The LuLac Edition 4,959, May 4th, 2023

 

CONVICTED

 FOUR PROUD BOYS MEMBERS FOUND GUILTY OF SEDITIOUS CONSPIRACY IN JAN. 6 TRIAL

Four members of the far-right Proud Boys organization were found guilty Thursday of seditious conspiracy in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Enrique Tarrio, Joseph Biggs, Ethan Nordean, Dominic Pezzola and Zachary Rehl each faced nine counts. All but Pezzola were found guilty on the rare charge of seditious conspiracy under a Civil War-era statute. Tarrio, Biggs, Nordean and Rehl were also found guilty of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding.

The jury reached only a partial verdict and remains split on whether Pezzola is guilty of the seditious conspiracy and conspiracy to obstruct charges. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly has instructed jurors to continue deliberating on multiple outstanding charges.

Pezzola — who was caught on video smashing in a window with a Capitol Police shield during the breach, and who admitted to his behavior on the stand — was separately charged with stealing the police shield and found guilty Thursday.

Pezzola was also found guilty of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers, while the other four defendants were acquitted on that charge.

The trial unfolded over the course of four months, with jury selection beginning in December 2022 and opening arguments starting in early January. The Proud Boys trial was the third seditious conspiracy case to go before jurors since the Capitol attack: Six members of the far-right Oath Keepers group, including founder Stewart Rhodes, were convicted on that charge across two trials in November and January.

 

TRUMP AND GOLF

This week, former United States President Donald Trump is visiting the golf courses he owns in Scotland. And while the appearance is jarring enough given that it comes amid his ongoing civil trial for rape as well as federal fraud charges, it’s also a reminder of just how much money he made from his international business while he was president.

This week, former United States President Donald Trump is visiting the golf courses he owns in Scotland. And while the appearance is jarring enough given that it comes amid his ongoing civil trial for rape as well as federal fraud charges, it’s also a reminder of just how much money he made from his international business while he was president.

According to an analysis of his tax returns by CREW, Donald Trump made up to $160 million from international business dealings while he was serving as president of the United States.

“Throughout his time in office, President Trump, his family and his Republican allies repeatedly assured the public that his refusal to divest from his businesses wouldn’t lead to any conflicts of interest. Americans were promised that Trump would donate his salary, which he did, until maybe he didn’t—all while siphoning millions from taxpayers that more than offset his presidential pay. When it came to foreign conflicts of interest, Trump and his company pledged to pause foreign business. They did not,” Rebecca Jacobs and Robert Maguire wrote for CREW.

 

BETH GILBERT’S PARTY CHANGE 

Beth Gilbert McBride (Photo: Facebook) 

The Times Leader has reported that Assistant Elections Director Beth Gilbert changed her registration to Republican. Long active in Democratic politics, Gilbert made the point that it is her right to do so because she wants personally to vote in the Republican primary. She says it’s her Constitutional right to do so and is correct. Her decision also is a prime example of why Pennsylvania, only one of 9 states who still has a closed primary needs to change that. Whether this is a onetime deal or a change in the long term, it is her decision to make.

In 2004 Arlin Specter was running against Pat Toomey in that Senate race. I had voted for Specter before, liked the way he served the state and changed my affiliation to vote for him because I knew how awful a Senator Pat Toomey would be. (I was right about that with us getting pretty much 12 years of NOTHING from him). Right after Specter secured the nomination, I changed back because my wife and I had booked a vacation to the Bahamas and if the plane went down I didn’t want to die as a Republican.

Would I do it now? Not now because of the state of the national Republican party and its regressive policies against the middle class, women and America collectively. Gilbert-McBride’s decision is her own and until we have an open primary system, who knows she just might be starting a trend. 

 

SAMMY'S  UNETHICAL ACTION?

I THINK NOT 

The Times Leader also reported that The Luzerne County District Attorney’s primary election endorsement of a county council candidate prompted Saylorsburg resident Jason Carr to file an ethics complaint against the DA on Tuesday.

