What Counties Use The ExpressVote XL?

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, all of Pa.'s 67 counties will have new voting systems with voter-verifiable paper trails in time for this year's Presidential election. The last hold-out, Dauphin County, chose new machines on Monday. Thirty-nine counties chose an Elections Systems and Software system. This is the company that manufactures the ExpressVote XL in use in Northampton County. At least seven counties have opted for an ExpressVote system. These include McKean, Elk, Montour, Northampton, Philadelphia, Cumberland and Juniata Counties.

Northampton County Exec Lamont McClure told the Inky he stands behind the XL. He vowed there will be "no dispute" in the upcoming Presodential. "There may be light and heat, but at the end of the day, those ballots will be in people’s hands, and they can examine them. And they’re going to hold up.”

Why Are We in the Middle East?

On Tuesday, I told you about Richard Brookhiser's Give Me Liberty, who postulates that American nationalism, at its very best, is its engagement with the idea of liberty. He goes on to discuss 13 documents over 400 years showing our commitment to this ideal. His 13th document is Ronald Reagan's "Tear Down This Wall" speech, in which the Great Communicator said our commitment to liberty requires us to tell the Soviets that the Berlin Wall had to come down because all of Europe should be free. Another is FDR's 1940 "Arsenal of Democracy" fireside chat, in which he argued that America's commitment to liberty meant we would help Britain, another free nation, defend itself against the Nazis. This same principle is why we are in the Middle East. It has nothing to do with regime change or oil. It has everything to do with freedom.

Donald Trump made a big mistake when he decided, seemingly on a whim, to pull American troops from Syria and abandoning both Kurds and Syrians before our mission was complete. But he did the right thing when he launched five retaliatory airstrikes against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria. These are the same folks who shot down an American drone, attacked a Saudi oil refinery and, most recently, killed an American contractor and wounded four American soldiers.

According to some pundits, an unsuccessful attack on our embassy in Iraq has made us look weak. What makes us look weak is when we stop standing up for freedom.

Dolemite is Dynomite!

Over this holiday season, I watched Netflix' Dolemite is My Name, starring Eddie Murphy.  It is perhaps one of the most cheerful, if irreverent, movies I've ever seen. What's more, it's based on the true life story of Rudy Ray Moore, who is considered the godfather of rap. As a sheltered white boy who grew up while Moore was making his mark as Dolemite, I had no idea who he was. I had no idea who he was until I saw this movie. But Eddie Murphy did. From reviews I've since read, Rudy Ray Moore was one of his inspirations. Murphy would even host Rudy Ray Moore parties.

Here's how Dolemite introduces himself.

Dolemite is my name
And fucking up motherfuckers is my game!
I was born in a barrel of butcher knives
Shot in the ass with two Colt .45's
I've been slapped by a bear and bit by an eel
I chew up railroad iron, and shit out steel!
I jumped in the ocean and swallowed a whale
Handcuff lightning and throw THUNDER's ass in jail

Yes, this is vulgar and crass. It's also funny. I'll watch 15 minutes of Messiah as my penance.

Register to Vote NOW

This year, Pennsylvania is one of the key battleground states in the Presidential election. Donald Trump will be squaring off against a yet-to-be determined Democratic nominee. Though Congressman Susan Wild is in a Democratic-leaning district, any freshman Congressman is vulnerable. At least two LV state house seats (Marcia Hahn and Justin Simmons) will be open. So the polls will be busy on primary day (April 28) and again during the November 3 general election. There will be at least 6 million people voting in Pa., but it's still important that you be registered if you want your voice heard. Trump won Pennsylvania in 2016 by just 44,292 votes. This gave him the narrowest margin of victory in 176 years, and all of Pa.'s precious electoral votes. If you want Trump re-elected or defeated, you need to be registered by April 13.

On my left sidebar, I have a link through which you can register online. You must be a US citizen who has lived in the state for 30 days before the election.

