The LuLac Edition #5, 401, July 31st, 2025

 

ISRAEL LIES

ABOUT GAZA

Even a fanciful prevaricator like our President didn’t believe Netanyahu’s assertion that the photos of children in Gaza was fake news. The very fact that the leader of Israel said those pictures were staged was a disgrace.  I have long admired Israeli Prime Ministers and leaders since my youth. Having seen the persecution of the Jewish people, I was with them for an eye for an eye. I even agreed with Golda Meir who once said “When they kill one of ours, we kill ten of them”. When Hamas killed 200 concert goers, I was all in on Israel kicking the crap out those targeted areas.

But THIS HAS TO STOP.

When Israeli troops kill people searching for food, when flour is $40.00 a bag, when people et killed standing in line for food, that is immoral and a war crime. The starving will continue because the Knesset will not be back until October. So they can’t even call for a new election.

Nazis killed Jews in Germany. Italians joined them in this terrible cause. But even after all of that violence, the innocent people in  those countries were fed. If that was done on a wider scale of territory, then it can be done here.

Perhaps the United Staes needs to send armed guards to escort the food and ensure the safety of the innocents. Maybe they can wipe out Hamas along the way.

Something must give because Netanyahu HAS NO SOUL.

 

TRUMP AS INTERIOR DESIGNER

Donald Trump has in large part upset the apple cart of the Presidency in more ways than one. Now he has taken on the task of retooling the White House.

Six months since he moved back into the White House, Trump’s Oval Office is bathed in a sea of gold and gives a glimpse of his maximalist design approach. Gold-colored appliqués on the fireplace, gilded mirrors and ornate Rococo-style 18th and 19th century dessert stands and flower vases from London and France sit on the mantle. The walls are chockablock with paintings of former presidents in heavily ornate gold frames. The Cabinet Room has been outfitted with new ceiling medallions and a grandfather clock.

Trump has announced plans to build a ballroom in the White House. He recently erected two 88-foot-tall flagpoles on the White House south and north lawns.

To be sure, presidents for decades have put their own personal touches on the Oval Office and the White House. President Franklin D. Roosevelt built an indoor swimming pool for physical therapy while living with polio, and President Richard Nixon installed a one-lane bowling alley at the White House's adjacent Old Executive Office Building.

The Oval Office often gets new carpet and other furnishings for new presidents. Under President Joe Biden, it sported a decidedly muted and understated look. By contrast Trump loves his gold. It is a throwback to when he first appeared on the New York stage with a  glitzy transformation of the crumbling Hotel Commodore into the Grand Hyatt. 

As a person who has many photos that adorn my wall, I love the fact that he has included portraits of Presidents in the Oval. And while I disagree with the man’s very soul and policies, the guy has every right to make his surroundings comfortable.

 

ANOTHER LYING

LACKEY ON THE COURT

The Senate confirmed former Trump lawyer Emil Bove 50-49 for a lifetime appointment as a federal appeals court judge Tuesday as Republicans dismissed whistleblower complaints about his conduct at the Justice Department. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowsi voted no.

A former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, Bove was on Trump’s legal team during his New York hush money trial and defended Trump in the two federal criminal cases. He will serve on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which hears cases from Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Democrats have vehemently opposed Bove’s nomination, citing his current position as a top Justice Department official and his role in the dismissal of the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. They have also criticized his efforts to investigate department officials who were involved in the prosecutions of hundreds of Trump supporters who were involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

The ancient and in firmed 91 year old Chuck Grassley shepherded this nomination despite his former championship of whistle bowers testimony against this nominee. So once more. The legal system in the courts is bastardized by enablers in the Senate to put a confirmed liar on a consequential court.

 

TEXAS UNVEILS DISTRICT REORGANIZATION BILL

President Donald Trump’s high-risk, high-reward push to get Texas Republicans to redraw their political map. Trump is seeking to avoid the traditional midterm letdown that most incumbent presidents endure and hold onto the House, which the GOP narrowly controls.

