We’re closer than ever to getting the elusive state Sen. Bob Mellow to talk with us on “Corbett.”
At least I think we’re getting closer.
Call after call to the Peckville Democrat has gone unanswered until Monday when a spokesman for the Senate Democrats left me a voicemail message. We’ll try to work something out, he said.
I called back to say thanks. I left another message. He called back and left me a message.
Close, but no cigar.
Speaking of poisonous plants, I’ve wanted to talk with Mellow for some time about his unwavering support for the tobacco industry via his support for the casino industry.
Some people believe that Mellow is single-handedly holding up a state smoking ban because of his unflinching endorsement of exemptions, especially for the new casinos in which he places so much faith.
I oppose smoking in all public places and consider any exemption a potential death sentence for people exposed to the toxic fumes, especially employees who really have no choice in the matter.
A caller the other day talked about his sister, a breast cancer survivor who tends bar in a smoke-filled veterans’ club and has no way out. Either she inhales the toxic fumes or she quits. And she can’t afford to quit.
Some state legislators want veterans’ clubs to also be exempt from a public smoking ban. They somehow consider this position to be patriotic and a way to support our troops after they survive enemy attacks and come home to have a shot and a beer in the comfort of their own communities.
They’re waving the flag for the right to help kill them at home rather than in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
I wave the flag by trying to save their lives.
And I want to talk with Mellow about that.
I’m also curious about his unwavering support for the new medical school that is scheduled to be built in Scranton. Mellow roots for smoking, yet he roots just as loudly for a sanctuary where smoking victims come for treatment after being poisoned.
Mellow seems to miss the connection between high health care costs in Pennsylvania that are directly related to smoking.
I’m also interested in the senator’s support for the relatively new state gambling bill that puts licenses in the hands of some people who critics argue should have never received them.
Then there’s the matter of this year’s presidential election. Mellow is a power broker who has endorsed Barack Obama to be the Democratic nominee. Mellow came out in favor of Obama and showed up at various places in Pennsylvania as Obama campaigned.
But Mellow was a shadow on the wall compared to the bright light cast by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, who became Obama’s buddy all along the Commonwealth campaign trail. Going bowling, taking a train trip together, and huddling over beers in a sports bar like a couple of country time fishing pals, Casey and Obama left Mellow to eat their dust.
I worry that Mellow got his feelings hurt. I worry that he was disrespected by Obama’s camp.
And I wonder if he’s amenable to changing his mind and switching his allegiance to Hillary Clinton. After all, Hillary pounded Obama in Pennsylvania and is in a far better position to help Mellow if he is serious about one day running for governor.
I’ve been hard on Mellow because he’s somewhat smug and isn’t used to taking questions about these issues. That happens when you’ve been on Capitol Hill for decades and folks back home either love you or hate you.
Mellow ignores the many voters who have no love left for him and his power trip. Many others remain faithful, though, and accept his aloofness as long as he brings home the bacon or whatever else he can grab for his constituents.
Over the years, Mellow has bestowed ample gifts on his district. As a result, he’s in for a hefty monthly pension when he retires.
I’m nosy by nature.
You should be too.
One day soon we’ll hopefully get to ask some mellow questions.
We’ll ask some hard ones, too.
And in the end, we’ll find that there’s a little bit of mellow in everybody.
In the best of times, mellowness makes the world go ‘round.
Sue Henry
