The LuLac Edition #4, 857, December 1st, 2022

 

LUZERNE COUNTY FINALLY CERTIFIES ELECTION

The Times Leader reports that  a  majority of the county’s volunteer citizen Election Board — Democrats Denise Williams, Audrey Serniak and Danny Schramm — voted Wednesday to certify the results during a special meeting at the county courthouse in Wilkes-Barre.

The board had been unable to certify the results as required by the state Monday because Schramm had abstained, creating a 2-2 tie. Schramm announced soon after that Monday meeting that he subsequently obtained answers to lingering questions and concerns and was now prepared to certify.

Board members Alyssa Fusaro and Jim Mangan, the two Republicans on the board, voted against the certification. They have cited differences in the number of voters signed in and casting ballots at polling places on Election Day and issues primarily related to a paper shortage that prompted an unknown number of voters to be turned away.

The story says that 17 citizens spoke at the meeting asking for a re-vote? ON WHAT BASIS? I am perplexed and bewildered by the asinine jerks in this county who thinks anything will be changed by a re-vote!   

If you wanted to hear conspiracy theories, look here in Luzerne County. One Council member was accused of being a witch, another talked about the blood of Jesus.  What was scary was how the GOP numbskulls not let into the Meeting room gave these intellectual derelicts applause. All that said, we must recognize that even though Luzerne County is a great place to live, there is a certain moron quotient that either must be educated as to the nuances of government or just defeated. We can't wait for them to die off because unfortunately they breed to being up another generation of crazies.

These are the same people who scream bloody murder when their taxes go up. Thanks to Denise, Audrey and Danny for ding the sane thing.

 

OATH KEEPERS LEADER AND ASSOCIATES CONVICTED OF MULTIPLE CHARGES IN SEDITIOUS CONSPIRACY CASE

Yeah this shithead went to Yale!  (Photo: CNN)

 

CNN has reported that a Washington, DC, jury on Tuesday convicted Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes and associate Kelly Meggs of seditious conspiracy for their role around the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.

While the jury split on a number of other charges brought against the five alleged members of the right-wing militia group, even two guilty verdicts on the seditious conspiracy charge marked a significant win for the Justice Department and was hailed as vindication by the House select committee investigating the insurrection. The historic criminal trial – the first of three seditious conspiracy cases set to start this year – was a major test of the department’s ability to hold January 6 rioters accountable.

The charge has rarely been brought in the century and a half that the statute and its forerunners have been on the books. By using it against members of the Oath Keepers the department is expressing that it sees the breach of the Capitol as a grave threat to the operation of the US government.

A few takeaways on this.

1.       This is a tough, high bar legal charge to prove but just like his Lord and Savior Donald Trump, Stewart Rhodes gave the jury all the damming proof needed to convict.

2.       This verdict will send a message to future conspirators and people who claim they’re patriots will meet the consequences of the law if they attempt to overthrow a government. You can bet these zealots will think twice before they try anything like this again.

3.       Once more gullible Americans (even Harvard lawyers like Rhodes) got the stench and dirt of Trump on them. Rhodes’ beefs might have been considered in a plausible mature disagreement of ideologies in a peaceful manner, it is after all his right to have those ideas and express them. But attaching violence and incendiary language inspired by Trump did not cut it. Plus, like many who blindly followed Trump down the path to their ultimate downfall, their god Trump left them high and dry. Trump sits and enjoys his life while supporters like these pay the price.  

 

RHODES LAWYER SAYS HE’S TOO OLD FOR JAIL

Steward Rhodes lawyer said his client might be too old for jail. Really? Talk to these guys who went up the river from just one administration.

 House banking scandal The House of Representatives Bank found that 450 members had overdrawn their checking accounts, but not been penalized. Six were convicted of charges, most only tangentially related to the House Bank itself. Twenty two more of the most prolific over-drafters were singled out by the House Ethics Committee (1992).

Carroll Hubbard (D-KY) was convicted of illegally funneling money to his wife's 1992 campaign to succeed him in Congress.

Carl C. Perkins (D-KY) pleaded guilty to a check kiting scheme involving several financial institutions (including the House Bank).

