The LuLac Edition #5, 296, April 12th, 2025

 

THURSDAY THROW DOWN

IN D.C.

KEEPING IT REAL

IN THEIR FACE

Last week there was news coverage of the many marches that took place all across the country. If you think that was a one-off, you’re wrong. During the week a group from Wilkes-Barre and Luzerne County went to Washington to conduct a peaceful demonstration to express the concerns over the horrendous behavior and actions of this President and his staff.

The group stood in the Capitol area making sure their voices were heard to those robot like MAGAs and otherwise reasonable members of Congress to let them know that these beliefs expressed by millions last week have not faded into Friday eve.

Thursday Action Together organizers and attendees  saw Senator Raphael Warnock and John Fetterman addressing the crowd.  Then there were the signs. South Wilkes-Barre resident Patty Hughes traveled to the Capitol with a group of committed people to let those officials know they are not going away. “I’m doing this for myself but more importantly for my granddaughter. For the future of this country” stated Hughes. Hughes’ creative signs were even commandeered by event organizers who put them up on stage.

There’s an old political maxim that says, “Signs don’t vote”.

THESE DO!

 

ROB BRESNAHAN IS HAVING THE WORST WEEK EVER"

Scott Cannon reports that Congressman Rob Bresnahan might want to stay off the internet this week — and maybe even out of town. He’s having one of the worst political weeks we’ve seen in a while, and it’s not looking like it’ll get better anytime soon.

Let’s break it down.

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A Meeting with Trump’s Labor Secretary

Last week, Rob met with Trump-appointed U.S. Secretary of Labor, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who confidently claimed that Trump will “protect American workers.” Really?

Let’s not forget Trump’s long record of anti-union actions (see attached Trump Anti-Union Facts). It’s hard to believe Chavez-DeRemer either knows — or is being honest about — what Trump’s intentions really are. Read more from WVIA

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Strikes, Rallies, and... Rob's Disappearing Act?

Over the past few weeks, nurses have gone on strike and union workers across the federal government — from Social Security to Postal Carriers — have rallied to protect their jobs.

So where was Rob?

Nowhere to be found.

Not one rally. Not one appearance. Not a word in support of the workers he was elected to represent.

Meanwhile, Democrats showed up — including State Reps. Eddie Day Pashinski and Jim Haddock, standing shoulder to shoulder with nurses, postal workers, and retirees across Wilkes-Barre and Scranton.

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Stock Trades & Broken Promises

Rob is also under fire for a brutal exposé in the New York Times, highlighting how he campaigned on banning congressional stock trading — only to now be freely profiting off trades made with insider information. The Scranton Times also had a scathing Editorial Board opinion about the issue, “Too often we hear about how politicians are making millions of dollars during their time in office, and it is sickening,” Bresnahan wrote. “If we want to restore trust in government and our political leaders, then Congress needs to lead with these policies.” on the matter. He’s right, but doing the opposite.

It’s the classic “rules for thee, not for me.”

And people are noticing. Loudly.

Now, Rob is taking cheap shots at Nancy Pelosi — who actually showed up in Scranton to support Social Security, Medicare, and working people.

Let’s be clear: Pelosi showed up. Bresnahan didn’t.

And neither did a single local Republican elected official.

It’s not a good look when your own community is asking tough questions about Donald Trump’s impact on Luzerne County — and you’re nowhere to be found. It’s starting to look like these MAGA Republicans are hiding, worried about their futures as the political tide turns.

Maybe they should be worried.

Maybe the MAGA movement is running on fumes.

Maybe voters are ready to send Rob and his friends packing.

 

DENISE WILLIAMS EVENT

County Council candidate Denise Williams had an event in Wilkes-Barre Township the other evening. It was a packed house at Breaker Boys with a lot of energy. Williams has been on the trail since late last year  and has been connecting with voters of all ages.

Here's the candidate with Attorneys Cathy and Neil O’Donnell.

Eddie Day Pashinski and the candidate is a governmental match made in heaven.

Council candidate Steve Coslett charts with Shannon  Grosek and Roxanne Rembis, Tori Dunbar and Denise Parashac looking on.

 

 

The LuLac Edition #5, 295, April 10th, 2025

 

TRUMP CHINA TARIFFS WILL

SCREW WITH

MEDICATIONS FOR SENIORS

MAGAs ESPECIALLY

President Trump said Tuesday his administration soon would announce “major” tariffs on pharmaceuticals, adding to the tariffs he has already imposed on most goods entering the United States from abroad.

