The LuLac Edition #5, 060, February 1st, 2024

PETITION SIGNING FOR 6TH DISTRICT DEMS ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 4th

  NAACP KING EVENT FROM JANUARY 12th, LUZERNE COUNTY COURTHOUSE 

 

 

TRUMP WEAPONIZES DEAD SOLDIERS FOR POLITICAL GAIN

 

When Donald Trump heard about the three Georgia soldiers killed over the weekend, it’s as if he thought to himself, “Three American troops were killed. How can I exploit this to advance my own interests and brag about how great I think I am?”

Basic human decency usually prevents honorable people from politicizing deadly terrorist attacks. It’s a simple lesson the presumptive GOP nominee prefers not to learn.

But in terms of factual details, Trump’s claim that such an attack “never” would’ve happened if he were in office, reality tells a very different story. As a New York Times report explained, “In fact, Iran and its proxies did attack American and allied interests during Mr. Trump’s presidency.”

In March 2020, for example, two American service members and a British soldier were killed in a rocket attack on a military base in Iraq, and the U.S. believed Iran-backed militia groups were most likely behind the assault. A few months earlier, a barrage of rockets killed an American contractor and wounded four American service members in Kirkuk, Iraq.

let’s also not forget that in January 2020, an Iranian missile strike left several dozen of U.S. troops with traumatic brain injuries. Trump dismissed the importance of the injuries — the Republican called them little more than "headaches" — prompting Veterans of Foreign Wars to ask the then-president to apologize for minimizing what had happened to the troops.

Trump ignored the VFW’s appeal.  This is just another example of Trump’s willingness to lie and frame an argument castigating Biden for anything that happens to paint him in a negative light. 

 

DEADBEAT DON NOT PAYING HIS OWN LEGAL BILLS:

BUT MAGA NUTS ARE!

Although his main campaign committee entered 2024 with a cash surplus, Deadbeat Donald Trump’s political operation is spending heavily – as he uses campaign donations to help underwrite his mounting legal bills.

Two of the former president’s political action committees spent nearly $29 million combined on legal fees during the last six months of 2023. In all, Save America PAC and Make America Great Again PAC spent more than $50 million of contributors’ money on legal expenses last year, according to FEC records.

The former president faces four separate criminal indictments, along with high-profile civil litigation.

Trump has consistently diverted 10% of the money his campaign collects from political donors through a joint fundraising committee into Save America, the primary vehicle he has used to underwrite legal bills.

Why ANYONE of limited means would donate money to this guy is crazy! He is a self proclaimed billionaire who hasn’t changed his lifestyle one iota. Yet his followers must sacrifice something along the way. Wait until some of them start to calculate their taxes this year and realize that he and his 1% (well nor him because he doesn’t pay taxes) get breaks and THEY DO NOT. Unbelievable. (CNN, LuLac) 

 

REP. MATT CARTWRIGHT INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE AWARENESS AND USAGE OF SERVICEMEMBERS’ BENEFIT

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)

This week, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) introduced the Improving SCRA Benefit Utilization Act, a bipartisan bill that would improve awareness and modernize an interest rate reduction benefit currently underutilized by active-duty military servicemembers.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides critical protections to military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve members, and their families, in the event that legal or financial transactions adversely affect their rights during military or uniformed service. These protections include the ability to reduce the interest rate to a maximum of six percent on any pre-service obligations or liabilities during the period of active-duty service, including for personal, auto and student loans, as well as mortgages and credit cards.

The SCRA interest rate reduction represents a substantial financial benefit and one that increases in value in a higher interest rate environment, where the servicemember has taken out a larger loan or is on active duty for a longer period of time. However, recent research by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) revealed that the interest rate reduction benefit is significantly underutilized.

