Wired for sound

Transcripts reveal game plan


Kids-for-cash judges Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. and Michael T. Conahan schemed to commit perjury with a co-conspirator who paid them more than $700,000 in kickbacks, unaware that he was secretly recording their conversations, federal prosecutors allege in a brief filed Tuesday.

Here is the transcipt of their conversations with Robert Powell.


* * *


Powell: Here’s the way I see this unfolding. A civil lawsuit, have to make me answer interrogatories and a request for production of documents.


Conahan: Ummmm.


Powell: And then through that look at all the disbursements that were made from Pa Child Care here to me. And Western PA Child Care.


Conahan: So, what are you saying? Powell: It’s where the cash came from.
Conahan: Well, there’s nothing we can do about that. If he files a suit, he files a suit.


Powell: But that puts us in an untenable position.


Conahan: In what way?


Powell: Well, what if they put me under oath?


Conahan: Well, they’re gonna. They already know about [name redacted](the name of an intermediary who delivered cash to Conahan from Powell]. You know that [name redacted]’s been talked to.


Powell: No.


Conahan: Okay. Let me tell you something. If you want to check me, I’m not wearing a wire.


Powell: Neither am I.

(Emphasis Added).

* * *

18

After discussing the fact that the intermediary who gave cash to Conahan met with federal investigators and told them about the cash, the conversation continued:
* * *

Powell: It’s the cash I’m worried about, Mike.

Conahan: Well, I don’t know, Bob. I’m not... told you what my position on that was. It’s not changing.

Powell: No, that’s what I’m gonna say, too. But...I mean I...I don’t.... Conahan: [The Feds have knowledge about] the cash.
Powell: I don’t remember [name redacted] getting those draws. Unless she cashed them.

Conahan: I saw the checks. Powell: Did she cash them?
Conahan: The checks were cashed by [name redacted] (an employee of the
Powell law firm). Powell: [name redacted]. Conahan: [name redacted].
* * *
Conahan: Bob, I’m going to tell you something right now....This is my story.
I’m never changing this story. I leased you that apartment for 15 grand a month for 60 months.

* * *
19

Conahan: Tell you one thing right now. I never lied to you and I never will. I’d never do anything to hurt you but I never got the cash from anybody. That’s the story. And you better stick to it.

Powell: I’ll stick to it.

* * *
Conahan: Bobby, if there’s anything coming out of 40 Degrees North (a company in which Powell had an ownership interest) or PA Child Care . Cash, you just gotta say it didn’t come to me. [Emphasis added].

Powell: Alright.

Conahan: When this is all done, whatever we have to sit down to work it out or help each other, we’ll do it.

(Emphasis Added).

In a conversation on July 2, 2008, Powell, Conahan and Civarella once again discussed concern over what an intermediary would tell investigators about cash payments made to the judges.
* * *

Powell: I don’t know if it means anything or not, but I can see [name
redacted] sticking to her story, Mike, with the cash. She frightens the shit out of me. She’s going to say she delivered cash.

Ciavarella: Well, whatever she says, she says. [I] can’t stop her from saying it. I
just know what I know.

* * *
20

Powell: Greg [Zapalla] has a team up there [at PA Child Care] auditing the books, to see what payments were made out of PA Child Care, Western PA Child Care. I think we’re getting sued.

Ciavarella: [We] can’t stop him from doing it. I mean, assholes who does it. I mean the bottom line is none of the money came out of him...It was all out of Mericle’s [unintelligible] gig. So he can sue us all he wants. He didn’t pay the finder’s fee. Mericle paid it.

Conahan: If Rob Mericle had never gone to him, we wouldn’t have this problem. It would never have come up.

Powell: And if I wouldn’t have given [name redacted] that fucking cash to deliver.

Conahan: You know....

Powell: She’s the weak link. That’s why she’s not here tonight. I don’t even think she’s here. Like she’s hiding somewhere.

* * *
Powell: Well, where the rubber meets the road is where [Zapalla] is gonna say that he wants to see the draws from PA Child Care, and then he’s going to want access to the law firm books because that’s where I got the cash out of, from the law firm.

Conahan: Mmm Hmm.

Powell: I don’t have to give him that. But I think that’s what part of the suit’s going to be is for him to get access to see the payments from PA Child Care to the law firm turned into cash, to you guys.

Conahan: Mmm Hmm.

Powell: ‘Cause right now, he has no right to them, to the law firm books. Ciavarella: Was PA Child Care paying legal fees to the firm?
21

Powell: No. I had no other way to get the money out. I didn’t want to take it directly from PA Child Care.

Ciavarella: Well, how did you justify the fees into the firm? Powell: Draw. I took it as a draw.
Conahan: But you’re allowed to do that.

Powell: But what his fear is about that I never told him, for obvious reasons. I
wasn’t going to tell him I was taking the draw.

Conahan: The problem [name redacted] has is she never gave me anything. So there wasn’t anything given to her. She has it. Or someone has it.

* * *

Ciavarella: ...I was the one who directed [Mericle] where to send that money
and I was the one who gave him the instructions as to where to send it.

* * *
Powell: Well, [Mericle’s] grand jury testimony is that I was the grand orchestrator of everything.
Ciavarella: Well I guarantee you, Bobby Powell, that will not be the testimony comes out of my mouth because I’m gonna tell that fucking grand jury exactly how that deal came down. You had nothing to do with He had nothing to do with it. I had nothing to do with it, other than
Rob Mericle coming to me and saying want to do this for you. That’s how that deal came down.

* * *
Conahan: [Mericle] knew that we [Conahan and Ciavarella] owned Pinnacle.
He knew who owned Beverage Marketing.

22

Powell: Well, if that’s the case, then our only problem is the cash and [name redacted].

Conahan: Well....

Powell: ...and if somebody sees [redacted] at the [person’s workplace redacted], I wish you would get word to me somehow, some way,
‘cause I call up there and there’s no answer. Conahan: We have to fight this Mericle thing....
Ciavarella: You know, I could see [Mericle] testifying, this is the file.

* * *
Powell: We’re both gonna have to stick to that, Mickey, ‘cause [name redacted] is gonna testify.

Conahan: [unintelligible] testify [unintelligible] one box filled with cash. She doesn’t know what’s in the other ones. There’s only one that she knows.

Powell: It’s going to be our word against hers. Conahan: Mark (Ciavarella), do me a favor.
* * *
Conahan: Listen, you paid me rent for my condo. You didn’t pay me rent for my condo to shut the juvenile detention center down or fix cases. This thing with Mericle, this Mericle, I gotta fight it. And I got no
boxes from [name redacted]. Nobody gave boxes to [name redacted]. If somebody gave boxes to [name redacted], she has them....Mark doesn’t know [unintelligible] [name redacted]. I talked to you. Because I wanted to keep him outta this.

Powell: He doesn’t know about the cash? Conahan: No.

