The LuLac Edition #4, 773, June 28th, 2022

 

ROE OVERTURNED

HOW WE GOT HERE

You are hearing a lot of people saying the Republican party was shrewder than the Democrats in doing the long game for the Supreme Court. That is true and from a strategic standpoint, you have to give them credit. But you also must point out that some Democrats never fought hard for a candidate that headed their ticket. Republicans will get in line and overlook the flaws of their standard bearer.  Nixon, Reagan, Bushs 41 and 43 all were flawed.  Trump in  that category was in a class by himself. But the GOP voter defended them. Always!

But Democrats like to pick. Humphrey’s sins were he was not Gene McCarthy or Bobby Kennedy. "He talked too much"

Michael Dukakis’ flaw was that he was too unemotional.  “We can’t warm up to him!” “He’s too cold”. “His wife is mental!”

Al  Gore  was too distant. "Too much of a political pedigree". "Wasn’t a real veteran because he was a reporter in Vietnam". "Too preppy". "His wife banned my favorite song!" 

John Kerry: Too rich. "I don’t like his wife". "Too much emphasis on the military". "Too little emphasis on the military". "How’d he get those medals?" 

Then the topper!

Hillary Clinton: “I just don’t care for her!” “She never left Bill”. “She’s power hungry”. “Too shrill”. “Not tough enough”. “Those e mails heyna?”

We got to the Supreme Court decision by picking our candidates to death with LITTLE SHIT THINGS!.  Every candidate mentioned with the exception of Dukakis lost by mere percentage points. Two of them even won the popular vote.

But they weren’t GOOD ENOUGH for those Democrats who wanted a perfect candidate. To those who went third party in the Humphrey, Gore and Clinton  races, to those who looked for perfection in the Kerry race, you unknowingly collaborated with the GOP to have this court.

Hope you're happy.

The LuLac Edition #4, 772, Jun 27th , 2022

 MONDAY MEMES 

The LuLac Edition #4, 771, June 23rd, 2022

BOZINSKI GETS NEW TERM 

 

The Luzerne County Democratic committee people re-elected Kathy Bozinski to another term as party Chair. In a near unanimous vote, Bozinski was resoundingly  approved for another four years. 

She named Tom Bindfus, 5th District Chair as her Vice Chair, with as Secretary Lauren McCurdy ,  and Tony Thomas as Treasurer. With the GOP lie machine in full swing, the party will have its work cut out in 2022.  My personal feeling is there needs to be a team that will call out te outright lies of the Trumpanzees. 

 

DID YOU EVER NOTICE THAT WHEN TRUMP WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT, NARY A DEMOCRAT USED AN OBSCENE LADEN FLAG TO ATTACK HIM? BUT GOP "SNOWFLAKES" NEED TO PUT THEIR FULL HATRED AND IGNORANCE ON DISPLAY ABOUT JOE BIDEN. 

,MAYBE IT'S A PENIS SIZE ISSUER, MAYBE THEY THINK THE TRUMP FLAG IS A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE STARS AND STRIPES, BUT IT MIGHT SIGNIFY THE BARS OF A JAIL CELL! 

EITHER WAY, WHEN THEY ACCUSE DEMOCRATS OF DIVIDING THE COUNTRY OR SPOUTING HATRED, REMEMBER "ACCUSATION IS CONFESSION" 

SALUTE THIS FLAG? 

 

 NO ****ING WAY! 

 

AGNES @ 50 

Today is the day, fifty years ago that the Susquehanna River flooded Wilkes-Barre and surrounding areas. Here's film footage of that horrific day.

 

A hero of the flood that day was Congressman Dan Flood. In this 45 year retrospective from WNEP, his memory is honoed for the work he did in the flood.

  

And as WVIA TV will tell you, it just wasn't Wilkes-Barre.

 

THE LATE BILL BRACE'S ODE TO THE SUSQUEHANNA 

 

Bill Brace, the long time Wilkes-Barre City Clerk who passed away in 2020 wrote a song about the dark days of Agnes the Susquehanna. It was played at a memorial brunch after his funeral Mass. Here are the lyrics. Those in attendance all got a copy that I will now share with you. 

MUIR SHUTS DOWN CHRISTIE

ABC News anchor David Muir shut down Chris Christie’s attempt to compare the 2000 and 2016 presidential election results with the GOP-backed attempt to overturn the electoral vote count on Jan. 6, 2021.

Muir, during the network’s coverage of the Jan. 6 committee hearings on Tuesday, pointed out that Republicans across the country are running campaigns based on claims of a “faulty” 2020 presidential election.

Christie, a former New Jersey governor who headed Donald Trump’s presidential transition team, claimed former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton in 2016 and supporters of then-Vice President Al Gore in 2000 refused to accept the “legitimate” results of their presidential defeats long before Jan. 6.

Clinton conceded following the 2016 election and Gore acknowledged his 2000 loss after a Florida recount battle.

“This is a very dangerous thing in this country, which was brought to a new level in 2020 by Donald Trump and his campaign,” Christie said.

Muir interrupted.

