The LuLac Edition #5, 280 March 24th, 2025

THE ZAREMBA

ZIG ZAG

Editor’s Note: The following is an opinion of The LuLac Political Letter and not by the League of Women Voters of Wilkes-Barre or any of their leadership or members.

THIS IS WHAT THEY DO

Once more the Republican MAGA lie machine is at work. When they are called out for anything that holds them accountable, instead of putting their big boy and girl pants on, they attack and lie. Some do it with a sledgehammer while others do it with a dog whistle just going up to the line before they cross it.

This past Saturday the League of Women Voters had their annual Legislative Breakfast at Wilkes University.  This is not a surprise because every year they hold one. This year invitations were sent out to all elected officials of the Legislative branch. It is an opportunity for elected public officials to come and explain what is going on in Harrisburg and Washington. It is a bi partisan education forum.

This year, out of all the local representatives, just like in previous years, only  two elected officials showed up. Eddie Day Pashinski represents the 121^st and Jim Haddock the 118^th. When the press showed up, they naturally asked the question “where are the others?” The newspapers then of course reported it.  No fake news, no left leaning opinions the fact was Pashinski and Haddock were present, and the others were awol.

When Luzerne County Chair Gene Zaremba was asked about it, he said “My opinion is there is a heavy liberal slant in the League of Women voters in Luzerne County. I don’t know how it is in other counties and nationally.”   I understand that Zaremba is in a thankless position. He succeeded in the successful Pribula/Valenti regime which increased funding and built the registration base that gave the GOP the edge of voters  in Luzerne County. So, he was gifted  that on a platter. But he was also handed a group of MAGAs that have tried to highjack the party by using a similar name sometimes misrepresenting the traditional Republicans of Luzerne County. That’s a lot to balance and having been on TV with Mr. Zaremba last fall, I know that despite the success of his party, he has his hands full. But that’s where my defense of his comment ends.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy. We empower voters and defend democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation, at the local, state, and national levels.

Zaremba refers to a heavy liberal slant in its membership. Where did that come from? This League if anything goes out of its way to be fair and bipartisan. A few examples.

Election forums: When the League holds its candidate debate/forums, the event has a moderator from the media. Unlike County Council meetings where MAGAs opine and slander people at will, no audience member asks a question. If they have one, they write the question on an index card. If that card has a question regarding the topic at hand it is then passed on to the moderator. The only time a question is NOT ASKED is when it is off topic or an all-out unverified, unpublished attack on ANY candidate. If Zaremba thinks there is a liberal bent to the questions asked on Saturday about education, infrastructure, funding from Harrisburg, legislative outreach or term limits, then I wonder if this is bluster or an opinion that comes from an obvious bias he has. If he wants to give cover to his people for not showing up, Fine, that’s his job but THEIR JOB is to show up at events like this.

Voter registration: Zaremba’s comments seem to indicate that when League members have their annual meetings or Christmas parties they huddle at the tables and try to undermine the election process with “a liberal bent”. No, that’s the modus operandi of the current Republicans. I mean in the last election, there was an elected Republican official who literally set up shop at State Street to "educate" voters.

The Wilkes-Barre League is super vigilant about Voter Registration. Last year when the mail in ballot was changed, a group of Democratic women and a few Republicans wanted to do educational forums in places where seniors gathered to give instructions on how to fill out the ballot.It was made up of all party members.  Their only motivation was making sure that every ballot had all the information accurate so that it was not thrown out.  The group asked the League to participate, and they said NO. The logic was they certainly supported voter registration but did not want the organization to be seen in a partisan manner.

Membership: How does one perceive a “heavy liberal slant?” I would really love to know. Is it because the members consist of people who hold responsible jobs, believe in God, care about their neighbors, believe in fairness and want leaders to represent and educate them as per the inner workings of the government? I dare say that any organization has the same membership doesn’t think those things mentioned think there is a slant in any of those concerns.

League Leadership: This League is extremely careful when selecting its officers. No person who has on-going political opinions (uh like a blog or a newspaper column) who applies for that position is given this answer: NO!

The League has been accused sometimes of being too tepid on the controversial issues swirling around the political landscape. I can’t speak for other Leagues, but this one has always avoided any “political slant” to make sure there wasn’t even a hint of improper appearances.

Finally, there was a member who joined because a co worker who he admired and respected enormously told him about the League.  On the application, no one asked if you were a Liberal or Conservative. The applicant was accepted even though the appicant:

1.   is for the death penalty,

2.   felt people who vandalize public property should be held in a prison hospital and temporally demobilized  for 8 hours to see what it was like not being able to use their limbs,

3.   was against Gaza college protestors who disrupted meetings because people forgot that it was Hamas who killed 1100 innocent concert goers,

4.   is for putting heavy sanctions on our enemies, 

5.   who supported Ukraine’s fight for freedom with no negotiation.

6.   is a member and past officer of the most pro life organization in the world. The Knights of Columbus,

7.   and voted for Ford, Bush 41, Dole, Heinz, Schweiker, Specter, Peters, Thonrburgh, Santorum (once) Ridge, Griffith (0nce) Evans, Salavantis Leonardi, Grinaway and Hughes.  All Republicans.

That “liberal slanted member” was/is

ME!!

 

 

If Zaremba thinks that is a “heavy liberal slant”, then he’s full of canal water.