23

Powell: Alright. I’m glad you told me. Conahan: No. That’s not what I was saying. Powell: I’m sorry.
Conahan: That’s OK. So [unintelligible] comes down I’m gonna say forget whatever you just heard. The only thing Mark knows, Mark does not know the rent you and I negotiated for the condo. It’s $15,000 for 60 months. $900,000. That’s what you were supposed to pay.
Whenever you paid, you paid. You left. So, the only thing Mark knows is the conversation with Mericle. He doesn’t know about the rent to the cond. He knows that you paid me rent. He doesn’t know about any boxes. That’s why he’s our most credible witness.

Powell: I understand.

Conahan: So, as long as you stick to your story, the condo rent, okay. And he solves this problem. If [name redacted] got boxes, she kept them.

Powell: Alright, then I won’t ever say anything to him again.

Conahan: And the only one that you can testify to is when she says that she saw you put cash in one box. Her first story was she didn’t. Then she flipped and she says she did. Okay. But I’m gonna tell you, she didn’t give me any boxes. And if you gave her stuff to give to me,
the [name redacted], it was documents. Maps. It was anything. And you did things by courier. You never gave them to her.

Powell: That’s our story. We’ll stick to it.

Conahan: Yeah. She’s wearing a wire. That’s why she didn’t show up today.

(Emphasis Added).

* * *

24

State Committee D

This candidate for the Democratic State Committee want's to build a new WalMart for Mrs. G




My name is Cassandra Coleman and I'm running as a candidate to serve on the Pennsylvania State Democratic Committee. I have called Luzerne County home my entire life and have family roots here dating back over four generations. I am a graduate of Wyoming Area, and soon to be a graduate of King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, with a degree in Political Science. I was appointed in 2008 and then, re-elected in 2009, Mayor of Exeter, one of the biggest Democrat boroughs in Luzerne County. Very recently, our Democratic Party has been attacked by the likes of ultra conservatives, like Rush Limbaugh, Alan Steinberg, Trent Lott and Rupert Murdoch. We need Democratic State Committee Representatives who will denounce the falsehoods and rhetoric of the opposing party. As one of the youngest Mayors in our state, I pledge to be an advocate to restore the integrity of the Democratic Party. We need to unite our party by nominating candidates that stand up for what our Democratic Party represents; working Americans and personal freedoms. As a candidate for state committee, I pledge to scrutinize every candidate seeking the Democratic nomination to state offices. I ask for your voice and your vote on Tuesday, May 18th.

Thank you for your support,

Cassandra I. Coleman

Vote in the PA 14th Senator poll

The candidates are Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton and 119th District State Represenative John Yudichak.


Vote in the poll on the left side bar and tell us in the comments why you think your guy will win.

President Obama backs Senator Specter

The has been a lot of buzz all over the intertubes the last few days that the President would hold a weekend rally with Arlen Specter in Philadelphia but that idea was nixed by the White House Press Secretary today.

This is not good news for the Specter campaign. It's bad news because a visit by the President could have provided a last minute boost and it gives the appearance that the White House is reading the polls and doesn't want to be too closely associated with a losing campaign. They don't want a repeat of the Massachusetts Senate special election debacle.

The good news is he has new commercial up with the President saying nice things about him.






This is not the first time that the occupant of the White House at the time has backed Specter's reelection.

Senate 14 update

A press release from Ed Mitchell


COURT DOCUMENTS SHOW YUDICHAK LINKS TO BONUSGATE ACTIVITIES

WILKES-BARRE — Official court documents filed by state attorney general Tom Corbett at the courthouse in Dauphin County show state Rep. John Yudichak, D- Nanticoke to be an active player in the ‘Bonusgate’ scandal of the Pennsylvania Legislature (see attachment).

E-mails to Yudichak link him directly to an indicted former legislator who is charged in the ‘Bonusgate’ trials.

Court papers filed in the indictment of former state Rep. Steve Stetler, who was head of the House campaign committee, show Yudichak participated in the use of state employee personnel and services for political purposes.

E-mails sent to Yudichak’s official taxpayer-funded legislature account show communication to him on behalf of former state Rep. Tom Tigue’s, D- Pittston, campaign for reelection that links Yudichak to the use of state employees on taxpayer time doing political work in the campaign.

The e-mails further question Yudichak on his political activity on behalf of Tigue.

“John Yudichak is part of the Bonusgate corruption scandal in Harrisburg. He has a number of questions that should be answered, “ Tom Leighton said. He asked Yudichak:

“What was your relationship with indicted Rep. Steve Stetler in regard to political activities on the state dime for Tom Tigue? How did you benefit?

“What services did PAC 102 provide to the tune of $8,000 for your current campaign? Did Marty O’Rourke or his company provide any services to your campaign? O’Rourke worked for Tigue and is the spokesman for indicted former Speaker of the House, John Perzel.

“Who runs PAC 102? Who are the officers? Detail your current and past relationship with them.

“Was any state legislature’ political activity using taxpayers’ funds used in behalf of your current or previous campaigns?

“What was Steve Stetler talking to you about in his email to your taxpayer-funded email account? Were you doing political activity using taxpayer-funded services?

“When you did work for Tigue’s campaign, were government staff on taxpayer time used?

“What were you trying to find out about then-Monroe County Commissioner, Donna Asure, Tigue’s election opponent, from the opposition research, performed at taxpayer expense that you are linked to in the Tigue campaign and the Stetler email?

“Did you arrange for housing for the staffer mentioned in the Stetler/Tigue email, as you were asked to do by Stetler?

“Did you know, as the e-mail suggests that this research was being done using government employees, and facilities?” Leighton asked.

“These documents show that John Yudichak is tied to the culture of corruption known as Bonusgate, in Harrisburg.

“He campaigns as a reformer while he avails himself of per diems to pay his personal mortgage and of all the other perks and political benefits of the broken system. These services were generally provided using taxpayer funded staff and services. That’s illegal and it’s also hypocritical,” Leighton said.


From SPPE



Yudichak response


The careening Leighton campaign has officially gone off the rails with today's despicable, scurrilously false insinuations. Tom Leighton's utter lack of ethical integrity and willingness to engage in the worst sort of dirty, gutter politics clearly indicates that his campaign has imploded beyond recognition.

Tom Leighton for months has deliberately and willfully mislead the voters about his role in writing a get out of jail free letter for a convicted felon caught up in the worst corruption scandal in Luzerne County history. The record is clear on how each candidate responded to the culture of corruption in northeastern Pennsylvania. I stood with the people and voted to strip public pensions from corrupt politicians. Tom Leighton wrote a letter to get a convicted felon a lighter sentence.

Tom Leighton has already demonstrated that he will evade the truth to serve his political ambitions. Now, he wants to abandon the truth all together and make wild allegations that have no merit or basis in reality. At no point in time have I ever had contact with the Attorney General's Office in conjunction with the Bonusgate investigation. I have consistently and openly challenged the leaders involved in the Bonusgate scandal. The same cannot be said of some of Tom Leighton's biggest political friends and contributors.

