The LuLac Edition #4,448, December 3rd, 2020
EDD BROMINSKI PASSES
Edd’s political career began serving as mayor of Swoyersville. He later went on to serve as Luzerne County commissioner, at which time he retired from teaching. Edd also served as Luzerne County's director of assessment, and finally, as a member of the Luzerne County Council.
Perhaps his most well known race was when he and the late Frank Crossin Senior teamed up to run for County Commissioner in 1979. Here’s a link from LuLac: http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2007/09/lulac-edition-297-sept-1rst-2007.html
And when Brominski returned to the political wars in 2011, here’s how we covered that. https://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/search?q=edd+brominski.
On County Council, Brominski kept everyone’s feet to the fire. He resigned last year due to ill health but kept on fighting just like you’d expect a champion athlete and coach to do so. He will be missed.
IVANKA DEPOSED FOR 5 HOURS
Ivanka Trump, the President’s daughter was deposed for five hours the other day regarding an investigation into possible fraud for the 2016 Inaugural. She conspicuously omitted the $3.6 million question posed by a Republican felon that underscored fears the Trump family was profiting from a nonprofit set up to celebrate the White House victory. Her brother Eric Trump was deposed in a New York AG’s case after trying to delay that until after their dad lost the election to President-elect Joe Biden.
!n a lawsuit filed in January, the suit claims that the Trump Inaugural Committee — legally a nonprofit, using donated money — and the Trump hotel took advantage of that arrangement. Racine said the Inaugural Committee spent more than $1 million on a ballroom at the hotel over several days. The rate was $175,000 per day, plus about $300,000 in charges for food and beverages.
It is alleged that the committee barely used the ballroom and that the price it paid was too high.
So Ivanka was on the hot seat for 5 hours. Sweet justice if you ask me after the GOP had Hillary Clinton on the Congressional stand for 11 hours. The impotent members of Congress found nothing on HRC, look for that not happening with the daddy pleasing, lap dancing daughter of Diaper Don.
HELP MIGHT BE ON THE WAY
A group of Republican and Democratic lawmakers unveiled a $908 billion stimulus plan on Dec. 1, in an attempt to break through partisan gridlock after months of failed relief negotiations.
Lawmakers and the White House are facing growing pressure to pass additional coronavirus relief as COVID-19 cases surge, states and cities put more restrictions in place and existing relief programs soon expire.
It’s not the time for political brinkmanship,” said Senator Joe Manchin.
The bipartisan group of lawmakers — including Manchin, Senators Mark Warner (D., Virg.), Bill Cassidy (R., La.), Susan Collins (R., Me.), Mitt Romney (R., Utah) and several others — say their plan aims to find common ground on some of the most pressing issues, and it could be used as a framework for the next stimulus package.
The compromise proposal, which totals $908 billion, includes $160 billion for state, local and tribal governments —a top priority for Democratic lawmakers, which most Republicans opposed — and short-term protections from coronavirus lawsuits, a “red line” for Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that Democrats have rejected. Those two issues alone have caused significant problems throughout negotiations so far. Romney said the temporary protections give states time to put their own protections in place.
“Any state that doesn’t put in place protections hasn’t been thinking this through very carefully — because if I were a CEO I would never think of putting a new business in a state that didn’t have liability protection for COVID,” said Romney.
The proposal also includes $288 billion to support small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury and Disaster Loans and other provisions. The lawmakers are calling for $180 billion for additional unemployment insurance, which would provide a $300 weekly boost to jobless benefits. The extra $600 per week included in the CARES Act expired earlier this year.
The proposal also calls for funding for vaccine development and distribution, testing and tracing, education, child care, rental assistance, student loan assistance, transportation and more. The plan does not include another round of stimulus checks.
“Republicans and Democrats, neither of us got everything we wanted. Both of us got much of what we wanted. I think that combination reflects what Congress is supposed to do — Reconciling different priorities but ultimately doing something good for the American people,” said Cassidy.
The framework aims to provide relief through the first quarter of 2021, when President-elect Biden and the next Congress could decide what further measures are necessary.
