put his personal beliefs ahead of upholding justice when he tried to block a teenage girl, who fled her abusive family and was taken into immigration custody, from obtaining an abortion.
At the end of the day, Kavanaugh was never going to be an advocate for women or the right to choose -- and Susan Collins willingly turned a blind eye to that when she voted to confirm him.
So who can believe her dismay about Trump’s “emergency” now?

CASEY MEASURES TO PROTECT PUBLIC LANDS CLEAR SENATE

PROVISIONS TO ESTABLISH SUSQUEHANNA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA, FUND RIVERS OF STEEL NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA PASS CRITICAL VOTE

Senator Robert Casey (Photo: Casey website)

Following advocacy by U.S. Senator Bob Casey, two provisions to assist major public lands projects in Pennsylvania have cleared a Senate Vote. Among other wins for Pennsylvanians, the Natural Resources Management Act includes a measure to establish a Susquehanna National Heritage Area in Lancaster and York counties and includes funding fix to ensure that the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area in Pittsburgh continues to receive funding.
“I am pleased that we were able to work together on legislation that sets provisions for the conservation of federal lands in south central and southwestern Pennsylvania,” said Senator Casey. “The Senate took an important step in protecting our historic landscapes and I urge the House and the President to pass and sign this bill into law.”
The Natural Resource Management Act would set provisions for various programs, projects and studies for the management and conservation of natural resources on federal lands. The bill would designate Susquehanna Heritage in Lancaster and York Counties as a National Heritage Area. It would also continue funding for the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area in Pittsburgh. National Heritage Areas are places where historic, cultural, and national resources combine to create nationally important landscapes. These landscapes are designated to promote historic preservation with collaboration from the local community.

The LuLac Edition #4,009, February 18th, 2019

MONDAY MEMES

PRESIDENTS AT WORK 

The LuLac Edition #4,008, February 17th, 2019

PRESIDENT DAY RALLIES PLANNED

As we all know President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency to fund his racist, anti-immigrant wall and deportation agenda.
This is an undemocratic power grab from an unhinged man unhappy with a Democratic Congress that will not indulge his temper tantrums.
In response, a number of partners have called for Presidents Day Protests around the country on Monday, February 18 at noon local time (or the time local hosts deem best). The reception to this day of action has been electric: over 150 events with over 10,000 RSVPs are already on the map! Together citizens will stand against Trump's fake crisis and racist deportation force and stand with immigrant, Muslim, and Black and brown communities.
This President’s Day will be one that truly engages a public who fondly remembers guys like Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore in comparison to Diaper Don.

CARTWRIGHT ANNOUNCES FY2018 STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE (SAFER) GRANT NOW OPEN

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives) 

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the Fiscal Year 2018 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant application period is now open and will close on and will close on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
The SAFER program provides grants to local fire departments to assist in hiring and retaining staff. Grants are administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“SAFER provides funding to help fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations stay adequately staffed with frontline firefighters. This gives a much-needed boost to public safety in countless struggling communities,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “I urge fire departments facing reduced emergency response capabilities to apply for SAFER funding.”
For assistance, applicants can contact the SAFER Grants Help Desk with questions about the grant program, application process, or technical assistance tools. The toll-free number is 1-866-274-0960; the e-mail address for questions is firegrants@fema.dhs.gov.

The LuLac Edition #4,007, February 14th, 2019

DIAPER DOESN'T GET HIS WAY

President Donald Trump will sign a border security bill to avert another government shutdown, but also declare a national emergency to obtain funds for his promised U.S.-Mexico border wall, the top Senate Republican said on Thursday.
In an attempt to bypass Congress to get money that lawmakers have denied him for his wall, Trump will trudge toward a fight with Democrats and the Courts who have best him in the past. The thing will wind up in courts for years. He can read about it even when he's behind bars a few years from now!
The only emergency is him.