It's also reprehensible of Leighton to impugn the integrity of former State Representative Tom Tigue, a decorated Vietnam war hero, an honorable man, and an effective legislator. For 12 years as State Representative, I have adhered to the highest ethical standards.

I have been lauded by good government watchdog groups for voting in the best interests of the people I represent and conducting myself in an open, honest and transparent manner. I was one of a very few elected officials who voted 'No' and refused to accept the legislative pay raise and pension hike. Yet, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, the desperate Leighton campaign has once again resorted to more of the same filthy political tricks that voters have rejected.

Today's maliciously false insinuations are the handiwork of Ed Mitchell who is running Tom Leighton by remote control and whose last notable accomplishment was helping to elect three corrupt judges in Luzerne County. It's time to put an end to this reign of corruption in northeastern PA and the win-at-any-cost mentality. It's time for Tom Leighton to do the right thing and salvage what tiny shred of integrity he may have left because he cannot salvage his campaign.

Poll time

I will be putting up polls on the left side bar over the next couple of days for the races that interest me.

First up is the US Senate race between Arlen Specter and Joe Sestak. Vote in the poll and tell us in the comments why you think your guy will win.

Senate 14 race in the homestreach

Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton and State Representative John Yudichak have moved on from telling the voters about the good things they have done in their careers to bashing each others brains out. This has become normal in a close political campaign. Yuddy has done his best to tie Leighton to the ongoing corruption probe although nobody in Wilkes-Barre city government has been indicted or is even under investigation as far as I know. Mayor Tom did write a letter to the Judge who is going to sentence Bill Brace and danced around admitting it until the WVIA debate. I would say that was poor judgement but not indicative that he is also corrupt. Leighton has been pounding Yuddy over taking per diem's and owning a house in Harrisburg like many other legislators do. It's not against the rules but just about everyone agrees that the rules have to change.

Leighton, Yudichak neck and bloody neck


Civil final round between Leighton, Yudichak

Today Norton reported that Leighton got a last minute $20,000 from Citizens for Action, a Political Action Committee affiliated with Congressman Paul Kanjorski (D-11th) .
It's no secret that Yuddy and Kanjo stopped exchanging Christmas cards years ago.



Exeter Mayor Casandra Coleman hosted a meet and greet last night with Congressman Kanjorski and Tom Leighton as the headliners.








The local papers picked up on the story a few hours later and has some choice quotes from Yudichak.


“This won’t come as a surprise to anyone that has observed this campaign so far,” Yudichak said. “This midnight campaign contribution certainly speaks to why I’m for campaign finance reform in the state House.”

Yudichak said he thinks Kanjorski is supporting Leighton so strongly because Yudichak’s father, Joseph Yudichak Sr., spoke out against Kanjorski during the 2008 election. Yudichak said his father was interviewed on national television about Kanjorski and the failed $12 million Cornerstone Technologies venture.

“I’m proud that my father stood up and said politicians aren’t above the law,” Yudichak said. “I think voters will recognize that this late donation to my opponent’s campaign was not done in the light of day. If he wanted to endorse the mayor he could have done it at any time during the campaign.”

Yudichak called the situation an example of “the politics of the past.”



Yuddy has a new positive ad up but it it not posted to YouTube and Mayor Tom has a "contrast" spot on the air .

The Times-Leader backs the underdog O'Brien

Corey O'Brien got the blessing from the TL this week.

Corey O’Brien
Candidate will help government work for the good of all

Corey has been running a very good mix of old and new campaigning techniques. He knocked on my door a few weeks ago and I get constant email and Facebook updates. His fundraising has lagged far behind Congresman Paul Kanjorski so he hasn't aired a new TV spot lately while Kanjo is blasting out the fact that he voted to extend unemployment benefits.

Whoever wins this race is much preferrable to El alcalde Lou Barletta quiere ver sus papeles.

The Times-Leader backs the underdog Derk

For what it is worth the TL has been endorsing candidates this week and they had some surprising picks. As LuLac observed "political endorsements by newspapers no longer have the clout they once did. Just ask Luzerne County Common Pleas Court Judges Michael Blazick and Richard Hughes. "I would add State Rep Christine Katsok to that list.

I have long had the view that most endorsements are only good for a press release unless they bring boots on the ground or bundles of money. That being said it is better to get the endorsement of the local newspaper than not.


My inbox lit up today with the news that the TL endorsed Malcolm Derk in the 10th CD race for the Republican nomination.


Malcolm Derk, Republican for 10th Congressional District

He sent out a press release this week demanding that Congressman Chris Carney give back some campaign contributions from some outfit he doesn't like which happens in every campaign.

Derk is the first one up on the air with a radio ad.

Tom Marino has raised the most money so far and David Maidera is working hard.

Senate race tightens

Capitol Ideas reports today that the Morning Call/Muhlenberg College tracking poll shows that Joe Sestak has opened up a 4 point lead (46-42) in his quest to replace Arlen Specter in the US Senate. Sestak has been trending up all week in this poll and we will see if the other polling oufits confirm it.


Sestak will be in Wilkes-Barre again tomorrow

Date: Monday, May 10, 2010
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Location: Luzerne County Court House
Street: 200 N River St
City/Town: Wilkes-Barre, PA

I think Specter's Captain Queeg ad may have backfired, especially with veterans, and the spot tieing Specter to Bush is devastating. The Pennsylvania Progressive reminds Democrats of all the bad things Specter has voted for in the last few years.

One of the things I will give props to Specter for is his support of medical research and being the champion of National Institutes of Health even when his then Republican collegues wanted to cut funding for the agency.

Michael J Fox agrees

2nd Annual Joseph F. Coyne III Softball Tournament

Mayor Mayor Cassandra Coleman will be hosting the 2nd Annual Joseph F. Coyne III Softball Tournament Sunday, May 16, 2010 beginning at 9am, at the Exeter Little League Field.
Last year they were able to raise over $5,000 for a family whose daughter was battling brain cancer. This year, they are raising money for a senior at Wyoming Area who was diagnosed with MS, and since has developed lesions on her brain and spine.

Last year there were 12 teams who battled it out. Congratulations go out to TEAM CINDY who was able to take home the trophy, and are currently the reigning champs!

TEAM CINDY will be back this year, and they are looking forward to another great competition,

There will be special events going on all day geared towards the children. Appearances will be made by TUX, from the WBS Penguins, CHAMP from the WBS Yankees, and Pat Ward, clown and balloon artist,.

There will also be face painting between 10am-2pm.

So if anyone is interested in entering a team, get please contract Mayor Coleman ASAP @ 654-3001 ext 5.

Also, anyone who is interested in donating food, drinks, money, prizes, or their time, the day of the event please get contact Mayor Coleman.

