Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Left of College Station: Back on the Air
After a four week hiatus from blogging I am returning to the blogosphere; as the newest member of the Texas Progressive Alliance and with a refocus onto the local political landscape Left of College Station is back on the air.
Tomorrow night I will be attending a meet and greet with Amy Goodman, the host of Pacifica Radio's Democracy Now!, before she gives a town hall lecture in Bryan-College Station. Democracy Now! has become the leading voice of the progressive alternative media, and most recently Goodman was arrested outside the Republican National Convention while reporting on anti-war protest. Her newest book, Standing up to the Madness: Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times, was released this month.
Goodman will be at Square One Bistro from 6:00pm – 7:00pm tomorrow night, for a meet and greet that will include light refreshments and an autographed copy of her book. The at the Neal Recreation Center from 7:30pm – 8:30pm Goodman will be appearing at a town hall lecture, and signing copies of her book afterwards. Left of College Station will be reporting on the meet and greet and the town hall lecture tomorrow night after the event; stay tuned to Left of College Station throughout the night for live mobile updates!
Tomorrow night I will be attending a meet and greet with Amy Goodman, the host of Pacifica Radio's Democracy Now!, before she gives a town hall lecture in Bryan-College Station. Democracy Now! has become the leading voice of the progressive alternative media, and most recently Goodman was arrested outside the Republican National Convention while reporting on anti-war protest. Her newest book, Standing up to the Madness: Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times, was released this month.
Goodman will be at Square One Bistro from 6:00pm – 7:00pm tomorrow night, for a meet and greet that will include light refreshments and an autographed copy of her book. The at the Neal Recreation Center from 7:30pm – 8:30pm Goodman will be appearing at a town hall lecture, and signing copies of her book afterwards. Left of College Station will be reporting on the meet and greet and the town hall lecture tomorrow night after the event; stay tuned to Left of College Station throughout the night for live mobile updates!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Taxation With Representation: How Conservative Angst is Preventing Constructive Political Debate
I was recently having a conversation with a fellow student, and we were talking about the debate in Texas about whether or not students should be allowed to carry concealed guns on campus. This student and I happen to share the same view that concealed guns should not be allowed on campus, and this view happens to be one of the few that we have in common. I am a liberal, and he is a conservative. I vote Democrat, and he votes Republican.
This fellow student then recounted a story to me about a conversation he had with one of his professors on the subject of concealed guns on campus. When he told this professor that he was against allowing students to carry concealed guns on college campuses the professor asked him if he was a liberal. The student told the professor that he was a conservative and a Republican, but that he was pro gun control and pro choice. “You’re a conservative Democrat.”
This story perfectly illustrates one of the fundamental problems with the current Republican Party; it is a basic misunderstanding of the fact that elections (and the minds of the voters) are won in the middle. The rhetoric that is coming from the Republicans is not unlike what came from the Democrats in the early 1980s and to a lesser extent in the early part of this decade. As the Republican Party has moved further to the right they have lost the moderate and independent voters, however, the ironic thing is if you ask a typical conservative why the believe any given Republican lost an election they will tell you that they where not conservative enough.
Today “conservatives” are participating manufactured dissent; they are apparently protesting taxation with representation. These Astroturf protests, which have been organized by Freedomworks and promoted by Fox News, are a symptom of a problem within the conservative movement. The problem with the conservative movement is a lack of new ideas, or the ability to package the fundamental ideas of the conservative movement in a new way.
The very idea of reenacting the Tea Party protest is perplexing. The Boston Tea Party was because colonist where upset about the fact that taxes had been levied by the British government without colonist beyond allowed to vote on those taxes. The people that are protesting today voted in November and their elected representatives have been casting their votes since January.
There are conservative activist will say that they are protesting the spending or that they believe that we are essentially taxing future generations. Others will use words like “socialism,” “totalitarianism,” and “fascism.” The only central idea or them that the protest have in common is that they are angry, and that they feel that their views are not being represented. The problem is that their views are being represented, and they are angry because their views are no longer in the majority.