LIZ CHENEY CALLING OUT DEMS FOR SAYING “NO”

 Liz "Spawn of Veep Creep" Cheney (Photo: AP)

My God the deception and outright lying of the national GOP never ends. Liz Cheney whose daddy was the Veep who got us into two wars in the Mideast said the Dems are saying o. Here is a list of the bullshit she is slinging.
Since taking control of the House of Representatives last month, the Democrats have shown their true political ideology. They are the party of NO! Their left-wing agenda is now based on:
•No God
•No Second Amendment
•No Protection for Babies
•No Free Speech
•No Freedom of Religion
•No Airplanes
•No Cars
•No Cows
It is the tiresome old saw the gutless Republicans use saying Dems hate God, want to steal your guns, bitching about abortion when they could have done something about it with their Supreme Court appointees, playing the religion and speech card which I think is particularl;y disgusting.
Then there was the crap about no planes, cars or cows! Jesus are her supporters that DUMB?
You should have seen Cheney trying to avoid question about her god Diaper Don from Jake Tapper the other day on CNN. She avoided it completely.
Dickie’s daughter is showing that having no heart and for that matter in no integrity runs in that family.
Fast forward to about 11:15 seconds in this video to see what a coward she is. Well I guess the apple does fall from the tree since daddy was a draft dodger extraordinaire in the 60s!

ELIZABETH WARREN AND DIAPER DON’S TWEETS

From Elizabeth Warren this week and it was priceless. One of the questions people ask me on the campaign trail is, “Are you going to respond to Donald Trump’s latest tweet?”
I stop and think about it. Are we really going to chase after his tweets every day? Every time he says something hateful, something racist to try to divide us?
No. Because our campaign isn’t about him.
Look, by the time we get to 2020, Donald Trump might not even be president. With all of the investigations into him right now, he might not even be a free person.
More importantly, Donald Trump isn’t the cause of what’s broken in America. He’s just the worst and latest symptom of a system that works great for the rich and powerful – and no one else.
A rigged system that’s bigger than any hateful tweet – that makes the path to economic security too steep and too rocky for millions of working people, and even steeper and rockier for people of color.
So if Donald Trump were the whole focus of our campaign, then we wouldn’t be able to fight for the big, structural changes that this country really needs – the changes we need to make once he’s gone.
Our job isn’t to respond to him on a daily basis. It’s to talk about how we’ll change the rules so our government, economy, and democracy don’t just work for those at the top.

RAYTHEON TO PARTNER WITH JFK LIBRARY FOUNDATION IN CELEBRATION OF TECHNOLOGICAL VISION AND LEADERSHIP AND TO COMMEMORATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF APOLLO 11

