Patrick Murphy nominated by the President

This email from the White House popped into my inbox:

Patrick J. Murphy, Nominee for Under Secretary of the Army, Department of Defense

Patrick J. Murphy is a Partner at the law firm of Fox Rothschild LLP in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress.  He has also served on the Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy since 2011.  As the first Iraq War veteran elected to the U.S. Congress, Mr. Murphy represented the 8th District of Pennsylvania in the United States House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011.  He served on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the House Appropriations Committee.  From 2003 to 2004, he was deployed to Iraq as a paratrooper with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, where he earned the Bronze Star for Service.  In 2001, Mr. Murphy volunteered for overseas deployment and was deployed to Bosnia in 2002.  Prior to that, he served as a commissioned officer in the Army Reserve from 1996 to 2000.  Mr. Murphy received a B.A. from King’s College and a J.D. from Widener University School of Law.

 I have to admit that I'm partial to fellow vet Murphy a graduate of King's College who had the honor of introducing President Clinton when he visited Wilkes-Barre in 1996. The first time I met him he told me "I read your blog." He attended the fall 2011 Blogfest driving through a monsoon to get there. He has been hosting a Sunday show on MSNBC "Taking the Hill" that  focused on military service, progressive politics, and national service. 

I thought he was the better candidate in the 2012 Attorney General race than  Kathleen Kane. Headlines like this prove me right.

AG Kane to face criminal charges, sources say

Pennsylvania Turnpike

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is an organization that has been knocked for years as being a dumping ground for politicians who can't find another patronage job for their cronies. Fair criticism  or not you have to ask why there are 2 organizations governing the highway system in Pennsylvania.

A PennDot official has just been named to be the CEO and Auditor General Jack Wagner released an audit showing 7,000 employees and contractors have a free pass. A commenter at KeystonePolitics brings up the point that construction workers need to get to the job site so that number may be inflated. Maybe they should carpool.

John Micek reports that toll booths will become a thing of the past with all electronic tracking. If you have an EZPass that already happens but if you don't the system will take a picture of the license plate and send you a bill. Good luck collecting that bill.

In the near future we will be paying more tolls and the interchanges will be automated. For now I love blowing past the schmucks stopping to pay the the toll while I fly by in the EZPass lane on my way to Allentown, Philly or the Delaware beaches.

On a related note just about everybody agrees that our highway infrastructure is in need of repair. Roads need to be fixed and bridges are not safe. The federal gas tax has not been raised since Clinton was President and it is the primary funding source for highway improvement and repair. I know it's regressive but I look at it as more of a user fee. I drive and I want my roads and bridges to be safe. I'm willing to pay 10, 15 or 25 cents more for a gallon of gas in exchange for the piece of mind that the bridge I'm driving across won't collapse. Another idea is an Infrastructure Bank.

Lunch at the White House

After a hard fought campaign Mitt Romney accepted President Obama's gracious invitation to get together over lunch and discuss....who knows what. Romney showed a lot of class by accepting the invitation. Except for that comment about "gifts" to the same "entitled" 47 percent that caused him so much trouble in the election he has been keeping a low profile. It's doubtful that they will become friends like Presidents Carter and Ford or Bill Clinton and Bob Dole but anything can happen.

The menu included white turkey chili and Southwestern grilled chicken salad. What the hell is white turkey chili? One wag said the menu was sour grapes for the appetizer with crow for the entree followed by humble pie for dessert. 

Tomorrow Romney will back to eating lunch at McDonald's.

Veterans Day

This a repost from 2 years ago.

I always joke that I expect a call from the White House on Veterans Day.

I understand why the last occupant of the place never called since he didn't give a shit about the people that were killed and maimed as a result of his Oedipal complex and my opposition to it. I voted for Barry and expected better from him but he continues the ill fated adventure in Afghanistan. Clinton waged a half assed effort in the Balkans and his predecessor had a violent reaction when oil supplies were threatened as any (oil) junkie would.

Some of you know that I wore the uniform of the United States Air Force after high school.

During my time in the service the United States engaged in 3 significant military actions on the orders of President Reagan. The bombing of Libya was justified but didn't deter them from taking down an airliner over Scotland a few years later. I knew the navigator in the F-111 that went down. Although I didn't know it at the time I was part of the planning of the raid. In the Beirut fiasco a good friend who was a load master on a C-130 got shot up on the tarmac of the airport, 241 Marines later died when their barracks was blown up after the US took sides in a civil war. The next day the US invaded Grenada.

I hate war.

Bill Clinton in Scranton tonight

Monday, November 5th

Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Scranton High School
63 Mike Munchak Way
Scranton, PA 18508

Click here for your ticket

NEPA is finally getting some surrogate love. 

