The LuLac Edition #4,082, May 30th, 2019

MUELLER REMINDS AMERICA THAT TRUMP IS NOT WHAT HE CLAIMS TO BE

Donald Trump and his minions will tell you that he is the best president for the nation. They will tell you he was exonerated and there was no collusion or obstruction. But Mueller made it plain that the only reason Trump wasn’t charged with obstruction was because a sitting President could not be. That gives any mad man or woman who gets the highest office in the future carte blanche to do pretty much anything.
Here are the key takeaways from the Mueller exit from the stage.
•That Russia, as alleged in a grand jury indictment, made “multiple, systemic efforts” to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election – a “concerted attack on our political system,” he said, that “deserves the attention of every American.”
•That his team found “insufficient evidence” to charge the Trump campaign with conspiring with Russia to influence the election.
•And that, when it came to obstruction of justice, his team “did not make a determination,” being bound by Justice Department guidelines that prevent a sitting president from being charged with a crime. “If we had had confidence that the president clearly did not commit a crime,” he said, “we would have said so.”
Perhaps most notably, Mr. Mueller stated, “The Constitution requires a process other than the criminal justice system to formally accuse a sitting president of wrongdoing.” That seems certain to further ramp up calls on the left for impeachment.
Mueller is saying to the nation, I did my job. Now it’s time for Congress to do theirs. Trump will carry on about Mueller but let us never forget he appointed him.
No matter what the fans of Trump say, history will score Trump as an illegitimate President supported by a mob of people who weaponized the Constitution for its own political gain.

REP. CARTWRIGHT INTRODUCES BILL TO TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT FINANCIAL LITERACY

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)

–Representative Matt Cartwright  introduced a bill to prepare the next generation for success, by ensuring American high school students have the best tools to manage their finances.
The Youth Financial Learning Act of 2019 would create competitive grants to help states implement, expand, or sustain school-based financial literacy programs for students, specifically ones focused on personal credit and student loan management. Pennsylvania currently does not have any requirement that students graduate from high school having taken a course on financial literacy.
“The financial decisions that young people make can follow them around for the rest of their lives. For example, there is currently $1.3 trillion of outstanding student load debt nationwide,” said Representative Cartwright. “It is so important that we prepare our students so they can make educated decisions about their money.”
After high school, almost every important life decision an individual makes will be influenced by their ability to manage their finances. Today, only 17 out of the 50 states require high school students to take a course on personal finance, and only 7 require they take a standardized test on personal finance. As we strive to prepare our students for success in the 21st century workplace, ensuring that young people know how to manage their money is essential.

ELECTION VIDEO RECAP

We have had a few requests to run the video of the results we reported on Wednesday morning on the Lackawanna County Commissioners race. It was complex and as I stated on TV we needed a chart.
https://www.pahomepage.com/news/breaking-down-the-results-with-political-analyst-david-yonki/2018390776

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN TV

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week's guest will be Jessica Meoni, Organizer of the Weird and Wired Punk Bazaar and Zine Expo.
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

Join hosts David DeCosmo and Rusty Fender along with Program Director Mark Migilore for the program that can be seen on Comcast channel 19 (61 in some areas) and 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

Former Prime Minister Georges Pompidou and Acting President of France Alain Poher finished first and second in a field of seven candidates in the first round of the French presidential election. Pompidou received almost 45% of the ballots cast, and Poher edged Communist Party candidate Jacques Duclos split another 44% of the votes, with Poher getting 23% to Duclos's 21%. Because none of the candidates received a majority of the votes, a runoff election between Pompidou and Poher was set for two weeks later…..he United States Supreme Court voted 6 to 2 in the case of Boykin v. Alabama to set aside a death sentence meted out to an African-American who had pleaded guilty of the armed robbery of five stores in Mobile, Alabama, holding that it was clear from the transcript of the case that Edward Boykin's plea had been made without any indication that he had been made aware of its consequences. Writing for the majority, Justice William O. Douglas said "A plea of guilty is more than an admission of conduct; it is a conviction... Ignorance, incomprehension, terror, inducements, subtle or blatant threats might be a perfect cover-up of unconstitutionality. What is at stake for an accused facing death or imprisonment demands utmost solicitude of which courts are capable, in canvassing the matter with the accused, to make sure he has a full understanding of what the plea connotes and of its consequence... So far as the record shows, the judge asked no questions of [Boykin] concerning his plea, and [Boykin] did not address the court. Boykin had been scheduled to go to the electric chair in June 1968 despite the fact that nobody had been killed in the robberies, and the only injury had been when a girl was struck in the leg by the ricochet of a bullet. The Court did not reach the question of whether a state could impose the death penalty for armed robbery without fatalitie….In the first authenticated case of falling space debris causing damage on Earth, the Japanese freighter ship Dai Chi Chinei was heavily damaged by wreckage from a Soviet spacecraft that had re-entered Earth's atmosphere. Five of the crewmen on the Dai Chi Chinei were seriously injured by a chunk of debris while the freighter was traversing the Strait of Tartary between the island of Sakhalin and mainland Siberia, and the accident was then investigated and confirmed by the United Nations. According to the Japanese crew, two Soviet Navy ships arrived shortly after the freighter had been struck….in Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Raymond Broderick says he is definitely interested in running for the top spot in 1970…..in Luzerne County, hundreds flock to Moon Lake Park as the summer starts and fifty years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was “These Eyes” by the The Guess Who.

