It is our great pleasure to once again be featured in national news for being Democrats in the state of Utah. Congratulations to the members of our executive council who represented us.

Watch Video 

Don’t try this at home- Hyrum I’m talking to you.

A Provo telemarketing company, Prosper Inc., waterboarded one of its employees, Chad Hudgens, as a “team-building exercise” last May. The boss who conducted the waterboarding told his staff, “You saw how hard Chad fought for air right there. I want you to go back inside and fight that hard to make sales.” Chad sued the company for torture in January and the trial will come to court shortly. Read the Wash Post article here.

-Diane

Dems,

As time rushes on towards finals and due dates for all those too-long-procrastinated projects, a happy thought from  a Calvin and Hobbes  comic strip:

Calvin:  In the short run, playing instead of doing my homework will bring me greater happiness.  In the long run, doing my homework now would probably bring me greater happiness.  But in the really long run, I know which will make better memories.

Now, on to the stuff that REALLY does matter — BYU Democrats events!

DEMOCRATIC POLITICS IN UTAH COUNTY PANEL (and free food!) - This is a big deal and we really, really, really want all you to come if at all possible.  We’ve been able to garner commitments from seven of the Democratic candidates for state office from Utah county, and they’re coming to talk to us about politics here in Utah County and the state in general and how YOU can get involved in overcoming Utah’s current one-party system.  The panel will be from 7-9pm in 3104 JKB (Jesse Knight Building).  You will have a chance to hear the candidates’ stances on a variety of issues, from immigration to health care to the environment to Provo issues to whatever other issues you can think to bring up.  They will also share important information on their campaigns and the positions they have available for students.  And if all that isn’t enough to get you there, there will be pizza, drinks, and desserts for all.

COLLEGE DEMOCRATS OF UTAH STATE CONVENTION - Another big event is going down this Saturday at the University of Utah.  All the College Democrat groups from around Utah will be gathering for free lunch, keynote speaker Representative David Litvack, breakout sessions on activism and group organization, and the election of state officers.  This will be a lot of fun, free food, and a chance to mix and mingle will other college dems from around the state (haven’t found your liberal sweetheart at BYU?  This could be a goldmine of opportunity…).  We will meeting to carpool down at 10:45am at Jamba Juice in the Wilkinson Center, this Saturday, April 12.  The event should run from 12-3, so you should be back to Provo by 4-4:30.  If you are planning on going, and need a ride, respond to this email and let us know.

BYU RUNNING RECYCLING PILOT PROGRAM UNTIL END OF YEAR - Ever feel like changing things at BYU is impossible?  Get ready for some evidence to the contrary…BYU has provided us with nine plastic recycling bins in the Wilkinson Center, which they are allowing us to run until the end of finals.  This is to see what kind of response an on-campus recycling program would generate, so we need your help!  Take all your #1 and #2 (which includes any plastic bottles you would purchase on campus) plastics and put them in the bins.  Encourage your friends to do the same.  If this goes well, long-term plastics recycling program is very possible.  If you are interested in getting involved with the project, email Macrae at macrae@byurecycles.org or just check out www.byurecycles.org.

NEW BYU DEMOCRATS PRESIDENT!! - The time has come for a changing of the guard, and so effective Wednesday, April 23, Randal Serr will be taking over as president of the BYU Democrats.  I’ll continue to carry out the “presidential duties” until then.  If you have questions, comments, or bribery offers for Randall, you can shoot him an email at president@byudemocrats.org,.

ACLU EVENT - LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTIVISM - The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), an organization dedicated to the protection of the civil liberties of all people, will be hosting a cool event entitled “LIghts, Camera, Activism” on Monday, April 21 from 6:30-8:00pm at Spy Hop Productions, 511 West 200 South Suite 100.  Lisa Remington, who produced the ACLU’s lauded “Freedom Files” film series, which details their positions on a variety of today’s hot political issues, will be speaking on how she has used her passion for filmmaking to help promote progressive politics and protect civil liberties.  The ACLU of Utah will also be giving out free copies of the “Freedom Files” videos to those in attendance.  For more info, check out the website.: www.acluutah.org/lightscameraactivism.html.

