The LuLsac Edition#5, 215, December 12th, 2024

 

THE FACE OF ENTITLED EVIL

The temptation for many who have been screwed by Health Insurance companies is tempting when one CEO is paid millions to just sit and watch the money come in. Health Care companies, even the ones that bill themselves as non-profits, make tremendous money, nonetheless. The most grievous are the ones who contribute nothing to the cities that serve them.

It is a system that delays, demoralizes and does not take into consideration the needs of their consumers.  A few years ago, a local man was making $325,000 a year to run a Public TV station where he had to persuade people to support public broadcasting. Yet as the CEO of a Health Insurance company, a non profit was making $900,000 a year. The difference between the two jobs is this: people don’t necessarily need public broadcasting to live, but we all need health insurance.

Which is the harder sell and who deserves the most money? In my estimation the person who needs to be the great persuader.

The Health Care system has been broken forever in this country. I had relatives in Canada and when I visited them over 50 years ago, they thought we were crazy for not having it. Medicare for all is something the Republicans have been fighting for years.  Perhaps finally Bernie Sanders admonition that Medicare for all will resonate. It’s ironic though that the people who screamed the loudest on social media about the killing of a heath care CEO are most likely Trump voters.

The killing of Health Care Executive of Bryan Thompson generated waves of sympathy toward Luigi Mangione and hostility toward CEOs sparked debate about how a set of Americans had come to cheer, or at least condone, wishes of violence hurled toward corporate executives. For sure that needs to be looked at but you just can’t go around murdering people.

Mangione had a great, highly privileged upbringing. He had the world by the balls until he had a medical issue. He apparently excelled in his academics. “The commencement program for the University of Pennsylvania’s class of 2020 lists Mr. Mangione as a member of the school’s chapter of Eta Kappa Nu, an academic honor society for students in electrical and computer engineering that was founded in 1904,” per The New York Times. “The society is selective, inviting only the top quarter of the junior class and top third of the senior class in those majors for membership.”

Alejandro Romero, who went to college with him and was in Discord groups (a social platform where people share content), told NBC News he used to play Among Us, a game where “crewmates” try to weed out the “imposters” whose role is to kill crewmates without being detected, with Mangione and was shocked by the news of Luigi’s arrest.

When he moved to Hawaii, he had an accident while taking a surfing lesson. Subsequently he underwent a procedure that did not go well. Back pain can be horrendous but there is no need to kill someone over it. Mangione had an enviable upbringing, apparently there were no potholes in his road to the future. In contrast Thompson came from a lower to mid class family and had to work very hard to get to where he was in life. They are two generations apart but the comparison between the two is stark. Mangione is one of those young men in their 20s who were handed most  everything, had no close female relationships, were, loners  in a crowded room and had submerged anger issues that bubbled to the top when there was the first sign of pain. I do not minimize pain, I’ve had it, I’ve lived with it. But you soldier on.

It will be interesting to see if Mangione was denied any care, claims or had to pay a huge sum out of pocket. Paying out of pocket sometimes is normal for people who make considerably less than his family wealth. While I have great distress over the state of health care in America, I don’t think killing, assassinating is the answer,

The actions of Mangione deserve swift justice and the posters are urging retribution and assassination. THIS IS NOT THE OLD WEST. This was a killing perpetuated by an entitled smart alec who is shocked that he was even caught. For amusement in college, he played a game where the winner who triumphed was the killer.

This is real life and I think that was realized in the contrast between the photos. The first where he was flirting unmasked which was his undoing. The second when he had the holy shit moment when he realized this is REAL!

Let justice through the legal system prevail.

 

TRUMP NAMED PERSON OF THE YEAR

 Time Magazine has named Donald Trump as its person of the year for the second time - he previously won the honor after winning the presidential election in 2016.

In his letter to readers, Time Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs credited Trump with "marshalling a comeback of historic proportions" and "driving a once-in-a-generation political realignment" that had reshaped the American presidency and altered the US's role in the world.

 

BIDEN HELPS CONAHAN BUT NOT CIAVARELLA

President Biden commuted former President Judge Michael Conahan’s sentence in a wave of clemencies, commutations and pardons. To my knowledge, the other Judge charged in the case, Mark Ciavarella was not given the same consideration. To me, both were guilty trying to feather their nests. Conahan to get more, Ciavarella to keep up.

