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.