“It would be stupidity on steroids if Congress left for Christmas without doing an interim package as a bridge,” said Warner.
BARR: NO EVIDENCE OF FRAUD THAT’D CHANGE ELECTION OUTCOME
This might come as a shock but Attorney General William Barr finally crawled out of his hole and with just a few weeks to spare came out in the open about the recent election. Attorney General William Barr said Tuesday the Justice Department has not uncovered evidence of widespread voter fraud that would change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
His comments come despite President Donald Trump's repeated claims that the election was stolen, and his refusal to concede his loss to President-Elect Joe Biden.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Barr said U.S. attorneys and FBI agents have been working to follow up specific complaints and information they’ve received, but they’ve uncovered no evidence that would change the outcome of the election.
“To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have affected a different outcome in the election,” Barr told the AP.
The comments are especially direct coming from Barr, who has been one of the president's most ardent allies. Before the election, he had repeatedly raised the notion that mail-in voter fraud could be especially vulnerable to fraud during the coronavirus pandemic as Americans feared going to polls and instead chose to vote by mail.
Last month, Barr issued a directive to U.S. attorneys across the country allowing them to pursue any “substantial legations” of voting irregularities, if they existed, before the 2020 presidential election was certified, despite no evidence at that time of widespread fraud. That memorandum gave prosecutors the ability to go around longstanding Justice Department policy that normally would prohibit such overt actions before the election was certified. Soon after it was issued, the department’s top elections crime official announced he would step aside from that position because of the memo.
The Trump campaign team led by Rudy Giuliani has been alleging a widespread conspiracy by Democrats to dump millions of illegal votes into the system with no evidence. They have filed multiple lawsuits in battleground states alleging that partisan poll watchers didn’t have a clear enough view at polling sites in some locations and therefore something illegal must have happened. The claims have been repeatedly dismissed including by Republican judges who have ruled the suits lacked evidence. Local Republicans in some battleground states have followed Trump in making similar unsupported claims. (aol news)
CARTWRIGHT ANNOUNCES NEARLY $5 MILLION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN LUZERNE COUNTY
Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)
U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that Luzerne County Head Start received $4,897,038 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These funds will be used for the continuation of high quality, comprehensive, early childhood education for children in Luzerne and Wyoming Counties.
“This grant is an investment in our children – the future of our country. Early childhood learning is vital to strengthening our economy and our country,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the Appropriations Committee. “I applaud Luzerne County Head Start on receiving this award and their dedication to enhancing the quality of life for children and families in Northeastern Pennsylvania.”
Head Start programs provide children with education services focused on early learning, health and family well-being. These programs promote children’s growth and development and give parents an opportunity to become actively engaged in their child’s education. Head Start and Early Head Start have served over 36 million children, providing them with the skills they need to succeed in school and in their lives.
Head Start services are funded and overseen by The Office of Head Start (OHS), within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a division of the Department of Health & Human Services.
CASEY STATEMENT ON PA REACHING 10,000 COVID-19 DEATHS
Senator Bon Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)
U.S. Senator Bob Casey released the following statement as Pennsylvania surpassed 10,000 COVID-19 deaths:
“COVID-19 has reached every corner of our Nation and every county in our Commonwealth. Today, I am thinking about the 10,000 Pennsylvanians who have lost their lives to this virus, and all those who loved them. We mourn for those we have lost and pray for those still suffering, as well as for their friends and families who are grieving.
Pennsylvanians, especially our frontline health care workers, have been fighting this relentless pandemic for more than eight months. COVID-19 has now claimed the lives of more than 10,000 Pennsylvanians, and over a quarter of a million Americans. We are now seeing the largest wave of cases to date, and I am saddened to know that there will be more deaths in the weeks to come. It is critical that we all follow the guidance from public health authorities to stay home, wear a mask and avoid gatherings with people outside our families, in order to protect each other and do our part to stop the spread of this vicious virus.
