text: The Lu Lac Political Letter: The LuLac Edition #2448, June 17th, 2013
  Slice it anyway you want, Kelly was makin too damn much money! The Susan Komen CEO at $700,00 while money dries up for a once prestigious charity is another. PBS wthh salaries like Kellys will be gone soon. WVIA is not a good example of what local PBS can be and this comment comes from an out of towner who has been contributing to PBS long before WVIA hit the airwaves.
  Two things, at last a little sanity to the WVIA TV debate. Good piece.
  And a wonderful tribute to John Watson. As always, you excel in giving those left behind something touching to remember.
  Compelling, touching and makes a lot of common sense. You obviously were there with Kelly at the start and give more insight into what he did for the station. That local programming didn't happen by Magic!
  And your thoughts on Chickey Watson are wonderful.
  Damn you Pittston boys know how to write. RIP Chick. Yonk gave you a nice send off!
  As I see that class is full today, I can only assume that many of you have taken heed of my advice to refrain from the booze/drugs and /or gambling this past weekend. Or, more than likely you have already recovered from your hangovers (as this is Tuesday) and came out on top with your bets or, more than not, simply ran out of Mommy and Daddy's money to use for your degenerate lifestyles. Either way, as the old vaudevillian once remarked, "Here we Go Again!".
  Students, I need to concentrate this morning on the idea of misconception. There is an old saying: "Repeat the lie often, and it becomes the truth." I seem to have fallen victim to such practices. And I think now is as good a time as ever to put the lies and misconceptions to rest. So, those of you who do not normally use this classroom to sleep, please bear with me. For I shall address those who usually remain comatose. The myth being permeated by some of you malcontents is that I broke my word and did not, as you put it "GO AWAY" following the election of last year. Well, as Richard Nixon once put it: "Let's look at the record".
  The reason I come here each day is not for my own satisfaction (obviously), but to educate you on the truth and not what you hear from the liberal fiction writers. One year ago, I was completely confident that Gov. Romney would defeat the President in his bid for re-election. I was so assured of this, what from the jobs numbers which I myself calculated (at 95% accuracy, mind you) that I could see no possible way that the public would re-elect an incumbent President with such a dismal record. And I will not deceive you; I was looking forward to having a seasoned man of business at that desk in the Oval Office. Confident that with he and the able men he would appoint to the cabinet/judiciary, business would automatically boom. Therefore, with that confidence I felt no need to come here after Jan. 20, 2013. And I must admit that I looked forward to retirement and a good night's sleep (which I have not had since Jan. 20, 2009).
  Unfortunately, the election went the other way and we will have Pres. Obama for the next four years. That completely put my plans in stall mode. Remember, I stated that I was leaving "Because it would not be necessary to tell the truth once we had an honest steward in the White House"> These quotes are all over my lectures of last year (and I hope you all take the time to read them).
  And, THAT is why I asked the Dean to withdraw my retirement papers. Not for my benefit, but for yours. I hope this shall now put an end to the silly lies that some of you have told.
  On the personal side, I had a very enjoyable weekend in NYC. I met with my publishers and presented them with the final draft of my book. My attorneys are now in negotiation for a final contract settlement (including royalties) as this is expected to be a fast seller. The title: "The Sleeping Giant of Conservatism and His Ultimate Awakening". I must say that although I detest the present Mayor of that town, his predecessor Mr. Giuliani has done a remarkable job of cleaning up that city. My publishers took me to a very upscale restaurant where the food was delicious (though I assume one day, dining on filet mignon will be illegal in that fair city), the conversation intriguing and challenging and the ambience fitting for the "right crowd".
  Getting back to business, I hope that finally we will have settled the disease of idle rumors and hateful speech. Really, class, it is getting quite old. And that's coming from an old fogy like me, so I should know (you may laugh).
  Please, do not leave the room as of yet!!
  Before doing so, I would like to add one more personal note on the loss of young Mr. Watson. Although I did not enjoy the personal rapport with him that Mr. Yonki had, I do recall several encounters with his father (also gone too soon from this world). Mr. Watson and I disagreed politically, no doubt. However, from what I had observed years back when his father, Pidge ran the paper, John was there every step of the way. A young man with a strong work ethic. Pity that nowadays, young people seem to have lost this value. I also knew Bill, Sr. (his grandfather) who wrote some great editorials back in the day. All three of the Watson men were gentlemen and scholars. And two of them (as I mentioned) were with us only briefly. No doubt, it was a family operation which passed from generation to generation and the Dispatch was a well-regarded local publication.
  I am sure young Mr. Watson is now re-united with his Dad and Grandfather, perhaps hoisting a beer and thinking of the next deadline. Character is not born in a person, but taught. All three of these men possessed a great amount of it.
  You are Dismissed!!!!!!!!!!
  I don't have a comment about Mr Kelly, but I strongly believe WVIA Radio is in need of an overhaul. It is in a rut and has been for a long time. The programing and the announcers are stale and boring. You cited WSKG in your article. I listen to WSKG and find it to be far superior. There is so much good and varied programing available out there and WSKG excels
  in that department. Strong national and even international programs air on SKG. No such shows are heard on VIA. As to local programing to cite one example George Graham has done a great service for local music, but he seems to have grown weary in the effort. I'd love to hear somebody new in the evening time slot. Thanks for a good job over the long haul, Mr Graham but its time to let somebody else have a shot. I am simply using Mr Graham as an example. He is not alone in the been doing the same thing for too long category.