However, this is not revolution. This is frustration, frustration which is allowing only the most conservative voices to be heard, because they are the only ones that are speaking. The ironic part is that because the Democratic Party has made such gains in Congress the only Republicans that remain are from dark red districts and states, and thus the rhetoric and policy positions is a dark shade of red. Until a leader stands up and says that the Republican Party is open to new ideas and to different view points, and that those who would rather shout from the outside are only divisive the Republican Party is going to continue to find itself on the outside looking in.
Although I may be experiencing schadenfreude while the Republican Party implodes, I do not believe that a weak Republican Party is in the long run good for America. I believe that when you have two great political parties the clash of ideas produces better ideas and policies, which is good for America. The political debate in America should not be the demagoguery of talk radio or the incoherent shouting on cable news. It should be a conversation between two people with different ideas about politics and policy over a cup of coffee, or even tea.
This fellow student then recounted a story to me about a conversation he had with one of his professors on the subject of concealed guns on campus. When he told this professor that he was against allowing students to carry concealed guns on college campuses the professor asked him if he was a liberal. The student told the professor that he was a conservative and a Republican, but that he was pro gun control and pro choice. “You’re a conservative Democrat.”
This story perfectly illustrates one of the fundamental problems with the current Republican Party; it is a basic misunderstanding of the fact that elections (and the minds of the voters) are won in the middle. The rhetoric that is coming from the Republicans is not unlike what came from the Democrats in the early 1980s and to a lesser extent in the early part of this decade. As the Republican Party has moved further to the right they have lost the moderate and independent voters, however, the ironic thing is if you ask a typical conservative why the believe any given Republican lost an election they will tell you that they where not conservative enough.
Today “conservatives” are participating manufactured dissent; they are apparently protesting taxation with representation. These Astroturf protests, which have been organized by Freedomworks and promoted by Fox News, are a symptom of a problem within the conservative movement. The problem with the conservative movement is a lack of new ideas, or the ability to package the fundamental ideas of the conservative movement in a new way.
The very idea of reenacting the Tea Party protest is perplexing. The Boston Tea Party was because colonist where upset about the fact that taxes had been levied by the British government without colonist beyond allowed to vote on those taxes. The people that are protesting today voted in November and their elected representatives have been casting their votes since January.
There are conservative activist will say that they are protesting the spending or that they believe that we are essentially taxing future generations. Others will use words like “socialism,” “totalitarianism,” and “fascism.” The only central idea or them that the protest have in common is that they are angry, and that they feel that their views are not being represented. The problem is that their views are being represented, and they are angry because their views are no longer in the majority.
However, this is not revolution. This is frustration, frustration which is allowing only the most conservative voices to be heard, because they are the only ones that are speaking. The ironic part is that because the Democratic Party has made such gains in Congress the only Republicans that remain are from dark red districts and states, and thus the rhetoric and policy positions is a dark shade of red. Until a leader stands up and says that the Republican Party is open to new ideas and to different view points, and that those who would rather shout from the outside are only divisive the Republican Party is going to continue to find itself on the outside looking in.
Although I may be experiencing schadenfreude while the Republican Party implodes, I do not believe that a weak Republican Party is in the long run good for America. I believe that when you have two great political parties the clash of ideas produces better ideas and policies, which is good for America. The political debate in America should not be the demagoguery of talk radio or the incoherent shouting on cable news. It should be a conversation between two people with different ideas about politics and policy over a cup of coffee, or even tea.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Progressive Happenings This Month…
April 1: Dr. Valerie Hill-Jackson: Lead Poisoning in America
Rudder 407 at 11:30am – 1:00pm
Sponsored by Department of Multicultural Services
April 14: College Station Education Association Candidate Forum
Coalition for Support of Public Schools
A&M Consolidated High School at 7:00pm
April 14: J Goodin
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 15: Death Penalty Protest
"Protest Park" (Texas Avenue and Walton Drive) at 5:30pm
April 15: “Meet the Candidates”
Bryan and College Station School Boards and City Councils
Brazos Valley African American Museum at 6:00pm
April 15: Biased Transmission
89.1 FM KEOS at 6:00pm – 7:00pm
April 15: Open Mic Hosted by Alyx Pryce
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 16: The Gougers with The HappenIns
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 18: D.R.U.M.
