The LuLac Edition #4, 862, December 8th, 2022

 "BUT TRUMP’S A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS MAN DAVE!!!!!"

When Donald Trump was running against Hillary, so many people said that even though Trump was unsettling to them, they’d answer “but Trump’s a successful businessman, Dave!”

When Trump was governing badly and deep in their hearts they knew he was unprepared, they would say “but Trump’s a successful businessman, Dave”

When Trump was running against Joe Biden and screwing up the pandemic response, I’d hear, “but Trump’s a successful businessman, Dave”.

Well he was successfully corrupt. That’s been decided by a jury that this successful businessman's company was convicted of tax fraud Tuesday for helping executives dodge taxes on extravagant perks such as Manhattan apartments and luxury cars, a repudiation of financial practices at the former president’s business as he mounts another run for the White House. A jury found two corporate entities at the Trump Organization guilty on all 17 counts, including charges of conspiracy and falsifying business records. Trump himself was not on trial. The verdict in state court in New York came after about 10 hours of deliberations over two days.

When his tax records are released, the full expose of Trump's "successful" career will be revealed as a colossal fraud.  

 

THE WARNOCK VICTORY

(Photo: New York Magazine) 

The victory of Reverend Warnock in Georgia is a boost for the Democratic party as well as the country. For the first time since 1934 when FDR was President, no incumbent Senator lost their election. 

That’s an 88 year record. It was broken Tuesday!

This will be Warnock's first full six-year term. In his victory speech, he noted his "hard-fought campaign" and said "the people have the outcome and say that there's no voter suppression in Georgia," Warnock said. "Let me be clear. Just because people endured long lines, that wrapped around buildings, some blocks long, just because they endured the rain and cold and tricks in order to vote, doesn't mean voter suppression does not exist. It means that you the people have decided that your voices will not be silenced."

This win means there will be no power sharing on committees, the need for Vice President Harris to not be the tie breaker unless Manchin and Sinema stray again, have the Dems with a true majority to get things done in a two year window and because the 2024 race will have a lot of Democratic seats to be defended.    

"The people have spoken" declared the winner. Yes indeed Raphael! Yes indeed! 

 

 

COUNTY COUNCIL LOOKS AT ELECTION BOARD MEMBER

The Luzerne County Council did not fire Election board member Alyssa Fusaro off the committee but instead are doing an investigation of their own. Fusaro is accused of interfering in Election employees activities and just making a pest of herself. An avowed Trumpist, she reportedly warned Council members upon the taking the majority of the Council earlier this year “that a red wave was coming and the Council needed to be Trump Republicans not traditional ones. " (I'm paraphrasing here) 

She was reminded by party officials that it was money from traditional Republicans who got that majority. Most likely the entire GOP council majority will give her a pass but it is worth noting that the last thing they needed upon victory last year was a lecture about a red wave from a person who is supposed to be non partisan in that Election board petition. Last summer she canvassed certain government buildings with invites to the Randy Robertson welcome when she identified it as a political and not county event. That violated the Hatch Act. 

HERSCHEL WALKER’S CONCESSION

A word about Herschel Walker’s concession speech. The much maligned candidate was graceful, (even though he did not technically make a concession) and was way better than the Trumpanzees who still cling to the fact they  lost the election like Lying Crying, Bingo Baby  Jim Bognet and that Lake woman from Arizona.

 

CARTWRIGHT STATEMENT ON BEING ELECTED TO POWERFUL STEERING AND POLICY COMMITTEE

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)

On Tuesday, Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-08) issued the following statement after being elected to serve on the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, representing Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky.

This will be Cartwright’s fourth consecutive, two-year term on the influential committee that shapes and implements the party’s agenda, advises the Caucus on important issues, and assigns members to committees.

“I am humbled and honored to be elected to the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee where I will continue to bring my perspective to the senior leadership team in the U.S. House of Representatives.

I look forward to working closely with my Democratic colleagues and our party’s new leadership team while reaching across the aisle to help shape a national agenda that strengthens America’s middle class, protects seniors, and supports our nation’s veterans and military families.”

First appointed to the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee in 2016, Rep. Cartwright currently serves as Co-Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee and is a senior member of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations; Chair of the Commerce-Justice-Science Subcommittee; Vice Chair of the Financial Services & General Government Subcommittee; and a member of the Interior & Environment Appropriations Subcommittee.

As a federal legislator, he has introduced more than 150 bipartisan bills, the most of any Democratic member of Congress during his tenure.

Also on Tuesday, Rep. Cartwright congratulated Rep. Abigail Spanberger on being elected Battleground Leader for the Democratic Caucus. 

“I look forward to working together and offer my full support to help strengthen and promote her efforts,” he said.

 

 CASEY STATEMENT ON SENATE VOTE FOR PAID SICK DAYS FOR RAIL WORKERS

Senator Bob Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)

U.S. Senator Bob Casey  released the following statement on the Senate vote to provide paid sick days to rail workers:

“The tentative agreement brokered by President Biden and Secretary Walsh makes meaningful improvements in the lives of railway workers. It’s a good start, but it’s not enough. These workers have zero paid sick days and can be penalized, or even fired, for taking time off when they get sick. We lauded these essential workers as heroes for risking and losing their lives in the early stages of the pandemic. They deserve the right to take time off when they’re sick without loss of pay and without fear of retribution. I challenge my Republican colleagues to vote today to provide seven days of paid sick leave to these workers.

“For years, rail companies have systematically squeezed their workers until they now lack the basic benefits afforded to workers in other industries. Many rail workers have struggled with unpredictable and inflexible schedules, stagnant wages, and unsafe working conditions. At the same time, these corporations are making record profits. Make no mistake, we are in this situation because of corporate gluttony and rail corporations choosing profits over their workers.”