Walter Fauntroy (D-District of Columbia) was convicted of filing false disclosure forms to hide unauthorized income.

Buz Lukens (R-OH) convicted of bribery and conspiracy.

Mary Rose Oakar (D-OH) pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor campaign finance charge not related to the House Bank.

Congressional Post Office scandal (1991–1995) was a conspiracy to embezzle House Post Office money through stamps and postal vouchers to congressmen.

Dan Rostenkowski (D-IL) was convicted and sentenced to 18 months in prison, in 1995.

Joe Kolter (D-PA) pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and sentenced to 6 months in prison (1996).

Wes Cooley (R-OR), was convicted of having lied on the 1994 voter information pamphlet about his service in the Army. He was fined and sentenced to two years' probation (1997)[123] He was later convicted of income tax fraud connected to an investment scheme. He was sentenced to one year in prison and to pay restitution of $3.5 million to investors and $138,000 to the IRS.

Austin Murphy (D-PA) was convicted of one count of voter fraud for filling out absentee ballots for members of a nursing home (1999).

Mel Reynolds (D-IL) was convicted on 12 counts of sexual assault, obstruction of justice and solicitation of child pornography (1997). He was later convicted of 12 counts of bank fraud (1999). (Wikipedia, Clinton administration Legislature)

 

KRASNER IMPEACHMENT REACHES STATE SENATE

The Pennsylvania Legislature Impeachment process has reached the State Senate. The upper body has joined in with this ridiculous action. Senate Democrats say the move cannot be put int the next session which starts in January.

 The vote to impeach Krasner in the Republican-controlled House was along party lines, except for one vote. A Senate vote to convict him — and force him from office — will require cooperation from Democrats, and Democrats have shown no willingness to cooperate.

The state constitution requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate to convict, or 34 of 50 senators. The Nov. 8 election gave the GOP a 28-22 majority in the Senate in the next legislative session.

So like most of the GOP attempts to oust or make Democrats doing their job, this effort will go nowhere. It will expose Republicans as impotent figures with no idea how to govern. 

 

THIS GUY BEATS ON A 10 WEEK OLD BABY!

A Wilkes-Barre man hit his 10-week-old son three times in the face with his hand at a home in Archbald, leaving the baby with multiple brain injuries and bruising to his eyes, borough police said.

Juriyah Westberry, 23, was held in Lackawanna County Prison on $500,000 bail after his arrest Thursday on multiple counts of aggravated assault of a victim less than 13 and other charges.

Borough police accused Westberry of striking his son in the face on the morning of Nov. 17 at the Thomas Street home of relatives in Archbald’s Eynon section, where investigators said they were living temporarily.

This guy knows how to *uck but SUCKS as a human being. Throw the key away when he’s locked up. Plus we don't have a photo but you should see how ugly ass this so called baby daddy is!

 

NEW CARTWRIGHT LEGISLATION WILL SAVE TAXPAYER DOLLARS BY IMPROVING FEDERAL SOFTWARE PURCHASING PROTOCOLS

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced the Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act, bipartisan legislation to increase oversight of federal government software purchases and reduce wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars. 

Each year, the federal government spends billions of taxpayer dollars on software purchases, renewals, and license modifications. Limited assessments of existing software assets, combined with the way vendors sell software, often results in federal agencies making duplicative purchases. Without increased agency oversight and governance, software vendors profit at the expense of American taxpayers. 

The Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act would require federal agencies to conduct an independent, comprehensive assessment of their current software assets and restructure their operations to reduce unnecessary costs.

“Without in-depth assessments of how agencies buy and use software, vendors often have the upper hand in transactions with federal agencies,” said Rep. Cartwright. “This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will streamline software procurement practices governmentwide to the benefit of American taxpayers.”

The Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act builds on the success of Rep. Cartwright’s MEGABYTE Act, which reduced duplicative software purchases. Signed into law in 2016, the bipartisan MEGABYTE Act has saved American taxpayers over $450 million.