The LuLac Edition #4,081, May 29th, 2019

JFK @ 102

Today would have been John F. Kennedy's 102nd birthday.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, on May 29, 1917. He was the second son of nine children born to the multimillionaire business executive and financier Joseph P. Kennedy (1888–1969) and his wife, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy (1890–1995). Joseph's father had served in the Massachusetts Legislature and in elective offices in Boston, Massachusetts. Rose's father, John Francis Fitzgerald (1863–1950), had been a state legislator, the mayor of Boston, and a U.S. congressman. Joseph himself had served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission, and ambassador to Great Britain (1937–40). Thus, the Kennedys were a wealthy family with a history of political and public service.
Kennedy once summed up his time as "very dangerous, untidy." He lived through two world wars, the Great Depression (a period from 1929 to 1939 during which nearly half the industrial workers in the country lost their jobs), and the nuclear age. "Life is unfair," he remarked. And so it was to Kennedy, heaping him with both glory and tragedy. Yet, he never lost his grace, his sense of balance, or his optimism.
What Kennedy accomplished was not as important as what he stood for. As the African magazine Transition expressed it, "murdered with Kennedy was the first real chance for an intelligent and new leadership in the world. His death [left] us unprepared and in darkness."

The LuLac Edition #4,080, May 29th, 2019

WRITE ON WEDNESDAY

Our “Write On Wednesday” logo

Last week’s editorial from the Citizens’ Voice takes on the issues facing our election system not only here in LuLac land but in the state. A good read for today’s “Write On” feature.

VOTE REVEALS PROBLEMS

Except for the cost of inefficient governance, there is nothing like a local primary election to expose Pennsylvania’s cumbersome system of local government, including the primary election rules.
The most obvious problem is the biggest: Pennsylvania has far too many units of local government — so many that there are never enough candidates to fill all of the available seats. Tuesday, Pennsylvanians cast Republican and Democratic nominating votes for offices of more than 2,500 local governments — offices that are supported by another 2,500 or so authorities, boards and commissions. Hundreds of those elected offices will remain vacant after the election, for lack of candidates. Yet there is no movement at the Capitol to force government mergers to improve efficiency and, in growing numbers of places, actual representation.
Meanwhile, 1.3 million voters were disenfranchised Tuesday because they are not registered with either major party. Allowing them to vote would improve the quality of campaigns, elections and governance because it would force candidates to address issues, rather than party matters, in quest of independents’ support.
And, once again last Tuesday, the nonsensical practice of “cross-filing” was in play. Under the naïve theory that school board elections should not be political, the law allows school board candidates to file for Republican and Democratic nominations. In practice, many candidates wrap up their elections six months before the general election, when more voters pay attention. Moreover, party affiliation is especially relevant regarding public education, funding for which is one of the most contentious political issues. Voters should have the right to know whether candidates stand on the right or left on that matter; instead, cross-filing allows candidates to masquerade as being neutral. The Legislature should end the practice.
Likewise, many candidates seek a nomination while conducting a write-in campaign for the opposite party’s nomination. That defies the purpose of the primary process, confuses voters and shifts the focus of elections from serving voters’ wishes to serving candidates’ desires.
Lawmakers should ensure that voters are presented with straightforward choices in primary elections, which should be open to all voters. Combining that with streamlined local government would produce better governance at less cost.

The LuLac Edition #4,079, May 28th, 2019

MAYBE I’M AMAZED

Our “Maybe I’m Amazed” logo.

MAYBE I’M AMAZED….that nearly 54% of Americans believe that 9-11 was an inside job.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED….that nearly 50% think Lee Harvey Oswald was a patsy.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED….that 42% think global warning is a hoax.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…27 % think Antonin Scalia was killed.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…that 24% (including a childhood friend of mine) think the Moon landing was a hoax.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…or not that a study in Psychology Reports found that good looking people are more prone to believe that life is fair.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED….that an attempt to break the record for the world’s largest orgy failed in Las Vegas when only 375 participants showed up at a special club. Japan holds the record at 500.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED….that Kurri Kurri, a small town in Australia hosted a mullet convention. 150 showed up.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED….that due to the early fermentation of berries in Gilbert, Minnesota, birds who ate them got drunk and began erratically flying into windows of office buildings and cars.

THe LuLac Edition #4,078, May 27th, 2019

MEMORIAL DAY 2019 

The LuLac Edition #4,077, May 23rd, 2019

ELECTION WRAP UP

SUPERIOR COURT 

DEMOCRATS 

Amanda Green-Hawkins and Dan McCaffery

REPUBLICANS

Chester County prosecutor Megan King and Cumberland County Judge Christylee Peck

Here they are in March with Luzerne County GOP Chair Justin Behrens.

LACKAWANNA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

DEMOCRATS

Jerry Notarianni Scranton
Debi Domenick Dunmore

REPUBLICANS

Michael Giannetta Scott Township
Chris Chermak Dalton

WILKES BARRE MAYOR

George Brown

WILKES BARRE CONTROLLER

Darren Snyder

TRUMP HAS TANTRUM

Diaper Don stormed out of an infrastructure meeting the other day saying that he won’t sit down with anyone who is going to investigate him. Jeez, does that include the Southern District of New York?

