The LuLac Edition #5, 598, March 12th, 2026
IRAN: YESTERDAY ONCE MORE
The war in Iran is going to bring back the 1970s in terms of fuel consumption in the United States. I don’t think oil prices are going to drop anytime soon. For a guy who does the deal, I guess I was asking way too much for him to think “what next?” A wise young lady once told me that in every decision you make, you must look down the road to see the long term consequences.
Two weeks ago Iran was negotiating with us. The next day they were bombed. The reasons given to the American people were varied depending on what day you heard them. But ALL Iran knows is THEY WERE BOMBED. If Trump thought this government was going to cower in fear to Trump like his Congress and Senate, he never counted on the one thing he campaigned on that the Iranians have done so well for years: RETRIBUTION.
The best way to screw the fast-paced American is to slow them down and price them up.
Look for three things we haven’t seen in 45 years:
1. Stratospheric gas prices.
2. Gas shortages.
3. Even and odd days when you can get gas.
4. A more divided America. Well, we have practice on that one at least.
COGNETTI ROARS RIGHT FROM THE START
The Times Leader reports that on the day after nominations closed, two candidates are on the ballot in the 8th Congressional District, and the battle is on.
U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-Dallas Township, is in his first term in Congress, and he will be challenged in his bid for reelection by Scranton Democratic Mayor Paige Cognetti.
And as soon as the bell rang to officially start the battle, both candidates came out swingin
Cognetti and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee went on the offensive, alleging that Bresnahan has discussed stock trading options with his financial advisors, despite denying the accusation and promising to introduce legislation to prevent such activity.
Bresnahan countered by questioning Cognetti’s role in a $5 million grant for a bank whose board includes a member of her family.
Cognetti held a news conference on Wednesday at the Pennsylvania State Education Association’s regional office on Route 315 in Wilkes-Barre, where she addressed the National Republican Campaign Committee’s claims about the Fidelity Bank loan.
Cognetti campaign spokesperson Anna Korman issued a statement on the issue.
“Mayor Paige Cognetti has breathed new life into the city by creating good-paying union jobs, upgrading Scranton’s credit rating to A- level status, and investing millions of dollars in policing,” Korman said. “Every decision Paige has made as mayor has been with the goal of benefiting the people — never herself. While Rob Bresnahan plays the stock market in Washington and votes to unleash higher prices and devastating health care cuts on his own community, Paige will continue to deliver for the hardworking people of Northeastern Pennsylvania.”
According to the Cognetti campaign, the renovated building for which the loan was issued will be a Police Department real-time crime center facility. Cognetti also explained this at the news conference.
BOMBS, I PODS AND LOBSTERS AND CRAB MEAT
WHILE SNAP IS CUT
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon apparently isn’t feeling the same affordability struggles as many average Americans, as he approved spending more than $93 billion in September, including on luxury food items and iPads.
A new analysis published by government watchdog Open the Books found that in September — the end of the 2025 fiscal year — Hegseth reportedly burned through cash, including spending $9 million on crab and lobster dinners.
According to Military.com, an increase in military officials eating pricey meals has traditionally been viewed as a sign that something may be brewing — such as President Donald Trump’s war in Iran — though it appears Hegseth has been dining well at the Pentagon since at least last spring.
The spending review found that in the month of September alone, the Defense Department spent $6.9 million in total on lobster tail and $2 million on Alaskan king crab, according to the government watchdog. In 2025, the department also spent more than $7.4 million on lobster tail across the months of March, May, June and October.
The decadent seafood wasn't the only expensive sustenance purchased at the Pentagon. Hegseth also spent approximately $15.1 million on ribeye steak in September, $124,000 for new ice cream machines, and $139,224 on doughnut orders.
Due to the way federal funding works, there is pressure on department heads to end their fiscal years without a surplus of funds. If they do, it raises questions in Congress as to whether or not the agency or department needs a reduction in its annual budget.
That said, some of the purchases are lavish. In September, Hegseth spent nearly $100,000 on a Steinway & Sons grand piano to outfit the home of the Air Force chief of staff. He also spent $5.3 million on Apple devices, including brand-new iPads, according to the report.
