The LuLac Edition #4, 978, June 15th, 2023

 

LUZERNE COUNTY REPUBLICANS DEFEND TRUMP

SHOCKER!

  Our friend Steve McCarsky from the Voice did a story on local Trump supports who said their piece on the second but surely not last Trump  indictment. Here’s what they had to say and my retorts:

Lynette Villano: “I wasn’t following it too much, truthfully. But, it’s unbelievable what’s happening in this county. I’ll let it play out, but I’m still supporting him, as I know a lot of people are.

ME: Truthfully? You were following the travails your guy faced? Jesus I would think you’d arrange a go fund me page for his bail. And you never answered the question about what is unbelievable in this country. A President in power now who actually works for the people and gets stuff done with your party when your lord and savior did nothing for people in our age and income bracket?

LOU BARLETTA: I’m defending any actions he took; I’m saying what America is seeing is a double standard … when it comes to going after Donald Trump.

ME: Nope, when a person commits a crime, RIGHT OUT THERE IN PUBLIC, the standard is your investigate and then charge.

“How many times did they impeach him?

ME: Twice. One for trying to bribe a foreign leader involved in a war to save his country and second for inciting an insurrection where over 1,000 PEOPE WERE ARREST AND CONVICTED.

How many times did they go after him?

ME: Only he could count the way because he did the deeds. You think the country wanted this SHIT?

But yet, at the same time, when people like Hillary Clinton walk away after destroying 30,000 emails from her server,

ME: HRC’s e mails WERE NOT CLASSIFIED back them. Your boy changed that, ain’t that irony?

when there’s evidence that millions of dollars from foreign countries went to the Biden family, how will American people ever have faith in our justice system again?

ME: Now you’re going all Bognet on us, PROVE IT. Your GOP Congress COULDN’T. Your GOP run FBI under Trump couldn’t. The America people, the ones who think will always have faith  in justice but know when a crime is a real crime.When a guy does it to himself, they'll know. Especially when he confesses through the media by not doing what a normal defendant does: SHUT THE **CK UP! 

One more thing Lou. How can you even say anything remotely nice about Trump who got you into the 2018 Senate race, promised you a lot of money and then hung you out to dry? WAIT, IT DOESN'T STOP THERE. You run for Governor, as a former Congressman and with a reasonable record, you might have won against Shapiro. But who does he endorse? Mastriano, **cking Mastriano. Love ya Lou but you got screwed twice by this guy and you're talking about justice! My God man, have a little  revenge in your heart for this idiot.

BOB BOLUS: “I’m still a supporter, without question. We had two trailers, I intended to send both to Florida (for Trump’s arraignment), but we couldn’t get them there in time.

ME: Yeah I bet he was heart broken about that!

“It’s a joke. Dirty judges, dirty lawyers and definitely dirty cops. I know how it is to be set up. …

ME: LOL. Hey Bob gonna tell us Jesus and the Apostles were dirty too? You NEVER DISAPPOINT.

Hillary is still walking around, Hunter Biden is still walking around and other scumbags are still walking around.

ME: Still have a boner for Hillary huh Bob?

But, Trump will win in the end, there’s no doubt in my mind. I have no doubt he’ll be president again.”

ME: President of one of his cell blocks. Perhaps you and Scavo can do a caravan to Allen-wood.

P.J. Pribula: “If all the charges are correct, it’s troubling. However, the country’s become polarized.

ME: You bet but the guy who divided the nation was Trump. Two days after he won there were demonstrations. Who did that?

Joe Biden has had similar issues, Hillary Clinton has had similar issues.

ME: Apples and watermelons bud.

It seems to me it’s the Republican who will bear the brunt of being scrutinized, whether he did right or wrong.

ME: I guess you forgot about the 7 hearings on Benghazi for Hillary. Run by the GOP who cme up with nothing.

“I don’t care what side of the bench you’re on. It doesn’t appear justice is being handed out equally. There is a two-tiered justice system and it seems justice isn’t being doled out in the same manner.”

ME: You are correct about that. The two tiered justice system affects you and me. If we had those documents, thumbed our noses at a subpoena and never gave them back, our wives would be visiting us up the river.  

 

ELECTION PAPER SNAFU JUST THAT….NO ILLEGALITIES SAYS DA

 

 The Citizens’ Voice reports that the ballot paper shortage in Luzerne County’s general election last November stemmed from human error, not a crime, District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce concluded following an investigation. Sanguedolce issued a report of the findings of that months-long investigation on Wednesday.

The report concludes that “the investigation … did not uncover evidence of criminal intent or activity as to any of the complaints received.” “The evidence shows that the failure to provide paper to the polling places was not a deliberate act, but rather a catastrophic oversight,” the report states.

