Issues

The Death of Molly Ivins

Dear Young Dems,

Last week we lost a friend. Molly Ivins, the syndicated columnist and fiercely funny political commentator, died January 31 at age 62 from breast cancer.

Ms. Ivins had the gift of cutting straight to the basic truth about an issue, or person, or institution. Her columns were defined by nitty-gritty facts, insightful analysis, and a little Texas hot sauce. She delighted in calling out Republican leaders for their hypocrisy, and had plenty of chances to do it. Below are just a few of my favorite of her musings.

On the false piety of Tom DeLay, Duke Cunningham, Bill Frist and others, even while hounded by their own ethics scandals, she wrote the following:

“Some Christians seem to me inclined to lose track of love, compassion and mercy . . . . when the stink of hypocrisy becomes so foul in the nostrils it makes you want to puke it becomes necessary to point out there is one more good reason to observe the separation of church and state: If God keeps hanging out with politicians, it’s gonna hurt his reputation.” (12/1/05)

Earlier, after Congressional Republicans’ atrocious stunt of intervening in the Terry Schiavo tragedy, she wrote, “What a despicable display of pure political pandering. What an insult to everyone who has faced this decision [to end medical treatment for a loved one] without ever considering asking 535 strangers in Washington, D.C., what to do.” (3/21/05)

Ms. Ivins saved some of her best slings and arrows for fellow Texan George W. Bush, whom she knew in high school. She followed his rise as Governor of Texas and ultimately to the White House, dutifully noting every whopper he told and group of people he stepped on along the way. Ms. Ivins wrote two books about Bush, first Shrub: The Short but Happy Political Life of George W. Bush, and then Bushwhacked: Life in George W. Bush’s America. (I highly recommend the second.) She pegged him perfectly just before the 2000 election:

“Frankly, I can’t imagine why anyone would consider [Bush] for President. He’s not smart, he doesn’t know much, and he doesn’t work hard. The truth is, he is not terribly interested in government or how it works. Damned if I know why he’s running. He is a nice fellow. I’ve always liked him. I like lots of people who I don’t think should be president.” (10/21/00)

On the Iraq War, well before the Downing Street Memo and other revelations, Ms. Ivins wrote:

“I don’t think the Bush administration lied to us about Iraq. I think it’s worse than that. I think they fooled themselves. I think they were conned by Ahmad Chalabi. I think they indulged in wishful thinking to the point of near criminality. I think they decided anyone who didn’t agree with them was an enemy, anti American, disloyal. In other words, I think they’re criminally stupid.” (11/13/03)

As a commentator, Molly Ivins is irreplaceable. But we can all learn a lesson or two from her blend of common sense and passion. The next time you want to write a letter to the editor or debate a colleague on an issue that’s important to you, try reading a little classic Molly to get you in the spirit. It is sad to lose her; through our convictions her spirit will live on. As she wrote in her last column on January 11, 2007, “We are the people who run this country. We are the deciders . . . . Raise hell.”

Respectfully,
Craig H. DeRan
Vice President

Vigil for Peace in Iraq

Well, our vigils finally made the news! In case you weren't at the vigil, channel 13 was kind enough to send a cameraman to take footage of the vigil. It was a quick story, but our crowd looked huge. The photographer for the Aegis was there the entire event, so be sure to look for pix in this Wednesday's Aegis. ANY media attention we get is a great thing... it gets our word out to a lot more people.

There were 58 people at the vigil Friday night. That is so encouraging to see that our group is growing and we are getting bigger and louder. We are looking into getting a bullhorn for future events so everyone can hear better. The bigger we get, the louder we need to be.

It was also reported to me that a young woman delivering pizzas from her car stopped and told the crowd that she was "with us". She said she lost her husband 2 years ago in Iraq. I wish we knew her name, because little did she realize that we were reading his name and honoring him shortly after she drove away. Here her life has been shattered by this war built on lies, and she drove by at that moment to remind us all of why we hate this war so much. How many other men and women have lost their partners that they were building their lives with? How many other men and women have had severely wounded partners come home and now must figure out how they are going to make ends meet for the rest of their lives? How many other men and women have had their partners come home emotionally crippled by this war?

I was searching the internet and came across a blog written by Brian Bittner about the vigil in May. He made this statement about being at that vigil that really hit home with me... it said, "..but I felt like being one of 40 people on the main street of the place where I grew up was more significant than being one of 300,000 in New York City three weeks ago. " I imagine most of us feel the same way, just never put it to words. A wild and crazy crowd in DC or NYC isn't all that unusual, but a group of war protestors honoring the troops in downtown Bel Air... the home of conservatives... Now that turns heads, and that gets noticed and we really are just as (if not more) significant. Not to mention that we are sharing our message with our "neighbors" in our home town. So be proud of yourselves and what we are all doing together.

