And he's going to tell us.
Make sure to watch the SOTU at 5pm.

http://www.c-span.org/


Drinks Every time Bush says....
“The state of our union is strong…” (or some version of this)
troops
Iraq
Iran
terror (however it’s pronounced) "terrorism," "terrorist," "war on terror" or "Terror Dome"
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (+1 if he pronounces it correctly)
Saddam Hussein or Saddam
democracy
"elections" 3 or more times within one minute, when referring to the Iraqi or Palestinian elections
Freedom
protect
(as in "protect America," "protect the lives of Americans" or "protect our right to eavesdrop on the phone calls of any American")
Homeland
"Jack Abramoff" or any reference to the congressional corruption scandals or congressional "ethics" one sip of the drink belonging to the person next to you
"Hard work"
"Bring it on" Arm-wrestle the person next to you; loser drinks
“nukular”
bipartisan or bipartisanship (+1 if followed by giggle or chuckle)
“foreign oil” within 5 seconds of “Alaska(n)”
Medicare wait a really long time to get a drink you really need
education +1 if mispronounced)
environment
"border security"
"illegal immigration"
God (or any euphemism for God)
"fiscal discipline" laugh out loud, then drink
"tax burden" "tax reform," "tax credits" or "tax relief,"
"Don't mess with Texas!" Locate the nearest Texan; mess with him/her; then drink

Business must be bad for Ann Coulter-wannabe Karen Hanretty's solo act since leaving her post as the Republican Party's chief mouthpiece. That can be the only rational explanation for her desparate attempts for attention of late.

Last week, she bashes Gov. Schwarzenegger and promotes the gubernatorial candidacy of a Democratic gubernatorial candidate. Then she goes off the deep-end again in her fact-challenged attacks on Assembly Member Mark Leno.

As much as Hanretty wants to politicize the issue, the record will show that not a single Assembly Republican supported the toughening of the state's laws to protect kids from sexual predators. It will show that Assembly Republicans failed to support a bill supported by the Attorney General and all of the state's major law enforcement groups. And it will show that Assembly Republicans support a bill so poorly drafted and unworkable, that even Kevin McCarthy's hometown Republican newspaper, The Bakersfield Californian, editorialized against it.

At least Anne Coulter gets her facts straight occasionally. If Karen wants to give Assembly Republican loose cannon Mike Spence a run for the money in getting press attention, she might want to do the same.

She's doing Hannity and Colmes tonight...maybe someone can get her some updated facts before the cameras turn on...

Last week, the Gov's new communications director Adam Mendelsohn made a boo-boo: he started talking with reporters about Schwarzenegger's campaign, even though he works on the taxpayers' dime. Of course, we all know that Schwarzenegger is a big fan of putting state staff to work on his campaigns (see "Soul for Sale" on this blog), but Mendelsohn likely broke the law. In an LA Times piece last week, Mendelsohn was quoted as follows: "'We feel very confident that the Republican Party, in the end, will endorse Arnold Schwarzenegger,' said Adam Mendelsohn, the governor's new communications director." (LA Times, January 20, 2006) When CYD heard that taxpayer money was being used to advance Schwarzenegger's personal quest for a second term, we decided to file a complaint with the FPPC. Check out the press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stacy Berger
January 20, 2006

YOUNG DEMOCRATS FILE ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST GOVERNOR’S COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR


SACRAMENTO -- The California Young Democrats (CYD) today filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission noting that the Governor’s new communications director, Adam Mendelsohn, violated the state’s ethics law.

Mendelsohn is quoted in the Los Angeles Times today discussing the Governor’s campaing. "We feel very confident that the Republican Party, in the end, will endorse Arnold Schwarzenegger," said Adam Mendelsohn, the governor's new communications director.

“This administration consistently acts as if it is above the law,” said Stacy Berger, Executive Director of CYD. “State law requires a firewall between government work and campaign work. Whether it’s the chief of staff running around the state campaigning while being paid by taxpayers or the governor’s legislative secretary offering special access to donors, this practice is not only immoral, it’s illegal.”

The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is a governmental watchdog organization that ensures that politicians and political campaigns adhere to the Political Reform Act. As the Governor’s communications director, Mendelsohn receives his pay from California taxpayers – a fact that bars him from participating in the Governor’s campaign except under very strict conditions.

“The governor’s communications director should not be talking about party politics while being paid by taxpayers,” said Berger. “That’s what campaign spokespersons are for.”