Happy Mums Day

Santorum's greatest pics

From the comments


Big Dan said...
Where's your patented picture of Santorum with the PINK SUIT on???


Big Dan said...
I WANT THE PINK SUIT PICTURE!!!!

Calm down pal. Mrs. G tells me that the suit is actually powder blue and the tie is pink. Shades are not my strong suit so I stick to primary colors. I think he looks rather dashing in this getup with the cross thing on the lapel. Because of you I didn't write up some insightful and well researched post about local politics tonight. Instead I went on a picture hunt.







I always liked this photo of Ricky, Dubya and Arlen Specter from 2004.

Lou Barletta teamed with Rick Santorum when Santorum was looking for an issue to scare the pants off of people and has run with it since.

My apologies to Gomer Pyle.

The "SMALL GOVERNMENT" Senator injected himself and the federal government into one of the most painful decisions a family can face and helped to make it into a circus.

Yudichak and Leighton square off

More to come on WVIA-TV


Leighton promises surprise at tonight's debate


Leighton, Yudichak clash during forum

Santorum 2012

The candidate brought his wierd act to Wilkes-Barre and nobody gave me a heads up. Former U.S. Sen. and Presidential candidate Rick Santorum was in town yesterday to hobnob with the common working people at the Westmoreland Club.

He has been running around the country endorsing various candidates like Marco Rubio in Florida's Republican Senate primary and Jay Riemersma for the U.S. House of Representatives in Michigan. Locally he has added his kiss of death to 10th CD GOP hopefull Tom Marino. He has also been hitting all the early primary states like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Santorum's endorsement of Arlen Specter in the 2004 Senate primary race against Pat Toomey still sticks in the craw of many of my Republican friends





Speaking of his loss in 2006 he said “The voters of Pennsylvania had always given me what I had wanted, but in 2006 they gave me what I needed” ... so he could spend more time with his family. Then he channels Michael Corleone saying “I just feel like I’m being pulled back into it.”

Below we see Santorum talking to possible running mate Carl Romanelli with 2nd choice Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta hovering in the background.

Yes I know that the Constitution says that the the President and VP must be from different states but Santorum has lived in Virginia for years so that shouldn't be a problem.

Specter with Bush ad

With the polls closing to single digits in the Pennsylvania US Senate Democratic primary race between Arlen Specter and Joe Sestak the long awaited TV spot highlighting Specter's last campaign in 2004 when he was selling himself as a loyal Republican being backed by GW Bush and Rick Santorum finally aired.


It is not on Sestak's website or YouTube channel which shows how incompetent the Sestak campaign has been. Liberal bloggers all over the state and country would link to it if it was available giving them all sorts of free media. Maybe tomorrow.

Blog buddy Dan Hirschorn of pa2010.com has the video that looks like somebody pointed a camera at a TV .





His play by play


It’s the campaign ad everyone knew was coming—and it was only a matter of time.

The latest TV spot by Democrat Joe Sestak’s Senate campaign highlights former President George W. Bush’s support for Senator Arlen Specter during the 2004 campaign, as well Specter’s support for vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin in 2008. It also twice plays a clip of Specter saying that “my change in party will enable me to be reelected.”

The 30-second spot aired Wednesday night on CBS in the Philadelphia media market, appearing on “CSI: NY” and later on the “Late Show with David Letterman.” Sestak has harped on Specter’s party-switch throughout the campaign, but the new ad is the first time he’s taken that message to the airwaves.

“For 45 years, Arlen Specter has been a Republican politician,” a narrator says.

The footage of Bush endorsing Specter—”I can count on this man,” Bush says with former Senator Rick Santorum at his side—is taken from one of Specter’s own 2004 campaign ads.

The ad closes with a shot of Specter standing with Palin. “Arlen Specter switched parties to save one job,” the narrator says. “His, not yours.”

State Committee

Our latest Republican hopeful also is a regular poster at NewsTalkPA which is part of the ever expanding GrassrootsPA internet empire.



Name Kathleen M. Dobash

Age 51

Residence Hazleton, PA



Reason for Running


I hope to encourage more citizens to vote and become involved with the political process.


I want to restore confidence in our local government leadership.

I want to address the issue of the local corruption. The citizens of this county cannot afford to pay for abuse of the system.

Property owners pay taxes in good faith. Wasteful spending and deception cannot continue.
I am an advocate for the elderly and for those who cannot represent themselves.

I was elected Inspector of Elections and Constable for Hazleton City Ward 1. I actively write letters printed in our newspapers to talk about local issues. Vote for me on May 18Th.

Jolly good show chaps

My friends Mark and David just passed some milestones in this electronic mimeograph pamphlet intertubes thing. It must be something about spring that inspires people to start political blogs.


Circumlocution for Dummies has been on the blogging-for-dummies platform that is blogspot for one year now. He was the pathfinder of local political blogging with his original site Wilkes-Barre Online that will always be on my blogroll. That's why I call him the Blogfather and he was my inspiration for starting this site.


The Lu Lac Political Letter has been keeping us informed and entertained for four years. David is our local political historian and fills a void that opened up when the local papers lost or just stopped publishing columnists that had what is called "institutional knowledge." Plus he has given me a new appreciation of tall redheads.



Four more years!

Ranking the races

PoliticsPA has been running scorecard of the hottest Congressional races in Pennsylvania for a few months now. The rankings numbered lawmakers in descending order by the likelihood of a party switch.

The 2 Northeastern PA seats are high on the list.


3. Paul Kanjorski, (D-11). Previous ranking: 2. Kanjorski has been in the news recently, as a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee who is advocating stiffer regulations for Wall Street. But as a 13-term incumbent in a year of the angry voter, he has his reelection work cut out for him. Kanjorski, who represents a northeastern Pennsylvania district, will have the money to run an aggressive race: His most recent fundraising figures show him with $1.2 million in the bank, though his quarterly haul of $260,000 was a good deal less than, say, either of the two most vulnerable Republicans in the Pennsylvania delegation, Charlie Dent and Jim Gerlach. Kanjorski also has to dispatch with his primary opponent, Lackawanna County commissioner Corey O’Brien, before turning to expected Republican nominee Lou Barletta. Barletta nearly matched Kanjorski in fundraising for the quarter with $211,000, though the Hazelton mayor’s cash on hand is far lower at $202,000. But the reemergence of immigration as a national issue following Arizona’s passage of a strict anti-illegal immigration law gives prominence to Barletta’s signature issue, potentially helping him leverage grass roots support to make up for the money disadvantage. We still believe Kanjorski is the state’s most vulnerable incumbent.


