The LuLac Edition #4, 745, May 19th, 2022

 

MASTRIANO’S MANIFESTO OF DANGER 

 

DOUG MASTRIANO, FAR-RIGHT ELECTION DENIER, WINS PENNSYLVANIA GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY

This is who Republicans in Pennsylvania nominated as their Governor. A person who was part of a coup.

A person who held hearings on voter fraud in Pennsylvania in 2020 when two row offices and a seat on the Pa. Supreme Court went red.

A person who belittled Dr. Rachel Levine in his victory speech. What a small, small man. He wins an election on the biggest; political night of his life and he feels the urge, yes it as be some kind of sexual urge to bring a Trans person up?

Ever notice that these right wig, Christian zealots are consumed with sex, your sex, my sex anybody’s sex. It’s like they have this voyeuristic pleasure center.

He is a person that after Biden’s victory was certified in Pennsylvania in November 2020, introduced a resolution that would have had the Republican-controlled state legislature overturn the results — Biden won there by 80,000 votes — and instead appoint electors who would declare Trump the winner.

He is the person whose commitment to the Big Lie led him to organize buses of supporters in Pennsylvania to travel to Washington, D.C., for the “Stop the Steal” rally that exploded into the deadly storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

He is a key figure in Christian nationalism, the insurgent movement that holds the anti-democratic belief that America is a nation by and for Christians in need of saving from secular, satanic forces so that its laws can reflect a far-right interpretation of scripture. So if you’re a Jew, Muslim or atheist, you’re fucked!

And by the way what ever happened to the division of church and state??

Here’s a quote that should scare people.  “The forces of darkness are hitting us really hard right now; we’re going to bring the state back to righteousness; this is our day, our hour to take our state back and renew the blessings of America,” Mastriano said at a rally last month. He has also spoken at an event whose organizers pledged to “reestablish the kingdom of God in PA.”

This is the man who now is on the top of the ticket seeking an office once hekd  by John Fine, William Scranton, Richard Thornburgh, Tom Ridge and Mark Schweiker. But “God guy” Dougie boy would call them swamp creatures.

True to form, like any Trump genuflector and ass kisser, with this thug pig, ACCUSATION IS CONFESSION.

 

A LESSON FOR LOU AND OTHERS

 

Your blog editor, then Congressman Lou Barletta and the late L.A. Tarone as Lou was making a point. (Photo: LuLac archives)

I always liked Lou Barletta. I disagreed with many of his stances but I’ve always felt that Lou was a good public servant. He respected institutions and as a congressman he was in his element when he was giving a talk to community members about how Congress worked. In my estimation, Barletta who previously turned down offers to run for Lt. Governor should have stayed put and lived the rest of his political life as a Representative of his district.

But then along came Donald Trump. And Lou signed up immediately to pull for Trump. After winning election, Barletta was even considered for a Cabinet position. When the candidacy of Pat Meehan for Senate went off the rails,  Barletta was Trump’s man to run for Senate against Bob Casey. Trump had a rally for Lou but there was none of the Trump ,money that would have been nice as he squared off against the Scranton two term incumbent.

When Barletta ran for Governor it was expected that Trump would remember Lou’s campaign and give him a shove for Governor.  But Trump, instead of seeing loyalty only saw a person who lost. Trump was tempted to back Doug Mastriano but dithered saying that Mastriano was a show off and was too much of a self promoter. So he waited until the last weekend when he saw Mastriano ahead. Trump forgot how loyal Lou was to him. This baby man child pouted because Barletta never agreed Trump won. Barletta never agreed with the fact that Obamacare would be repealed after 46 tries by his fellow GOP members. All of it you see was common sense.

Barletta ran a good race and without all those egos in the hunt, might have been a reasonable alternative to Mastriano. But circumstances and political illogic prevailed.

Many of the Trump followers in NEPA were unhappy with the way Barletta was treated by Trump. Some said they were done with Trump. Some said they didn’t understand.

Here’s all you need to know about Trump. He is only loyal to his deranged self. Barletta learned the hard way that with Trump, you get nothing in return.

The only good thing about all of this is Barletta never got the stench and stain that came from Donald Trump’s touch.  He survived with his dignity and class intact.

Let’s hope others learn this lesson and forsake Trump for what he is. A selfish slug of humanity not worthy of a second glance.

 

WE HAVE TO DO THIS OVER AGAIN?

The Republican Senate primary in Pennsylvania was too close to call late Tuesday night, with television doctor Mehmet Oz and former hedge fund manager David McCormick almost in a dead heat and currently within the 0.5 percent margin that would trigger the state’s automatic recount rule.

How can we ever stand round 2 before round 3? 

 

MEANWHILE IN CRAZY TOWN.....

 

Kathy Barnette supporters are urging  her to fight on in he wake of last night's third place finish. Echoing her cry from 2020 (as well as lying crying Jim Bognet here in LulLacl and)  supporters say THIS ELECTION was stolen. How and why they can't say. But the shit show and noise machine from the haters, loser and deniers is just heating up.

