The LuLac Edition #5,000, October 5th, 2023
5,000 EDITIONS OF LULAC
We have been hovering around this number for the last month because I felt LuLac was at a crossroads. There was an investigation into doing a Podcast, we looked into buying equipment and setting up a promotional network but felt we’d reach more people this way in continuing LuLac. In August we had 34,000 page views and knew we’d have to start over with a podcast. Plus it seems like everybody and his brother has a podcast.
When we started LuLac in 2006 our goal was to provide political commentary replacing the opinion pieces that were in the local newspapers. The late Bill Griffith from the Times Leader and Carl Romanelli Senior at the Citizens’ Voice provided that service. My goal was to keep a historical internet record of the early part of this century. They say the internet is forever and when people look back on this time years from now, I hope they’ll see the challenges we faced locally, statewide and in America.
We covered 5 Presidential elections, 5 for Governor.
A total transition of government in Luzerne County.
Judicial scandals in Luzerne County, corruption cases in Lackawanna.
One of the things I love doing is profiles on those people who served before the age of the internet. If you google some of the names, there is little information on them. So, we published profiles about public servants so their heirs could see what their relative did. For those surviving family members that didn’t want them published, we gifted the families with a copy of what we wrote.
We’ve changed [philosophically too. By 2016 I felt the country was on a sane path and was going to end LuLac and do a large men’s fashion blog. But then Trump happened and I was on TV the next morning wishing the guy luck. But that soon disappeared by his behavior.
We are no longer middle of the road because there are so many people willing to accept lies as truth. Everybody has their right to an opinion, even if it defies proof and logic but they are not entitled to their own alternate reality.
When 1100 people are charged with storming the capitol on January 6th your alternate reality isn’t that they were just visitors.
When your candidate loses and you hate the guy who won your alternate realty isn’t that he lost and therefore is illegitimate.
When President # 46 has had more legislation to help America
your alternate reality shouldn’t be he’s done nothing.Or is too old, feeble and weak.
When President #45 is indicted 4 times, has had his businesses in New York shut down for fraud your alternate reality can’t be that he’s being picked on.
When you make excuses for crimes that are right there in front of your face…..threats that are made in public to Generals…….that is a reality that weakens the nation.
We’re at a crossroads and we were going to stop at 5,000,
that’s a nice even number but we’re going to keep going because there is too
much at stake locally, statewide and nationally. As long as we have loudmouths
insulting people who disagree with them and confederate and nazi flags for sale
in Luzerne County, our work isn’t done.
6th DISTRICT DEMS TO HOLD TRIVIA NIGHT
.JPG)
The 6th District Democratic party of Wilkes-Barre will be hosting a Trivia Night on Wednesday October 18th starting at PM at Rodano’s on Public Square. The event starts at 7pm and tournament admission is $20.00. Cash prizes available as well as questions from Trivia expert Pop Daddy. Since it is close to Halloween, costumes are welcome.
CARTWRIGHT RELEASES STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN
Today, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright released the following statement on the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein of California:
“Senator Dianne Feinstein served as a policy catalyst in the U.S. Senate, leading the charge on momentous legislation to protect our country’s national security and uphold personal safety by spearheading the Federal Assault Weapons Ban and the Violence Against Women Act. Thanks to her pioneering leadership as San Francisco’s first female mayor and the first woman Senator from California, her storied legacy will continue to inspire women of all ages, backgrounds and political affiliations to seek public office.”
REPS. CARTWRIGHT AND RUTHERFORD REINTRODUCE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO HELP CHILDREN WITH HEARING AND VISION DISABILITIES
MARKEY AND CAPITO LEADING COMPANION LEGISLATION IN THE SENATE
Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)
U.S. Representatives Matt Cartwright and John Rutherford and U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey and Shelley Moore Capito , reintroduced the Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act which would strengthen the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and ensure that blind, deaf, deafdisabled, and deafblind children receive the same education as their peers, and are able to achieve and thrive.
All too often, students with hearing and vision disabilities miss out on critical information in the classroom, leaving room for gaps in their education. Named for the first deaf student to be formally educated in the U.S. and for Helen Keller’s beloved teacher, the Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act would shine a light on the unique educational needs of these students and enhance accountability.
The Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act would improve services and educational opportunities for students who are blind, deaf, deafdisabled, or deafblind. The legislation would also enhance reporting and evaluation measures for special education in each state, increase training for teachers and other special education professionals, and reaffirm the Department of Education’s mission and responsibility to ensure an accessible and quality education for all students.
“A high-quality education is about opening the doors of opportunity for every child in our nation, including those with hearing and vision disabilities. I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan, bicameral effort to provide the resources, full range of services, and personnel training, to ensure every single student has the chance to reach their full potential in our education system,” said Rep. Cartwright.