“We’re going to be announcing very shortly a major tariff on pharmaceuticals,” Trump said during a speech at the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Since 2020, U.S. imports of Chinese pharmaceuticals — defined by the U.S. tariff code to include packaged medicaments, vaccines, blood, organic cultures, bandages, and organs — have grown by 390 percent, going from $2.1 billion in 2020 to $10.3 billion in 2022 according to the Atlantic Council.

The country has streamlined biotech production in the capital of Beijing while cutting costs for production after launching a five-year plan to increase the development of consumer drugs.

Trump’s proposed trade policies aim to hamper China’s pharmaceutical growth by encouraging plants to set up shop in the U.S. due to the onset of high levies.

Here’s the deal though. When he imposes these high tariffs on the drugs, does he really think that industry is going to eat the costs?

No!!!!

Plus, how long will it take to get a plant up and running even if you end every regulation in the United States? Trump has never MADE anything. He never had an ingredient or equipment overhead to worry about. He glommed on to companies that MADE stuff and then put his name on it.

In the meantime, when lifesaving drugs become very expensive or if they become scarce, the people at the very end of their lives will be in peril. And yet a majority of very sick MAGAs will be to blame.

 

WHY MAGAs ARE DANGEROUS FOR AMERICA

I was up early one morning this week to help the Public Radio Drive and when checking my Facebook page this is the first thing, I saw from a person I might have worked with. Obviously a MAGA ingrate.

This photo represents the threat these MAGAs are to America. Individually if you run into them or if you slip and fall on ice, they will be good enough to come to your aid. But collectively, the cult of Trump takes over. Patriotism is not just believing ONE THING. It is believing and respecting authority. But the MAGAs would have you think that if you aren’t 100% with us, then you’re against it. Let us remind people that ‘Dolph did that in Germany in the 1930s.

The latest MAGA target is Amy Cohen Barrett. Her crime? Not voting in lockstep with the other Trump and right wing Justices on the court.

Barrett joined — albeit only in part — a dissenting opinion penned by liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor on Monday. The case revolves around the highly controversial claim from the Trump administration that it is entitled to deport Venezuelan migrants under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.

The debate within the high court revolved around what the correct location was for the case being made on behalf of some of the detainees. 

But Sotomayor left no real doubt about her disagreement with the underlying policy.

Barrett joined a part of her colleague’s dissent that noted “the Government cannot usher any detainees, including plaintiffs, onto planes in a shroud of secrecy, as it did on March 15, 2025.”

Regardless of the finer points of the legal arguments, the mere fact of Barrett’s position was enough to elicit vocal dismay from Trump loyalists.

Reaction from MAGA-friendly social media figures was even more shrill.

Rogan O’Handley, who is better known by his handle on the social platform X, @DC_Draino, accused Barrett of having joined the Court’s three liberal justices in a bid “to keep cartels here in America.”

The @catturd2 account, which has more than 3.5 million followers on X, referred to the justice as “Amy Commie Barrett” and complained that “Trump appointed her and gave her her dream job and complimented her and praised her — and she’s been an ungrateful, backstabbing POS since day one.”

A word about this. MAGAs will be the first ones to call out Dems and Independents for not worshiping and puckering our lips at the throne of Trump. But when they start after a person who has right wing credentials but has the temerity to deviate, however slightly, they have to be regarded as dangerous people. Perhaps its intellectual laziness or just plain hatred of what America really is, but whatever they accuse Barrett and others “who don’t follow the line” is insane.

With the social media haters, ACCUSATION IS COINFESSION. When you post this back on line, they use a laugh emoji. It’s because they are ignorant ingrates that have nothing else.

Believe me no on was more disappointed when Barrett replace RBG, but this is proof positive that

1.          MAGAs are dangerous to democracy.

2.          Are satisfied to eat their own.

3.          Are a cult.

Now to be sure, when you deviate from them collectively, they’ll destroy this country. All my MAGA boomers are losing the same amount of money I am in stocks.  So under normal circumstances, we’d be in this together.

But we must accept the facts that we are under attack. And must call them out.