 

REP. CARTWRIGHT ANNOUNCES NEARLY $100,000 IN FUNDING FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER COUNSELING AND EDUCATION

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: Lulac archives)

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced $98,764 in federal funding for Hazleton’s Pathway to Recovery Counseling and Educational Services.

“Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen an alarming spike in alcohol and drug use amongst all age groups and across all socioeconomic levels,” said Rep. Cartwright. “I have been and will continue to serve as a strong advocate for federal funding when it comes to supporting substance use disorder treatment and rehabilitation.”

“We are grateful to Representative Matt Cartwright for his support and dedication to the needs of our community,” said Maryann Feno, Interim President & CEO. “The supplemental federal funding allocation will enable us to continue counseling and support for individuals affected by addiction, abuse, mental illness and co-occurring disorders in the Greater Hazleton Area.”

Founded in 1977, Pathway to Recovery is a non-profit organization that has helped thousands in the community overcome substance use disorders by giving those seeking treatment support and opportunity to gain control of their lives. Pathway to Recovery is one of the oldest, continuously operating substance use treatment and education centers in Pennsylvania.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (an agency of HHS) awarded this supplemental funding through Phase Four of the Provider Relief Fund payments. The Provider Relief Fund (PRF) was created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Cartwright helped enact to reimburse health care providers for health care-related expenses or lost revenues attributable to COVID-19.

 

 

CASEY, COLLEAGUES PUSH INFANT FORMULA MANUFACTURERS TO ADDRESS CRISIS, GET FORMULA ON SHELVES ASAP

CASEY AND MURRAY CALLED ATTENTION TO INFANT FORMULA SITUATION BACK IN FEBRUARY AND DEMANDED INFORMATION FOLLOWING MASSIVE ABBOTT RECALL DUE TO CONTAMINATED FORMULA

Senator Bob Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)

  U.S. Senators Bob Casey and Patty Murray (D-WA) led 30 of their Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to Mardi Mountford, President of the Infant Nutrition Council of America, calling on infant formula manufacturers to make every effort possible to get parents and families the formula they need to feed their kids.

“We write to express our concern about the infant formula supply shortage which is making it harder for parents and caregivers nationwide to get their children the nourishment they need. Formula is a critical source of nutrition for newborns and infants, and this supply shortage has put their health and development at risk. We are calling on you and your member companies to take immediate action and ensure that infant formula manufacturers are making every effort to mitigate this dangerous shortage and get children the nourishment they need,” wrote the Senators.

Over the past several months, and particularly in light of the massive recall following contaminated formula from Abbott Nutrition, a major supplier, it has become increasingly difficult for families to access infant formula. As noted in Huffington Post, Senators Casey and Murray quickly demanded more information from Abbott in light of the recall back in February. Senator Casey also requested information from the FDA on what steps the agency was taking to ensure infant formula stays on shelves, as well as details of its investigation into Abbott.

In the letter to the Infant Nutrition Council of America today, Senators Casey and Murray and their colleagues stressed how dire the situation is for families, and urged formula manufacturers to take action to increase infant formula production and distribution, and prevent future supply chain disruptions.

“This shortage has placed an unacceptable burden on parents and caregivers and has put the health of babies and infants at risk. For many families, infant formula is critical for ensuring their children receive the nutrition they need to grow healthy and well-nourished,” the letter continued. “This shortage has been especially challenging for some of the most vulnerable infants, with particularly acute shortages of specialty formulas to address health needs such as allergies, gastrointestinal issues, or metabolic disorders.  There is no easy substitute for infant formula, and this shortage has left families across the nation scrambling to figure out how they will safely care for their children.”

The letter was also signed by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tom Carper (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Jon Tester (D-MT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

 

GOVERNOR WOLF: PENNSYLVANIA’S BROADBAND AUTHORITY READY TO DEPLOY MINIMUM OF $100 MILLION IN LIFE-CHANGING INTERNET FOR ALL FUNDS

Governor Tom Wolf (Photo: LuLac archives)

Governor Tom Wolf was joined by U.S. Department of Commerce Under Secretary Jed Kolko at Marion-Walker Elementary in Centre County today to highlight the Biden-Harris Administration’s $45 billion Internet for All Initiative and Pennsylvania’s readiness to manage more than $100 million in federal funds to deploy affordable, high-speed internet to Pennsylvanians.

“Lack of broadband hurts Pennsylvanians far and wide—urban and rural​. Our lack of consistent, affordable broadband keeps children from learning effectively, businesses from growing, limits job opportunities, and reduces medical care options,” said Governor Wolf. “But soon this will all be history—that we can read online—thanks to the Biden Administration’s continued commitment to improved infrastructure for our combined success.”

Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the launch of Internet for All to provide affordable, reliable, high-speed internet for everyone in America by the end of the decade. The $45 billion initiative is made of up three programs to build internet infrastructure, teach digital skills, and provide necessary technology to ensure that everyone—including communities of color, rural communities, and older Americans—has the access and skills needed to fully participate in today’s society.