5 (tie). Chris Carney (D-10). Previous ranking 4. Carney remains vulnerable because of his support for the Democratic Party’s health care bill in a district that leans to the right, but he received a nice, if modest, bump to his chances in early April when the federal government rejected Pennsylvania’s bid to toll Interstate 80. The plan had been supported by local Democratic lawmakers, including Gov. Ed Rendell, but Carney broke party ranks and opposed the deal (along with Reps. Kanjorski and Dahlkemper) and will likely take credit in the fall for its defeat. For a lawmaker who depends on being perceived as loyal to his district over his party, it’s a feather in his cap. Meanwhile, Carney is also benefiting from the GOP primary. His possible Republican foes — businessman Dave Madeira, former U.S. attorney Tom Marino, and Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk — continue to battle in a close contest. Marino continues to face questions about his ties to controversial local businessman Louis DeNaples.


Our friends at pa2010.com have unvieled their handicapping of the horse races.

.
Congressional Power Rankings


4. Northeast Pennsylvania, including Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne and Monroe counties

.
Paul Kanjorski (D) Corey O’Brien (D), Lou Barletta (R) The longtime incumbent was seen as the most vulnerable Democrat in Congress in 2008 before a wave of support for Obama helped beat Barletta. Now he faces Barletta for the third time in 8 years, in what remains a highly-competitive district. Democrats hold a wide registration edge, but the anti-incumbent climate keeps the seat in play.
.
Cook Index: D+4
CQ Rating: Leans D
Rothenberg: Lean D


7. Northeast Pennsylvania, including all or parts of Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Northumberland, Pike, Snyder and Susquehanna counties

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Chris Carney (D) Republicans Malcolm Derk, Dave Madeira and Tom Marino Marino, a former U.S. Attorney, is seen as the favorite to take on Carney. A sophomore, some see Carney as vulnerable, but Republicans gave him some help when they tried to recruit him to switch parties last year. McCain won the district by 9 points.
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Cook Index: R+8
CQ Rating: Leans D
Rothenberg: D Favored


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El alcalde Lou Barletta quiere ver sus papeles

Lou Barletta strongly supports Arizona law against illegal immigration

Mayor: Where do Kanjorski, O'Brien, Kelly stand on the new law?
May 3rd

Hazleton, PA – Today, Hazleton Mayor and 11th Congressional District Candidate Lou Barletta strongly endorsed the Arizona law that cracks down against illegal immigration.

Arizona’s SB 1070 gives local and state law enforcement officials more authority to query the federal government about a person's immigration status.

“Four years ago, the failure of the federal government to address the problems created by millions of illegal aliens led me to introduce and champion the Illegal Immigration Relief Act in Hazleton. It's amazing to me that now, four years later, the federal government has still failed to secure our borders and deal with the drain of illegal immigration on municipalities and states,” Mayor Barletta said. “I commend Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona for signing into law what her courageous legislators passed. I understand the pressure they will now be under because I faced that very same pressure in Hazleton by the very same groups. I was called some of the very same names they’re being called right now.



“But, after reviewing the law and speaking with experts who helped draft the legislation, I am confident that the Arizona law includes sufficient safeguards against racial profiling and protects the rights of legal American citizens,” Mayor Barletta continued. “Just like the people of Hazleton several years ago, the people of Arizona were confronted with a dangerous problem and they looked to their elected officials for leadership. I’m proud to say I led the fight here in Hazleton, and I congratulate Gov. Brewer and Arizona lawmakers for standing tall in the face of misguided criticism.

“I'm disappointed but not surprised that the federal government is not taking any steps to stem the flow of illegal aliens into the United States,” Mayor Barletta added. “Our borders remain wide open to those wishing to sneak into this country. That poses an incredible threat to our national security. And, in these difficult economic times, the underground workforce of illegal aliens is taking jobs away from newly arrived legal immigrants, high school graduates, and other Pennsylvanians who desperately need a job.

Mayor Barletta started the national debate about illegal immigration in June 2006, when he proposed and spearheaded the Illegal Immigration Relief Act, an ordinance passed by the Hazleton City Council that requires all employers in the city to check the immigration status of all of its employees and for all landlords to keep on file a city-issued permit for all tenants. The ordinances also made English the language of official city business in Hazleton.

On the eve of the introduction of Pennsylvania’s own law, Mayor Barletta also asked where his opponents in the 11th Congressional District race – Rep. Paul Kanjorski, Corey O'Brien, and Brian Kelly – stand on the Arizona law.

“For more than a week, this legislation has been in the forefront of American debate, yet Mr. Kanjorski, Mr. O'Brien, and Mr. Kelly remain woefully silent on this critical national issue,” Mayor Barletta said. It's time they take a public position on this bill.

“I'd especially like to hear from Mr. Kanjorski, who absolutely needs to explain his inaction in securing our borders and stopping the flow of illegal aliens into the United States, Pennsylvania, and the 11th District. “He cannot continue to hide behind spokesmen. Let's hear from him directly.”

Home Rule charter

The Luzerne County Government Study Commission has released it's first draft of the proposed Luzerne County home-rule charter.

The document is not on the GSC website but the CV has posted it .

Some parts I like, some parts I don't but I have to read it in detail before I decide to vote for it or not.

What do you think?

Bob Reilly wants to work

Stop your snickering.

TL: But Reilly doesn’t want to receive a pay check for nothing, according to his attorney, Mike Butera....“He doesn’t want to take the pay without working,” said Butera. “We’re hoping he can take leave as clerk of courts and do other clerical work in the office so he can earn his pay.”

Reilly, 57, of Wilkes-Barre, won’t resign because he is maintaining his innocence, Butera said.

“He is not guilty of the charge they have accused him of,” Butera said.

He is no longer listed as a salesman on the used car company website so he needs something to do. I hope one of these cases finally goes to trial. His accuser is Barton Weidlich who has also been indicted for threatening a witness and is a convicted felon.

Mike Sesak has a brief bio of Weidlich

Incarcerated businessman had access at courthouse

Luzerne County Young Democrats meet tonight

At Rodano's on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre 7PM


Membership is open registered Democrats between ages 18-35, but folks of any age are welcome to the meeting and always encouraged to attend our social events as our guests.


Many moons ago I was an elected officer of the Young Dems of Luzerne County.

LuzerneGOP: The Young Republicans of Luzerne County will hold their monthly meeting on May 10 at 7 p.m. at Crescenzo's Restraurant at the Woodland's.


It's great that young people are active in politics.

Arlen Specter and Peg Lusick in NEPA

Who: Senator Arlen Specter
What: Coalition Summit
Where: Operating Engineers Hall at 501 E. Main Street in Wilkes Barre, PA.
When: Monday May 3rd, 5:00pm



Senate candidate Peg Luksik will hold a Constitutional Compact Rally in
Scranton on Tuesday May 4th. The open event will be held at the Radisson
Lackawanna located at 700
Lackawanna Avenue in Scranton

Senate 14 this week

Mrs G asked me tonight who I would be voting for in the PA 14th Senate race. I honestly don't know because I like both of these gentlemen.


Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton went up on the air today with an ad that says "Tom Leighton gets things done." He promises more property tax cuts using the casino revenue.