Rudy Guiliani, former Senator Norm Coleman (MN)  and former Governor Bob Ehrlich (MD) were at the W-B Victory Center this morning supporting Governor Romney. Senate hopeful Tom Smith and AG candidate David Freed also attended . Senator Pat Toomey was there and Actor Jon Voight was the celeb attraction. 

Rick Perry in town today

Texas  Governor Rick Perry will be at the Wilkes-Barre GOP
Victory Center (34 S. Main St.) Saturday, November 3, 2012, along with GOP Senate candidate Tom Smith.  The event begins at 10am.




Joe Biden's visit got washed out by the storm but the Big Dog will be in Scranton Monday. TL: Former President Bill Clinton will be in Scranton Monday on the campaign trail, according to Democratic Party sources. Details to follow.

In another iteration of Lucy teeing up the football Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will also be in PA over the weekend.  PoliticsPA has the details.

MB:

In 2008, John McCain visited Pennsylvania the Sunday before the election, but Obama won the state.

In 2004, George W. Bush visited Pennsylvania the day before the election, but John Kerry won the state.

In 1996, Bob Dole visited Pennsylvania the Friday before the election, but Bill Clinton won the state.

In 1992, George H.W. Bush visited Pennsylvania the day of the election, but Bill Clinton won the state.

Charlie Brown never kicks the ball.

Convention Recap

Gort42  Special Correspondent Matt Cartwright files this report from Charlotte.Well , he did send along a press release.

A Memorable and Truthful First Day In Charlotte

Last night we heard from San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, whose story reflects the President’s story and the American story. And we heard from First Lady Michelle Obama, who knows the President best and the values and experiences that drive him.


Our convention is crystallizing the choice the American people face this election. It’s a choice between President Obama’s vision of moving America forward to an economy built to last with a strong middle class at its core, or Mitt Romney’s vision of going back to the same “top-down” economic policies that crashed our economy and punished the middle class.


We’re hearing about the strong leadership the President has shown and the tough but often unpopular decisions he’s made to strengthen this country over the long term. And how those decisions have been rooted in fundamental American values: that hard work and responsibility should be rewarded, that everyone should play by the same rules and everyone has a fair shot and a fair shake.



We’re hearing about the President’s constant fight for working and middle-class Americans and how he’s fought every day to rebuild an economy that’s meant to last – an economy built from the middle class out, not the top down.



We’re doing what Mitt Romney failed to do: honestly and clearly laying out the President’s vision and plan to move America forward and restore the promise of middle-class security for all Americans.


Finally, President Clinton will take the stage to talk about what the President has done to help the nation recover from the worst economic crisis ever handed a new president, and what he’s doing to create an economy built to last – one that’s built from the middle out, not the top down.






Twenty years ago, President Clinton heard many of the same charges President Obama faces today, from a Republican Party who believed that if we gave tax cuts to the well-off and slashed Medicare and investments in our children and workers, prosperity would trickle down to the middle class.


Fortunately, the country rejected that approach, and instead invested in education and innovation, paid down the deficit by asking the wealthy to pay their fair share, and laid the foundation for 23 million new jobs, historic small business expansion and a record surplus.

It’s striking that Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan want to go back to the policies that turned those Clinton surpluses into massive deficits, punished the middle class and crashed our economy.

A Thousand Words

Read the details.

Thursday events

This must be Thursday. I never could get the hang of Thursdays.-Arthur Dent

So many things going on Thursday.

On the local scene Matt and Phyllis will be having a lovefest in West Wyoming while Bill Vinsko and Gene Stilp square off in Kingston that few people will attend or get a chance to watch on TV. Kathy Kane will skip the W-B city council meeting to host a Luzerne County Democratic rally at the Ramada on Public Square. How did all three of these events get scheduled at the the same time? Tim Holden is scheduled to be in the Lehigh Valley but you wouldn't know that if you checked his website.

Former President Clinton will be campaigning for Kathleen Kane down near Philly tomorrow and President Obama's top political guy was in the city of brotherly love backing Murphy yesterday. Loyalty is important in politics. Kane was big supporter of Hillary when she ran ran for President in 2008 and Murphy was one of the few elected officials in PA to back Obama.

I'm a bit conflicted about which event to attend. The Willow Grove thing is out of the question and the reluctant Nanticoke Committeeman has in invited me to the rally on Public Square. I'll take a pass on both. So do I want to go to LWV forum or a party with my 3rd favorite state rep and a guy who just may be my next Congressman?