 

DEMS PLAN FOR CONTRAST AND COMPARISON

 

Since his election as Democratic party chair, people have been wondering what Ken Martin’s strategy would be like. Martin has come up with an intriguing idea. He announced Friday that the DNC will launch the “People’s Cabinet.” In spirt at least, it’s a kind of American version of Britain’s “Shadow Cabinet,” which gives a minority party a platform for its ideas. With Republicans holding Congress and the White House, Democrats find themselves completely blocked from Washington’s levers of power, but if executed correctly, the DNC’s “People’s Cabinet” could be a worthy response to frustrated Democrats demanding that their leaders do more to oppose President Donald Trump’s agenda.

In announcing the People’s Cabinet, the DNC contrasted Trump’s largely unqualified panel of advisers that’s chock-full of billionaires and the “experts on the economy, health care, working families and communities, public safety, national security, and foreign policy” it will put forth.  

For me the contrast will be helpful especially if deployed on the Sunday talk shows. Many times Kristen Welker on “Meet The Press” just lets crazy statements by Trumpanzees stand. With a comparative presentation between a Cabinet minister that has singular loyalty to one  and a representative of the party that speaks for the people, with thinking individuals it may have an impact.

 

TRUMP SCREWS RED STATES

Donald Trump decided that he was going to gut everything Joe Biden did as President. Biden who was way too kind by half, decided he wanted to be a President for ALL Americans, even the ingrates who didn’t’ vote for him. Republicans target Biden climate funds that mostly benefit red state farmers

Republican lawmakers want to reallocate funds earmarked for USDA conservation programs under the Inflation Reduction Act, even though the programs would mostly benefit farmers in Republican states. Around 65% of the money would go to states that backed former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election, while 70% would go to states with a Republican representative on the House or Senate Agriculture Committees, according to a Reuters analysis of research from the University of Illinois.

Additionally, Trump has canceled Biden era contracts pulling the money in red states. Those red state voters got what they deserved.

 

STEVE COSLETT GATHERING

Steve Coslett of Kingston is running for County Council on the Democratic side. Coslett is passionate about his run saying he will do his best to put the county on a successful track. 

Coslett wants to stop the endless studies for roads and bridges and get them fixed. As a career Corrections officer he has seen the impact drug addition has had on the county. He wants to use his empathy and knowledge to get a hold on this for the communities.  With the prison system that has its issues, he can work with staff but contractors to remedy that facility with solutions.

Here I am with super lady Democrat volunteer Tori Dunbar and Steve. 

Candidates A.J. Perzia and Chris Belles chat with Luzerne County Democratic Chair Thom Shubilla

and here are candidates Perzia, Belles, Williams and Coslett.

Steve was introduced by his brother  at the event.

 

2 REPUBLICANS, 7 MAGAs SEEK GOP SEATS FOR COUNTY COUNCIL

On the GOP side, 9 candidates are running. There are two Republicans, Greg Wolovich and John Lombardo running. They are I ballot positions 7 an 9. The rest are RINO, Republicans in name only because all have been associated with extreme MAGA philosophy that supports the sledgehammer approach to government issues locally like cutting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Additionally, two candidates lying crying Bryan Thornton and his left hand Kevin Lescavage cost taxpayers a ton of money by torpedoing the first interview of Romilda Crocamo. They sidelined in favor of a transplant from Colorado costing the taxpayers moving and housing expenses for the guy who stayed a hot 4 months. Ultimately more intelligent heads on the Council prevailed over these two knuckleheads and Crocamo was hired but not at the cost of county taxpayer money. Then there were other clowns that were election deniers. County voters should be aware that MAGAs ARE NOT ON YOUR SIDE.

 

 

SHAPIRO ADMINISTRATION’S DEPARTMENT OF AGING ANNOUNCES INCREASED TRANSPARENCY TO KEEP OLDER PENNSYLVANIANS SAFE, SHOWCASES HOW NEW APPROACH IS INCREASING COMPLIANCE RATES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH

Aging Secretary Kavulich 

and Governor Josh Shapiro. (Photos: LuLac archives)

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) today followed through on a promise to boost transparency of its oversight of county Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), announcing the public can now see information that shows how quickly those agencies are conducting investigations of suspected elder abuse.

Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich made the announcement at the Westmoreland County Area Agency on Aging, further highlighting how the Department's new, overhauled approach to AAA support and oversight has led directly to increased compliance rates across Pennsylvania for the time it takes a local agency to complete an investigation.

