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Stem Cell Research Meeting and other great opportunities

Fellow politicos and otherwise interested folks,

A big thanks for coming to our meeting last week, I hope it was informative for everyone. If you any more questions about campaigning for Obama, or campaigning in general, send us an email or talk to us at a meeting. We’ll do our best to hook you up.

MEETING TOMORROW! THE STEM CELL RESEARCH DEBATE

Professor Michael Goldsmith, BYU Law School
7:30-8:30 pm, Thursday, 27 September 2007
240 SWKT

Professor Goldsmith is actively involved in supporting stem cell research legislation, and will speak on the issue and why he supports stem cell research. This is an issue that has already proven key in several congressional elections, and will continue to be an issue as medical technology progresses. Come be informed and participate in what should be a great discussion!

OTHER NEWS/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

COLLEGE DEMOCRAT/REPUBLICAN DEBATE: We’ll be having a panel discussion/debate on the War in Iraq and troop pullout on October 4th at 7:00 pm. We haven’t nailed down a room yet, but we’ll fill you in on that as we confirm the details.

DEBATERS NEEDED! Speaking of the debate, we need to find three students who would like to be involved in the debate. Two will present the Democrat/liberal point of view on the issue, and one will actually switch sides and argue the Republican/conservative side. Because this is more of a panel discussion, you don’t have to be a Democrat or necessarily
hold to the strict party line on Iraq policy to get involved. Basically, if you have strong feelings on the situation and want the experience of debating, we want you! There is also a good chance there will be professors and/or media there, so its a good chance to get noticed.

GET INVOLVED! We’re looking for students who would like to get involved in a number of service projects and legislative intiatives we are starting. Some examples to pique your interest:

- IMMIGRANT EDUCATION PROJECT: We’re looking to arrange classes that would help prepare immigrants to take the U.S. Naturalization exam. These classes would likely be targeted at Spanish-speaking immigrants, so anyone with Spanish skills is especially needed.

- FOOD COLLECTION INITIATIVE: We’re hoping to arrange something with the BYU Creameries that would allow students to purchase items needed by local food shelters with their Dining Plus dollars. This would help support the less fortunate in our area, and give freshman something to do with those extra dollars besides blowing them on Twinkies and
Jones Soda.

- GAS FAST: As a way of helping to reduce pollution and show people that they can modify their fossil fuel usage, we’d like to arrange one day a month during which student would pledge to not use their vehicles.

- LETTERS TO THE TROOPS: We’d like to start a weekly activity at our booth where students could sign a large card to be sent to a BYU student or alumni serving in the military overseas. This is a show everyone that you can support the troops no matter what your political views on war are.

- RAPE VICTIM FUNDING: There’s an opportunity to work with CESA and other organizations to research and lobby the Utah legislature to increase funding for victims of sexual assault. We are trying to become more politically active in Utah, and this is a great way to get experience with the political process.

- DAY-OF VOTER REGISTRATION: Another legislative intiative we’d like to address is lobbying to allow voters to register on election day. Studies have shown that this may increase voter participation by at least 10%.

- NONE-OF-THE-ABOVE BALLOT OPTION: We’re also looking into a measure that would include a “None of the above” option on local ballots. This would allow individuals to vote their true opinion in elections in which they do not feel comfortable with any of the candidates running.

As you can see, there are lots of great ideas here, and great opportunities for you to get invovled and make a difference. Interested? Send us a message letting us know which projects you’d like to help out with, your contact info, and how much time you have to commit.

Thanks for all you do, and we’ll see you tomorrow!

Darren