Melanie Madeira for State Rep

I usually don't wander north of the Maginot Line of Luzerne and Lackawanna as Tom Borthwick puts it but the 114th HD race just got interesting.

This is a bit of a surprise Melanie Madeira has entered the GOP primary to take on Democratic incumbent Sid Michaels Kavulich (Sid K) who was unopposed in 2012 and romped to victory against a guy named Derf in 2010.

It's hard to separate from her husband David who found a way to lose every election he ever contested. Dave now has a  radio show  and told me he was done running for office.

TL: “I strongly believe in the importance of an incumbent having a challenger every election. Anyone elected to represent the voters should have to be held accountable — good or bad — for their record.” She added that if she wins she would hope someone would challenger her every election, too.

“My campaign will be getting people to vote for me, not against Sid. I’m an issues person,” Madeira said.
“My platform is based on a quote from Samuel Adams, ‘It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brushfires in people’s minds.’ I intend for my campaign to become a firebug,” she said.
“Voters are tired of platitudes and promises … what they want to hear is someone speaking the plain, old truth, and the truth is what lights those brushfires in people’s minds.”


Website

Melanie Madeira

http://www.melanieforpa.com/

Sid K

http://sidmichaels.com/

Great Headlines from the past week

Noted Democrat-Turned-Republican Endorses Democrat-Turned-Republican Over Democrat-Turned-Republican for U.S. Senate




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No Constant But Change: No Decision On #Redistricting Appeal; Primary Still Set For April 24 -- Until It Isn't.

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I predict that Keegan Gibson and John Micek will be entertaining job offers from the NY Post in the near future.

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I'm under attack

Thats what Norton tells me. Not that Norton, this one . This is one of biggest pains owning a PC. So now I'm running anti virus scans and the other protection against malware, adware and underpants gnomes. Profit!

I know Michelle and Dr. Joe will tell me to buy a Mac but I'm not comfortable buying something that expensive off a website without local support. I think the closest Apple store is in Allentown.

I bought the computer that I have in 2005 from Custom Computer in Kingston, PA. They have been outstanding with their customer support. Whenever I have a problem or question I'm calling a place across the river not on the other side of the world.

Some photos from Blogfest

I decided to do a separate post with a few pictures from Blogfest as I was inspired by LuLac's IN FOCUS feature but nothing can top Yonk's Angels. I lifted a few of these from PittstonPolitics.com Photo Bucket. Note to my friend Joe V., we don't have a spending problem we have an unemployment problem.

The turnout was great again despite the crummy weather. A big thanks to Gene Rooney and his staff for another outstanding job.

Libertarian candidate for Mayor of Wilkes-Barre Betsy Summers with an old Young Democrat Bob Caruso. Bob and I were in the YD's a few years back and I consider him one of my political mentors. We had backing from the boss at the time, Senator Marty Murray. My local committeeman Thomas Shibula and Mike Szustak are now leaders in the organization.

Republican nominee for Mayor of Wilkes-Barre Lisa Cope with Democratic Luzerne County Council nominee Michelle Bednar and friend. The great thing about Blogfest is that party labels are left at the door. Everybody has a good time.

Local blogger Karla Porter did a great job during the latest flood crises setting up a Facebook page that kept us up to date while filtering out rumors that were not true. Duke from Dallas can be heard on WILK in the week's he hasn't been banned by Bosco or Sue. Karin Spak does great work with the Fresh Air Fund. My friend Harry Haas is a Republican candidate for Luzerne County Council.

James O'Meara, Sr. is running as a Republican candidate for commissioner in the Democratic
stronghold of Plains Township. It's about time we elect a Republican in my little burgh. Michelle Hryvnak Davies has been the driving force in reviving NEPA Blogs that DB Echo started a few years ago and I have slacked off on updating. Her tech savy and enthusiasm has helped the site become something of a media sensation with radio appearances and a regular gig on WBRE.

Judge candidate Molly Mirabito talks with 11th CD candidate Bill Vinsko with County Council candidate Rick Morelli in the background. Morelli has a big job ahead of him, he helped write the charter and if elected has to make it work.

Mike Vough is a double nominee for the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas but that doesn't mean he isn't out there asking for every vote. Next to him is one of my favorite people in politics, Patrick Murphy. As a Congressman he wrote the legislation to amend the UCMJ to end the DADT policy and is now running for PA Attorney General. The weather was terrible as he was coming up the interstate and could have easily bailed on the event but he kept his promise to me. Thank you Pat. On the end is Bill Vinsko who is the only announced candidate so far for the Democratic nomination in the 11th CD taking on Lou Barletta.
We don't even know what the district will look like yet but he decided to get out there early instead of playing it safe.



I don't have the time to link and label everything in the last 2 posts that I think violates some sort of blogger rule that someone invented without asking any bloggers for input.

My apologises.

Somehow I just deleted my blogroll

I guess I know what I'm doing the rest of the night. Anybody that wants a link let me know. I have to rebuild the thing from memory so I may miss someone.

Update: Still rebuilding, hope to have it done by the weekend. Also need to spend some time blogging.

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

Phyllis on the job

Mundy calls for improved gas drilling oversight


HARRISBURG, June 21 – State Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Luzerne, today joined House Democrats, environmental advocates and residents who had their water supplies contaminated by natural gas drilling to demand better oversight of the industry.

Speaking at a rally in the Capitol, Mundy said the state has issued more than 6,600 Marcellus Shale drilling permits, and more than 2,800 wells have been drilled.


"I agree that the drilling industry is bringing economic benefits to our state and to some of our citizens," she said. "However, anyone who travels to Dimock in Susquehanna County as I have, or reads about countless drilling accidents that have occurred across the state, knows that we are not properly regulating drilling operations in the Commonwealth."

Several residents of Bradford County, where a large spill recently took place during Marcellus Shale fracking operations, attended the rally.


Mundy has introduced five pieces of Marcellus Shale-related legislation this year.

H.B. 233 would put a one-year moratorium on new Marcellus Shale drilling permits to give the legislature time to enact necessary protections in law and regulations. H.B. 230 would create a 2,500-foot drilling buffer around drinking water supplies. H.B. 234 would create an online tracking and reporting system for Marcellus Shale waste, such as drilling mud and chemically treated water used to fracture shale to release gas. H.B. 232 would restrict drilling and site preparation in floodplains, improve the disposal of waste water and better control erosion and sedimentation where gas is drilled.


In addition, Mundy attempted to amend a bill so Marcellus Shale wastewater would be designated as hazardous waste under the state's Vehicle Code. The amendment, which was blocked by Republican procedural maneuvers, would have ensured drivers transporting frac water for treatment are held to the highest standards.

Mundy said new state Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer has recommended more than 20 amendments to the state's Oil and Gas Act that mirrors legislation she and others have repeatedly introduced. She said she hopes the amendments become law soon.

Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it," she said. "If we as Pennsylvanians learned nothing from the legacy of the coal industry, shame on us."

If you think that this gas drilling is some jobs panancea take a look at this report from the Keystone Policy Center.

My blog buddies were out on the river this weekend and had the nerve to object to the gas drilling companies sponsoring Riverfest.

Kayack Dude documented the lies and The Blogfather wrote it all up.

Speaking of Mark, he took a shot at me the other day and I think he was trying to get me to start posting again. Well if if you wanted to get a rise out of me pal you have succeeded!


I talked to him recently, and I was stopped dead in my tracks when he said he thought Barack Obama was doing a “good” job. And even though his comment resulted in tiny bubbles coming out of my nose, I sought out no point/counterpoint exchange.

I know that the rest of you will be surprised that Mark and I disagree on national politics although we are almost on the same page on what is going on locally. Yes, I have been disapointed with this President. I voted for him to end the wars not to start a new one in Libya or Yemen. On the domestic front I think he inherited an enourmous mess that is going to take time to fix. It doesn't help that he is dealing with a Republican Party that is hell bent on economic sabotage. You don't take money out of the economy when growth is slow. The people who are bitching about deficits now didn't care about them the last decade.

We need another stimulus. Instead of a payroll tax cut of $120 billion spend that on fixing our roads, bridges and isolate the storm water runoff from sewage systems that pollute the Susquehanna River and many more accross the country. I think that would please Kayack Dude.


And please find another color for your exceperts of the local papers. It's hard to read.

Under attack

My computer has been attacked by the same hackers that did it a few weeks ago. I'm trying to fix it.

It's attacking through Internet Explorer but Firefox still works, these people should be dealt with severely.

I shall be contacting every law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the internet tomorrow.

Security Suite is the culprit again.

The protection software has been ineffective so far.


Gotta get a MAC

It's in Firefox too.

Oooghoog

IE7 is totally shut down as well as my protection software. Firefox is still working with a lot of hiccups but I can't post. Off to the shop tomorrow.

I know that the law is way behind what is going on online and for the most part that is a good thing but there has to be a legal remedy for what this company is doing to me and many other people.

Call me

No, not the Blondie song although Debbie Harry can ring my bell any time she wants. I have said for a long time that I won't get a cell phone until someone staples one to my head. What the hell can be so important that you need to have one of these things glued to you ear all the time? I'm already hooked on the internet so I don't need to become the slave of another electronic device.

But if I was to get a cell phone this one is right up my alley.




Still dealing with some things more important than politics so I will go back to my castle to continue lessons on How Not To Be Seen .

Change of venue

I have just been informed that Ground Round near the Wyoming Valley Mall in Wilkes-Barre closed it's doors last Friday. So we will have to meet at another location. The fallback is Marks Pub 1287 N Washington St, Wilkes-Barre (map it). I tried for another place but the owner told me that we can't have a room because it's St. Paddy's Day. Bad timing. If the music is too loud we can decamp to another spot.

Busy weekend

So many email alerts, comments and messages. I will get back to you sometime this week.

Another edition of Queer eye for the blog guy

Recent links to Gort42 include Columbia Blue and Alex Urevick-Ackelsberg's blog that wants Al Gore to run for President. I agree with Alex that Gore would be our best candidate. I'm in the anybody but Hillary camp right now although I would vote for her in the general election. The only Republican that I like is John McCain which is why he won't get the nomination.

Some of our local bloggers have been quiet:

Danny

Mayor McCool

Doc Leonardi

Some tell me that they will be back.

But the big news today is that Dr Rick is back. He will entertain us with tales why Liberals are evil, Fox News is the truth and rehash Ted Kennedy jokes about driving and swimming.

And NEPA Blogs has been updated.

Two years of blogging

In the chaos that has been my life for the last 2 months I just noticed that I've been blogging for 2 years now. My first post was about the Phillies losing again, not much has changed. At first I was going to stick to baseball but the political animal took over. There were plenty of people doing national issues so I decided to toss my two cents in about Luzerne County and Pennsylvania politics. I realized I wasn't going to be the next Atrios or Instapundent so as a teacher once advised me write about what you know. I'm not well connected or important but I want my government at all levels to work better.

The great thing about this adventure is the friends I've made. I visit everybody on my sidebar everyday and I think they reciprocate. Some I've met in person and most I never will. I've been remiss on commenting on my friends blogs but will make an effort to rectify that. I think we should all make an effort to comment on each others blogs or send an email to the blogs that don't allow comments.

To the people who don't have blogs and want to comment anonymously, keep it coming.

Snow Daze or another edition of Queer Eye for the Blog Guy

After the great St Valentine's Day massacre snow storm we are now into the St Patrick's Day eve late winter blast. In addition to their other duties are these guys also the patron saints of snowstorms? My first reaction to a major weather event is to get to the beer store then fire up the BBQ grill. PSoTD was seduced by last weeks warm temps and asked "The weather's warming up. So what's your favorite thing to cook on the outdoor barbecue?"

Some of my favorite blogs have moved, redecorated or quit.

Rick Santorum's favorite reporter Brett Lieberman has had a wandering URL that hopefully has found a home at Pennsyltucky Politics. John Micek has brightened up his place at Capitol Ideas with new drapes, wallpaper and may have even trimmed his beard. Thanks for all the shoutouts guys.

Northeast PA media news and gossip has revamped the layout and launched a new message board. Another Monkey is back to posting pictures and artwork that I enjoy and has added some seasonal pics to NEPA Blogs.

On the down side my friend Randy Potter has decided to spend more time on what's is really important and stop blogging but will keep PennPatriot Online up to prevent the spammers from taking over the domain. And adding to my reputation as the kiss of death of local blogs I listed a few new ones at NEPA Blogs that stopped posting right after I linked to them. Also my old friend and nemesis Dr. Rick seems to have been anesthetized.

Back to winter. On this cold, snowy night I give you this picture of Rudy Giuliani in drag to keep you warm.

Breaking News

Or not. The Citizens Voice has a story today about Sen. John Edwards visit to Bear Creek that was first reported a week ago on NEPA's Real Deal. Then on Monday the Times-Leader told us about a guy that can't sleep at night because of the demolition of the Hotel Sterling tower. The Luzerne County Liberator had that story on January 31st. In September me and Down With Tyranny posted a copy of Don Sherwood's 9/11 invite that made it into the Times-Tribune 3 days later. I also had the scoop on candidates announcing they were running for this or that office and who wouldn't show up for a debate that made it into the papers a few days later. And I don't know how many times Wilkes-Barre Online has done original reporting that made the papers in another form. I'm sure all the reporters involved will say they had other sources but it makes you wonder. Keep up the good work guys. The local media may not always cite their sources but we do.