Some press releases

WILLOW GROVE, PA--President Bill Clinton will attend a major “Get Out The Vote” rally for veteran prosecutor and Democratic State Attorney General candidate Kathleen Kane this Thursday, April 12th from 6 – 8 pm at Upper Moreland High School in the town of Willow Grove, Montgomery County in the northwestern suburbs of Philadelphia. The rally follows President Clinton’s recent endorsement of Kathleen Kane as Pennsylvania’s first elected female Attorney General. “Kathleen Kane is the most experienced and qualified candidate to serve as Pennsylvania Attorney General," said President Clinton. “I am confident that Kathleen will use the legal system to protect and advance the lives of all Pennsylvanians. She is smart, tough, and experienced, and she will make a great Attorney General.” Kane, a veteran Deputy District Attorney for Lackawanna County in Northeast Pennsylvania, is greatly appreciative of President Clinton’s strong show of support for her candidacy. “Words cannot express my gratitude to President Clinton for his unwavering support,” Kane added. “President Clinton remains an enormously popular and influential world leader. Our campaign is incredibly energized by the President’s support. We intend to ride this wave of momentum to victory on Tuesday, April 24th and in the November General Election. We also look forward to having President Clinton at our side throughout this historic journey.”


Philadelphia, PA) – Senior Obama Campaign Advisor David Axelrod campaigned today in Philadelphia for Patrick Murphy, giving a boost to his run for Pennsylvania Attorney General.

In a strategy meeting with key supporters at a Philadelphia law firm, Axelrod said Patrick Murphy has the experience, leadership and vision to be a great Attorney General for the people of Pennsylvania.

He also noted Murphy's ardent support of the President during some of his tougher fights including ending the war in Iraq, repealing Don't Ask, Don't
Tell and protecting women's rights.

“President Obama has never had a better friend in politics than Patrick Murphy. He was with us early, he was a great supporter of the election, but more importantly he was a leader we could count on to help end the war in Iraq and repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Patrick has taken up fights for people, not for special interests, but for people who needed a voice,” Axelrod said.

“There are the people who run for public office because they want to be something, and then there are people who run for public office because they want to do something, because they want to serve and they see it as a way of making our community stronger. There is nobody I know who exemplifies that ethic more than Patrick Murphy, who has served his country so honorably, served his community so honorably. I’ve never met anyone who impressed me more than Patrick in terms of that commitment and that sense of service. This is a guy who represents a better future for Pennsylvania,“ he added.

Axelrod said he knows that as Attorney General, Murphy will protect the middle class and defend the rights of all Pennsylvanians with the same passion and conviction.

An early supporter of President Obama, Murphy endorsed his presidential campaign in August 2007. The primary election for Attorney General is on
April 24.

Patrick Murphy snags AFL-CIO endorsement

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Endorses Patrick Murphy

(Philadelphia, PA) – Today, Iraq war veteran and former prosecutor Patrick Murphy issued the following statement after earning the endorsement of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, which represents 900,000 working families:

"I'm honored to earn the support of so many hard working Pennsylvanians. My dad was police officer for 22 years, so I grew up in a union household. And I understand that working families are struggling right now. There is a clear contrast in this race. I've always fought to defend the rights of workers to organize for better wages and working conditions, and as Attorney General I will continue to protect workers and the middle class. But my opponent has refused answer questions about her company's fiercely anti-union positions. Pennsylvanians need to know that their Attorney General will always fight for them. My record is clear. Unfortunately, my opponent's is not.” Murphy said.

Most endorsements are only good for a press release unless it brings money or boots on the ground. This one brings both. So which endorsement is more helpful, this one or President Clinton's ? It may help if he campaigns for Kathleen Kane but his recent track record of backing PA candidates hasn't worked out the way they wanted just ask Chris Doherty, Joe Sestak and Paul Kanjorski.

I've been told that Kane is on TV with a bio spot but I haven't seen it and it's not on her website or YouTube channel yet. I'll post it when I get the link.

Newt Gingrich is the latest Republican front runner

You can point a lot of fingers at people who have poisoned the political discourse in recent years but I think that Newt Gingrich has to be given the lions share of the credit. In the 1990's he rose to prominence by tearing down his political opponents. He tore down the Democratic Speaker of the House over a book deal while doing much the same thing. His advice at the time to fellow Republicans was to call Democrats corrupt, traitors, anti-family and other things. He ended up resigning from Congress because of his own ethics problems. But somehow that is forgotten now.

Gingrich was responsible for the Government shutdown of 1995/96 then the Republicans decided to impeach the President over a blow job. I won't even get into the thrice married Georgia Congressman's divorce from his high school teacher or his other pro-family stances.

So much for the past. Now he wants to dismantle the child labor laws.