The Pentagon paid $225.6 million for furniture, including $12,540 for fruit basket stands and more than $60,000 for recliners from high-end furniture maker Herman Miller.
The agency spent more money on furniture in 2025 than it has since 2014.
To be fair to Hegseth, the military has been spending enormous amounts of money on furniture for decades. According to the analysis, the Defense Department has spent an average of $257.6 million on furniture every September since 2008, marking a 564 percent increase above its typical furniture spending throughout the year
And Hegseth isn’t actually the worst offender; former President Barack Obama routinely spent between $300-$400 million on furniture in September during his years in office, according to the report. Spending on furniture decreased under President Joe Biden, though it's worth noting his first two years saw many federal employees working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Pentagon's most expensive spending spree during September was on grants and contracts. In that month alone, the Defense Department spent more than $90 billion on grants and contracts.
In the last five working days of September alone, the report says the department spent $50.1 billion on grants and contracts, more than the annual defence budgets of countries such as Israel and Italy.
The Department of Defense spent more than $90 billion on grants and contracts in September 2025 (AFP/Getty)
The Department of Defense spent more than $90 billion on grants and contracts in September 2025 (AFP/Getty)
“Under Secretary Hegseth, the Pentagon has consistently said its mission is to refocus on warfighting and lethality,” Open the Books CEO John Hart said in the analysis. “Last year, we highlighted the problem of wasteful use-it-or-lose-it year-end spending. We noted that this reform is fully within the secretary’s control and is a historic opportunity to make good on that promise.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom drew attention to the Pentagon's spending in a social media post featuring an AI-generated image of Hegseth kicking back in a posh recliner surrounded by a grand piano, numerous iPads, and plates filled with lobster tail and steak.
“HEGSETH BLOWING $93 BILLION OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN 1 MONTH !!” the post said.
Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury, a New Mexico Democrat, said she planned to launch an investigation into Hegseth’s spending.
“In addition to billions of taxpayer dollars being burned in this war in Iran, reports are showing that Sec. Pete Hegseth blew $93 billion in federal DOD funding at the end of last year,” she wrote on social media before listing his various expenditures. “You better believe we’ll be investigating.”
Democratic Congressman Chuck Schumer called Hegseth a “grifter” on social media.
“Hegseth spent $93 billion in one month – roughly the cost of extending the ACA tax credits for THREE YEARS. But instead of lowering Americans’ healthcare costs, Hegseth used millions of taxpayer dollars on fruit baskets, Herman Miller recliners, ice cream machines, Alaskan King Crabs, and a Steinway & Sons grand piano,” he wrote. “A true grifter in every sense of the word.”
Members of the US Air Force prepare munitions at RAF Fairford in the UK (AFP/Getty)
Members of the US Air Force prepare munitions at RAF Fairford in the UK (AFP/Getty)
The Independent has requested comment from the Department of Defense.
In February 2025, Hegseth said he welcomed a “Department of Government Efficiency” review of defense spending to help him find ways to reduce waste.
“We need to know when we spend dollars, we need to know where they’re going and why that simple accounting, and that has not existed at the Defense Department,” Hegseth told Fox News at the time. “We’re going to fix that.”
The Pentagon's spending spree came just weeks before millions of Americans lost access to their SNAP food benefits, leaving the states to fill in the gaps.
Now, six months later, Americans are learning the astronomical cost of Trump and Hegseth's war in Iran.
The U.S. military has used an estimated $5.6 billion worth of munitions during the opening two days of the war with Iran, according to government officials who spoke to The Washington Post.