“I just don’t want our audience to think I’m not aware that there isn’t a real equivalency here when you have a former president who is sowing seeds of doubt,” Muir said. (ABC News)

 

RON JOHNSON, TRUMP THUG……. "MUST RESIGN": WISCONSIN SENATOR IMPLICATED IN FAKE ELECTOR SCHEME

Wisconsin Democrats on Tuesday led calls for Sen. Ron Johnson's resignation after the House Jan. 6 committee revealed texts indicating that the Republican's office wanted to hand-deliver certificates of fake electors to then-Vice President Mike Pence in service of Donald Trump's attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

The bipartisan congressional panel probing the deadly 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol showed an exchange of text messages initiated by Johnson's chief of staff Sean Riley to Pence legislative director Chris Hodgson, indicating that the Republican senator wanted to advance an "alternate slate of electors" for Wisconsin and Michigan, both of which Biden won.  (CNN)

 

REP. CARTWRIGHT ANNOUNCES $200,000 TO SUPPORT LOCAL HOMELESS VETERANS RE-ENTERING THE WORKFORCE

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced that the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO) will receive $200,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor to support its Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project (HVRP). CEO’s HVRP works in collaboration with PA CareerLink offices to serve veterans in Luzerne, Lackawanna and Monroe Counties.

“Our veterans have made tremendous sacrifices for their country and saying ‘thank you for your service’ isn’t enough. They deserve support in the transition from military to civilian life so they can lead fulfilling lives and provide for themselves and their families. This is why I am proud to support CEO in their mission to assist veterans and help them reintegrate into the community after their military service,” said Rep. Cartwright. “I appreciate Gene Brady, Executive Director of CEO, and the work being done every day to help veterans reach their full potential.

“We greatly appreciate the assistance of Representative Cartwright, the Department of Labor team and others we work with daily in providing this important employment assistance resource,” said Gene Brady, Executive Director of the Commission on Economic Opportunity. “We will be able to aid over 100 homeless Veterans in our community. This will enable the CEO to continue to assist in locating quality, life sustaining employment for homeless veterans.”

The mission of CEO is to promote self-sufficiency among low-income and vulnerable populations by confronting the causes and reducing the effects of poverty. CEO’s HVRP program offers job counseling, skills assessments, job readiness, life skills and money management training, transportation incentives and more. To qualify for the program, applicants must have verifiable veteran status; have at least one day of active-duty service; have a discharge other than Dishonorable Discharge status; and experiencing homeless, living in transitional housing, facing eviction, recently housed (within the last 60 days) and/or actively enrolled with SSVF program. For additional information, contact CEO at 570-826-0510.

The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, administered by the Department of Labor’s eterans’ Employment and Training Service, provided $57 million dollars to help veterans nationwide overcome and avoid homelessness and re-enter the workforce.

 

CASEY APPLAUDS SENATE PASSAGE OF HISTORIC BILL TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE TO VETERANS EXPOSED TO TOXIC BURN PITS

Senator Bon Casey (Photo: LuLac archives) 

U.S. Senator Bob Casey recently  announced the  Senate passage of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, legislation to expand health care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances while serving their country. The Honoring our PACT Act is the largest veterans’ health care bill in decades and would expand VA health care to more than 3.5 million veterans. The bill is named after SFC Heath Robinson, who died in 2020 because of toxic exposure during his time in military service . 

“We will never be able to fully repay our servicemembers and their families for their sacrifice, but we can, and we must, take care of them now. The Honoring Our PACT Act would help our veterans exposed to toxins in the line of duty access the benefits they rightfully earned and make it much easier for future veterans to get those benefits without facing many of the hurdles that exist now. This bill is an historic win for our veterans and our country. When President Biden signs this bill into law, it will save veterans’ lives,” said Senator Casey.

American veterans have long suffered from exposure to toxic substances, but the VA has not recognized the effects of toxic exposure on veterans or provided care to those suffering from such exposure. This legislation would add 23 burn pit and toxic exposure-related conditions to VA’s presumption list so that veterans can easily access health care to cover treatment of these conditions. Conditions will be phased in annually until 2025.

The Honoring Our PACT Act would also:

Improve the VA’s presumption process and the ability of veterans to receive care for new toxic exposures by creating a framework for the establishment of future toxic exposure-related presumptions of service connection

Bolster the VA’s toxic exposure resources by providing every veteran a toxic exposure screening at VA medical appointments and increasing toxic exposure-related education and training for VA health care and benefits personnel

Strengthen toxic exposure research by conducting studies on the mortality of veterans who served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War, Post-9/11 veterans’ health trends and veterans’ cancer rates

Set up the VA to successfully support the increased needs of veterans by boosting the VA’s claims processing capacity, strengthening the VA’s workforce and investing in 31 new VA health care facilities, including one $31.8 million outpatient clinic near Allentown, PA. This clinic would expand primary care, mental health, specialty care and ancillary services currently offered at the existing Allentown Satellite Outpatient Clinic, in support of the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center

During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the military disposed of excess materials and waste by incinerating them in large “burn pits,” often located near bases. These burn pits contained hazardous materials and as a result, burn pits emitted toxic fumes. According to a survey by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, 86 percent of veterans of these wars were exposed to burn pits during their time in the service. Researchers have linked burn pit exposure to dozens of medical conditions, including chronic bronchitis, constrictive bronchiolitis, asthma and lung cancer.