In addition to being able to register online, you will be able to vote by mail this year for the first time. If you have no desire to wait in line or prefer a paper ballot, this is for you. Your application for an absentee ballot must be filed with the state (or county) on or before 5 pm on April 21. At this point, the Department of State has no ballots ready. This is because nomination petitions must first be filed.

An Epidemic of Anti-Semitism

National Review's Richard Brookhiser appeared on C-Span's Washington Journal yesterday to promote his latest book, Give Me Liberty. It is his view that, contrary to my own negative views about nationalism and American exceptionalism, it's actually a good thing. As he explains,

I AM JUST TRYING TO DIRECT OUR ATTENTION AWAY, FOR A MOMENT, FROM THE POLITICAL MANIA THAT HAS SURROUNDED US FOR 363 DAYS THIS YEAR SO FAR AND COUNTING. WE HAVE TWO MORE TO GO. WEDNESDAY WE START ALL OVER AGAIN. I WANT TO TAKE A BREAK FROM THAT AND HAVE US LOOK AT  400 YEARS WITH THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE IDEA OF LIBERTY. MY ARGUMENT IS THAT IS THE ESSENCE OF AMERICA, OUR NATIONALISM. IT IS THE EXCEPTIONAL AMERICAN IDEAL. IT IS SOMETHING AMERICANS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, WRITING ABOUT, FIGHTING FOR 4 CENTURIES. 

If this is so, we should all be disgusted by an epidemic of anti-Semitism sweeping this nation.

According to Brookhiser, our obsession with liberty is manifested by 13 documents, starting with the Jamestown papers in 1619. He continues through Ronald Reagan's "Tear Down this Wall Speech" in 1987. He stops there. Like any good historian, he avoids the temptation to cover more recent events.

One of the 13 papers he mentions is the Flushing Remonstrance, a 1657 petition signed by about 30 Flushing residents in opposition to as ban on Quaker worship. It concludes,

The law of love, peace and liberty in the states extending to Jews, Turks and Egyptians, as they are considered sonnes of Adam, which is the glory of the outward state of Holland, soe love, peace and liberty, extending to all in Christ Jesus, condemns hatred, war and bondage. And because our Saviour sayeth it is impossible but that offences will come, but woe unto him by whom they cometh, our desire is not to offend one of his little ones, in whatsoever form, name or title hee appears in, whether Presbyterian, Independent, Baptist or Quaker, but shall be glad to see anything of God in any of them, desiring to doe unto all men as we desire all men should doe unto us, which is the true law both of Church and State; for our Saviour sayeth this is the law and the prophets.

This theme of tolerance exists in other documents as well, including William Penn's Charter of Privileges to the inhabitants of Pennsylvania.

So it's clear this religious intolerance is distinctly unAmerican. This is not a Jewish problem, but a stain on American exceptionalism.

Though I am not particularly religious, I intend to visit a few more synagogues in upcoming weeks. Also, like the residents of Flushing, we need to stand up to those who engage in anti-Semitism, no matter how subtle they are.

I Just Canceled My Morning Call Subscription

I believe local news coverage is essential to democracy. Without it, corruption rears its ugly head. Without information about those who decide local issues, we tend to vote by tribe instead of for the person. I've seen this in the at-large county races, and it has resulted in the election of several wing-nuts. Yet I just canceled my online subscription to The Morning Call. Let me explain why.  

We all know its coverage of local news is a shadow of what it once was. Aside from the cities, its reporters have largely stopped going to meetings. Thanks to Keith Groller, the paper still makes a valiant effort to cover high school sports, but he's only one person. Knowing these shortcomings, I was still willing to subscribe. Half an apple is still better than no apple.    

I've ended my subscription because, time and again, the newspaper denies me access to my digital subscription. When I call to complain, I am told to clear my cache. It still fails. After I give up, it starts working again when I try a few days later. It is only temporary. 

The website is painfully slow and full of pop-ups as well.  

I have online subscriptions to several publications. Only The Morning Call does this. I am unwilling to spend my limited resources on a company that seems uninterested in saving itself. 

Have any of you had these issues? 

Fall Down Seven Times ...