During a press conference Wednesday at the county courthouse, Sanguedolce said his investigators found no evidence of a conspiracy or bias in favor of any political party, or any evidence that voting machines had been tampered with.

The bottom line here is right wing Trumpanzees in the County want to tear down everything and suspect everybody. They have a 10 seats on the County Council and are so aligned with the national party it is sickening. What they put the leadership of the Election team through was a disgrace. 

Then top top it off, they took the DA away from his real job, FIGHTING REAL CRIME and not imaginary fantasy crimes. Some of these conspiracy junkies  must get a boner just thinking this stuff up. Was it mistake? Yeah but the GOP took it to the highest degree even bringing in their national slime balls from the impotent GOP controlled Congress.  And I can help put think there were some male members on County Council who just salivated at the opportunity to make three new female employees look bad. Just saying!

Inexperience and a lack of training among election workers and managers played a large role in the problems in the Nov. 8 election, he said.

The report notes that then-acting Election Director Beth Gilbert and then-acting Deputy Director Emily Cook had little or no experience running an election. The same was true for the county administrators who supervised the election bureau — administrative services division head Jennifer Pecora and then-county Manager Randy Robertson — the report states.

Robertson started work on June 13, Gilbert started work as deputy election director on July 15 and Pecora started work on Sept. 2. Cook was hired as an administrative assistant in the election bureau in September 2021 and was promoted to operations manager in March 2022. Robertson appointed Cook and Gilbert as acting deputy director and acting director, respectively, in September 2022.

You run an election with essentially three new hires. The previous director spoke at The League of Women Voters annual meeting in May of 2022. He gave NO INDICATION he was going to leave. One aspect the DA missed in his conclusions was this: You can sure point out constructive criticism to the new team but YOU CAN’T BLAME THEM.

When will the 10 member majority of Republicans understand THAT THEIR DECISIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES? It all goes back to Lying Crying Brian Thornton, his lackeys Urban and the other clown from West Pittston who decided not to hire then acting manager Crocamo in the first place. That decision set in motion more than anything else the paper issue. (LuLac, Citizens' Voice) 

 

LUZERNE DEMS MEET FOR SUMMER EVENT

A great evening at The River Grille where the Luzerne County Democrats met. Here's a few people that came out. 

Three guys on the town? Tom Thomas M. Shubilla and Adam Ciechoski with me.

Four of my favorite people, Wilkes Barre City Councilman Mike Belusko, District A Betty Jane Betty Jane Barrett, Bill Barrett Councilman in District D and Tim McGinlery Luzerne County Council icon.

Cindy Malkemes and I might be blue Democrats, but we love our red eye wear.

Sitting with Rob and Lisa Sliikler who kept an eye on me for the night.

Then of course there was this photo with state representative Jared Solomon who is running for state Attorney General next year with two of my favorite Dems Eddie Day Pashinski and Mike James Haddock.

REP. MATT CARTWRIGHT REINTRODUCES SENIOR LEGAL HOTLINE ACT

BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL LEGISLATION TO BOOST LEGAL SERVICES FOR AT-RISK SENIORS

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)

 In honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) reintroduced the Senior Legal Hotline Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will boost federal funding for senior legal hotlines that help protect older Americans from scams and offer services for an assortment of other legal issues.

An identical version of this legislation was also introduced today in the Senate by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT).

“Our seniors are highly vulnerable. Many can’t afford legal assistance or don’t know where to look for help, especially folks with low incomes,” said Rep. Cartwright. “Unfortunately, this means they are also disproportionately targeted by scammers. This bipartisan legislation will protect older Americans in Northeastern Pennsylvania and nationwide from getting scammed out of their hard-earned savings while expanding their access to vital legal services.”

Senior legal hotlines provide older adults access to free legal information, advice and referrals on a host of topics, including health care questions, finances, housing issues and landlord disputes, income maintenance and disability. However, due to lack of resources, many hotlines are no longer operational or have scaled back their hours.

The Senior Legal Hotline Act would authorize the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living to create a competitive grant program to support organizations that operate senior legal hotlines. The proposed grant program would be authorized at $10 million per year for five years.

“In order to help older Americans who are the targets of scams or are navigating legal challenges, we must ensure they have easy access to legal assistance that meets their needs,” said Senator Bob Casey, Chairman of the Special Committee on Aging. “This bipartisan bill will support hotlines that provide legal services to older adults who may have nowhere else to turn.”