Senator Casey previously cosponsored the Open Burn Pit Registry Act of 2011 (S.1798), the Burn Pits Accountability Act of 2019 (S. 191) and the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act (S. 3451). In 2019, Senator Casey cosponsored the Blue Water Navy Veterans Act (S. 1195) to ensure that veterans exposed to Agent Orange while stationed on ships during the Vietnam War would receive presumptive coverage for related health effects. The Burn Pits Accountability Act was included in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to examine the health effects of servicemembers’ and veterans’ exposure to open burn pits and other toxic airborne chemicals, integrating evaluations into routine health exams. The Honoring Our PACT Act is a culmination of these previous efforts.

 

LGBTQ AFFAIRS COMMISSION, STAKEHOLDERS DENOUNCE LEGISLATION TO BRING DISCRIMINATORY “DON’T SAY GAY” BILL TO PA

Governor Tom Wolf (Photo: LuLac archives)

The Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs and education and youth advocates denounced Senate Bill 1278, a copy-paste version of Florida’s discriminatory “Don’t Say Gay” bill that would harm students and set back human rights in Pennsylvania.

The LGBTQ Affairs Commission firmly opposes Senate Bill 1278, which was introduced on Friday, June 10, ​was approved yesterday along party lines by the Senate Education Committee and now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

“Pennsylvania was founded on the basis of inclusion, and the Wolf Administration has fought to ensure that Pennsylvania will continue to be a state that welcomes and protects all of its residents,” said Rafael Álvarez Febo, executive director of the LGBTQ Affairs Commission. “This bill, which was introduced in the middle of Pride Month, is a cruel attempt to politicize LGBTQ people and deny their humanity in order to score cheap political points.

“We at the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs know that the guise of calling LGBTQ people and topics ‘age inappropriate’ is really just fearmongering. Bills like these will cause LGBTQ teachers to have to conceal their identities and strip any resources available for LGBTQ youth out of schools. Even more alarming, these bills have emboldened far right hate groups to mobilize to commit violence against LGBTQ people.

“While Pennsylvanians are struggling with very real issues such as gun violence, soaring prices and underfunded schools, the General Assembly has chosen to pick on LGBTQ children and teachers to score political points. This is deeply wrong and would have long-reaching consequences for our schools and human rights in Pennsylvania.”

Advocates for schools and children in Pennsylvania joined the commission to decry the discriminatory, politically-motivated legislation:

“I have serious concerns about any effort aimed at censoring educators and preventing them from valuing, affirming, and supporting students and their families because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” said ​Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA​) President Rich Askey. “Lawmakers should focus on the very real challenges facing our public schools right now, including reducing substitute and teacher shortages, hiring more mental health professionals in our schools, keeping our schools safe, and passing a state budget that properly funds public education. Educators spend their lives teaching and supporting their students. We don’t need politicians telling us how to do our jobs.”

“When we don’t talk about these normal aspects of human diversity, it sends the message that being different is wrong; this puts children who are already aware of their difference at risk and teaches all children to marginalize their classmates,” said Katharine Dalke, MD, a psychiatrist who works with adolescents and young adults. “Psychologists and educators have developed age-appropriate tools for talking about different kinds of families, relationships, and identities without talking about sex. If we want to raise the next generation of Pennsylvanians to be happy and healthy, we must teach acceptance — not discrimination.”

“I was 11 years old when I first came out. I was scared when I realized that I was gay, since my home environment wasn’t the most affirming place,” said Freddy Pernell, commissioner for the LGBTQ Affairs Commission. “I was lucky that my school had a variety of experts and out teachers who I could go to for advice. These LGBTQ teachers became mentors that were crucial to my development into the person I am today. Efforts to keep conversations about identity out of schools will only hurt kids who are trying to come to discover who they really are.”

 

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN TV

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM  

 

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 SATURDAY NIGHT SOCK HOP

 

 

1975

Our 1975 logo.