七転び八起き. Sometimes I see this proverb, which is actually Japanese, in a fortune cookie. It literally translates as "Fall seven times and stand up eight." Our successes are the result of our failures. We just need to persevere. Or be very lucky. Since my only luck is Irish luck, I need to keep trying. Based on the number of failures I've had in my life, I should be pretty damn successful once I've finally grown up. I saw several examples of perseverance this past weekend in both local and professional sports.

In the NFL's 2017 season, the Philadelphia Eagles won its first Superbowl despite losing starting QB Carson Wentz to injuries. This year, ironically, it seems Wentz is the only uninjured player. The team just took the NFC East with players like 5'7" Boston Scott, who was cut from the team and was playing on the practice squad.

This happened because Wentz and Scott never gave up on themselves.

While the Eagles were clawing their way into the playoffs, I was at DeSales for a mens' basketball game against bigger and stronger William Patterson University. Two of DeSales' starters have been sidelined with injuries. In no time at all, the team was down by 12. But like the Eagles, this squad never quit on itself and ended up winning a close and very exciting 62-60 game. The top two Bulldog scorers, Timmy Edwards (13) and Mike Bealer (12), came in off the bench. Matt Kachelries (10), a former Emmaus standout who was hobbled by a virus early in the season, managed to somehow block a three-point shot from William Patterson with 4.9 seconds left in the game.

I've fallen many times in my 68 years. My critics like to point out I'm a drunk, and I am. They say I'm disbarred, and I am. They point out I have little money, and that's true.

But I keep getting up.

I imagine many of you have had failures of your own. In most cases, they've made you a better person.

Christmas Wishes

There was this:

And this:

And these are my friends!

Updated: Former Congressman Fred B Rooney: RIP

Former Lehigh Valley Congressman Fred B. Rooney passed away Monday afternoon. He was 94 years old.

He served as the Lehigh Valley's Congressman between 1963 and 1979. My father, who hated everyone, adored Rooney. They were fellow Democrats, fellow Irish Catholics and both had a fondness for alcohol.

I met Mr. Rooney several times when he'd visit my Dad at our house, after which the two of them would disappear. He was quite kind to me.

My Dad loved Rooney's sense of humor. He said that once, Rooney walked into his south side Bethlehem office, but instead of talking to anyone, he brusquely walked by and slammed the door to his office.

After that, everyone heard a loud BANG!

His secretary thought he had finally shot himself, and threw open the door.

Rooney was standing there laughing. He had just set off a firecracker.

He attended my wedding, and I'll never forget that he handed me a crisp $100 bill.

He got me my first real job, too. While going to Georgetown, I worked as an intern for then Congressman Dan Rostenkowski. That was before Dan got into trouble.  Someone from Rostenkowski's office worked for Rooney. This way no one could claim favoritism.

I met some real characters because we all would eat lunch at the same cafeteria. One day, Wilkes-Barre Congressman Dan Flood, white cape and all, came prancing in, with his wife at his side. They were both totally smashed.

This was before he got into trouble.

When I was not writing speeches in honor of Polish heroes, I attended and took copious notes at the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. That's where I met Chair Wilbur Mills. He used a cigarette holder, just like FDR.

This was before he met Fanne Foxe.

Then he got into trouble, too.

Seems like everyone I met there eventually got into trouble.

Rooney was a mentor to several people who went into politics. Judge-in-Limbo John Morganelli and Bethlehem Mayor Bob  Donchez are two of them.

They never got into trouble.

Rooney was the Chair or something of Northampton County Citizens for Home Rule, back before the County switched from a Commissioner form of government.

He even wrote an op-ed in support of it, except he didn't really write it.

One day he called one of his proteges into his office.  "Am I for it or against it?" he asked.

"You're for it," the high school senior answered.

At a time when machine politics was still very real, this is what might have doomed him. At that time, Justin Jirolanio was the very powerful Chair of Northampton County's Democrats. Jirolanio was strongly opposed to home rule because it would end all the little fiefdoms in the row offices, along with the patronage jobs that followed.  So Jirolanio was quite unhappy.