A special thanks to John Oliver and his great talk. It is always so interesting to hear a veteran's point of view on this war. He was a great speaker and very well received by the crowd. Thanks also to Judy Pentz for her heartfelt talk. Thanks also to Bonnie Hummer, who registered voters. And thanks to all of you that attended, and to those of you that will attend in the future. Words cannot express what a relief it is to know that we are not the only sane ones in this country! :-)

Take care and remember to list www.just4peace.org in your favorites.

Mike and Susan

Dr. Wood Resigns

Thursday, September 1, 2005

Fellow Young Democrats and Friends:

As I am sure you know by now, Dr Wood resigned in protest from the FDA yesterday because of the FDA's failure to come through on their promise to make a decision on Plan B, emergency contraception to be available over the counter.

If you will recall from an earlier Issue's Page, Steve Cannon did a great job summarizing the issue:

"In December 2004, the FDA advisory board panel overwhelmingly voted in favor of approving an emergency contraceptive dubbed "Plan B," manufactured by Barr Laboratories, for over-the-counter usage. However, even with the FDA advisory panel's initial approval, why don't we see the morning-after-pill available over-the-counter, as in Europe? Why is a doctor's prescription for emergency contraceptive still needed when the drug is favored for being a safe and an effective form of birth control for women? Is there a right-wing agenda in the White House responsible for derailing FDA approval negating thousands of women and their families from reproductive choice?"

The FDA has been dragging its feet on making its decision for this safe and effective contraceptive to be available over the counter to American women.

The science is not there for them to drag their feet. And, as Dr Wood pointed out in her resignation, the only reason that the FDA could not approve this contraceptive is POLITICAL.

Reproductive Freedom is eroding around us. Maybe many of us are too young to remember the days when contraception was not available much less the availability of abortions. If you don't think that these issues are important today, talk to some women over 50 whom remember all too well those nightmarish days.

Please take action today. Write to your congress people and Senators. Make your position known.

Please do not let anyone tell you that Plan B is about abortion. It is not. It is about contraception and all of the scientific studies support the efficacy and safety of this contraceptive. While you are writing, make sure that indicate your support for improved reproductive health care for all women regardless of their choice. Because, at the same time the current administration is eroding reproductive freedom and planning, they are taking away prenatal care to those women most in need of increased coverage. And, never forget that if Mr. Roberts is appointed to the Supreme Court the delicate balance in the Court supporting Roe will be gone.

Please do not let Dr Wood's courageous resignation from the FDA be in vain.

You can visit www.prochoiceaction.org or www.now.org for additional information about Plan B and a copy of Dr Wood's resignation letter.

Thank you,
Kim

Thanks Kim for your input to the Issues page.

Vigil in Harford County

Vigil for Cindy Sheehan

Monday, August 15, 2005

Friends,

You should know the story of Cindy Sheehan, the woman whose son Casey was killed in combat in Iraq. Cindy is holding a vigil outside President Bush’s ranch in Crawford, Texas, where the President is vacationing. She wants to meet again with the President so she can ask him for what “noble cause” her son died. While offering his sympathy, the President has refused, only sending advisors out to talk to Cindy. He has even declined her invitation to join her in a prayer vigil for the troops. Meanwhile, hundreds of supporters have gone to Crawford to join Cindy in her quest for the truth.

Today, Cindy has invited all Americans to join her in a candlelight vigil to show both our support for our military families and our opposition to a war that has no noble cause. Here’s what she says: "I invite mothers everywhere to stand up with me so that no more of our sons and daughters lose their lives for a war based on lies and deception. Join me in demanding the truth- and an end to the war- by organizing vigils across the country, before one more mother's child is lost."

The vigils have been set for this Wednesday, August 17 at 7:30 pm local time. Our Young Democrats meet-up is scheduled for 6:30 pm on that evening, at Sean Bolan’s in Bel Air. I have decided that I owe it to this brave American to stand up and show my support for her—not only for her message, but also for her right to speak her message. Therefore, as President of the Young Democrats of Harford County, I will adjourn the meeting at 7:30 that evening and walk one block south on Main Street to the front of the Circuit Court for Harford County building (20 West Courtland Street), where I will light a candle for Cindy, for our brave military force, and for their grieving families, many of whom have painful questions yet to be answered.

Those of you who plan to attend the Young Dems meeting are more than welcome to join me—just bring a candle with you to the meeting. Any others of you who still have questions about this war are invited to please join me as well. This is not strictly a Young Democrats event. This is an American event.

Love & God bless,
Craig DeRan
Former HCYD President

Action Without Borders

The following is a link to a non-profit group, Action Without Borders. This website catalogues non-profit jobs and currently testing an online community in an attempt to connect people who have similar goals, values, and interests but may not have established correspondence with each other.