Trump has insisted that the war in Iran — which has already killed seven U.S. service members and injured around 140 others — will be over quickly, but has provided no timeline or plan of action indicating that the U.S. is preparing to withdraw from the conflict. (Yahoo News, LuLac)
BRESNAHAN’S LOCAL FARMERS FEEDING OUR COMMUNITIES ACT ADVANCES IN HOUSE FARM BILL
“Congress has a responsibility to ensure farm policy works for those who grow, raise, and produce our nation’s food,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “I’m especially proud the Farm Bill includes my bipartisan bill, which will help those in need in our communities access healthy, fresh food produced by their neighbors. This Farm Bill will strengthen agriculture in Northeastern Pennsylvania and across the country by ensuring federal policy keeps pace with the challenges our farmers face and delivering bipartisan solutions that support them and our rural communities.”
The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act will allow states, through USDA, to establish cooperative agreements connecting local farmers and producers with local food distribution organizations. Through these agreements, funds will be used to purchase local, fresh, and minimally processed foods like seafood, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, fruit, and poultry. The bill also sets aside a portion of these funds to purchase food specifically from small, mid-size, beginning, and veteran farmers.
“We are grateful for Congressman Bresnahan’s leadership on the Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act in the Farm Bill,” said Feeding Pennsylvania Chief Executive Officer Julie Bancroft. “Congressman Bresnahan recognizes the deep connection between those who grow our food and the people that food nourishes. The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act LFFC will strengthen local farm economies and ensure all Pennsylvanians can put healthy, local food on their table.”
“Pennsylvania Farm Bureau applauds the House Agriculture Committee for their bipartisan progress on the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026,” said Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Chris Hoffman. “The bill undoubtedly meets the moment for the modern-day realities our farmers are facing. We are especially grateful for the leadership of Chairman GT Thompson and the steadfast support of Representative Rob Bresnahan in championing Pennsylvania’s interests throughout this process. For our Commonwealth’s farm families and the consumers they serve, this bill acts as a vital safeguard against the triple threat of soaring production costs, market volatility, and rising food prices. We now call upon House leadership to act without delay and bring this bill to the floor for a vote, ensuring the stability of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry and the security of our food supply.”
The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 also:
Creates a standing lock grant authority for future disaster payments.
Emphasized science, technology, and innovation, including within the conservation practice standards establishment and review processes.
Prioritizes innovation and improves access to nutrition programs that support our farmers and neighbors in need.
Creates a stronger, more sustainable connection between health and federal nutrition programs.
Provides new resources to new, young, beginning, and veteran farmers in their transition to farming and ranching.
Strengthens broadband connectivity to rural communities.
Protects access to healthcare in rural America.
Enhances efforts to meet the childcare demands of rural areas.
Addresses existing workforce challenges within rural communities to effectively meet their needs.
Invests in and strengthens rural water infrastructure.
Supports research and development for the specialty crop industry.
Allows for critical cost and energy savings by increasing access to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
Supports specialty crop producers by directing Specialty Crop Block Grant program administrators to consult with producers when setting priorities for the program.
Maintains funding for the Local Agriculture Market Program and improves program delivery through simplified applications.
Continues support for organic production through the National Organic Program, Organic Production and Market Data Initiative, and National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program.
Enhances protections for dogs covered under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).
Directing the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a national campaign to increase public knowledge on the dangers of the invasive species known as spotted lanternflies.
SHAPIRO ADMINISTRATION LAUNCHES ANOTHER ROUND OF GRANTS TO BOOST SALES AND EXPAND EXPORT MARKETS FOR PENNSYLVANIA PRODUCTS
PA Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the opening of the next round of funding for the Agricultural Product Promotion, Education, and Export Promotion Matching Grant Program. Since 2023, the Shapiro Administration has invested nearly $500,000 through this program to support 20 projects in strengthening markets for Pennsylvania agricultural products. Together, these investments support key industries such as beef, which alone contributes about $1 billion annually to Pennsylvania's economy and supports nearly 14,000 jobs statewide.
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Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding opened the latest round of funding for Agricultural Product Promotion, Education, and Export Promotion Grants - making available up to $381,810 in competitive matching grants to support nonprofit organizations engaged in market research, education, promotion, and export development for agricultural products grown, raised, or produced in Pennsylvania. These grants work to strengthen domestic sales and expand export markets for Pennsylvania-grown agricultural products.
