The LuLac Edition #5 249, February 6th, 2025

 

ELON MUSK’S DOGE COMMISSION GAINS ACCESS TO SENSITIVE TREASURY PAYMENT SYSTEMS: AP SOURCES

Now we are heading into dangerous territory. An unelected official has now got into the payment system of the federal government.  He has hired young lackey engineers who have no life experience.

The Department of Government Efficiency, run by President Donald Trump’s billionaire adviser and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has gained access to sensitive Treasury data including Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems, according to two people familiar with the situation.

The move by DOGE, a Trump administration task force assigned to find ways to fire federal workers, cut programs and slash federal regulations, means it could have wide leeway to access important taxpayer data, among other things.

The New York Times first reported the news of the group’s access of the massive federal payment system. The two people who spoke to The Associated Press spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, Ron Wyden of Oregon, on Friday sent a letter to Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressing concern that “officials associated with Musk may have intended to access these payment systems to illegally withhold payments to any number of programs.”

The news also comes after Treasury’s acting Deputy Secretary David Lebryk resigned from his position at Treasury after more than 30 years of service. The Washington Post on Friday reported that Lebryk resigned his position after Musk and his DOGE organization requested access to sensitive Treasury data.

“The Fiscal Service performs some of the most vital functions in government,” Lebryk said in a letter to Treasury employees sent out Friday. “Our work may be unknown to most of the public, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t exceptionally important. I am grateful for having been able to work alongside some of the nation’s best and most talented operations staff.”

“To put it bluntly, these payment systems simply cannot fail, and any politically motivated meddling in them risks severe damage to our country and the economy,” Wyden said.

 

RUB A DUB TUB

COMPUTERS TRUMP WILL SCRUB

We’re getting reports from local and state agencies that the data they rely on, such as programs and guidelines for education, information and data information has been scrubbed by web sites. Vital information that they use to do their jobs and serve local clientele is now blank. No updates.

This is a precursor to what may happen to the payment system. When that happens, we can hope it will break the cult but I’m not hopeful.

 

KENNEDY VOTE GETS OUT OF COMMITTEE

Robert F. Kennedy got out of his committee vote by the skin of his teeth. The vote was 14-13. Predictable with the GOP majority and believe me I have no issue with the GOP Senators who voted yes. They proved to be the lap dogs to the destruction of this nation. But one guy I have to single out as a quack. Senator Bill Cassidy is backing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., clearing the way for the controversial nominee to become the next secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services.

Cassidy had been conflicted over voting to make Kennedy the chief executive over the $1.7 trillion agency that regulates vaccinations. He asked Kennedy to put aside his decades of voicing skepticism about vaccine safety and use his celebrity to encourage parents to vaccinate their children.

But all that was to quote Trump, “BULLSHIT”. Cassidy gave a weak ass excuse voting for Kennedy saying that Kennedy  holds the unique position of appealing to several groups of frustrated voters: people who want healthier food options; parents who doubt the safety of vaccinations; and people who felt the government overreached when trying to slow the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic.

Kennedy also argues that government hasn’t spent enough effort to research the causes of chronic diseases that keep Americans from being as healthy as the people in other developed nations. Kennedy also has been willing to take on the huge industries that make ultra-processed and fast foods.

Here’s the thing. For years food companies have been offering healthy choices. Campbell’s, Nestle, and Pepperidge Farm have offered those options. And ya know what? THEY DIDN’T SELL!

As far as processed meats, what does Casidy think, RFK Junior, is gonna outlaw HOAGIES? As a Senator, Cassidy bent the knee to smooch the ass of his Lord and Savior Donald Trump.  As a Doctor he violated his oath, “To do no Harm!” That went out the window and showed what a spineless toady he is.

 

^{SUSAN COLLINS}

 ^{MISTRESS OF THE OLD STRIP TEASE}

The Teaser and the Traitor 

Susan Collins the so called feminist and so called Senator from New England reminds  me of an old strip tease artist of the 40s and 50s. She’ll tell you shit that will make you think she is with you, pooh pooh the state of the country and say “I’m not comfortable” but then proceed to do the opposite. Kind of like a stripper listening to her pimp instead of what she says is right. The people of her state had a chance to get rid of this aging gas bag but  instead gave her another 6 years to tease us with the notion that she is patriotic and against the foes of freedom.

BUT SHE IS NOT!