Conahan was not a vocal proponent of the Cash For Kids but Ciavarella was a true believer and went to schools to warn students about the consequences of bad, criminal behavior. While both broke the law, Ciavarella remains an example that at least in this case, justice was not equal.

 

TOM MOSCA ANNOUNCES RUN FOR LUZERNE COUNTY JUDGE

Before his family, friends and supporters, Luzerne County Attorney Thomas “Tom” Mosca announced his candidacy for Luzerne County Judge of the Court of Common Pleas.

“I fully appreciate the many legal challenges that confront Luzerne County and Pennsylvania today,” said Mosca.  “Every citizen in Luzerne County must be assured that justice is blind and is administered fairly to all sides and that victims are given the voice they deserve.  

“As Judge, I’m going to use my legal experience to protect Luzerne County families and defend our rights”  declared Mosca.  “I have the temperament and legal experience necessary to administer the law equally and fairly..

Mosca is currently an attorney in private practice and is in his 35th year of practicing law locally.  He is an experienced trial attorney with expertise in civil and commercial litigation.  He has handled thousands of cases including drug related, personal injury, real estate, business transactions and estate planning and administration.   

In addition to his legal experience, Tom Mosca is a passionate advocate for combating the scourge of human trafficking and has been for the past 8 years.  He currently serves as Co-chair of the NEPA Task Force Against Human Trafficking, a coalition of social service, faith based, government and law enforcement agencies dedicated to eliminating human trafficking in Northeastern Pennsylvania and providing the necessary support and services to victims of human trafficking. Mosca is also the current Board Chair of the Victims Resource Center, which was the founding member of the Task Force. 

 Mosca was joined at his announcement by State Senator Lisa Baker, who highlighted his efforts to put an end to human trafficking. “There are many impressive aspects to the career of Tom Mosca,” stated Senator Lisa Baker.  “But above all these qualifications, his commitment to efforts aimed at investigating and prosecuting human trafficking shows him to be a regional problem solver as well as someone who capably protects individual rights in the courtroom.”

Mosca was born and raised in Luzerne County.  He is a graduate of Wyoming Seminary and Wilkes University.   Mosca earned his law degree at The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in Washington D.C.  He and his wife Andrea live in Dallas.  They have two Daughters, Hillary and Tori, and two grandchildren, Sebastian and Vivian. 

 

CASEY ANNOUNCES THOUSANDS OF GROCERY STORE WORKERS’ PENSIONS SAVED BY THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN

ALMOST 11,000 PENNSYLVANIA WORKERS AND RETIREES’ PENSIONS WILL BE PROTECTED

PENSION PLAN SECURES RETIREMENT FOR FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS

PRESIDENT BIDEN CREDITED CASEY’S WORK TO PROTECT PENSIONS

Senator Bob Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)

U.S. Senator Bob Casey announced that the pensions of almost 11,000 Pennsylvania grocery store workers and retirees from United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 152 will be protected, thanks to the American Rescue Plan. Casey voted to pass the American Rescue Plan, which has saved the pensions of more than 65,000 Pennsylvanians to date. The UFCW Employers Tri-State Pension Plan (UFCW Tri-State Plan) will receive approximately $684.4 million from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBCC) to save 10,934 Pennsylvania workers and retirees’ pensions. Without this fix, workers and retirees’ pension plans would have run out of money by 2028 and their benefits would have been subject to a 15 percent cut and a federal takeover at taxpayer expense.

“Workers are the backbone of our Commonwealth and thanks to the American Rescue Plan, tens of thousands of families can continue relying on their pensions without worrying that their plans may be cut,” said Senator Casey. “I fought for this fix because I know how critical pensions are to the futures of thousands of Pennsylvania families, and how scary it was for those families to face the possibility of the rug being pulled out from underneath them. I will always fight to ensure workers and retirees’ hard-earned benefits are theirs to keep.”