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 19: Brazos Locavores Field Trip
Brazos Natural Foods at 11:00am
Contact: brazoslocavores@gmail.com
April 19: Pot Luck
Association For Social Entrepreneurship (Texas A&M University Chapter)
Neal Park in Bryan at 1:00pm
Rudder 407 at 11:30am – 1:00pm
Sponsored by Department of Multicultural Services
April 1: Biased Transmission
89.1 FM KEOS at 6:00pm – 7:00pm
April 1: Open Mic Hosted by Alyx Pryce
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
89.1 FM KEOS at 6:00pm – 7:00pm
April 1: Open Mic Hosted by Alyx Pryce
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 2: Gender Bender Ball
Halo Bar at 9:30pm
Sponsored By the GLBTPN
April 2: Smile Transylvania
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 3: First Friday
Downtown Bryan at 5:00pm
April 3: Evening of the Arts
Old Bryan Marketplace at 6:00pm
Halo Bar at 9:30pm
Sponsored By the GLBTPN
April 2: Smile Transylvania
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 3: First Friday
Downtown Bryan at 5:00pm
April 3: Evening of the Arts
Old Bryan Marketplace at 6:00pm
April 3: Rattletree Marimba at Revolution Café and Bar
High-Energy Zimbabwean Dance and Trance Music at 10:00pm
April 4: Brazos Valley Farmers Market
Corner of Texas Avenue and William J Bryan Parkway at 8:00am – 12:00pm
April 4: Texas Trash Off
Keep Brazos Beautiful at the Brazos Center at 9:00am – 1:00pm
April 4: Puente
The Village Café at 12:00pm – 2:00pm
April 4: Big Gay BBQ
Thomas Park in College Station at 1:00pm
High-Energy Zimbabwean Dance and Trance Music at 10:00pm
April 4: Brazos Valley Farmers Market
Corner of Texas Avenue and William J Bryan Parkway at 8:00am – 12:00pm
April 4: Texas Trash Off
Keep Brazos Beautiful at the Brazos Center at 9:00am – 1:00pm
April 4: Puente
The Village Café at 12:00pm – 2:00pm
April 4: Big Gay BBQ
Thomas Park in College Station at 1:00pm
April 4: Pot Luck
Association For Social Entrepreneurship (Texas A&M University Chapter)
Neal Park in Bryan at 5:00pm
Association For Social Entrepreneurship (Texas A&M University Chapter)
Neal Park in Bryan at 5:00pm
April 4: Free Radicals
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 5: Allies Advanced
April 5: Pot Luck
Association For Social Entrepreneurship (Texas A&M University Chapter)
Neal Park in Bryan at 1:00pm
April 6: Coming Out Monologues
MSC 201 at 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Association For Social Entrepreneurship (Texas A&M University Chapter)
Neal Park in Bryan at 1:00pm
April 6: Coming Out Monologues
MSC 201 at 6:00pm – 7:00pm
April 7: Death Penalty Protest
"Protest Park" (Texas Avenue and Walton Drive) at 5:30pm
April 7: The Laramie Project: The Matthew Shepard Story
Rudder 302 at 7:00pm
April 7: J Goodin
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 8: Biased Transmission
89.1 FM KEOS at 6:00pm – 7:00pm
April 8: Judy Shepard
Gay Rights Activist, Mother of Matthew Shepard
Rudder Theater at 7:00pm
April 8: Open Mic Hosted by Alyx Pryce
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 9: Guess Who’s Gay Panel
Koldus 111 at 7:00pm
April 10: Wine and Revolution, International Waters
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 11: Brazos Valley Farmers Market
Corner of Texas Avenue and William J Bryan Parkway at 8:00am – 12:00pm
April 11: Puente
The Village Café at 12:00pm – 2:00pm
"Protest Park" (Texas Avenue and Walton Drive) at 5:30pm
April 7: The Laramie Project: The Matthew Shepard Story
Rudder 302 at 7:00pm
April 7: J Goodin
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 8: Biased Transmission
89.1 FM KEOS at 6:00pm – 7:00pm
April 8: Judy Shepard
Gay Rights Activist, Mother of Matthew Shepard
Rudder Theater at 7:00pm
