The LuLac Edition #5 265, February 27th, 2025
Editor’s note: Yesterday morning Congressman Rob Bresnehan issued this statement on his vote last night regarding the GOP House budget.
“Last night’s vote was just a procedural step to start federal budget negotiations and does NOT change any current laws. I will fight to protect working-class families in Northeastern Pennsylvania and stand with President Trump in opposing gutting Medicaid. My position on this has not and will not change.”
Res. 14, the House’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget resolution, which passed Wednesday night by a vote of 217-215.
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The 8th Congressional District is ranked THIRD in the number of areas that will be hurt MOST by the Republican MAGA proposed cuts in MEDICAID!
BRESNEHAN’S CHOICE
8th Congressional District Congressman Rob Bresnahan promised in a post a few weeks ago that he was not going to do anything to hurt people in his district. He said that he would not mess with the lives of the 200,000 on Medicaid, the 66,000 on Medicare and the 100,000 on Social Security.
By agreeing to the framework of the bill passed by the Congress last night, Rob has one strike against him. This bill, if passed, will affect those on Medicaid. The MAGAs and the Republican party have characterized Medicaid as people not wanting to work watching TV all day. WRONG.
TO BE CLEAR
MEDICAID DOES NOT PAY MONEY DIRECTLY TO INDIVIDUALS; INSTEAD, IT SENDS PAYMENTS DIRECTLY TO HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.
Medicaid covers PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES. Implementing Medicaid cuts might mean many of those supporters could be potentially pushed off the health care program, which is designed for those with lower incomes.
If this is enacted, it ends support for people with disabilities. This includes income stipends, lower health care prices for the working poor, which covers some of the cost of the Affordable Care Act, without this, people will be unassured which will increase the cost of health care.
Disabled people who rely on life saving medication, transportation and even skilled and unskilled employment will be affected.
The MAGAs and the INGRATES who voted for Republicans never realized that their decisions have CHANGED LIVES……….and NOT FOR THE BETTER.
OPTIONS FOR THE CONGRESSMAN
1. Fall in line with the GOP remembrance of billionaires. I understand why he would want to do that because in effect he would be accused of what many of our forefathers were accused of. Being a traitor to his class. Being in a certain income bracket all of his life is going to be a hard habit to break. Pressure from your leaders and a President is hard to ignore. This path will ensure him a place of favor and as long as the GOP is in power, a future. But there will be costs. History and his district will remember him as a person who tried mightily to do the right thing but was convinced by his peers and President that this was the way with no wiggle room or chance of compromise.
2. The other things he can do is as Maynard J. Krebbs used to say “be a real human being”. In this divided political time, Bresnahan can be an overnight sensation. By asking pointed questions, by sticking with people who brought him to the dance (the voters) instead of the bosses, he will stand out. I won’t call Bresnehan a liar, nor will I categorize him as a bad person. If he was all that, he would not have offered that original statement. That statement was not a rookie mistake. Somewhere deep down, Bresnehan isn’t the guy who was on the WILK afternoon program back tracing to the listeners and their hypocritical host.
3. By taking option #2, Bresnehan can realize his power. Right now the GOP has a tiny majority. Brsnehan, if he wants it can stop this whole thing in its tracks. He doesn’t have to be a hero, he just has to do the right thing. That counts around here. Will he be primaried? Hell yeah. But look at the stable of morons running the Luzerne County GOP!!! Lying Brian Thornoton? The convicted drug dealer who sells F U Biden flags?
Donald Trump is a bully and by all accounts mentally ill.
Mike Rogers is a weak kneed Christian wanna be.
Dan Meuser only gives a shit about his rich friends. (Name ONE THING he brought into his district for the middle class.)
A good man and leader which I believe Bresnehan can be will kick the ass out of a bully.
A word of advice to Bresnehan.
The right thing to do and the hard thing to do are the same.
The Trump Presidency will implode in 18 months. You’re 33. Whatever they do to do politically, you can outlive the bastards and be on the right side of history.