Here’s why.,

President Donald Trump's chances of getting former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard confirmed as director of national intelligence received a boost Monday as Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) indicated she will support her nomination.

"As one of the principal authors of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 that established this coordinating position, I understand the critical role the DNI plays in the intelligence community," said Collins in a statement. "The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, however, has become far larger than it was designed to be, and Ms. Gabbard shares my vision of returning the agency to its intended size."

 Collins said Gabbard "addressed my concerns" about her views supporting Edward Snowden, the former contractor who exposed national security secrets and fled to Russia.

Collins' position on Gabbard, who has frequently been described as a conspiracy theorist for her embrace of Russian propaganda, drew cheers and praise from Trump supporters on social media — and condemnation from almost everyone else. "Why bother even being a Senator if you think Tulsi Gabbard is fit for DNI?" wrote Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL). "Just admit you're a g-d rubber stamp for a felonious rapist."

"This is not good," wrote American Enterprise Institute leadership fellow Andrew Eastmond. "Susan Collins spine appears to have gone the way of Lindsey Graham's. Maybe the ghost of McCain needs to pay them a visit..."

It won’t do any good if John McCain came back because she would do her little strip tease act, then screw his ghost along with the American people by falling in line with the felon. She’s not only unpatriotic but cheap in character.

 

TALE OF TWO PROTESTS

During the last campaign Democrats Casey and Cartwright were hounded by protestors who were supporting Gaza and the role of the United States in defending Isreal who lost 1100 concert goers in an unprovoked attack.

They apparently decided to shed more tears for the Gaza folk who were under the thumb of Hamas instead of the attacked dead. Even when the peace was announced, this group of “concerned” showoffs came after the Secretary of State.

Tuesday  the Felon President said he wanted to annex the Gaza strip and turn it into a resort. As far as the Gaza residents? They can go somewhere else. Shoo shoo. Well at least he was doing a modified Hitler, annexing the land but not gassing the citizens but exiling them.

My question is WHERE ARE THESE PROTESTORS? It seems to me that none of these peace nicks had all the time in the world to try and shutdown Casey and prevented Cartwright from speaking at his own campaign event in Moosic. But with Trump and his crowd? Are they storming McCormick’s office? Are they going after Meuser and Bresnehan? Nope. Maybe they were paid. Maybe these protestors really Don’t GIVE A SHIT about humanity.

If they did, you’d hear rom them. But NO. Not this time.

Now yesterday Action Together organized a rally outside Senator Fetterman’s office. Fetterman who once promised in his campaign, “I will not be a Joe Mancin” (referring to the ambitious self-righteous West Virginian who blocked a few of Biden’s agenda items) has veered away from that path. These are a few instances that have made me uncomfortable. But Fetterman is in the minority. He will always be in the minority If and when we have a new election in 2026. Perhaps the rage of these unpaid, dedicated, honest on the issues people might be better spent visiting David McCormick, Rob Bresnehan and Dan Meuser.

That all stated, the protestors of the 5^th were the real deal. The ones who came after Casey and Cartwright are back in moms basement.

The White seems to walk back a lot of thiks foolish stuff. BUT Speaker Mike Johnson in answering a question about Gaza, said he’d do everything to have the House majority give Trump anything he wants.

That’s why you go after the guys who have the majority, not a lone wolf Senator who will be outvoted anyway.

 

 

GOVERNOR SHAPIRO INVITES HONORED GUESTS TO 2025-26 BUDGET ADDRESS, HIGHLIGHTING PENNSYLVANIANS WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM HIS COMMONSENSE BUDGET AND FOCUS ON DELIVERING RESULTS

GOVERNOR SHAPIRO’S HONORED GUESTS COME FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS AND WALKS OF LIFE, AND ON TUESDAY, HE WILL LAY OUT A COMMONSENSE BUDGET THAT BUILDS ON TWO YEARS OF PROGRESS AND WORKS TO SOLVE THE REAL PROBLEMS FACING PENNSYLVANIANS.

Governor Josh Shapiro (Photo: LuLac archives

Governor Josh Shapiro announced the honored guests from across Pennsylvania who will join him tomorrow as he delivers his 2025-26 budget address. Their stories reflect the experiences of Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth, and the Governor’s budget will propose commonsense solutions to the problems facing them, their families, and their communities as he seeks to keep moving Pennsylvania forward. 

