The LuLac Edition #2722, September 4th, 2014

DAMNED IF YOU DO….DAMNED IF YOU DON’T

Incoming President Barack Obama and outgoing President George W. Bush on Inauguration Day 2009. (Photo: Examiner.com)

It is hard to believe that a President will stand idly by as American journalists are beheaded. It is hard to believe that an American President will say he has no strategy for dealing with ISIS. But let’s look at this from another angle.
The “no strategy” statement came in response to a question from Chuck Todd asking about plans for further engagement and logistics. The President was not artful in his response. And then let others in his office clean it up.
The Obama Foreign policy is a passive aggressive mix o decisions. He has ordered the killings of more people than any other President with drone attacks. Yet he has been indecisive in terms of trying to engage more troops and hardware in the Mideast. However if you look at Syria that might have been a wise thing to wait.
The problem with Americans and war is this; we get outraged quickly and then tire even more easily once a commitment is made. Americans said George Bush did too much and President Obama is doing too little. People would be more comfortable with a plan. That plan should include Mideast countries like Syria, Egypt, Iran and Turkey. Plus Europe. It is their fight too. If the U.S. chooses to be in it, they have to make sure we no longer carry the water for countries content to let us “go it alone”
At some point, and I’m thinking this will be mid October sometime, a World Series game will be interrupted by a bulletin announcing the President will be speaking from the White House. At that time he will announce three divisions of elite ground troops that will surround ISIS and wipe them out.
At least that is my hope. This President has cool nerves and a determined streak. He will act. But let’s hope it is with the knowledge of a few key members of Congress. And also hope it is not too late.

WOLF EVENT WEDNESDAY AT GENETTI'S WILKES BARRE 

JOAN RIVERS DEAD

Comic legend and celebrity Joan Rivers died today at the age of 81. Mrs. LuLac and I knew the prognosis was not good from the news reports. Never a fan, (Mrs. LuLac is and was though) Rivers was a trail blazer for women in comedy. The true legacy of Joan Rivers is not the biting, bawdy comments directed at anyone or anybody but how she picked herself up time and time again after being knocked down.

LUZERNE COUNTY COUNCIL: STOP THE NONSENSE PLEASE

Let’s stop trying to do stunts like threatening to dock the County Manager $100.00 for each time he missed a deadline. Please. If you want to get rid of this guy, get the votes. But by pulling stuff like this, you are insuring that if that job ever opened up, no same person from out of town will apply.

DESSOYE TO KING’S

Wilkes Barre Police Chief Gerry Dessoye. (Photo: Citizen's Voice)

Wilkes Barre Police Chief Gerry Dessoye broke some record Wednesday. Mayor Tom Leighton announced his retirement and within a short time period Dessoye was announced as the new Executive Director of King’s College Security.
Despite his critics, Dessoye has been a Police Chief challenged by changing demographics and imported criminals in his city. As a resident of the town I have no problem with the way Dessoye operated the patrols in the city. There has been a lot of noise on other issues but no proof of the chatter.
If you look at Dessoye’s body of work as a Policeman, you’ll find none better. Plus Dessoye, in my opinion was on top of issues in various Wilkes Barre neighborhoods Sherman Hill notwithstanding.
Let’s hope Dessoye transitions well into the new position at King’s. Just avoid the puke puddles on Saturday night though Chief if you visit the North End when Wilkes and King’s is in session. Good luck sir.

FACEBOOK

A word to my Face book friends that will torque them off. On my Face book page if you put anything on my timeline I do not agree with or want, it will be hidden from my Timeline. Appreciate you including me but my Face book page is mine to edit and post.
In terms of tagging a photo that I might be in at an event, that's fine. But otherwise, please leave the blogging here, not on Face book. Thanks for your cooperation in this matter.

Rep. Barletta Presents Medals to Local Veterans

From left to right: Rep. Barletta, Charles Neubert, Anthony Zubritsky, James Lynch,

Alvin Berlot, Marie Farrell (daughter of Leo Scarano), Lauren Gorney (great-granddaughter of Leo Scarano),Sean Farrell (grandson of Leo Scarano), and Carol Barron (widow of Stanley Barron) (Photo: Lou Barletta's office).

Congressman Lou Barletta, presented long overdue medals to seven veterans during a ceremony at his Hazleton district office. Many of the medals had been lost over the years, and in one case, destroyed by a fire.
“Since before the founding of this nation, brave men and women have risked their lives to secure and defend the freedoms we continue to enjoy as Americans today,” Barletta said. “I am proud to present these medals, which are long overdue, to veterans who sacrificed so much in service to their country.”
Receiving medals were:
Stanley Barron (deceased) of Freeland served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and Bronze Star Attachment (Double), the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with device, and the Marksman Badge and Rifle Bar. The medals were requested by his widow, Carol Barron.
Alvin Berlot of Nanticoke served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He received the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean War Service Medal.
James Lynch of Hazleton served in the U.S. Army, Army Reserves, and National Guard from 1969 to 1978. He received the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with 2 bronze oak leaf clusters, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze service stars, the Combat Infantryman Badge (1st Award), and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with device.
Edward R. Maranuk (deceased) of Hazleton served in the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1946. He received the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 silver and 4 bronze star appurtenance, the Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia Clasp, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Discharge Button, and the Honorable Service Lapel Pin (Ruptured Duck). The medals were requested by his son, Edward J. Maranuk.
Charles Neubert of Hazleton served in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945 and in the Naval Reserves during the Korean War. He received the Army Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze service star, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 bronze star, the World War II Victory Medal, the Honorable Service Lapel Button (WWII), and the Marksman Badge With Rifle Bar.
Leo Scarano (deceased) of Nanticoke served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945. He received the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 bronze service stars with arrowhead (Service stars and arrowhead device are authorized to be worn on the medal), the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge (1st Award), the Honorable Service Lapel Button (WWII), and the Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar. The medals were requested by his daughter, Marie Farrell.
Anthony Zubritsky of Hazleton served in the U.S. Army from for 21 years until 1963. He received the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 bronze service stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 bronze service stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the Sharpshooter Badge with Carbine Bar, and the Combat Infantryman Badge 2nd Award.