DA Sam Sanguedolce said he is certain he was within his legal rights to endorse county Councilman Matthew Mitchell, who announced the endorsement Monday evening.

Carr, who lives in Monroe County but speaks out about Luzerne County because he owns properties here, cited in his complaint cover letter a section of the county ethics code that says “no covered person shall use the authority or influence of his or her office for the purpose of interfering with the result of an election.”

In the complaint attachment, which Carr also supplied, he referenced a different section of the code that says no covered person shall “use, or attempt to use, his or her position to obtain financial gain, a loan, a contract, license, privilege, or other personal advantage, either direct or indirect.”

THIS IS RICH. A photo with someone is NOT interfering with the result of an election. Sanguedolce is a Republican candidate. He ISN’T a Judge. (Well not yet anyway). He was with a Republican candidate. They are both running in the SAME election.He endorsed the other GOP Council candidates because WITHOUT POLITICS YOU CAN'T GET GOVERNMENT. Look it up!

This is an attempt by someone who just likes to be heard and seen. It is his right to do so…..but in this case, Sam or Matt getting a photo isn’t going to change the course of history or ethics the two have demonstrated consistently in their public lives. To say otherwise is an insult to their demonstrated integrity. 

TO THOSE BITCHING ABOUT THE PHOTO OF THESE TWO GUYS TOGETHER..THIS IS FOR YOU!

SAM

 

 MATT

REP. CARTWRIGHT REINTRODUCES BIPARTISAN MADE IN AMERICA ACT

LEGISLATION INTENDED TO MAKE U.S. PHARMACEUTICAL SUPPLY CHAIN LESS DEPENDENT ON CHINA AND OTHER FOREIGN ADVERSARIES

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac  archives)

Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-08), along with representatives Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA), Darren Soto (D-FL), and Carol Miller (R-WV), reintroduced a bill to make the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain less dependent on China and other foreign adversaries.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, approximately 72 percent of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) used in the U.S. drug supply are manufactured in more than 150 countries, with 13 percent coming from China alone. The U.S. is also dependent on other countries for personal protective equipment (PPE), with approximately 95 percent of surgical masks and 70 percent of tighter-fitting respirators, such as N95 masks, being made overseas.

The Manufacturing API, Drugs, and Excipients (MADE) in America Act will work to mitigate drug shortages and medical supply chain crunches while incentivizing the domestic manufacturing of drugs, API, PPE, and diagnostics.“America’s scientific community is second to none. There’s no reason we shouldn’t also lead the world in making lifesaving medicines,” said Rep. Cartwright. “As we work to revitalize our nation’s manufacturing base, this legislation will bring the production of medications Americans rely on every day back to our shores. I’m proud to be a cosponsor of the MADE In America Act and look forward to seeing more products MADE in America.”

"With China spying on Americans, threatening an invasion of Taiwan, and ignoring human rights, it is clear America cannot continue to rely on them for lifesaving medications," said Rep. Carter. "This legislation is designed to significantly reduce the advantage that foreign adversaries provide and encourage companies to maintain, expand or relocate their production activities back to the United States and its territories through a tax credit that will serve the most disadvantaged communities in our nation. We simply can no longer be dependent on our enemies for anything, especially essential medications and medical supplies. America must secure pharmaceutical independence."

“The pandemic showed us that the U.S. should lead and prioritize domestic manufacturing of drugs, API, PPE, and diagnostics. The MADE in America Act will help uplift manufacturers and provide the resources to make the process beneficial for them as well. It is encouraging to see Members from both sides of the aisle come together with a common goal to make America stronger,” said Rep. Soto.

“The success of United States supply chain can be our best asset in deterring China and other adversaries. Fixing the vulnerabilities in our supply chain bolsters domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing, enhances our national security, and lowers costs for Americans. The MADE in America Act is necessary to keep our medical supply chain competitive and promote job creation in the United States,” said Rep. Miller.

