Wyoming Valley Flood 2011-Barletta and Obama respond

From the inbox:

Rep. Barletta committed to bring full force of federal government to flood cleanup

HAZLETON – U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, PA-11, released the following statement:

“Today was an unforgettable day for me. I spent the day touring Luzerne and Columbia counties, and I saw firsthand the devastation and destruction caused by historic flooding. I want the people most affected by this natural disaster to rest assured that I am fully committed to bringing the full force of the federal government to the 11th Congressional District so the people, businesses, and municipalities here can recover – and recover quickly – from this epic event.

“I have instructed my staff to work closely with local, county, and state officials to provide the most responsive service to my constituents who have been so dramatically affected. Flood victims can call my office toll-free at (855) 241-5144, and my staff will return their calls as quickly as possible.

“This historic flood shattered records and lives. Some people lost all that they have. Some lost their lives. From Duryea to Pittston to West Pittston, to Jenkins Township to Wilkes-Barre to Plymouth, to Shickshinny to Espy to Bloomsburg, and to other places along creeks, streams, and ponds, I saw the effects of record flooding and I heard the stories my neighbors had to tell. But I also heard about friends helping friends, and strangers helping strangers. I saw emergency responders at their finest. I saw volunteers give of their time to help others. I saw the very best of humanity in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

“There is much work to be done to clean up from this unprecedented disaster, but I know the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania will be up to the challenge.”


President Obama Signs Pennsylvania Emergency Declaration



The President today declared an emergency exists in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and ordered federal aid to supplement commonwealth and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from the Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee beginning on September 3, 2011, and continuing.



The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Adams, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bradford, Bucks, Cambria, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wyoming, and York.



Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding.

Wyoming Valley Flood 2011-update

I haven't gone wandering around today to see the devastation heeding the advice of those in charge. If you're curious there are plenty of pics online. Earlier today Gov. Tom Corbett chastised the media for encouraging people to send in their flood pictures because they are still people in the evacuation areas. Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton had a press conference this afternoon and announced that 4 jerks/scumbags/criminals had been arrested for looting. He also announced that anybody in the evacuation zone after the 9PM curfew will be arrested.

So far the levee's are holding with some seepage in Forty Fort and the gates in Wilkes-Barre but the Susquehanna River is still so high you can't be too careful. There is a lot of force behind all that water. There are worries that various bridges may get wiped out with a particular concern about the Pierce Street bridge that was destroyed in 1972.

On the home front we just pumped out my mother's basement because the water took out her water heater and was threatening the furnace. That didn't stop her from turning it on this morning, oy vey.

Wyoming Valley Flood 2011

Above it is a picture of Gardner's Creek in Plains. Most of us call it Mill Creek.

I'm relieved to report that my little place on this earth known as the Hudson section of Plains Twp has not been wiped out, yet. I did a quick tour earlier today and posted a few pics here. I drove down River Street on the other side of town earlier encountering some water on the road but it was passable. I'm not about to go sightseeing along the Susquehanna because a very wise told me in 1972 that if your not here to help you're just in the way then handed me a sandbag.

The River is predicted to crest just below the 41 feet that the levy system will hold but my worry is that all that water weighs a lot and is moving fast. In the 1972 Agnes flood the Susquehanna River topped the 35 foot dikes by 6 feet but much of the devastation was caused by the dikes failing in Forty Fort and along Old River Road in Wilkes-Barre. I don't think that punching a bunch of holes in the dikes was a good idea to create a riverfront park after all that money was spent to build them. An earthen dam is much better protection than a metal wall that took it's place.

A word to 2 of my blog buddies. Mark in 1972 the water made it to the old ACME Market on Pennsylvania Avenue just past Beaumont St. That is about 1/2 a block away from you. David it was up to North St. just down the street. Take care my friends.

I will update in a few hours and will not make any political points until the crises abates.

Below is a pic of the Q at the flooded ballfield behind the Polish Club in Hudson. He is only one enjoying this.

Phillies sweep the Braves

We are not going to see a repeat of 1964. A big worry of mine.

The Phils just swept the 2nd place Atlanta Braves to improve to a major league best 91 wins vs 48 loses. I don't remember a Phillies team this good although it won't necessarly translate into the postseason. So now what do you do? They haven't called up any minor league players so I guess Charlie will keep the pedal to the medal and try to blow out every team on the rest of the schedule.

World Series or Bust.

GOP debate tonight

Watching the talking heads show today the big question seems to be will Texas Governor Rick Perry be able to to speak in complete sentences if he bothers to show up at all. If he skips it I can't blame him because Texas has a wildfire outbreak which is more important than a talkfest in California.

Perry's budget cuts didn't cause this catosrophe but it didn't help responding to it and want's federal aid.


Rick Perry slams feds for slow fire aid, after huge cuts to quicker state response

W]hile Perry complains about the feds’ response, he and Texas lawmakers have also been called to task for huge cuts to state firefighting resources passed earlier this year. The two-year budget that took effect last Thursday includes a 75 percent slash to volunteer fire departments — from $30 million to $7 million — and a one-third cut to the Texas Forest Service.

These GOP candidates should really stay away from corn dogs:

The Virginian

I'm surprised that this hasn't got more play in the PA media/blogosphere.

From the Trib:

Rick Santorum said at a Harrisburg news conference that he's now an official Old Dominion resident.

"We've been voting in Virginia for the last few elections," he said. "I officially changed my voter registration, I think, a year or so ago."


Maybe it's because nobody really takes his Presidential bid seriously since the latest Wapo poll nationally has him at 3% and Rasmussen shows only 4% support in Iowa. But he is still plugging away even after his Irene interrupted fundraising tour of Pennsylvania calling in some chits.

From Capitol Ideas:

Santorum Picks Up Endorsement of Some of PA State Senate GOP.

I'm glad I didn't see Lisa Baker's name on this list.


In addition to Browne, Corman and Scarnati, the full list of Pennsylvania GOP senators supporting Santorum includes: Sens. Mike Waugh of York County; Bob Robbins of Mercer County; Richard Alloway of Franklin County; David Argall of Schuylkill County; John Eichelberger of Blair County; Mike Folmer of Lebanon County; Bob Mensch of Montgomerry County; John Pippy of Allegheny County; Robert Tomlinson of Bucks County; Kim Ward of Westmoreland County; Don White of Indiana County and Gene Yaw of Lycoming County.

You all know that I have a soft spot for Ricky and had mixed feelings when he lost the 2006 Senate race to Bob Casey for all the wrong reasons.


We can't lose Rick Santorum

Remember the Cyber School thing and wanting to start a war with Iran that Ron Paul smacked him down on

He hasn't disappointed lately

Rick Santorum Gets Into Heated Argument With Student Over Gay Parents

So he got to mix the 2 themes recently

Santorum: The Gay Community Is On A ‘Jihad’ Against Me

Labor Day

“Labor is prior to and independent of capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.” -Abraham Lincoln

Imagine what a freak out FOX News and talk radio would have if our Democratic President said that today.

In this day when Unions are vilified and under assault by not just the business interests but who have convinced working people to ask "why do those people have benefits and workplace protections" instead of asking "why don't I?" The debate shifted from basic economic and fairness issues to distractions about abortion and other cultural issues such as gay marriage used as a wedge that also got people to buy into an economic agenda that is destroying the middle class. Read What's the Matter with Kansas?

After the last election Republican Governor's and state legislatures decided to go after public sector employee bargaining rights and to make it harded to vote despite never bringing up either issue during their election campaigns. The most attention was paid to Wisconsin but the same thing is going on in Pennsylvania.

I'm sick and tired of people that diss government workers. Did you ever think why the DMV is such a pain and the waits are long? Not enough workers to take care of the customers. A long wait at a SSA office? Not enough workers to take care of the customers. These people work their tails offs.

The poinyheaded bureaucrats in Washington DC that George Wallace ran against in 1968 and 1972 has become some sort of mantra for our lawmakers and GOP Presidential candidates today.

Labor day past

I piciked this up from the NEPA Libertarian Face book page of all places



Labor Day
by Kathy Kerr on Monday, September 5, 2011 at 10:35am.

I am old enough to remember when Labor Day was a celebration of the American worker, when being able to organize in a union meant a better living. Union was not a dirty word then, as it so often now conjures up thoughts of rigid work rules, excessive benefits and an impediment to profitability. To listen to the stories of the original "brothers" (there were no "sisters") following their American dream. Being a Teamster when it meant driving mule or draft horse teams of six, of my uncle starting the Stationary Engineers in Cleveland with his fists, my late brother starting a local chapter of the AFL-CIO. Sparkies in the IBEW, the Pipefitters and Millwrights, UAW guys off the line from Ford in Cleveland (the home of the kick-butt 351 engine). Uncle Bocky having the record for a big "pour" in the steel plant along the Cuyahoga River (yes, the infamous "Burning River"). To all those founders so long ago who were beaten with bats and pipes, shot at or shot dead . . . you are remembered this Labor Day. You built the great American middle class, made the melting pot work and instilled a hard work/hard nosed ethic in your families. Having oil-stained, callused hands was not shameful but a source of pride of giving an honest day's work for an honest dollar. This is almost extinct now, a little more than 100 years later.

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Colege Football Saturday

Penn State beat Cupcake U 41-7 today as expected. The defense was solid giving up a late touchdown when the 3rd and 4th team players were on the field. The running game clicked with Silas Redd getting his 2nd 100 yard game and 2 touchdowns and the fullbacks pounded it inside when they needed to. They didn't have to throw often but I thought Matt McGloin looked a lot better than Rob Bolden when they did. Paterno doesn't like to play 2 QB's and I think McGloin will be the starter the rest of the year. The kicking game was a problem with Evan Lewis missing 2 field goals an a extra point and had some week kickoffs. Freshman Sam Ficken kicked the last PAT and may get a chance going forward.

Auburn came storming back to beat Utah State 42-38. I remember when Utah State came into Happy Valley in the the 70's and knocked off the Lions. Next weeks opponent Alabama took care of business beating the Akron Zips (love the nickname) 48-7. PSU will be a big underdog against Alabama next week and I'm not optimistic but that's why you play the games, anything can happen.

In baseball news the Phillies are 42 games over .500 for the first time in history with the best record in MLB. The pitching has been great all year as expected and now the bats are heating up. Having the best record doesn't always translate to success in the post season (Seatle Mariners) but it doesn't hurt.

Chris Carney unlikely to run again

Disclaimer: I have not talked with Chris since before the last election. I tried calling the last cell phone number I had for him but it said it was disconnected or I couldn't read my own handwritting and dialed the wrong number. So Chris, If your still reading the blog of a long time supporter please get in touch and set me straight. With that said, this is speculation.

I don't think that former Congressman Chris Carney will be running in the 10th or 11th CD this coming election. I know many of us want him to run and have floated the idea. In an iterview with Borys in July he teased that he was considering it.

Two things make another campaign unlikely for Carney.

The first is redisctricing. We may not know until January what the new Congressional districts will look like. It's probably to the GOP's advantage to wait to the last minute since they have the most seats to defend and give time for their voter suppression effort to make it's way through the courts. At this point we don't know what district Susqehanna County will be in. Not that should disqualify him from running in either district as the Constitution only requires that you be resident of the same state. But not living in the district is frowned upon.

The second is he now has a pretty good job in Virginia.


Former Lawmaker Lands Defense Contracting Job

Update: This is a good follow up from Politics in NEPA pointing out that Carney has not raised much money since the last election and rehashes the points I just made.

Barletta and Marino back Cantor's response to Hurricaine Irene

A few days ago I asked Lou Barletta's press guy if our Congressman agreed with Republican Majority Eric Cantor stance that whatever bills the federal government racks up paying for the recovery efforts will have to be offset with spending cuts elsewhere.


He didn't get back to me and that hurt my feelings but Barletta did answer the question when asked by our local press.


Irene victims about to face budget storm

In the article Barletta spews off about some foreign aid program that costs $42 million that he thinks should be cut. What the hell has that to do with a hurricane that has caused billions in damage when people need help yesterday? Tom Marino said “Everything is on the table; we need to downsize the government.”

Maybe they should listen to this guy


GOP Gov. Christie Slams Cantor's Idea to Negotiate Hurricane Aid


“You’re going to turn it into a fiasco like that debt-limit thing where you’re fighting with each other for eight or nine weeks and you expect the citizens of my state to wait? They’re not gonna wait, and I’m going to fight to make sure that they don’t,” Christie said putting the Tea Party-driven House on notice that its slash and gut politics will not be tolerated.


Funfest

I got this press release from Lou:


U.S. Rep. Barletta secures U.S. Navy flyover for Funfest parade on Sept. 11

So there is enough money in the budget for a flyover but not enough to help out the folks in the back mountain who don't have power or water.

What a failure as a Congressman. When we had Dan Flood and Kanjo in the House the response would have been immediate.

Luzerne County Young Democrats

Our local YD chapter will be meeting tonight at

Rodano's Pizza
53 Public Sq
Wilkes-Barre, PA

starting at 7PM


At the meeting The Luzerne County Young Democrats will be electing officers, endorsing the Democratic slate of candidates, and launching the new Luzerne County Young Democrats website.

A new website, woo hoo.

According to their Facebook event page a few candidates will also be attending including 11th CD candidate Bill Vinsko, Common Pleas hopefulls Jennifer Rogers and Molly Hanlon Mirabito plus county council nominee Jane Waitkus. I think that all Luzerne Democratric county candidates and those running for municipal offices would do themselves a favor by showing up. These kids give you enthusiasm and boots on the ground.

Many moons ago I was an officer in the Young Dems of Luzerne County organized by Bob Caruso who had the ear of State Senator Marty Murray who gave us office space and some money. The group fizzled out and I went off to see the world courtesy of the US Air Force.

This incarnation is much stronger with my local Plains committeeman Tom Shibula at the helm. He replaced some guy in the last election that I never met although he lives a few doors away. The VP Tony Thomas is the son of a HS classmate who used to comment regularly on this site. Herself is another officer of the the LCYD who inspired this post.

Luzerne County Dems finally have a website

Hey Gort! We just wanted to introduce you to our party's new website and Facebook page!


The LCDC recently launched our website, which we're all really proud of it. Chairwoman Kathy Kane and the entire Committee were very supportive of the effort and voted for the project unanimously. 2nd Dist. Chair Casey Evans is serving as the site's Webmaster. It will move the Luzerne County Democratic Party into a 21st century media environment and we'll be more competitive than ever before: both online and on the streets!


The website can be found here: http://luzernedems.com/meet-us


Our party's Facebook page can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Luzerne-County-Democratic-Party/217974844886953

It's hard to believe that our local donkeys didn't get with the program until now. Our local elephants have been on the web for a few years now.

Luzerne County Republican Party

and on Facebook

It's hard to predict what is going to happen in the upcoming county council races after all the corruption mostly Democratic office holders have been implicated in. But this is an overwhelming Democratic county and they should win a majority on the newfangled council with the GOP putting a few candidates over the top. Who knows, the Libertarians or an independent may grab 1 or 2 of the 11 seats up for grabs.

Paying for Irene

Many people are saying that Hurricaine Irene was less than advertised. Tell that to the families of the people who were killed or suffered significant property damage. Our neck of the woods was spared major damage for the most part although Harveys Lake and Wyoming County and points north took some hard hits. I kept getting updates from Congressman Lou Barletta's office yesterday about his tour of the damage and alerting me to his press availabilities.


Good morning. Representative Barletta is touring flood damage in the 11th District today.There will be media availability with Rep. Barletta at The Shawnee Inn, River Road, Shawnee on Delaware, at noon.

Barletta media availability

Rep. Barletta will be at the Luzerne County EMA building on River Street, Wilkes-Barre, at about 3 p.m. to talk to the media about Hurricane Irene damage

He put out a statement earlier

HAZLETON – U.S. Representative Lou Barletta, PA-11, issued the following statement in the wake of Hurricane Irene, which impacted all five counties of his congressional district:

I want to extend my condolences to the families of those who were killed here in Northeastern Pennsylvania during this storm. They and their families will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Many parts of the 11th Congressional District have felt the impact of Hurricane Irene’s strong winds and heavy rain. Thousands of people are without power, and some will remain that way for days. Some cannot access roads or bridges. Some have seen personal property destroyed, while others are still threatened with the loss of their property.

My office has received – and will continue to receive – updates and briefings from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service, and other federal and state agencies in order to ensure the safety of the residents of the 11th Congressional District.

I will work with those agencies to make sure the federal government provides the appropriate response to this natural disaster. I will tour storm-damaged areas starting Monday morning so I can see first-hand the damage caused by Hurricane Irene, and will relay my observations and concerns at the federal level.

Sunday evening, Governor Tom Corbett asked President Obama to make a Presidential Disaster Declaration for several Pennsylvania counties, including Monroe County. Based on the firsthand reports I received from Monroe County officials, I fully support that declaration, and I will send a letter of support for that declaration to the president
Rep. Barletta will be at the Luzerne County EMA building on River Street, Wilkes-Barre, at about 3 p.m. to talk to the media about Hurricane Irene damage.


Lou Barletta is doing what he is supposed to do but getting help for the people who suffered damage may be tough to get.

Hurricane Irene relief funding sets up budget fight


Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Craig Fugate has declined to predict how much recovery efforts from Hurricane Irene will cost, but with widespread damage along the East Coast, it could run well into the billions. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said Monday that whatever bills the federal government racks up paying for the recovery efforts will have to be offset with spending cuts elsewhere.


I'm all for Congress establishing a permanent disaster fund but they haven't done it so you have to deal with the latest storm.

Steve Benen says it better than I

And in case this story isn’t quite mind-numbing enough, also note that FEMA has been forced to temporarily suspend “some payments to rebuild roads, schools and other structures destroyed during spring tornadoes in Joplin, Mo., and Southern states and other recent natural disasters” in order to respond to Hurricane Irene.

That this is happening in the wealthiest nation in the world, simply because the Republican Party has been taken over by charlatans and fools, is a national disgrace.

For all of our differences over party, ideology, and creed, we know that when disaster strikes and our neighbors face a genuine emergency, America responds. We don’t ask what’s in it for us; we don’t weigh the political considerations; we don’t pause to ponder the larger ideological implications.

We act. It’s who we are; it’s what we do.

Or it was, right up until Americans elected a radicalized House majority.


I have asked Barletta's spokesman if he agrees with Cantor. I await his response.

Rick Santorum in Moutaintop tomorrow

Some of my friends in the Luzerne County GOP are excited that Rick Santorum will have a news conference at their golf tournament tomorrow.


MOUNTAINTOP, PA – Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum will be speaking to a group of Luzerne County Republicans Monday, August 29 at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Course in Mountaintop. Sen. Santorum will be making himself available to media at 3:30pm and speaking to the County GOP at around 4:00pm. Media is also invited to hear Sen. Santorum’s remarks to the GOP. This will be Santorum’s first campaign visit to Pennsylvania following his strong showing in the Ames straw poll. Sen. Santorum finished fourth in the Iowa straw poll despite begin outspent by his opponents ten to one. He is hoping to carry this momentum into the fall campaign season and continue to gain support and increases in poll numbers.

Senator Santorum Returns Home With Momentum

Yeah he finished the top of the also rans

Some people in PA will still not forgive his endosement of Arlen Specter in 2002.


There is a rumor that he will drop by Mountain Freeze for a dairy treat afterward

Update: Due to Sunday's inclement weather the Luzerne County GOP Golf Tournament has been postponed.
Rick Santorum's media availability has been moved to 5:45pm in the parking lot of Arcaro and Gennell's restaraunt in Old Forge.

You Tube weekend

Wasteful government spending

PITTSTON TWP. – For the first time, an armed sheriff’s deputy will be posted at the screener checkpoint at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport on a routine basis starting Oct. 1...The deputies will be from both Luzerne and Lackawanna counties and are being paid through a federal grant.

So the Federal government is going to pay the airport for a short period of time to put armed guards in a facility that to the best of my memory has never had a serious criminal incident.
The federal government will reimburse the airport $170,800 through Sept. 30, 2012. I have no knowledge of any threat to the place and I seriously doubt that there are any. I'm not sure what law or when it was passed authorizes this waste of money.

Maybe some airports may require this level of security but I don't think our's does. You can't defend against every imagined target but since 09/11/01 the reflex has been to try to. A one size fits all approach to security leads to waste with money going to Avoca instead of JFK or Dulles where it would be better spent.

Some people think the place is a good place to sleep.

I nominate the Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton Airport at Avoca, Pennsylvania, for your BEST list. It's clean, modern, well- guarded, and always empty (Nobody goes there)"

This reminds me of a few years ago when I tried to see the liberty bell. We are less free than 10 years ago. Not because of the terrorist but the because of the government's reaction to them.


The terrorist have won.

Oh great, more guns

Mike Lacey for Luzerne County Council

From the inbox:


Libertarians Tap Mike Lacey
Pick NEPA Tea Party Leader for Luzerne County Council Slot

Wilkes-Barre, Pa.—Today the Libertarian Party submitted election paperwork naming Mike Lacey as the Party’s replacement for Betsy Summers as one of its candidates for Luzerne County Council. Lacey, a local businessman, Republican, and co-founder of the NEPA Tea Party, is throwing his hat into the ring as a Libertarian in an unprecedented move according to Lou Jasikoff, Chair for the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania. The opening came about as Ms. Summers recently qualified to run for both Luzerne County Council and Mayor of Wilkes-Barre. Ms. Summers is running to become the Mayor of Wilkes-Barre which left an opening on the Libertarian ticket for Luzerne County Council.
.

“Having served on the 2001 home rule study commission, and currently serving on the transition sub-committee for ethics, I looked for a replacement candidate that I could trust to serve the citizens of Luzerne County as I would. Mike Lacey is exactly the kind of individual needed to help make the new Home Rule Charter work. I am secure in the knowledge he will be a watchdog for the community and am honored to have such a principled individual as my replacement. Mike Lacey has my full endorsement,” said Betsy Summers.
.

“This race is not about party, it is a race about principle. I intend to be a true voice for the people, not the establishment. The time has come for all of us to put party politics aside and do what is best for our communities and country. I want to thank the Libertarian Party for this opportunity to help bring an end to the “good old boy” network that has become so pervasive in our local political system. It is imperative that we stop the corruption, nepotism and cronyism,” added Lacey.
.

Jasikoff added, “Libertarians have been running as Republicans and Democrats throughout the country for years. This might be the first time in history that a Republican is running as a Libertarian and times are truly changing. I am reminded of a Mark Twain quote, “In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot.”

Rick Santorum wants your money

From Dan Hirschhorn in Politico

Rick Santorum fundraising in Pennsylvania

Rick Santorum is embarking on a three-day fundraising blitz across Pennsylvania next week...Santorum will start Monday Aug. 29 with events in Philadelphia, the wealthy Montgomery County suburbs, the Lehigh Valley and the Scranton region. He’ll be joined at the latter event by freshman Rep. Lou Barletta, whose top adviser is a longtime Santorum confidant.

He is building on the momentum of his 4th place showing in the Iowa straw poll and his 3rd place finish in his backyard.

Rick and Lou together again, good times.

East coast earthquake

I can cross that one off the list. I remarked to Mrs. G not long ago that one of the extreme natural phenomenons I hadn't experienced was an earthquake. The Agnes flood and a few others, tornadoes in Nebraska, Hurricane Gloria and many blizzards but not an earth shaker.

I was sitting at the kitchen table writing out some checks when I heard the tea kettle rattling and the light over my head swaying. At first I thought it was the wind as the window was open but then I noticed that the table was shaking. At that point the light bulb lit up, holly shit we're having an earthquake. Thankfully, no one was injured and the damage is minor.

Earthquakes are rare around here but if you live long enough you can expect to see just about anything. So what"s next, Volcanic eruptions on the culm banks or a Tsunami on the Susquehanna?


Mark was not impressed and decided to take a cheap shot at government workers The Great (non) Quake of '11

Dana is blaming Al Gore I think we just had an earthquake here

Maria posted a Carol King video that other sights are also doing Song of the Day

Bernie had a cigarette Did the Earth Move For You, Too?

Carl says Lady Gaga and Bono have teamed up for a benefit telethon for the earthquake ravaged East Coast EARTHQUAKE!

Valley Scanner has a video of the event Wilkes-Barre Earthquake Footage

Ames, Iowa looking over it's shoulder

With all the attention on the Iowa straw poll my friend Dave Baloga decided to get a head start and organized his own.


At the Jonathan Balaster Memorial Summer Picnic on Aug.13th, 2011 we conducted a straw poll of potential (age 18 or older) voters and the results were compiled before anyone had known the Iowa straw poll results. There were 120 attendees and many children. It was a mixed political attendance with the majority Republicans, many Independents and an unknown number of Democrats.


The results of the Luzerne County GOP straw poll:

Rick Perry – 23 votes
Michelle Bachman – 15 votes
Rick Santorum – 12 votes
Mitt Romney – 11 votes
Newt Gingrich – 7 votes
Herman Cain – 7 votes
Ron Paul – 3 votes
Sarah Palin – 2 votes
Tim Pawlenty – 1 vote
.

I know this is a small sample but people who go to these events are the hard core Republicans who actually work in campaigns. I'm surprised that Santorum only got 12 out of 77 votes. Maybe they're still mad at him for endorsing Arlen Specter.


Ames, Shmames – Rick Perry Wins Luzerne GOP Straw Poll