More On Kanjorski's Distasteful Remarks Regarding the Indigent

Start watching this full clip on Congressman Paul Kanjorski's comments and see how he not only disrespected the poor up front but continued his insenstive remarks. At 3:38 he states "It's not a cure all for everything, it's not taking care of the the useless, the wasteful, the imprudent, it's taking care of Americans that got in hard times, so many of em today, our population is 10% unemployed".

So the less fortunate are useless, wasteful, or imprudent while those who lost their jobs only fell on hard times. What an absolute moron.

Paul Kanjorski, you should be acutely aware that those born into poverty aren't useless, wasteful, or imprudent. Families on welfare must contend with a nationwide lack of affordable housing, a lack of jobs that pay a living wage, the difficulty finding child care, as well as increasingly rigid requirements for recipients of public aid. To imply otherwise is just plain irresponsible.

Kanjorski's Gaffe Regarding Minorities And More

Yesterday a story went viral concerning Congressman Paul Kanjorski's statement made during a joint House-Senate conference committee session where he contrasted minorities with "good American people". He immediately came under fire and sparked an uproar for the his antithesis position.

Despite those who rushed to his rescue it was fair for the opposition to ask Kanjo to explain himself. After all this lapse in judgement isn't the first time for the seasoned Congressman. It's funny how its fair game for the media to quickly seize on comments made by VP Joe Biden or former VP Dan Quayle, yet Kanjorski's corner wants a hands off rule.  Here's what a hypothetical interview would sound like over Kanjo's ridiculous statements that border on irrational.

Reporter: Congressman Kanjorski can you please explain what you meant by "defective" people?
Kanjorski: Uhhh that isn't what I meant
Reporter: Congressman Kanjorski can you please explain what you meant when you said "But you know, the temptation to want to win back the Congress, we sort of stretched the facts...and people ate it up."?
Kanjorski: Uhhh that isn't what I meant
Reporter: Congressman Kanjorski can you please explain in these economic times what you meant when you said "We are helluva alot better off as a country and as an economy than we have ever been in the history of mankind"?
Kanjorski: Uhhh that isn't what I meant
Reporter: Congressman Kanjorski can you please explain what you meant by
"Financially, I don't have to be a democrat. I've got enough economics that I'm not going to suffer, but I'm telling you I don't like to live around extreme poverty"?
Kanjorski: Uhhh that isn't what I meant
Reporter: Congressman Kanjorski can you please explain what you meant when you said "I don't apologize to anyone" when asked if you would apologize to the troops for your statement over the war in Iraq
Kanjorski: Uhhh that isn't what I meant
Reporter: Congressman Kanjorski can you please explain what you meant when you stated that our federal tax dollars are "free money"?
Kanjorski: Uhhh that isn't what I meant

If the opposition is so wrong could Lou Barletta have that much influence to see that a headline like this one from the Los Angeles Times Rep. Paul Kanjorski says his plan helps 'good American people,' not 'minorities' or 'defective' people makes it to print? Why did the Los Angeles Times question his other statement later in that diatribe?

In his pitch, Kanjorski tells Capitol Hill legislative colleagues that expanding his state's mortgage aid program nationally would only cost "3 lousy billion dollars." After all threee lousy billion dollars is only free money.

One would think by now that the Democratic party would cut its loses and let Kanjo ride off into the retirement sunset. Attacking conservative sterotypes by validating liberal sterotypes isn't something one can fix. It is a fatal flaw and won't win elections.

A Story Of Hearfelt Compassion and Empathy

On April 20, 2010 the Hazleton Standard Speaker published this story written by Jim Dino that chronicles a story about 7-year-old Omar and 3-year-old Elijah Sanes, brothers who died in a fire at their Manhattan Court, Hazleton, home in April, 2007. Hazleton Firefighters donated a tombstone for the gravesite of the children because the family could not memorialize their loved ones.

On Monday, the third anniversary of the boys' deaths, the Sanes family joined Hazleton firefighters in dedicating the tombstone, which rests near a driveway on the grassy southern end of St. Gabriel's Cemetery, Hazleton Heights.

"This beautiful stone shows two angels looking down on us. They watch down on us every day," said Hazleton Fire Chief Donald Leshko, whose department solicited donations after learning the family could not afford the tombstone. "Three years ago, this department endured one of its hardest days. They will always be part of our family. We are grateful that you allow us to be part of your family. You will always be a part of our family."


The original story about this sad tragedy is captured at this link to the Hazleton Fire Department.