The bill will provide resources to:

Ensure older adults are provided access to statewide hotlines staffed with appropriately trained attorneys, paralegals and other staff members

Ensure older adults are provided access to a robust network of support and referral services, including aging organizations, legal aid agencies and private attorneys providing pro bono legal services

Allow hotlines to employ a variety of technologies, such as video conference systems, web-based platforms or e-mail to deliver legal assistance to older adults

Senior scams, which can include harassing robocalls, phony sweepstakes notices and phone calls impersonating the government, cost older Americans more than $36 billion a year, reports the National Council on Aging.  According to a 2022 Legal Services Corporation report, 70% of senior households had at least one civil legal problem in the past year with low-income, older Americans receiving inadequate or no professional legal help. 

“Seniors are one of the most vulnerable populations in our society, and too many are victims of scams and misinformation schemes,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick, (R-PA),  a co-sponsor of the bill. “I’m proud to continue my partnership with Congressman Cartwright on the bipartisan Senior Legal Hotline Act to ensure that our nation’s seniors are further protected from exploitation.”

Additional cosponsors in the House include Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Andre Carson (D-IN), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Josh Harder (D-CA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Eleanor Norton (D-D.C.), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Dina Titus (D-NV), Jill Tokuda (D-HI) and Susan Wild (D-PA).

This legislation has also received the support of the American Bar Association, Connecticut Legal Services, Inc., Elder Justice Coalition, National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA), National Association of Senior Legal Hotlines, National Association of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs, SeniorLAW Center, and Vermont Legal Aid, Inc.

 

CASEY, FETTERMAN, BOYLE ANNOUNCE $3 MILLION IN EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR I-95 COLLAPSE

Senators Fetterman and Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)

U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA-2) announced that the Federal Highway Administration approved $3,000,000 in Emergency Relief for Federal-Aid Highways (ERFA) Quick Release funding to PennDOT for repairs associated with the I-95 collapse in Northeast Philadelphia on June 11, 2023. The funding can be used for emergency repairs needed to restore essential traffic and other preliminary work. A final estimate of reconstruction has not been released by PennDOT.

Senator Casey, Senator Fetterman, and Congressman Boyle released the following statement:

“Every level of government has a role to play in the reconstruction of I-95. We’re committed to ensuring the federal government does its part to support a swift reconstruction. This emergency funding is a strong start to restore essential traffic and begin the process of rebuilding I-95 and we’ll keep pushing the Department of Transportation to provide Philadelphia with the resources it needs.”

Senator Casey and Congressman Boyle toured the disaster site on Monday, June 12 and were briefed alongside the Federal Highway Administration officials on cleanup and reconstruction efforts. Casey, Fetterman, and Boyle have committed to bringing home as much federal resources as possible to repair I-95 quickly.

 

GOVERNOR SHAPIRO, PENNDOT, LOCAL, AND FEDERAL PARTNERS ANNOUNCE I-95 RECONSTRUCTION PLAN TO SAFELY AND QUICKLY REOPEN ROADWAY 

Governor Josh Shapiro (Photo: LuLac archives)

ay, Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Mike Carroll, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, U.S. Department of Transportation Under Secretary for Policy Carlos Monje, Ryan Boyer from the Philadelphia Building Trades Council, and contractors announced that the demolition of the damaged section of I-95 is expected to be complete on Thursday – well ahead of schedule – and that the Administration, engineers, and contractors have developed a plan to safely and quickly reopen the roadway.

In consultation with federal engineers from the Federal Highway Administration, PennDOT has hired a contractor – Philadelphia based contractor Buckley & Company – to backfill the gap in the roadway so that it can be paved over and reopened safely and as quickly as possible. Once complete, cars and trucks can return to this portion of I-95 as crews work to rebuild a permanent bridge while keeping six lanes of traffic flowing at all times. 

A live feed is being set up and will operate 24/7 so the public can watch the rebuilding process in real-time. That live feed will be publicly available later this week.

“When I visited this site just a few hours after the fire and collapse on Sunday, I made it clear that my Administration would lead a coordinated response to reopen I-95 safely and as efficiently as possible,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “Getting I-95 repaired and reopened is our top priority – and we are working our tails off. Under the leadership of Secretary Carroll, and with the support of our federal and local partners and the talented trades workers right here in Philadelphia, we are moving full steam ahead. Government is working for the good people of Pennsylvania. We have a lot do to, and together, we will get this done.” 

As Governor Shapiro has repeatedly made clear, his Administration is all hands on deck to complete this project. For example, on Thursday, the Pennsylvania State Police will escort trucks carrying the backfill material – a specially-designed, Pennsylvania-made glass aggregate – from Delaware County up I-95 to the site to make sure those trucks arrive as quickly as possible. 