And might even be President.
TRUMP BREAKS WITH ALLIES RUSSIAN BLAME FOR WAR IN UKRAINE
WE ARE NOT PART OF THE AXIS OF EVIL
President Donald Trump deepened Washington’s split with allies over Ukraine, withdrawing US condemnation of Russia’s 2022 invasion at the United Nations and among Group of Seven countries as he aims to end the war on terms agreeable to Moscow. In New York on Monday, the US and Russia both voted against a European-backed resolution in the UN General Assembly that calls out Moscow’s “full-scale invasion” exactly three years ago. The two sides later aligned for the first time since the war started in the Security Council to approve a US resolution calling for a “swift end” to the conflict without assigning blame, a stark reversal from policy under President Joe Biden. Angela Stent, non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, reacts to the sharp turn in US foreign policy, saying that former US President Ronald Reagan would be "turning in his grave."
So, in effect America under the bidding of Trump voted on A LIE. Voted on an untruth. Voted on the belief that it was a figment of imagination that Ukraine wasn’t attacked three years ago this week.
This is a stunning capitulation to a dictator by a President not acting like a leader but a teeny bopper from the 1940s breathlessly trying to get Frank Sinatra’s approval.
(Source: Bloomberg, LuLac)
WHY NOT MAX?
There seems to be a bit of a dust up in Lackawanna County regarding the replacement of Matt McGloin on the board of Lackawanna County Commissioners.
The conflict seems to be between the incumbent Billy Gaughan and the Chair of the Lackawanna County Dems Patrick. Gaughan felt he should have his choice and wanted to know the other names for comparison’s sake. Patrick felt autonomy as County Chair. In the end the Judges will make the decision. I’m sure the Democratic chair has a set of qualified people that can fill the bill. But to Gaughan’s point, he won a mandate with McGloin in the last election. Both made the tough and gutsy decision to put the county on a firm financial settasing. Gaughan has to have a partner he feels comfortable with in ensure continuity of message and process.
This rollout should have been coordinated better but that stated, Gaughan won a bigger election with more responsibility to the people of Lackawanna County than Patrick.
As if the waters weren't muddy enough, McGioin who resigned now says his offer from Boston College doesn't fit into his family's plans. If he wants to return to the county that may change things. But if he doesn't or isn't in the mix, here's my opinion.
To Gaughan, stand by your pick with Max.
To the Judges: pick Max.
GROCERY PRICES WILL GO UP
SNAP BENEFICIARIES WILL GET SCREWED
People have no idea that when Joe Biden was President, high inflation was getting beat. But the GOP lie machine, the gutter mouth candidacies of Trump and the Hillbilly plus the ingratitude of some of the American people pretty much blocked out that message. But the ingrates who kept on complaining about high prices are set to get screwed. he new Trump-appointed chief of staff of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Kailee Buller, announced this week that the department will "correct" Joe Biden's "financial mismanagement" of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Commenting on the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) review of former USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack's handling of the program, Buller claimed that previous department's officials "put politics over commonsense" and "compromised the integrity" of SNAP. "The Trump administration will immediately correct this egregious action, making certain material weaknesses like this do not happen again," she added.
Her announcement comes as House Republicans just released their budget resolution containing deep cuts to SNAP. Newsweek contacted the USDA press team for comment by email on Thursday morning.
The SNAP program is America's largest nutrition assistance program, accounting for about 68 percent or two-thirds of USDA nutrition assistance spending in fiscal year 2023, as per the latest data made available by the department.
It provides monthly food benefits to low- and no-income families, boosting their grocery budget so that they can afford healthy and nutritious food. In the fiscal year 2023, an average of 42.1 million Americans received SNAP benefit every month, according to the USDA. While the share of the U.S. residents who receive the benefits changes from state to state, the highest percentages in 2023 were in Oregon, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Illinois, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
In 2022, nearly 40 percent of beneficiaries were children under the age of 5 (11.6 percent) and between the ages of 5 and 17 (28 percent). Cuts to the program, which are likely to be implemented under the Trump administration, could affect millions of people.
