Playing on people’s fears, especially “white America’s” fears, does not bode well with me. 

Randal

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

Best wishes, Eric Harker

Dick Cheney Protest, April 2007

Many of us were surprised to hear that good, old-fashioned campus protests are alive and well at BYU—for a few students, anyway, during a certain time frame within the bounds of a so-called “free-speech zone.” But even the squeaky-clean Cougars couldn’t just stand by silently when Vice President Dick Cheney, party to so many of the wrong turns this country has taken over the past seven years, was invited as 2007 commencement speaker. A group of students pulled together a polite protest, which went off without a hitch until the free-speech zone disappeared at the allotted time—then, as the students tried to leave, they were hassled by campus security.

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

Some great songs, especially anti-Vietnam War and civil rights songs, classic cultural critiques from the left of the 1960s.

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

Diana