Governor Shapiro will present his 2025-26 budget proposal to the General Assembly, a commonsense plan that builds on two years of progress and paves the way for a stronger, more prosperous Pennsylvania. Focused on solving problems, the Governor’s proposal is centered on driving economic growth, improving education, enhancing public safety, and cutting costs — all while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

See below for a full list of Governor Shapiro’s honored guests: 

Nathan Barrett, the Superintendent at the Hanover Area School District in Luzerne County who has used the additional funding secured under Governor Shapiro's past budget to add mental health supports for students.

Bob Coleman, a Perry County resident who qualified for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for the first time thanks to the bipartisan expansion Governor Shapiro signed into law.

Michelle Dallago, a U.S. Army veteran and executive director of The Perception Training Center, a childcare center in Schuylkill County.

Thomasine Frank, a Lawrence County resident who is on a waitlist for home repairs, including help for a leaky roof, rickety basement railing, and issues with windows and doors.

Cheryl Harp, a Harrisburg home care worker who provides personalized care for her mother, Veronica, who developed dementia and needed more assistance at home.

Rob Hewitt, a husband, father, and teacher from Philadelphia who, along with his family, relies on SEPTA to get to-and-from work and school.

Brian Hoerz, a Montgomery County resident, who has worked for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation since 1999, serving as a counselor in southeastern Pennsylvania, where he connects supported individuals with employers looking for talented workers.

Jayden Johnson, a cadet at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy from Monroe County.

Luke Leiby, a Cumberland County resident who benefited from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). Luke has a visual impairment, but thanks to OVR, he secured a job as a computer programmer in 2022.

Captain Rich Machey and Assistant Chief Travis Temarantz, representing the Wilkes-Barre City Fire Department. The department responds to over 10,000 calls a year.

Jeff Marrazzo, a leader in life sciences who founded and built Spark Therapeutics – the world’s first fully-integrated, commercial gene therapy company.

Alexandra McDowell, an adult and family literacy student who works as a home health aide with Intra-National Home Care, LLC.

Meghan Molosky, a trooper in the Pennsylvania State Police from Bedford County.

Melanie Williams, a former student teacher who completed her student teaching assignment at Centennial School District in Bucks County thanks to the student teacher stipend program. 

Governor Shapiro has met Pennsylvanians from all walks of life as he’s traveled across the Commonwealth since taking office — listening to their stories and hearing their challenges. His budget creates real opportunity and delivers solutions to the issues Pennsylvanians face every day. The Governor looks forward to sharing this historic address with these honored guests.

 

 

BRESNAHAN’S OFFICE TO HOLD OFFICE HOURS IN LUZERNE COUNTY

 Congressman Rob Bresnehan (Photo: LuLac archives)

 U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) announced office hours in Luzerne Counties for the first two weeks of February. While still in the process of setting up individual offices throughout the Eighth Congressional District, Rep. Bresnahan is partnering with the offices of State Senators Lisa Baker and Rosemary Brown to hold hours for constituents to meet directly with staff.

 “As the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s Eighth Congressional District, my top priority is helping Northeastern Pennsylvanians,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “Our office has the ability to assist constituents with federal programs and agencies, and holding office hours gives our team the chance to meet face-to-face with those who need our help. I want to thank Senators Baker and Brown for allowing us to use their space as we finalize our district offices.”

 Rep. Bresnahan’s office hours will be led by members of his district staff and will be held from 9 AM to 4 PM each day. The dates are as follows:

Luzerne County with Senator Baker:

22 Dallas Shopping Center

Memorial Highway

Dallas, PA 18612

 Feb. 5, 2025

Feb. 12, 2025

Rep. Bresnahan will have district offices opening in Scranton, Hazleton, Forty Fort, and Scotrun. For additional questions about Rep. Bresnahan’s district offices, visit Bresnahan.house.gov or call his office at (202) 225-5546.

 

PETITION SIGNINGS FOR LUZERNE COUNTY

REPUBLICANS February 23rd, 6 to 8pm Leggio's in Dallas

DEMOCRATS February 23^rd noon to 3pm RODANO’S

 

 

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

 

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.

 

THE LULAC TIME MACHINE

January 15^th, 1967

SUPERBOWL I

 

The first AFL–NFL World Championship Game (known retroactively as Super Bowl I and referred to in contemporaneous reports, including the game's radio broadcast, as the Super Bowl)[5] was an American football game played on January 15, 1967, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The National Football League (NFL) champion Green Bay Packers defeated the American Football League (AFL) champion Kansas City Chiefs by the score of 35–10.

