The LuLac Edition #5, 709, July 11th, 2026

 

 

GEORGE WASHINGTON, 

THE GENERAL 

AND HIS SOLDIERS

 

After the Declaration of War was signed, the military strategy had to be put into place.  When the Revolutionary War began, the Second Continental Congress lacked a professional army or navy. However, each of the colonies had a long-established system of local militia, which were combat-tested in support of British regulars in the French and Indian War. The colonial state legislatures independently funded and controlled their local militias.

Militiamen were lightly armed, had little training, and usually did not have uniforms. Their units served for only a few weeks or months at a time and lacked the training and discipline of more experienced soldiers. Local county militias were reluctant to travel far from home and were unavailable for extended operations. To compensate for this, the Continental Congress established a regular force known as the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, which proved to be the origin of the modern United States Army, and appointed Washington as its commander-in-chief. However, it suffered significantly from the lack of an effective training program and from largely inexperienced officers. Each state legislature appointed officers for both county and state militias and their regimental Continental line officers; although Washington was required to accept Congressional appointments, he was permitted to choose and command his own generals, such as Greene; his chief of artillery, Knox; and Alexander Hamilton, the chief of staff.  One of Washington's most successful general officer recruits was Steuben, a veteran of the Prussian general staff who wrote the Revolutionary War Drill Manual. The development of the Continental Army was always a work in progress and Washington used both his regulars and state militias throughout the war; when properly employed, the combination allowed them to overwhelm smaller British forces, as they did in battles at Concord, Boston, Bennington, and Saratoga. Both sides used partisan warfare, but the state militias effectively suppressed Loyalist activity when British regulars were not in the area.

It might seem quaint today but back then Washington designed the overall military strategy in cooperation with Congress, established the principle of civilian supremacy in military affairs, personally recruited his senior officer corps, and kept the states focused on a common goal. Washington initially employed the inexperienced officers and untrained troops in Fabian strategies rather than risk frontal assaults against Britain's professional forces. Over the course of the war, Washington lost more battles than he won, but he never surrendered his troops and maintained a fighting force in the face of British field armies.

By prevailing European standards, the armies in America were relatively small, limited by lack of supplies and logistics. The British were constrained by the logistical difficulty of transporting troops across the Atlantic and their dependence on local supplies. Washington never directly commanded more than 17,000 men, and the combined Franco-American army in the decisive American victory at Yorktown was only about 19,000. At the beginning of 1776, Patriot forces consisted of 20,000 men, with two-thirds in the Continental Army and the other third in the state militias. About 250,000 American men served as regulars or as militia for the revolutionary cause during the war, but there were never more than 90,000 men under arms at any time.

On the whole, American officers never equaled their British opponents in tactics and maneuvers, and they lost most of the pitched battles. The great successes at Boston (1776), Saratoga (1777), and Yorktown (1781) were won by trapping the British far from base with a greater number of troops. After 1778, Washington's army was transformed into a more disciplined and effective force, mostly as a product of Baron von Steuben's military training. Immediately after the Continental Army emerged from Valley Forge in June 1778, it proved its ability to match the military capabilities of the British at the Battle of Monmouth, including a Black Rhode Island regiment fending off a British bayonet attack and then counter charging the British for the first time as part of Washington's army. After the Battle of Monmouth, Washington came to realize that saving entire towns was not necessary, but preserving his army and keeping the revolutionary spirit alive was more important. Washington informed Henry Laurens, then president of the Second Continental Congress,[ag] "that the possession of our towns, while we have an army in the field, will avail them little."

Although the Continental Congress was responsible for the war effort and provided supplies to the troops, Washington took it upon himself to pressure Congress and the state legislatures to provide the essentials of war; there was never nearly enough. Congress evolved in its committee oversight and established the Board of War, which included members of the military. Because the Board of War was also a committee ensnared with its own internal procedures, Congress also created the post of Secretary of War, appointing Major General Benjamin Lincoln to the position in February 1781. Washington worked closely with Lincoln to coordinate civilian and military authorities and took charge of training and supplying the army.

So as early as 1781, there was a Washington and Lincoln involved. 