The first drive-through restaurant service was inaugurated, as the McDonald's in Sierra Vista, Arizona began allowing customers to place their orders at a microphone, then drive up to a window from which their food would be handed to them, without need for anyone to leave the vehicle….Uganda's dictator, Idi Amin, postponed the execution of British citizen Denis Hills, a day before Hills was set to go before a firing squad for statements made in the unpublished manuscript of The White Pumpkin. Amin's decision came after he hosted two British envoys at his hometown of Arua. The envoys, bearing a written appeal from Queen Elizabeth II, had been Amin's commanding officers when Amin had been a sergeant in the King's African Rifles in the colonial British Army. Hills would be released by Amin on July 10….The United States Supreme Court voted, 8–0, to accept the resignation of former U.S. President Richard M. Nixon from practice before the court…..The events of George Perec's 1978 novel Life: A User's Manual (La Vie mode d'emploi), as Peret describes each character's fate on that date at an apartment building at 11 Rue Simon-Crubellier in Paris, shortly before 8:00 pm….ne 24, 1975 (Tuesday) Eastern Air Lines Flight 66 from New Orleans crashed while attempting to land at the JFK Airport in New York during a thunderstorm, killing 113 of the 124 people on board.[64] The Boeing 727 was running 25 minutes late as it made its approach at 4:08 pm into a thunderstorm,[65] then crashed a half-mile short of the runway, near Rockaway Boulevard and Brookville Boulevard in the Rosedale neighborhood of Queens. To the horror of rescuers, scores of residents of Rosedale descended on the scene to loot jewelry, money and other valuables from the scattered luggage, and even from the victims' bodies. Meteorologist Ted Fujita's research of the disaster led to his discovery of microbursts, sudden downdrafts of wind at high speed. A week after the crash, tape recordings from air traffic control showed that a few minutes before the tower cleared Flight 66 to land on Runway 22L, the pilot of an air freighter, that had just landed on the same runway, radioed that "I just highly recommend that you change runways and land northwest. You have such a tremendous wind shear near the ground on the final….India's Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was allowed to keep her office pending a review of her corruption conviction by that nation's Supreme Court ….. The claim of Don Juan de Borbón, the Count of Barcelona, to become King of Spain upon the death of President Francisco Franco, was formally rejected by Prime Minister Carlos Arias Navarro, who told Parliament that Don Juan's son, Juan Carlos de Borbón, would be Franco's successor. Don Juan, the former Crown Prince of Spain, had been pretender to the throne since the 1941 death of his father, former King Alfonso XII, had declared from exile in Portugal that he would be more qualified to guide Spain to democracy. and  in 1975 the number one song in LuLac land America was “Love Will Keep Us Together” by The Captain & Tennille.

The LuLac Edition #4, 770, June 22nd, 2022

 

WRITE ON WEDNESDAY

Our “Write On Wednesday” logo.

This week we hear from Greg Griffin a community activist I am proud to know. Greg is known for his cleanup work in the city of Wilkes-Barre nd his help with the Wilkes-Barre Health Department Community Garden program. This week we pull something from his Facebook post regarding how the Luzerne County Council can spend the money from  Washington, D.C.

MONEY!! MONEY!!MONEY!!BLIGHT COMMITTEE REPORT!!

Do you know who your Luzerne  County Manager is??

Do you know who your 11 Luzerne County Council Members are??

Luzerne County Council has received 114 Million dollars from Washington DC to help the People from Covid… Our Senior Citizens need help desperately!!!

There is only 98 Million left..

Big Luzerne County interests have already received Millions.. the People .. nothing…

98 Million is left!!

WilkesBarre had money from Washington and gave Millions to the People..

Will Luzerne County Council help the Citizens with the remaining 98 Million??

Speak up now.. do you need a new roof?? Hot water Heater? Furnace?  Mortgage down payment money?? WilkesBarre Mayor Brown did it!!

  Mayor Brown from WilkesBarre provided Millions of the Washington cash right back to the WilkesBarre People.. he is a great example of a Leader!!

Don’t let Luzerne County Council spend all of YOUR money on special interests that are now lobbying  them hard in the Courthouse for the pot of Gold!! Act now!! Or you Lose!! Come to the Luzerne County Council meetings.  Speak up for yourself!! It’s YOUR MONEY!!! Come and get it if you can!! GIT ER DONE .. They work for you!!!

Greg Griffin -Chairman of the Luzerne County Citizens Blight Committee 

The LuLac Edition #4, 769, 2022

 HERE COMES SUMMER!!!!

 

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The LuLac Edition #4, 768, June 17th, 2022

 CARTWRIGHT KICK OFF THIS SATURDAY 

The stakes are high this year. The Republican attack machine will be in full swing to oust Matt Cartwright as our Congressman.  Can you even imagine a Trumper like Jim Bognet bringing the amount of money Cartwright has brought home to this district?

We will get nothing except a Republican who has spread the lie that “his” Bognet’s election was stolen. IT WASN’T but this little snowflake will lie and ask you to believe it.

DON’T. 

 

BRIAN THORNTON’S RIDICULOUS LIES 

 

This week Luzerne County Councilman Brian Thornton voted with the other County Council GOPers with asking the state House to take away mail in voting. Right now there are a large percentage in Luzerne County who are used to the accommodation. This County Council should just shut up and do their jobs locally. But Thornton who aspires to be King of the idiots’ on the county GOP told this whopper about the drop boxes.  

Eric Mark wrote: Thornton, an outspoken critic of drop boxes, said he proposed the resolution because of several incidents in the county in which people attempted to place more than one ballot in a drop box, which violates state law.

How many incidents "Lying Brian"? What does “several” mean you thumb sucking Trumpanzee? People brought more than one ballot and WERE TOLD that was not allowed. But “several?” C’mon you’re not on West Pittston council now, you’re on a bigger stage and you are making an ass out of yourself.  

“The no excuse mail-in ballot system is full of fraud,” Thornton said.

Where? Tell us where you got “full of fraud”? Again, no specifics just generalizations of Thornton’s bullshit. I’m sure he’s trying to impress his Lord and savior Donald Trump but Diaper Don has his own issues to notice "Lying Brian". 