“I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before the decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth.” – President John F. Kennedy*
President John F. Kennedy established a vision of technical achievement and jump started decades of scientific advancement unprecedented in our nation’s history with these words. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation today announced that Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) has provided $1.5 million for educational initiatives.President John F. Kennedy’s vision challenged the nation to land a man on the moon before the end of the 1960s. This inspired one of the greatest mobilizations of resources and manpower in U.S. history. Just eight years after his directive, on July 20, 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took the first steps on the moon. This stunning achievement inspired American innovation and prestige, both at home and abroad.
“President Kennedy’s commitment to harnessing science in pursuit of a common goal inspired a generation to reach for the moon, and it continues to inspire today as we take on new challenges,” said Steven Rothstein, executive director of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. “We are grateful to Raytheon for their generous support, and we could not have asked for a better partner to help us celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, President Kennedy’s legacy of bold leadership, and the new frontiers of innovation we are experiencing today.”
“The Apollo program sparked the scientific achievement of a generation to explore and transform science, technology and education,” said Dr. Thomas A. Kennedy, chairman & CEO of Raytheon. “As we challenge ourselves to drive critical advances in technology every day, we are excited to amplify JFK’s enthusiasm for transformative technology to stimulate a new generation of moonshot thinkers.”
With Raytheon’s support, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum will hold a year-long celebration of the accomplishments and lasting impact of the Apollo space program, as well as the moonshot ideas of today. Featured events and programs include:
AUGMENTED REALITY: The experience, created by global marketing and technology agency Digitas, will allow people to immerse themselves in the Apollo 11 mission from anywhere in the world. The experience will be anchored by a virtual replica of the Saturn V rocket on Library grounds in Boston. People around the globe will be able to follow the Apollo 11 launch and lunar landing through a downloadable app that includes game features allowing users to engage in their own “missions.”
JFK SPACE LABS: Working with the International Space Station National Lab, to implement JFK Space Labs in selected schools and afterschool programs nationwide. Middle and high school students will use the labs to conduct experiments similar to those taking place on the International Space Station and then compare their results with scientists in space.
SPACE DAY: On July 20, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, the JFK Library will offer a series of on-site commemorative events and activities and will align with locations across the nation on regional and virtual celebrations.
FORUM SERIES: The Kennedy Library Forum series will highlight the importance of Apollo 11 and President Kennedy’s impact on the mission and NASA overall. Forum speakers include award-winning author and historian Douglas Brinkley, who will discuss his forthcoming book American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race, and Apollo 11 Command Module Pilot Michael Collins.
COLLEGE SYMPOSIA: NASA personnel to be featured speakers at select universities nationwide to collaborate with technology and engineering students on the thinking that is driving the technology innovation of the future.
“Here at the Kennedy Library, we house the historical evidence of the words and actions that fueled the mission to successfully land on the moon,” said Alan Price, Director of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. “We look forward to working with the JFK Library Foundation and Raytheon to inspire new generations with the grand vision, hard science, engineering, poetry and power that characterized so much of the Kennedy Presidency and led to one of the greatest achievements in human history.”
About the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and John F, Kennedy Presidential Library
The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization founded in 1984 to provide financial support, staffing, and creative resources for the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, a presidential library administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. The Kennedy Presidential Library and the Kennedy Library Foundation seek to promote, through educational and community programs, a greater appreciation and understanding of American politics, history, and culture, the process of governing and the importance of public service.
Visit www.jfklibrary.org for the latest announcements and calendar of events.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2018 sales of $27 billion and 67,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 97 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I™ products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheonis headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter.
* Quote from President John F. Kennedy in a Special Address on Urgent National Needs to Congress in 1961

MATT CARTWRIGHT MAKES HIS MARK

Congressman Matt Cartwright and this blog editor (Photo: LuLac archives)

Congressman Matt Cartwright is making his mark in the new Democratic Congress. This is the first time the 6 year Congressman is actually in the majority. He was named the Vice Chair of the powerful Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee of the U.S. House. The subcommittee will focus on creating jobs, investing in working families, and rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure.
He was also elected to the Democratic Leadership of the U.S. House. Plkus his election to be Co-Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) means he will be working to hone the national Democratic message so that Americans of all stripes understand that the party is working for them.
Working with his colleagues Cartwright is set to promote policies that will benefit and strengthen working-class families and restore hope and opportunities for all.

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN TV

Party Channel Woman and Sunday night host (7pm on 137 Service Electric) Layla enjoying some potato pancakes and Chef salad. (Photo: WALN Facebook) 

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week's guest will be Bill Lazor, CPA, discussing tax preparation. 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

Sarah Elizabeth Donahue will be the featured guest on ECTV Live during the week of February 18th. She'll have all the details on this year's Saint Patrick's Parade in Pittston and activities before and after the march.

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

Pope Paul VI issues Mysterii Paschalis, a motu proprio, deleting many names from the Roman calendar of saints (including Valentine, who was celebrated on this day). Here's a link from The Huffington Post explaining how it all happened. BTW, the 14th of February is now dedicated to the Saints Cyril and Methodius. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/greg-tobin/saint-valentines-day-christian-origins_b_2679323.html
Aquanaut Berry L. Cannon dies of carbon dioxide poisoning while attempting to repair the SEALAB III habitat off San Clemente Island, California….

in Pennsylvania PUC Chairman George Bloom says he will not buckle to pressure by the political parties…in Wilkes Brre the new Council-Manager for,m of government rolls along in its al stages and fifty years ago the number one song in America was “This Magic Moment” by Jay & the Americans.