"Pennsylvania's food, fiber, and hardwood products reflect the strength, quality, and innovation of our agricultural community," Secretary Redding said. "Through the Shapiro Administration, we are investing in creative partnerships that expand markets, strengthen exports, and connect consumers, both here at home and around the world, with the people and products that define Pennsylvania agriculture. These grants help grow our farm and food economy, support hundreds of thousands of jobs across the Commonwealth, and ensure that Pennsylvania agriculture continues to nourish our communities and drive economic opportunity."
Secretary Redding also met with industry partners, local legislators, and school officials at Central Dauphin Middle School - one of more than 140 schools and counting that the Pennsylvania Beef Council has built relationships with through the PA Beef to PA Schools Program - to highlight how Ag Promo Grants has helped to grow the impact of the Pennsylvania Beef Council's PA Beef to PA Schools program and promote Pennsylvania's beef industry, which alone contributes about $1 billion annually to Pennsylvania's economy and supports nearly 14,000 jobs statewide. Last year, the Department of Agriculture invested $49,000 into PA Beef to PA Schools to support their mission to connect beef producers with school districts and help serve locally sourced, nutritious beef in more school lunches in Pennsylvania.
MEDIA MATTERS
WVIA NEWS
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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
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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
ALEXANDER BUTTERFIELD’S
BIG FIND
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July 19,73
Alexander Butterfield died the other day at the age of 99. Butterfield is a mere footnote in history but what a consequential note he was. Butterfield was a United States Air Force officer, public official, and businessman. From 1969 to 1973, Butterfield served as deputy assistant to President Richard Nixon. On July 13, 1973, during the Watergate investigation, he revealed the existence of Nixon's White House taping system. Butterfield was the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration from 1973 to 1975.
In late 1968, Butterfield learned that he would be stationed in Australia for another two years, delaying any potential promotion and potentially harming his military career. The ambitious Butterfield wanted to be in "the smoke" (where the action was), and wanted to leave Australia. After coming across a newspaper article which mentioned the appointment of H. R. Haldeman as Nixon's White House Chief of Staff, Butterfield wrote to Haldeman asking for a job.
The two met in New York City about December 19, 1968, to discuss a role as a military aide, but when nothing suitable came up, Butterfield asked to take any job in the White House. General Andrew Goodpaster, former White House staff secretary in the Eisenhower administration, suggested that Haldeman have a deputy, and Haldeman offered the position to Butterfield about January 13.[Butterfield retired from the Air Force a few days later, and his appointment as deputy assistant to the president was announced on January 23, 1969.
As deputy assistant to the president, Butterfield was Haldeman's chief assistant. His first few days in the White House were difficult. Butterfield did not meet the president for 13 days.When Haldeman finally introduced Butterfield to Nixon, their meeting was short and awkward. Haldeman then left for California, leaving Butterfield in charge of the White House staff for four days.
During the second meeting with Butterfield, Nixon was rude and condescending,[and Butterfield nearly resigned. The following day, however, Nixon was cordial and witty, and Butterfield resolved to stay at the White House.Butterfield, who came to like Nixon immensely, nevertheless felt the president was an "ignorant boor, a bumpkin".Initially, when meeting with Nixon, Butterfield had to mimic Haldeman's mannerisms and to duplicate his managerial style. Everything Haldeman and Butterfield did was designed to make Nixon feel comfortable and relaxed, never surprised or "spooked". Haldeman told him, "If you don't do things exactly as I do, it could upset [Nixon]."
Next to Haldeman, Butterfield was the most powerful aide in the White House. He met with Nixon and Haldeman every day at 2 p.m. to plan the following day's activities. He "completely controlled" what paperwork Nixon saw and logged memos. He accompanied Haldeman on all domestic trips, co-supervised traveling White House staff with Haldeman, and ran the White House when Haldeman and Nixon went on foreign trips.