State Rep John Yudichak keeps racking up the labor endorsements

Yudichak Receives Unanimous Endorsement of AFSCME

On the way to Mark's yesterday we passed by the PAV where Yuddy had an event that was well attended.

The Yonk says he has another spot

State Senate candidate John Yudichak will preview a new ad Sunday night on “60 Minutes” Yudichak has been campaigning like a virtual whirlwind invading Plains Township yesterday for a polka party with John Stanky and the Coalminers.

Kanjo on the air

Congressman Paul Kanjorski released his first primary TV spot today.





His challenger Lackawanna County Commissioner Corey O'Brien has been running this coffee shop spot for a few weeks.





The third candidate in the race is Brian Kelly.

State Committee

The latest installment comes from an incumbent Republican state committee person.


Full list of candidates on the Luzerne County website.



I AM AGAIN RUNNING FOR REPUBLICAN STATE COMMITTEE REPRESENTING LUZERNE COUNTY BECAUSE I WANT GOOD POLITICAL PARTY - POLICY, OPEN PRIMARY ELECTIONS AND ETHICAL AND QUALIFIED CANDIDATES THAT CULMINATE IN BETTER GOVERNMENT.

THE STATE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE NOT PAID. THREE WOMEN AND THREE MEN WILL BE ELECTED FROM LUZERNE COUNTY FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM ON MAY 18. WE MEET FOUR TIMES PER YEAR IN HARRISBURG, ON A FRIDAY EVENING AND SATURDAY MORNING.

I HAVE NEVER MISSED VOTING DURING MY TERM OF SERVICE. I AM ACTIVE IN THE POLITICAL ARENA AND RAN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE IN WILKES-BARRE. I AM A COLLEGE GRADUATE, LONG TIME HOMEOWNER, WIFE, MOTHER, AND GRANDMOTHER. I CONSIDER MY STATE COMMITTEE SEAT TO BE AN IMPORTANT CIVIC DUTY.

I AM AN INDEPENDENT THINKER AND OFTEN WRITE EDITORIALS IN THE LOCAL WILKES-BARRE NEWSPAPERS.
AS FAR AS MY DUTIES ARE CONCERNED IN SERVING AS A STATE COMMITTEE MEMBER I TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY HOWEVER; I DO NOT AGREE THAT A COUPLE OF HUNDRED COMMITTEE MEMBERS SHOULD ENDORSE CANDIDATES BEFORE THE PRIMARY ELECTION.
I DO NOT AGREE THAT ANY POLTICAL PARTY SHOULD TRY TO FORCE ENDORSED CANDIDATES ONTO THE VOTERS.I BELIEVE THAT THE PRIMARY ELECTION SHOULD BE OPEN WITH THE VOTERS CHOOSING THEIR CANDIDATES.

I BELEIVE THAT THE PARTY'S ROLE BEFORE A PRIMARY ELECTION SHOULD BE LIMITED TO PRESENTING CANDIDATES TO THE VOTERS AND THEN ALLOWING THE VOTERS TO MAKE THEIR CHOICE ON ELECTION DAY. I AM NUMBER THREE ON THE BALLOT ON MAY 18 AND I ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.


My primary reason for desiring to be re-elected as a state committee member is that I desire to continue representing and serving the voters.
I do not support the notion that a paid Luzerne County GOP employee should serve as a state committee member; because it defeats the purpose of remaining an independent representative of the voters.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT ANYTIME AT LINDAAT254@AOL.COM
THANK YOU, LINDA J. URBAN

Technical difficulties

Thanks to all of you for pointing out that the audio of the WILK interview with Tom Marino was automatically playing every time you opened up Gort42. I tried to disable it by tweaking the HTML code several times but nothing worked so I deleted the post. I did save it and the comments and will repost it over the weekend.

Mrs. G said it's typical, you just can't get Corbett to shut up.

Reminder: The The Gort 42 birthday/Blogiversary Party is tomorrow

Many thanks to Pope George Ringo:


His Holiness grants dispensation. The Saturday meeting will now officially be observed as The Gort 42 birthday/Blogiversary Party.
This dispensation, however, is valid only for this singular occasion. Next year, the gathering shall revert to its traditional name.
Bless You.


The 13th annual get together of the Saturday OT Committee and Operatic Society to watch the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 1st 4PM at Marks Pub 1287 N Washington St, Wilkes-Barre.

The weather people are saying it will get into the 80's tomorrow so a good way to cool off after you get your yard work done is to grab a cold beer at a neighborhood bar that has great burgers.


But you have to order it right.

A cheeseburger, medium rare on a lightly toasted bun with just a hint of mayo. Topped with freshly washed iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced tomatoes and circles of raw onion. To be accompanied with golden pommes de terre frites and a special treat would be if it came with a quarter stick of a kosher dill.

Stop by and I will buy you a beverage. I have a bunch of chits that I need to cash in.

State Committee

Today we have the THIRD candidate for the PA Democratic State Committee giving her pitch. I have few more in the pipeline from both Dem and GOP hopefuls and will post one per day.


Full list of candidates on the Luzerne County website.



My name is Sabrina McLaughlin and I am running for Democratic State Committee. I am 28 years old, a resident of Conyngham Borough, and a graduate of Wilkes University and SUNY Binghamton. I am the daughter of a single mom and a military dad who spent most of his career with the USAF serving overseas. My grandparents also had a very influential role in my upbringing—they are hard-working blue collar labor Democrats who raised me to understand the value and the potential to serve others that is represented by the Party of F.D.R. and The New Deal, of J.F.K. and L.B.J.’s “Great Society”. I do not come from a family that is very well-connected when it comes to proximity to political power, but by their modest example my parents and grandparents taught me the importance of patriotism, political awareness and activism, and public service. In my professional life I have worked in the educational sector (as an adjunct professor at LCCC), and I have had opportunities to work for the Democratic Party professionally, most notably as a junior staffer on the Obama-Biden campaign in 2008.

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This is my understanding of the duties of a State Committeeperson—as a member of the State Committee, you are expected to represent the voters of your county at 3 State Party meeting per year. At these meetings votes may be cast on the endorsement of candidates, and decisions are made about the platform of the Party, and the goals, issues, and principles that are most important to Democrats. If members are unable to attend they are to send someone to vote for them by proxy. If I am elected to serve I pledge to attend every meeting—I would only send a proxy in my stead in the case of dire family emergency or severe personal illness, and for no other reason. The work of an effective State Committeeperson should not end with attending the necessary meetings, though—I see this as a year-round responsibility, and an effective State Committeeperson should be working as much and as often as possible in voter registration efforts, and in informing voters on issues, candidates, and the business of the Party. As a party official, I would actively seek comments and opinions from the Democratic voters of the county, and I would make sure that feedback from voters is conveyed to and acknowledged by the party leadership. I believe it is also important for members of the State Committee to hold each other and other party officials accountable, and we must do everything we can to hold the Democratic Party to a very high ethical standard and to make sure that we are truly representing and advocating for its best principles. Members of State Committee should also do as much as they can to help strong, worthy Democratic candidates with their campaigns for elected office. I feel very confident that I can promise to do these things—and that I will be able to keep that promise if elected—because I am already challenging myself to do them.