Furthermore, it is past time for Senate Republicans to work with Democrats, including the incoming Biden Administration, on robust legislation to provide states and the health care system with the resources they need to mitigate the spread of the virus. We must work together for the health and safety of the American people to protect frontline workers, implement a national testing strategy, advise people across all states to wear a mask and safeguard the seniors, people with disabilities and workers in nursing homes and other long-term care settings, who are among those put most at risk amid the pandemic. We must secure resources for state and local officials who are desperately in need of more resources and logistical support to prepare for vaccine distribution. Elected officials owe much more than condolences to the people who entrusted us with public office. The time to act is long overdue, and we cannot waste another day. We must mitigate the spread of this virus and prevent further senseless tragedy. It is far past time for Senate Republicans to get serious about saving lives.”
MEUSER ASKS FOR CLARIFICATION ON HOW PENNSYLVANIA IS UTILIZING FEDERAL FUNDING FOR COVID-19 TESTING
Congressman Dan Meuser (Photo: LuLc archives)
Congressman Dan Meuser sent a letter to Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Rachel Levine, asking whether the Commonwealth is utilizing all available federal resources to expand testing capacity and help our healthcare system mitigate the spread of COVID-19:
“The current increase in COVID-19 cases across Pennsylvania is challenging our healthcare system. In particular, hospitals in my district have expressed significant need for increased testing capacity. I am writing to inquire whether the Commonwealth is utilizing all available federal resources to expand testing capacity and help our healthcare system mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is providing both tests and funding to implement state testing plans directly to states and local jurisdictions. I would like to know how the Commonwealth is utilizing these resources to expand testing in Pennsylvania. Specifically, I am aware that HHS is distributing shipments of approximately 250,000 Abbott BinaxNOW rapid tests per week to the Commonwealth. I also understand that Pennsylvania and Philadelphia have access to federal funds to implement their testing plans but have utilized little of this funding to date.
“I am concerned that neither Pennsylvania nor Philadelphia is maximizing its use of federal funding made available in April through the Paycheck Protection Program & Health Care Enhancement Act. It is my understanding that, as of November 20, 2020, the Commonwealth has utilized approximately $2.4 million of its total $301,036,686 allocation, or 0.08%. Similarly, Philadelphia has spent $1,500 of its allotted $92,417,870. It is critical these funds be used now to augment our testing capabilities during this surge in cases and as many healthcare workers are tested two times per week to limit spread.
"Congress approved this funding to enable states and local jurisdictions to improve testing through state plans and I am aware that the Pennsylvania Department of Health has developed a plan to utilize these funds in their entirety. There are several FDA-approved options for COVID-19 testing and a critical need among healthcare providers for these supplies in Pennsylvania. If there are challenges in procuring or distributing testing supplies, please let my office know how we can help accelerate the process to provide these resources without delay.
“I appreciate your timely response to my inquiry and your swift action to utilize these federal resources to expand testing capabilities in Pennsylvania.”
MEDIA MATTERS
WALN
BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM
This week's guest is Michael G. Stanton from Bold Gold Media, discussing his upcoming "Shower for Charity".
Tune in Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on The Mothership 1340/1400 am, 100.7 and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on The River 105 and 103.5.