Allrighty, I think that’s it for now.  I’ll see you at these events…and afterwards in the library.

darren

Dems,

The T-shirts will be for sale for $5 in the WILK booth today and at our meeting Thursday.  Don’t miss out!

Diana

Dems,Ready for another round of fun leftist events?  Here we go…

IRAQ 5th YEAR ANNIVERSARY CANDLELIGHT VIGIL - 5 years ago today the United States invaded Iraq…and the world hasn’t been the same since.  There will be a candlelight vigil TONIGHT at 8:00 at the Utah County Government Building in Provo, on the northwest corner by Senator Hatch’s Office.  If you’re not sure where that is, you can meet us at 7:30pm at Jamba Juice in the Wilkinson Center and we’ll all head down together.  Bring candles and help us in remembering and pondering the past 5 years…

THURSDAY MEETING - MORMONS, POLITICS, and HOMOSEXUALITY - For our regular Thursday meeting, we’ve invited Tristan Call, president of BYU’s Amnesty International student organization, to lead a discussion on the politics of homosexuality and its relation to us as members of the church.  Tristan has done considerable research on the issue, and this promises to be a great evening of dialogue on a very important issue.  As usual, we will meet from 7:00pm - 8:30pm in 240 SWKT.

ANNUAL DEMOCRATS CABIN TRIP!!  THiS FRIDAY!!…

OK, folks, the time has come!  Everything you need to know:

WHAT: Amazing Democrats’ Cabin Party! We’ll be eating dinner together, talking, partying, and going on a night hike.

WHO: Everyone. We especially encourage left-leaning groups like SID, Parity, and Amnesty to join us, but please invite any of your friends for a really good time.

WHEN: Friday, March 21, 2008
6:00pm Meet at Jamba Juice on campus for carpools up to the cabin
6:30pm Meet at the cabin if you’re driving yourself
7:00pm Dinner
9:00pm Night hike (dress warmly)
1:30pm Festivities conclude

What to bring:
1. We will be having delicious pot luck taco salad for dinner. Our club will provide the essentials, but please bring something to share like a topping, an ingredient, or a drink.
2. Something warm to wear for the night hike.
3. A friend.

WHERE: Zach Davis’ grandpa’s cabin in sundance!
Meet at 6:00pm at Jamba Juice if you would like a ride. Otherwise you can use these directions:

DIRECTIONS: Take Canyon Road, turn left on Sundance turnoff. Drive up road about two miles past the Sundance resort. About 1/4 mile after the resort take Stewart Road over the bridge. Stay on Stewart road for about a mile. You will see a kiosk in the middle of the road. The code for the gate is 0323. Go through the gate, drive 75 yards and you will see a mirror. Go past that and turn onto Balsam Road. Its the 2nd house on the right, house 2989.  Call 801-224-5688 if you get lost on the way.

MARCH 25 - UTAH DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS/INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Next Tuesday, March 25, there will a Democratic Party Caucus Meeting for House District 63 (which is the Utah state legislative district most of BYU is in) at 7pm in Room 309 of the Provo City Library (corner or University and 500 North).  This will serve as our meeting for next week, and we really need the BYU Dems to show up en force to help us make this meeting a success…we’ve been asked to help host the event, so we’re also going to be needing people who can come around 6pm to help set up.  We’ve got a great slate of local Democratic candidates this year, and we as College Dems can make a big difference by showing up and supporting them.  The caucus meeting will be a chance for you to meet your local candidates for the upcoming State Senate elections and help in planning for their campaigns, etc.  We will also be electing state party officials.

Internship - Dr. Don Jarvis, who is campaigning for the State Senate as a representative from Utah County, is looking for student interns to join his campaign and help him win while gaining valuable political experience.  Attached to this email is more information about the internship and how you can apply!

darren