“It is unacceptable that members of our nation’s military personnel aren’t able to utilize SCRA interest rate reductions – a benefit they earned – due to lack of awareness and barriers to usage,” said Congressman Matt Cartwright. “Financial issues should not distract our brave men and women in uniform from their mission. My bipartisan legislation identifies commonsense opportunities to improve benefit awareness and utility, increase the likelihood of substantial financial savings, and enhance the overall readiness of our armed forces.”

One reason for underutilization is a lack of servicemember awareness about the benefit and eligibility, which in turn impacts access. Additionally, even if they are aware of the benefit, the burden falls solely on individual servicemembers to notify their lender, in writing, with a copy of their active-duty service orders. Furthermore, it is not currently possible for creditors to automatically apply SCRA interest rate reductions for all accounts held at an institution if a servicemember invokes the benefit for a single account.

With interest rates of auto and mortgage loans commonly exceeding six percent, in addition to credit cards, the SCRA interest rate reduction benefit provides considerable value.

Specifically, the Improving SCRA Benefit Utilization Act would:

  ·  Expand existing military financial literacy programs to include information about financial protections available under the SCRA;

  ·  Require the Department of Defense’s annual Status of Forces Survey to include questions about servicemember awareness of SCRA interest rate protections;

  ·  Include SCRA benefit information and eligibility on all activation orders, including Guard and Reserve components serving in a federal active-duty status; and

  ·  Require creditors to apply the SCRA’s six percent interest rate cap to all applicable accounts held at that financial institution once the servicemember invokes their rights for a single account.

This legislation has been endorsed by The American Legion and the U.S. Army Warrant Officers Association.

 

CASEY SECURES $78 MILLION TO MAKE PA DRINKING WATER SAFER, IMPROVE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

INFRASTRUCTURE LAW HAS SENT MORE THAN $600 MILLION TO PENNSYLVANIA FOR CLEAN DRINKING WATER UPGRADES

Senator Bob Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)

, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) approved $72 worth of projects across the Commonwealth that will help communities access safe and clean water, remove and replace contaminated and hazardous pipes, and collect and treat wastewater. The selected projects are all receiving either full or partial funding from the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act.

“Pennsylvania’s state constitution affords the right to safe, pure water to every community in our Commonwealth. Thanks to the infrastructure law, we’re protecting people and the environment from water contamination, and ensuring the availability of clean, safe drinking water for homes and businesses,” Senator Casey said.

Included in this round of funding is more than $61 million for drinking water projects, including replacing lead service lines across the Commonwealth, and more than $16 million for wastewater projects.

In April 2023, Senator Casey announced $266 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to remove contaminants—like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)—from Pennsylvania’s water supply and improve water infrastructure by replacing lead pipes. In September 2022, Casey announced $240 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to repair aging pipes, collect and treat wastewater and, build resiliency in the face of extreme weather events.

 

GOVERNOR’S ADVISORY COMMISSIONS, DOH ACTING SECRETARY AND PENNSYLVANIA BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH CAUCUS HOST A DISCUSSION ABOUT BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH

Governor Josh Shapiro (Photo: LuLac archives)

the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women and the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs joined Representative Gina H. Curry, Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen, and lawmakers from the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus to host a panel discussion and screening of the documentary, Aftershock, at the Pennsylvania State Museum. Members of the panel discussed maternal mortality rates in Pennsylvania and highlighted the solutions to address the crisis.

The Shapiro-Davis Administration is committed to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity in Pennsylvania. During his first year in office, Governor Josh Shapiro secured $2.3 million to expand maternal health programming and signed Senate Bill 262 to ensure improved access to timely data on maternal health and maternal mortality in Pennsylvania – allowing researchers, doctors, and policymakers to make more informed decisions about medical care for moms and families.

“As the Second Lady of Pennsylvania, a longtime advocate for Black maternal health and a new mom myself, I am proud that the Shapiro-Davis Administration is making this public health crisis a top priority,” said Second Lady of Pennsylvania Blayre Holmes Davis in video remarks shared at the event. “Black women – including high-profile people like Serena Williams and Allyson Felix, as well as health care providers and moms – have been shouting from the rooftops about the Black maternal health crisis, and their voices are finally being heard and experiences acknowledged. Now we need to empower Black women. By working together, we will improve outcomes for Black moms and babies and save lives and families.”