TRUMP SAYS TiLLERSON MADE UP THE STORY ABOUT CALLING DIAPER A MORON

Let’s see, 10,000 lies for Diaper Don and maybe a few for Tillerson, I’m thinking only most naïve of the Trump nation would buy that.

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN TV

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week's show features comments from State Senator John Yudichak and State Representative Aaron Kaufer. They discuss new economic stimulus for the area.
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 hosts Rusty Fender, David DeCosmo, and Director Mark Migilore welcome Marina Whittington of the Carbondale Arts Thrive event to the program during the week of May 27th. She'll discuss all the activities planned this upcoming event in the Pioneer City.

Hosts David DeCosmo and Rusty Fender along with Program Director Mark Migilore for the program that can be seen on Comcast channel 19 (61 in some areas) and 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

Zip to Zap, a harbinger of the Woodstock Concert, ends with the dispersal and eviction of youth and young adults at Zap, North Dakota by the National Guard……..A teenager known as 'Robert R.' dies in St. Louis, Missouri, of a baffling medical condition. In 1984 it will be identified as the first confirmed case of HIV/AIDS in North America.....Apollo program: Apollo 10 (Tom Stafford, Gene Cernan, John Young) is launched, on the full dress-rehearsal for the Moon landing…..United States National Guard helicopters spray skin-stinging powder on anti-war protesters in California......Apollo program: Apollo 10's lunar module flies to within 15,400 m of the Moon's surface......Apollo program: Apollo 10 returns to Earth, after a successful 8-day test of all the components needed for the upcoming first manned Moon landing…..in Pennsylvania residents pause to enjoy the Memorial Day weekend…..in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties people remember those who passed away and fifty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Oh Happy Day” by The Edwin Hawkins Singers.

The LuLac Edition #4,076, May 21st, 2019

PRIMARY ELECTION 2019 

VOTE!!!!!

The LuLac Edition #4,075, May 19th, 2019

ELECTION PREVIEW 2019 PRIMARY

LUZERNE AND LACKAWANNA COUNTY

JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT (Vote for Not More Than Two)

THE DEMOCRATS

Beth Tarasi Allegheny County
Daniel D. McCaffery Philadelphia County
Amanda Green-Hawkins Allegheny County
Look for Democrats to balance out a ticket for November. One of the candidates from Alleghany County won’t make it to the General.

THE LAC 

LACKAWANNA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

DEMOCRATS 

George Kelly Dunmore
Patrick O'Malley Blakely
Jerry Notarianni Scranton
Debi Domenick Dunmore
The two guys who were elected Democrats the last time, O’Malley and Notarianni didn’t last past the swearing in when elected in ’15. O’Malley formed an alliance with the GOP’s Laureen Cummings. That 4 year frustration boiled over when it appeared 4 candidates were running on their own. O’Malley (a former Republican) seems the most vulnerable but in The Lac you just never know how these things shake out.
The only other race of note is for County Treasurer, Gary DiBilio faces off against former School Board member Bob Casey. DiBilio has been around for years and should prevail.

LUZERNE AND LACKAWANNA COUNTIES 

JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT (Vote for Not More Than Two)

REPUBLICAN

Rebecca Warren Luzerne County
Megan McCarthy King Chester County
Christylee Peck Cumberland County
I have heard nothing about Rebecca Warren and judging by that, if we haven’t received any communications from her, I wonder what she’s doing in the rest of the state.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (Vote for Not More Than Two)

REPUBLICANS 

Laureen A. Cummings Old Forge
Michael Giannetta Scott Township
Chris Chermak Dalton
Giannetta and Chermak have team up to try and knock Cummings out of the race, But there is a danger there because she does have rock solid support and now a record to run on. This will be interesting to see.

THE LU

LUZERNE COUNTY COUNCIL

Democrats Patrick Bilbow, Martin Dartoe, Tim McGinley, Anup Patel, Robert Schnee Joseph Sebastianelli and Jane Walsh Waitkus are vying for six seats. Odd man out this time seems to be Dartoe who has had recent issues after providing an act of heroism earlier in the year.
On the GOP side Kendra Radle, Walter Griffith, Gregory Wolovich and Stephen J. Urban are poised to be nominated easily. Look for Urban who has served before and Wolovich to mount vigorous campaigns in the fall. Griffith, a former County Controller has greaqt name recognition and that will certainly help.

WILKES BARRE MAYOR

It’s incumbent Tony George up against former Councilman George Brown. Here’s a link from the Citizens’ Voice outlining the race.
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/familiar-foes-set-to-face-off-again-for-wilkes-barre-mayor-1.2484655

WILKES BARRE CONTROLLERS RACE

This is a three way race between incumbent Darren Snyder, Patricia Ungvarsky and Charles Majikes. Here’s a link on that race. By the way, in a three way contest, anything can happen.
https://www.timesleader.com/news/743917/three-candidates-running-for-wilkes-barre-city-controller

WILKES BARRE CITY COUNCIL

There are a few races that will be contested on the Democratic side. Currently there are 4 Democrats and one Republican serving. The lone Republican in District B, Tony Brooks has no opposition. Here’s a link from the Times Leader on these. . –
https://www.timesleader.com/news/743931/wilkes-barre-city-council-13-candidates-5-districts

The LuLac Edition #4,074, May 16th, 2019

TRUMP AND IRAN

Do you see the mayhem caused by Donald Trump nixing the Iranian ems deal? What this has done is made that part of the region unstable. It is no accident that people in Iraq are being told to leave because of high tensions.

