PATRIOT NEWS: …Commissioner Tyree Blocker said Wednesday that he had called upon the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to conduct its own investigation concurrent with the agency’s Internal Affairs inquiry. The OIG investigated fraud, waste and misconduct in state agencies. “I believe that given the broad nature of recent allegations reported in the press, an […]
2nd Pennsylvania justice to resign over porn email scandal
WGAL: Justice Michael Eakin’s decision Tuesday makes him the second member of the state’s high court to quit over the past 18 months over the email scandal. Eakin’s decision marks the latest fallout since embattled state Attorney General Kathleen Kane began releasing hundreds of emails to the media and ethics agencies. Kane faces perjury and […]
Red rover, red rover, let grandma come over – to playground for seniors
WILKES-BARRE TIMES-LEADER EDITORIAL: …To help you stay fit and have fun, communities such as West Pittston, hopefully soon to be joined by others in our region, plan to install senior playgrounds – places reminiscent of where you probably spent your school recesses. These sites differ, however, in that the equipment and games are geared for […]
Capitolwire: House OKs omnibus medical marijuana amendment; floor debate to continue.
By Kevin Zwick Staff Reporter Capitolwire HARRISBURG (March 14) – The state House of Representatives approved a sweeping amendment Monday to establish a state program allowing doctors to certify an individual’s ability to receive medical marijuana oil for certain medical conditions. The passage of the “consensus” amendment, a product of recommendations from a legislative work group, as […]
Marijuana-Based Drug Found to Reduce Epileptic Seizures
NEW YORK TIMES: …The developer, GW Pharmaceuticals, said the drug, Epidiolex, achieved the main goal of the trial, reducing convulsive seizures when compared with a placebo in patients with Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy. GW shares more than doubled on Monday. If Epidiolex wins regulatory approval, it would be the first prescription drug […]
NYT LETTER: “Use of Heroin in Public View Across the U. S.”
Re “Use of Heroin in Public View Across the U.S.” (front page, March 7): Until they are ready for treatment and have access to it, people with an addiction to heroin will find a place to inject, whether it’s in a fast-food restaurant bathroom, a church basement, a public bus or an abandoned building. Making […]
Gang that couldn’t shoot straight? Sounds like our government in Harrisburg
By Dick Miller WE.CONNECT.DOTS: – Noted columnist and author, Jim Breslin, at 85, is too old to write a sequel to his 1968 novel, “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight.” A bunch of thugs under “Crazy” Joe Gallo plot and murder loan shark and gambler Frankie Shots under the orders of family chieftain Joseph Profaci. After […]
Observing the Anniversary of Joseph Stalin’s Death
By Slava Tsukerman Joseph Stalin died on March 5, 1953. For many years this date was commemorated in Russia only by a small obscure group of devoted Stalinists. This year though commemoration of the Stalin’s death became an event widely discussed in the Russian media. In the morning of March 5th, a long line […]
As Americans Take Up Populism, the Supreme Court Embraces Business
NEW YORK TIMES: …Americans have grown substantially more populist in their outlook over the last 15 years, according to some measures of public opinion, like whether they are satisfied with “the size and influence of major corporations,” and whether the government should “redistribute wealth by heavy taxes on the rich.” Indeed, if the presidential […]
City’s claim to have saved $9.1 million through refinance may not add up
LNP’s headline asserts, “Lancaster city bond refinancing will save $9.1 million.” Maybe yes, maybe no. Not mentioned in the article are any costs and prepayment or yield maintenance penalties due when the prior debt was paid off and the cost of commissions and hefty legal fees when the replacement financing was achieved. We would like […]
ESQUIRE: The Great Pennsylvania Government Porn Caper
ESQUIRE: …A staffer marched into the office and beelined to [Pennsylvania attorney general Kathleen] Kane’s desk, pressed into the corner of the room. Kane’s steely blue eyes fell to a disc that was resting in the staffer’s hand. “We’re putting this on your computer because the information is important,” he said bluntly. “But I recommend that you […]
The Obama Doctrine
NEWSLANC EDITOR: A very interesting article setting forth our Presidents reflections and views concerig the Mid East. THE ATLANTIC: ….Obama, in whose Cabinet Kerry serves faithfully, but with some exasperation, is himself given to vaulting oratory, but not usually of the martial sort associated with Churchill. Obama believes that the Manichaeanism, and eloquently rendered […]
Reviving the Working Class Without Building Walls
NEWSLANC EDITOR: We highly recommend reading this article in its entirety. NEW YORK TIMES: …Stepping into the vacuum, the technologically endowed of Silicon Valley are talking about a future that bypasses the labor market entirely. They are offering up a universal basic income — financed by taxing rich capitalists and an elite corps […]
John Fry is up to it again, but this time in West Philadelphia
By Robert Field A Philly.com op-ed by former Franklin & Marshall president John Fry, currently president of Drexel University, sets a new level of brazen balderdash, even given the source. Veteran readers of NewsLanc may recall my describing Fry when at F & M as “doing the best possible things in the worst possible ways.” […]