CIPRIANI PIG ROAST

120th District candidate Eileen Cipriani. (Photo: Face book).

The Friends of Eileen Cipriani committee will host a Pig Roast on September 6, 2014 from 1-4pm at the Swoyersville American Legion, 259 Shoemaker St, Swoyersville.
The event will feature, Pork Sandwiches, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Salads, soda and beer. The campaign is looking for event sponsors. The cost is $25.00 and special guest will be Katy McGinty.

MEDIA MATTERS

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This Sunday on Community Forum Mike Remish discusses Cancer Survivors' Celebration with Liz Zygmunt and Lindsay Fredericks from the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute. You'll hear the program Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on The Game Sports Radio Network 1340/1400 am and 100.7 and 106.7 fm; and 7:30 on 105 The River.

ECTV

ECTV Live host David DeCosmo welcomes Joe Savokins to the program during the week of September 15th. Joe will be filling viewers in on plans for this year's Pittston Riverfest which is scheduled to be held on September 20th. ECTV Live is broadcast twice daily on Comcast Ch19 (Ch 61 in some areas).The week's program will mark the 228th edition of ECTV Live!

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine
Brian Hughes speaks with Bill Bachman, Jane Ashton & Melissa Naylor from Penn State Wilkes Barre about their Fall 2014 Film Discussion Series: Remembering Robin Williams, beginning September 18th at the R/C Movies 14 in downtown Wilkes Barre, which will include pre & post film discussions on suicide and depression.
And an encore of Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning's interview with Shannon Roche & Dolly Woody about the upcoming "Race For The Cure" in downtown Scranton.
Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X, 6:25am on Magic 93, and 7am on Good Times Oldies 590, WARM.

SUE HENRY’S SPECIAL EDITION

Tune in to Sue Henry's "Special Edition" this week as Sue recaps the week's news. Special Edition is heard Saturdays and Sunday on these Entercom stations, WILK FM Saturday at 2pm Sunday at 6 am on Froggy 101 Sunday at 7 am on The Sports Hub 102.3 Sunday at 7 am on K R Z 98.5 Sunday at noon on WILK FM 103.1.

BUDDY RUMCHEK

Want to hear some great parodies on the news? Tune in to WILK Radio at 6:40 and 8:40 AM on Mondays. As Ralph Cramden used to say, “It’s a laugh riot!”

KAREL ON THE STREET

Tune in Wednesdays on WILK Radio for Karel on the Street. Hear some of the funniest and heartwarming comments on the issues of the day on Webster and Nancy with Karel Zubris.

CORBETT’S SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME

Every Wednesday at 5PM, Steve Corbett shines the light on a Public official with his “Somebody’s Watching Me” segment. Corbett picks an alleged public servant to eye ball and observe. Batten down the lawn furniture in the driveway and that e mail machine. There is nowhere to hide when “somebody’s Watching”. Wednesdays at 5 on WILK’s Corbett program.

Our 1974 logo.

1974

US President Gerald Ford signs Employee Retirement Income Security Act…Giants John Montefusco makes his major league debut…..NBA guard Oscar Robertson retires…US & German Democratic Republic establish diplomatic relations…..Emmy News & Documentaries Award presentation"Irene" closes at Minskoff Theater NYC after 605 performances….. Shirley Cothran (Texas), 21, crowned 47th Miss America 1975….88th US Women’s Tennis: Billie Jean King beats Evonne Goolagong (36 63 75) In the 94th US Mens Tennis: Jimmy Connors beats Ken Rosewall (61 60 61)…in Pennsylvania Governor Milton Shapp has a comfortable lead over his Republican opponent Drew Lewis……and forty years ago this week broadcast history is made in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania when the Radio Home Visitor hits the airwaves. The hour long program repeated right after the first broadcast (cable networks do that all the time now!) was the brainchild of Father Thom Carten. 

Father Tom Carten. (Photo: LuLac archives). 

Carten was a Brother at King’s then and an Adult Student. The program was a mainstay of many shut in and visually impaired people in the Luzerne County Area that had no access to a newspaper. The RHV provided news on Senior Center menus, articles of local and national interest, features like Dear Abby and Today’s Almanac as well as obituaries and menus at Senior Centers. Father Carten retired last year after 39 years but the RHV has stayed on the air due in large part to my friend Sue Henry. The RHV was a good training vehicle for students interested in radio and many of the “readers” of the RHV went on to broadcast careers. Others went on to more lucrative endeavors. …and forty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe” by Barry White.