U.S. PRESIDENT TRUMP TOOK OUT NEW 30-YEAR MORTGAGE IN 2018 WORTH OVER $5 MILLION

U.S. President Donald Trump obtained a new 30-year mortgage in 2018 for a property he owned in West Palm Beach, Florida, according to new financial disclosures made public on Thursday by the Office of Government Ethics.
The mortgage valued at $5 million to $25 million has a 4.5% interest rate, according to the new filings. A real estate website lists the house, which is near the president's beach front estate Mar-a-Lago overlooking the ocean, as being available for rent for about $81,000 a month.

CASEY, THUNE REINTRODUCE BILL TO ENCOURAGE YEAR-ROUND CHARITABLE GIVING

Senator Bob Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)

U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Thune (R-SD), both members of the Senate Finance Committee, reintroduced the Charities Helping Americans Regularly Throughout the Year (CHARITY) Act, a bill that would encourage charitable giving and make it easier for foundations and other tax-exempt organizations to conduct their charitable mission. The CHARITY Act (S. 1475) builds on several significant Casey-and Thune-supported charitable tax provisions that were signed into law the previous two Congresses, including one that makes permanent a law allowing taxpayers at least 70-and-a-half years old to make charitable contributions directly from their IRAs. Casey and Thune introduced similar legislation last Congress.
“The bipartisan CHARITY Act will make it simpler for more Americans to support worthy charitable causes,” said Senator Casey. “Charities across the nation, and in Pennsylvania, are doing important work that positively impacts our communities. This legislation will help these organizations to continue and hopefully expand their charitable endeavors.”
“Carrying out charitable missions should in no way be a challenge for folks,” said Senator Thune. “Our CHARITY Act would remove many of the unnecessary roadblocks that currently stand in the way of philanthropic giving and encourage more Americans to donate to charitable organizations. This legislation serves as a perennial vehicle for common-sense ideas to promote charitable giving, and I’m hopeful our latest version of this important, bipartisan bill will quickly make its way to the president’s desk to be signed into law.”
The CHARITY Act would:
•Make donor-advised funds an eligible charity for purposes of the IRA rollover law that permits an IRA owner at least 70-and-a-half-years old to exclude from his or her gross income up to $100,000 per year in distributions made directly from the IRA to certain public charities.
•Simplify how foundations are required to calculate the federal excise tax imposed on investment income.
•Require the Treasury Department to adopt regulations that align the simplified standard mileage tax deduction rate, which applies to the use of personal vehicles for volunteer charitable services, with the mileage rate that applies for medical and moving purposes.
Promote transparency by requiring nonprofits to file their annual returns electronically.
U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) are cosponsors of the CHARITY Act.
The eight-bedroom house is on the beach.
The financial disclosures are mandated by law and offer a peek into the president's sprawling finances.
Trump has refused to release his tax returns, which would offer a clearer picture of how much money he is personally bringing in. The disclosures offer a glimpse of the number of properties he and his businesses own.

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN TV

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week's guest will be Barbara Giovagnoli, Lackawanna County Recycling Coordinator. Find out more about what is accepted in recycling centers.
Tune in Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400-The Game, NEPA's Fox .Sports Radio and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River.

ECTV LIVE

A Free classic movie, a River Festival, and Tunkhannock Heritage Days! Just a few of the special events planned at the Wyoming Cultural Center at the Dietrich Theater
over the next few weeks and the subject of our ECTV Live program during the week of May 20th! 

 Erica Rogler from the Dietrich Theater joins Hosts David DeCosmo
and Rusty Fender along with Program Director Mark Migilore for the program that can be seen on Comcast channel 19 (61 in some areas) and 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

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the wife of jailed South African anti-apartheid fighter Nelson Mandela since 1957 and the most prominent woman associated with the African National Congress, was arrested by South African police and imprisoned in Pretoria. She would be held in solitary confinement for nine months without charges filed (as permitted by the Terrorism Act, 1967) before being indicted for violating the Suppression of Communism Act, 1950. In all, she would spend 16 months in prison and would write about the experience in the 2014 autobiography 491 Days: Prisoner Number 1323/69. .....The U.S. Naval Weapons Center began its classified "Project Gulf Q", a series of weather modification experiments in conjunction with the Naval Weather Research Facility and the Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory. In five of the 16 tests done over an 18-day period in the Gulf of Mexico, the Center was able to cause rain to fall within 10 minutes of the seeding of warm cumulus clouds. The report would be approved for public release in 1974. …The House of Commons of Canada voted, 149 to 55, to approve Bill C-150, a massive overhaul of the Criminal Code, including the first legalization of abortion of pregnancy. Formerly outlawed, abortions could be carried out at an accredited hospital if a panel of three physicians judged that continuation of the pregnancy would be likely to endanger a woman's health; because of the lack of a definition for the word "health" in the new law, anti-abortion groups have commented that the law "subsequently received broad interpretation" by the panels and by courts and that "[t]he mental health criteria served to cover up abortions done for convenience and socio-economic factors." The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1968–69 would pass the Canadian Senate and then receive Royal Assent on June 27. ……Bill C-150 also amended the law to legalize homosexuality among two consenting adults aged 21 and over, formerly a crime prosecuted under the national law against "gross indecency", removed prohibitions against the advertising or sale of contraceptives, and set the first national standards regarding drunk driving (requiring drivers to submit to a breathalyzer test and making a 0.08 concentration of alcohol a statutory offense). …..Abe Fortas became the first U.S. Supreme Court justice to resign as the result of a scandal. In 1966, while serving on the Court, Fortas entered into an agreement with a charitable foundation funded by financier Louis Wolfson, which contemplated that Fortas would receive $20,000 per year for life for services. The story of the pact with the Wolson Family Foundation — and Fortas's acceptance of a $20,000 payment — was revealed on May 4 by Life magazine.