The MADE in America Act would address vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain in a very distinct way. For America's national security, the legislation incentivizes the domestic manufacturing of drugs, API, PPE, and diagnostics to make the U.S. supply chain less dependent on foreign adversaries like China. This is achieved through a new tax credit that would only apply to manufacturers operating in certain Opportunity Zones across the United States. This will work to bring manufacturing back to the United States through incentives aimed at leveling the playing field, rather than through punitive and ultimately counter-productive mandates

 

 FEDERAL SAFETY AGENCY TAKES CRITICAL STEP TO IMPLEMENT CASEY-LED STURDY ACT

CASEY’S STURDY ACT REQUIRES MANUFACTURERS TO TEST FOR STABILITY AND SAFETY BEFORE SELLING FURNITURE, PREVENTING FURNITURE TIP-OVERS RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION HAS ADOPTED SAFETY STANDARDS REQUIRED UNDER STURDY ACT, AN IMPORTANT STEP IN IMPLEMENTATION OF LAW 

Senator Bob Casey (Photo: LuLac archives) 

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is applauding the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) adoption of furniture safety standards, a critical step towards implementation of Senator Casey’s bipartisan Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth (STURDY) Act, The STURDY Act strengthens furniture safety standards to prevent furniture tip-over accidents, which cause an average of 19,400 emergency room-treated injuries each year as children are crushed, trapped, or struck by furniture, TVs, and appliances.

“For years, I have worked alongside parents and families to ensure that no one else endures the unimaginable tragedy of losing a child to a furniture tip-over,” Senator Casey said. “Now, because of my STURDY Act, manufacturers will be required by law to ensure that their furniture meets a strong, mandatory stability standard. I am proud to see the Consumer Product Safety Commission take this important step to implement the law so that families can breathe easier, knowing they can keep their children safe from tip-overs.”

This legislation changes the stability standard for manufacturers of dressers and other clothing storage units from voluntary to mandatory—requiring companies to ensure their products are tested for safety and stability before being sold. The CPSC’s adoption of the rule means that furniture manufacturers now have 120 days to become compliant with STURDY’s mandatory standard.

The STURDY Act has the support of a robust coalition of organizations, including consumer groups and Parents Against Tip-overs, and manufacturers and retailers like IKEA, the American Home Furnishings Alliance, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Room & Board, Crate & Barrel, and Williams-Sonoma.

 

SENATE CONFIRMS GOVERNOR SHAPIRO’S NOMINEES TO LEAD THE DEPARTMENTS OF AGING, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TRANSPORTATION

SECRETARIES JASON KAVULICH, RICK SIGER, AND MIKE CARROLL WERE CONFIRMED UNANIMOUSLY, REFLECTING OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR GOVERNOR SHAPIRO’S NOMINEES

the Senate confirmed three of Governor Josh Shapiro’s cabinet nominations: Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich, Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger, and Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll.

Building on a long career in human services, Secretary Kavulich has led the Department of Aging in developing user-friendly materials to help older adults navigate the end of the public health emergency, which greatly impacts those enrolled in Medicaid and SNAP. Under Secretary Kavulich’s leadership, PDA has further helped seniors maintain access to other food and health insurance resources, developed and advocated for the expansion of the Senior Center Community grant program, and led the planning and coordination process for developing a Master Plan for Aging and Disabilities to help Pennsylvania transform the infrastructure and coordination of services for older adult and disabled populations.

Secretary Siger has led a career in public service with previous roles in the Obama Administration and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Secretary Siger has overseen expansion projects for EMD Electronics, Prysmian Group North America, and Re:Build Manufacturing that will collectively generate $403.5 million in investments, create at least 615 new jobs, and retain 696 existing jobs statewide. Under Secretary Siger’s leadership, the DCED has approved the exits of Franklin Borough, Mahanoy City, and Johnstown from Act 47 and approved more than $24 million in loans through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority to spur business growth in 12 counties and create and retain more than 830 total jobs.

