Rated one of Pennsylvania's top blog/sites, the LuLac Political Letter delves into issues of politics on all levels (with special concentration on Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties: thus the name LULAC) and pop culture.
The LuLac Political Letter was also named Best Political Blog of the Year for 2014 by NEPA BLOGCON and most recently David Yonki was named Best Blogger of the year 2015 by the publication Diamond City.
Sunday, August 31, 2025
The LuLac Edition #5, 427, August 31st, 2025
SUNDAY SNOW
FLAKE
AGAIN
TRUMP FIRES CDC 30 DAY STAFFER
To show you
how much Trump doesn’t care about pubic health, or even understand it, he got
rid of the Centers for Disease Control head because he got his itty bitty
feelings hurt by her not following recommendations from that quack RFK Junior.
Let’s be clear, the CDCtracks pandemics
and other communicable diseases. Trump will win many Sunday Snowflake awards
from here, but this is his most dangerous. Here’s the letter from the person HE
PICKED and then FIRED.
And they said
Joe Biden was a terrible President who was not cognitive. This guy is over the edge.
YOUR PUBLIC HEALTH IS AT RISK. This letter is from one of the major safeguards of our health.
Dear Dr. Houry,
I am writing to formally resign from
my position as Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory
Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective
August 28, 2025, close of business. I am happy to stay on for two weeks to
provide transition, if requested. This decision has not come easily, as I
deeply value the work that the CDC does in safeguarding public health and am
proud of my contributions to that critical mission. However, after much
contemplation and reflection on recent developments and perspectives brought to
light by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I find that the views he and his
staff have shared challenge my ability to continue in my current role at the
agency and in the service of the health of the American people. Enough is
enough. While I hold immense respect for the institution and my colleagues, I
believe that it is imperative to align my professional responsibilities to my
system of ethics and my understanding of the science of infectious disease,
immunology, and my promise to serve the American people. This step is necessary
to ensure that I can contribute effectively in a capacity that allows me to
remain true to my principles.
I am unable to serve in an environment
that treats CDC as a tool to generate policies and materials that do not
reflect scientific reality and are designed to hurt rather than to improve the
public’s health. The recent change in the adult and children’s immunization
schedule threaten the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people. The
data analyses that supported this decision have never been shared with CDC
despite my respectful requests to HHS and other leadership. This lack of
meaningful engagement was further compounded by a “frequently asked questions”
document written to support the Secretary’s directive that was circulated by
HHS without input from CDC subject matter experts and that cited studies that
did not support the conclusions that were attributed to these authors. Having
worked in local and national public health for years, I have never experienced
such radical non-transparency, nor have I seen such unskilled manipulation of
data to achieve a political end rather than the good of the American people.
It is untenable to serve in an
organization that is not afforded the opportunity to discuss decisions of
scientific and public health importance released under the moniker of CDC. The
lack of communication by HHS and other CDC political leadership that culminates
in social media posts announcing major policy changes without prior notice
demonstrate a disregard of normal communication channels and common sense.
Having to retrofit analyses and policy actions to match inadequately
thought-out announcements in poorly scripted videos or page long X posts should
not be how organizations responsible for the health of people should function.
Some examples include the announcement of the change in the COVID-19
recommendations for children and pregnant people, the firing of scientists from
ACIP by X post and an op-ed rather than direct communication with these
valuable experts, the announcement of new ACIP members by X before onboarding
and vetting have completed, and the release of term of reference for an ACIP
workgroup that ignored all feedback from career staff at CDC.
The recent term of reference for the
COVID vaccine work group created by this ACIP puts people of dubious intent and
more dubious scientific rigor in charge of recommending vaccine policy to a
director hamstrung and sidelined by an authoritarian leader. Their desire to
please a political base will result in death and disability of vulnerable
children and adults. Their base should be the people they serve not a political
voting bloc.
I have always been first to challenge
scientific and public health dogma in my career and was excited by the
opportunity to do so again. I was optimistic that there would be an opportunity
to brief the Secretary about key topics such as measles, avian influenza, and
the highly coordinated approach to the respiratory virus season. Such briefings
would allow exchange of ideas and a shared path to support the vision of
“Making America Healthy Again.” We are seven months into the new
administration, and no CDC subject matter expert from my Center has ever
briefed the Secretary. I am not sure who the Secretary is listening to, but it
is quite certainly not to us. Unvetted and conflicted outside organizations
seem to be the sources HHS use over the gold standard science of CDC and other
reputable sources. At a hearing, Secretary Kennedy said that Americans should
not take medical advice from him. To the contrary, an appropriately briefed and
inquisitive Secretary should be a source of health information for the people
he serves. As it stands now, I must agree with him, that he should not be
considered a source of accurate information.