After the news was removed, Fortas informed Chief Justice Earl Warren of the details of the arrangement. The seat vacated by Fortas would remain empty for the entire 1969-1970 U.S. Supreme Court term, until filled after 389 days by Justice Harry Blackmun on June 9, 1970. The U.S. Supreme Court vacancy would remain a record until 2017, when Neil Gorsuch's succession to the seat of Antonin Scalia following a 422-day vacancy..in Philadelphia James Tate says he is uncertain about another term for Mayor and in Wilkes-Barre the Fine Arts Fiesta is a big success on the Square and fifty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was . “Get Back “ by The Beatles.

The LuLac Edition #4,073, May 15th, 2019

WRITE ON WEDNESDAY

Our “Write On Wednesday” logo

This week’s “Write On Wednesday” is about the silly road constructions they call Roundabouts. As far as I’m concerned the only “Roundabout” I want to hear about is from YES.

But I digress. Here’s a great letter to the Citizens’ Voice.

ROUNDABOUT UNNECESSARY

Editor: I read with bewilderment and disappointment about the planned Lehman Twp. construction of PennDOT’s latest “fix” to their addiction to the roundabout concept (May 1). They apparently have “discovered” a traffic problem that even the residents of Lehman Twp. didn’t know existed. What insight.
According to PennDOT spokesman Michael Taluto, the roundabout is seen as “the most efficient option.” With all due respect, I disagree with Mr. Taluto, who obviously is privy to reams of data on highway safety.
I believe two options would be more efficient and a prudent use of our outrageous gas tax funds. Paint the white “fog” lines regularly so drivers are aware of the right side of lane boundaries during night time and inclement weather and fill the craters that have evolved from pothole status.
It was stated in the article, that the roundabout is years away from opening. I hope the residents of Lehman Twp. take solace in the fact that “years” in PennDOT parlance means “decades” in reality.
Edward Tomaszewski
SWOYERSVILLE

The LuLac Edition #4,072, May 14th, 2019

NEWS FROM JFK LIBRARY

SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI WILL RECEIVE AWARD ON MAY 19

On May 19, 2019, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation will honor U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) with the
2019 Profile in Courage Award. She will be recognized for putting the national interest above her party's interest to expand access to health care for all Americans and then, against a wave of political attacks, leading the effort to retake the majority and elect the most diverse Congress in our nation's history.
Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and her son, Jack Schlossberg, will present the award at a ceremony on May 19, 2019 at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. The ceremony will be broadcast live on our website, YouTube, and Facebook beginning at 8:20pm ET. Sign our digital gavel to congratulate Speaker Pelosi.

THE ADVENTURE OF SPACE

On May 23, the JFK Library and WGBH partner for an exclusive preview and discussion of the new American Experience series, Chasing the Moon. American Experience senior producer Susan Bellows, director Robert Stone, George Washington University professor emeritus of political science and international affairs John Logsdon, and Fordham professor of history Asif Siddiqi discuss the series, th
On June 19, the JFK Library, with Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, will host a day-long symposium highlighting the history that led to the first Moon landing, current scientific and technological space initiatives, and the future of space exploration.
The full day JFK Space Summit program will feature astronauts from around the world, leading space and Earth scientists, former NASA officials, academics, journalists, and leaders of the space industry.e Space race, and its legacy. WGBH radio and television host Callie Crossley moderates.

The LuLac Edition #4,071, May 13th, 2019

13 QUESTIONS

Our "13 Questions" logo.

1. Medical marijuana, good or bad?

Like everything that is used to fight or help in a disease it should not be abused. I think if regulated it will help people.

2. Joe Biden. In?

I like him a lot and think he can really take it to Diaper Don.
My fear is that his gaffes will be so exploited by the Republican lie machine that he will be put on a level playing field with Trump in a negative way. As a result the narrative might become the same as 2016 where it was viewed by some that it was a choice between bad and worse.
Plus my personal fear in backing Biden is I’ve had bad luck with backing Veeps on the Democratic side.
I supported Humphrey, Mondale and Gore full blast. So you can see my personal trepidation.

3. Best place to have shoes repaired?

I don’t know. All of my shoe repair guys have passed away. I have a good dress pair I wear sparingly and wear a type of shoe with a rubber sole for everyday wear. I just bought two new pairs, the last ones I bought were in 2012. They wear well. Wish I could help.

4. Any reason why you’ve not been on Pa. Live lately?

  Just a full plate. But I anticipate being back soon if they’ll have me.

