College Democrats Regular Meeting, Wednesday, September 14, 2005 UC Lounge—9:00 pm At the beginning of the evening Ben introduced Deborah and Billy: --Deborah spoke about the current proposal to drill for oil and natural gas in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. --In addition to procedural protection for oil drilling in ANWR, the “budget reconciliation” bill drafted by the Republicans includes cuts to college tuition aid, Medicaid, food stamps and veterans' benefits. --She said Congressman Frelinghuysen “needs to stick to his commitments” to protect ANWR. She noted that there are only 20 Representatives whom are undecided on the budget reconciliation which could lead to these harmful budget cuts. Their group will be targeting 5 New Jersey Republicans: Rodney Frelinghuysen (11th), Chris Smith (4th), Frank LoBiondo (2nd), Jim Saxton (3rd), and Michael Ferguson (7th). --On Tuesday, September 20th they will go down to DC to meet with the Representatives and state their opposition to the budget reconciliation bill. To get involved in the effort to fight oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, you can sign up at www.arcticrefugeaction.org . Bus fare is $20, round trip. Ben thanked the Club for the strong showing in the first meeting (over 50 people turned out, in spite of the weather). Each member of the Club introduced themselves and spoke of some of their favorite public figures. The Clintons, especially Bill, Barbara Mikulski, Barack Obama and Robert Kennedy were among the Club's favorite Democrats. People named Republicans Rudy Giuliani and Tom Kean as favorites as well. Ben said the Club has a big agenda this year: --having met with Nancy Pelosi this summer along with some other Club members, he proposed a town hall meeting with a Democratic Congressman on Bush's Social Security personal accounts plan. Nancy Pelosi hopes to have a town hall meeting with a Democratic Congressman at every university in America on the President's Social Security plan. Ben expressed his strong disapproval of the investment accounts plan for Social Security, calling it a windfall for Wall Street at our generation's expense. --Ben also hopes to hold professor-led panels and discussion groups on major political and news issues. Such discussions have been very popular in the past. --Ben talked about the plan to go back on a trip to DC this year; in the past Drew Democrats have been able to stay at the Watergate free of charge, and meet prominent Democrats like Hillary Clinton, Howard Dean, Barney Frank and Terry McAullife. --Ben proposed a discussion on the destruction of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina, particularly on the political implications of the failure of government agencies in the face of an unprecedented emergency. --Only New Jersey and Virginia will hold gubernatorial races in 2005; John Corzine is currently leading Doug Forrester in the polls by 18%, which is, well, huge. --Noting that Morris County is the most Republican part of the state, Ben, while assuring the Club that the Democratic Party will take back the White House in 2008, insisted “We have to be competitive in every district.” Ben then introduced Thom Jackson, candidate for the 25th New Jersey Assembly seat, applauding him for shaping Drew College Democrats into the organization that he wanted it to be: “A vehicle for electing Democrats in this incredibly red county.” --Thom Jackson in turn thanked the College Democrats for refusing to be satisfied by the status quo. He noted the student impact in key moments of history, including the Civil Rights era. “We can change Morris County,” he said. --Among the bizarre exploits of his unstable opponent Michael Patrick Carroll: --he voted against a bill to protect the legal rights of rape victims; --he opposed a program to test young children for a series of dangerous childhood diseases, as well as a proposal to test newborn children for deafness; --he tried to make it illegal for college students in New Jersey to receive absentee ballots so that we wouldn't be able to vote; --he opposed mammograms for women; --and finally the classic mark of a real moron! He tried to rename Clinton, NJ “Reagan, NJ”. (I don't know, the people who lived there seemed to like it just the way it was…) --96% of Michael Carroll's legislation never even made it out of committee, indicating his colleagues don't even take him seriously. “He has failed the 25th district,” Jackson said. --Thom Jackson strongly supports stem cell research. Jackson expressed some concern about a trend of US scientists moving to South Korea to conduct the ground-breaking stem cell research Bush opposes; meanwhile “Homeland Security” partisans debate restrictions on immigration, which is currently a source of desperately-needed doctors and scientists for America. Jackson made clear his support for a strong state investment in stem cell research. --Jackson went on to note that blastocyst cells—which are numerous and not even embryonic—are the best cells for medical research. Because of this, the need for stem cell research has no legitimate connection to the Republican assault on abortion rights. Jackson noted the historic importance of stem cell research to those who need new organs (stem cells can be used to grow replacement organs with your DNA, which would not be rejected by your body), as well as the profound prospect of wiping out diabetes. --Ben passed a sign-up sheet for those interested in campaigning for Jackson. Ben said he hoped to schedule another meeting next week for the Executive Board elections; he said a meeting time would be announced. Executive Board positions up for election (NOTE: I do not know how many current Exec Board members intend to run for re-election!): PRESIDENT—the current President is Ben Weingrod, a junior. He was President for last year's term and will be running for re-election. The President essentially leads the Club, and represents the Club to ECAB, from whence our money comes. He says being Club President means “long hours, but it's rewarding.” He will be running for re-election. VICE PRESIDENT—Senior Mike Bressman is the Vice President. Calling it the jack-of-all-trades position, Mike largely facilitates and organizes the regular meetings. Mike is also responsible for organizing Club events and garnering publicity. He is often charged with program ideas & making arrangements for a successful program. The Vice President is laison to the Political Science Club and College Republicans—whenever their club has a pulse. Finally, in a time of crisis the Vice President temporarily assumes the authority of the President. (C'mon, ya gotta have that in there...) Mike Bressman will be running for re-election. TREASURER—Junior Sarah Eldridge as Treasurer oversees the entire Club budget, which is overwhelmingly concerned with the DC trip. Ben noted that this is a crucial position and that Sarah has “earned the respect of every member of the Exec Board.” SECRETARY—I am your current Club Secretary (obviously). The Secretary takes minutes of the relevant events of the meeting, which are mass-mailed to the rest of the Club. This year, Ben wants the Secretary to post information about Club events to the Acorn, Drew's weekly school newspaper. I will be running for re-election. COMMITTEES CHAIR—Jenna Moran, a junior, oversees the voter registration committee, helps out with any events being run through one of the Club's several committees, and runs specific events during the year. Jenna said she is always open to member suggestions about forming new committees or hosting committee-related events. POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER—As Political Affairs Officer it is junior Dan Moore's job to “communicate with the outside world”—no small task here at Drew. He is in contact with the Morris County Democratic Party, runs specific events, and chairs the book club, which is unique to Drew College Dems. He also recaps recent political news for the Club. COLLEGE DEMOCRATS WHIP—A new position for this year, the Club Whip will be modeled on the Party Whips in Congress—though Ben quickly reassured the Club, “This person will not smash your desk” if you don't do what is expected. Charged with maintaining discipline, the Whip will make Club-wide calls about upcoming regular meetings and generally keep people informed about upcoming Club activities-particularly helping volunteers to remember the events they want to attend. In short, this position was a good idea. Ben invited all interested to run for the Exec Board. The Club will be accepting nominations for new Board members until some time next week (TBA). To make a nomination email Ben or contact us either at the “Drew Democrats!” group on thefacebook.com or the Club website, groups.drew.edu/dems. Before closing Ben announced that the Thom Jackson campaign is looking for more canvassers, especially Spanish-speaking canvassers, as well as interns, researchers, and callers to get people registered to vote. The campaign can be contacted at thomjackson.com.