The intentional eroding of trust in
low-risk vaccines favoring natural infection and unproven remedies will bring
us to a pre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive and many if not all
will suffer. I believe in nutrition and exercise. I believe in making our food
supply healthier, and I also believe in using vaccines to prevent death and
disability. Eugenics plays prominently in the rhetoric being generated and is
derivative of a legacy that good medicine and science should continue to shun
(the bold is mine).
The recent shooting at CDC is not why
I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist
forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his
legacy proud. I am resigning because of the cowardice of a leader that cannot
admit that HIS and his minions’ words over decades created an environment where
violence like this can occur. I reject his and his colleagues’ thoughts and
prayers, and advise they direct those to people that they have not actively
harmed.
For decades, I have been a trusted
voice for the LGBTQ community when it comes to critical health topics. I must
also cite the recklessness of the administration in their efforts to erase
transgender populations, cease critical domestic and international HIV
programming, and terminate key research to support equity as part of my
decision.
Public health is not merely about the
health of the individual, but it is about the health of the community, the
nation, the world. The nation’s health security is at risk and is in the hands
of people focusing on ideological self-interest.
I want to express my heartfelt
gratitude for the opportunities for growth, learning, and collaboration that I
have been afforded during my time at the CDC. It has been a privilege to work
alongside such dedicated professionals who are committed to improving the
health and well-being of communities across the nation even when under attack
from within both physically and psychologically.
Thank you once again for the support
and guidance I have received from you and previous CDC leadership throughout my
tenure. I wish the CDC continued success in its vital mission and that HHS
reverse its dangerous course to dismantle public health as a practice and as an
institution. If they continue the current path, they risk our personal
well-being and the security of the United States.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Lulac will be highlighting food
news for our readers. Since the President and his stooge, RFK Junior are now
tinkering with our nutrition needs, we felt this addition to our editions will
satisfy the politicos, foodies and pop culture readers.
HOAGIE MALPRACTICE
Last Saturday I was at an eatery in the county and
ordered an Italian hoagie sandwich.I’m
not naming the restaurant, but this was the strangest Italian hoagie I have
ever had in my life. Now it’s been a while since I had one of these tasty
sandwiches, so I decided to have one.
I rarely complain about any order I get but this one I
felt compelled to tell a story about it. When the sandwich arrived, it was
huge. As you see from the picture, it was so big and packed with meat, the bun
broke.
Then there was the issue of the contents inside. A true
Italian sub should have ham capicola, not boiled ham. The thing was loaded with
it along with some very pale salami and American cheese. The only thing
“Italian” was the pepperoni.
I wound up eating a quarter of it. I made my complaint
known to the server and she said, “Sorry” with no other response. No telling
the manager, no saying “Let me see what I can do” nuthin’.
On the way out the door, I mentioned the same comment to
another employee who said “sorry” and just gave me a blank stare.
I was not upset though and decided to make lemonade out
of this lemon. As a Catholic school kid, it was drummed into me never to waste
food. And my God with that lying Netanyahu saying there was no famine in Gaza
despite photographic evidence to the contrary, I took the sandwich home, I
wasn’t about to waste it.
As you can see by photos 2 and 3. \You can see the
ingredients bursting in the bag as well as the amount of ham they stuffed into
it.
So, with the contents of this “Italian” hoagie with
boiled ham and American cheese, I made 6 normal sandwiches. 6!!!!! So, I was set
for lunch every day this week.
In the future I will buy any REAL Italian sub from an
Italian eatery, not a beer store masquerading as a restaurant. Any connoisseur
of Italian food will tell you it’s quality not quantity that prevails every
time. Recently I attended a Live Well meeting and the subject of eating healthy
came up. A few members of the committee opined all the food festivals we have
here in LuLac land and the various ethnic choices loaded with calories. This
misguided attempt at an “Italian” sub is just a perfect example. Quality over
quantity in this case should have been the watchword.
ITALIAN HOAGIE
PRICE CHECK
Jersey Mike’s Original $10.75.