Then there are the 25% tariffs which Trump will inflict on Mexico and Canada. Mexico imports a majority of fresh fruit and vegetables to the United States. This is an obese nation that needs to get more produce into their diets. The tariffs will make these nutritional staples into a luxury item that only the upper class could afford. Canada imports beef, seafood, liquor, cocoa, spices and food for animals. All of this will INCREASE PRICES. This isn’t on Biden but the delusional man child an ungrateful and uninformed America voted for.
COUNTY DEMS HAVE SIGNING PARTY
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Here he is with Peggy Felton a very good friend of ours
and here I am with Bob Caruso and Peggy Felton.
HOME HEALTH AIDE SHARES HOW ADULT LITERACY CLASSES HELPED HER BUILD SKILLSET, HIGHLIGHTING THE NEED FOR GOVERNOR SHAPIRO’S WORKFORCE INVESTMENTS
"THINGS ARE HARD OUT THERE. IT'S A LOT EASIER IF YOU GET A GED OR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA... WHEN I STARTED THE GED PROGRAM AT IU 13, I STAYED EVERY SINGLE DAY BECAUSE THAT TEACHER GRABBED RIGHT AT MY HEARTSTRINGS. HE KNEW EXACTLY WHY I WAS THERE WITHOUT ME EVEN SAYING IT.”
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Governor Josh Shapiro (Photo: LuLac archives)
A key focus of the Governor’s proposal is investing in workforce development to ensure Pennsylvania has enough trained professionals in critical industries. This includes expanding access to adult literacy programs to help more Pennsylvanians earn their GED and advance their careers.
Currently, 650,000 Pennsylvania adults lack a high school diploma, limiting their job prospects and economic mobility. Pennsylvania’s 54 adult literacy centers provide essential education and training but demand far exceeds available resources – more than 7,500 Pennsylvanians are currently on waitlists due to funding constraints.
Governor Shapiro’s budget proposes a $6 million investment to expand access to GED preparation courses, improve literacy education, and ensure more adults have the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market. In his budget address(opens in a new tab), Governor Shapiro called on the General Assembly to work with him on solving these problems, addressing the challenges facing adult learners and ensure people across the Commonwealth have the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.
MEDIA MATTERS
NEW CBS EVENING NEWS
A FAILED EXPERIMENT
I always was an admirer of John Dickerson on CBS and was excited to see he was given co-anchor responsibilities to succeed Nora O’Donnell. I watched the first broadcast of the new formatted broadcast, and I thought it was different and might reach a newer audience.
Boy, WAS I WRONG!
Experts say that a change in direction was in order and it happened fast.
The changes come after the Jan. 27, 2025, launch of a reimagined broadcast meant to shift away from focusing on headlines and more on substantive reporting, has delivered less than stellar ratings for the already third-place broadcast.
The changes in approach to the format appeared to start popping up Feb. 12, 2025, after the previous night’s edition led with a story linked to the release of a report examining the state of literacy education in America. That Feb. 11, 2025, broadcast led with the headline “America’s Report Card” before anchor John Dickerson, somewhat ironically, referenced the 1955 book “Why Johnny Can’t Read.”
While the report was meaty, lofty and addressed an important issue, ABC and NBC spent more time focusing on Elon Musk and the release of hostages.
There were changes in the days to come, including a brief experiment with a tease just before the open. “Evening” also began focusing more on “news of the day”-style stories in the first block, done in a more traditional style with a reporter intro, package and outro, or, in other cases, an anchor or correspondent voiceover.
Meanwhile, the New York Post reports that its anonymous sources have been telling the outlet that leadership appears to have taken notice that format isn’t resonating. “They’ve realized they can’t ignore the news,” one of the Post’s sources said.
The Post also reports that insiders are grumbling about why Dickerson and Maurice DuBois were given the anchor chairs, when many viewers don’t know who they are or understand what credibility they have.