BOBBY V'S DOO WOP SOCK HOP SUNDAY
NIGHTS
1980
Our 1980 logo
South Korea began color television broadcasting, introduced by the public Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) with the inauguration of its second network, "KBS2" on Channel 7. Until then, South Korean manufacturers like Samsung were on their way to becoming one of the world's major producers of color television monitors but unable to sell them at home, a restriction that was only lifted by the government on August 1………..Popular Czechoslovakian vocalist Marika Gombitová was paralyzed after being seriously injured in a car accident while being driven to one of her band's concerts. The car she was in went out of control as she was traveling from Brno to Bratislava and flipped over multiple times near Hustopeče. Despite her disability, Gombitova would return to recording and performing concerts and remained popular in Slovakia and in the Czech Republic after the breakup of Czechoslovakia……Bravo, a cable television network now owned by NBC, was launched in the U.S. as a channel "devoted exclusively to the performing arts", starting at 8:00 in the evening with its own news program, Bravo Magazine, followed by a tribute to composer Aaron Copland. Initially, Bravo's programming was available only on Sundays and Mondays, from 8:00 pm to 2:00 am….. A missionary (Jean Donovan) and three Roman Catholic nuns (Maura Clarke, Ita Ford, Dorothy Kazel), all Americans, were raped and murdered by members of the El Salvador National Guarda military death squad in El Salvador while doing charity work during that country's civil war. The four were returning home from the airport when they were stopped and executed by five guardsmen at a secluded spot. The bodies of the four Americans were discovered two days later, and a local judge had signed an order for their burial without notifying anyone. …….The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILA) was signed into law by U.S. President Jimmy Carter, adding more than 68,000 square miles (180,000 km2) of Alaskan land to double the area covered by the U.S. National Park Service….. Journalist Robert Dreyfuss became the first person to suggest the "October Surprise", a link between Ronald Reagan's presidential campaign and the decision by the government of Iran to prolong the Iran Hostage Crisis until after the U.S. presidential election. Dreyfuss made the allegation in his article, "Strange diplomacy in Iran", in a magazine published by left-wing political activist Lyndon LaRouche, Executive Intelligence Review…… A fire at a hotel in Harrison, New York killed 13 of the top executives of Arrow Electronics Corporation and 11 executives of the Nestlé USA, Inc., the American subsidiary of the Swiss-based conglomerate Nestlé SA. The blaze broke out on the third floor of the Stouffer's Inn, where several conference rooms were hosting meetings. Seven victims were found in a walk-in closet that they had confused for a fire exit during their escape, and three others were located at a fire exit that had been locked with a deadbolt. Although the guest bedrooms had sprinkler systems, the same feature had not been installed in the conference rooms. https://www.fox5ny.com/news/revisiting-the-deadly-stouffers-inn-fire-of-1980-the-tape-room ......In the Gang of Four trial in Beijing, the widow of the late Chairman Mao Zedong, Jiang Qing, confessed on the witness stand that she had ordered the 1968 persecution of China's head of state Liu Shaoqi during the Cultural Revolution. Liu had been expelled from the Chinese Communist Party and was imprisoned and tortured, before dying of pneumonia the following year. Liu's widow, Wang Guangmei, had spent more than 10 years in solitary confinement until being released after the death of Mao……. One of the most popular films of 1981, Superman II, was first shown in theaters as it premiered in Australia. Sydney Morning Herald critic Meaghan Morris recommended that viewers see the film "in a hurry before some insensitive soul tells you all and spoils the surprises", and praised it for allowing Superman to "come to terms with his sexuality" and for its "series of hilarious one-liners" to help make the adventure saga "one of the funniest films of the year". With Christopher Reeve reprising his dual role as Clark Kent and Superman, the film was released in the UK four months later on April 9, and in the United States on June 19, 1981. In the small town of Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, police chief Gregory B. Adams was beaten and then shot to death by Donald Eugene Webb after being pulled over in a parking lot. The killing was only the second in the history of Saxonburg and the first there since 1942. Webb was then placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List, remaining there for more than 25 years, but was never apprehended. In 2017, Webb's remains were found in Dartmouth, New Hampshire at the home of his wife, who had kept him hidden until he died of a stroke on December 30, 1999. Before dying, Adams had managed to permanently disfigure Webb's face and to give his killer a compound fracture that failed to heal properly….. John Lennon of the Beatles was murdered as he was returning to home to the Dakota, a famed apartment building in New York City. Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, had stepped out of a limousine and walked toward the building's entrance when Mark David Chapman shot him four times in the back. Six hours earlier, Lennon had autographed a copy of his new album, Double Fantasy at Chapman's request. Chapman remained at the scene and let police take him into custody. Lennon was dead on arrival at Roosevelt Hospital and forty years ago John Lennon continued to have the n umber oe song in LuLac land and America with “Starting Over”.
posted by David Yonki @ 7:31 PM
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