 

 

The LuLac Edition #5, 708, July 9th, 2026

 

TRUMP ON GREENLAND AGAIN

Like a dog with a bone, Donld Trump has brought up Greenland again at NATO. President Donald Trump is getting roasted online after again again suggesting that the United States should take over the Arctic nation of Greenland.

Answering a reporter’s question about the Greenland controversy at the NATO summit in Turkey, the president said: “That’s what hurt my relationship with NATO. Because Greenland doesn’t help Denmark. Denmark doesn’t spend money to really help Greenland, but it’s an important part for the United States.”

The president continued: “And it’s surrounded by China ships and Russian ships. Greenland should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark. We could remove all our soldiers out of Europe.”

Then came the warning: “They better be careful.

The Tony Soprano of American government acts like a thug rater than a leader.

Trump caused international outrage earlier in his term when he talked about taking over Greenland, which is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

Greenland is home to the US Pituffik Space Base, and Trump has said that the island nation is key to American strategic interests in the Arctic.

But the president was blasted online for again suggesting a US takeover of Greenland.

“Greenland to Trump … F—k Off,” one poster wrote on X.

Wrote another: “Greenland is not ‘an important part of the United States.’ In actual fact it is not even part of the United States. You continue making yourself look like a fool on the world stage!”

He did, he has and he always will do that. (AL, LuLac)

 

INSIDER TRADING A PROBLEM IN LUZERNE COIUNTY?

There are volunteers going around the county asking people to sign a petition for government officials to do something about Insider trading.  Action Together is circulating a petition advocating a referendum this fall to see if there is appetite for a prohibition of Insider Trading in the County. Presumably the Council would have to enact a law to prohibit it.

‘People are canvasing on this issue and one hqs to ask the following questions.

How man people know what Insider trading is?

How will anyone know someone is Insider trading?

On salaries of $8,000 in the county and $13,000 on Wilkes -Barre City Council what access would that leadership have on stock trades?

If a referendum passes on prohibition how would it be investigated and enforced and adjudicated?

These are questions voters should be asking.

 

STATE PARTY STEPS IN AT THE LAC

WVIA’s Borys Krawczeniuk reports that the state Democratic Party has seized temporary control of its Lackawanna County affiliate and plans to schedule a meeting soon to elect new county party officers.

Meeting via Zoom on Monday, the state party unanimously determined Chris Patrick’s term as county Democratic chairman had lapsed and took over the officer selection process, acting on numerous complaints by county Democrats upset at Patrick.

“We had written complaints and phone calls,” said a state party official, who spoke only if he were not named.

The party ruled Patrick could not block 76 newly elected local committee members from taking office and voting on new officers, the official said.

"Part of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party’s role, as outlined in our bylaws, is to ensure that county party reorganization efforts are conducted in accordance with those bylaws, and that is exactly what we are doing in Lackawanna and Forest counties," a state Democratic Party spokesperson said in a statement. "In response to the county party’s failure to complete its reorganization, the state party is stepping in to facilitate the reorganization process, in which all duly elected members will have the ability to participate. Once that process is complete, the leadership of the Lackawanna and Forest Democratic parties will be empowered to address and resolve any disputes."

 

 

THE PLATNER PROBLEM

 

EDITOR'S NOTE: Platner, in a social media post yesterday withdrew from the race.  

Sen. Bernie Sanders on Tuesday became the latest and most notable lawmaker to pull support for Maine U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner following an allegation of sexual assault, adding to a chorus of calls for him to step aside as Democratic Party leaders scramble to determine next steps.

Sanders, a Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats, has long backed Platner in the high-stakes race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins, but he said in a statement that he spoke with the candidate and “in light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside.”

Platner, who denies the allegation, has so far not heeded the wave of calls to resign as the nominee. Instead, he posted a video on Monday saying he’s currently considering next steps for his campaign while canceling town hall events.

Platner posted the video after reports that a woman who previously dated the first-time candidate said he drunkenly forced her to have sex after she told him to stop.

The allegation is the latest in a string a controversies Platner has faced, and so far weathered since the oyster farmer and Marine veteran entered the race. But the seriousness of the assault claim has put the Maine contest — and Democrats’ ability to win control of the Senate — at risk, with even some of his strongest supporters questioning whether Platner should continue his campaign.

Susan Collins has to be (next to Trump) the luckiest candidate in this election. The argument can be made that Trump rode through a series of marks against him, but Platner is not Trump. Nor is the Democratic  party  the Republican one that allows and forgives Trump everything.