Primo Hoagies $14.83
Subway$11.59
Wegman’s $14.99
Sabatelli’s $8.49
Grotto $11.95
Vino’s$14.00
Bobby O’s$17.00
My horrible sub:$14.95
CHEESE AS
A GRAB & GO
You’ll see some super markets have “Grab and Go” sections
where you can pick up cold cuts or cheese instead of standing in a deli line.
They are quick, convenient and in some cases marked down. But some grocers will
not layer their cheese like you get in the deli line. They pile the cheese one
upon the other so that when you try to peel off a piece, the slice might fall
apart or stick.You can use a butter
knife to make a clean cut but that takes time. “G & G’s” are good but but hard to handle for some folks in a hurry. However, I am told that Wegmans layers their grab and go cheeses.
PUMPKIN
SPICE COFFEE OFFERINGS
Dunkin' and Starbucks released their pumpkin spice menus
in 2025, with Dunkin' launching its fall menu on August 20 and Starbucks' menu
on August 26. The menus will feature a variety of pumpkin spice items,
including the popular Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Iced
Pumpkin Cream Chai, and Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte. Dunkin' will also introduce
a Halloween-themed menu on October 15, 2025. Starbucks will continue to offer a
range of pumpkin spice flavors and items, making it a must-visit for those who
love the seasonal treat. Wonder if they can make a Pumpkin tea? Nah!
CRACKER BARREL
CAVES
Last week, in a move that drew ire from both sides of the
political sphere, Cracker Barrel unveiled a new, simplified logo. Now the
restaurant chain says it’s reverting course after losing roughly $100 million
in market value.
The “new logo is going away,” Cracker Barrel confirmed to
USA TODAY in an Aug. 26 statement, indicating that it would go back to its “Old
Timer,” which depicts a man called “Uncle Herschel” sitting in a chair with his
arm resting on a barrel.
News of the reversal prompted Cracker Barrel’s stocks to
rebound, rising about 7% on Wednesday and a congratulatory statement from
President Donald Trump.Wow! It’s
amazing that the caved so soon but equally astounding that in this country f
problems and issues that dominate the news, this moves a President, a company
and a nation to distraction.
There is no doubt that Franklin Roosevelt was
one of the most consequential Presidents of the 20th century. As a
matter of fact he was rated in the top 5 of successful Presidencies and is
remembered as a great one. But not everybody loved him. As a boy I remember
friends of my parents throwing around charges that he was too powerful and made
the country worse by his policies. Our working class family never saw that but
a few others did.The changes that
Roosevelt enacted were geared toward making the country stronger. Sure he had
flaws and I believe had issues with foreigners during the war but for the most
part he did not harm. Like Trump is doing now, he tested the limits of his
power. But he knew his limits and abide by the Constitution.
Donald Trump is also a consequential
President. His idea of a Space Force as well as the development of the Co Vid
vaccine is something to be recognized as helping the country. When he won
election in November of 2016 I went on WBRE TV and said that as the first
civilian President he had great opportunities to do well.Like FDR he was a native New Yorker and
wealthy man who would certainly be an alternative to our past leaders.
In his first term it was clear that he was a
far cry from Roosevelt. His demeanor and cruelty was exhibited quickly and there
was an expectation that he would pay a political price for that. But he didn’t.
With indictments, sexual assault charges, a conviction, a well-funded campaign
against him, he still won. He is consequential like FDR but what made him so is
the acceptance by a new American public that his behavior and policies are just
fine.
In a way, the consequences of his Presidency
were broadcast to the American people and either through selfishness,
incredulity or ignorance, they bought what he was selling. The generation of
FDR’s people were united in raising one another up. A segment of the Trump
generation wants to beat others down.
It is true that FDR inspired and Trump in
effect conspired to build a coalition of grievance and downright hate. But it
should be remembered that bothmenplayed to their political bases. Roosevelt
and Trump were/are consequential because they were ratified by the citizens of
this country. That reward came from a majority of the people. Roosevelt’s fate,
nearly a century ago is already written in stone. Trump’s so far indicates that
he is reversing many New Deal and Great Society programs that helped people get
ahead. Trump’s success as a President or lack thereof will be decided by an
America that is teetering between change for the good or a new America that is
fast becoming unrecognizable.
Elections
have consequences and Presidents are the recipients of those actions, for
better or worse.
