The LuLac Edition #5, 606, March 19th, 2026

POPE LEO IS AT IT AGAIN

As well he should be. A professional friend of mine opined that Pope Leo was put in place by the good Lord to talk common sense to the world, especially the catholic faithful MAGAs who have demonstrated some fetish for the man child President.

In a speech on Sunday, Leo rebuked wartime propaganda, which seemed like a pretty clear reference to Donald Trump’s administration.

Specifically, the pope reportedly spoke about portraying war as though it’s a video game — just days after the White House spliced video game images into some of its Iran war propaganda.

Speaking March 16 to the staff of the Italian state television program, TG2, the pope said it is up to journalists ‘to show the sufferings that war always brings to the people; to show the face of war and to relate it through the eyes of the victims, so as not to transform it into a video game.’

‘Always, but especially in the dramatic circumstances of war, such as those we are currently experiencing, the media must guard against the risk of becoming propaganda,’ Leo said. ‘And the task of journalists, in verifying the news so as not to become a mouthpiece for those in power, becomes even more urgent and delicate — I would say essential.’

Look this Pope, raised in America was certainly celebrate but not a Monk. The guy knows the score and to glamorize war through video games shows the immaturity of this administration. Personally, I think Leo wouldn’t be caught dead in America before Trump leaves office. The Pope ministers to the people Trump tramples on, except many of them are too dumb to see that.( LuLac, Catholic Observer) 

 

THOSE LONG WAITS 

AT THE AIRPORT….

BLAME THE GOP

The Republican party continues to blame the Democrats for the long line at te airports. But the Dems have suggested that funding for the people at the airport be done immediately so that workers in airports get paid and travelers not have to wait in long lines.

The GOP has said they want ALL funding restored even though there is a crisis and compromise. But they refuse because they couldn’t care less about the workers or the travelers.

I don’t blame the Democrats for holding their ground because the GOP has reneged on every promise they made. Remember when the Republicans said to the Democrats if you join us, we’ll fix Medicaid and SNAP? We’ll work on health care?

NEVER HAPPENED!

So if you are traveling by air and have to wait or God forbid miss your flight……make sure you see RED.

Those lying bastards are the ones holding you up. (AP, LuLac) 

 

WHEN YA LOSE A JOE

KENT, YOU’RE A MESS

The top US counterterrorism official resigned on Tuesday in protest over the Iran war, writing that "Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation" in his resignation letter to President Donald Trump.

Joe Kent, a conservative politician and former CIA paramilitary officer, quit as head of the National Counterterrorism Center, alleging the United States went to war "due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby" and that Trump had been duped by a "misinformation campaign."

Trump later told reporters "it’s a good thing that he’s out because he said Iran was not a threat. Every country recognized Iran was a threat." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on social media that Kent's resignation letter was riddled with "false claims."

Trump said he didn't know him, but he was a nice guy but doing a terrible job. Totally senile bullshit lies that he vilified Biden for.  

Of course the President is going to lie when ne of his former true believers bails on him. Remember, this guy was in charge of Counter terrorism. Counter means AGAINST! The fact that the guy who fights terrorism, left him should make us say an extra prayer tonight and every night.

 

TRUMP LACKEYS

SHUT DOWN

KENNEDY CENTER

One year after naming himself chair of the Kennedy Center, President Donald Trump presided over the performing arts center’s board as it voted unanimously on March 16 to approve the president’s proposed renovations and shut down the center for two years.

Last year, Trump fired all members of the board and installed handpicked members, including second lady Usha Vance, Allison Lutnick, the wife of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Susie Wiles, the president's chief of staff.

The board meeting came days after Trump announced via Truth Social that Richard Grenell, a close foreign policy adviser, was exiting his role leading the arts venue, which was renamed the Trump Kennedy Center last year by the board.

In the same post, Trump named Matt Floca, the building’s vice president for facilities and operations, as its next executive director, crediting him with helping achieve "tremendous progress" on the center's ongoing revamp. The board also voted to confirm Floca.

Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio ‒ one of more than 20 ex officio members who do not have voting rights on the board ‒ filed a lawsuit that included a request that she be allowed to take part in the March 16 board meeting at the White House.

Let’s hope the legal process puts a stop to this. Trump’s flunkies have already desecrated the building and more of his involvement will be an insult to a President that served his nation as a soldier and good President. Two of which TRUMP IS NOT.

 

TRUMP ASKS FOR

NATO’S HELP

RESPONSE IS MIXED

President Donald Trump on Tuesday fumed at longtime American allies he says aren’t doing enough to help the U.S. and Israel in their war against Iran, now arguing that their assistance was never needed after spending days publicly requesting their help.

“Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID!” he wrote on Truth Social. “Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea. In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!”

America’s top allies have largely resisted the president’s calls to take on an active role in the Middle East war, which the U.S. and Israel launched in February, arguing Iran presented an imminent threat.

In recent days, Trump has repeatedly asked global allies — and some geopolitical foes, including China — for help securing the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway is key for trade, and disruptions to the international energy market have sent oil prices spiking.

International leaders largely rebuffed those calls from the president.

Good for them! What the hell did this ignorant pig President expect when since day one he insulted and belittled our allies? Allies who stood with us. This is not their fight but one of a loser wanna be dictator who never had, never does and never will have a fucking clue as to how to govern.

 

BRESNAHAN URGES

RELEASE OF NEARLY

$600 MILLION IN

COVID RELIEF FUNDS FOR PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITALS

Congressman Rob Bresnehan (Photo: LuLac archives)

 

U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) announced he sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requesting the release of nearly $600 million of previously unobligated Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funds related to COVID-19 response costs. Rep. Bresnahan joined Rep. Mackenzie in sending the letter, as well as Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), John Joyce (PA-13), Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15), and Mike Kelly (PA-16).

 During the COVID pandemic, FEMA offered Public Assistance grants to help offset the significant costs to hospitals. While a significant portion of that funding was distributed, close to $600 million in reimbursements to Pennsylvania health care providers remain outstanding.

“Pennsylvania hospitals stepped up during COVID-19 and did everything asked of them and more to protect patients and support frontline workers,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “FEMA should stop dragging its feet and release the funds these providers were promised so they can keep caring for families across the Commonwealth.”

“The COVID pandemic placed an enormous strain on hospitals throughout our commonwealth — requiring providers to absorb large, short-term expenses in order to save lives,” said Rep. Mackenzie. “As our health care providers work to complete their COVID recovery and prepare for the future, they’re counting on full reimbursement via the funding that the federal government has already allocated. Distribution of the $600 million in outstanding Public Assistance funds will provide critical support for Pennsylvania providers and empower their ability to provide the highest quality care.”

“Hospitals are among the most vital institutions in any community, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania’s hospitals proved exactly why,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “At the heart of that effort were extraordinary doctors, nurses, and health care professionals who worked tirelessly under immense pressure to care for the sick, protect those around them, and serve as a lifeline for families during a time of profound uncertainty. That service came at a significant cost, and these hospitals should not still be waiting for support intended to help shoulder that burden. We will continue pressing to ensure the hospitals of Bucks and Montgomery counties—and across Pennsylvania—receive the resources they were promised and rightfully earned.”

 “Hospitals across Pennsylvania provide exceptional care to our communities every day,” said Rep. Smucker. “This was especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pennsylvania hospitals should receive the Public Assistance funding they are owed for the critical services they delivered.”

 

OVER THREE YEARS, SHAPIRO ADMINISTRATION INVESTS MORE THAN $12 MILLION TO HELP KEEP PENNSYLVANIA MOMS AND BABIES HEALTHY

Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen during a visit to Maternal & Family Health Services, Inc., in Scranton, Pennsylvania, highlighting the Shapiro Administrations $12.3 million investment in maternal and child health initiatives and proposed additional funding to support programs that improve outcomes for mothers and babies across the Commonwealth.  (Photo: Governor’s website)

All pregnant women deserve a safe and healthy pregnancy. Since taking office in January 2023, the Shapiro Administration has invested $12.3 million in maternal and child health initiatives that are delivering real results, like increased postpartum depression screenings, improved access to care for women with hypertension, and new grants specifically designed to improve the health of Pennsylvania mothers and babies, among other improvements.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen visited Maternal & Family Health Services, Inc. in Scranton to see some of those results in action.

"Since his first year in office, Governor Josh Shapiro made improving health outcomes for mothers and babies a priority," said Secretary Bogen. "Our investments are greatly improving Pennsylvania mothers' access to quality medical and behavioral health care. The Governor's ongoing support for maternal and child health is reflected in his 2026-27 budget proposal of an additional $7.5 million to continue and to expand this important work to make pregnancies, deliveries, and postpartum care safer for the more than 125,000 births each year in Pennsylvania."

Prior to Governor Shapiro taking office, there was no specific line item in the state budget for maternal health. During his first year in office, the Governor proposed and won legislative approval for the historic, first-time investment of $2.3 million in maternal health; increasing the investment over the past three years.

 

 

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

WILLIAM BUCKLEY

HEZBOLLAH VICTIM

March 1984  

The United States Central Intelligence Agency station chief in Beirut, William Francis Buckley, is kidnapped by the Islamic Jihad Organization and later dies in captivity. was the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) station chief in Beirut from 1984 until his kidnapping and killing in 1985.

Buckley's cover was as a political officer at the U.S. Embassy. He was kidnapped by the group Islamic Jihad in March 1984, and held hostage and tortured by Aziz al-Abub. Hezbollah later claimed they executed him in October 1985, but another American hostage disputed that, believing that he died four months prior, in June.  recent history, Lebanon has been considered by American intelligence agencies as a politically and socially unstable country, but throughout 1983 this instability increased dramatically as Western-affiliated infrastructure was targeted.

David Barkay, a former officer in Israel's intelligence unit 504, asserts that a spy from Hezbollah delivered a note to his operatives (Barkay among them) six days before the kidnapping.[16] The note contained a message from Imad Mughniyeh to a Hezbollah team that had been training for a kidnapping operation for months. The message instructed the team to prepare for the operation, which was set to take place in a couple of days. The note identified the target of the operation as "an American senior intelligence officer". Barkay adds that it is possible that the information about the impending kidnapping did not reach the CIA due to an "egotistical" dispute between the Mossad and Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate.

On March 16, 1984, Buckley was kidnapped by Hezbollah from his apartment building when he was leaving for work. Army Major General Carl Stiner had warned Buckley that he was in danger, but Buckley told him that "I have a pretty good intelligence network. I think I'm secure." According to Stiner, Buckley continued to live in his apartment and travel the same route to and from work every day.

The CIA believes that Buckley was betrayed by a female Shiite CIA asset named Zenoub, who was trained by Buckley and was also an agent of Hezbollah. He and Zenoub were having an affair at the time of his kidnapping.

On October 4, 1985, Islamic Jihad announced that it had executed Buckley. After Buckley's death, Hezbollah's concern for other hostages' health increased, with Hezbollah captors inquiring about the hostages' health and well-being.

The United States National Security Council acknowledged in an unclassified note that Buckley probably died on June 3, 1985, of a heart attack.

Buckley's remains were recovered by Major Jens Nielsen (Royal Danish Army) attached to the United Nations Observation Group Beirut on December 27, 1991, after they were dumped on a road near Beirut airport.  His body was returned to the United States on December 28, 1991, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia.

Among his CIA awards are the Intelligence Star, Exceptional Service Medallion and Distinguished Intelligence Cross. The 51st star on the CIA Memorial Wall represents him, surrounded by about 132 other stars (as of January 2021) representing CIA officers killed in the line of duty. Approximately 35 of the stars are for unnamed agents whose identities have not been revealed for national security reasons. His name and year of death are recorded in the "Book of Honor" at the wall…..and this week in 1984 the number 1 song and LuLac land and America was “Jump” by Van Halen.

 

 

The LuLac Edition #5, 605, March 18th, 2026

 

WRITE ON WEDNESDAY

Our "Write on Wednesday logo.

 

To keep in the theme of St. Parick's day/week, month, I am giving you a glimpse into the past. On Saturday the 14th of March I was rooting around my clothes closet and saw an old scrap book. In it I found an article, a paper if you will of an event of March 17th, 1972. It was a Friday night  and I had just come home from a Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Day dinner.  Through the help of my uncle, the late Timmy Pribula (who passed away all too young in 1995) as well as 

Attorney Joseph Quinn, I got to meet Hubert Humphrey.  HHH as they referred to him was a Senator then after losing a hair to Richard Nixon in 1968. As a 14-year-old I worked tirelessly for him.

It's funny how your memory forgets things but remembers other aspects of an event. In retyping this letter, I totally forgot there was a bomb scare. Plus, there area few parts in my LuLac version that are corrections of what can only be explained as the exaggerations of an excited teenager. They are:

I did not talk to Humphrey for 10 minutes. Tops it was 4 minutes.

I did not shake his hand a hundred times.

Timmy and I did not hunt him down to get a photo with my uncle.

But pretty much everything else was accurate.

 

THE GRAMMAR

Again, I wrote it just like I wrote it 54 years ago. It is apparent that I was allergic to periods. Or else I was subconsciously channeling James Joyce's "Ulysis". 

Also I typed it on a manual typewriter and the red color must have been hell for me to type. I might have had a multi colored ribbon but again not sure.

That stated, today on Write on....we present the18 year  OLD of  version  of me.

 

THE PITTSTON

FRIENDLY SONS,

A BOMB SCARE,

MY UNCLE TIMMY, 

ME AND

HUBERT HUMPHREY

MARCH 17^th, 1972

 

I had been to a Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Day dinner in my life, as a matter of act I had the impression that you had to be Irish to get in, but I was wrong. Even David Yonki could be Irish on St. Patrik's Day. I must say though that my motives were not clear cut, after all, I was not going to hear the Irish sing their own praises, no sir, I was going t see my long time idol, Senato Hubert Humphrey to sing the praises of the Irish.

I was accompanied to the dinner by my uncle. Thomas Pribila. He was a member and Vice President of the board of Education in Wyoming Ara. My uncle got around and introduced me the the local politicians down at the Courthouse who attended the affair and also to former Governor George Leader. I was very impressed with the coming and going of the "brass" that were talking to my uncle. He was also ready for the arrival of Senator Humphrey, he had his trust camera ready to take photos of the popular lawmaker. The dinner began at 700 PM with Monsignor Knight, of St. John the Evangelist giving the no vocation. He was the pastor of St. John's while I was there and I must say that "Big Tom" did a great job. Dinner was served, again my uncle's connections came through and we were the third table served, he knew the head waitress. (I told you he got around!) Then everyone proceeded to enjoy their meal and right in the middle of the main course, they got some Irish dancers to do a little rendition of the dances done in Ireland. After that, the program began with Attorney Quinn, the toastmaster,  cracking the usual Itish jokes,  He was right in the middle of one joke when Congressman go up and walked to the podium and said, "Will everyone please evacuate the building, there is a bomb in here, it may be just a scare but will everyone please evacuate the building. Quickly. Will everyone please evacuate the building. I was expecting some kind of rush toward the exits but everyone was calm, they just picked up their pitcher or  bottle of beer and pranced out some laughing, some cursing, some too happy to do either, they just filed out quickly and calmy with no fuss or disorder. That was at 8:55 PM. We were ushered in 9:12 PM and by the time odder was restored the time was 9:21 PM. Attorney Quin continued with the program, the "Man o the Year" was given his award and the Irish tenor Gerald King  began to sing the melodies of the old Irish.  At 10:16PM there was a bit of noise behind us, a few scuffles and more noise,  the Irish tenor kept on sinning  but was interrupted when Senator Humprey walked in the door. My uncle  grabbed his camera, took a shot as the Senator walked by I thought to myself how lucky I really was to see the guy I admired most in public life. Congressman Flood introduced him and in talked I  typical HHH style, he was exuberant, he was witty and held everyone's attention. After the speech, many people tried to et near him, my uncle and Attorney Quin arranged it so I could meet him and get a picture with him.   I talked to him for at least 10 minutes and here is how the conversation went:

 

SENATOR HUMPHREY: WELL, HELLO HOW ARE YOU?

DAVID YONKI: FINE SENATOR, YOU KNOW I'VE BEEN WORKIN VERY HARD IN YOUR CAMPAIGN AND I HOPE YOU DO REALLY WELL IN THE PRIMARIES AHEAD. I ALSO WORKED ON YOUR 1968 EFFORT AND ENJOY THAT VERY MUCH.

SENATOR HUMPHREY: THAT'S GOOD. REALLY GOOD. I NEED YOUNG PEOPLE IN M Y ORGANIZATION. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. I HOPE YOU PLAN TO HELP US IN THE UPCOMING CAMPAIGN.

DAVID YONKI: WHY OF COURSE, I WOULDN'T MISS THAT FOR THE WORLD, AS A MATTER OF FACT, I WAS IN TOUCH WITH WALTER RIGGS ANDMARIYN YOUNG ALREADY.

SENATOR HUMPHREY: OH YES THEY ARE GOOD PEOPLE  SPEAK TOO. TWO OF MY BEST WORKERS. THEY'LL GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION YOU WANT.

 

At this stage my uncle asked for a picture and he took it of me with the Senator. HE took another of me talking while Humphrey signed my program. Our conversation continued on for a little while longer and I shook hands with him for at last the20th time and I walked away a very happy person.

My uncle the introduced me to some of his friends from the press and the crowd began to thin out. I asked my uncle if he would like a picture with HHH and he said yes. So w went  hunting for him again and found him. My uncle then stood with him and I took the picture, just as I snapped it, a guy got I the way. HHH good naturally said, YOU MUST BE A REPUBKCAN!"  We tried it again and this time the button would not move. I was shocked, I did not know what to do. But Hubert Humphrey  came over and said,  "WAIT A MINUTE, YOU HAVE TO PUSH THAT BUTTON BACK, NOW TRY IT." Sure enough I worked . So again we shook hands with him and we left the building.

HHH impressed me very much that night. More than any public official ever., and I will remember this night for the rest of my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The LuL>ac Editrion #5, 604, March 17th

 

DANGER

WHAT’S IN THE TRUMP

BACKED SAVE ACT

 

WHAT THE SAVE 

AMERICA ACT 

WOULD DO

Require proof of citizenship to register to vote

The bill would require Americans to show documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote — a U.S. passport, or a driver’s license paired with proof of a person’s citizenship, such as a birth certificate, a certificate of naturalization or adoption paperwork.

Most people would need to show that proof in person at an election office, though the law would allow states to create some accommodations for disabled voters. That provision would go into effect immediately, complicating voter registration in the months leading up to the midterm elections.

People who have changed their names, like many women, would require even more documentation — like marriage certificates or divorce records — to prove their identities, too.

Those provisions would go into effect immediately if the bill became law, making voter registration in the weeks before the midterms far more complicated. Primary elections have already begun in some states, and the general Election Day is less than eight months away.

Require photo ID to vote

The bill would require voters to show photo IDs to cast ballots in federal elections. For most people, that would mean showing a driver’s license at the polls, but a handful of other ID cards would be accepted, including military IDs and tribal identification cards, if they met specific requirements, such as having photos and expiration dates.

People who vote by mail would need to submit photocopies of the relevant identification documents.

The list of acceptable IDs is more restrictive than existing law in all but one state, Ohio, according to an analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law.

That provision might cause difficulties for some citizens. Many tribal ID cards don’t have expiration dates, according to a report by the Native American Rights Fund, and student ID cards wouldn’t be acceptable.

Proponents argue that those kinds of ID are increasingly needed in everyday life, including to fly.

The photo ID provision would also take effect immediately, once the bill was signed into law.

Require states to search for noncitizen voters

The bill would also mandate processes to remove noncitizens from the polls. It would require states to submit their voter rolls to the federal SAVE database, which aims to help officials identify noncitizen voters. Election officials in at least 23 states have already begun putting some or all of their voter rolls into the database, which initial reports have found to have high error rates.

All states are required to conduct voter roll list maintenance under federal law, which includes removing the handful of noncitizens who accidentally make it on the voter rolls because of misunderstanding or clerical error.

And while there are few noncitizens on the voter rolls, naturalized citizens do sometimes get caught up in searches for noncitizen voters.

 

WHAT THE SAVE 

 AMERICA ACT 

WOULDN’T DO

Trump has repeatedly misstated the contents of the bill, both explicitly and by omission.

In an interview with NBC News this week, Trump said the bill would ban mail-in voting except in certain cases. He has posted on social media that the only exceptions would be for "ILLNESS, DISABILITY, MILITARY, OR TRAVEL!"

The bill would make it harder to register to vote and cast ballots by mail, requiring most voters to show their proof of citizenship in person and to photocopy their voter IDs when they vote by mail — it wouldn’t exactly stop mail voting.

He also suggested it would add restrictions on gender-affirming medical care and restrict transgender participation in sports, which it wouldn’t.

"NO TRANSGENDER MUTILATION SURGERY FOR CHILDREN," he said this week on Truth Social.

Some Republicans are open to those ideas, but the bill would need to be rewritten, pass the House again and then pass the Senate to become law.

 

HAZLETON POLICE

 TO WORK WITH ICE

News flash to the cowardly lion Democrats of the Luzerne County Council. Hazleton and other communities are now working with ICE. 

Yet a few weeks ago the Democratically controlled Council refused to pass fellow party member Denise Williams resolution on ICE and their tactics. The poor little things didn’t want to stand up for democracy and the rule of law for fear there would be a target on the back of the county by the Trump administration.

They have yet to revisit it and I’m sure they won’t because well they want to stay in  their lane and not get involved in such silly little matters that would never, ever find their way to Luzerne County.

            Hey Lions, say hello to Hazleton. 

 

McCLAY AND STADULIS STILL STANDING 

The race in the 121st legislative race is now between Jessica McClay and Mike Stadulis. Ann Marie Montione started too late and Denise Thomas did not get near the signatures she needed. Word is Thomas put too much faith in the folks at Action Together who failed her miserably.   On the last day of filing, there was a flurry of activity to get her on but with  both McClay and Stadulis hitting over the goal they needed, it just didn't happen. It's a valuable lesson fir future candidates, don't believe the hype of third parties. Do it yourself.