Tell us where the corruption is Lying Brian?

You can’t because it is lodged in that pathetic hateful mind of yours where lies reign supreme. You think no one is going to call you on your lies? 

 Word has it that “Lying Brian” was all set to be the County Chairman but smarter heads prevailed. “Lying Brian” king of kings prevaricator .

“Lying Brian” didn’t need the votes for that title.

 

TRUMP FACES 'REAL DANGER' AFTER JAN 6. COMMITTEE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF ‘FALSE SOLICITATION OF MONEY’: LEGAL EXPERT

During a segment on CNN this Tuesday, anchor Ana Cabrera brought up recent comments made by former Attorney General Bill Barr, who said he's hasn't yet seen the Jan. 6 committee offer up evidence of a prosecutable crime against Donald Trump. But former federal prosecutor and CNN legal analyst Shan Wu disagrees.

"I think we really need to emphasize from a prosecutorial point of view, being detached from reality is not a defense to any crime unless you want to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, which they can do," Wu said. "But the evidence is there and I don't think by excessive hand-wringing over whether there's really intent or not is necessary here. I think there's a lot of circumstantial evidence, and when I was a prosecutor, I would have been salivating about having this much evidence about a defendant's intent."

Appearing Monday in a pre-recorded deposition at a congressional hearing into the 2021 assault on the US Capitol, Barr described his then boss as having no interest in the facts that debunked his groundless narrative.

"I was demoralized because I thought, boy... he's become detached from reality if he really believes this stuff," Barr told the House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection by supporters of Trump.

"When I went into this and would tell him how crazy some of these allegations were, there was never an indication of interest in the actual facts," said Barr, who likened addressing Trump's avalanche of false allegations with playing the game "whack-a-mole."

Later in the segment, Wu told CNN that the case where Trump told Georgia's Secretary of State to find more votes to bolster his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results is the strongest case against the former president. But he also thinks new revelations showing Trump raised over $250 million pushing debunked voter fraud allegations for an “official election defense fund” that the committee found did not exist is also a significant legal threat.

"I think that raises real exposure and danger for Trump and those who helped him to do that," Wu said. "And in particular, I think it's more dangerous because of the prosecutorial discretion aspect. That kind of a charge -- wire fraud, basically -- may be more palatable to prosecutors and DOJ and AG Garland than wading into these uncharted waters of charging a former president with trying to overthrow the very government he was in charge of."

The committee says the initial claim of fraud grew quickly into a fundraising campaign that raised millions between election night and the Capitol insurrection.

The committee's senior investigative counsel Amanda Wick said much of the cash was funneled into a political action committee that made donations to pro-Trump organizations.

"As early as April 2020, Mr Trump claimed that the only way he could lose an election would be as a result of fraud," Democratic panel member Zoe Lofgren said Monday.

"The big lie was also a big rip-off," she said, promising to show how the Trump campaign raised hundreds of millions of dollars from supporters who were falsely led to believe their donations would be used for the legal fight over fraud claims. (CNN)

 

CARTWRIGHT PUTS PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE FOR ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS STORM AND WASTEWATER CONSTRUCTION

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives.)

Congressman Matt Cartwright  announces that on Wednesday evening, June 8, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022, which includes his requested provisions for more than $68 million in federal funding for storm and wastewater projects in Monroe and Pike counties.

The project authorization amounts include $36 million to Palmyra Township, Pike County, for wastewater infrastructure; $22 million to the Brodhead Creek Regional Authority, Monroe County, for water and wastewater infrastructure; and $10 million to Pike County for water and stormwater management infrastructure, including water supply.

A new study for ecosystem restoration and flood management for the Broadhead Creek Watershed in Monroe County was also included in the legislation, but the amount of funding for the analysis has not yet been determined.

Every two years, in the bipartisan WRDA reauthorization, Congress provides direction to the Army Corps of Engineers by authorizing much-needed projects and programs across the country to help make communities more resilient and sustainable.

“There are lot of wins for Northeast Pennsylvania in this year’s reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act,” said Rep. Cartwright, who is also a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Subcommittee. “These projects represent a major investment in regional infrastructure and will significantly improve quality of life, create good-paying jobs, and benefit the local economy. This bill gets them in line for federal help.”

The Water Resources Development Act of 2022 is now headed for the Senate where it is expected to be approved.

Appropriations for WRDA-authorized projects is a multiple step process. Projects in WRDA can be allocated Community Project Funding in future appropriations legislation.