Trump’s push comes as there are numerous political danger signs for his presidency, both in the recent turmoil over his administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and in new polling. Surveys from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research show most U.S. adults think his policies have not helped them and that his tax cut and spending bill will help the wealthy.

NOTICE THIS. They call a special session to look at THIS but pretty much all the people lost  or dead in that fourth of July flood where THEY the sainted Texas legislators DID NOTHING TO PROTECT THEIR PEOPLE.

 

 

MEUSER BILL CRACKING DOWN ON ABUSIVE AGENCY GUIDANCE PASSES IN COMMITTEE

Congressman Dan Meuser (Photo: LuLac archives)

Congressman Dan Meuser announced that his bill, H.R. 4460, the Stop Agency Fiat Enforcement of Guidance (SAFE Guidance) Act, passed out of the House Financial Services Committee.

The SAFE Guidance Act ensures transparency and limits abuse of regulatory “guidance” by requiring financial agencies to include a clear disclaimer on the first page of any guidance document. This disclaimer must state that such guidance does not carry the force of law and that noncompliance does not constitute a legal violation.

“As we saw during Operation Chokepoint 2.0, Biden regulators have quietly used informal guidance to pressure banks into blacklisting lawful industries—from crypto to firearms dealers,” said Congressman Meuser during committee remarks. “This legislation takes a commonsense step to prevent that kind of abuse. Guidance should clarify—not coerce. It’s time we made clear that only Congress sets the law, not unelected regulators.”

The bill defines “guidance” as non-binding financial agency statements of general applicability and outlines nine federal financial agencies subject to the new requirement, including the Federal Reserve, FDIC, SEC, and CFPB.

Meuser added: “We’ve already passed bipartisan legislation like the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act to support fair, transparent regulation of emerging industries. The SAFE Guidance Act builds on that by ensuring regulators don’t undermine congressional intent through back channels.”

 

BRESNAHAN INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO INCREASE ENROLLMENT IN REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS

Congressman Rob Bresnehan (Photo: LuLac archives)

U.S. Representatives Rob Bresnahan, Jr. and Angie Craig (MN-02) introduced the Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act. This bipartisan bill aims to close the skilled trades gap by boosting enrollment in registered apprenticeship programs through greater investment in outreach to students looking to learn a trade and get to work. It will help ensure they are better prepared to meet the growing demand for trained workers in critical industries like construction and manufacturing.

“I have seen firsthand how earn-as-you-learn registered apprenticeship programs help train the next generation of builders, welder, and machinists,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “This bipartisan bill will strengthen our workforce by investing in these institutions, getting more of our students involved. I want to thank Rep. Craig for working with me on this commonsense legislation to better reach our students ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work."

The Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act would provide grant funding through the Department of Labor to expand outreach to potential students and employers in need. The bill will also help more individuals succeed in hands-on, career-focused education through strengthening academic advising, tackling common barriers, such as access to childcare, that prevent students from completing their program, and targeted support for first-generation students.

 “Apprenticeship colleges provide Minnesotans with the skills they need to land good-paying jobs in the trades, and we've got to make sure every Minnesotan has the resources to access and complete these life-changing apprenticeship programs,” said Rep. Craig. “Our state is strong when our workforce is strong, and that’s why I’m working across the aisle to strengthen the middle class and give more students and employers the hands-on support they need.”

The Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act is endorsed by the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT). Senators Steve Daines (MT) and Tina Smith (MN) are leading companion legislation in the Senate. 

“Registered apprenticeship programs, like ours, have always been an important step on the path to the middle class and to learning life changing skills,” said IUPAT General President Jim Williams, Jr. “Providing a way to be able to achieve both a skilled trade and an Associate’s Degree benefits workers and communities as a whole. It's why we are so happy to see the reintroduction of the Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act and I look forward to this bill advancing through Congress with strong bi-partisan support.”