The mission statement from Action Without Borders web page states:

"Action Without Borders connects people, organizations and resources to help build a world where all people can live free and dignified lives.
Action Without Borders is independent of any government, political ideology or religious creed. Our work is guided by the common desire of our members and supporters to find practical solutions to social and environmental problems, in a spirit of generosity and mutual respect."

This is a valuable resource for YDHC members who want to pursue internships, employment, volunteer opportunity, or correspondence within the non-profit sector. Thanks Andrea for providing this link and your insight to the Issues page.

A Message from the President

Wednesday, June 8, 2005

Friends,

Many of you have been following the story (or, more appropriately, lack of story) involving the “Downing Street Memo.” About a month ago, just prior to the U.K. elections, a top-secret British intelligence memorandum dated July 23, 2002 was uncovered by the London Times. This memo, written by aide Matthew Rycroft, purported to detail the discussion that took place in a meeting that day with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other staff. An agent identified as “C” reported from his recent talks in Washington that “Military action was now seen as inevitable,” that “Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD,” and that “the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy.” C also reported that there was “little discussion in Washington of the aftermath after military action.” This was eight months before the U.S. invaded Iraq.

If the memo is authentic (which no one has denied), and contains an accurate reflection of C’s discussions with President Bush or members of his administration, this seems like an important story. A President’s action in “fixing” intelligence to support his predetermination to start a war, which would result in the deaths of thousands of Americans and innocent civilians, seems to be an impeachable offense, not to mention immoral, unethical and a few other bad words. But the so-called “liberal” media has barely mentioned it. The New York Times finally put out a story on page A18 a couple of weeks ago. And at last week’s press conference in the Rose Garden, no one asked President Bush about the Downing Street memo.

At yesterday’s joint Blair-Bush press conference, someone finally got up the nerve to ask the two leaders if the memo was accurate. Both denied evasively that they had made up their minds to go to war until just before the invasion, and noted that the memo was dated before the case for war was taken to the United Nations—which, I think, is precisely the point the President’s detractors are making. Perhaps by the time Colin Powell went before the U.N., the facts had already been fixed.

This non-denial denial cannot be accepted. President Bush owes the American people an answer to specific questions about these meetings and his plans for war. Which parts of the memo are inaccurate, and how? Did the British source just make up these discussions with Washington? Did the Prime Minister’s office ever express its opinion to the Bush Administration that “the case was thin”? If so, how much weight was given to that opinion? Although these follow-up questions were not asked yesterday, at least the fact that Bush has finally been forced to respond to the memo has been deemed newsworthy by the Baltimore Sun.

Democratic Rep. John Conyers (Michigan) has sent a letter to President Bush, signed by 94 members of Congress, requesting answers to these and similar questions. He has also posted a separate letter to the President that has been signed by over 110,000 American citizens demanding the same answers. Rep. Conyers has promised to hand-deliver this letter to the White House, but he would like more signatures. This letter is posted on www.johnconyers.com. If you are concerned that this President may have lied to the American people (and the world) to justify a baseless war, and that he may have seriously abused his power, please consider doing what I have done. Make your voice known and sign this letter to the President. Also, now that this issue is finally getting some attention, please consider writing a letter to the Sun.

Yours in war and peace,

Craig H. DeRan
Former President
Young Democrats of Harford County
president@harfordyoungdems.org

What Happened to Plan B?

In December 2004, the FDA advisory board panel overwhelmingly voted in favor of approving an emergency contraceptive dubbed "Plan B," manufactured by Barr Laboratories, for over-the-counter usage. However, even with the FDA advisory panel's initial approval, why don't we see the morning-after-pill available over-the-counter, as in Europe? Why is a doctor's prescription for emergency contraceptive still needed when the drug is favored for being a safe and an effective form of birth control for women? Is there a right-wing agenda in the White House responcible for derailing FDA approval negating thousands of women and their families from reproductive choice?

The following links are articles that will answer questions from the previous paragraph. The Slate on MSN.com features "Dubious Conceptions". This article refers to the FDA advisory panel's overwhelming approval of Plan B, the intent of Plan B's pharmacuitical manufacture, and the errors in arguing that an "at risk" female adolecent catagory exists, which stalled the FDA's approval for Plan B.

The Second article from The Washington Post, "Memo May Have Swayed Plan B Ruling" elaborates on Dr. David Hager, a conservative White House appointee to the FDA's reproductive drugs panel. From there Dr. Hager submitted a memo to the commisioner of the FDA that he dubbed a "minority report". Hager reported that Plan B would cause female adolecents to increase unsafe sex practices because of being readily available for purchase.

Thanks Kim for forwarding this topic to the Issues section.