13 QUESTIONS
1. Did the President make the right decision on Syria?
I think so but he took a long while to get to it. And you can argue the point as to who made the decision for him. The fact that he asked for a vote tells you he wanted political cover. If the Congress said no, he could step away. If the situation got worse, he could act unilaterally and repudiate Congress risking impeachment. But fate or John Kerry’s slip of the tongue and Vladimir Putin’s reaction saved this country, as well as the President some angst at least for a while. If this deal with Russia works, Obama can claim a victory saying he took the diplomatic route and also took the advice of the Russians thus bolstering our relationship. You’ll see how they spin this.
2. What are you thoughts on the recent teacher strikes?
A few things. First off, I know many good teachers. They are dedicated and really look out for the kids. They spend the summers refreshing themselves and getting ready for the new school year by keeping up on educational trends.
On the other hand, I’ve seen a lot of teachers in my day who are complete jokes. These are the people who moonlight during the year and have summer jobs. Think about this, you’re making over 70,000 grand a year and you need to take a summer job? In this area and in this job market, that is a travesty. That job could go to someone else trying to scrape by.
The School Boards are pretty much worthless because each Director is put there by a block of voters who want something. And those who don’t have blocks of voters can easily be threatened. Watch someone who is well liked and well known make a threat to run against a school board member and guess who gets a job? The wife, cousin, son or daughter of the guy or woman threatening to run.
The teachers have to enter the real world. I pay $112.80 every two weeks, or $225.60 a month. I have a $2500.00 deductible and make considerbly less than a teacher. I’m okay with paying because I know the value and responsibility of being insured. Always have since I was a kid. But what concerns me is the lack of regard the Unions have for the general public. Property taxes pay the salaries of the teachers. And for the teachers to complain about paying a $60.00 copay is a joke.
Teachers will say the kids don’t respect the teachers because the parents badmouth them at home because of their contract. I can’t defend parents who bash educators but I can’t defend teachers and their unions who will not acknowledge that they are part of the problem.
The teachers are fast becoming an entity like the national Republican Party. Once upon a time, Democrats like me would vote for a Republican. But the party has become so unreasonable that I’d vote for a dog rather than vote for another Republican running nationwide. The Teachers and their unions have become so self centered, selfish and uncompromising that to many, not all, but too many the profession is being portrayed not as honorable but as a bunch of self important money grabbers who don’t give a rat’s ass about anything but their salary. I will not live to see it but one day, if this keeps up, Pennsylvania will become Wisconsin and there will be a concerted attempt to not only decrease the power of the unions but eliminate them all together.
3. Yonk, Yankees in the playoffs even without Jeter?
It can be possible and if it happens, you’d have to love A Rod playing under suspension and the Yanks manager Joe Girardi getting Manager of the Year. A Rod has a clause in his contract that if he hits 660 home runs, he gets another 6 million bucks. He is at 653. If the Yanks are not in contention and A Rod goes on a tear and get close, watch the Yanks sit him instead of coughing up more money.
4. What are your thoughts on Home Rule in Lackawanna County?
They are making the effort to adopt a charter. The last meeting floated a plan where Lackawanna County would divide itself into districts. I think that might make an interesting concept but we shall see.
5. Saw you on TV with Congressman Barletta and Tarone last week. What can you tell your readers about the Congressman that many of us who don’t know him might be interested in?
The guy is an NFL die hard. He loves the Fantasy Football Leagues and is an active participant. Barletta was quite the baseball player but really knows his NFL.
6. Luzerne County Controler’s race. Bednar or Medico Olenginski?
Too early to tell but it will all depend on who gets the more loyal hardcore supporters out. Right now, I’d give the edge to Carolee
7. Okay Yonk, you’re on desert island with this tall redhead. Her name is Kathy Griffin. What do you do?
Keeping in mind there is an exception to every rule……….I hide. Failing that, I slice my ears off.
8. Are you still not eating Subway because of their stand on Obama Care?
Yep. Buying my subs at Third Base, Safari Citgo in Drums and Primo’s.
9. Sorry about your girl Sharapova not making the U.S. Open this year. Is the end near?
Yeah, she should get a contract with Vogue or some other magazine. Or maybe TV. Her time is running out but I still love her.
10. I read on Facebook that you got rid of tee shirts. What are the oldest ones you salvaged?
From 1989, a Packers tee that literally has the design washed off and an Indians Tee not too far behind. Plus my Howard Dean for President shirt. That one was a keeper!
11. Will you be attending Blogfest?
I’ll try. Depends on what happens in Hazleton that night, how the week went and if the Red Mill is a dump or not. I don’t do dumps.
12. What did you think of Pope Francis firing the Italian Secretary of State?
I think he sent a message loud and clear and that will only be a good thing as far as the organization of the Church.
13. I saw your 1976 edition yesterday and could not help but noticed you featured the cover of Playboy. Read a lot of those magazines in college Yonk?
As John Webster’s character on Rock 107, Walter Nepasky used to say “Don’t laugh!” When I was in college, the three top men’s magazines vying for number one were Playboy, Penthouse and Larry Flynt’s Hustler. And I kid you not, there were a lot of people reading those magazines for the articles. Some of the classic in depth Playboy Interviews were big news like the Carter one. Penthouse had articles on the Trilateral Commission and broke several stories on human rights violations in Latin America. And Hustler, even though it was the most raunchy and degrading to women gave you a monthly chronicle of Larry Flynt’s obscenity trial complete with legal briefs. Playboy has been taken over by Hugh Hefner’s daughter, Penthouse is pretty much out of business and Larry Flynt is still causing mayhem across America. But when all three were vying for readers and advertising dollars, they also decided to throw in some investigative political reporting to add legitimacy to their efforts.