 

AND THEN THERE WAS THIS!!!!

 

PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL & MUSEUM COMMISSION AND DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES BREAK GROUND ON NEW ROUNDHOUSE AT RAILROAD MUSEUM OF PENNSYLVANIA

 

Governor Josh Shapiro (Photo: LuLac archives)

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS) held a groundbreaking ceremony to officially kick off construction of the new 16,000-square-foot, six-stall roundhouse at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. This significant project marks a major step forward in preserving the state's rich railroad heritage.

Commonwealth officials and project leaders gathered to put shovels to dirt, symbolizing the beginning of this transformative endeavor. Dignitaries participating in the groundbreaking included Andrea Lowery, Executive Director, PHMC; Patrick Morrison, Director, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania; Greg Kirk, Deputy Secretary, DGS; Dr. William Lewis, Commission and Vice Chair, PHMC; Randell Spackman, Commission, PHMC; David Dunn, Director Emeritus, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania; Pat Browne, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.

The new roundhouse, designed by Erdy McHenry Architecture of Philadelphia, will feature a classic fan-shaped layout, incorporating brick, steel, and glass, along with a clerestory-style roof for natural lighting. Once completed, it will provide a climate-controlled environment for the long-term preservation and exhibition of six Pennsylvania Railroad historic steam locomotives, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The facility will also include a hard-surface, ADA-accessible pathway for easy visitor access and ample space for viewing and photographing exhibits.

 

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.

 

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

August 1963

1963 COLLEGE

ALL STAR GAME

 

The NFL champion Green Bay Packers were upset, 20–17, by the College All-Stars in the annual Chicago College All-Star Game. It would be the last time that the All-Stars would win the series, which would be discontinued after the 1976 contest. This was a time when the All Star game meant something. Players never sat out and the partipants were in it to win it.

The 30th College All-Star Game on August 2, 1963 did not appear ahead of time as if it would offer much of a contest. Most of the All-Star Games had been won by the defending NFL Champions, and in this instance it was Head Coach Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers taking the field, having won their second straight league title in ’62. Green Bay had a powerful lineup, with QB Bart Starr (who tossed five TD passes in the previous year’s 42-20 shellacking of the All-Stars), FB Jim Taylor, and an outstanding line on offense and a defense that included future Hall of Famers in DE Willie Davis, DT Henry Jordan, CB Herb Adderley, and safety Willie Wood. However, star HB Paul Hornung had been suspended for gambling and would not be appearing in the offensive backfield. The Packers were also without another future Hall of Famer, MLB Ray Nitschke, who was injured, and Taylor was playing with a bad knee.

The All-Star team that was facing the Packers, coached for the sixth straight year by Otto Graham, contained many future pro stars that included Ohio State OT Bob Vogel; G Ed Budde from Michigan State; linebackers Dave Robinson from Penn State (who would play for Green Bay), Lee Roy Jordan out of Alabama, and Minnesota’s Bobby Bell; and UCLA safety Kermit Alexander. The player who started at quarterback and ended up being the star of the game, however, wasn’t even drafted by a NFL club.

Wisconsin’s Ron VanderKelen (pictured above) had been passed over in the draft (held on Dec. 3, 1962), but after a brilliant performance in the Rose Bowl he became a hot commodity and was signed by the Minnesota Vikings (the New York Titans – soon to be Jets – had taken him in the 21st round of the AFL draft). Of the four quarterbacks on the All-Star roster, VanderKelen was selected to start by Graham.

There was a crowd of 65,000 in attendance at Soldier Field for the Friday night game. It seemed like business as usual when Green Bay scored in the first five minutes of the contest. Boyd Dowler, punter for the Packers as well as starting flanker, had put the All-Stars in a hole with his kick to the eight yard line. Iowa HB Larry Ferguson fumbled the ball away and the Packers recovered at the 11. Jim Taylor scored from six yards out for the early lead.