I am sorry about Rooney's death, but know my Dad has another buddy, wherever he is.

Updated 8:06 pm

Order!

Unlike most of the civilized world, I actually watched (on Youtube) some of the impeachment hearings conducted in recent weeks. In case you think you missed history in the making, you didn't. I found many of the witnesses impressive, but was turned off by the partisan guttersniping and grandstanding by nearly all the House members. There certainly are no future Sam Ervins or Howard Bakers in that bunch.

In stark contrast to what I see from Congress, I love exchanges in the British House of Commons. There debate is lively, intelligent, spontaneous and actually quite entertaining. Overseeing it all is the Speaker. This role is currently held by the very likable Sir Lindsay Hoyle. But his predecessor, John Bercow, and his penchant for saying "Ordair," was always a delight.

The "Speaker" of Northampton County Council is Ron Heckman, and boy does he speak. He also has more county knowledge than the others, with the possible exceptions of John Cusick and Peg Ferraro. Since the latter two are Republican, they have no chance at being elected President when Council reorganizes in January.  Heckman should keep the gavel.

Happy Chanukah!

It starts tonight. Chanukah is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods.

DOS - Paper Ballots Are Already in Place

As newspapers across the country have breathlessly reported, failed Green Party Presidential candidate Jill Stein has asked federal District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond to ban the continued use of the ExpressVote XL. They've been a little slower to report the state's contention that Stein knew this system was among those being certified, yet waited nearly a year before complaining. Or the argument that such a ban would throw the Presidential Primary into "complete chaos." On Friday, the Department of State delivered a knock-out blow to Stein's complaint. It's simple, too. People who want to vote on paper can already do so.

"Recently adopted amendments to the Elections Code provide that all voters may vote using mail-in ballots or absentee ballots, both of which are on paper. See Pennsylvania Election Code - Omnibus Amendments, Act of Oct. 31, 2019, P.L. 552, No. 77, Cl. 25, Article XIII-D (2019) (codified at 25 P.S. §§ 3150.11 et seq.) Accordingly, any voter who wishes to vote on paper may do so."

Judge Diamond has scheduled an evidentiary hearing on January 21. He's not interested in legal arguments, but wants testimony on a few very specific questions, including why Stein waited nearly a year before complaining and what effect a ban would have on the upcoming election.

Pfffft. Hear that? That's the sound of the air going out of the Stein balloon.

Elections Comm'n Has "No Confidence" in ExpressVote XL

Public confidence in Northampton County's $2.9 million ExpressVote XL voting system was badly shaken during its rollout in the November 5 election. At the polls, some voters complained they had difficulty making choices in the retention races. This is because as many as 30% of the machines were improperly configured in the factory. Worse, 100% of the machines reported false results in all races in which cross-filing was permitted. Finally, neither of these significant errors was caught during pre-election testing. ES&S, manufacturer of this system, has repeatedly apologized for these errors and has vowed to strengthen its quality control. "We will do better," pledged Executive Lamont McClure right after the election. None of this mattered to Northampton County's Elections Comm'n. During a lengthy and sometimes contentious meeting last night, they voted 4-0 to declare they have no confidence in the ExpressVote XL voting system. Since they themselves recommended this system on March 6, they in effect voted they have no confidence in themselves. I certainly have none after watching them in action.

The Yes votes come from Deb Hunter, Maudeania Hornik, Layton Snover, Jr., and Kathy Fox. A fifth board member, George Treisner, Jr., was unable to stay and left the meeting prior to this vote.

Though the Board declared they had no confidence in the machines they themselves had recommended in March, they stopped short of demanding they be scrapped. An online headline from The Morning Call trumpets, "No confidence: Northampton County election board calls for new voting machines for 2020." This is inaccurate.

The recommendation to scrap the machines came from the Democratic and Republican parties, not the Commission. In a bipartisan blunder, Dem Party Chair Matt Munsey and GOP Exec Committee member Mary Baurket pretended to like each other and were almost holding hands as they approached asked Elections Comm'rs. It is they who want to scrap the machines.