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) announced approximately $684.4 million in relief to the UFCW Tri-State Plan, which is based in Plymouth Meeting, PA. Workers in this plan include employees and retirees of Acme Markets and other stores. In total, 29,233 workers and retirees’ pensions will be saved. This is the eighth Pennsylvania-based pension plan that has received relief; others include the Western Pennsylvania Teamsters and Employers Pension Fund, the Carpenters Industrial Council Eastern PA Pension Plan, the Newspaper Guild of Greater Philadelphia Pension Plan, IUE-CWA Pension Plan, the National Integrated Group Pension Plan, which includes United Steelworkers and United Auto Workers, and the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers International Union.

The funding comes from the PBGC’s Special Financial Assistance program, which was created by the American Rescue Plan. The American Rescue Plan passed the Senate by a vote of 50-49, and the House of Representatives by a vote of 220-211. No Republican Member of Congress voted in support of the law.

 

GOVERNOR SHAPIRO AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DAVIS USHER IN THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AT 2024 ANNUAL CAPITOL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

WITH THE THEME OF “CELEBRATING TOGETHER,” THE SHAPIRO-DAVIS ADMINISTRATION HOSTED THE ANNUAL HARRISBURG TRADITION, LIGHTING A 24-FOOT DOUGLAS FIR FROM CARBON COUNTY IN THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA DECORATED BY PENNSYLVANIA’S CHILDREN AND OLDER ADULTS

Governor Josh Shapiro  and Lt. Governor Davis (Photo: LuLac archives)

Governor Josh Shapiro, First Lady Lori Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, and Department of General Services Secretary Reggie McNeil kicked off the holiday season at the Capitol in Harrisburg with the 2024 Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

"I’m thrilled to once again celebrate this cherished holiday tradition by lighting the beautiful 24-foot Douglas Fir from Carbon County," said Governor Shapiro. "This season is all about coming together, and I hope every Pennsylvanian finds time to reflect, connect with loved ones, and embrace the joy of the holidays. From Lori, our children, and me, we wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a wonderful New Year."

The tree is a 24-foot Douglas Fir from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Carbon County. It is decorated with 1,250 LED lights and more than 700 handmade ornaments donated by Pre-K for PA(opens in a new tab) students and older adults from across the Commonwealth. This is the tallest tree to grace the Capitol Rotunda in at least 10 years.

"I want to recognize all of the state workers who have made today possible — the folks from General Services who put up the tree and all of these wonderful decorations, and the team at Commonwealth Media Services that helps produce this event every year. Your hard work often happens behind the scenes, but it is invaluable to making the Capitol a great place to visit and enjoy this festive time of year," said Lieutenant Governor Davis.

The Governor was also joined by Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Fred Strathmeyer, Reverend Anjel Scarborough of All Saints Episcopal Church in Hershey, PA, and dozens of Pre-K for PA students and staff for the holiday celebration.

The Central Dauphin High School Choir led the audience in singing Christmas carols and Santa Claus made an appearance. In addition to the Rotunda Tree, there is another Douglas Fir — also from Crystal Spring Tree Farm — located outdoors on the Capitol steps.

The tree in the Rotunda will be lit daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM and the tree on the Capitol steps will be lit daily from 5:00 PM to midnight through January 8, 2025.

 

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN

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

 

STEVE CORBETT’S SCRANTON CITY NEWS

Here's the link: News – The Outlaw Steve Corbett (theoutlawcorbett.com)

 

BEATLE EDD’S FAB FOUR MUSIC 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

Our 1984 logo

 France performs a nuclear test…….Helena Suková snaps Martina Navratilova's 74-match winning streak 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the semi finals of the Australian Open in Melbourne; ends Navratilova's hopes of completing the Grand Slam….. Hijackers aboard Kuwaiti jetliner kill 2nd hostage….. Ringo Starr hosts "Saturday Night Live"; Herbie Hancock is the musical guest…… Australian Open Men's Tennis: Sweden's Mats Wilander wins 2nd straight Australian title; beats Kevin Curren of South Africa 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2….DGreat Britain performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site….Iranian commandos end 5-day hijacking of Kuwaiti plane… Ram Eric Dickerson rushes 215 yards for season record 2,105 yards…. South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu is presented with his Nobel Peace Prize…Doug Henning & His World..." opens at Lunt-Fontanne NYC for 60 performances….and this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was  “Strut” by Sheena Easton.