# # #

Last Friday, CYD commemorated the 33rd anniversary of Roe v Wade by issuing a reminder to anti-choice legislators of the brutal history of back-alley abortions. Here's the press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stacy Berger
January 20, 2006

California Young Democrats Remember Roe v Wade
Youth Group Distributes “Reminders” to Anti-Choice Legislators

Sacramento, CA—California Young Democrats (CYD), the official youth arm of the Democratic Party, commemorated the 33rd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade by distributing rewards for pro-choice legislators and a wire hanger as a reminder for anti-choice legislators. Pro-choice legislators were rewarded with Rockstar energy drinks so that they have the energy to continue protecting a woman’s right to choose during the second-half of the legislative session. Anti-choice legislators, on the other hand, were given wire hangers as a reminder of the brutal and oftentimes lethal history of back-alley abortions before Roe v. Wade.

“Most young people in California don’t know a world where women are forced into dangerous and deadly back-alley abortions because they couldn’t see a doctor,” said Crystal Strait, California Young Democrat President. “Today, CYD is sending a poignant reminder to those legislators who want to roll back the clock.”

Legislators that have a 0-20% or “anti-choice” voting record were given a wire hanger—a “tool” often used in back-alley abortions because it was illegal for pregnant women to receive medical treatment.

“I know that the hanger will shock a lot of people,” said Strait. “But just imagine the horror young women went through before 1973 because they couldn’t get the medical attention they needed and were forced to use a hanger as a medical device.”

Legislators with a 100% or “pro-choice” voting record received a can of “Rockstar” – a popular energy drink with a note that said, “We hope this energy drink will help you beat back the right wing’s attack on Roe v. Wade.”

California Young Democrats is the official youth arm of the California Democratic Party and is a a network of chartered clubs representing high school, college and young Democrats in over 80 chapters throughout the state. Every Californian affiliated with the Democratic Party between the ages of 14-35 is encouraged to join.

# # #

33 women, young and old, stood with Phil Angelides today in Sacramento commemorating the 33rd Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized a women's right to choose throughout the United States.

The event included women from the Sacramento County Young Democrats, Capitol Young Democrats, Sacramento State Young Democrats, and Mira Loma High School Young Democrats.

"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

Well, it’s official. One-time Democratic heavyweight Susan Kennedy has sold her soul to the Schwarzenegger money machine. In addition to her Chief of Staff duties, Kennedy will embark on the Country Club Tour '06 to moonlight as a fundraiser for Arnold's reelection campaign. The LA Times has it: “Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is dispatching his newly appointed chief of staff to woo wealthy Republican donors for his reelection effort.” The article also indicates that Kennedy will be paid, "campaign funds in addition to her $131,000 government salary." But not to worry -- Kennedy will only attend fundraisers on her "vacation days," so she won't be on the state dime. If you think that sounds a lot like what comes out of the back end of a bull, I have to agree. We know Republicans are fond of vacation time, but how much time off has Kennedy really earned in her month-long tenure with the Gov? Fifteen minutes?

As if asking a state-paid worker to raise money for a campaign wasn't unethical enough, the LAT also indicates that Kennedy will be rubbing elbows with developers Alex Spanos and Rick Caruso at upcoming fundraisers. The timing of this couldn’t reek worse of corruption: Schwarzenegger proposes a massive infrastructure bond, then days later announces that he’s sending his top legislative advisor to shake down the state’s largest developers. It’s a pretty sweet pitch Kennedy’s going to throw: “Can we please have 20 grand for Arnold’s campaign, and oh by the way we have around $200 billion we could steer your way.” Keep your eyes out for the Schwarzenegger-Spanos $5 billion high speed rail from Stockton to Manteca.

The State of the State is over (see the entire text of the speech here), and there is a decidedly mixed response from both the left and right to Schwarzenegger’s “Build It” campaign. The Gov is drawing a lot of heat from critics on the right who say he’s turning his back on fiscal responsibility. But I think the true reason that California’s right wing is so upset is that they are beginning to realize that they fundamentally misjudged Schwarzenegger’s character when they campaigned and voted for him in the recall. FlashReport’s Jon Fleischman goes so far as call Schwarzenegger’s behavior “schizophrenic.” He continues, “As a Republican, and a conservative, I am astounded, confused and demoralized that the Governor I elected on a platform of fiscal responsibility and reform wants to now be the 'build it' Governor.”