“The tragic and unacceptable reality of maternal mortality is far too common in the U.S. and Pennsylvania,” said Acting Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen. “Every death of a new mother impacts their entire community. In Pennsylvania, Black women are two times more likely to die related to pregnancy and childbirth than white women. It is essential that we come together – government and community leaders along with healthcare professionals, and others – to identify and address the root causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. I am committed to this work along with my colleagues in the Shapiro-Davis administration to improve the health of all mothers and their families.”

“I am honored to be a part of this event. Empowering Black maternal health through awareness and education is not just a commitment to women – it’s an investment in the wellbeing and resilience of future generations,” said Anette Nance, Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs. “Last year, the Shapiro-Davis Administration delivered historic investments and commonsense solutions for Pennsylvanians. As Executive Director, I’m committed to building on this work along with the Women’s Commission and driving this conversation forward in our communities.”

“The statistics don’t lie. Women in Pennsylvania, especially Black women, are suffering at high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality, and we must stop the tragic outcomes around birthing babies. As we continue to work on this issue of accessibility and affordability of care, we remember those who have lost their lives and have been directly impacted on this Maternal Health Awareness Day,” said State Representative Gina H. Curry. “As a co-chair of the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus, I am determined to fight through programming such as the Aftershock documentary screening, partnering with stakeholders and advocates, advancing legislation, education and action around maternal healthcare and the change that is needed to put an end to this crisis.”

“As a Black OB/GYN physician, the Black maternal health crisis affects me both professionally and personally. Understanding maternal health statistics is important, and investing in SOLUTIONS to the Black maternal health crisis is critical! Diversifying the perinatal workforce is one of many solutions to improve maternal health outcomes,” said Dr. Sharee Livingston, Commissioner, Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women. “We need all forces working together to reverse worsening trends of maternal health disparities that lead too often to preventable deaths in Black communities.”

 

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

  

THE BEATLE EDD FAB FOUR HOUR

 

Tune in every week to the Home of Rock and Roll for a jam packed, unpredictable hour starting at 9am Sundays. Host Edd Raineri gives you facts and great music from the immortal Fab Four on ROCK 107. 

 

 1984

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The Presidential primary race started to heat up but cooled down at the start of the year. Five candidates consisting of 2 former Florida Governors, Claude Kirk and  Reuben Askew, Senators Alan Cranston, Ernest Fritz Hollings, John Glenn and former Senator George McGovern all were in the race but withdrew around New Hampshire primary time. The only three standing and campaigning were former Vice President Walter Mondale, Senator Gary Hart of Colorado and Civil Rights advocate Jesse Jackson…..in the Orange Bowl: #5 Miami (FL) beats #1 Nebraska, 31-30….."Night Court" starring Harry Anderson, created by comedy writer Reinhold Weege, premieres on NBC TV; runs for 9 seasons……..Adrian Dantley ties Wilt Chamberlain's NBA record for most free throws made in a game by converting 28 of 29 free throws in Utah's 116-111 win over Houston at Las Vegas……The Supreme Court rules (5-4) that private use of home VCRs to tape TV programs for later viewing does not violate federal copyright laws… Super Bowl XVIII, Tampa Stadium, Tampa, FL: LA Raiders beat Washington Redskins, 38-9; MVP: Marcus Allen, Los Angeles, RB…..27 Geffen Records releases "Milk & Honey" album by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, featuring un-released recordings made during the 1980 "Double Fantasy" sessions, including "Grow Old With Me"……..President Ronald Reagan announces he’s running for a second term, Edwin Newman announces he is retiring from NBC after 35 years and the number one song in LuLac Land and America was “Talking In Your Sleep” by The Romantics.