Coming into the game, billed by some as the "supergame", considerable animosity existed between the AFL and NFL, thus the teams representing the two rival leagues (Kansas City and Green Bay, respectively) felt additional pressure to win. The Chiefs posted an 11–2–1 record during the regular season, and defeated the Buffalo Bills 31–7 in the AFL Championship Game. The Packers finished the regular season at 12–2 and defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34–27 in the NFL Championship Game. Many sportswriters and fans believed any team in the older NFL was vastly superior to any club in the upstart AFL, and so expected Green Bay would blow out Kansas City.

The first half of Super Bowl I was competitive, as the Chiefs outgained the Packers in total yards, 181–164, and kept pace with Green Bay by posting a 14–10 score at halftime. Early in the third quarter, Green Bay safety Willie Wood intercepted a pass and returned it 50 yards to the 5-yard line. The turnover sparked the Packers to score 21 unanswered points in the second half. Green Bay quarterback Bart Starr, who completed 16 of 23 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception, was named MVP.

As NBC and CBS had held the rights to nationally televise AFL and NFL games, respectively, it was decided that both networks were allowed to televise the game.[13] The game remains the only Super Bowl to have been simulcast in the United States by two of the then-"Big Three" broadcast companies. Several recent Super Bowls have been simultaneously broadcast on Network TV as well as cable and streaming platforms.

Los Angeles wasn't awarded the game until December 1, less than seven weeks before the kickoff;  likewise, the date of the game was not set until December 13.[13] Since the AFL Championship Game originally was scheduled for Monday, December 26, and the NFL Championship Game for Sunday, January 1, the "new" championship game was suggested to be played Sunday, January 8. An unprecedented TV doubleheader was held on January 1, with the AFL Championship Game telecast from Buffalo on NBC and the NFL Championship Game telecast from Dallas on CBS three hours later.

Coming into this "first" game, considerable animosity still existed between the two rival leagues, with both of them putting pressure on their respective champions to trounce the other and prove each league's dominance in professional football. Still, many sportswriters and fans believed the game was a mismatch, and any team from the long-established NFL was far superior to the best team from the upstart AFL.

The players' shares were $15,000 each for the winning team and $7,500 each for the losing team.[16] This was in addition to the league championship money earned two weeks earlier: the Packers' shares were $8,600 each and the Chiefs' were $5,308 each. At the time, NBC held the rights to nationally televise AFL games while CBS had the rights to broadcast NFL games. Both networks were allowed to cover the game, each using its own announcers. Ray Scott (doing play-by-play for the first half), Jack Whitaker (doing play-by-play for the second half) and Frank Gifford provided commentary on CBS, while Curt Gowdy and Paul Christman were on NBC.[44] This is the only Super Bowl that Curt Gowdy called for NBC where the NFL or NFC team won (the AFL/AFC teams won the others, even though the Baltimore Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers were part of the old NFL before moving to the AFC following the AFL–NFL merger).

However, during the week preceding the game, tensions flared between the staff of the two networks (longtime arch-rivals in American broadcasting), who each wanted to win the rating war, to the point where a fence was built between the CBS and NBC trucks.[In addition, Rozelle decreed that NBC would not be able to use its cameramen and technical personnel, instead forcing it to use the feed provided by CBS, since the Coliseum was home to the NFL's Rams.

This game remains the only Super Bowl to have been broadcast in the United States by two of the "Big Three" broadcast companies. It was the only NFL game to be carried nationally on more than one broadcaster until the same two networks (as well as NFL Network and various local ABC and MyNetworkTV affiliates) carried a game between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants on December 29, 2007, and it was the only Super Bowl to simulcast on multiple American networks until Super Bowl LVIII was broadcast on CBS and its sister network Nickelodeon in February 2024.

Super Bowl I was the only Super Bowl that was not a sellout. The halftime show was produced by Tommy Walker, and featured trumpeter Al Hirt, the marching bands from the University of Arizona and Grambling College, the Ana-Hi-Steppers (more information below), 300 pigeons, 10,000 balloons and a flying demonstration by the hydrogen-peroxide-propelled Bell Rocket Air Men. n addition, the halftime featured a local high school drill team, the Ana-Hi-Steppers.

Final Score, Green Bay 35-KC 10.

And the number one song in Lulac land that week was"I'm A Believer": by the Monkees but since we featured that two weeks ago, here is the flip side, "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone".