The LuLac Edition #5, 670, May 28th, 2026

 

IS ACTION TOGETHER A PAPER TIGER?

In the past the local chapter of Action Together has been portrayed as a strong influencer on local elections. To be sure whenever they are instructed the group can turn out a crowd, but recent elections have produced (at least to me) cracks in that invincibility as advertised.

It is telling that in both state committee races in Luzerne and Lackawanna County, the Executive Director of Action Together as well as the Board President from Lackawanna County were defeated in their bid for re-election. To political observers as well as former members of A.T. that was a stunning development.

Advocacy groups have been free to have their individual members work for candidates.  Plus, the organizations do get behind a specific candidate lending a hand with canvassing and other campaign related activities.

 In the most recent election, members of the group in Luzerne County advocated for Eddie Day Pashinski. After he decided against running, School Director Denise Thomas became their candidate. Thomas, along with her supporters put their faith in Action Together members to get her on the ballot. Unfortunately, the group couldn’t even muster the minimum of 300 signatures to help Thomas in her efforts.

They then decided to help Michael Scoobie Stadulis in his campaign. With his community standing, notoriety and personality, he and Jessica McClay easily passed the 300-signature goal by hundreds.  But when push came to shove, the Stadulis campaign might have had the imprimatur of Action Together individual members but certainly not the vaunted people power of what Action Together portrayed to previous candidates. Stadulis had professional friends, neighbors and volunteers to help him for sure. But most were supporters of the McGroarty, Leighton and George administration. In the 120^th district race, members supported Atty. Johanna Bryn Smith in her unsuccessful bid to win the nomination from Fern Leard in that state Repp race.

While former City Council person Beth Gilbert did a Herculean job of spreading Stadulis’ message via social media and her own former district, it wasn’t enough.

So this is a word of caution to any future candidate for office in Luzerne County and Lackawanna County.  You need to get a core group of 5 dedicated crazy workers that will make your campaign their Christmas, Easter, 4th of July, Passover, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving all rolled into one. You need your own core and then add an organization that does the hard work. People are saying that Bruyn Smith, Thomas, and Stadulis, quite simply were sold a bill of goods. Worse yet was the fact that the organization overpromised and under delivered.

The Executive Director of Action Together, Alisha Hoffman Merilovich did not retain her seat on state committee, lost for the Study Commission and had a family member defeated for Crestwood School Board. The President of the board Dwayne Heisler lost his state committee race in Lackawanna County. According to website, Heisler works for the Pennsylvania Policy Center as a Campaign Director. His defeat came as a surprise to many observers in the Lac who voted for him. I don’t know the man personally, but it is odd that both leaders of this organization did not have the personal power to get themselves elected. In the Lac, Heisler came in second to last. In Luzerne County, the organization had three Action Together members (including its Executive Director) on the ballot of 13.  

To be sure, state committee races are rarely covered and noticed, and the turnout was in the low twenties. But two questions remain about this bi county development.

Does Action Together have the same juice they once advertised and can candidates in the future expect a good outcome by aligning themselves with them?

Maybe the leadership needs to do some self-reflection and return to the grass roots activism driven by volunteers instead of dubious misplacement of community priorities soundly rejected by voters in both counties.

 

NO CONGRATS YET?

Reports are coming  that the eventual victors in the Luzerne County race for State Committee have yet to either hear a concession or congratulatory message from party leadership. C’mon guys.

 

PAIGE COGNETTI NEWS

Here’s Mayor Cognetti’s plan to fight for families so they can get ahead.

Break up the huge monopolies that hurt our small businesses and raise costs. Bring more competition into our communities by ending the Big Box monopolies that drive small businesses out of our area, give consumers fewer options, and let a few large companies control everything.

Strengthen unions; make it easier to join and start a union.

Respect the power of the people via local control and allocate more federal money directly to municipalities and counties.

Champion small business by understanding how federal choices impact their ability to stay alive — without access to a healthcare marketplace, many people cannot work at the small businesses they love.

Go after fees that shrink our pocketbooks with a million little cuts, like capping credit card fees.

Prevent healthcare industry middlemen from denying care and medications prescribed by doctors.

Reform the insurance system so that when people pay for insurance, they can expect to be protected when something happens – from healthcare to flooding.

The Mayor will be at Democratic headquarters in Wilkes-Barre this coming Saturday at 11am. Stop by and say Hi.

 

 

DAN MEUSER’S DHS FACILITY: IT’S GREAT UNTIL IT DOESN’T HAPPEN

Recently,  the Coal Region Canary reported that Republican Congressman Dan Meuser is now unsure whether the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) proposed detention facility in Tremont Township will come to fruition. The Wallace for Congress campaign released the following statement in response:

“For months, Dan Meuser has been trying to put lipstick on a pig by saying the Tremont detention facility would be a boon for the district,” said Wallace for Congress campaign manager John Dolan. “Now, it’s become increasingly clear that this effort is likely to fail – no thanks to Dan – as a result of advocacy by residents of the district and Rachel Wallace. Dan wants it both ways: to get credit for the facility no one wanted and to be heralded as a hero when it doesn’t happen.”

In February 2026, the federal government purchased the former Big Lots warehouse in Tremont Township, a 1.3-million-square-foot facility, for more than $119 million. Congressman Meuser went on to say that he expected the facility to have “a very positive impact on my district.” Despite significant public outcry against the facility, Congressman Meuser announced in March that DHS had made commitments related to revenue, safety, and infrastructure, only to say in May 2026 that “we’re just waiting to see what the next step is and whether or not, frankly, it even comes to fruition is not definite.”

Abou 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.

 

IT JUST DOESN’T PAY TO BE A MAGA LOYALIST

This is Donald Trump taking the oath of office for a second term. Do you see who is in the photo of Trump and Cornyn?

Yep John Cornyn who is EVERYTHING asked of him by Trump. Who did Trump endorse? Not Cornyn who raised billions for Texas Republicans through the years. Nope he picked Ken Paxton who stole money, was impeached and fucked up a 40 year marriage.

With Trump: loyalty never pays if you aren’t at 99%. It’s gotta be 100% but even then………the pig President never gets enough slop at the trough. Shit birds of a feather……………….

 

GOVERNOR SHAPIRO ANNOUNCES NEW MAIN STREET MATTERS AWARDS, INVESTS OVER $17 MILLION IN 56 PROJECTS TO CONTINUE CREATING VIBRANT COMMUNITIES ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA

Shaipro Visits West Reading Small Businesses, Announce Millions in Main Street

Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger visited small businesses in Berks County to announce that the Shapiro Administration is investing $17.2 million in 56 community projects across Pennsylvania through the Main Street Matters program. These grants will help revitalize downtowns, support small businesses, and strengthen local economies.

In its latest round of funding, Main Street Matters received more than 220 applications requesting more than $68 million underscoring the continued need for strategic investments in Pennsylvania's Main Streets. Since taking office, the Governor has secured $40 million for Main Street Matters and sustains $20 million in funding to support the program in his 2026-27 proposed budget.

"Every community in Pennsylvania, whether rural, suburban, or urban, relies on a strong Main Street to support local businesses, create jobs, and bring people together," said Governor Shapiro. "Main Streets are the beating heart of our communities and that's why my Administration makes their success our priority. By investing in our Main Streets, we're boosting our economy and ensuring our communities continue to thrive well into the future.

Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger visited small businesses in Berks County to announce that the Shapiro Administration is investing $17.2 million in 56 community projects across Pennsylvania through the Main Street Matters program. These grants will help revitalize downtowns, support small businesses, and strengthen local economies.

In its latest round of funding, Main Street Matters received more than 220 applications requesting more than $68 million underscoring the continued need for strategic investments in Pennsylvania's Main Streets. Since taking office, the Governor has secured $40 million for Main Street Matters and sustains $20 million in funding to support the program in his 2026-27 proposed budget.

"Every community in Pennsylvania, whether rural, suburban, or urban, relies on a strong Main Street to support local businesses, create jobs, and bring people together," said Governor Shapiro. "Main Streets are the beating heart of our communities and that's why my Administration makes their success our priority. By investing in our Main Streets, we're boosting our economy and ensuring our communities continue to thrive well into the future."

 

MEDIA MATTERS

KITTY BRUCE

Kitty Bruce the daughter of the late Lenny Bruce passed way on May 13^th. She was a wondrous human being who graced the presence of West Pittston for many years. I knew her in the 90s as a delightful force for good. One of he major accomplishments was donating her late father’s archives to Brandeis university.  There will be dual remembrances , one in Pittston, the other in Los Angeles at a date to be announced.

WVIA FM

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

LADY SPEED RACER

JANET GUTHRIE

May 1976

Janet Guthrie became the first woman to qualify for a NASCAR race, earning the 27th starting position (out of 40) in the World 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway with an average speed of 152.797 miles per hour (245.903 km/h). On May 30, Guthrie, an aerospace engineer and physicist, surprised skeptics by finishing in 15th place in the World 600 race, which was won by David Pearson. n the 1976 World 600, Guthrie finished fifteenth, becoming the first woman to compete in a NASCAR Winston Cup superspeedway race. Guthrie would go on to compete in four more races that season. The following season, she competed in her first Daytona 500, finishing twelfth when her car's engine blew two cylinders with ten laps to go. For her performance in the race, though, she still earned the honor of Top Rookie. Overall, Guthrie went on to compete in 33 races in NASCAR over four seasons. Her highest finish, sixth place at Bristol in 1977, is the best finish by a woman in a top-tier NASCAR race in the modern era, now currently tied with Danica Patrick in 2014.

Janet Guthrie's Wildcat 3-DGS, which she drove to ninth place in the 1978 Indianapolis 500

Guthrie qualified for and competed in the 1977 Indianapolis 500, in a car entered by Rolla Vollstedt, but finished 29th with engine troubles. She would compete in two more Indianapolis 500s, finishing ninth in the 1978 race while driving with a fractured wrist (injured in a charity tennis event two days earlier) she hid from race officials. Overall, she competed in 11 Indy car events with a best finish of fifth. During her unsuccessful bid to qualify for the 1976 race, many of the drivers in the male-dominated sport stated that the reason she did not qualify was mainly due to her sex.[3] These comments angered then three-time race winner A. J. Foyt to the point he lent Guthrie a back-up car to conduct a shake-down test. Her top practice lap in Foyt's car would have been adequate to qualify for the field. She was unable to obtain funding through corporate sponsorship, and was forced into retirement. Nevertheless, Guthrie's place in history was secure. In 1979, the Supersisters trading card set was produced and distributed; one of the cards featured Guthrie's name and picture. Guthrie's helmet and race suit can be found in the Smithsonian Institution and she was one of the first elected to the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame. She was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame on April 27, 2006. Her 2005 autobiography, Janet Guthrie: A Life at Full Throttle, has received critical praise from such publications as Sports Illustrated Qualified, an episode of ESPN 30 for 30 covering her racing career, aired on May 28, 2019 (Volume III, Episode 29). In it, she says, "You can go back to antiquity to find women doing extraordinary things, but their history is forgotten. Or denied to have ever existed. So women keep reinventing the wheel. Women have always done these things, and they always will."

In 2019, Guthrie was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame. For her achievements in motorsports. She is the 5th woman to be inducted. A feature film about Guthrie starring Hillary Swank was announced in 2021   and this week in 1976 the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Silly Love Songs” by Wings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The LuLac Edition #5, 669. May 27th, 2026

WRITE ON

WEDNESDAY

Our “Write on Wednesday” logo

 

This week for our Write on Wednesday, we take a look at a letter to the editor regarding the two most significant words in the English language, “what if”.

 

WHAT IF KAMALA HARRIS HAD BEEN ELECTED PRESIDENT?

If Kamala Harris were elected president, we’re certain the MAGA voters would have to agree with the following:

Kamala Harris would not have listened to Netanyahu, and we would not go to war with Iran, and gas would still be below $3.00 per gallon.

Kamala would not have imposed high tariffs on goods from our allies. She knows that high tariffs will not create more manufacturing jobs here because businesspeople know that the tariffs will be eliminated by the next administration. Tariffs done as revenge proved how self-centered Trump is.

Kamala would have continued to support Ukraine, knowing that if Ukraine falls, Putin will feel enabled to take over more countries.

Kamala understands the concept of checks and balances, and she would not have challenged the concept of judicial review or the independence of the Federal Reserve. Trump must feel he has dictatorial powers.

Kamala would never have deported, without due process, undocumented, honest, hard-working immigrants, green card holders, or U.S. citizens.

Kamala would not have enriched herself billions of dollars by way of cryptocurrency, and then giving the investors more access to the White House as a reward for loss of their money.

Kamala would not have discouraged talented foreign students from remaining in the U.S. after graduation, because she knows they can help make advances in technology and medicine.

Most Republican Congressmen are enablers and should be voted out in November.

 

Joe Czarnecki

Dallas, PA

The LuLac Edition #5, 668, May 26th, 2026

 

TALE OF THREE  MAYORS

 

We attended the Memorial day parade yesterday in both the borough of Ashley and the Parsons section of Wilkes-Barre.

Met up with Wilkes-Barre Township Mayor, Carl Kurran, and his driver Mr. Hargraves along with our Mayor Wilkes-Barre George Brown.