5. Cory Klubler And his arm? Thoughts?

Typical Indian bad luck. He’ll be back though by the end of the year.

6. How about Biden and mayor Pete as a ticket?

I’d like that, there might be pressure to put a woman on it and that would be fine with me. Anybody but diaper and pious Pence.
.

7. Have you become saddened at what WILK has become? For the first time since I tuned into WILK, back when Fred Williams was first at the station, I have removed the 980 from all presets. Jason Barski seems to be getting worse with each passing show, drunk humor, really? WTF the frat house hazing deaths aren't on his simple minded radar??? Frank Andrews comes off as a baffled buffoon, quite impossible to listen to for more than a few minutes, if that long.It is amazing that he was a reasoned news anchor for so many years. How could we not mention, Kyle's "poor me" interjections and intrusions? The have gotten tiresome, it makes one wonder what he spent his college loan money on. Nancy and John continually speak over each other, etc.......

 Looks like you explained it all. Radio is entertainment and it changes. Whether its good or bad is in the ears/eyes of the beholder.

8. See any Railriders game yet?

Yep just the other day. Have a few more this year.

10. Biggest surprise of the new baseball season?

The Yankees doing it with the kids after all the injuries to the starters. Good farm system, good manager. 

11. Any good movies you’ve seen lately?

Not a one.

12. We heard you gave a wonderful eulogy to Wil Toole and as a matter of fact I think you posted that. It was wonderful. How do you go about putting something like that together?

I was at an event on Friday and shared this story. Well Wil and I collaborated on this around Christmas time. But what I usually do is write it out in outline form and then do it in word documents . After that I practice it four of five times out loud to make sure my speech patterns are in line so I don’t use words I will flub. The toughest one I had to do was my mom’s but the key to any speech is to be prepared. Also,m don't get rattled.

13. Are you invited to see Chris Matthews and Hardball?

No. But it will give Chris a chance to meet the ingrates of Luzerne County.

The LuLac Edition #4,070, May 13th, 2019

MONDAY MEMES 

The LuLac Edition #4,069, May 9th, 2019

TRUMP CASH POOR I BET

Former White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart lit into President Donald Trump on Wednesday morning after The New York Times reported the real estate mogul said Trump had financial losses of more than $1 billion between 1985 and 1994.
“I think this story settles a debate that’s been going on on whether he was a tax cheat or whether he was a terrible businessman,” Lockhart said during a panel discussion on CNN’s New Day program. “He’s a terrible businessman,” he asserted. “If you look at the reason he’s not paying taxes, it’s because he was losing money, that’s a reasonable position.”
The former White House official, who served under President Bill Clinton, then called Trump a “con man,” arguing that he has “played the long con now over 40 years.”
“A con man is someone who goes out of his way to take advantage of other people,” Lockhart continued, “and to lie to them and misrepresent his assets.”
Earlier in the segment, legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin pointed out that while Trump lost tens of millions of dollars, he continued to live large while his contractors and subcontractors suffered.
“He kept living like the billionaire he pretended to be,” Toobin said. “Why didn’t he feel any of the pain of losing this money? Why is it other people who had to sacrifice?” he asked. “The famous contractors and subcontractors he didn’t pay, but he never suffered at all.”
On Tuesday evening, the Times published an in-depth report analyzing a decade of summaries of Trump’s tax returns, revealing that the real estate mogul’s finances started unraveling years before it was previously publicly known. Although the president’s financial troubles and bankruptcies have been well documented, the report showed he lost substantial sums of money every year during the decade examined.
“If there was one era in his life that you thought he would have done well, it would have been this,” journalist Susanne Craig, who co-wrote the Times article, explained during an interview on MSNBC. “I wouldn’t have predicted that every year had a loss. This is a guy who wrote a memoir about Art of the Deal in 1987 and lost tens of millions of dollars that year,” she said.
The president has dismissed the report as “highly inaccurate Fake News.” He tweeted about the article on Wednesday morning, arguing that the massive losses were normal for real estate developers during the 1980s and 1990s.
Developers “were entitled to massive write offs and depreciation which would, if one was actively building, show losses and tax losses in almost all cases. Much was non monetary. Sometimes considered ‘tax shelter’ … you would get it by building, or even buying. You always wanted to show losses for tax purposes....almost all real estate developers did - and often re-negotiate with banks, it was sport,” Trump wrote on Twitter.
I would venture to guess that Donald Trump is cash poor and the reason he never wanted his taxes released is because people would see what a colossal  failure he is/was/and will be.(Newsweek, LuLac)

MEET THE CANDIDATES NIGHT ON MONDAY

The Downtown Wilkes Barre Business Association had a meet the candidates night on Monday. Here is coverage from The Citizens' Voice.
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-candidates-talk-issues-at-forum-1.2479199
What I found was that the applause for all candidates was tepid at best. There didn’t seem to be an overall show of strong yelling and clapping for anyone. All candidates for Mayor, Controller and Council got the same amount of polite applause. I can’t really read anything into that but that surprised me.

PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW AT PITTSTON LIBRARY

Join our good friends at the Pittston Library for a free, family friendly event with 18 incredible, local photographers.
On opening night, May 10th from 5pm to 9pm, photographers will be available for a meet and greet while light refreshments will be served.
Photographs will also be on display on Saturday May 11 from 10am to 2pm
Some artwork will be available for sale. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the library.
No reservation is necessary, but do check it out.

