Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Al Franken, Democrats, e-day, GOTV, jon stewart, midterms 2010, VOTE
Some final thoughts on E-day Eve.
-Nate Silver at 538 has a scenario about how Democrats could defy the odds and pull off only minor hemmoraging tomorrow. His narration of how tomorrow night could go is spooky..and awesome- especially the part where someone at the NRCC punches a hole in a wall. Essentially, he thinks there’s room for error in 5 issues– the cell phone effect (or rather, the lack of cell phone users surveyed), problematic ‘robopolls’, problematic ‘likely voter’ models that favor the GOP, the awesome Democratic ground game (woo woo!), the general consensus that it’s not going to be as awful as it could be for the Dems. Let’s hope he’s right.
- Political Wire has a path to Democrats maintaining majorities in Congress– with a list of the important races to watch tomorrow night.
-In case you didn’t see this in the Sunday NYT, Frank Rich (who you should all read) really nails the country club elite that is the GOP leadership. We all worry about some of the crazy right wing candidates that might win tomorrow (Angle, Paul, Rubio, etc) but I think Rich has it right when he predicts that they won’t have any say in what legislation gets written and what programs get cut. It’s not going to be much of a (tea) party in Congress next year as some people think.
-Michael Kazin at The New Republic offers some thoughts on the Rally to Restore Sanity and why Jon Stewart isn’t enough. As liberals, we have to do MORE, be MORE engaged, vote MORE, engage eachother MORE. Satire will not save this country, even if it entertains us. Houston, we’re not in the Bush years anymore– do something tomorrow.
-Finally, to get you pumped up, here’s another comedian (this time, one who actually decided to take his political side and make himself a Senator.) GET OUT AND VOTE!
-Maddie
Filed under: Campaigning, Healthcare Reform, Media, New York State | Tags: 2010 Midterm Elections, facebook, federal deficit
E-Day is in just 14 DAYS everyone, so things are getting down to the wire. If you haven’t come out canvassing or made phone calls for vulnerable Democrats, there’s still time! Come out to Philadelphia with us this weekend or come to our next two meetings this Thursday and next to make calls. For more info, email me at madeline.labadie@nyu.com. Now for some good reads from political blogs this week.
-Last week in FL, health care reform’s individual mandate was challenged in federal court. A main part of the Republican attack on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is this legal argument. Dismantling the individual mandate would unravel the economics of the bill. Here’s Jon Cohn’s take on why the mandate is constitutional.
-Ezra Klein thinks we treat the issue of the federal deficit like it’s a second-grade math problem but it’s all about growth.
-More Facebook privacy issues and Congress has something to say about it.
-Our own Senator Gillibrand was profiled in Vogue this month and it comes complete with a photo spread of the sexiest member of the Senate.
-TPM does a round-up of the 2010 midterms.
-Finally, this is clip of Jimmy McMillan of the Rent Is Too Damn High Party from the NY gubernatorial debate is just amazing. Fantastic facial hair.
-Maddie
Filed under: Uncategorized
So I try to be as good a liberal as possible and as polite as possible, when it counts. I don’t believe being a leader of this club gives me a soapbox to rant but rather an opportunity to effect positive change through youth participation in politics. Here’s where my line is drawn, though– when an openly-bigoted and gay-slurring candidate for state-wide office in New York shows up at NYU’s doorsteps.
NYU is well-known as a gay-friendly mecca for higher education and therefore attracts many LGBT students and their allies. I count myself and the NYU College Democrats among those allies. This Friday, Republican gubernatorial candidate for New York, Carl Paladino, is coming to NYU to speak at an event sponsored by the NYU College Republicans. While I don’t think there should be any general animosity between two groups who share interest in politics and public service, I think this crosses a line. This is not about Albany or politics in general; it’s about taking a stand for something important and confronting those who choose to attack a minority group. We cannot allow our politicians or public figures to use campaigns and media outlets to push hate, fear, and discrimination in our own backyards without accountability.
If you’re as enraged as I am about Mr. Paladino’s recent comments (especially tone-deaf in a time of crisis in the gay community) I encourage you to join me this Friday to protest his visit to NYU.
Protest Carl Paladino at NYU
2:30-5:00pm on Friday, October 15th
Washington Square Park, outside the Kimmel Center.
FB event here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151620834880023&index=1#!/event.php?eid=151620834880023&index=1
Please come out on Friday and be heard.
-Maddie Labadie
Filed under: Uncategorized
Jonathan Cohn at The New Republic has a take on the “anti-libertarian parable come to life,” as Ezra Klein called it, when firefighters let a house burn down because the owner didn’t pay for fire insurance. I have to agree with Cohn that I’m paternalistic, too, and I think we should force people to buy insurance and fine them if they don’t pay, not discipline them when they don’t buy it by making them watch their house burn to the ground. Good paternalism vs. bad paternalism of ‘learning your lesson’.
Ezra Klein has a scenario up where the GOP wins 86 seats this year. All the more important to make phone calls and knock on doors to get Democrats to the polls on Nov. 2nd.
Great editorial from Ari Lipitz at NYULocal about the need for young people to vote this year (and just in general).
Finally, if you hadn’t already heard about the anti-gay gang torture of 4 men and boys in the Bronx last week, here’s the tragic story. Thankfully, 9 suspects have been arrested.