Gingrich: Laws preventing child labor are 'truly stupid'

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/19/gingrich-laws-preventing-child-labor-are-truly-stupid/

CNN) - Newt Gingrich proposed a plan Friday that would allow poor children to clean their schools for money, saying such a setup would both allow students to earn income and endow them with a strong work ethic.

I turned down the free lunch when I was in school although I was eligible for it because I didn't want to put up with razzing. Imagine what stigma kids emptying trash cans and moping floors would have to endure? Children can be cruel and kids from poor families are easy targets.

I know the press likes that Newt throws out ideas even if they are not well thought out. Remember his idea for giving a laptop to every student.

He may have traction unlike the other not Romneys but I'm waiting for him to flame out so my favorite Republican candidate, Rick Santorum, can have his week in the spotlight.

Wyoming Valley Flood 2011-the levee system held, now the cleanup

The Susquehanna River crested above the 1972 Agnes flood level but Wilkes-Barre and the west side of Wyoming Valley didn't get wiped out because Congressman Paul Kanjorski was able to convince President Clinton and the Army Corps of Engineers that the dikes should be able to withstand another flood of that magnitude. I know that there is lot of talk about how the levees funneled water into other areas that are not protected by the system but there are trade offs in every project as Another Monkey points out:


The Susquehanna nearly overtopped these levees this week. Nearly, but it didn't. As of this writing, Wilkes-Barre and Kingston and Forty Fort have been spared the devastation they experienced in 1972. The levees held, bottling up all that water.

Creating a bottleneck to protect one area causes problems elsewhere. West Pittston, just upriver from Wilkes-Barre, has sustained damage in excess of what it experienced in 1972. Jenkins Township, Shickshinny, and other communities not protected by levees have experienced massive devastation. Even if areas destroyed in 1972 fared better now thanks to levees, the increased destruction elsewhere will again result in a multi-billion dollar repair bill.

Kanjo in the TL is reflects on his legacy:


“We probably dodged a bullet that probably would have cost the Wyoming Valley probably five, six billion dollars,” Kanjorski said. “...If those levees hold, there isn't one person in the Wyoming Valley who shouldn't just shout that the federal government did something good; that they built one hell of a levee system. We've got good, clear evidence that federal government, sometimes, does something right....“It was a very long, drawn-out process that took 10 years,” Kanjorski said. “It wasnt until 1996 that I was able to get President Clinton down here to convince him that we needed it... It took more than 10 years after that to complete it, and every year it took millions of dollars in appropriations. I had to get those funds earmarked every year to get those funds.“To protect some of those homes over in Plymouth Township, and I have sympathy for those people, but it would cost millions of dollars to protect one home in Plymouth, and we just cant afford to do that,” Kanjorski said.
“Its not a perfect system,” he continued, “but it's far more sophisticated today in terms of protection. You have to remember when we got hit with Agnes, there was no Federal Emergency Management Agency. That was something I was very active in creating.”

Others agree:


Mayor, state rep thankful for levees



"I hope that people take a moment tonight and say a prayer and thank the Lord that that dike held," State Rep Eddie Day Pashinski said. "Those of you that experienced 1972 know what kind of devastation we experienced in Wilkes-Barre and throughout the entire valley. Ladies and gentlemen, we dodged a major bullet."
But that never happened, thanks in part to former U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski's work to raise the levee system in the Wyoming Valley, Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton said.

"Without his hard work in Washington over the years, this valley would have been ruined."


If you want to help out Michelle put up a great post over at NEPA Blogs:


This has so much good information I'm going to repost it. I'm sure she won't mind. To click on the links go over to NEPA Blogs.


Giving Help
Many of us in the area have been fortunate enough to not be affected by the September floods, but others did not fair so well. The whole basis of NEPA Blogs is to talk about blogging and people from the area, but we would not be doing the community a service if we didn't help out in this time of extreme need.

Here are ways that you can help:

Entercom Communications is holding a cleaning supply drive for the victims of the flooding. You can drop off supplies at either the Wilkes-Barre Twp. Wal-Mart or the one in Taylor. Help them fill the trailer. More details here: http://pahomepage.com/fulltext?nxd_id=199416



The American Red Cross's Facebook Page states that "Over 4,000 people spent last night in Red Cross shelters in NY & PA." You can donate to the Red Cross's efforts by texting REDCROSS to 90999. I believe the 10 dollar donation will be tacked on to your monthly cell phone bill.

The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce has setup a recovery website where you can give help/get help or find information about the recovery efforts. Wilkes-Barre City has a similar website setup here.