Everyday though it appears that the Trump Presidency is not saving this nation but ruining it. FDR hired experts and people who knew they were serving the public good. This administration has taken Steve Bannon's belief to tear the government down, not build it up like Roosevelt did. Where's the proof?
Yesterday afternoon, all hell broke loose at the Center for Disease Control. An appointee of Trump's in the job for 30 days resigned due to the pressure put on her to rubber stamp orders that would be detrimental to public health. The resignation letter stated this: Their desire to please a political base will result in death and disability of vulnerable children and adults. Their base should be the people they serve not a political voting bloc. More on this in future editions.
But the point here is that every single day there is a reverse of what government is supposed to do. This administration has always had been on the wrong side of many issues that people disagreed with. But the one thing normal people always revert to is that "health bis wealth". By this action yesterday it is apparent that Trump will be remembered for being the anti-FDR. History has judged Roosevelt for his flaws, they will judge Trump for his obvious disregard of the one thing a President is supposed to do: PROTECT THE PEOPLE, not make them sick with an attack on medical science.
TERROR ATTACKS
ARE WE SAFER
OR MORE AT RISK?
Terrorism experts are warning that there
might be higher threat levels in America since many experienced employees were
let go or decided to retire since January. There was a great deal of experience
as well as institutional knowledge that will be hard to replace. We have to
remember that the attacks that were planned but thwarted happened not because
of an elected official, but by legions of dedicated people who anonymously put
their heads down and focus on their jobs.
O’DONNELL LAW
OFFICES HONORED
IN BEST
LAWYERS® 2026
Attorney Catherine O'Donnell and Neil O'Donnell, the best of the best.
O’Donnell Law Offices is proud to share
exciting news from the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®—a year made
even more special as the firm celebrates its 35th anniversary serving
Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Neil T. O’Donnell has been honored as the
2026 “Lawyer of the Year” in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs for
Northeastern Pennsylvania, a prestigious recognition from The Best Lawyers in
America. This distinction is one of the highest honors in the legal field,
awarded to only one attorney in each region and practice area. Selection is
based entirely on peer nomination and review, reflecting the utmost respect
from fellow attorneys.
Neil’s recognition is a testament to his
decades of dedication to justice, unwavering advocacy for clients, and deep
commitment to the community. For more than 35 years, he has fought for injury
victims and their families, securing life-changing verdicts and settlements
while providing compassionate counsel.
Honoring the Entire O’Donnell Law Team
In addition to Neil’s honor, every attorney
at O’Donnell Law Offices has beenrecognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for
excellence in their respective practice areas:
Cathy O’Donnell – Honored for her
exceptional work in estate planning, estate administration, and elder law.
Cathy has built a reputation for guiding families with compassion and clarity,
ensuring their futures are secure.
Michael A. O’Donnell – Recognized for his
outstanding advocacy in personal injury litigation. Michael combines a strong
legal mind with a deep sense of empathy for his clients, following in the proud
tradition of the firm while forging his own path.
Gerard Gaughan – Celebrated for his expertise in handling
complex injury cases, Gerard is known for his meticulous preparation and
steadfast commitment to achieving justice for clients.
Joshua Perry – Honored for his skill and compassion as
both a registered nurse and attorney. Joshua brings a unique perspective to the
courtroom, blending medical knowledge with legal advocacy to support clients in
some of their most difficult moments.
These individual accolades highlight the
depth of talent and dedication across thefirm, underscoring a shared mission of client advocacy and community
service.
Since its founding, O’Donnell Law Offices has
remained committed to providing trusted legal counsel in personal injury,
wrongful death, medical malpractice, sexual abuse, workplace injury, and other
serious cases. The firm proudly serves Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wyoming, and
surrounding counties.
As the firm marks 35 years of service, this
recognition by Best Lawyers® reaffirms the impact of O’Donnell Law Offices in
both the courtroom and the community.
“We are honored to be recognized together
during such a milestone year,”said Neil
O’Donnell. “This award is not just about one attorney—it reflects thededication of our entire team to serving our
clients and our region withintegrity
and compassion.”
About O’Donnell Law Offices
O’Donnell Law Offices is a Northeastern
Pennsylvania-based personal injury firm with a reputation for excellence built
over more than 35 years. The firm has been consistently recognized for its
leadership, advocacy, and commitment to clients throughout the region.