 

CASEY, CARTWRIGHT LEAD COALITION TO PUSH FOR SCRANTON TO NEW YORK RAIL SERVICE

DIRECT RAIL SERVICE BETWEEN SCRANTON AND NEW YORK WOULD GENERATE $87 MILLION OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY EVERY YEAR, ACCORDING TO AMTRAK STUDY

Senator Bob Casey  (Photo: LuLac archives)

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA-8) are leading a large coalition of regional partners from Pennsylvania and New Jersey in urging the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to reestablish direct passenger rail service between Scranton, PA and New York, NY. Senator Casey and Representative Cartwright sent letters to FRA Administrator Amit Bose, calling for a once-in-a-generation investment to bring a vital, long-overdue rail infrastructure project to fruition for the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Casey, Cartwright and their partners emphasized their commitment to seeing rail service from Scranton to New York fully restored to boost local economies in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

“Restoring service to my hometown has long been a priority of mine in the Senate, which is why I was proud to support President Biden’s infrastructure law that will invest over $65 billion in our Nation’s railways. Spent wisely, this historic funding can help rebuild and revitalize American rail infrastructure after decades of underinvestment while simultaneously expanding service into new corridors and bringing alternative transportation options to thousands of people nationwide. It is my strong hope that Scranton will be the terminus of one such corridor,” wrote Senator Casey. He continued, “With dedicated federal investment, strong local coordination and the hardworking spirit of Northeastern Pennsylvania, I believe Scranton-New York rail service can move from a legacy of the past to a reality for the future.”

“Amtrak’s analysis of the corridor places the estimated economic impact from passenger service from New York City to Scranton at $87 million per year, and the development in the Poconos in anticipation of tourism from northern New Jersey and New York City is accelerating, with a recent billion-dollar announcement coming from the Margaritaville Resorts group for an expansive complex in Pocono Township, Pennsylvania,” wrote Representative Cartwright.

“The PA Northeast Regional Railroad Authority (PNRRA) is working closely with Amtrak on a $400,000 study to determine how to bring this long overdue expansion to fruition. Along with Senator Casey and Representative Cartwright, we are taking steps to provide safe and efficient passenger rail service to the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania and revitalize our local economy,” said PNRRA President Larry Malski.

Rail service previously ran on the Lackawanna Cut-Off directly between Scranton and New York, but was discontinued in 1970. The 28 mile stretch of track fell into disrepair and requires significant investment to restore train service.

Senator Casey and Representative Cartwright have long advocated for restored rail service between Scranton and New York. In 2008, Senator Casey sent a letter with Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), then-Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and then-Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) in support of a passenger rail service between Scranton, PA and Binghamton, NY that would connect to existing service through to New York City. In the same year, Casey sent a letter to the Federal Transit Administration requesting information on plans to begin the Lackawanna Cut-Off project.

In 2009, Casey led a letter to then-President Obama asking for continued support in the creation of this passenger rail. Senator Casey also wrote a letter in 2010 to then-Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation Ray LaHood emphasizing the need for more funding to restore the Lackawanna Cut-Off and met with Secretary LaHood to discuss increased funding for the project.

In 2015, Senator Casey sent letters to the Lackawanna County Regional Planning Commission and the Luzerne County Planning Commission, as well as the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in support of funding for the Lackawanna Cut-Off Restoration Project.

In 2021, Amtrak announced the largest investment in its passenger rail since its creation, made possible by funding from the infrastructure law, which Casey and Cartwright both supported. Senator Casey visited East Stroudsburg to tout the potential for train service after Amtrak released a proposal to expand rail across the country, including restoring New York-Scranton rail service.

Congressman Cartwright has made restoring rail service one of his district priorities since assuming office in 2013. He led the formation of the Lackawanna Cut-Off Rail Restoration Caucus, a group of federal lawmakers from Pennsylvania and New Jersey with a focus on rebuilding 28 miles of track between Port Morris, New Jersey and Slateford, Pennsylvania - a crucial part of bringing back rail service between New York City and Scranton. When it came to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, he worked with U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer to ensure Amtrak was included in the federal funding package that passed in November 2021 and allocated billions for rail.

Most recently, he once again led a bi-state coalition to advance the return of passenger rail service between Scranton and New York City by assembling the “Lackawanna Cut-Off Interested Parties,” a bicameral, bipartisan group of 25-plus interstate legislators and business and industry leaders to co-sign and co-submit an expression of interest letter to the FRA passenger rail grant application process.

Read Senator Casey’s letter here and below and Representative Cartwright’s letter here.

June 15, 2022

The Honorable Amit Bose

Administrator

Federal Aviation Administration

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590

Dear Administrator Bose,

I write today to reiterate my strong support for reestablishing passenger rail service between New York, New York and Scranton, Pennsylvania through the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that would bring substantial economic investment to Northeastern Pennsylvania.

As we discussed in our recent call, there has been no passenger rail service between New York and Scranton for over fifty years. Restoring service to my hometown has long been a priority of mine in the Senate, which is why I was proud to support President Biden’s infrastructure law that will invest over $65 billion in our Nation’s railways. Spent wisely, this historic funding can help rebuild and revitalize American rail infrastructure after decades of underinvestment while simultaneously expanding service into new corridors and bringing alternative transportation options to thousands of people nationwide. It is my strong hope that Scranton will be the terminus of one such corridor.

As you noted in our call, bringing multiple new passenger rail corridors to life will be a serious undertaking, even with the financial resources from the infrastructure law already secured. These projects require significant political and public will, dedicated resources and sustained focus to reach completion. While the potential path ahead for Scranton-New York service is a substantial undertaking, I am confident that the tireless work of advocates and leaders in Northeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey will carry this project through to the finish line.