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Regarding my motives for seeking a more visible leadership role in the Democratic Party—one important reason I am running for State Committee is because I strongly believe that it is vital to have a variety of generational perspectives represented in political leadership. In discussions with local voters over several years of active political involvement, I have come to realize that there are sometimes deep divisions that exist between the generations—between more youthful voters, my generation of older 20somethings and 30/40somethings, middle-aged folks, and senior citizens. I sincerely want to work very hard to bridge these gaps and improve communication and cooperation between voters of all ages. We have more in common than we might think when it comes to important issues, and we are all stronger when we are working together for our mutual benefit. I believe it is also very important for strong, well-informed, and politically independent women to share in a more visible leadership role in our local and state Democratic Party. I will challenge myself to help provide that leadership, and will provide mentoring and encouragement to other women—especially younger women—to become more well-informed, and more politically aware and active.

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In this primary election, there are more of us running for Democratic State Committee than there are available positions—voters will have to choose a selection from among us, and every vote is critical. I am 3rd on the ballot in the list of candidates running for State Committee—I am respectfully asking for your vote, and I promise that in return I will hold myself accountable to you and will work hard to have earned your trusting me with this responsibility.

Conahan to plead guilty

Ciavarella still holding out.

SCRANTON - Former Luzerne County Judge Michael Conahan has signed a plea agreement with federal prosecutors to plead guilty to a single count of racketeering conspiracy.

Walter wants the records

Luzerne County Controller Walter Griffith continues his quest to bring order out of the chaos that passes for government in Luzerne County. Today's TL story says he has instructed the 70 plus departments to provide his office with all contracts, deeds, vehicle and equipment titles, bills of sale and any other records of property owned by the county government as required by law.

The Controller’s Office did not have copies of several contracts that have come under scrutiny in recent months, including ones for a River Common video, the Wyoming Valley Airport management company and a county records improvement consultant, he said.

Griffith has recently been in the news a lot lately and some people have accused him of grandstanding. I'm reminded of the old adage "Sunlight is the best disinfectant." I say every time he finds a problem he should make it public.

He wants the Sheriff's Department to account for all the firearms that are in their possession after it came to light that they were selling machine guns and other weapons without approval. Acting Sheriff Charles Guarnieri has been stonewalling.


Former Sheriff Michael Savokinas agreed to the Tommy gun sale in August 2009, and the transaction was completed after Savokinas resigned and Guarnieri became acting sheriff in September. Solicitor Vito DeLuca has said only county commissioners can approve sales of property, including firearms issued to the sheriff's office.

Records submitted by Guarnieri show the sheriff's office sold 42 handguns to sheriff's deputies in May and January. Those sales totaled $5,150.

He has also stopped outrageous bonus payments to a select few Sheriff's Deputies.

Other items under scrutiny are cell phones and driver's licenses.

I always said Walter was a pain in the ass and that is a good thing.

State Committee

This feature is working out better than I thought it would. We have had 2 Democrats so now it's time for our first Republican guest poster. Full list of candidates on the Luzerne County website.

Hello All,

With just a few weeks away I wanted to remind everyone that it is so important to exercise your right to vote and that all of you who are registered republicans in Luzerne County I hope that if you seek change here in the county, if you want to be proud to reside here, and if you want to trust in our elected officials again, I ask that you vote for me for Republican State Committee and together we'll put our county back on the right track again.

Through the election of true conservative candidates who value integrity, prudence, and responsibility in the execution of their duties as elected officials, we can create the change we need in the hope of making the future of this county much brighter for the next generation of citizens. Not only should our public officials hold these personal values, but they should seek to protect our interests as Pennsylvanians both in Harrisburg and Washington.

First and foremost, for too long elected officials, both Democrat and Republicans alike, have created an environment of apathy and discontent, which has led to such widespread corruption on so many levels that it is no surprise to open up the newspaper on a daily basis to see another elected official being investigated for some ethical and/or legal matter related to their conduct as public officials. We need to put a stop to the corruption and return the trust of the people and create an environment where citizens want to participate in our state and local government and ensure that the future of our county shines much brighter than those dark days we have become so accustomed to.

Secondly, we need conservative elected officials to believe that the way to rebuild our economy is through using fiscally responsible ideas and continue to push for new, innovative ways to create small business opportunities that are so vital to sustaining our local economy.

Lastly, we need conservative leaders who look to strengthen our communities because the citizens of Pennsylvania deserve to live in a Pennsylvania that creates hope and opportunity for its citizens, not despair and distrust. Our children and grandchildren deserve all the opportunities to succeed in the 21st century and without the right leadership, we cannot create an environment for success.

I hope that those of you who believe that there are better days ahead for us here in Pennsylvania and in Luzerne County, who believe that the corruption has gone on for too long and we need leaders who will bring responsibility and trust to the table every day, and who want to create an environment for our citizens where hope and hard work lead to success, I ask that you vote for me on May 18th, and together we can be the change we need and make our community, state, and country, great again.

Thank you and God Bless,

Frank J. Mazza
Candidate for republican State Committee

Jim O'Meara campaign kickoff tonight

Jim O'Meara, Republican candidate for state representative in the 121st District, is holding his official campaign kickoff party at 7:30 p.m. April 27 at Luzerne County Republican Headquarters, 41 S. Main St., in Wilkes-Barre.

O'Meara is a local conservative businessman who decided to run because he knows he can make a difference and was tired of seeing an uncontested race for the seat. O'Meara believes he can right the ship in the 121st District and bring common sense back to the statehouse.

Good luck with that common sense thing. He is unopposed for the Republican nomination and will take on 2 term state rep Eddie Day Pashinski in the fall. Pashinski has had success in getting legislation that he authored actually passed into law including tracking illegal scrap metal and reforming the way Liquid Fuels Tax funds are used. He is a guy with a big toothy smile who has become a hero to Dental assistants throughout the Commonwealth. Pretty good for a 2 term rep.

Yes Pashinski was unopposed in 2008 but he won a spirited primary in 2006 against Brian O'Donnell, Ed Hayward and used car salesman Bob Reilly who has been arrested for taking bribes in connection with his other part time job as the Luzerne County Clerk of Courts.

In the fall of that year he defeated former reformer Christine " please vote for me for something" Katsock. When Katsock finally did get elected to something after countless tries she wasted no time in disappointing all the people who supported her over the years.

State Committee

Here is the 2nd installment of guest posts from candidates for the Republican and Democratic State Committees. The full list is on the Luzerne County website.