Thanks to the Department's increased efforts with AAAs, Westmoreland County AAA more than tripled its compliance rate for timely determinations in older adult protective services - from 29% in 2024 to 97% in 2025. That means older adults in Westmoreland County are receiving the assistance and care they need faster and more efficiently than before.

"I commend the Westmoreland AAA leadership and the entire protective services team for their hard work and dedication to improving their performance," said Secretary Kavulich. "With our Department's assistance, Westmoreland AAA is showing how the Shapiro Administration's approach of making supportive change is generating measurable results. While working steadily on a much-needed major overhaul of the Department's performance monitoring system, we have also worked closely with AAAs to make sure they have the tools they need to improve. It is evident that our work is leading to real-world results that benefit and protect older Pennsylvanians."

 

MEDIA MATTERS

WVIA PLEDGE DRIVE

This week I had the opportunity to be on WVIA FM during their pledge drive. This year is more important than ever because the Trump administration wants to end Public Media. Out of a billion-dollar budget, public media across 1500 stations across America get 00.1 of 1% of the funding. I urge everyone to call 1 877 700 9842 to call and pledge your support.

I’m seen here with Alecia Panuski, Special Gifts and Lisa Mazzarella and then doing the broadcast.

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.

 

THE LAURIE CADDEN SHOW

Tune in every Saturday morning at 9am for The Laurie Cadden Show on WILK FM 103.1 and AM 980 and 910. Laurie’s program has been a northeastern Pennsylvania mainstay every Saturday. Tune in to hear her insights and take on local issues as well as entertaining and informative interviews.

 

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

April 1976

APPLE OPENS UP

In April of 1976 as the nation was looking back on the events that culminated the Bicentennial year, Apple Inc was launching a technical revolution itself that would change the future. As the 250^th anniversary of the country lies ahead of us, Apple is a worldwide mainstay.

Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation and technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, in Silicon Valley. It is best known for its consumer electronics, software, and services. Founded in 1976 as Apple Computer Company by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, the company was incorporated by Jobs and Wozniak as Apple Computer, Inc. the following year. It was renamed Apple Inc. in 2007 as the company had expanded its focus from computers to consumer electronics. Apple is the largest technology company by revenue, with US$391.04 billion in the 2024 fiscal year.

The company was founded to produce and market Wozniak's Apple I personal computer. Its second computer, the Apple II, became a best seller as one of the first mass-produced microcomputers. Apple introduced the Lisa in 1983 and the Macintosh in 1984, as some of the first computers to use a graphical user interface and a mouse. By 1985, internal company problems led to Jobs leaving to form NeXT, Inc., and Wozniak withdrawing to other ventures; John Sculley served as long-time CEO for over a decade. In the 1990s, Apple lost considerable market share in the personal computer industry to the lower-priced Wintel duopoly of the Microsoft Windows operating system on Intel-powered PC clones. In 1997, Apple was weeks away from bankruptcy. To resolve its failed operating system strategy, it bought NeXT, effectively bringing Jobs back to the company, who guided Apple back to profitability over the next decade with the introductions of the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad devices to critical acclaim as well as the iTunes Store, launching the "Think different" advertising campaign, and opening the Apple Store retail chain. These moves elevated Apple to consistently be one of the world's most valuable brands since about 2010. Jobs resigned in 2011 for health reasons, and died two months later; he was succeeded as CEO by Tim Cook.

Apple's product lineup includes portable and home hardware such as the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV; operating systems such as iOS, iPadOS, and macOS; and various software and services including Apple Pay, iCloud, and multimedia streaming services like Apple Music and Apple TV+. Apple is one of the Big Five American information technology companies;[a] for the most part since 2011,  Apple has been the world's largest company by market capitalization, and, as of 2023, is the largest manufacturing company by revenue, the fourth-largest personal computer vendor by unit sales, the largest vendor of tablet computers, and the largest vendor of mobile phones in the world. Apple became the first publicly traded U.S. company to be valued at over $1 trillion in 2018, and, as of December 2024, is valued at just over $3.74 trillion.

Apple has received criticism regarding its contractors' labor practices, its relationship with trade unions, its environmental practices, and its business ethics, including anti-competitive practices and materials sourcing. Nevertheless, the company has a large following and enjoys a high level of brand loyalty and this week the number one song in LuLac land was  “Lonely Night  (Angel Face) by The Captain and Tennille.