The allegation is bad because it takes away the need to get rid of Collins as an argument to get a Senate majority. Platner’s issues will drown out affordability and help for the middle class. A new candidate sans tattoos and a questionable past might be a better fit. (CNN. AP, LuLac) 

 

ENROLLMENT DECLINES IN OBAMACARE

States across the country saw steep drops in the number of people covered by the Affordable Care Act over the past year, with Ohio and Oklahoma each losing nearly one-third of enrollees, according to new federal data that provides the first complete 50-state breakdown of sharp enrollment declines following the January expiration of enhanced subsidies.

The data, posted in late June by the Trump administration and first reported on by The Associated Press, reveals how changes in each state’s insured population led to around 2.6 million fewer Americans having Obamacare plans in February compared with the same time last year.

It captures not only how many people signed up for or were automatically reenrolled in plans in 2026, but how many paid their first monthly premiums to keep coverage, according to Cynthia Cox, a vice president and director of the ACA program at the healthcare research nonprofit KFF, who reviewed the dataset. She said it accounts for people who were retroactively removed from coverage after a nonpayment grace period ended.

An AP analysis of the data finds that Ohio and Oklahoma each saw a more than 32% decline in ACA enrollment over the past year. They lost larger shares of their covered populations than any other state.

Following closely behind, and losing more than a fourth of their enrollees, were Arizona, South Carolina, Minnesota, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Louisiana and Missouri.

Florida, a state that relies highly on ACA insurance in part because it did not expand Medicaid and is home to many gig workers and entrepreneurs, still has more residents in the marketplace than any other state, at nearly 4 million. But it also saw the highest number of enrollees drop coverage this year — around 443,000.

In a report released last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggested the significant drop in enrollment this year could be attributed to a federal crackdown on fraudulent or “phantom” enrollment. But analysts have said it was more likely related to the Jan. 1 expiration of federal subsidies, and other changes, including tightened requirements on which immigrants could access subsidized plans.  (MS Now, LuLac)

 

FETTERMAN AND MCCORMICK REPRESENT STATE ON JULY 4^th

 

State pavilions remain one of the Great American State Fair’s biggest attractions  last week on the National Mall in Washington.

Some states, however, opted not to participate in the fair. Pennsylvania was one of those states until a last-minute effort by its U.S. senators.

Freedom 250 is a public-private partnership established by the Trump administration and has essentially taken charge of events on the National Mall this week to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary. It’s viewed by critics as a more partisan, Trump-aligned theme to celebrate the 250th.

America250 is the nonprofit supporting the congressionally created U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission.

Many musicians, artists and even some blue-state governors opted not to participate in any of the Freedom 250-aligned events, which include the Great American State Fair.

Sen. McCormick called Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and several organizations to make a last-ditch effort and ensure Pennsylvania was represented at the fair.

McCormick noted that Pennsylvania is where America was born. The state’s 250-year history is filled with significant events from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and Gettysburg to Erie. 

“Political parties come and go, presidents, senators come and go. But America’s history has been remarkable,” said McCormick. “We need to come together to celebrate the greatness of America. America is imperfect. We’re on an imperfect journey. There’s lots of work to do, but there’s no doubt it is the greatest country in the history of mankind.

Fetterman concurred and the two represented the state in a bipartisan fashion. 

 

 

: RACHEL WALLACE OPENS  CAMPAIGN OFFICE IN POTTSVILLE

 

 Rachel Wallace, candidate for Pennsylvania’s 9th Congressional District, opened  her campaign office in Pottsville.

About Rachel Wallace: Rachel Wallace was born and raised in Pennsylvania, growing up in Pottsville and now living in southern Schuylkill County. She is the daughter of a pastor and a nurse, and has spent her career in public service, having worked in the U.S. Senate, the State Department, and the White House Office of Management and Budget. She is running for Congress to lower the cost of living, fix health care, and bring a focus back to the working families of Pennsylvania’s 9th District.

 

BRESNAHAN’S CYBERSECURITY LEGISLATION PASSES U.S. HOUSE

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed cybersecurity legislation co-led by Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08). The Small Business Cybersecurity Assistance Evaluation Act of 2026 will ensure small businesses are protected from cybersecurity risks by studying the effects these attacks can have on small businesses. The legislation first passed out of the House Committee on Small Business on May 20, by a bipartisan vote of 23-0. 