The bad news….it was a disaster. The good news, they have no place to go but UP. Hey, bring back Scott Peli!
MSNBC JETTISONS JOY REID ALEX WAGNER
If you are a viewer of MSNBC, you will not be seeing Joy Reid or Alex Wagner on the channel soon.
The NBCUniversal-backed cable network is expected to move the trio of Symone Sanders-Townsend, Alicia Menendez and Michael Steele to its 7 p.m. weekday slot Tuesday through Friday, according to two people familiar with the matter. The group on Mondays will lead two hours, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The move will have direct implications for Joy Reid, the anchor who currently fills 7 p.m. She is expected to host her last show on MSNBC this week.
In addition, Alex Wagner, who hosted weeknights at 9 p.m. save for a Monday night led by Rachel Maddow, is expected to be named a contributor, according to three people with knowledge of current talks. Wagner, who has been working as a correspondent across the U.S. during the first 100 days of the new Trump administration.
LESTER HOLT PACKING IT IN
Lester Holt is leaving NBC Nightly News after ten years but will remain with Dateline. Holt has announced his departure from NBC Nightly News after a decade of anchoring the program, marking a significant change in the network's lineup.
His decision comes amid a series of changes at NBC, as the network undergoes a restructuring that has affected several prominent figures in journalismmsn.com.
Despite stepping down from the evening news, Holt will continue his role as the lead anchor for NBC's Dateline, ensuring his presence in the network's programming.
LISA WASHINTTON EXITS NEWSWATCH 16
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
MASH AIRS FINAL EPISODE 1983
The final episode of MASH aired on February 28th, 1983 on CBS. Mrs. LuLac and I were in the Edwards’ living room on McClean Street watching it. “M*A*S*H” ran for 11 seasons, even though the Korean War, during which the CBS series was set, lasted three years. When the show finally signed off 42 years ago – with a special 2.5-hour episode titled “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” – it set a ratings record that will never be equaled, and indeed, has become virtually impossible in the fragmented media market that exists today.
Broadcast during the period when there were still just three major networks (Fox didn’t sign on until 1986) and cable was in its infancy, the “M*A*S*H” finale drew 106 million viewers, still a record for any episodic series.
More staggeringly, the finale was watched in over 60% of US homes, commanding the attention of more than three out of four TV sets in use (that is, its share of audience), meaning that every other programmer might as well have been running a test pattern.
The population has grown substantially over the last four decades, so recent Super Bowls can surpass the overall audience. But no entertainment program has ever rivaled that “M*A*S*H” milestone, and in an age of countless networks and multiple streaming services, it seems safe to say that none ever will.
“M*A*S*H’s” accomplishments hardly begin and end with ratings trivia. With its mix of wartime drama and broad comedy, the show basically created the template for what became known as the “dramedy,” a hybrid of the two genres that grew increasingly popular in the ’80s and has carried through till today.
The series also changed and replaced key cast members through the duration of its run, often coming out stronger with the new additions.
MASH was truly an ensemble cast but Alan Alda was the cornerstone of the show. Doubling as a writer and director (and winning Emmys for both, as well as acting), Alda helped steer “M*A*S*H” as the show – which, like the movie upon which it was based, premiered during the Vietnam War – “drifted into broader social commentary about the human condition (PTSD, sexism, racism) and the general fog of war.
Alda and s former CBS executive turned academic Jim McKairnes, said that Alda made sure the TV show reflected the issues covered in the original feature film that the series was based on. The show was also the first series that had it finale and the format was duplicated on Cheer, Frasier and others.
For over 10 years, the show began with a looming helicopter carrying the wounded. For over a decade, “M*A*S*H” began with helicopters carrying the wounded to the 4077 Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (hence the acronym), and it closed, appropriately, with a shot of a chopper heading in the opposite direction as the war, along with the show, finally came to an end.
That image remains an appropriate and memorable one, marking
the end of a chapter in TV history.
posted by David Yonki @ 6:39 AM
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