BRESNAHAN INTRODUCES
RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING 90 YEARS OF SOCIAL SECURITY
Representative
Rob Bresnehan (Photo: LuLac archives)
Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. announced
the introduction of a resolution to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Social
Security. The resolution recognizes the significant impact Social Security has
had on ensuring dignity and financial stability for older Americans and
reaffirms the House of Representatives’ commitment to preserving the program.
“For generations across Northeastern
Pennsylvania and beyond, Social Security has been more than a program, it has
been a lifeline,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “Social Security continues to support
tens of millions of Americans annually, reflecting decades of hard-earned
contributions. As we mark 90 years since the Social Security Act was signed
into law, we honor the promise to ensure this and other vital programs remain
intact, not just for today’s seniors, but for our children and grandchildren
who will one day rely on them.”
Rep. Bresnahan was joined by Representatives
Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Zach Nunn (IA-03), and Claudia
Tenney (NY-22) in introducing the resolution.
The Social Security Act was signed into law
on August 14, 1935, to provide economic security for elderly Americans. The
legislation created a social insurance program designed to pay retired workers
age 65 or older a continuing income after retirement.
MEANWHILE DOGE CAUSED SOCIAL SECURITY HACK!
A new lawsuit is claiming hackers have gained
access to the personal information of "billions of individuals,"
including their Social Security numbers, current and past addresses and the
names of siblings and parents — personal data that could allow fraudsters to
infiltrate financial accounts or take out loans in their names.
The allegation arose in a lawsuit filed
earlier this month by Christopher Hofmann, a California resident who claims his
identity theft protection service alerted him that his personal information had
been leaked to the dark web by the "nationalpublicdata.com" breach.
The lawsuit was earlier reported by Bloomberg Law.
The breach allegedly occurred around April
2024, with a hacker group called USDoD exfiltrating the unencrypted personal
information of billions of individuals from a company called National Public
Data (NPD), a background check company, according to the lawsuit. Earlier this
month, a hacker leaked a version of the stolen NPD data for free on a hacking
forum, tech site Bleeping Computer reported.
That hacker claimed the stolen files include
2.7 billion records, with each listing a person's full name, address, date of
birth, Social Security number and phone number, Bleeping Computer said. While
it's unclear how many people that includes, it's likely "that everyone
with a Social Security number was impacted," said Cliff Steinhauer,
director of information security and engagement at The National Cybersecurity
Alliance, a nonprofit that promotes online safety.
"It's a reminder of the importance of
protecting yourself, because clearly companies and the government aren't doing
it for us," Steinhauer told CBS MoneyWatch. (CBS News)
CONGRESSMAN ROB BRESNAHAN
FACES SCRUTINY OVER MEDICAID VOTE AND STOCK TRADES
In case anyone hasn’t
seen this, here is an investigative report from WNEP TV
FURTHERMORE
REMEMBER
IKE & JACK
AT CODORUS STATE PARK, SHAPIRO ADMINISTRATION UNVEILS NEW
TOOLKIT TO HELP OLDER PENNSYLVANIANS CONNECT WITH THE OUTDOORS AND IMPROVE
THEIR HEALTH
Developed by the
Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources, Aging, and Health, the
toolkit gives caregivers, long-term care facilities, and community
organizations practical strategies - including indoor nature guides, low-cost
adaptations, and research on 10 proven physical and mental health benefits of
outdoor recreation.
All of Pennsylvania's 124
state parks and forests are free and open to the public.
Today, members of the
Shapiro Administration visited Codorus State Park in York County to unveil
Connecting to the Outdoors as We Age: Pennsylvania's Rx for Nature - a new
toolkit to help older Pennsylvanians connect with the outdoors and improve their
overall health.
Developed through a
partnership between the Pennsylvania Departments of Conservation and Natural
Resources (DCNR), Aging (PDA), and Health (DOH), the toolkit provides practical
strategies for caregivers, long-term care facilities, and community
organizations. It includes guides for bringing nature indoors, low-cost
facility adaptations, tips to overcome access barriers, and research
highlighting 10 proven health benefits of outdoor recreation - from reducing
stress and anxiety, to lowering risk of chronic disease, to improving memory,
attention, and overall well-being.
List of Speakers:
Codorus State Park
Manager Deanna Schall
DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn
Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich
Special Advisor to the Sec. of Health Dr. Robert Bonacci
Codorus State Park Environmental Education Specialist Renae
Weidner
Friends of Codorus State Park President Frank Kozak
MEDIA MATTERS
WVIA RADIO NEWS
Here’s the team!
