Promoting democracy in Utah one pint at a time.
Promoting democracy in Utah one pint at a time.
As I understand it, I think the Democratic super delegates is a rather good idea. I think of them as a mini-Congress. In a close primary like we have seen, the person who is best able to pursuade the super delegates to vote for them is also more likely to get Congress to accomplish something. If Obama can in fact get the super delegates on his side then fine, but I think that will prove to be a bigger test for him. I’m happy that the Dems do not have a winner-take-all system at the Republicans do. If they did, then Obama’s many small wins would still not equal Clinton’s larger state wins and the super delegates wouldn’t matter either. It is a system that may seem dumb but actually adds another check and balance to the larger picture.
It is very easy for Utahans to think of us “Liberal Drinkers” as dangers to society. In our ultra-conservative state of one-drink equals death mentality, we are part of the reason our liquor laws are so absurd. However, in the 2 1/2 years the Salt Lake City chapter of Drinking Liberally has been raising a glass to democracy, we have not once had a DUI arrest, car or bicycle accident caused by alcohol consumption, physical aggression break out, or any other such “ill” that even one sip of alcohol might cause reported back to us. Last night proved no different.
For those of you who attended last night’s meet-up of Drinking Liberally, you may have noticed the unusually high number of police officers conveniently located within a one block radius of many downtown bar locations – including the Piper Down. These police officers were protecting society by pulling over folks breaking the law – including Jeremiah and I as we left the Piper Down and failed to use a signal when we pulled away from the curb.
After asking me if I knew why he pulled me over, and me saying no, his next question was had I had anything to drink? That question has NEVER been asked of me when I have been pulled over for a driving infraction in the past (which for the record is not that many times…) and I was honest and said yes, I had a couple beers. He asked me to step out of the car.
retroactive immunity for federal crime (ambiguity intended) … or, you could please sign this petition now:
All….
I urge you to add this screening to your calendar. I had the opportunity to walk with Marshall, and participate with him also in other peace events. He is a true patriot, and his story is compelling. We must end this war!! Please join the movement! Carla
YOU’RE INVITED TO THE UTAH PREMIERE OF A SOLDIER’S PEACE: One Veteran’s 500-mile Journey Into Activism.
WHERE: Wildcat Theater in Ogden, Utah
WHEN: Saturday March 8th at 4:30 pm
We finally finished our documentary of Sgt. Marshall Thompson’s 500-mile walk through Utah. We were able to interview peace activists Martin Sheen, Cindy Sheehan, Daniel Ellsberg, M.C. Hammer, Rocky Anderson, and many more. The film explores the cost and effectiveness of peace activism, apathy regarding the war, and the role of women in the movement, among other things. You can check out the trailer at http://www.soldierspeace.com.
Our documentary is screening at festivals throughout the country, but we’re most excited about the Utah premiere because we hope to be joined by the people who made this walk possible. If you walked with Marshall, you may be in the film. You can purchase tickets at the door, or on-line HERE. If you’re not in the area, and would like to organize a screening, e-mail us.
If you would like to carpool with people from your area, please e-mail us with relevant information (where you live, if you need a ride, or if you can drive, etc.) and we’ll put you in touch with other interested people.
Thanks again for your involvement in Marshall’s walk in fall of 2006. Hopefully you can be a part of our Utah premiere, as well. Please forward this e-mail to anyone you know who might be interested and we hope to see you on March 8th.
Sincerely,
Kristen Thompson A Soldier’s Peace info@soldierspeace.com
The Guardian UK is reporting that Saudi Prince Bandar threatened another 7/7 if investigations into their arms deals weren’t stopped:
Previously secret files describe how investigators were told they faced “another 7/7″ and the loss of “British lives on British streets” if they pressed on with their inquiries and the Saudis carried out their threat to cut off intelligence.
Prince Bandar, the head of the Saudi national security council, and son of the crown prince, was alleged in court to be the man behind the threats to hold back information about suicide bombers and terrorists. He faces accusations that he himself took more than £1bn in secret payments from the arms company BAE.
And remember, Bandar is Bush’s good friend.
Hat tip to DLer Sean.
From Dave Morris, owner of the Piper Down Pub where Drinking Liberally meets each week:
The Hospitality industry is a difficult one in Utah. Many of the legislators writing laws that affect bars do not know much about this industry and therefore create well meaning laws having unexpected results.
First, there is law being drafted that would increase the amount of primary liquor in any single drink to 1 1⁄2 oz. but decrease the total amount of alcohol in front of a customer to 2oz. I fear that this would lead to over consumption. The majority of hard alcohol drinks ordered in bars contain only 1 type of liquor. For example, a shot of Jager, a Rum or Bourbon and cola, a Scotch neat or Shot of Whisky would all have 50% more alcohol. Secondly, this would limit the type and variety of specialty drinks Utah bars and restaurants could create. Utah bars would also no longer be able to make Long Island Teas, Long Beaches, Mai Tais or other Tropical Favorites.