In papers filed in federal court, ES&S has argued that such a decision would throw next year's election into "complete chaos." A Declaration obtained from Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar states it's simply “too late for Counties to replace ExpressVote XL machines in time for the 2020 primary, which will be held on April 28, 2020.” The selection process for a new system would take 3-12 months, followed by another 3-8 months for delivery, training, outreach and testing.

What makes more sense is doing everything possible to make next year's election successful. Instead of doing that, the Commission was focused on what went wrong. Commission member Deb Hunter used the fiasco to quarrel with County Administrator Charles Dertinger. She and other Commissioners were focused on what went wrong, but practically no attention was paid to suggestions that might streamline next year's elections.

Hunter did make a pitch for a machine custodian, and I agree with her. But Maude Hornik was dismissive of epollbooks. Instead of concentrating on improvements like a pilot election, precinct action plans or better testing, they wanted to know who in the county screwed the pooch on the testing.

Instead of helping our elections run more smoothly, it appears that some Commissioners wish to use this fiasco politically against Executive Lamont McClure. Right before the meeting started,  Elections Comm'r Maude Hornik handed me a statement from the NorCo GOP, slamming McClure. It even insinuates, with zero evidence, inappropriate contacts between his administration and the vendor. It even raises the specter of evil unions throwing their weight behind ES&S.

Ironically, GOP party boss Lee Snover was a supporter of the ExpressVoteXL. Her sister Maude and first cousin Daryl voted for it. McClure could never have purchased this system without their support. Now, instead of working to produce the best and most fair election possible, they will use this fiasco in an effort to defeat McClure in two years.

10 am Update: The Morning Call has fixed its misleading headline, which now reads "No confidence: Northampton County election board ‘extremely disappointed’ in machines it selected"

How Would You Improve Next Year's Presidential Election?

At a news conference last week, NorCo Exec Lamont McClure said he would be presenting a game plan for the 2020 Presidential election to the Elections Comm'n in January. The Elections Commission meets today, at 3:45 pm. With the primary a few short months away, McClure should be making his recommendations now.

Next year's Presidential election will have issues no one foresaw. There is always a high turnout, and the parties appoint lots of watchers. They often magnify minor or nonexistent issues beyond their import. Though there will be no-excuse absentee voting for the first time, long winding lines are still inevitable. These are my suggestions:

(1) More Voting Machines. - Every precinct should have an extra machine so that voting moves faster. This is imperative. It is important to place the order now to get a state match. This will cost money, but it is clear more are needed.

(2) Epollbooks - Implementing these at polling stations will make it much easier for voters to check in. Tim Benyo has been using them in Lehigh County fr at east three elections. The danger of hacking is a nonissue. Provide each precinct with one epollbook and still use the paper books. This is a Godsend that really saves time and helps voters, especially if they go to the wrong precinct. You can bet this will happen in the presidential.

(3) Double the Pollworkers.- The County could keep a skeleton crew to cover departments and strongly encourage the staff to work their eight hours at a polling station. Even if they don't vote themselves, employees could help keep lines orderly or help monitor traffic outside. There should also be extensive outreach to the public, seeking volunteers.

(4) Extensive training is needed. - All pollworkers need to be reminded what they can and cannot say. They all need to understand provisional ballots and emergency ballots. No voter should be able to complain that his or her right to vote was denied.

(5) Action plan at each precinct. - The set up at each precinct should be examined with the lessor, election judge and county officials to determine the best way to get people in and out. An onsite inspection should take place a month before the election. There is always a lot of confusion at polling places with two precincts. There need to be plans in place to minimize confusion.

(6) Testing, testing and more testing. - Once the ballot is configured and programmed (about 5 days before the election), the value and accuracy testing needs to be enhanced. This should include a pilot election with about 30 machines.

(7) Hire a Machine Custodian. - In 2019, Northampton County had no machine custodian because the position was eliminated. In hindsight, his was a mistake. A custodian is needed, with the understanding he/she must work at the office if not needed at the warehouse.

If you have suggestions, feel free to share them.