Specifically, this new legislation would require:

·        Federal agencies to provide an independent, comprehensive assessment of their software purchasing practices to Congress, the Office of Management and Budget, (OMB), and the General Services Administration (GSA);

·        Chief Information Officers (CIOs) to develop a plan to adopt enterprise licensing agreements, improving negotiating power against software vendors, and reduce costs; 

·        OMB to publish a governmentwide strategy for software modernization based on the aforementioned audits and plans; and

·        Agencies to include their respective plans and performance assessments in annual budget submissions. 

This legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Reps. Dan Meuser (R-PA-09), Ed Case (D-HI-01), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Glenn Grothman (R-WI-6), Michael Guest (R-MS-03), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI-14), Mike Levin (D-CA-49), Ted Lieu (D-CA-33), ,Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Katie Porter (D-CA-45), and Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08).

Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced companion legislation in September, which advanced out of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

This legislation has received the support of the Coalition for Fair Software Licensing, the Computer & Communications Industry Association, NetChoice, and SIE Consulting Group.

“Taxpayers deserve to have their dollars used efficiently. Restrictive software licensing prevents customers, including federal agencies, from utilizing the most innovative, secure, and cost-effective software and cloud services. The result is hard-earned taxpayer dollars wasted by inflexible and opaque licensing agreements,” said Coalition for Fair Software Licensing Executive Director Ryan Triplette. “The Coalition for Fair Software Licensing applauds the introduction of The Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act in the House today by Representative Cartwright. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation demonstrates the growing momentum against restrictive software licensing practices in the U.S by establishing a process to identify IT budget redundancies and ensure that every Department and agency gets the most out of their IT spend.”

 

CASEY STATEMENT ON RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT

Senator Bob Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement on the Senate passage of the Respect for Marriage Act. 

“The right to marriage is sacred and one that should be afforded to every American. At a time when personal rights and freedoms are increasingly under attack, the Senate has taken action to protect Americans’ right to marry whom they love. I’m proud to vote for the Respect for Marriage Act and I will continue to fight for full equality for the LGBTQ community. Discrimination has no place in our country.

 

GOV. WOLF ANNOUNCES PLAN TO EXPAND BROADBAND ACROSS COMMONWEALTH

Governor Tom Wolf (Photo: LuLac archives)

Governor Tom Wolf announced that the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (Authority) released the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Statewide Broadband Plan (Plan). The Plan addresses both the immediate needs and long-term needs of Pennsylvanians.

“Broadband is as essential today as electricity and water. But there is a digital divide in Pennsylvania,” said Gov. Wolf. “This plan will ensure consistent, affordable, quality statewide broadband to keep children learning, businesses growing, and opportunities abounding for all Pennsylvanians.”

Governor Wolf signed legislation to create the Authority in December 2021. The Authority was created, through bipartisan partnership, to serve as a one stop shop for all things broadband in Pennsylvania and manage more than $100 million in federal funds, working to close Pennsylvania’s digital divide.

The Authority’s Plan to expand broadband across the commonwealth focuses on the challenges and opportunities including improving broadband service infrastructure and availability, digital equity and affordability, device and technology access, and digital literacy and technical support. With a clear picture of the current state of broadband in Pennsylvania outlined—including up to 800,000 unserved Pennsylvanians—the Plan includes actionable steps to achieve universal broadband access.

To meet this high goal, the commonwealth is committed to:

Maintaining current and accurate data on unserved and underserved populations,

Reducing obstacles to broadband deployment,

Supporting and maintaining a skilled workforce,

Ensuring devices are made available and affordable,

Ensuring multiple affordable service options are available,

Ensuring affordable options are sustainable,

Providing training so that every person can meet foundational digital literacy skills, and

Developing a technical support network.

Additional action items and commitments to addressing the core challenges facing Pennsylvania’s broadband access issues can be found in the Plan, which was unanimously approved by the Authority on November 17.

“Equal access to the internet, regardless of location or income, must be provided if Pennsylvania is to remain competitive,” said Executive Director of the Authority Brandon Carson. “Broadband access affects every area of our lives – from work, to education, to health, and safety. Closing the digital divide helps enhance our communities and fosters economic growth and innovation for all Pennsylvanians.”

Governor 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.