“There has been tremendous amounts of work occurring with people that are very talented and engineers that are able to design a forward-looking structure that meets the immediate needs of this community, this city, while also making sure that we have a structure that will serve the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for decades,” said Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Mike Carroll. 

Governor Shapiro and Secretary Carroll have been in regular communication with President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg – who have pledged the full support of the federal government to provide the Commonwealth with the resources it needs to repair I-95. 

“Our Highway Administration has released $3 million to support PennDOT’s traffic mitigation efforts, the demolition of the damaged structure that you see behind us, and the emergency repairs necessary to restore this essential traffic,” said U.S. Department of Transportation Under Secretary for Policy Carlos Monje. “I’d like to commend Governor Shapiro and Secretary Carroll for their flawless response and I’m really honored to be here with the working folks and the union members who are behind us.” 

The Shapiro Administration has also been in regular contact with Mayor Kenney and other local and state leaders to ensure the Philadelphia community has the resources it needs as crews work to reopen the roadways. 

“I want to thank the Governor and all the state and federal partners who have joined us in Philadelphia this week to assess and begin to address the impact of the I-95 collapse,” said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. “I’m very grateful for the immediate coordinated response by state and local partners who worked quickly and around the clock to create detours and supports for commuters, travelers, residents and local businesses affected by the disaster.”

PennDOT employees and contractors have been working 24/7 since Sunday to complete demolition and begin the repair. Buckley & Company will deliver fill material from Delaware County to the site on Thursday to fill in the damaged area in order to rebuild the new section of road on top. Abbonizio Contractors was hired to handle the demolition and is expected to have the demolition completed on Thursday.   

“We are the Philadelphia Building Trades – we work safe, we work hard, and for this, we want to work around the clock,” said Philadelphia Building Trades Council Business Manager Ryan Boyer. “I want to thank the federal response, the local response and the state response. We have the right team here. We will make sure that this is done as quickly and as cleanly as possible.” 

On Monday, Governor Shapiro signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency, allowing the Commonwealth to immediately draw down federal funds and move quickly to begin the repair and reconstruction process. Lieutenant Governor Davis led a required meeting of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council on Tuesday to review the proclamation, which will remain in effect for 21 days unless extended by the legislature. 

 

MEDIA MATTERS 

 

SUE HENRY SUBS FOR THE "DOO WAH DOO WAH DO WAH DITTY, THE BOY FROM NEW YORK CITY"

Our friend Sue Henry was on the airwaves of WILK filling in for Rob Donnelly. I was getting out of my work clothes when I heard her mention my name as one of the people who got a write in vote for District Attorney of Luzerne County. A few friends called earlier in the week to apprise me of my election day notoriety. 

I sure did not expect to beat out the incumbent DA but I thought I'd poll better than this guy!

 

WALN TV 

 

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

 
This week's guest is Alan K. Stout, co-producer of the documentary "Agnes".  You'll hear the program Sunday at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6;30 on The Mothership 1400am; and 7:30 on 105 The River.

 

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SUNDAY NIGHT SOCK HOP 

 

1954

Our 1954 logo

 

A CIA-engineered military coup occurs in Guatemala. Democratically elected President of Guatemala Jacobo Árbenz was ousted and the military dictatorship of Carlos Castillo Armas took power……Pierre Mendès France is elected prime minister of France, and immediately begins negotiations to end the Indochina war……A number of homes are destroyed when a 5.3 magnitude earthquake strikes Anhui Province, China. A few homes were destroyed…. Ticino, a Swissair Convair CV-240 runs out of fuel and is ditched in the English Channel off Folkestone, Kent, UK. Three of the nine people on board are killed as a result of there being no lifejackets on board and the air crew (who are subsequently dismissed) failing to assist them.[31]A Mexican Air Force Douglas C-47 Skytrain crashes into a mountainside near Ixtlahuaca, Mexico, killing all 22 people aboard…..The US Open golf championship is won by Ed Furgol…….Lou Pearlman, American music producer and fraudster, in Flushing, New York (died 2016. He was the person behind many successful 1990s boy bands, having formed and funded the Backstreet Boys. After their massive success, he then developed NSYNC. In 2006, he was accused of running one of the largest and longest-running Ponzi schemes in United States history, leaving more than $300 million in debts. After being apprehended, he pled guilty to conspiracy, money laundering, and making false statements during a bankruptcy proceeding. In 2008, Pearlman was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He died in federal custody in 2016…..The 1954 Copa del Generalísimo, Spain's football cup tournament, is won by Valencia CF for the third time……The Belgian Grand Prix is held at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and is won by Juan Manuel Fangio and the number one song in LuLac land and America 69 years ago was “Till Then” by the Hilltoppers.