The HelpLine of NEPA is always a valuable resource for assistance for crisis situations. They are on Twitter and Facebook and also have a website: http://www.helpline-nepa.info


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From Wyoming Valley Flood 2011 Facebook Page:

The Cross Valley Federal Credit Union, starting on Monday, all of our branch locations will be accepting donations of cleaning supplies for the American Red Cross. We will also have donation canisters out for those wishing to make a monetary donation to Red Cross. Any support is greatly appreciated! We have locations in Wilkes Barre, Dallas, Forty Fort, Mt Top and Hazleton. For a specific listing of all of our locations you can also visit www.crossvalleyfcu.org. It doesn't matter where we donate - as long as we do. :0) This Valley is capable of doing amazing things!!! Our hearts go out to all those affected.

The West Pittston Public Library is in need of volunteers to assist with their clean-up effort. From what I understand, they started working on the efforts again today (9/11) at 10am. You can offer your services via their Facebook Page: West Pittston Library.

The Hunlock Creek Fire Hall is now a drop off site for cleaning supplies for all of those affected by flooding. If you want to donate, please drop off at the hall....(editors note: however, I do not have specific dates or times that they will be open.) They are specifically requesting the following items: disinfectants (clorox, lysol, etc.), mops, brooms, gloves, buckets, etc.

Excelsior Hose Company in Duryea is collecting cleaning supplies, clothing and anything else you can think of donating to the flood victims of lower Duryea. THere are some who have lost everything unexpectedly, since the forecast was not for the Lackawanna River to flood. (Editor's note: I do not have any specific dates or times for these collections)

Duryea Update: Anyone who has spare cleaning supplies, clothing, basically anything that can be of assistance to flood victims who reside in the lower section of Duryea and is willing to donate them, please bring the items to the VFW on Stephenson Street in Duryea. They are also accepting monetary donations. They will be on site at this location until 11pm.

TradeMark Realty Group will be collecting any donations like cleaning products, clothing etc. or just anything you could spare and give it to Red-cross or local churches for distribution.
 Our office will be open everyday 9am -5pm and will be available for chat through our website www.TradeMarkRealtyGroup.com if you have questions.

Servpro of Hanover Township has crews out in full force helping people get their lives, homes and businesses back to normal. If you are in need of water damage cleanup and restoration services, our office available 24/7 at (570)-822-4700. Via Their Facebook Page.

West Side All Starz will be a drop off area for donated clothing, blankets, pillows, non perishable foods, bottles of water and cleaning supplies for those who have lost their homes and belongings in the flood. Items can be dropped off starting today 11am-10pm at 545 Charles Street, Luzerne PA 18709. If you are in need of items please email Tammy at tammytbwss@aol.com.

Cub Scout Pack 100 and Plains Soccer are asking for your donations to help our neighbors who have been affected by the recent flooding. DONATIONS OF non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, bleach, mops, paper products, toiletries, towels, linens and clothing of all sizes. DROP OFF at SCOUT HALL, 13 Stocker St, on Sunday from 5-8 PM, Monday from 6-8PM, and Tues from 6-7PM.

The PA Department of Health will be at the PSTI Headquarters building Sunday at 3pm with their mobile unit giving tetanus shots to emergency responders, who have not a shot in 10 years. Please note: This is ONLY FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.

MedExpress in Edwardsville has Tetanus shots available. Open from 9am to 9pm daily.

West Pittston Fire Department on Spring Street has some supplies available to its residents affected by the flood. They state they have water, gloves, self-heating meals, hand sanitizer & water available.


Attention Wyoming County residents! This information is for you --

Interfaith Friends has a list of available furniture and larger items available for free to those affected by the floods. If you need furniture, baby items, clothes or anything Interfaith Friends has, you may stop by during business hours. ALL items are given at NO CHARGE to anyone affected by the flood. Their contact # 570-836-2428.

The Cub Scout Pack 518 of Tunkhannock are collecting donations to give to flood victims. So far they have clothing, toys, games, paper products, personal care items and backpacks. However, I'm not sure of how to get in touch with them.

P & G has a diaper booth setup in the Tunkhannock Wal-Mart parking lot. They will be there Saturday (9/10) from 6pm to 9pm. They will then be set up Sunday (9/11) through Friday (9/16) from 7am to 7pm.

All information for Wyoming County was found via the American Red Cross of Wyoming County's Facebook page.

Lackawanna County --

Several Red Cross blood drives have been scheduled. There is one today (9/11) at the American Legion Raymond Henry Post 327, 101 Willow Ave, Olyphant from 10am to 3pm. Monday (9/12) at CMC, Mulberry Street, Scranton from 12pm to 4pm. More blood drive information including additional dates and locations can be obtained by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS

Columbia County --

(All information obtained via the Y 106.5 Facebook page)

Free Childcare for residents who were affected by the recent floods in our area and to those who are helping with the clean up efforts. Childcare service provided by Chrissy Van Hoover and Jennifer Devine Arbogast and other childcare providers and volunteers at Wesley United Methodist Church in Selinsgrove from 11:30-5pm Sunday Sept 11th.

