Thoughtful Dems

First, this is the first tweet of @sarahpalinusa … the civilian version of Sarah Palin. Secondly, IN NO WAY IS A BUNCH OF WEST SIDE CRAZIES LINING UP TO GET A BOOK SIGNED ANY SORT OF AN INDICATION THAT MICHIGAN IS “GOING ROGUE.” Thirdly, WTF is up with the moose in her twitter background. Fourthly, I think the [...]

This last Saturday a few of us College Dems went over to Jackson for a health care town hall with Congressman Mark Schauer.  Rep. Schauer recently voted for HR 3200 and is getting a mix of praise and flack from his constituents for it. The scene at Lily Mission Center, the church in which the town [...]

Affirmative action is one of the few issues that I have yet decided to on. To be sure, I always keep an open mind, and my opinions are there to influence for anyone that can provide a convincing argument, but I have formed a fairly strong belief in most areas. So why is affirmative action [...]

In the case you all missed the news this past Friday the 13th: NASA’s LCROSS Mission discovered a ’significant’ amount of water on the moon after making a hole on the surface in October (MeFi and HuffPo links). This is great news, if the US still plans on putting a base on the moon for [...]

When the concept of “gender neutral housing” was first explained to me a couple years ago, I admit I was more than skeptical.  The thought of members of the opposite sex living together in the dormitories?  Think of all the potential for drama!  I only pictured relationships going awry and angry couples forced to live [...]

Even before her optimistic gaze and subtle American flag pin began gracing the shelves of bookstores across the country, Sarah Palin’s book was ripped to shreds by the first round of savage liberal mythbusters. Who could explain the actions of this known radical leftwing news outlet (commonly known as the Associated Press) better than Sarah Palin’s [...]

This is Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK). Senator Coburn is the master of the hold. Going back to our first lesson, the hold is the ability of a senator to deny the necessary unanimous consent to bring an issue to the floor. Coburn is the master of the hold and has held up [...]

“I don’t know why President Obama thought that was appropriate. Maybe he thought it would play well in Japan. But it’s not appropriate for an American president to bow to a foreign one,” said conservative pundit William Kristol on Fox News Sunday. This was in response to the President’s greeting of Japanese Emperor Akihito. Despite [...]

If you see these people… they are dumb. What is the role of state government? How big should the state government be? These two questions have been fundamental to the public policy debates in Michigan politics for the past 20 years. Fueled by the brain trust at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, The Michigan Republican Party’s [...]

As the FY 2010 budget battle grows smaller and smaller in our rear view mirrors, many have forgotten that the Legislature is still working to reinstore funds lost to the draconian cuts imposed by the Republican controlled State Senate. While all the budgets have been approved, Governor Granholm has continued to voice her opposition to [...]

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), the Michigan Federation of College Democrats (MFCD), the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), or the Democratic National Committee (DNC). + The University of Michigan Football team failed [...]

Tonight’s top stories: + Nancy Pelosi glares at legislators, House health care bill passes. + Sarah Palin visits West Michigan for book tour, adds foreign policy experience to resume. + Random musings with Zach “Yakkity Slack” Martin.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), the Michigan Federation of College Democrats (MFCD), the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), or the Democratic National Committee (DNC). +An article reviews the controversy of Ann Arbor’s DPS [...]

So smug. The University of Michigan’s College Democrats chapter has been reveling in the success of an admittedly epic phone-banking session back in October. They reportedly spent weeks training for the event, practicing thumb-strengthening exercises in order to maximize phone-dialing capabilities. Their efforts paid off in the form of 1,739 calls for health care, setting an [...]

Representatives Stupak (D-MI) and Pitts (R-PA) introduced and saw adopted an amendment to H.R. 3962 that makes it illegal for any health care plan, including private plans, sold on the Statewide Health Insurance Exchanges to include coverage for voluntary abortion procedures. The bottom line: unless you’re quite wealthy, you will have to pay out of [...]