April 19, 2007 0026: City fire crews dispatched to 598-599 Manhattan Court for a reported structure fire with unknown entrapment. While responding to the alarm, city firefighters were notified by firefighter Joel Mumie that he had a working structure fire with confirmed multiple entrapments. Engine 2 with Firefighter James Sharp arrived on location and was met by Mumie. Mumie raised a 14 ft roof ladder to the front porch of the duplex and Sharp raised a ladder to a second story window where a little boy was seen prior to our arrival. Mumie assisted by FF Carl Stempert (who lives at 598 Manhattan Ct.) rescued a pregnant female from the second floor front bedroom and took her to safety on the porch roof, Mumie was advised by the female that her 11 month old baby was in the crib in her bed room, he entered and did a quick search for the baby. Engine 5 arrived and went to assist the crews working. DC Mandak called for an additional Engine to be put in service and Engine 3 to the scene. Engine 5 dropped a 4” supply line from Engine 2 to a near by hydrants. Ladder 1 arrived with FF Kevin Ruby and FF Sam Altmiller. FF Altmiller went to assist Mumie, Stempert and Ruby went to the D side to assist Sharp. Ruby, Sharp assisted with FF Thomas Tutko repositioned the ladder and Ruby tried to enter the second floor window and conditions were unbearable. While on the ladder a first floor window under him failed and Ruby had to bail off the extension ladder. While the crews working on side D were making there attempts, Mumie cleared the room before it got unbearable and had to bail onto the roof. The child was taken out of the home by his father. After unsuccessful attemps two crews was assembled one of FF’s John Paletski III, Sam Altmiller and another of David Fatula, Joe Jones and Ruby. Paletski and Altmiller with out the portection of a with a hose line made the second floor and went to the right and search a computer room and was in the attic when the front room flashed over. Fatula, Jones and Ruby enter with a hose line and made there way to the second floor where they encounted a heavy fire load in the hallway. Jones entered the first room on their left and found the two boys in there bedroom. The hose line was handed off to a crew entering and Fatula Jones and Ruby removed the boys to awaiting crews outside. Ruby and Jones gave the 7year old boy to FF Era Gould. Gould and Fatula brought both children to awaiting APTS EMS. Paramedic and EMT’S both from APTS and the City Fire Department and surrounding areas worked on the children and were transported to Hazleton General Hospital. Fire crew quickly extinguished the fire and overhauled. Extention to the 598 address was kept very minimal. ER staffs continued to work the two boys but were unsuccessful and pronounced at the hospital. The parents and 11 month old were transported to HGH and then where airlifted to Lehigh Valley Medical Center Burn unit. City crews were on scene till day break. State Police with City Fire and Police Departments investigated the fire and determined it to be a cooking accident. Funds have been set up for both families:


Sanes Family Fund
c/o PNC Bank
Church Hill Mall Branch
1063 North Church Street
Hazleton, PA 18202.


Stempert Family Fire Fund
C/O PNC Bank
7th + Church St. Branch
Hazleton, Pa. 18201

Hazleton Firefighters never stopped thinking of this family nor their enormous loss.

Well-known radio and TV personality and veteran Leo Valovich said firefighters have been touched by the tragedy.

" 'Til this day, many of the firefighters who were on the scene the night of the fire have a difficult time talking about it," Valovich said.

Valovich said firefighters stayed in touch with the family, and learned through a conversation with Deputy Fire Chief Shawn Jones the family did not have the money to pay for a headstone.

"This set Shawn into action," Valovich said. "Shawn spoke to vice president and firefighter Tony Colombo, and the decision was made to go to each of the five fire companies in the city, and ask for a donation to pay for a headstone for Omar and Elijah."

Valovich said they enlisted the assistance of the president of the Heights Volunteer Fire Co., firefighter Joe Bugda, who wrote a letter that was sent to numerous area businesses.

"The response was outstanding," Valovich said. "Local companies stepped up and donated equipment needed for the task. Numerous individuals donated their time to help in any way possible. The monetary donations were unbelievable."

The Rev. Patrick Genello, pastor of Holy Rosary Church, blessed the stone, which was made by Evans Cemetery Memorials, Tower City, Schuylkill County. James Sweeny played the bagpipes, and James Sabatella played taps on the trumpet.

"I know the boys are looking down on us now," said Mari-Ivette Sanes. "We may have lost them, but we've gained an extended family in the Hazleton firefighters. We appreciate everything you did that night and today."

Last night the family of these young children thanked the city firefighters by serving a dinner to them at the South Side Station located on East Broad Street in Hazleton Jim Dino writes a follow up story

Jose and Mari-Ivette Sanes didn't feel a simple "thank you" was enough.