In addition to the strong regional support, the Scranton-New York route is nationally competitive. The recent “Amtrak 2021 Corridor Vision” report identified the route as having both comparatively few physical infrastructure needs and a high prospective ridership. Amtrak has also stated that building out New York-to-Scranton service is a relatively low-cost project, listing it among those with the “lowest infrastructure cost per new passenger for full build out.” With dedicated federal investment, strong local coordination and the hardworking spirit of Northeastern Pennsylvania, I believe Scranton-New York rail service can move from a legacy of the past to a reality for the future.

I know we share the belief that rail service can be a profound economic development opportunity for people in areas of the country that have been left behind for too long. This is especially true in Northeastern Pennsylvania. According to a study from Amtrak, rail service from New York to Scranton would generate $87 million of economic activity every year, on top of $2.9 billion in one-time capital investments during construction.

These economic opportunities would not be limited to residents of Scranton but would extend to people in towns along the route as well. The tourism industry driving much of the economic development in Northeastern Pennsylvania—especially in the Poconos—will only continue to grow and thrive with the addition of new visitors from New York and New Jersey arriving by train. The very idea of passenger rail service is already contributing to growth: Margaritaville Resorts group announced plans for major investments in the Poconos, including the donation of land for a future Amtrak station. Pennsylvanians from Tobyhanna to East Stroudsburg, as well as people across the river in New Jersey, stand to benefit significantly from rail service resuming in the region.

Successful restoration of passenger rail service from Scranton to New York can serve as example of how prudent, major federal investment in transportation infrastructure can improve the lives of people and communities across the Nation. Additionally, successful implementation will justify similar investments in the future, ensuring that President Biden’s infrastructure law is not a one- off event but rather the first of many investments to expand and improve American passenger rail.

I applaud the FRA’s ongoing work in rolling out the many rail programs in the infrastructure law, especially the Corridor Identification and Development program, which will help advise and guide applicants through the build out of new passenger rail routes. My staff and I look forward to working with the FRA, Amtrak and local leaders in Northeastern Pennsylvania to ensure that the New York-to-Scranton line is in the best position to compete for the funding provided by the infrastructure law.

 

GOV. WOLF CONDEMNS REPUBLICANS FOR REFUSING TO MOVE FORWARD BILL PACKAGE ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE

Governor Tom Wolf (LuLac archives) 

Governor Tom Wolf today condemned Republicans in the House Judiciary Committee for refusing to move forward a package of commonsense bills that would help address the gun violence crisis facing Pennsylvania.

Rather than voting to move four commonsense bills to the full House of Representatives for consideration, the Republicans in today’s House Judiciary Committee instead delayed true action by forcing a vote to re-refer the bills to another committee.

“Shameful. That’s what I’d call today’s action — or, rather, inaction,” Gov. Wolf said. “Lawmakers have an opportunity to take commonsense steps, which the majority of Pennsylvanians support. Instead of taking a vote to advance these bills, they are just delaying debate on this legislation. Gun violence won’t delay. Every day the Republicans stall, more people are at risk.

“This isn’t just a ‘Philadelphia’ issue. This is a statewide and national issue that must be addressed. It’s reprehensible that Republicans continue to stall when our own constituents want this addressed right now,” Gov. Wolf said. “I urge Republicans to stop these tactics and take action.”

Gun violence is now the leading cause of death in children and teenagers in this country.

In a letter to the committee members late last week, the governor urged the committee to approve the four bills in their current form.

“I have committed to doing everything I can to bring peace to our communities, but ultimately, sensible gun laws save lives, and the General Assembly must act to make statutory changes,” Gov. Wolf said. “Communities across the commonwealth – urban, suburban and rural – have experienced the horror of gun violence. We must do our part to prevent these tragedies.”

Here's a copy of the letter:

I applaud the committee for meeting June 13 to take up bills to address gun violence. I believe that the commonwealth’s greatest resource is its citizens, and I appreciate that you are taking this step because of serious concerns raised by our constituents.

I have committed to doing everything I can to bring peace to our communities, but ultimately, sensible gun laws save lives, and the General Assembly must act to make statutory changes. It is unconscionable that guns are now the leading cause of death in children and teenagers in this country. Communities across the commonwealth – urban, suburban, and rural – have experienced the horror of gun violence. We must do our part to prevent these tragedies.

My administration supports the four bills on the committee’s agenda to address gun violence in their current form. Responsible gun ownership is a right; however, guns kill more children in the United States than anything else. I ask members to please support these bills in their current form to allow the full House to debate and pass these important measures.

House Bill 699 (Fitzgerald): An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) providing for safe storage of firearm when not in use.

House Bill 770 (Gainey): An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) prohibiting certain assault weapons.

House Bill 1538 (Frankel): An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) further providing for limitation on the regulation of firearms and ammunition, and on municipal powers.

House Bill 1903 (Stephens): An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms and for abandonment of firearms, weapons or ammunition, and adding provisions relating to extreme risk protection orders.

