The LuLac Edittion #5, 699, June 30th, 2026

 

GOP BALLOT SCHEME AND THE COURT

The  U.S. Supreme Court on Monday upheld a Mississippi law that allows election officials to count mail-in ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but received up to five days after it.

The ruling is a loss for the Republican Party, which brought the case, ahead of this year's midterm elections.

Eighteen states and territories, including GOP-led Mississippi, have such mail ballot grace periods. Most of the states are Democratic-led, including California, Illinois and New York. A dozen additional states have grace periods for ballots returning from overseas, like from members of the military.

The court's ruling was 5-4, with Justice Amy Coney Barrett authoring the opinion, joined in the majority by Chief Justice John Roberts and the court's liberal wing of Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

"[T]he election-day statutes require the electorate's choice to be made on election day. That occurs so long as election day is the deadline for individuals to vote—as it is in Mississippi," Barrett wrote. "But the election-day statutes do not set a deadline for ballot receipt, so they do not prevent Mississippi from counting ballots postmarked before election day yet received afterward."

Justice Samuel Alito authored the dissent, writing in part that the "majority's holding spawns a slurry of troubling election-law questions and risks further undermining Americans' confidence in election integrity."

Alito the ultimate ass kisser  is so full of it. Troubling law my ass. This was a close one though. But you can bet the whiny Luzerne County GOP will bitch. (NPR, LuLac)

 

TRUMP’S STATE FAIR

With very few entertainers,. President Trump and his people decided to have a 50 state fair. It was o.ff to a rocky start.

The biggest buzz around President Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair Saturday wasn’t on the National Mall - it was online, where a bizarre tribute to first lady Melania Trump drew attention as new photos appeared to show another day of sparse crowds.

The 16-day event, which opened Wednesday with remarks from Trump, is part of the nation's yearlong celebration of America's 250th anniversary. Organizers promoted the fair as a patriotic showcase featuring all 50 states, family attractions, live entertainment and exhibits celebrating the country's history and culture.

The fairgrounds include just a few main attractions, like a 110-foot Ferris wheel and a plywood “Triumph Arch” modeled after a monument Trump has proposed near Arlington National Cemetery. Visitors expecting a traditional state fair will find few familiar staples, as there are no roller coasters, midway games or carnival rides and no classic foods like funnel cakes or corn dogs.

Photos circulating throughout the weekend appear to show large stretches of the fairgrounds sitting mostly empty. In one of the most striking images, captured Saturday by The Associated Press, musician Jason Hershey is seen performing at the David’s Tent Christian worship space in front of rows of empty seats, with seemingly only two people in attendance.

Another image shows just a small group of visitors inside a large tent examining an automotive exhibit.

 

DOING THE COOL JERK???? AH MAGA MEN  

A MAGA social media influencer allegedly performed lewd acts while dressed as Uncle Sam during an acrobatic performance at President Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair, according to police documents.

Gian Rachtelli, 54, was charged with lewd, indecent and obscene acts Thursday afternoon at the event on the National Mall.

According to U.S. Park Police documents, obtained by The Independent, three separate witnesses reported that they observed Rachtelli engage in what appeared to be a sexual act during a performance by the Cirque Mechanics acrobat troupe.

One witness told police they were standing behind Rachtelli while he vaped and filmed the female acrobats, before observing him place his hand inside his pants. A second witness reported seeing him return for a later show and repeat the behavior. A third witness stated that a member of the acrobatic team approached them to report that an older white male was making the performers uncomfortable by making lewd gestures in his pants while they were on stage.

Rachtelli, known to his thousands of followers as “Manny,” was wearing an Uncle Sam costume and overalls at the time of his detention, anti-Trump activist Brianne Chapman posted on X. (The Hill, X, LuLac) 

 

 

SPEAKING OF……………….

 

FETTERMAN AND MCCORMICK SECURE PENNSYLVANIA’S PRESENCE AT GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR

U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) have teamed up to ensure Pennsylvania has a strong, privately funded presence at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., marking the U.S. 250th anniversary

Initially, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said the state would not participate because it could not secure a business sponsor for the booth. The state’s Department of Community and Economic Development cited high costs and lack of business interest, with Shapiro suggesting the issue reflected a broader politicization of the event However, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry later said there was interest but not enough time to finalize sponsorships before the event

The Coalition

Fetterman and McCormick announced a coalition of Pennsylvania organizations to take over the state’s participation. The coalition includes:

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry

PennAg Industries Association

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau

National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)

Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association

Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) 

It's a Republican leaning contingent that will check a box but not have any real consequences.