Specifically, the Cogswell-Macy Act would:
· Ensure that every blind or visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, deafdisabled, or deafblind, student is properly identified and served, regardless of the disability they are categorized under;
· Strengthen existing IDEA requirements regarding state-generated strategic plans to guarantee that students receive specialized instruction from qualified personnel and bolster accountability measures to ensure compliance;
· Assist parents and educators with up-to-date policy resources from the Department of Education; and
· Establish a national collaborative organizational resource to proliferate evidence-based practices.
This legislation has been endorsed by the Lackawanna Blind Association, Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children Alabama Association of the Deaf, Alaska State School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Alliance of and for Visually Impaired Texans, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of the Deaf-Blind (AADB), American Council of the Blind, American Foundation for the Blind, American Society for Deaf Children, Arkansas Empowering Families with DeafBlindness, Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Beginnings SC, California School for the Deaf, Riverside Center on Deafness Inland Empire, Cerebral Palsy and Deaf Organization, CHARGE Syndrome Foundation, Children’s Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, Cleary School for the Deaf, Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, Communication Service for the Deaf, Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf, Council for Exceptional Children – Division on Visual Impairments and Deafblindness, Council for Exceptional Children – Division for Communication, Language, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Council of Schools and Services for the Blind, Deaf Community Services of San Diego, Deaf Focus, DeafBlind Camp of Texas, DeafBlind Citizens in Action, Deafblind Services Minnesota, Flagler College, Florida & Virgin Islands Deaf-Blind Collaborative, Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, Gallaudet University Alumni Association, GLAD, Inc., Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders, Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc., Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind, Illinois Advocates for the DeafBlind, Indiana School for the Deaf, Iowa Association of the Deaf, Iowa School for the Deaf, Jayne’s Interpreting LLC, Kansas School for the Deaf, Kentucky School for the Deaf, Lafayette Athletic Association of the Deaf, Lexington School & Center for the Deaf, Lighthouse Louisiana, Louisiana Association of the Deaf, Maryland School for the Deaf, Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Minnesota State Academies for the Deaf and the Blind, Missouri Deaf-Blind Technical Assistance Project, Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind, National Association of the Deaf, National Braille Press, National Coalition on Deafblindness, National DeafBlind Intervener Initiative, National Family Association for Deaf-Blind (NFADB), National Intervener Association, New Mexico School for the Deaf, Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, New York Institute for Special Education, Noah’s Endeavor, Inc.: Inclusive Community Recreation, North Dakota School for the Deaf, North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind, Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Persons, Oklahoma School for the Deaf, Orange County Deaf Equal Access Foundation, Overbrook School for the Blind, Pennsylvania-Delaware Chapter, Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (Penn-Del AER), Pennsylvania Partnership for the Deafblind, Perkins School for the Blind, Pinellas Public Library Cooperative – Deaf Literacy Center, Rhode Island School for the Deaf, Rochester School for the Deaf, Salish Sea Deaf School, , South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, South Dakota School for the Deaf, South Dakota Association of the Deaf, St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf in Brooklyn, St. Rita School for the Deaf, Statewide Programs for the Deaf, HH, Deaf-Blind; Delaware School for the Deaf, Supporting Success for Children with Hearing Loss, Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TDI), Texas Association of the Deaf, Texas Chargers, The Learning Center for the Deaf, The Programs of Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, The Radical Middle Project, Transformative Deaf Education, Tri-County GLAD, Two Spirits, Usher Syndrome Coalition, Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, VisionServe Alliance, and the Willie Ross School for the Deaf.
“As the representative for the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind and as Co-Chair of the Congressional Deaf Caucus, I have advocated for Deaf and hard of hearing Americans throughout my career in Congress,” said Rep. Rutherford. “My experience with Deaf and hard of hearing students across my district has taught me how valuable equitable access to education can be for individuals with disabilities. I am proud to join Representative Cartwright and our colleagues in reintroducing the bipartisan, bicameral Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act, which would improve education and services for children and youth who are blind, visually impaired, Deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind. Every student deserves to learn in an environment that suits their needs.”
“It’s plain and simple: all students deserve an education system that provides the full support they need to learn and thrive,” said Senator Markey. “The Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act will ensure that we are following through on the promises of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act by guaranteeing deaf or hard of hearing, blind or low vision, deafblind, and deafdisabled students the specialized instruction and qualified personnel they need to succeed in public schools. I thank Representatives Cartwright and Rutherford and Senator Capito for their efforts to ensure that our country’s education system is fair, just, and equitable for all.”