Secretary Carroll previously served as Chairman of the House Transportation Committee from 2018 to 2022. Under his direction, the Department of Transportation has fixed more than 270 miles of Pennsylvania roads, put out more than 201 bridge repair projects to bid, and made over 20 driver licensing and motor vehicle forms are now available for electronic submission to provide faster and more efficient customer service to Pennsylvania residents.

Secretary Kavulich, Secretary Siger, and Secretary Carroll have each helped to make their agencies more efficient since assuming their roles and will continue to lead their departments’ efforts to make Pennsylvania a national leader in senior care, economic development, and transportation.

 

“A BIG DAY” AND “A VERY GOOD FIRST START:” GOVERNOR SHAPIRO SIGNS LANDMARK, BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE BREAST CANCER SCREENINGS FOR FREE AS FIRST BILL

, Governor Josh Shapiro signed the first bill of his Administration – Act 1 of 2023, a first-of-its-kind law in the nation that will require insurers to cover preventive breast and ovarian cancer screenings for high-risk women at no cost.

Act 1 removes out-of-pocket costs associated with genetic testing for hereditary breast, ovarian, prostate and other cancer syndromes – as well as supplemental breast screenings for women with a high lifetime risk of breast cancer – and ensures this critical healthcare will be accessible and affordable for more Pennsylvanians and save countless lives.

This landmark legislation, introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, passed both the House and the Senate unanimously, and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle joined Governor Shapiro and breast cancer survivors and advocates as he signed the bill into law.

Governor Shapiro is focused on bringing people together to deliver solutions on the pressing issues Pennsylvanians face. Act 1 exemplifies the progress that can be achieved in Harrisburg – and the Shapiro Administration looks forward to continuing this bipartisan cooperation in order to deliver real results for all Pennsylvanians.

 

MEDIA MATTERS

BIDEN HITS A HOME RUN AT CORRESPONDENT’S DINNER

President Biden scored big at the White House correspondent’s dinner. Here’s a sampling but one thought here. For those who say he is senile or lost a step, he proved he was spot on that night. 

 

MID DAY MUSSOLINI ALIENATES HALF OF HIS AUDIENCE

WILK’s Bob Cordaro’s promos are so strident that it is feared he is alienating would be listeners who happen to be Democrats.  By promoting his show saying that just by being a Democrat you are joining Joe Biden in destroying this country is divisive and unpatriotic. Just because someone supports a President trying to help the middle class with programs that are evidence based does not mean they hate America. Plus theee was nary a word when the GOP was raising the deficit by  helping the 1% of the rich in this country.

God bless the sales people who have to sell time on his show. Cordaro’s antics are just bad for business. I’m told that many businesses are shying away from his day part. 

 

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 SUNDAY NIGHT SOCK HOP

 

1954

Our 1954 logo.

Pakistan and the United States sign a Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement……Charles Ives, an American composer dies at the age of 79 Chiang Kai-shek is reelected as the preside nt of the Republic of China by the National Assembly…….  

 The 1954 Giro d'Italia cycle race begins in Palermo, continuing until 13 June.[40] Favourite Fausto Coppi and his team win the team time trial on the first day…..: Chief Bender, 70, Native American baseball player (Philadelphia Athletics) and a member of the MLB Hall of Fame (prostate cancer)…. In a friendly international at the Nepstadion in Budapest, the Hungary national football team defeat England by 7 goals to 1. Sándor Kocsis and Ferenc Puskás are among Hungary's goal scorers in what remains England's worst defeat of all time…..A fire on board the Navy Aitcraft carrier   USS Bennington  off , Mass,kills 103 sailors and injures many others.  The first tropical storm of the 1954 Atlantic Hurricane season  forms over Florida…and 69 years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Such A Night” by Johnnie Ray.