Y 106.5 FM is taking American Red Cross Donations now and throughout the weekend at their Sunbury Motors Studios in the Susquehanna Valley Mall. Donate now for your friends, neighbors and community. Their webpage is http://www.y106.fm

Century 21 Mertz and Assoc; 299 Mill Street Danville (next to BJ Ribs) is organizing a collection of items for disbursement to local shelters, the Red Cross and Salvation Army. They are specifically looking for donations of cleaning supplies, canned food, adult & children's clothing as well as monetary donations.

Bloomsburg Fair Association is requesting volunteers. They are in need of volunteers to help with the clean up efforts at the fairgrounds. Flood waters hit the fairgrounds at an all time high. With the fair starting at the end of the month, they don't have much time to recover. The fair is scheduled to being on September 24, 2011. Currently they have no phone service, so please no phone calls. Basically, if you can help, just show up. The fairgrounds are located at 620 West Third Street; Bloomsburg, PA 17815.



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Towing Services: Also, LAG will conduct free tows for any vehicles trapped in flooded water or need to be taken to higher ground from the flood areas in coordination with the city. Contact 570-208-4152 to request service. Source, WBRE.

Photography Services: Top of the Mountain Photography by Bridget Banik is offering to take flood damage pictures free of charge to anyone who may have lost their camera/electronics in the flood. You can contact her via her Facebook page or call 570-417-6330. Also, according to the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce's twitter account, Patrick Gensel, freelance photographer and NEPA Blogger is willing to help as well, please contact him through his website at http://patrickgensel.com.

Pet/Animal Information: Please contact the SPCA of Luzerne County if your has been lost. In Luzerne County, stray animals are taken to the facility when they are found within county boundaries. Contact them at 570-825-4111 and they will take a "lost" report and cross match it with any reports they get of found animals or with animals that have been brought in as strays. More information can be found on their website: http://www.spcaluzernecounty.org

Update ~ There is now a Facebook page for the lost and found pets of the Sept 2011 flood. Click here to view it.

Road Closure Information: Available via 511PA which is updated via PENNDOT.

Health Care Facilities:

Click here to read an updated statement on Wyoming Valley Health Care System facility openings/closures.
Click here to read and updated statement on Geisinger Wyoming Valley's openings/closures.

This is just the beginning of the list, I've read about several dozen smaller communities, churches and businesses taking up collections for the victims. If you know of any, please feel free to post in the comments, or hit us up on Facebook to let us know. I would like to get as much information in this post as possible for the victims and will continue to update as more information becomes available.




Oh and by the way, Harold & I were made administrators of the Wyoming Valley Flood 2011 Facebook page which has grown to 6,547 likes as of this post. It has served as a information portal for questions about evacuations, road closures, and donation collection points, etc., etc., etc. Please feel free to follow it if you are in need of any of that information. We would like to thank Karla Porter for her efforts in creating this page. It has helped several people get the information that they needed in this crisis.

Edited to say: If you are questioning any of the information you are hearing online or otherwise, it is recommended to contact the Luzerne County Rumor control hotline at 800-821-3716.

Veterans Day

I always joke that I expect a call from the White House on Veterans Day.

I understand why the last occupant of the place never called since he didn't give a shit about the people that were killed and maimed as a result of his Oedipal complex and my opposition to it. I voted for Barry and expected better from him but he continues the ill fated adventure in Afghanistan. Clinton waged a half assed effort in the Balkans and his predecessor had a violent reaction when oil supplies were threatened as any (oil) junkie would.

Some of you know that I wore the uniform of the United States Air Force after high school.

During my time in the service the United States engaged in 3 significant military actions on the orders of President Reagan. The bombing of Libya was justified but didn't deter them from taking down an airliner over Scotland a few years later. I knew the navigator in the F-111 that went down. Although I didn't know it at the time I was part of the planning of the raid. In the Beirut fiasco a good friend who was a load master on a C-130 got shot up on the tarmac of the airport, 241 Marines later died when their barracks was blown up after the US took sides in a civil war. The next day the US invaded Grenada.

I hate war.

The Big Dawg in Naticoke tomorrow

President Clinton to Participate in Rally for Kanjorski Tuesday

WILKES-BARRE -- The Kanjorski campaign announced today that President Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States, will speak at a rally in Congressman Kanjorski's home town of Nanticoke on Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 4:00 p.m. The rally will take place at the Greater Nanticoke Area High School.