-Maddie Labadie
Filed under: Uncategorized
Hey Everyone! As I mentioned in the listserv email today, voter registration deadlines are quickly approaching–
NY is this Friday, 10/8, NJ is next Tuesday, 10/12; CA is on Monday, 10/18…just to name a few. Some states have already closed their registration. If you’re NOT registered and still can (or want to do so in NY state at your school year residence) you can find the info/forms here: https://www.raiseyourvote.com/. If you’re registered and still need to apply for your absentee ballot, check out this website for more info/forms (and send those in ASAP!): http://www.longdistancevoter.org/
Make sure you’re able to vote in this important election!!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: discrimination, gay rights, suicide crisis
Tonight at 9pm in WSP there’s a Glowlight Vigil (candles are prohibited in the park) for the six young gay men ages 13-19 around the country who have taken their own lives in the past two weeks due to bullying about their gay identities. Here are their names:
Asher Brown(age 13)
Seth Walsh(age 13)
Justin Aaberg(age 15)
Billy Lucas (age 15)
Tyler Clementi (age 18)
Raymond Chase (age 19)
As Ellen DeGeneres said this week, “One suicide is a tragedy. Four [or more] is a crisis.” As a progressive university in the greatest city in the world, we have the responsibility to set an example of acceptance of our gay friends, brothers, sisters, boyfriends, girlfriends, and loved ones. We cannot allow intimidation and hate to triumph over love, acceptance, and equality. This country’s youth has the possibility of becoming a driving force for gay rights and we want all those struggling with their sexual identity in their teenage years to see the day when everyone can marry the person they love, serve in the military openly, and not face discrimination for something they cannot choose. We must be eachother’s support in this struggle.
The vigil is sponsored by NYU LGBTQA and Delta Lambda Phi. You can RSVP and find more info about tonight here. We hope to see you there or supporting in spirit.
And here are some wonderful resources for gay youth support and the outcry from progressive, gay rights advocates about this crisis.
RESOURCES:
Dan Savage’s IT GETS BETTER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IcVyvg2Qlo
“You-Are-Loved Chalk Message Project”: http://chalkmessages.org/
The Trevor Project: http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
http://nyaf.blogspot.com/2010/09/why-you-are-loved-chalk-message-project.html
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/ybenjamin/detail?entry_id=73326
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7220896.html
http://perezhilton.com/2010-09-30-suicide_crisis_in_america
Filed under: Uncategorized
Here’s some good reads from political blogs this week.
- Rahmbo is out of the Oval and back to the Windy City to attempt (and probably fail) to run for Mayor. The result of this transition? An amazing fake twitter for MayorEmanuel.
-Here’s a profile about Rahm’s successor, Pete Rouse. Ezra Klein also included a primer on him in Wonkbook this morning (If you’re not subscribed, do it. Ezra is the best). Looks like little change to come.
-Noam Scheiber at The New Republic profiles David Axelrod. Liberal angst seems to have infiltrated the White House- but with little effect on his actual advising. Lovely.
- The House is going to look different after redistricting from the 2010 Census data. Here’s a look at which states (and parties) can benefit.
oh and in case you STILL haven’t registered to vote or for your absentee ballot, do it NOW: here and here. Happy Friday!
-Maddie
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: gay marriage, ground zero mosque, hyperbole, RNC, snl
Now for something on the lighter side of politics. Thanks SNL.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Here’s a great list of info on all the local races that will be decided today from our friends at NYU Local. Make yourself heard and vote!! If you’d like to join some NYU Dems for GOTV today, we’re meeting at the fountain in Washington Square Park at 4:45 to do visibility for Carolyn Maloney. Join us! Email us with your contact info if you’d like to come so we can make sure to wait for you- democrats.club@nyu.edu .
Filed under: Uncategorized
TIME 100 Roundtable: “Democracy in the Age of Social Media”
Moderated by TIME Managing Editor Richard Stengel
Featuring a panel of TIME 100 honorees, including statistician Nate Silver and NBC Universal’s Lauren Zalaznick
Monday, September 13, 2010
11:30 AM – Doors Open
12:00 PM – Panel Commences
Light refreshments will be served.
NYU Kimmel Center
Eisner & Lubin Auditorium, 4th Floor
RSVP online at: http://www.nyu.edu/rsvp/event.php?e_id=2829
The TIME 100 is TIME’s annual list of the individuals whose ideas, example, talent, and discoveries are transforming the world in which we live. TIME 100 Roundtables convene a select number of TIME 100 honorees. Visit Facebook.com/TIME on Thursday, September 9, to post questions for the upcoming TIME 100 panel at NYU. Presented in partnership with New York University.
Info about the first two panelists:
Nate Silver, Founder, FiveThirtyEight.com
“The numbers nerd came to prominence during the 2008 election, applying logic honed on baseball statistics to the presidential race” – TIME (Silver correctly predicted the presidential winner in 49 states and D.C.)
Lauren Zalaznick, President of NBC Universal Women and Lifestyle Entertainment Networks
“Her shows (like Top Chef and Real Housewives) and those on them, don’t make any apologies for being themselves. [She] has transformed that network so that you can now recognize a Bravo show at a distance.” – Martha Stewart in TIME