Rich Rod gets an E for effort! Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herin reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), the Michigan Federation of COllege Democrats (MFCD), the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), or the Democratic National Committee (DNC). + Coleman AND Obama [...]

Over the last year, political analysts have agonized over Sarah Palin’s failed vice presidential bid. Recently, some well-respected news organizations and cable commentators have speculated that people did not direct animosity toward Sarah Palin because they have a basic understanding of politics and government. Instead, they have concluded from their extensive research that people are [...]

This is the third installment in my series about the current failings of the US Senate. For previous installments, go here and here. Unemployment insurance is something that we as a society have decided is important. There are a lot of people who have lost their jobs in the recent recession who are now [...]

Statement of Purpose: The following message is intended to provide a summary of the Michigan Daily and serve as an “action alert” for dems.core members.  Items in bold are particularly relevant to Democrats on campus. Disclaimer:  The opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College [...]

On Sunday afternoon, Organizing for America (OFA) sent an email to supporters asking them to write thank you letters to their representatives for voting for H.R. 3962, the health insurance reform bill. I am not sure why I got this email, because my representative did not vote for health insurance reform—but not because she [...]

Here’s the Gold Star Chart for the week of November 4-11:

Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, when asked in an interview last weekend if he agreed that some white Republicans are afraid of “black folks,” responded, “You’re absolutely right.” He went on to say that, at times, he too had been in rooms with white republican who he felt feared him. It is hard [...]

While most of us were paying attention to Congress’s struggle with health insurance reform or the CDC’s conquest to eliminate H1N1, the FDA sank its teeth into more obscure opponents. Last month, the FDA moved to investigate front of the package (FOP) food labels. In a letter to manufacturers, the FDA stated that it has the [...]

Disclaimer:  The opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), the Michigan Federation of College Democrats (MFCD), the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), or the Democratic National Committee (DNC). + MSA passed a resolution opposing the state House bill that would allow students to [...]

I have decided to start a new series on the blog to really help to bring attention to the worst bit of chicanery going on in the US Congress. My distaste for the Senate is well known and my opus is here for those who did not already read it. I feel like [...]

bangalore, india India now has among the world’s largest constellations of remote-sensing satellites. They are sophisticated enough to distinguish healthy coconuts from diseased ones in this region’s thick palms. They can also zero in on deadly mosquitoes lurking in a patch of jungle (Washington Post). At first the quote innocuous. It’s fairly evident that the article [...]

I know my column is aimed at the analysis of state politics, but in this instance, I am using lessons we have learned at the state level to call out Jim Demint for what he is, an idiot. Recently, Senator Demint (R-South Carolina), introduced a bill to amend the Constitution to impose term limits on [...]

Via the NYTs Today, President Obama spoke at the Ft. Hood memorial service in Texas. The speech that he delivered is already being hailed as one of the best of his Presidency so far. His speech reaches out and consoles the family members of those killed and wounded, while presenting his role admirably as Commander in [...]

Disclaimer:  The opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), the Michigan Federation of College Democrats (MFCD), the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), or the Democratic National Committee (DNC). 1. Athletic Director Assaults Students No, the Daily is not talking about the emotional [...]

39 House Democrats voted against H.R. 3962, the healthcare reform bill, while 1 House Republican voted in favor of reform. In all of this, there are several distinct categories. Role of the Blue Dog Caucus The Blue Dogs are a group of 52 fiscally conservative Democrats that is well organized with powerful co-chairs for administration, [...]

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), the Michigan Federation of College Democrats (MFCD), the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), or the Democratic National Committee (DNC). +Coverage of the Elm Street beating continues as potential evidence is lost. Two seniors [...]

Happy Monday morning, everyone! It’s been a long while since we’ve had an open thread, but hopefully we’ll be doing this every monday morning. For those of you who don’t know what this is, an open thread is a place for everyone to say what’s on their mind. While I will generally give a topic or [...]

It’s fair to say that few remain as quiet as a mouse, For its clear in what debate we’ve all had a douse – And though we’re not quite yet there Each step creeps closer to care Since such a fine bill has been passed in the House.