“Accessing the appropriate services can help each student reach their fullest potential,” said Senator Capito. “The Cogswell-Macy Act will help accomplish this goal by helping ensure deaf and blind students and their parents are aware of the services and specialized instruction available. I am proud to join my bipartisan colleagues in reintroducing this legislation that will help thousands of students across the country.”
“The ultimate purpose of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was and is to promote equitable access to education everywhere for children with disabilities, and this bill will address some much needed updates and gaps especially when it comes to addressing the current challenges in achieving age-appropriate language milestones among deaf, hard of hearing, deafdisabled and deafblind children, including increased accountability for educational placements and data collection," said Jeff Bravin, CEO, American School for the Deaf, and President, CEASD.
"As the oldest educational administrator organization in the United States, the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf (CEASD) is committed to ensuring equity in education, language and culture in all deaf, hard of hearing, deafdisabled, and deafblind students, and this latest version of the Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act will be vital in achieving that," said Luanne Barron, EdD, Superintendent of the Kansas School for the Deaf.
“The Cogswell-Macy Act has always been intended to revolutionize special education in this country for kids with sensory disabilities,” said Mark Richert, Esq., President-Elect of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired and one of the primary architects of the draft legislation first introduced in the 113th Congress. “It’s long past time for America’s special education law to be modernized to meet the needs of our kids, and the significant refresh of the Cogswell-Macy Act being introduced today makes the bill even more relevant and responsive both to the chronic challenges and the changing times.”
“Helen Keller, the most well-known individual with deafblindness, benefited from the services of Anne Sullivan who gave Helen access to information about people and things in her environment. That was critical to Helen’s ability to learn, communicate, and function in the world. Today, students who are deafblind can receive similar services from individuals with training and specialized skills in deafblindness called interveners. The language in Title III of Cogswell-Macy designates intervener services as a related service under IDEA. Recognizing interveners as related service providers will facilitate national awareness of the critical need for intervener services, support systems change at state and local levels, and result in significant and life-changing benefits for children and youth who are deafblind and their families,” said The National Intervener & Advocate Association (NIAA).
“NFADB exists to empower the voices of families with individuals who are DeafBlind,” said The National Family Association for Deaf-Blind (NFADB). “Our families know that we do not have a law to protect our children. Families are at the mercy of their school districts because there is no law that says our children are entitled to qualified personnel trained to teach our children. IDEA currently requires Teachers of Deaf / Hard of Hearing or Teachers of Blind/Visually Impaired but does not require a Teacher of DeafBlind. We need both Teachers of DeafBlind and Interveners. Interveners will provide access to the information provided by the teacher. The Cogswell-Macy Act will meet this need!
CASEY STATEMENT ON SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN
U.S. Senator Bob Casey released the following statement on the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein:
“Today, the Nation lost a giant in Senator Dianne Feinstein. Throughout her career, she blazed a trail for women behind her—stepping up to serve as the first female mayor of San Francisco in the wake of tragedy that marred that city, and later becoming the longest serving woman in the Senate. At a time when only six women served in this body, Dianne fought fiercely for the issues she cared about and she was not afraid to take on tough fights, from standing up to the gun lobby to conducting groundbreaking oversight of the CIA. At her core, Senator Feinstein was a caring and effective lawmaker. She rolled up her sleeves to get things done and was always focused on how her work would improve the lives of the people of California. Terese and I send our condolences to Senator Feinstein’s daughter Katherine and the Feinstein family.”
CASEY BILL TO PROTECT FEDERAL FUNDING FOR HUNTING, GUN SAFETY EDUCATION CLASSES PASSES SENATE UNANIMOUSLY
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S INTERPRETATION OF GUN SAFETY LAW CURRENTLY BARS SCHOOLS FROM USING CERTAIN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES
CASEY BILL WOULD PROTECT FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ARCHERY AND HUNTER SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAMMING, PRESERVE PENNSYLVANIA HUNTING CULTURE
Senator Bob Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)
U.S. Senator Bob Casey announced passage of his bipartisan bill to reverse the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) guidance prohibiting the use of certain federal education funding for archery, hunting, and gun safety education classes and extra-curricular programs in schools. ED interpreted the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BCSA) in a way that prevents schools from using some federal funding to provide hunter safety education and archery classes in schools across the country.
“This is a victory for Pennsylvania, where hunting is one of our longest and proudest traditions. School archery and hunting education programs are essential to families who pass their traditions of hunting white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and more down from generation to generation,” said Senator Casey. “I’m pushing back against the Biden Administration’s misguided decision and I’ll keep working to protect funding for this educational programming and preserve the Commonwealth’s hunting culture.”
Casey joined U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to introduce this bill to compel the Biden Administration to reverse its decision. The U.S. House of Representatives passed this legislation overwhelmingly in a 424-1 vote. The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk.