O'Hare's WWII Diary: "We are Being Looked After Like Pet Children by the Russians"

Writer Kurt Vonnegut's letter home, written soon after his release from a POW camp, was published here yesterday. Believe it or not, my dad was the real writer back then - he even kept a diary for an entire week.

Unlike Vonnegut, he sheds no light on what had actually happened to him as a POW. He provides no explanation about his weight going from 150 lbs. before the war to 80 lbs. as Adolph's guest. Mum's the word. He'd stay like that the rest of his life. Vonnegut's three-page letter tells me more about my dad's POW experience than he himself ever shared.

He just drank. A lot. Especially at Christmas time. That didn't kill him. Neither did the Germans. The cigarettes did.

But for one week, my father chronicled his post-release experiences in amazing detail. Just twenty-two at the time, he was a pretty good writer himself. Occasionally, he mentions Vonnegut, who was just a "minor being" at the time. For the next few days, I'll share my dad's thoughts with you, day by day.

5/17/45

Our mangy but well-fed crew left DiHille's at noon today. We proceeded over the Elbe to Russian headquarters in the city and after much confusion - due to our ignorance of the Russian language and vice versa - we were directed to the Hitler Caserne on Konigsbage Strasse. Here we find ourselves confronted with the perpetual situation of no one knowing anything about anything. However, we are being looked after like pet children by the Russians. We have been here only four hours at the most and have already been fed twice, showered, de-loused and billeted. As near as we can gather from speaking to the limeys and G.I.'s here, we are to stay put until our troops come seeking us. Except for the anxiety that we all have concerning our parents and families, we don't give a damn how long it takes them to root us out.

I heard my first radio program since I was captured. Dannine and I went across the compound and fell in with a few Tommies who have a wireless set in their flat. We heard an A.M.G. broadcast from Hamburg. That American music certainly sounded good. The Tommies surprised us before the evening was over with a meal of spuds, meat and beans. We rejoined our crew with a full stomach and a highly satisfied mien. I don't believe I'll ever get up out of bed again. Goot nacht.

Blogger's Note: First published 12/11/07.

Is the GOP Now the Working Class Party?

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon made some interesting points in an recent interview with The Guardian. “We’ve turned the Republican party into a working-class party,” he boasts.

I do believe he has a point. Increasingly, Democrats are being viewed, and with justification, as elitists who have no regard for the working class.

ES&S: Decertification of Express Vote XL Would Result in "Complete Chaos"

The Express Vote XL voting system is the subject of two lawsuits in both federal (E.D. Pa. 2016-6287) and state (Commw. Ct. 674 MD 2019) courts. Both challenges, filed just days ago, seek a ban on the continued use of The ExpressVote XL voting system. Three counties - Philadelphia, Northampton and Cumberland - intend to use this hybrid voting machine in the 202 Presidential Primary. A Brief filed in federal court yesterday by machine manufacturer ES&S (Electronic Systems & Software) argues such a result would throw that election into "complete chaos." It could disenfranchise the 1.2 million registered voters in these three counties.

ES&S serves approximately 3,000 of the nation’s more than 10,000 voting jurisdictions. It is 100% American-owned and, over thirty years, has grown into the industry leader with voting-machine solutions for each phase of an election. ES&S notes The ExpressVote XL is one of the voting systems certified by the Federal Election Assistance Commission. It has been certified twice by Pennsylvania's department of State. It also has been state certified in California, Delaware, Mississippi, New Jersey and Texas.

In Philadelphia, the first County to purchase this system, ES&S notes there were 827 public demonstrations of the ExpressVote XL between June 2019 and October 2019, and more than 100 poll worker trainings throughout the City. In Northampton County, I can add there were at least 20 public demonstration and five training sessions for elections workers. In Philly, a pilot election was conducted in August 2019 involving 80 ExpressVote XLs across the City of Philadelphia and more than 100 Board of Elections employees. (Unfortunately, this did not happen in NorCo and should before the Spring primary).

Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar has affirmed with ES&S that it is simply “too late for Counties to replace ExpressVote XL machines in time for the 2020 primary, which will be held on April 28, 2020.” That is apparent given the fact that “[t]he ballot for an election is finalized roughly 50 days before the election.” For the April primaries, the ballot will need to be finalized around March 9, 2020 – less than three months from now. ES&S argues that unfounded assertions must give way to the considered judgment of Secretary Boockvar and the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Failed Presidential candidate Jill Stein speculates it is “feasible for malware to cause the machines to print bar codes that corresponded to candidates the voter did not select.” ES&S disagrees. "There is absolutely no record that any of the kind of hypothetical malicious cybersecurity breaches Plaintiffs describe have ever taken place, either in actual elections or in testing of the ExpressVote XL," it asserts. In addition, it observes its system has no connection to the Internet.

I Really Do Like Children

The cover photo in yesterday's story about Human Services workers evoked pious indignation from some of you.

There was this:

"Totally tasteless photo. If you think it is amusing, you are a sick man."

I think it's amusing.

And this:

"The picture is very clearly child abuse, and your thought that it is "funny" is disturbing. Just reposting it perpetuates the abuse, similar to child pornography. Just because you didn't create the photo, doesn't remove your complicity. I agree with many of your viewpoints, and would like to think that your removal of the photo will be coming quickly. If it doesn't your blog must be reported to Blogger, IWF, and NCMEC.
Please remove immediately."

I'm unclear on what the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has to do with this, but report away.

These outraged people lack something known as a sense of humor.

I better stop now to explain that I really do like children . . . if they are properly cooked.

NorCo's CYF Caseworkers Complain About Low Wages, Staff Shortages

Caseworkers from Northampton County's Human Services Department appeared en masse at Council's December 12 meeting to complaint about two things - low wages and understaffing. Three union stewards-Mike Koscia (sp?), Keezie Johnson (sp?) and Miguel Santiago spoke on their behalf

At issue is a dispute over a negotiated union (PSSU) contract. The bargaining unit went eight years without a contract because workers wanted to stay in the old health plan. The negotiated contract they overwhelmingly approved increase their pay by 6.25% over three years. It consisted of a step increase in he first year, followed by two percent raises in years two and three.

The disagreement centers on that step increase. Because of the civil service wage scales, steps are only 2.25% instead of the 4 1/2% in the rest of the County. To make up for that discrepancy, they wee paid an extra 1.75% cash bonus in the first year. Union stewards believe this 1.7% increase is recurring. Executive Lamont McClure insists it was a one-time payment designed to get these workers to 8% in total wage hikes like the other unions. Otherwise, Northampton County taxpayers would be penalized over PSSU's refusal to negotiate a contract for eight years.

This dispute is currently in arbitration, but the stewards took their case to Council. As President Ron Heckman observed, "We don't really get into negotiation. We gotta' be careful what questions we ask."
This is because when Council injects itself into a contract dispute, it can and has in the past ended upon the wrong side of an unfair labor practice accusation.  ButHeckman allowed everyone to speak, andeven extended the time of two speakers.

Are caseworkers paid more in Lehigh?

Mike Koscia was the leadoff hitter. He has worked for 18 years with the County, both as a youth care worker. and as a casewoker for CYF  (Children, Youth and Families). He said he was speaking "under fear of possible reprisal."  He insists that a negotiated 1.75% wage increase has been withheld. "We do not seek gladitorial combat but will not stand as a fool in a King's Court," he said to applause.

Keeze Johnson, a caseworker in CYF for the past 11 yrs, is the chief shop steward.. She noted a major discrepancy between what is paid to caseworker 2s and 3s in Northampton and Lehigh County.

Caseworker 2
$44,000 in Lehigh
$40,000 in NorCo

Caseworker 3
$56,000 in Lehigh
$44,000 in NorCo.

She said in 11 years, her pay has increased just 42 cents per hour, and she is forced to work three additional jobs with the county to make ends meet.