"I am extremely honored to have President Clinton here to campaign for me again this year, and I look forward to bringing him to my home town," said Congressman Kanjorski. "Nanticoke is where I grew up, where I began my career in public service, and where I still live with my wife, Nancy. I look forward to having Northeastern Pennsylvanians from across the region join President Clinton and me in Nanticoke."

Under President Clinton's leadership, and with Congressman Kanjorski's strong support in Congress, the country enjoyed the strongest economy in a generation and the longest economic expansion in United States history. These efforts resulted in unprecedented progress for America, including moving the nation from record deficits to record surpluses; the creation of over 22 million jobs - more than any other administration; low levels of unemployment, poverty and crime; and the highest home ownership and college enrollment rates in history.

During the Clinton Administration, Congressman Kanjorski was able to secure $250 million for the Wyoming Valley Levee Raising Project, which has saved Northeastern Pennsylvania from an estimated $1 billion in flood damages.

President Clinton visited Northeastern Pennsylvania in November 2008 to campaign for Congressman Kanjorski at Wilkes University. Congressman Kanjorski also campaigned in the area with President Clinton and his wife, Hillary Clinton, when she ran for president that year.

The public is invited to attend the rally in Nanticoke. More details are available below and at http://www.paulkanjorski.com/.

· Address: Greater Nanticoke Area High School gymnasium

427 Kosciuszko Street

Nanticoke, PA 18634

· Doors open at 4:00 p.m., line to attend starts at 1:00 p.m.

· No tickets needed for the free event.


My Republicans friends are throwing a hissy fit over the venue.

Another Monkey adds:


In any event, this is to my knowledge the first time any President, current or former, has passed through Nanticoke's city limits.*

*It is possible that Richard Nixon threw up a bit while flying over Nanticoke after his 1972 post-Agnes visit to Wilkes-Barre.

Here is clip from President Clinton's last visit to Luzerne County.

President Clinton coming to Scranton

MEDIA, Pa. - President Bill Clinton will participate in a rally in support of Joe’s Senate candidacy on Tuesday, August 10 at Scranton High School.


President Clinton, who served from 1993 to 2001, was the first Democratic president to be awarded a second term in six decades. Under his leadership, the United States enjoyed the strongest economy in a generation and the longest economic expansion in U.S. history. His administration resulted in moving the nation from record deficits to record surpluses; the creation of over 22 million jobs; low levels of unemployment, poverty and crime; and the highest home ownership and college enrollment rates in history.

EVENT DETAILS

WHAT: Joe Sestak for Senate Rally
WHO: U.S. Senate candidate Joe Sestak with President Bill Clinton
WHEN: Tuesday, August 10 at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Scranton High School Gym, 63 Munchak Way, Scranton, Pa. 18508


Those interested in attending must RSVP and should call the campaign’s Scranton office at (570) 983-2280.

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The latest Q poll shows the race to be a dead heat.

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I'll be at the beach next week so I won't get a chance to hobnob again with the Big Dog and the Admiral.

Prez signs Wall Street reform bill

The last time speculation on Wall Street created a crises that crashed the US economy FDR and a Democratic Congress put some rules in place to prevent another great depression. Over the last 20 years many of the safeguards that were put in place in the 1930's were repealed including the Glass-Steagal Act when Bill Clinton was President. Add in lax enforcement of the laws on the books after 2001 then in 2008 all hell broke loose again causing a deep recession that we are just recovering from so it's time to rein in the big banks to prevent a three-peat.

Congressman Paul Kanjorski has been working on a fix for a long time and it got past the finish line despite universal opposition from the the Republicans in Congress. Boner already wants to repeal it. The Republicans want to repeal everything but have no solutions to the country's problems and after fiasco of the last decade it's clear they don't know how to govern.

Kanjo was on stage for the signing.


Kanjorski Joins President for Signing of Wall Street Reform Bill into Law

Ezra Klein takes on the liberal argument that it doesn't do enough.


I had a brief conversation on the telephone with Kanjo yesterday about Wall Street reform and a few other things. I don't report telephone interviews very well since I don't know shorthand and I'm a not a trained reporter/journalist and have never claimed to be. He promised I can sit down with him in person when I can use my recorder in the near future. So this is paraphrased but certainly not taken out of context.

On Wall Street Reform

I don't think we will appreciate for decades how much good this law will do... My amendment could be described as surgical Glass-Steagal. I look forward to discussing this with you in the future... I had a good conversation with the President today.

Gas Drilling

I support the smart development of gas extraction which includes development of a plan for best practices and oversight. We should have an energy institute to develope that plan...PA is one of only 2 states that doesn't have an extraction tax. That money could be used to fund the oversight/inspections that are required.