TOM WOLF ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Recently Governor Tom Wolf expressed dismay oer the Trump and GOP policies on climate change. “President Trump and Washington Republicans are failing to lead on climate. That means it's up to us.
Last week, I was excited to announce that Pennsylvania is joining the U.S. Climate Alliance -- a bipartisan coalition of states -- to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. Working with other states, we can do what the federal government has refused to do and address the need for all of us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That's critical at a time when President Trump and his allies are working to roll-back federal regulations and energy efficiency programs. It's up to us to set an example for other states, and also build pressure on Washington to do what's necessary.

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN TV

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

Tune in Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400-The Game, NEPA's Fox .Sports Radio and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River.

ECTV LIVE

ECTV Live welcomes Wayne Hiller to the program during the week of May 13th. Mr. Hiller is the manager of the Electric City Trolley Museum which recently resumed its excursions for the summer season. ECTV Live is seen on Comcast channel 19 and can also be viewed on the electric city television YouTube page. Rusty Fender and David DeCosmo host the show which is directed by Mark Migilore.

 ECTV Live is seen three times daily on Comcast channel 19 (61 in some areas) and can be viewed on your personal device 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
The Oakland Oaks won the second American Basketball Association championship, 4 games to 1,

over the Indiana Pacers in overtime, 135 to 131….The United States Navy announced that it would not seek a court-martial against any of the crew of the USS Pueblo, whose crew had been held captive in North Korea for 11 months after the ship's seizure in 1968, and then were questioned in 80 days of testimony taken by the Naval Court of Inquiry in Coronado, California.
U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Chafee disclosed that the court of inquiry had recommended a

 general court-martial against the Pueblo skipper, Commander Lloyd M. Bucher and the officer in charge of the ship's intelligence section, Lieutenant Stephen R. Harris, for allowing the ship, equipment and codebooks to fall in the hands of the enemy. Secretary Chafee said that he had overruled the recommendation because the crew of the Pueblo "have suffered long enough" and added that "I am convinced that neither individual discipline, nor the state of discipline or morale of the Navy, nor any other interest requires further legal proceedings….The Sysco Corporation, the world's largest private distributor of food and related products to hospitals, schools, hotels, industrial caterers and other institutions ordering lower-cost foods in mass quantities, was founded in Texas by John F. Baugh, Herbert Irving and Harry Rosenthal.  Sysco is an acronym for Systems and service company….

Saint Christopher, formerly venerated in the Roman Catholic Church as the patron saint of travelers, was dropped from the Church's liturgical calendar along with more than 40 other names of people who had been designated as saints.  The image of St. Christopher had been on millions of medallions as a symbol of a prayer for safe travel, and the Caribbean Sea nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis commemorates his name as well. The 40 names had been dropped following research within the Vatican that concluded that the persons identified as saints had never actually existed. In addition to Christopher, Saint Susanna — for whom a Roman Catholic Church for American visitors to Rome was built — was also dropped from the list…..The Battle of Hamburger Hill, which would prove to be the most costly U.S. offensive of the Vietnam War (with 72 Americans killed, seven MIA and more than 400 wounded) began as an air strike during Operation Apache Snow. Major General Melvin Zais ordered a U.S. Army jet and helicopter assault against North Vietnamese artillery on Hill 937 of the South Vietnamese mountain range of Dong Ap Bia, and paratroopers from the 101st Airborne Division were sent in the next day….in Pennsylvania Senator Dick Schweiker strikes an independent pose on the battle of Hamburger Hill 

 and in Wilkes Barre the coalition majority of Republican Ethel Price and Frank Crossin continue to hold the Majority when crucial county votes are taken…and fifty years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was “The Boxer” by Simon & Garfunkel

The LuLac Edition #4,068, May 8th, 2019

WRITE ON WEDNESDAY 

Our “Write On Wednesday” logo.

Last week was “Law Day” and the Citizens Voice had a very good editorial appropriate for the times we live in these days.

BRUSH UP ON BASIC CIVICS

Law Day this year, Wednesday, occurred against the backdrop of the U.S. attorney general’s appearance on Capitol Hill to answer questions about whether the current president of the United States believes he should be held to the rule of law.
And as revealed in a survey conducted by the American Bar Association, many Americans have muddled views about the government’s power, the powerful people within the government, the Constitution, its history and the rights it ensures.
For example, John Roberts has been chief justice of the United States for 13 years, but half of the respondents to the ABA survey did not know who he is; 23% identified Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as chief justice, and 16% percent tied the title to Justice Clarence Thomas.
About 25% did not know that the first 10 constitutional amendments are the Bill of Rights, and an equal number did not know that the Declaration of Independence marked independence from Great Britain; 11% said it dealt with freeing slaves.
And even though the Bill of Rights does not mention the word “citizen” and does not address citizenship, about 30% of respondents thought that free speech rights apply only to citizens rather than universally.
That points to the volatile immigration issue and many of the misunderstandings that surround it regarding U.S. law. About 20% of respondents said that only citizens pay taxes and about 10% thought only citizens could be penalized for breaking laws.
The survey revealed that citizens prize First Amendment rights: 81% agreed that people should be able to publicly criticize any other government leader, and 80% said anyone should have the right to request government records. And, 75% said government should not be able to prevent news coverage of political protests.
Yet, 54% claimed that the First Amendment does not permit flag-burning as a form of protest, even thought the Supreme Court settled that in favor of protestors in the 1989 case, Texas v. Johnson.
Civics ignorance underlies much of the volatile political discourse that is characteristic of the social media age. Americans who care about their own rights and the nation’s future would be well-advised to bone up on basic civics.