According to county sources, NorCo's caseworker 2s start at about $40,255. Lehigh pays a lot more at $47,000, but the caseworkers there pay more for benefits. In other countues, the pay is lower. Monroe starts at 36,058.04. Erie starts at $34,860. Delaware is $37,322. York is $35,422. According to Glassdoor, the average for a caseworker 2 is in pa is $37,835 or 8% higher than the national average.

Is CYF understaffed?

Johnson also mentioned a staff that is overwhelmed and understaffed. She noted there were over 2,000 referrals in 2018.  This year, there are nearly 6,000. "Who is supposed to handle all these cases? she asked. "Us? When there's 15 vacancies? As we speak, caseworkers are walking out the door." she claimed.

Caseworker vacancies in CYF was a major campaign issue when McClure ran for Exec. He is trying to solve the problem by getting out of state civil service so the county can hire on its own, but that process is time-consuming.

Gracedale Administrator's 9.2% Raise a "Slap Across the Face"

Both Johnson and Miguwl Santiago, a third steward, also complained about a 9.2% payraise for Gracedale's administrator and McClure's decision to hand out "steps like it's Christmas candy" to some cabinet members. He said it was hypocritical for McClure to argue that Gracedale's administrator is underpaid in comparison to other nursing home administrators when caseworkers are also underpaid.

"We need your help. We need your support. We are worth it What are you gonna' do?" Johnson asked Heckman.

Other than listen, there's nothing he or Council can do because their dispute is in arbitration. Clearly, caseworker perform an invaluable service for our most vulnerable. I hope they can resolve their issue with the county.

The Express Vote XL Lawsuits

Pa. Sec'y of State Kathy Boockvar tries ExpressVote XL

There are now two lawsuits challenging the continued use of the $2.9 million Express Vote XL voting system in Northampton County. The first of these, filed in federal court is courtesy of failed presidential candidate Jill Stein.  The second, filed in Commonwealth Court, includes outgoing Council member Bob Werner as a Plaintiff. In the unlikely event that either suit succeeds, Northampton County would have no choice but to scramble and spend millions for another voting system. In addition to costing the County money that has not been budgeted,  it would create a logistical nightmare for elections staff who have already invested a lot of time and energy into improving the system we have.

The Commonwealth Court Lawsuit

Had Bob Werner thought a new system was needed, he should have voted No to the budget unless it was amended to set aside money for something new. Instead he said nothing and joined a lawsuit. This is irresponsible.

Strangely, this lawsuit was first reported in The Washington Post, and offers little more support than "hacking fears."

This should have a short shelf life.

The Federal Lawsuit 
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On Thursday, the state responded to Jill Stein's attempt to bar the use of The ExpressVote XL.

It claims that Stein was well aware the state intended to certify the Express Vote XL, and posed no objection to its use until nearly a year had gone by.

In that year, both Philadelphia and Northampton County purchased and began using ExpressVote XL systems. Cumberland County has also purchased this system. "[T]hese counties expended significant funds and time on reviewing and procuring ExpressVote XL machines, and training personnel and educating voters in their use," the state observes in its response. "Under these circumstances, the doctrine of laches applies and precludes the relief Plaintiffs seek."

Laches is an equitable principle protecting defendants against unreasonable delay in filing a suit if they are prejudiced by that delay.

Judge Diamond has given Stein until Wednesday to respond to the state.

It's pretty clear to me that both lawsuits, accompanied by news releases and public pronouncements about hacking and other nonsense, are designed to disrupt the 2020 Presidential election and undermine public confidence in our most important right.

The Express Times, no fan of Northampton County's new voting system, said it best.

"Alas, an all-paper system might have been the better choice, but it’s too late now. Changing horses in the raging torrent of the 2020 elections is frightening. On such short notice, it carries its own set of potential screw-ups.

"The mandate for Northampton County and ES&S to get it right couldn’t be clearer: Do several dry runs to trouble-shoot everything. Hold open meetings to demonstrate the machines. Invite the public to tryouts. Double up on training for county election workers. Have ES&S representatives at the polls as well as the courthouse. Hire more election workers.

"And be prepared for a deluge of mail-in votes in 2020. It might be the only paper backup that some voters trust."