It is critical that the General Assembly pass meaningful gun control legislation in the wake of deadly mass shootings across the United States. If the aforementioned bills became law, they would not infringe upon the rights of law-abiding gun owners. This is not about taking guns away from those who lawfully own and operate them, it’s about ensuring guns are appropriately locked up and kept out of the hands of those who are more apt to cause harm.

Please pass House Bills 669, 770, 1538 and 1903 cleanly and without unnecessary procedural hurdles. We can no longer afford to do nothing. Every day that we delay, lives are on the line. Pennsylvanians are counting on you."

 

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN TV

 

ROB NEYHARD RETURNS

 Rob Neyhard set to return to WILK to do fills in. Will donate his salary to worthy causes. We wish him well in exterminating  the stink of The Mid Day Mussolini and the Afternoon Buffoon.

 

CORDARO’S HATE SPEECH

The other day the Mid Day Mussolini said this, “There are Marxist among us” Did he call the Democrats Marxists? That’s a new one even for this mean spirited  loud mouth. 

 

ANDREWS AND HIS DUMB ASSES

I’ll give it to Frank Andrews. He never disappoints in his jealousy and hatred of Joe Biden. The other day he was talking about the 25^th Amendment.  I’m thinking he was talking about the  January 6^th hearings. But no Frank was talking about using the 25^th amendment to get rid of Joe Biden. His ignorant assholes followed him like Pat from Kingston who used the tired talking points of Biden being used as a puppet. The majority of Andrews’ listeners are on social security and like their host, FORGOT WHERE THEY CAME FROM AND WHO GAVE IT TO THEM.

I lasted 23 seconds listening to these stupid people. 

 

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM 

Hear Jim Riley host Alan K. Stout and David DeCosmo on his show this Sunday abut the 50th anniversary of the Agnes Flood.

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 SATURDAY NIGHT SOCK HOP

 

1975

Our 1975 logo

 The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was created in Australia which put the Great Barrier Reef under government protection.Japan's Prime Minister Takeo Miki was punched in the face while attending funeral services for former Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Satō. Hiroyoshi Fudeyasu, a 34-year-old member of the Great Japan Nationalist Party, struck Miki, who then went on to deliver a eulogy for Sato…..Voters in the Northern Mariana Islands approved an agreement to become a commonwealth within the United States. Congress would approve the new status on July 21, and the Commonwealth would come into existence on January 9, 1978, with the Northern Marianans becoming United States citizens….The most powerful sandstorm in the United States in several decades began in the Southern California desert and continued for two days. Driven by winds of up to 80 miles hour, the desert sands peeled paint off of thousands of cars, sent sand into homes, and created "darkness at noon" in an area between Palm Springs and Indio, California…..Faisal bin Musaid, the 31 year assassin of his uncle, King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, was publicly beheaded at Dira Square in Riyadh. As a crowd of thousands watched, a court official read a verdict declaring him guilty of murder, then directed him to kneel and then forced him to raise his head. Reportedly, "the executioner, a black Saudi in a yellow Galabiya robe", used a gold-handled sword to carry out the execution in one blow, after which "the assassin's head was hoisted briefly on a wooden stake and displayed to the applauding crowd"….The United States Air Force launched a new generation of spy satellite that would be in a stationary orbit over either the Soviet Union or China…British Secretary of State for Energy Anthony Wedgwood Benn turned a valve bringing the first North Sea oil, delivered from Scotland, to a refinery in England….The NBC Radio Network launched an all-news network over 33 of its stations. The unprofitable experiment would be ended on May 27, 1977. Locally WBRE AM & FM 98.5 and 1340AM signed up with Bud Brown Joe Gries and Bill Graham anchoring….

Five days before he was scheduled to testify before the U.S. Congress on organized crime, Sam Giancana, a former boss of Chicago mafia, was shot and killed while in the basement of his home in Oak Park, Illinois. The Chicago Police Department had had his home under surveillance that evening, but the two police drove away at 10:10 pm. At 10:30, the police heard a "popping noise" while listening, but didn't believe it was gunshots. Giancana was found the next day, shot in the mouth and the neck, despite having been in a room with an armored door.The murderer, whom Giancana apparently knew well enough to open the door for, shot Giancana in the back of the head, then in the mouth and five more times under Giancana's chin; leaving seven bullet wounds was considered a warning sign left by the Mafia for those persons who were felt to have betrayed the organization…..Jaws, an action film about a white shark terrorizing a resort island, premiered nationwide.Within two weeks, the film would recoup its costs, and by September 5, it would surpass The Godfather as the highest-grossing film in history (until surpassed by Star Wars in 1977)……. 

Former California Governor Ronald Reagan filed papers with the Federal Election Commission, declaring his intention to run for President of the United States in a challenge against incumbent Gerald Ford for the Republican Party nomination. Reagan would lose to Ford at the 1976 convention, but would win the party's nomination, and the presidency, in 1980….The first drive-through restaurant service was inaugurated, as the McDonald's in Sierra Vista, Arizona began allowing customers to place their orders at a microphone, then drive up to a window from which their food would be handed to them, without need for anyone to leave the vehicle and this week in 1975 the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Thank God I'm a Country Boy” by John Denver.