The All-Stars responded with a 57-yard drive highlighted by VanderKelen throwing to ends Paul Flatley from Northwestern and Miami of Ohio’s Bob Jencks, as well as the running of Ferguson. Jencks finished it off with a 20-yard field goal.

Late in the first quarter, CB Tom Janik from Texas A & I intercepted a Bart Starr pass and returned it to the Green Bay 27. A VanderKelen throw to end Pat Richter (pictured below), who had been a teammate at Wisconsin, gained 21 yards to close out the opening period. Ferguson opened the second quarter by blasting five yards into the end zone and Jencks added the extra point as the All-Stars took the lead by a 10-7 score.

The Packers came back with a 59-yard drive, mostly behind the running of Taylor and HB Tom Moore, who had a 27-yard carry along the way, and ended up with a 21-yard Jerry Kramer field goal. The All-Stars had a chance to add to their lead with a field goal of their own before the half, but a 19-yard attempt by Jencks was unsuccessful after being deflected by Herb Adderley. The score remained tied at the midway point.

There was no scoring in the third quarter with Mississippi QB Glynn Griffing in for VanderKelen. But, after the All-Stars recovered a fumble, Griffing passed the All-Stars down the field. The collegians were also aided by the running of Nebraska FB Bill Thornton and Washington HB Charlie Mitchell along the way. Jencks booted a 33-yard field goal to cap the 63-yard drive that put the All-Stars back in front at 13-10.
The Packers missed a scoring opportunity when Kramer was wide on a 37-yard field goal attempt. It set the stage for the game’s pivotal, and most sensational, play. VanderKelen, now back in for the All-Stars, threw 20 yards to Richter who pulled in the pass near the sideline and ran the rest of the way for a 73-yard touchdown. The Packers were in a ten-point hole with time running short.

Green Bay did score once more, driving 63 yards - mostly through the air - and Taylor pounded in from the one yard line, but there were only six seconds left and the All-Stars came away with a stunning 20-17 win. The crowd erupted once the final gun sounded and VanderKelen was carried off the field by his teammates.

The All-Stars had more first downs (16 to 15) and both out-rushed (141 to 96) and out-passed (183 to 119) the Packers. Each team suffered an interception and fumbled the ball away once. Green Bay was penalized for 77 yards to just 13 lost by the All-Stars.

Ron VanderKelen, the All-Star MVP, completed 9 of 11 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown. Glynn Griffing was successful on 6 of 10 throws for 42 yards.

“VanderKelen won the starting quarterback job in the last few days of the practices,” said Otto Graham. “He and Griffing did so well I just didn’t have a chance to use the others (Heisman Trophy-winner Terry Baker of Oregon State and Sonny Gibbs from TCU).”

For the Packers, Bart Starr completed 19 of 32 passes for 169 yards. Jim Taylor, playing hurt against an aggressive All-Star defense, gained 51 yards on 16 carries.

“We have no excuses,” said an embarrassed Vince Lombardi. “That was a fine All-Star squad and VanderKelen is a great pro prospect. He handles himself exceptionally well.”

The Packers narrowly missed finishing atop of the Western Conference once again in the ensuing NFL season, going 11-2-1 to end up second to the Chicago Bears.

Ron VanderKelen went on to play five seasons with Minnesota, and while he occasionally competed with Fran Tarkenton for the starting job, he was strictly a backup quarterback as a pro. Given an opportunity to start in 1967, he was quickly supplanted by Joe Kapp and finished up with a year in the CFL. He was never able to replicate his fine Rose Bowl and College All-Star Game performances in the NFL, but he led the All-Stars to perhaps the greatest upset in the history of the series.

The win for the All-Stars was the first since 1958, and the ninth (and last) of the series that was dominated by the pro teams, who won 31 of the games (there were two ties). (Keith Yowell from Today in Pro Football History)….and this week in LuLac land the number one song here and in America was “So Much In Love” by the Tymes.