What Fleischman and most conservatives fail to realize is that in the Schwarzenegger mind, he did not unveil a political plan in his State of the State, he unveiled a campaign to boost his image. As Carla Marinucci in the Chron puts it, “Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled Thursday for California voters an ambitious marketing campaign for a decidedly more consumer-friendly political product…” She’s right – but the marketing campaign isn’t selling anything except Schwarzenegger. Remember, this is a man who’s only political experience before becoming Governor was marrying into the Kennedy family. Schwarzenegger, in reality, is not a conservative, a liberal, or a centrist. He is concerned with only one thing: boosting his own status at any cost. If that means beating up on California’s workers as he tried to do in the special election, so be it. Right now, he thinks it means buying everything under the sun, and spending his way into reelection. So be it.

The thing that confuses me is that California Republicans would work so hard to elect someone who has zero political experience, and now they’re surprised when he shows no consistency in his political beliefs. Complaining that Arnold doesn’t have a consistent political philosophy is like complaining that Puff Daddy doesn’t have a consistent musical style: they both play whatever record will sell. During the recall, fiscal reform played well with California’s electorate, so that’s how Arnold defined himself. Now, he thinks that spending into unbelievable debt will play. Schwarzenegger subscribes to a simple political doctrine: say whatever sells. He is an opportunist, plain and simple. Playing to the public might be the way to sell movies, but it’s not the way to lead.

With the New Year, CYD thought it was important to reflect on one of last year's most important events: when California's working families came together and defeated Arnold's right-wing attack. We'll be sending out this cartoon as a card soon, but we need your help to add that CYD touch. We are taking suggestions to fill the blank space in the cartoon. Please post your own message to Arnold here on our blog. We'll pick one and add it to the cartoon when we send it out in the mail. Be creative, be funny, be sure to tell Arnold what you really think of his wasteful special election. Enjoy!

Can't get to a TV in time to see what Arnold has in store for California? Eager to see what we'll be fighting next? Looking for some nice drinking game fodder (shots for each movie reference - WAIT, don't do THAT - alcohol poisoning is uncool)?

You can watch the State of the State Address live on you computer by clicking here tomorrow, Thursday, January 5, at 5pm.

If booze isn't your thing or you fear getting drunk, disorderly with frustration, or you have a final to study for, try these ideas to enhance your SoS viewing pleasure:

• Make Schwarzenegger Bingo cards for you, your club, family, or friends to play. Make a 5x5 square grid - center is free! - and fill in the boxes with words like "reform," "special interests," "Maria," "initiative," "special election," and "legislature." Or download an example here and then shuffle up your own playing cards to make it a real competition. Make sure only one card has the automatic you-lose square: "Jingle All The Way."
• Play "I Spy" and call out you favorite legislators or members of the California Supreme Court.
• For those with HDTV, play "count the pores." Ha! Trick game - he has none!
• Have a friends or club members write down their guesses about how tall Arnold really is.
• Bet on how many initiative proposals Arnold will unveil.
• Bet on how often Arnold invokes "Maria" and other woo-the-women's-vote catch phrases.
• For those with TiVo, mute the sound, invent your own rhetoric, and see how closely you come to what he really says.

How will you improve the quality of your viewing experience? Share your ideas or thoughts about the speech in the comments section below!

READ ALL THE WAY DOWN. THERE ARE LINKS TO PROPOSED CHANGES ALL THE WAY AT THE BOTTOM. SO AGAIN, READ IT OR WAIVE YOUR NOTICE OBJECTIONS.

A message from your friendly Parliamentarian:

In October, we amended the CYD bylaws for clarity, grammar, and other minor changes that have - I hope - created a more accessible document for the membership.

Click here to download the current bylaws

Note on downloading: I recommend you "save" rather than "open" the document and then open it in your regular word processing program.

Please note that the current bylaws document you can download by clicking above will have some numbering discrepancies. These are simply formatting errors that will be corrected once we are done with major revisions and do not affect the substance of the bylaws. Additionally, the version linked to above should no longer contain any of the tracked changes. If it does, it's because I messed up something in word, so please email me to let me know.

Now - on to the business at hand

In accordance with the bylaws, all proposed revisions must be noticed 21 days prior to when they may be taken up for consideration by the body. Our next meeting is on January 28, so we're well within that time constraint. Additionally, there is still time for suggesting revisions. Please email me with specific proposals or concerns by 5pm on Janurary 7. If you would like to discuss the proposed changes, however, you are welcome - and encouraged - to use the comments section here on the blog.

Some preliminary technical information

INTRODUCTION
Please take the time to read the comments included in the edited version linked below - they will alert you to policy questions we either are addressing in the changes or questions we'll need to address in the next round of revisions. The reasons to note the comments are threefold: 1) the comments keep this process transparent; 2) the comments help you to understand what you're reading; 3) the comment advise you of areas where we need everyone's input.