Hello,

My name is Thomas Shubilla, candidate for Democratic State Committee. I was born, raised, and currently reside in Plains Township, attended Bishop O'Reilly High School and graduated from King's College with a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communications.

The question I have been asked most often is, “Why are you running for Democratic State Committee?”.

The answer is simple, because I am committed to the Democratic Party and the party's principles. I am not committed to one individual candidate. Instead I am committed to electing Democrats in the general election, and endorsing the candidates that embody principles of the party in the Democratic Primary, such a commitment to keeping the Democratic Party the party of progress, labor, and working families.

I have made 4 campaign promises, these promises I will keep-

-Increase voter participation, registration and communication

-Make informed decisions on the adoption of party resolutions and goals

-Support the socio-economic concerns of labor

-Organize the Democratic Party to better meet the needs of the people

My involvement in politics began in 2006 when I interned for the Democratic Coordinated Campaign in Wilkes-Barre. My duties were, but not limited to, office management, volunteer recruitment, voter identification, and special events coordinator. In 2008 I volunteered for Obama for America, by canvasing neighborhoods, making phone calls and serving as Staging Location Director during both the primary and general election. I was a the treasurer and assisted in the organization of Luzerne Home Rule which passed in Luzerne County with 88% of the vote. In the general election in 2009 I assisted all Democratic Candidates in their election bids.

If elected I will continue my involvement and will work hard for the Democratic Party. I am located first on the ballot and I would appreciate your vote!

Thank you for your consideration,
Thomas M. Shubilla

Five years of blogging

I don't want to get into too much navel gazing but just want to say Thank You for visiting and commenting on Gort42. This is getting harder to do because of family and career obligations so I don't write about all the things I want to. It's a hobby and I refuse to put advertising on the site so I don't make any money from it not that anyone can actually make a living writing about local politics on the Internet. Just when I think of hanging it up I run into my fan club at an event like the Specter rally on Friday. You people keep me going.

Since I started this there must have been a 100 sites that popped up devoted to local politics that disappeared after a short time. We have a hard core of people that have toughed it out that keep tapping away and were recognized in newspaper stories recently. Forgive me for not linking to you all but I'm sure I would omit someone. See the sidebar.

We are truly fortunate to have a couple of local newspapers with great reporters that give us fodder to write about everyday. W-B/Scranton is one of the few markets left in the USA with competing papers. I have occasionally broke a story but our local press do it everyday.


The Blogfather put together this video a few years ago.





I'm tempted to bill the Kentucky Derby get together as the Gort 42 birthday/Blogiversary Party. I will need the permission of Pope George Ringo to do that.

Kentucky Derby

The 13th annual get together of the Saturday OT Committee and Operatic Society to watch the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 1st 4PM at Marks Pub 1287 N Washington St, Wilkes-Barre.

None of us are big horse race fans but this is just another excuse to infuse cash into the malt beverage industry to ensure it's liquidity. After all, we don't want D.G. Yuengling & Son to go the way of General Motors.



This is not a mega-meetup like the one last month a Rooney's (we will do that again in the fall) and it has not been sanctioned by the Northeast Blogging Council. But of course everyone is welcome.

State Committee

I keep running into people who are running for the Democratic and Republican state committees and have invited them to write up something for the readers of Gort42. There is a slew of candidates running in these under the radar races and you can see the full list on the Luzerne County website.

All candiates are invited to send along a guest post. Here is the first offering.


My name is Jane Waitkus and I am running for a position on the Democratic State Committee during the May 18 primary election. My husband and I live in Mountain Top.

My family came to Luzerne County about one hundred years ago from Eastern and Central Europe. My grandparents were not wealthy people, but they were willing to work hard to improve their lives. My grandfathers were coal miners, and my grandmothers worked long hours running family boarding houses and caring for their children. I have been blessed with educational opportunities not even imagined by my grandparents, and I am employed at Penn State Hazleton. This spring I am teaching an American Studies class on Anthracite coal mining.

If I am fortunate enough to win one of the positions on the Democratic State Committee, I will do my best to represent ordinary working-class Democrats. I will be accessible to all Democrats in Luzerne County and will hold meetings several times a year in order to listen to thoughts and concerns. For many years in Luzerne county-going back to the coal barons-the wealthy, the powerful, and the well-connected have been the only voice heard in Harrisburg. It is time for that to change.

The Democratic State Committee positions are unpaid. If elected, I will spend my own money to attend meetings several times a year in Harrisburg. There is no reimbursement for travel. One of the responsibilities of the position is to help identify candidates to run for statewide office-what a great opportunity to open up the party to Democrats from all walks of life.

In Luzerne County there is a long list of candidates running for a slot on the Democratic State Committee, and my name is next to the bottom of the list on the ballot. I humbly ask all registered democratic voters in Luzerne County to look for my name on the ballot and vote for me.

Thank you,

Jane Waitkus

Beltway Blips

I'm getting famous

Go vote for me.

A brief chat with Arlen Specter

After the airport rally yesterday with Vice President Joe Biden I got a chance to ask Senator Arlen Specter a couple of questions. My full report of the event will be forthcoming.


The Vice President made a compelling case to Democrats to vote for you although you were a Republican. What do you tell a lifelong Democrat like myself who never voted for you in the past why should I vote for you this time?

My roots go back to the Democratic Party originally. My parents were immigrants, FDR immigrants, hard hit by the depression. I was a JFK Democrat even served as one of the young lawyers on Warren Commission that investigated the assassination of President Kennedy. Came back to Philadelphia were I won some big cases and wanted to run for DA on the Democratic ticket but the party leaders said we don’t want an honest, tough DA in Philadelphia which won’t shock anybody about Philadelphia. The Republican Party came to me and said we haven’t won an election in a long time run on our ticket no strings attached. I didn’t even change my registration I ran as a Democrat on the Republican ticket ,won, and for a long time tried to bring some moderation to the Republican Party. And when President Obama wanted the stimulus package and we were about to slide into a 1929 Depression I simply would not be part of Republican obstructionism and I joined Obama. During my tenure in the Senate I have voted with Democrats probably more often on the big issues than with Republicans. I supported a woman’s right to choose, I opposed Bork. It would be a different country with Bork. I’m pro labor and got the AFL-CIO endorsement. I’m against warentless wiretapping, against Guantanamo and in favor of raising the minimum wage. Provided the 60th vote for the health care package. When August came I went out to the town hall meetings and defended Obama and the health care package

Part of the Military Commissions Act says that the government can declare a United States citizen arrested in the US an enemy combatant and hold them indefinitely. Is there any chance you can revisit that?

I think that’s wrong unless there is probable cause and a reason to hold them. The federal courts have taken jurisdiction over habeas corpus which I have pushed and I think that is an issue to be revisited and I think that the courts are taking it up. You have seen some limitations on detentions. There has to be a reason, there has to be a risk to the United States government on an evidentiary basis before that kind of detention can be justifiable.