So, on Monday night, they served a dinner to Hazleton firefighters to thank them for their recent donation of a headstone for their two sons, Omar and Elijah, who died in a fire at the family home three years ago.

But the "thank you" wasn't only for the tombstone, she said.

"It was not only for the headstone, but for their efforts on the night of the fire," Mrs. Sanes said. "How do you thank people for risking their lives to try to save your children? A simple 'thank you' didn't seem like enough."

Mayor Lou Barletta, who also attended the dinner at the South Side Station on East Broad Street, said he understood what the Sanes felt.

"It was a gesture to the firefighters, who worked so gallantly to save those boys," Barletta said. "If you talk to the firefighters, they would say they were doing their jobs. But I know the loss of Omar and Elijah touched every member of the fire company, as it did every member of our community."

It is a tragic story with a blessed ending. One can do nothing but have a heavy heart for the tragedy this family has endured, suffered, and will carry on their shoulders and in their hearts for the rest of their lives.

Eric Holder's Law Firm Sued For Discrimination

Do you remeber when AG Eric Holder gave his speech and called America a "Nation of Cowards" on the issue of race? Do you remember that his firm is representing detainees at Gitmo? There is a saying. Don't spit into the air. You never know when the wind will change direction.

According to The American Lawyer Yolanda Young, a former staff attorney at Covington & Burling who wrote a controversial column for the Huffington Post almost a year ago on racial segregation at large law firms, filed a discrimination suit on Tuesday in Superior Court for the District of Columbia against her former firm.

Yolanda wrote an article about Eric Holder titled "What Eric Holder's Tenure at Covington & Burling Says About Blacks and BigLaw". She writes This week, Attorney General nominee, Eric Holder Jr., will probably be confirmed by the Senate. It is a historic moment and one that Holder has seemingly been working towards for much of his career. He has served as a US Attorney for the District of Columbia and a Deputy Attorney General--the first African American, incidentally, in either position. Simply stated, I am proud of him. My admiration, although sincere, is not without its complexity.

About her lawsuit she writes "Whether Covington's treatment of staff attorneys as a minority class is illegal will soon be taken up by the courts. It is an issue that appears ripe for review by the next US Attorney General. How ironic."

Covington and Burling representative deny the charges according to the article.

Rev. Al Sharpton- Publicity Opportunist Extraordinaire

Rev. Al Sharpton attacked this cartoon claiming it is racist. Yo Rev. Why didn't you attack this cartoon two days before for picking on blind people?? I guess there is a distinction on whether one African-American is blind or not.



BTW Al, I believe the Porkulus Spendulous package was authored by more than one person. Quit your whining. Sean Delona's comments: "It broadly mocks Washington's efforts to revive the economy. Again, Al Sharpton reveals himself as nothing more than a publicity opportunist," Allan said in a written statement.

Visit Political Rants and see what the ZenMaster has to say about it.

Look at this post on PAWaterCooler.com

AG Eric Holder, Rev. Al Sharpton, and other black spokespersons do more harm than good for their cause. We aren’t cowards. Almost everytime a white person talks about color somehow it is twisted as racist. So here goes. This country did not elect an African-American as President of the United States. The country elected an American. Barack Obama was born in Hawaii. You are Irish if you are born in Ireland. You are Italian if you are born in Italy. You are an American if you were born on American soil and your birth certificate says so. Yet, it is important for people of color to point to Barack’s skin tone.

His heritage makes him half white. So why didn’t we elect a white President? All of the sudden skin color matters?? The men in military who were born in this country fighting overseas or serving anywhere, are they Americans, or because of their skin color, are they African-American? Do they fight behind the American Flag or the African-American Flag? Every soldier I ever met was proud as hell to be an American.

If you were born in this country the only way you are going to take ownership of that title is to seize it, not disguise it. The President of the United States needs to be a leader in the forefront of the discussion. He has to tell America that Americans are Americans. If you were born here, grew up here, worked here, and retire here you should be proud to be an American. Our ancestors who came here created the melting pot. But those of us who are born here are not part of that pot. We are part of the United States of America. And the sooner people of color take ownership of that title the sooner their perceived “Berlin Wall” will come crashing down.

If you don’t want to be called black quit pointing it out. In all of my point please do not lose sight of the fact that everyone’s cultural heritage is important, no different than religion. Traditions are not lost when one calls him/herself an American. Parents teach their children about where they came from in the timeline of life. Nothing in that teaching interferes with the birthplace of a person. And I do believe that should never be lost. It is something to be shared among Americans. It is something to be explored by Americans. It is something that we do as Americans.

Eric and Rev. Al, the ball is in your court now.