Little Man, Big Douche Saturday saw a historic vote in the House of Representatives for health care reform. The Democrats were successfully able to pass a comprehensive bill that covers over 30 million more Americans and fight costs for all. No other President and Congress has taken a massive health care bill so far since [...]

By a vote of 220 to 215, the House of Representatives passed health care legislation that would end the practice of denying health insurance based on pre-existing conditions, mandate individual health care coverage, enact a public option, set up a health care exchange for insurers to compete in, and provide subsidies for those who have [...]

First things first, no one worry, my fun banner will be here soon! I thought I would kick off my new column by giving a general overview of the current makeup and politics of our state legislature. Hopefully I will be able to provide new information to even those that already follow state government. The current [...]

Yesterday, I had the incredible opportunity to attend a lecture given by Ben Wizner, a staff attorney at the national ACLU. Wizner has been to Guantanamo Bay six times and is an undisputed expert on extraordinary rendition, Guantanamo, and the torture memos. In this lecture, he explained the history of torture under the Bush administration and [...]

As I sorted the anthropology department mail today, I stumbled upon this. WARNING: CONTENTS MAY BE UNSUITABLE FOR SOME ANIMAL LOVERS (Don’t anyone worry, they do have skinned and pregnant cats as well)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), the Michigan Federation of College Democrats (MFCD), the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), or the Democratic National Committee (DNC). +Students in need of psychological services sometimes have to [...]

… Has brought the fight. Yesterday, Representative Pam Byrnes, Speaker Pro Tem of the Michigan House, introduced a package of bills to roll back the constitutional amendment passed in 2004 banning gay marriage. The package includes bills to: 1) Repeal the 2004 constitutional amendment banning gay marriage by putting the issue on next November’s ballot. This take [...]

There are plenty of people in Dems who don’t give a rat’s ass about state government unless money is being taken away from them. How do I know this? Because I used to be one of those people. Before I worked in Rep. Kate Segal’s State House office this summer, my state level governmental knowledge [...]

Is it going to rain? Will it snow? As students at the University of Michigan, these are the questions we grapple with on a daily basis.  Michigan’s weather, as we are all aware, is more than temperamental and requires constant vigilance. Don’t worry! President Obama, our fearless leader, has again come to our rescue… well, he’s [...]

Disclaimer:  The opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), the Michigan Federation of College Democrats (MFCD), the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), or the Democratic National Committee (DNC). +It takes a village to pass a millage and the [...]

The recent outcome in Maine where voters repealed a law allowing gay couples to marry is yet another setback for the gay movement. It continuously saddens me that so many people feel that they need to “protect” marriage from the “abomination” of allowing two members of the same sex to wed. What are they protecting? [...]

College Democrats worked to get out the vote for Washtenaw County School Enhancement Millage, City Council elections Ann Arbor – University of Michigan students turned out this Tuesday for the Nov. 3 General Election, voting in record numbers at student precincts across campus. On average, student voters increased turnout by 450 percent. At one polling location, [...]

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), the Michigan Federation of College Democrats (MFCD), the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), or the Democratic National Committee (DNC). 1. It’s Election Day! Go vote! 2. Millage to [...]

According to a Washington Post story today, Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI-1) is rallying Democrats to vote against the heath insurance reform bill.  He is concerned that the bill would allow federal funding for abortion.  The Post story reported: “I will continue whipping my colleagues to oppose bringing the bill to the floor for a vote until [...]

Today is election day, and we know it’s not easy to remember just how to vote progressively in an off year.  So we would like to give you our suggestions on how you should be voting this year if you are a resident of Ann Arbor.  Courtesy of Thoughtful Dems. COUNCIL CANDIDATES Ward 1 | Sabra C. [...]

Michigan House Republicans Jim Slezak and Paul Scott recently introduced legislation to amend the state constitution to redefine personhood. The legislation would state that everyone has a right to life in any stage of biological development, including fertilization. The “egg-as-a-person” movement has been making its way across the U.S., and could be voted on in Nevada in [...]