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 1955
70 YEARS SINCE EMMET TILL
Emmett Louis Tillwas brutally murdered on August 28, 1955 by
four white racist pigs who were later found innocent by a southern court. Till
was an African American youth, who was 14 years old when he was abducted and
lynched in Mississippi in 1955 after being accused of offending a white woman,
Carolyn Bryant, in her family's grocery store. The brutality of his murder and
the acquittal of his killers drew attention to the long history of violent
persecution of African Americans in the United States. Till posthumously became
an icon of the civil rights movement.
Till was born and raised in Chicago,
Illinois. During summer vacation in August 1955, he was visiting relatives near
Money, Mississippi, in the Mississippi Delta region. Till spoke to 21-year-old
Carolyn Bryant, the white, married proprietor of a local grocery store.
Although what happened at the store is a matter of dispute, Till was accused of
flirting with, touching, or whistling at Bryant. Till's interaction with
Bryant, perhaps unwittingly, violated the unwritten code of behavior for a
black male interacting with a white female in the Jim Crow–era South.
Several nights after the encounter,
Bryant's husband Roy and his half-brother J. W. Milam, who were armed, went to
Till's great-uncle's house and abducted Till, age 14. They beat and mutilated
him before shooting him in the head and sinking his body in the Tallahatchie
River. Three days later, Till's mutilated and bloated body was discovered and
retrieved from the river.
Till's body was returned to Chicago,
where his mother insisted on a public funeral service with an open casket,
which was held at Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ. It was later said
that "The open-coffin funeral held by Mamie Till Bradley[a] exposed the
world to more than her son Emmett Till's bloated, mutilated body. Her decision
focused attention on not only American racism and the barbarism of lynching but
also the limitations and vulnerabilities of American democracy." Tens of
thousands attended his funeral or viewed his open casket, and images of Till's
mutilated body were published in black-oriented magazines and newspapers,
rallying popular black support and white sympathy across the United States.
Intense scrutiny was brought to bear on the lack of black civil rights in
Mississippi, with newspapers around the U.S. critical of the state. Although
local newspapers and law enforcement officials initially decried the violence
against Till and called for justice, they responded to national criticism by
defending Mississippians, giving support to the killers.
In September 1955 an all-white jury
found Bryant and Milam not guilty of Till's murder. Protected against double
jeopardy, the two men publicly admitted in a 1956 interview with Look magazine
that they had tortured and murdered Till, selling the story of how they did it
for $4,000 (equivalent to $46,000 in 2024). Till's murder was seen as a
catalyst for the next phase of the civil rights movement. In December 1955, the
Montgomery bus boycott began in Alabama and lasted more than a year, resulting
eventually in a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that segregated buses were
unconstitutional. According to historians, events surrounding Till's life and
death continue to resonate.
An Emmett Till Memorial Commission
was established in the early 21st century. The county courthouse in Sumner was
restored and includes the Emmett Till Interpretive Center. 51 sites in the
Mississippi Delta are memorialized as associated with Till. The Emmett Till
Antilynching Act, an American law which makes lynching a federal hate crime,
was signed into law on March 29, 2022 by President Joe Biden.
Emmit Till was a young man in the
wrong place at the wrong time. His legacy as a true civil right martyr still
lives on 70 years to the day of his death….and 70 years ago the number one song
in LuLac land and America was “Ain’tThat A Shame” by Pat Boone. This tune is
indicative of this time in America because it was a cover of the Fats Domino
version. But because Fats was black and Boone was white, his rendition
prevailed in pop culture at the time.Here are the two versions.
Location: Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, United States
Political analyst for WBRE TV's Pa. Live program and post election commentator for WBRE TV's Eyewitness News Daybreak show. Author of the book "A Radio Story/We Wish You Well In Your Future Endeavors" and "Leges Vitae" "26 Rules of Life" and the new novel, "Weather Or Knot". The blog editor also writes various news articles and columns as well as upcoming literary projects. The blog editor was a frequent guest on WYOU TV'S INTERACTIVE NEWSCASTS when political issues were discussed on the national, state and local level. Yonki was a weekly panelist on WYLN TV 35's Friday Topic A program. He also appeared on the Hazleton, PA. station on Election Night doing coverage and did special projects and stories for WYLN TV 35's 10PM Newscast "Late Edition".