...on a lighter note I asked him what was his favorite baseball team. He likes the Philiies and the Yankees. I pointed out that he had that Yankee thing in common with Lou Barletta. I invited him to our next meet the candidates/blogger event September 17th and he said he would make it if Abbie would let him.

President Clinton backs Doherty

Former President Bill Clinton has endorsed Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty in the PA Senate 22nd district race. It is unheard of for a former President to get involved in a local primary election.

Clinton was a successful President who left office with the country at peace with the finances in order. In 2000 there was a budget surplus that his successor blew all to hell so maybe the Teabaggers who are all worried about the deficits that Bush gave us should want him back in the White House.

The message from the Doherty camp crowing about it:


There won't be a bigger endorsement in the state senate campaign than this:

Former President Bill Clinton is supporting Mayor Doherty in the May 18 primary!

Starting today, we're launching a campaign to highlight President Clinton's support.

So, please listen to his endorsement here, then forward this e-mail to three of your friends right now to help spread the word.

As you know, the Clintons have always had a special connection to Scranton. Secretary of State Clinton's family hails from the area, and both of them have made several trips to Northeast Pennsylvania on various campaigns over the years.

As the president says in his endorsement, Chis Doherty "helped to turn the city [of Scranton] around," and "he'll bring the same energy and dedication to all of Northeast Pennsylvania" as he works to bring good paying jobs into the district and to clean up Harrisburg.

We couldn't be more proud to receive President Clinton's support.

Listen to the Big Dog

Kanjo hangs on

“It was an Obama tidal wave and it was very well-organized. There was nothing I could do.”- Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta


Paul Kanjorski won his 13th term in the US House of Representatives by a whisker defeating Mayor Lou by less than 4 points.



The final tally




KANJORSKI, PAUL E. (DEM) 143,246 51.7%

BARLETTA, LOU (REP) 134,077 48.3%


Barletta won 3 of the 5 counties in the district with Kanjo coming up short in his home territory of Luzerne County by about 5000 votes then rolled up big majorities in the Scranton area of Lackawanna County and Monroe came in big for him.

I can't argue with Barletta's assessment and Kanjo did everything he could to ride Obama's coat tails. This ad on the eve of the election shocked the shit out of me. It told me that he was polling behind Obama up here in the Alabama of the north and tied his wagon to the Democratic nominee. Throw in this spot from Hillary and President Clinton's Monday night visit that just might have saved him.

Dan Cheek lists 5 reasons why Barletta lost. "His flaws are many and his upside is almost non-existent. If the Republican Party wants to have a shot in Hell at retaking the US Congress, we need to produce candidates who are electable. In other words, the exact opposite of Mayor Lou Barletta."

McGruff keeps attacking.

Let's see what happens in 2010 when there will not be an Obama tidal wave.

Bill Clinton in Wilkes-Barre Monday

From a release.


Wilkes-Barre – Former President Bill Clinton will join Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) in Wilkes-Barre on Monday to encourage Northeastern Pennsylvanians to get out and vote on Tuesday for Kanjorski and the Democratic ticket. The event will be open to the media and the public.

The Kanjorski campaign will release more details as they become available.

I thought (advocated) that Hillary would be dropping into Scranton for a rally to help out Kanjo. But I'll go to an event starring Bubba.

PA 11th CD update

Congressman Paul Kanjorski was in Washington working on the current economic crisis and to develop a recovery plan with Speaker Pelosi and others. During the forum, Kanjorski discussed with his colleagues the idea of including a "Buy America's Future Program" in a new recovery package. This program would facilitate the ability of all Americans to voluntarily invest in promising companies with new technologies.

On Sunday he was in Scranton and received shououts from Bill, Hill and Joe.


President Clinton said "Thank you Congressman Paul Kanjorski for being here. Folks, Paul Kanjorski’s got a tough race. He’s got a tough race because some people in his district believe that illegal immigration is a bigger cause of their economic problems than President Bush's economic policies. I got news for them and I've got news for you – you need to help him get re-elected. Thank you."


Hillary chimed in "I just want to reiterate what Bill said. We need as many Democrats in the Congress as we can get and we need to send Paul Kanjorski back to the House of Representatives."


Lou Barletta's camp say that they have topped $1 million in donations and that's all the money they need to win.


They are both scheduled to attend a forum this Wednesday at East Stroudsburg University.



In a new ad Kanjo takes on the Cornerstone issue calling Mayor Lou a liar and hitting him about the sludge being dumped around Hazleton.


Lou Barletta - Not on our Side






This just in via Wally Edge:


Research 2000 for Daily Kos.


10/6-8. Likely voters. MoE 5%

Barletta (R) 43% Kanjorski (D-inc) 39% Undecided 18%

And Obama leads McCain 47%-43% in the Pa-11th CD