The LuLac Edition #4,067, May 7th, 2019

LIEUTENANT COLONEL JAMES HARVEY HONORED IN HIS HOMETOWN

This week was a great week for the community of Mountain Top as well as for retired Tuskegee Airman James Harvey. After 70s years, Harvey returned to his hometown to be feted by a grateful community.
Harvey is the last surviving Tuskegee Airman. The group The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American military aviators in the United States Armed Forces. During World War II, black Americans in many U.S. states were still subject to the Jim Crow laws and the American military was racially segregated, as was much of the federal government. The Tuskegee Airmen were subjected to discrimination, both within and outside the army.
Their heroics in battle were marked classified and not released until 1995.
Since then, the men have been recognized for their courage and heroism.
Harvey landed at the Forty Fort Airport Sunday afternoon and was greeted by about 75 people who had the good fortune to spend time with him.
The next day he addressed the students at Crestwood High school and was later honored at a luncheon.
Kudos to Mountain Top for making this happen. 

Congressman Matt Cartwright and Representative Aaron Kaufer were on hand to witness history on Sunday. 

Justin Behrens and his family had the chance to meet Lieutenant Colonel Harvey. 

WILKES BARRE BRANCH #2306 OF NAACP HONORS LT. COLONEL HARVEY

Lieutenant Colonel James Harvey was presented a plaque by the Wilkes-Barre area Chapter of the NAACP in appreciation for his contributions to this country as an Army Air Corp fighter pilot. The branch also recognized him for his the mark he made in society by telling the story of the Tuskegee Airmen. 

The presentation was made at Adelina’s Restaurant in Mountain Top shortly after Harvey’s presentation to Crestwood students.
Remarks were given by NAACP Vice President David S. Yonki (right) and the plaque was presented to Lieutenant Colonial Harvey by Second Vice President William Browne. The branch historian Connie Wynn extensively interviewed Harvey for the branch archives. (Photo: Joseph Milcavage)

SENS. CASEY, YOUNG AND REPS. RUIZ, WALORSKI INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO PREVENT MEDICARE LATE ENROLLMENT PENALTIES

With a growing number of Americans aging into Medicare, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced a bipartisan bill to simplify complex Medicare enrollment rules. The Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) Act would eliminate needless gaps in health care coverage and help prevent lifetime, late-enrollment penalties. Today, almost 760,000 Americans are paying these penalties, increasing their Medicare Part B premiums by an average of almost 30 percent. U.S. Representatives Raul Ruiz (D-CA-36) and Jackie Walorski (R-IN-02) have introduced a bipartisan companion bill in the House.
“With more than 10,000 Americans turning age 65 every day and becoming eligible for Medicare, we need to simplify and improve the enrollment process. The BENES Act would inform people new to Medicare about their responsibilities, helping to prevent costly penalties and eliminate gaps in coverage,” said Senator Casey. “By working in a bipartisan, commonsense fashion we can keep more dollars in seniors’ pockets and ensure they receive the care they need when they need it.”
“Seniors who miss the sign-up deadline for Medicare Part B face onerous penalties that persist for the rest of their lives. The BENES Act will make the sign-up process more efficient and friendly to our seniors so they have the financial backstop needed to access quality medical care,” said Senator Young.
“For too many seniors, enrolling in Medicare Part B is a confusing process that can lead to expensive penalties and higher health care costs,” said Congressman Raul Ruiz. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan BENES Act to ensure older Americans understand the Medicare Part B program, helping them avoid higher premiums or gaps in their health care coverage. This critical legislation will prevent older Americans from falling through the cracks and not getting the health care that they need. As a physician, I will continue to fight for our seniors’ access to quality, affordable health care they have earned and deserve.”
“As more and more Americans reach Medicare age, we need to simplify the Part B enrollment process and improve education and outreach to seniors,” said Congresswoman Walorski. “These bipartisan reforms will protect seniors from unnecessary late enrollment penalties, gaps in coverage, and unexpected health care bills.”
"Every day on our National Consumer Helpline we hear from older adults and people with disabilities who are confused about how and when to enroll, or who made a mistake and are facing lifetime late enrollment penalties, higher health care costs, gaps in coverage, and disruptions in care continuity as a result,” said Fred Riccardi, President, Medicare Rights Center. “The BENES Act will significantly alleviate these challenges and improve the health and financial security for people with Medicare.”
The BENES Act would direct the federal government to provide advance notice to individuals approaching Medicare eligibility about basic Medicare enrollment rules, filling a long-standing gap in education for older adults and people with disabilities. The BENES Act would also eliminate needless multi-month coverage gaps in Medicare enrollment periods and align Medicare Part B enrollment periods with those in private Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Christopher Coons (D-DE) also co-sponsor the bill. The BENES Act is supported by more than 85 organizations including AARP, AHIP, BlueCross BlueShield Association and Medicare Rights Center.