Every meeting the president attended required "talking points" for Nixon written by an appropriate staff person as well as an after-meeting summary by that person, and Butterfield oversaw the process by which both documents were completed and filed. Butterfield also oversaw all FBI investigations requested by the White House, which included routine background checks of potential employees as well as politically motivated investigations.[16] Other than Haldeman, no one had a more intimate knowledge of Nixon's working style, the daily operations of the White House, what Nixon may have read, or whom Nixon may have met.
Butterfield was also the person who primarily managed people as they met with Nixon. This included ensuring people arrived on time, and that they did not stay too long. Butterfield also oversaw Nixon's often-distant relationship with his wife, Pat.Late in 1970, the president's aides lost confidence in Constance C. Stuart, Pat Nixon's staff director and press secretary, and Butterfield was assigned responsibility for overseeing the First Lady's events and publicity. The day after the 1972 presidential election, Pat Nixon confronted her husband over what she perceived to be Oval Office interference with her staff. Deputy assistant to the president Dwight Chapin and later Butterfield were appointed to act as liaison between the two staffs.
Butterfield also oversaw installation of the taping system which Nixon ordered for the White House. On February 10, 1971, Haldeman's assistant, Lawrence Higby, told Butterfield that Nixon wanted a voice-activated audio taping system installed in the Oval Office and on White House telephones. The goal, Nixon said, was to create a more accurate record of events.
Butterfield worked with the Secret Service to install five hidden microphones in Nixon's desk in the Oval Office, two in lamps on the mantel over the fireplace, two in the cabinet room, and on all telephone lines in the Lincoln Sitting Room and Oval Office. According to Butterfield, the system was highly secretive, its existence known only to Nixon, Haldeman, Higby, and the three or four Secret Service technical staffers who installed it. In April 1971, Nixon ordered the taping system to be installed in his private office in the Executive Office Building.
On July 13th, Butterfield admitted to the existence of the tapes to an investigative committee screening witnesses.
Butterfield, scheduled to fly to Moscow on July 17 for a trade meeting, was worried that he would be called to testify before the Senate Watergate Committee and that this would force him to cancel his USSR trip.
Sources vary as to the next sequence of events. According to some sources, Butterfield was notified on the morning of Sunday, July 15, that he would testify the next day. Butterfield then met with Baker (whom he knew slightly). Butterfield asked Baker to use his influence to cancel the testimony, but Baker declined. Butterfield then called the White House and left a message for Special Counsel Leonard Garment (Dean's replacement), advising him of the content of his Friday testimony and the committee's subpoena for him to testify on Monday.[Haig and Buzhardt[g] received Butterfield's message, and waited for Garment to return from a cross-country trip later that day. After Garment was informed, the White House staff did nothing. Butterfield was not contacted, and Nixon was not told about Butterfield's testimony until either Monday morning or late Monday afternoon.[According to Butterfield and other sources, Butterfield left a message about his Friday interview for Garment at the White House on Saturday night. He then met with Baker Sunday morning, but Baker told him the chances were slim that he would be called to testify.According to Butterfield, he did not learn that he was going to testify before the Ervin committee until shortly after 10 a.m. on Monday, July 16, just about three hours before he was due to appear at 2 p.m.
Butterfield's July 16 testimony, which lasted just 30 minutes, was carried on live television by all the major broadcast networks. Senator Baker informed Dash before the hearing began that, since a Republican (Sanders) had elicited the testimony from Butterfield on July 13, he wanted Republican Chief Minority Counsel Thompson to question Butterfield during the hearing. Baker did not want the Republicans to look as if they had been caught by surprise. The New York Times called Butterfield's testimony "dramatic”, and historian William Doyle has noted that it "electrified Washington and triggered a constitutional crisis".
Butterfield was not involved in the Watergate cover-up and was never charged with any crime. Butterfield struggled for two years to find employment after leaving the federal government. He eventually worked for a flight service company in San Francisco, California. He then found work with a financial holding company in Los Angeles. Butterfield left the financial industry to start a business and productivity consulting firm, Armistead & Alexander. He retired in 1995. When Butterfield gave his block buster testimony in July of 1973 the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Will It Go Round In Circles” by Billy Preston.
posted by David Yonki @ 1:46 PM
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