The LuiLac Edition #5, 389, JUly 18th, 2025

 

MORE VANCE DANCE

Vice President JD Vance—yes, the same guy who once compared Donald Trump to Hitler—came to West Pittston to publicly pat Congressman Rob Bresnahan on the back for voting YES on the “Big Beautiful Bill.” That bill will strip Medicaid and Medicare benefits from countless Pennsylvanians. But not everything went smoothly at this MAGA lovefest.

Some high-profile local Republicans were clearly left out in the cold. First up: TJ Fitzgerald of the ultra-MAGA NEPA Republican Group—the group that’s become a headache for the party establishment. Fitzgerald posted a video whining that despite volunteering for the event (and despite organizers not really wanting him there), he was made to sit in the back. Poor TJ. He’s also stirred up more trouble by launching a write-in campaign for County Council, turning his back on GOP leadership. This will surely siphon off some radical MAGA votes from the party’s endorsed candidates. I say—Good!

Also grumbling was curmudgeon Walter Griffith, our MAGA County Controller and a close Fitzgerald ally. He was overheard complaining that he didn’t get a photo op with Vance, even though he had a VIP pass and it was his birthday. Sorry, Walter—maybe next time. Actually, let’s hope there isn’t a next time.

Outside, a strong crowd of protesters lined both sides of the street in opposition to the bill and Trump-style fascism. It was a great display of “good trouble.” Meanwhile, the lone MAGA counter-protester, Greg Griffin, wandered through the crowd trying to provoke a fight—taunting, insulting, and even calling me out by name several times. I chose not to engage, because frankly, he seemed unhinged. He even called us “idiots” for standing outside in the heat, while standing outside in the heat, but that’s your MAGA logic. Sadly, he’s also the Luzerne County GOP’s official “Grassroots Coordinator.” Here’s a great Letter to the Editor about Greg.

It’s hard to believe what’s happened to the party I once belonged to. But that’s why I left it 20 years ago—and I’ve never looked back.