 

GOVERNOR AND FIRST LADY WOLF WELCOME THE HOLIDAYS TO THE CAPITOL

Governor Tom Wolf  and First Lady Frances (Photo: LuLac archives)

Governor Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf ushered in the 2022 holiday season at the Capitol in Harrisburg with the 2022 Tree Lighting Ceremony.

“Each year, this ceremony reminds me of the common bonds we share across humanity,” said Gov. Wolf. “During this holiday season, let us celebrate and strengthen those bonds by reaching out to those in need, by sharing what we have with others, and by extending our kindness beyond our friends and families to strangers and acquaintances who we know to be different than us. Pennsylvanians will celebrate many holidays over the next several months. No matter which holiday you celebrate, I wish every Pennsylvanian a very happy holiday season.“

The tree is a 20-foot Douglas Fir from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Carbon County. It is decorated with more than 900 LED lights and more than 700 handmade ornaments donated by students and seniors throughout the commonwealth coordinated by Pre-K for PA and the Department of Aging.

The governor and first lady were joined by Department of General Services Acting Secretary Joe Lee and Bishop Audrey Scanlan of the Central Pennsylvania Episcopal Diocese. The Central Dauphin High School Choir performed several Christmas carols and Santa Claus made an appearance.

In addition to the Rotunda Tree, there is a 20-foot Douglas fir – also from Crystal Spring Tree Farm – outside on the Capitol steps.

The Rotunda tree will be lit daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., while the Capitol Steps tree will be lit daily from 5 p.m. to midnight through January 6, 2022.

 

 

MEDIA MATTERS 

 

BOB LOFTUS

On Sunday the Citizens’ Voice ran a story about Bob Loftus, a long time successful radio personality and Account Executive at WNEP. His death made national news when he was identified as the man who jumped from a 12^th floor window in New York. It was later revealed that it was Loftus. When I heard the news, all I heard was that he had died. That was a week when a few prominent locals like Attorney John Moses and CEO’s Gene Brady died so I chalked it up to “natural causes”. It wasn’t until I read the paper of the reason for his death. Suicide.

I struggle with this story because even though I am a fierce defender of a  n open, free press, I wonder if this deserved front page news. On the one hand, this story was well documented ad was compelling. It made the point that schemes like Ponzi’s still exist. But I wonder if the listing of the friends he borrowed from and the amounts were warranted. I mean his death closed the cases and what would be accomplished fpr his bad acts to be dragged through the mud along wth his family’s pain.

It was a good story but a tough one. I still don’t know where I land on this. I’m between congrats on good reporting but feeling pain for an aggrieved family.

If he weren’t a deejay would it be page 1? Not sure. Tough call, glad I didn’t have to make it.

 

WALN TV 

 

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM 

 

This weeks' guest is Donna Sedor, President and CEO of Telespond Senior Services.  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

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The British policy of "preventive detention" without trial was ended. Beginning on August 9, 1971, any person in Northern Ireland who was suspected of terrorism could be arrested and kept in prison indefinitely. During the more than four years of detention, 1,874 of the 1,981 detainees were Roman Catholic, and only 107 were Protestant….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….Nine days after East Timor was declared independent of Portugal, Indonesian ships brought in an invasion force for a forcible annexation of the territory. The invasion had been delayed by the visit of U.S. President Ford to Indonesia, and took place hours after Ford departed from Jakarta. At 5:00 am local time, "Operasi Seroja" began. Indonesian planes flew over the Timorese capital at Dili and began dropping paratroopers, with 10,000 Indonesian troops arriving as conquerors. Those Timorese residents who didn't flee to nearby Remexio were soon the victims of "savage and indiscriminate murder, rape, torture and pillage"with hundreds killed in the first day of the attack. At the same time, Indonesian warships shelled the city and while airplanes bombed the interior, according to Martinho da Costa Lopes, the Roman Catholic bishop in Dili…

 Thornton Wilder, died at the age of 78, he of American novelist (The Bridge of San Luis Rey) and playwright (Our Town) fame…John S. Knight III, 30, American newspaper publishing heir and an editor of the Philadelphia Daily News, was stabbed to death by three burglars in a home invasion. One of the suspects murdered his accomplice the next day, and would receive two life sentences after being convicted of both crimes, while the third suspect would plead guilty to aiding the murder, and would receive a life sentence….

Pope Paul VI issued the apostolic exhortation Evangelii nuntiandi ("On Evangelization in the Modern World"), exactly ten years after the December 8, 1965 close of the Second Vatican Council…The United Nations General Assmbly voted to approve the Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons[28] and the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Being Subjected to Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.[citation needed]..Nationally syndicated newspaper columnist and radio commentator Jeffrey St. John said in a debate, on the TV show Good Morning, America, that he had confirmed, with "one close, personal friend" of U.S. President Ford shared  "some very disturbing rumors  that the President has a drinking problem". Deputy .White House Press Secretary William Greener responded later in the day that St. John's claims were something that he "would not even dignify with a comment"

Dave Kopay, former running back for six different NFL teams, became the first pro football player to admit that he was gay. Kopay called Washington Star reporter Lynn Rosellini the day that her report, "Homosexuals in Sports/Why Gay Athletes Have Everything to Lose", came out in the Tuesday newspaper….The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) was formed by 44 African-American news professionals at a meeting in Washington, D.C……Rob Muldoon was sworn in as the 31st Prime Minister of New Zealand……In the first opinion poll taken since former California Governor Ronald Reagan had announced that he would run against President Ford for the Republican Party nomination, Gallup Poll respondents favored Reagan, 40% to 32%. In the survey taken in October, before Reagan's entry into the race, Ford had had a 48% to 25% lead and this week in 1975 the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Sky High”  by Jigsaw.