“For more than 20 years, we’ve been talking about closing the digital divide in America. Now we finally have a chance to do it,” said Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator. “Together, we can make sure that everyone in Pennsylvania has access to the affordable high-speed internet service they need to succeed in the 21st century economy. I’m grateful to Governor Wolf and all the community leaders working to make this dream a reality for Pennsylvanians.”

Pennsylvania will receive at least $100 million from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. Hundreds of millions in additional formula funding will be made based on the forthcoming coverage maps from the Federal Communications Commission. To prepare for this funding and ensure oversight and support for broadband deployment in Pennsylvania, Governor Wolf and Pennsylvania’s General Assembly worked across party lines to create the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority.

“This program and funding is going to change lives,” added Governor Wolf. “We knew we had to be ready for the world of opportunity this would bring to the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Broadband Authority is actively preparing; poised and ready to deploy broadband and connect Pennsylvanians to a secure and successful future.”

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority was signed into law by Governor Wolf in December 2021. This newly established Authority is charged with creating a statewide broadband plan and distributing both state and federal funds for broadband expansion in unserved and underserved areas of the commonwealth.

“President Biden’s Internet for All funding is a game-changer for the hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians who currently lack high-speed internet access,” said Senator Bob Casey. “This investment means that families can get connected, kids can do their homework and businesses can grow and thrive. This is the infrastructure law in action, and it’s only the beginning of the hundreds of millions of dollars coming to the commonwealth to better connect Pennsylvanians to the world.”

Pain from lack of reliable broadband is found statewide and was exacerbated over the past two years as Pennsylvanians relied on virtual means of communication, work, and learning. While rural counties are especially vulnerable, communities outside of Pennsylvania’s biggest cities are also left behind because of inaccessibility or affordability. At least 500,000 Pennsylvanians are without broadband, this lack of access slows economic growth and limits opportunity.

Gov. Wolf has worked to improve broadband access throughout his administration. In 2018, the Wolf Administration launched a $35 million Pennsylvania Broadband Investment Incentive Program to expand broadband in rural areas.

In 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development launched the Unserved High-Speed Broadband Funding Program to further support the deployment of high-speed broadband infrastructure to unserved areas with $10 million in funding.

The creation of the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority is another step to provide broadband access to all Pennsylvanians and put the commonwealth on a path to a brighter future.

 

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN TV

BRIAN HUGHES GETS ME TO SAY A NOVENA

Brian Hughes was subbing for Frank Andrews on WILK on Election Day. At around 430 he gets a call from a lady named “L” or “El” don’t know which. Anyway, right from the “get go” she goes nuts over the WILK phone system. She complained about the sound, about how WILK picked the wrong provider, and on and on. Then she defended Lou Barletta which I had no issue with and then referred to the late Dan Flood as the one-time Governor of the state. After this convoluted phone call, I vowed to go to a novena and thank the Lord it was Brian Hughes on the other end of that call than me.

 

 BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM 

 This week's show addresses property tax reassessment in Lackawanna County.  You'll hear the program Sunday at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400 am The Mothership and 7:30 am on 105 The River.

 

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SOCK HOP

ON SUNDAY NIGHT 

 

1975

Our “1975” logo.

The Betamax home videotaping system was introduced by Sony with the LV-1901 going on sale in Japan. The unit, which contained a color TV, the recorder, and the tapes, retailed for $2,488 (equivalent to more than $9,000 USD in 2010…Darrell Waltrip won his first national NASCAR race in his fourth season of competition, in the Music City 420 in Nashville. Waltrip would go on to win three NASCAR championships (1981, 1982 and 1985)……U.S. Treasury Secretary William E. Simon announced the federal government  would not provide aid to provide $1.5 billion to meet two months of expenditures for New York City. The requests had been made by city Mayor Abraham Beame. 

That refusal led to the New York Daily News head that read: Ford to City: DROP DEAD” that was used against him in the 1976 election…..A crowd of about 75,000 people in New York City's Central Park celebrated the end of the Vietnam War Organized by Phil Ochs, the rally included music performances by Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Paul Simon……The "Wild Man of the Green Swamp (Florida)" was captured by sheriff's deputies in Sumter County, Florida after surviving on his own for eight months. First sighted in September, he had eaten armadillos, snakes, turtles and alligators.  Identified as Hu Tu-Mei of Taiwan, a mentally ill man who had escaped from a Tampa hospital, the "Wild Man" hanged himself in jail two days later….  

Leroy Anderson, 66, American composer of “Sleigh Ride” and "The Typewriter" died…..New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath turned down what would have been the most lucrative contract in pro football up to that time, $4,000,000 to play with the Chicago Winds of the World Football League for the 1975 and 1976 seasons, and the 1977 for a future WFL franchise in New York City……

Lefty Grove, 75, former MLB pitcher and member of Baseball Hall of Fame passed away and this week in 1975 the number one song in LuLac land and America was . “The Hustle” by  Van McCoy.