Recently, Casey joined bipartisan groups of his colleagues to call on ED to change the guidance and to request that Senate Appropriators include language to permit hunting education in the Fiscal Year 2024 spending bill.
Last June Casey and his colleagues passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, commonsense gun safety legislation to protect America’s children, keep our schools safe, increase mental health supports, and reduce the threat of violence across the country. The Department of Education has interpreted part of this legislation to prohibit schools from using their federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) funding to provide hunter safety education and archery classes.
The intent of BSCA is to address America’s gun violence epidemic, not to preclude students from participating in these enriching opportunities. To remedy this, Casey asked Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to reverse the Department’s guidance. Additionally, Casey pressed the Senate Appropriations Committee to include text in the FY 2024 spending bill to permit funding for these educational programs.
In addition to Senator Casey, the letter to ED Secretary Cardona is signed by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).
Other signers of the letter to Senate Appropriations Committee leadership in addition to Casey include U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Tina Smith (D-MN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).
GOVERNOR JOSH SHAPIRO APPOINTS TJ YABLONSKI AS SECRETARY OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS; MIKE VEREB STEPS DOWN AFTER SETTING UP OFFICE OVER FIRST NINE MONTHS OF SHAPIRO ADMINISTRATION
YABLONSKI HAS MORE THAN A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE SERVING PENNSYLVANIANS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH AND HAS A DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNMENT AND KEY RELATIONSHIPS WITH PENNSYLVANIA LEADERS.
MIKE VEREB IS CONCLUDING HIS WORK AFTER SETTING UP THE OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS FOR GOVERNOR SHAPIRO, CONTINUING HIS DECADES-LONG RECORD OF WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE TO GET THINGS DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
.png)
Governor Josh Shapiro (Photo: LuLac archives)
Governor Josh Shapiro announced former State Representative Mike Vereb is stepping down as Secretary of Legislative Affairs and he will appoint Thomas (TJ) Yablonski Jr., a Pennsylvania native who currently serves as a Senior Advisor in the Governor’s Office, to fill the role.
“Mike has spent decades serving our Commonwealth, including six years securing funding for law enforcement and enhancing school safety in the Office of Attorney General and the critical first year of our Administration getting a historic, bipartisan budget across the finish line,” said Chief of Staff Dana Fritz. “Mike has been a key member of our team and thanks to his dedicated service, the Governor’s Office is prepared for the work ahead. We wish Mike all the best and we’re grateful for his service.”
As Secretary of Legislative Affairs throughout the first nine months of the Shapiro Administration, Mike Vereb helped the Governor’s Office get up and running and work across the aisle to bring people together and get things done. During his tenure, Governor Shapiro signed into a law a first-in-the-nation reform to ensure more women can access breast cancer screenings, a historic expansion of the Property Tax Rent Rebate program, and a bipartisan budget that makes meaningful investments in Pennsylvania students, families, businesses, law enforcement and more.
“TJ Yablonski brings over a decade of experience serving Pennsylvanians and a deep knowledge of state government to this role. We are proud TJ will be stepping up into this to lead our Office of Legislative Affairs and continue our Administration’s work to bring people together and deliver real results for all Pennsylvanians,” said Fritz.
Yablonski Jr. has spent his entire career serving the people of Pennsylvania, building trusting relationships in Harrisburg and across the Commonwealth, and developing a deep knowledge of Pennsylvania government at all levels. Yablonski Jr. served in a number of senior roles throughout the Wolf Administration and previously worked for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Vereb tendered his resignation today and Yablonski Jr. will assume the role of Secretary of Legislative Affairs on Monday, October 2, 2023.
MEDIA MATTERS
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
The British colony of Nigeria becomes the autonomous Federation of Nigeria…….The 1954 World Series baseball competition is won by the New York Giants……..The Dutch cutter Jonge Jochem sails from Den Helder, and is never heard from again…...Author William Dudley (The Chosen River) is born in Alamance County, North Carolina. In 1958, his parents moved to Winston-Salem, NC, where he grew up and went to school, graduating from Reynolds High School in 1972. After a year at Wake Forest University, he transferred to the University of South Carolina in Columbia, NC, and majored in English, studying writing with William Price Fox. He graduated magna cum laude in 1976 and moved to San Francisco, California in 1977, where he still lives. He is married to the poet Claudia Jensen Dudley, for 40 years, and has two daughters (Anne and Clara) and two granddaughters (Leila and Emily).
posted by David Yonki @ 8:22 AM
1 comments
1 Comments:
Aloha and Congratulations Dave,
It has been an honor to be both a subject of, and contributor to, The a
LuLac Political Letter.
As well, as perhaps, the last republican [former] you supported.
To another 5,000 editions.
Joe
Post a Comment
<< Home