I had the opportunity to drive the Mayor through Ashley with a very nice turnout and a great response to Mr. Brown. 

Then went to the Parsons section of Wilkes-Barre for the Memorial Day ceremonies put together by the planes lions club as well as Wilkes-Barre Councilman BIll Barrett.

 

Joining the Mayor and I in Parsons was Scranton Mayor Paige Canetti, who worked the crowd and walked the entire route of the parade.

In Ashley it was great to see old friend and former coworker. Kathleen Smith and in Parsons so great to see former Wilkes-Barre coworker of mine Eddie Postski, as well as my old political buddy from the early parts of the century James O’Meara. The men Memorial Day parades give honor to those fallen, but you have all of America’s survivors the opportunity to thank those brave men and women for making the ultimate sacrifice.

 

POPE LEO ON AI

Pope Leo XIV, in his first major teaching document, is warning that artificial intelligence is becoming a new test of human dignity, work and power. In the same document, the pontiff apologizes for the Vatican's role in legitimizing slavery.

In a document spanning nearly 42,000 words, Pope Leo XIV warned that artificial intelligence poses a growing threat to human dignity and human equality, calling for stronger regulation and a more balanced approach to developing AI technologies that keeps human dignity at its center.

Pope Leo urged technologists and political leaders to remain committed to building AI “for the common good” while embracing human limitations and weaknesses “without considering them an error to be corrected.”

The comprehensive document called “Magnifica Humanitas” or “Magnificent Humanity” touched on AI’s impact on nearly every pillar of a healthy society — equality, the environment, democracy, employment, education and parenting, among others.

Pope Leo grounded his first encyclical, officially titled “On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence,” in the concepts of human dignity and “the common good.” The document builds on and frequently quotes the teachings of Leo’s predecessors, including Pope Francis, Saint John Paul II and Pope Leo XIII.

In the introduction, Pope Leo framed his teaching about AI in two biblical stories. The Tower of Babel offered a warning: When human beings pursue power and self-sufficiency without reference to God or one another, the pursuit could lead to confusion and collapse. Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem shows the opposite approach: a prayerful and collaborative work where every person plays a role, with the goal of restoring relationships and community. Leo framed these examples as a choice that societies are up against when approaching the development of AI tools.

“The primary choice is not between ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to technology, but rather between constructing Babel or rebuilding Jerusalem; between a power that claims to dominate the heavens and a people who work together in the presence of God to rebuild the wall of fraternal coexistence,” Leo wrote.

In simulating a human, AI-generated communications are merely an appearance of relationships and risk turning people away from “genuine human connections.” Leo also highlighted AI’s environmental costs, warning that its enormous demand for energy and water contributes to rising carbon dioxide emissions. He called for the development of more “sustainable technological solutions.”

Emerging technologies, including AI, are not neutral, he explained. “They can either foster participation and justice or exacerbate inequality, control and exclusion,” Leo wrote. “For this reason, they must be evaluated by asking a crucial question: Do they truly help individuals and peoples to become more humane and fraternal, while respecting our common home and future generations?”

Leo’s first encyclical — a formal letter written by the pope and addressed to the Catholic church — is symbolic. Leo signed “Magnifica Humanitas” on May 15, the same day that 135 years ago Pope Leo XIII issued his first encyclical “Rerum Novarum” on capital and labor that defended workers’ rights during the first industrial revolution. Pope Leo chose his papal name partly in honor of Pope Leo XIII, whose encyclical has become the foundation of the church’s social teachingS,

Leo’s encyclical drew, too, on the social doctrine of the Catholic church and its key principles of the common good, universal destination of goods, of subsidiarity, solidarity and social justice.

Leo’s sprawling document is broken down into five chapters and details both the perils of the technology and its promises in society formation, governance, education and employment.

Leo also expressed concern about transhumanism, which envisions a “salvation” made possible by technology and apologized for the Vatican’s complicity in slavery. “It is impossible not to feel deep sorrow when contemplating the immense suffering and humiliation endured by so many in stark contrast to their immeasurable dignity as persons infinitely loved by the Lord. For this, in the name of the Church, I sincerely ask for pardon,” Leo wrote

But he warned against the new form of colonialism, in which those who hold wealth and power harvest data from vulnerable populations without consent.

To correct the course, he called for transparent supply chains and ethical standards for companies and investors and joint commitment to refuse exploitation. “Furthermore, digital platforms must cooperate responsibly with authorities and civil society to prevent communication, payment and profiling tools from becoming channels for the recruitment and control of victims,” Pope Leo wrote. (Yaho News, LuLac)