“In the United States, small businesses are 210% more likely to experience cyber incidents compared to larger companies,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “Despite this, many of our small businesses lack the resources and expertise necessary to defend against these threats. This legislation will help ensure that as cyber threats continue to evolve, our support systems for small businesses evolve as well.”

Specifically, the legislation directs the U.S. General Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate Federal cybersecurity assistance to small businesses. The bill would require a study to analyze cyber risks, vulnerabilities, and current initiatives and identify shortcomings of current preventative and mitigating measures.

“Small businesses are the foundation of Main Streets across the country, and we cannot leave them behind as digital infrastructure becomes more unpredictable,” continued Rep. Bresnahan. “By finding the gaps in current programs, this bill will give our small businesses better access to the tools, training, and resources they need to strengthen their defense against cyberattacks.”

 

 

SHAPIRO ADMINISTRATION TAKING ACTION TO CONTAIN SPREAD OF MEASLES, BOLSTERING PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS STATEWIDE AND BOOSTING VACCINATION RATES IN AREAS OF CONCERN

Dr. Debra Bogen, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health speaks at a press conference outside of the Lancaster State Health Center. The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is working directly with local health care and community partners to address the increasing number of measles cases statewide among people who are not fully vaccinated, particularly in the Lancaster-Lebanon region. The Department is working around the clock to mitigate the spread of this highly contagious virus, with experts and medical professionals ready to respond to any new cases that may emerge.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is working directly with local health care and community partners to address the increasing number of measles cases statewide among people who are not fully vaccinated, particularly in the Lancaster-Lebanon region.

The Department is working around the clock to mitigate the spread of this highly contagious virus, with experts and medical professionals ready to respond to any new cases that may emerge.

"The single most effective way to avoid contracting or spreading measles is to get fully vaccinated. We know Pennsylvanians care about their communities, and doing their part to protect our youngest and most vulnerable residents creates the immunity we need in every city and town to keep this disease at bay," said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. "High rates of vaccination in a community reduce the spread of the highly contagious measles virus. The Department of Health is working hand in hand with a host of community partners to ensure people across the state have access to accurate information and to vaccines close to home."

 

 

MEDIA MATTERS

WVIA NEWS

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

REAGAN TABS SCHWEIKER

July 1976

 

In 1976, Ronald Reagan made a serious challenge against President Gerald Ford in the 1976 Republican Party presidential primaries. Within 90 votes immediately before the opening of the 1976 Republican National Convention, Reagan attempted to attract moderate delegates by promising to name Schweiker, who had a moderate voting record in the Senate, as his running mate. This was unusual because the tradition was for a nominee to name a running mate only after winning the nomination. In response, conservative Republicans, including U.S. Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina, encouraged a movement to draft Conservative Party U.S. Senator James L. Buckley of New York as the G.O.P. nominee. Ford won the nomination on the first ballot by a razor-thin margin and selected Bob Dole for vice president.

Reagan's naming him as his running mate came as a surprise to Schweiker, as the two did not know each other. Schweiker subsequently adopted a much more conservative voting record; his rating from the liberal group Americans for Democratic Action dropped to 15% in 1977.

Reagan campaign manager thought that the Schweiker pick could move the delegates needed from the Keystone state but the state party stood strong. Reagan and Schweiker did this courtship of pragmatism by appearing in public. Reagan stalwarts had issues with it because the true believers wanted a more conservative veep.

Reagan’s choice was notable because Schweiker was considered one of the most liberal Republicans in the Senate at the time  While he had a conservative streak on some issues like gun control and abortion, he was widely regarded as a progressive on labor, welfare, and many economic matters. He had been a strong supporter of President Nixon’s resignation in 1974 and earned high ratings from liberal groups such as the AFL-CIO and Americans for Democratic Action. After the nomination of both was dispatched by the Ford campaign, Schweiker returned to the Senate and served until 1981 declibing to run for re-election. He was named Reagan’s Secretary of Health and Human Services. In July of 1976 this week in LuLac land and America the number 1 song was Starbuck’ “Moonlight Feels Right”.