Moral Terrorism

Army Specialist Dale J. Kridlo will be buried tomorrow at Arlington National Cemetery.

Members of a radical Baptist Church from Kansas had threatened to protest outside his funeral at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Pittston today.

They did not show up.

Thank God.

The mere threat led a crowd, estimated at between 500 and one thousand, to show up. They ringed the church, hoping to shield Kridlo's family from the vile bile of the protesters.

And the radicals won. Even without stepping foot in Northeastern Pennsylvania, they manged to be interviewed on radio and television and their story was carried in every news account of Kridlo's funeral.

I cannot imagine the anxiety and heartbreak of Kridlo's family. They did not know if stepping out of a car or leaving church would be the trigger that set off the protesters. I hope the overwhelming support of their neighbors and friends was a comfort.

Would the supporters have shown up without the threatened protest? I would like to think so.

Members of the Kansas church have shown up at other funerals. Families have sued them. The case is now before the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

At issue: Freedom of Speech.

It's one of the freedoms Dale Kridlo gave his life protecting.

I wonder what he would think?

If A Tree Falls...

If a tree falls in the Luzerne County Courthouse,

And no one is there to hear it,

Are we paying too much in taxes?

Whatsoever You Do for the Least of My Brothers...

Within the last two weeks, two defendants in the Luzerne County Corruption Investigation have been sentenced to probation and community service. Part of each sentence includes working at the St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen in Wilkes-Barre.

The Kitchen, a project of Catholic Social Services of Wyoming Valley, serves hot hearty meals to the needy and disadvantaged.

I'm sorry, but doing God's work should not be punishment.

In fact, it is not outside the realm of possible that some of the people who use the kitchen have had their own troubles with the law. Some may be on probation and prohibited by their own sentences from consorting with known "felons."

Come to think of it, who is really being punished here?

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil...and Just Plain Evil

Bobby Curley died much too young. He was just 32 when he passed in 1991, a victim of murder at his wife's hand.

Bobby was systematically poisoned and died an excruciating death.

Joann Curley pleaded guilty to the killing in 1997. She's serving a sentence that could keep her in jail until December, 2016.

I knew Bob. Well enough to call him, "friend."

Joann Curley now wants to be released from prison. This is her fifth attempt at parole.

I covered this case as a reporter. The evidence, though circumstantial was overwhelming.

She doesn't deserve early release.

Bob's family and specifically his sister Susan are now asking for our help.

Please send a letter to the Office of the Victim Advocate, Board of Probation and Parole, 1101 South Front Street, Suite 5200, Harrisburg PA 17104. Letters must be received by November 30, 2010.

Ask the Board to deny Joann Curley's application for parole.

If you struggle with what to write, try this: Joann Curley is just plain "evil."

SWB Yankees

Kudos to the Lackawanna County Commissioners and New York Yankees for hammering out a deal that keeps baseball (the greatest sport ever invented) in Northeastern Pennsylvania for 30 years.

The rendering of the new Lackawanna County Stadium shows this will be a jewel and a huge draw, just as the present stadium was twenty years ago.

As a Phillies' fan I loathe the Yankees (2009 World Series), but if it's true the Bronx Bombers are to be applauded.

I may even go to a game.

And The Winner Is...

Please be advised that I picked the Philadelphia Phillies to win the World Series in six games.

That being said, here are my picks for the election.

Corbett wins for Governor.

Sestak pulls an upset in the U.S Senate.

The third time will be the charm as Lou Barletta upsets Paul Kanjorski.

Chris Carney will keep his seat defeating Tom Marino, whose negatives are just too much to overcome, even in a heavily Republican 10th District.

Luzerne County voters will say "NO" to Home Rule.

Phyllis Mundy will be re-elected as Republican Bill Goldsworthy and Libertarian Tim Mullen split the opposition vote.

I think Todd Eachus will go back to Harrisburg after a nail biter with Tara Toohil.

In the PA senate races: Blake and Yudichak.

And in no particular order; Coons in Delaware, Brown and Fiorina in California, Angle in Nevada, Manchin in West Virginia, Murray in Washington, Rubio in Florida, Miller in Alaska.

The U.S. House goes Republican. The U.S Senate stays Democratic.

Turns out Barack Obama's first term was only two years.

That's my opinion. I could be wrong.