  Classical music is great but there are other options available which WVIA refuses to even experiment with and as stated programs like Democracy in America or some of the BBC programs heard on SKG never air on WVIA. I understand that these shows cost money, but even with cutbacks if programing isn't your top priority what else is? One of Public Radio's functions is to inform. You don't grow or attain new listeners with the same old thing. WVIA can boast state of then art facilities, but not programing in my opinion. Of note, I have in the past donated to Public Radio in two other major markets where I lived. I support Public Broadcasting.
  I guess you and Steve Corbett are on different sides of the fence on that one. He was downright brutal on that subject.
  Dave you really need to stop listening and associating yourself with WILK.
  This is all petty vindictivness. Do you remember when Kevin Lynn went to work for Kanjo. It was wall to wall Kevin bashing. Everything is personal, and this stems back to the ending of when the wilkers were on WVIA
  I have no problem with Bill Kelly's salary as long as:
  1) the station flourishes, and
  2) his salary is sustainable.
  Who amongst us has the right to dictate another's salary?
  Vote with your feet and your bucks.
  You might have your faults but one of them is not lack of loyalty. My family lives by that code.
  My cousin always thought loyalty was key.
  I CAN'T. I'M ADDICTED. BUT I TRY TO TELL MY SIDE OF THE OPINION.
  Classical music is great but there are other options available which WVIA refuses to even experiment with and as stated programs like Democracy in America or some of the BBC programs heard on SKG never air on WVIA. I understand that these shows cost money, but even with cutbacks if programing isn't your top priority what else is?
  YOU HAVE TO BE COMPETITIVE AND IF PLACES LIKE CSPAN WEREN'T FUNDED OR PCN, THEY'D BE DARK.
  As to local programing to cite one example George Graham has done a great service for local music, but he seems to have grown weary in the effort. I'd love to hear somebody new in the evening time slot. Thanks for a good job over the long haul, Mr Graham but its time to let somebody else have a shot. I am simply using Mr Graham as an example. He is not alone in the been doing the same thing for too long category.
  SORRY. DISAGREE. HE HAS ALWAYS FORMATTED HIS SHOWS. HE IS AS FRESH AS HE WAS IN '73.
  HE WILL. TAKE IT TO THE BANK.
  John Watson was a good guy from the best place in the world. Pittston. He never left the town he served and loved. RIP Chick.
  A double dose of pomposity from the professor who is himself a revisionist history buff. Yes he said he would go away and didn't. Yes he made a bet with a guy for lunch and reneged and yes he was absolutely convinced Romney would win! These are facts. The only other people similarly convinced of victory were Mr and Mrs Romney. Three people who obviously haven't set foot in the real world in some time if ever. The Professor seems to enjoy his fantasyland, but in truth he owes it to the rest of us to go away as promised and he should buy that guy a Happy Meal as I am sure his club serves them!
  On another subject closer to home,
  I am a regular listener and a long time contributor to WVIA. I never listen at night, but I truly enjoy the classical music played in the daytime. I don't even notice who the hosts are, but they all seem professional to me. Change for the sake of change isn't always good.
  I say good job Kelly and with funding slashed lets all get on board and support local public radio. Its certainly far superior to the other options on the dial. Too bad you aren't still there and commenting on local news and politics. A show like that would be an excellent addition. Meanwhile keep up the good work with Lulac and stay healthy.
  At 8:49 AM, Professor Milburn Cleaver, OPA said...
  Young man, you completely validate my lectures on the lack of attention of today's youth. If you did your RESEARCH, you would not be making a complete imbecile of yourself in front of this classroom.
  First of all, you state that I somehow am in denial of the fact that I predicted a Romney victory. Please, listen in class!!!! I admitted this fact!!
  You keep harping on the myth that I (as you slackers would put it) "welched" on a wager to provide a free dinner to a fellow student if Romney lost. I DID NOT. If you did your RESEARCH you would know that the young punk refused my invitation. Granted, I could not bring him to the club because the majority of the members forbade it but I did promise the young slug a free meal. I will concede I should have checked with my brethren before promising the club as a location. Finally, I explained also in my lecture why I did not, as you put it, "go away". Again, your "instant pudding" attitude of wanting things so fast that you abandon RESEARCH in favor of fast and faulty conclusions makes you look silly and inept.
  ANd for that Ronald, young man, I must now EXPELL you from this classroom!!! Please do NOT under any circumstances--RETURN!!! Unless, of course, you take up a position on the custodial staff (of which I am not even certain you would qualify for that).
  PLEASE LEAVE THIS ROOM>>>DISMISSED!!!!!!!!!
  Kind of funny isn't it, that decades ago, WVIA goes out and finds someone to help in their fund raising efforts and make a better PBS station.
  They hire Bill Kelly --- he raises more money than expected.
  He helps modernize WVIA, get local shows produced an on the air.
  He basically oversees growth in every aspect.
  Yet, people are upset because he is well compensated. I don't get it. If he took less money, would all the people whining be given more?
  The problem with the wage slaves is that they are given a check for "hours" worked. CEO's, most, are earn checks for production produced .. Bill Kelly has earned his income.