TECHNICAL ADVICE
As you probably already know, the ability of Microsoft Word to screw up just about any document is impressive. This edited version was prepared using Microsoft Word and I cannot guarantee that it will look the same on all versions of Word, nor in other word processing programs. If you have problems viewing the edits, please email me immediately after you trouble-shoot in the following ways:

1. Under "View" in the Toolbar, click on "Markup" - you should be able to see the document either with all the red and blue marks or as it would look if all the changes were adopted (ie: no red and blue marks). Various versions of word and various printers require some finessing to get the document to print out with fancy mark-ups (arrows, strike-outs, etc). I wish luck and will help where I can.
2. To see the comments themselves, go to your toolbar (below the File/Edit/View part), and look for a button that says "Show." It will have a drop-down menu with options. Click-on "Reviewing Pane." You should now have a horizontally split screen that will show each comment below. If you click on one, it will move the text pane to that edit. These comments can also be printed on their own (the advantage to this is that you won't lose any of the edits/comment text due to size restraints on the whole-document form). This will make more sense once you play around with it yourself.
3. Different people have their toolbars set differently. In some cases (most, probably), newer versions of Word should automatically detect that you are looking at a document with edits and your toolbars should give you mark-up options. One of these will be a drop-down menu that offers the following options:

Final Showing Markup
Final
Original Showing Markup
Original

Play around with them accordingly.

And, lastly, this document was sent to you in Word form because converting it to pdf would likely have resulted in losing some of the comments, hampering your ability to navigate the document efficiently and effectively. If you cannot open the Word form or it comes out really, really messed up, I will make a pdf and send it to you. Also, because there are going to now be 8 zillion Word copies out there (all of which will reflect your changes, should you play around with them), the copies which will be officially considered at the Jan. meeting will come from me and this computer only. So bring your own for reference and copies will be available for you as well. Hopefully there won't be much of a difference.

Stay put, we're not done with the prelimiary information yet

Attention all CLUB PRESIDENTS, Interested Persons, Executive Committee Members, Etc:
At the approaching Jan. Executive Board meeting we will take up the second round of Bylaws Revisions. These changes are substantive in nature, unlike in Round 1 - so your attention and input are VITAL.

To that end, if you cannot download the proposed changes, you need to EMAIL ME IMMEDIATELY (parliamentarian at youngdems dot org) for an electronic redlined copy and a mock up of what the changes would look like if adopted.

Some things to keep in mind:

1.) The magic of microsoft means that some of the (auto-formatted) numbering is wrong. We are aware of this and it isn't final numbering. It does not substantively affect the bylaws, so don't lose sleep over it.
2.) This is the substantive edits point of the project. There have been frequent requests for input over the past year. So none of these proposals or issues should be a surprise to you unless you're a new club. If you are and would like additional background on these changes or the last changes or any of the policies, please email me and we'll get you up to date. Also - the proposals in the linked-to document are just that - PROPOSALS. They do not limit what we may do or what we can do. If you have alternative language, please email it to me by Jan. 7 at 5pm if you would like it noticed for consideration at the Jan. meeting. Also, at the Jan. meeting, any proposal properly noticed may be amended prior to action if done in accordance with applicable rules.
3.) The redlined copy may have both red and blue lines. Don't mind the different colors. We're just being patriotic.
4.) This is a very, very difficult process that is going to involve perhaps a dedicated hour of your time and a lot of your understanding. We're dealing with the meatier issues this time, so be ready to buckle down and give this some thought. It will continue to be a hoot, however.
5.) When we attack this at the meeting, I will do my best to present a coherent plan of attack to divide the changes into sections (much as CCD we did last time). I will respectfully ask that you give me the benefit of the doubt on the placement of commas, periods, general structuring, and the like.

Thanks for sticking it out through this long list message. Email or phone with any questions. Though all comments will, of course, be in order at the meeting, if you have sizable issues, the debate will be all the better if you can submit comments PRIOR TO January 28, 2005, in writing, via email. Not required, but it's the polite thing to do. Help raise the bar, etc.

Again, if you can't download the bylaws here, email me at parliamentarian at youngdems dot org.

Click here to download the Proposed Bylaws Revisions - Round 2.

***IMPORTANT: Please check this site a few more times between now and January 8 when any other proposed language will be posted. Club leaders are expected to discuss the changes with their members and ensure that their members have appropriate notice of the upcoming meeting and possible action.***

UPDATES:
1/3/06: A new version of the Round 2 document is available above. Change effects Article IV, Section 1(d)(3).

1/7/06: Additional proposal to alter the structure of the Board; amends Officer job titles and duties. Click here to download proposed Article V language.

Additional proposal to alter the credentialing process. Click here to download.