Liquor sales from 2/3/08:
690 Shots of liquor were sold.
578 1 oz. drinks. (84%)
112 Drinks were made with more than 2oz. (16%).
41 Drinks were served Tall (in a 16 oz glass)
25 of those tall drinks were side cars (.04%)
Therefore, under proposed legislation, 84% of the drinks we served on 2/3 would contain more alcohol. That equals 11.5 extra bottles of alcohol on that day alone. 16% of the drinks served could not be legally made. These are tall, specialty drinks like Mai Tais and Teas. Only 4% of the drinks ordered were made with a sidecar and 60% of those were ordered with double the mixer as well (tall with a side car).
A conservative friend of mine caught Keith Olbermann’s Special Comment last night, and was so impressed he had make sure I saw it.
The first place I turn, of course, is One Good Move. Sure, Crooks and Liars probably has it, but I like to keep it local.
Is it just me, or is the idea of Super Delegates a Super Dumb one? In a close race like the one we have now amongst the Democratic Presidential candidates, the super delegates could completely overrule the vote of the people. Isn’t this kind of like the two Americas that Edwards was talking about? There are thousands of people like you and I that count for a single vote, and then there is the elite, “super” delegate. And who is the super-delegate most likely to support? One of their own – those already securely in the Democratic Party establishment.
Lucky for me (and anyone else who feels the same), Democracy for America has a petition urging the Democratic party to allow the people’s vote to count. Full e-mail below:
This is an unprecedented year. Thirty-seven states and U.S. territories have already voted and we don’t have a clear nominee. Senators Clinton and Obama are in a delegate race to the nomination.
There are a lot of ways that delegates get assigned to a specific candidate, but almost all of the allocated delegates are directly tied and bound by the actual votes in each primary or caucus — all of them that is, except super-delegates.
Super-delegates are a contingent of almost 900 elected officials, party insiders, and current DNC members and they aren’t required to follow the voters. In fact, after every Democrat has voted and the last allocated delegates are assigned, super-delegates have the power to overturn the popular vote and crown a different winner.
That’s right, if super-delegates don’t like who you choose to be our nominee, they can overturn your vote. We can’t let that happen. Our nominee must be chosen by Democratic voters, not by back room deals of the party elite. Sign our petition now to let the voters decide:
www.DemocracyforAmerica.com/VotersDecide
Tim Chambless teaches in the Department of Political Science at the University of Utah where he is an Assistant Professor/Lecturer. He teaches American National Government, Political Parties, Constitutional Law, Law and Politics, Mass Communication Law, and Controversial Legal Issues/Post 9/11 Terrorism, and an annual one-week seminar to Washington, D.C. Prior to joining the University of Utah’s Political Science Department, he worked for Salt Lake City Mayor Ted Wilson and Utah Governor Scott Matheson.
Tim Chambless is a former U of U Hinckley intern and the Hinckley Institute’s former Intern Coordinator. He served political internships with the Utah State Legislature, with Utah Congressman Wayne Owens (2nd Dist.) in Washington, D.C, and with Ted Wilson’s campaign for Mayor of Salt Lake City. Also, he served as student host for “Coffee and Politics” (now known as the “Hinckley Forum”) as well as host for “Books and Banter.”
He remembers his introduction to politics was quite early – before First Grade – when his parents bought a television to watch the political party conventions. His mother and father watched intently, and so, he did too. Growing up, he remembered the serious political conversations in the car and across the dinner table. And he remembers actually counting votes as a teenager with his father who served as a poll watcher. In high school he became actively involved in school politics and student government.
Tim became a familiar face in the Hinckley Institute’s caucus room soon after completing a B.A. at UC Santa Barbara. At the time, the U of U was significantly expanding the number of student interns who serve as staff to members of the Utah State Legislature. He says his life changed forever when Hinckley Director J.D. Williams and Coordinator Bae Gardner encouraged him to apply for internships – first to serve with a Republican member of the Utah State Legislature, and then with a Democratic Party member of Congress in Washington, D.C. Those experiences motivated him, later, to work in over 25 political campaigns in Utah.
Congressman Robert Wexler writes:
“Today, thanks in great part to your advocacy and persistence, the House of Representatives took a major, tangible step towards holding the Bush Administration accountable…
In a vote on the House floor, we acted to enforce the law and our Constitution, and hold former White House Counsel Harriet Miers and White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten in Contempt of Congress…
Our message of accountability for Bush/Cheney is finally resonating on Capitol Hill.
Judiciary Chairman John Conyers fought hard to bring this to a vote, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi herself took the floor to support contempt.
While Democrats may not all agree on how to press this Administration, one thing is clear:
Today, Congress has asserted its rights under the Constitution.
We must not back down.
We must never cede the rights of the Congress to the Executive.
I am pleased to inform you that today’s legislation allows Congress to bypass the Attorney General (who has stated to me this week that he would not enforce contempt) and immediately take action in the courts.”
Perhaps we have a lawyer somewhere who could offer an opinion?
One thing is clear: Today, Congress has [finally] asserted its rights duty under the Constitution.
We must not [let them] back down. I also suggest starting a “thanks & keep up the good work” campaign. Better than excorciating Democrats as invertebrates, we can give them whatever support they need to do their jobs. They have no spine, but we can make them an exoskeleton.
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Welcome to Drinking Liberally Salt Lake City. We meet at 6:30 p.m. every Friday in the back room of Piper Down [Map] and go to 9:30. All are welcome.
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