Gov. Wolf has served for two terms as a leader consistently at work for the people of Pennsylvania. Learn more about how his Priorities for Pennsylvania have fueled the commonwealth’s comeback, leaving Pennsylvania in a much better place than when he arrived.

MEDIA MATTERS 

 

WALN TV 

LUZERNE COUNTY MAKES NPR 

Yep, Luzerne County made NPR and national news again. The County Election board was called out for not certifying the election on Monday and then recertifying on Wednesday. The network also mentioned Arizona. TWO, TWO counties in the whole United States did not certify and Luzerne County was one of them.  Thanks to the GOP right wing Trumpanzees, we will be known as the land of idiots very soon by the national media. 

 

HAPPY 100^th ANNIVERSARY TO WEJL

  It is now known as WEJL ESPN Radio . WLAO went on the air from a building in Scranton.   It then turned intyo WRAY and then WQAN. That station was commercial free until the Scranton Times requested a broadcast license  to operate as a commercial station. In 1955 the call letters were changed to WEJL in honor of Edward J. Lynett the newspaper publisher.

The station which was a rop 40, part time talk and American Popular Standards station (when I worked there in the mid-90s) is now celebrating 100 years. We wish them and the Times tower another 100! 

 

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week's guest is Michael G. Stanton discussing next weekend's Shower for Charity.  

 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 SUNDAY NIGHT SOCK HOP 

 

1975

Our 1975 logo

Gerald R. Ford became the second U.S. president to travel to the People's Republic of China, where he met with Vice-Premier Deng Xiaoping….

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Halsted passed away. She was an American writer who worked as a newspaper editor and in public relations. Halsted also wrote two children's books published in the 1930s. She was the eldest child and only daughter of the U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt and assisted him as his advisor during World War II…..

Baseball great Nellie Fox died this week. Fox was one of the best second basemen of all time, and the third-most difficult hitter to strike out in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. Fox played in the big leagues from 1947 through 1965 and spent the majority of his career as a member of the Chicago White Sox; his career was bookended by multi-year stints for the Philadelphia Athletics and, later, the Houston Astros. He was 47 and later elected to the Hall of Fame eventually.  In his final ballot cast by baseball writers in 1985, he gained 74.7 percent of the vote, just shy of the 75 percent (traditionally baseball percentages were rounded off) required for election by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. However, in 1997, the Hall of Fame's Veterans Committee elected him. He had the required 75% of the committee's vote in 1996, but the committee was allowed to vote in only one former MLB player; Jim Bunning was inducted after receiving one more vote than Fox. Prior to his Hall of Fame election, a group of fans formed the Nellie Fox Society to promote his case for induction. The group grew to as many as 600 members, including Richard M. Daley, James R. Thompson, George Will and several former MLB players….The People's Republic of China became only the third nation to successfully conduct photographic reconnaissance from space, recovering the Fanhui Shi Weixing series spy satellite China 4, which had been launched on November 26 to take photographs…The U.S. House of Representatives voted 213–203 to rescue New York City from bankruptcy, narrowly approving a plan for $6.9 billion of short-term loans over a three-year period. Three days later, the U.S. Senate approved the measure 57–30……Laos came under full communist control, when Vientiane fell to the Pathet Lao leader, Prince Souphanouvong, as the first President of the People's Democratic Republic of Laos……Before ending a state visit to Jakarta, U.S. President Gerald R. Ford and U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger assured Indonesia's President Suharto that the United States would not interfere with his plans to invade East Timor, although both would later express surprise at the invasion and deny that Suharto had raised the subject at all. A State Department telegram, declassified 26 years later, would show that Suharto told the two that "We want your understanding if we deem it necessary to take rapid or drastic action" in East Timor, and that Ford responded "We will understand, and will not press you on the issue", and Kissinger added, "If you have made plans, we will do our best to keep everyone quiet until the President returns home.".....On "Black Saturday" during the Lebanese Civil War, the murder of four Lebanese Christians provoked the massacre of 200 Lebanese Muslims by Phalangist gunmen and this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was “That's the Way (I Like It)” by KC & the Sunshine Band.