April 8: Open Mic Hosted by Alyx Pryce
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 9: Guess Who’s Gay Panel
Koldus 111 at 7:00pm
April 10: Wine and Revolution, International Waters
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 11: Brazos Valley Farmers Market
Corner of Texas Avenue and William J Bryan Parkway at 8:00am – 12:00pm
April 11: Puente
The Village Café at 12:00pm – 2:00pm
April 11: Pot Luck
Neal Park in Bryan at 5:00pm
April 11: Progressive Potluck
Linda & Hugh Stearns at 6:00pm
Contact: hugh@stearnsdesignbuild.com
Contact: lstearns@tamu.edu
April 11: The Ride Home, Young Mammals
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 12: Pot Luck
Association For Social Entrepreneurship (Texas A&M University Chapter)
Neal Park in Bryan at 1:00pm
Linda & Hugh Stearns at 6:00pm
Contact: hugh@stearnsdesignbuild.com
Contact: lstearns@tamu.edu
April 11: The Ride Home, Young Mammals
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 12: Pot Luck
Association For Social Entrepreneurship (Texas A&M University Chapter)
Neal Park in Bryan at 1:00pm
April 14: College Station Education Association Candidate Forum
Coalition for Support of Public Schools
A&M Consolidated High School at 7:00pm
April 14: J Goodin
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 15: Death Penalty Protest
"Protest Park" (Texas Avenue and Walton Drive) at 5:30pm
April 15: “Meet the Candidates”
Bryan and College Station School Boards and City Councils
Brazos Valley African American Museum at 6:00pm
April 15: Biased Transmission
89.1 FM KEOS at 6:00pm – 7:00pm
April 15: Open Mic Hosted by Alyx Pryce
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 16: The Gougers with The HappenIns
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 17: Day of Silence
April 18: Brazos Valley Farmers Market
Corner of Texas Avenue and William J Bryan Parkway at 8:00am – 12:00pm
Corner of Texas Avenue and William J Bryan Parkway at 8:00am – 12:00pm
April 18: Pot Luck
April 18: D.R.U.M.
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 19: Brazos Locavores Field Trip
Brazos Natural Foods at 11:00am
Contact: brazoslocavores@gmail.com
April 19: Pot Luck
Association For Social Entrepreneurship (Texas A&M University Chapter)
Neal Park in Bryan at 1:00pm
April 21: Café Scientifique
Featuring Dr.Danny Yeager (Texas A&M Chemistry Department)
Revolution Café and Bar at 7:00pm – 8:00pm
April 21: J Goodin
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 22: Biased Transmission
89.1 FM KEOS at 6:00pm – 7:00pm
April 22: Open Mic Hosted by Alyx Pryce
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 23: Green Mountain Grass
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 24: Dans La Lune
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 25: Brazos Valley Farmers Market
Corner of Texas Avenue and William J Bryan Parkway at 8:00am – 12:00pm
April 25: Puente
The Village Café at 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Featuring Dr.Danny Yeager (Texas A&M Chemistry Department)
Revolution Café and Bar at 7:00pm – 8:00pm
April 21: J Goodin
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 22: Biased Transmission
89.1 FM KEOS at 6:00pm – 7:00pm
April 22: Open Mic Hosted by Alyx Pryce
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 23: Green Mountain Grass
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 24: Dans La Lune
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 25: Brazos Valley Farmers Market
Corner of Texas Avenue and William J Bryan Parkway at 8:00am – 12:00pm
April 25: Puente
The Village Café at 12:00pm – 2:00pm
April 25: Pot Luck
Association For Social Entrepreneurship (Texas A&M University Chapter)
Neal Park in Bryan at 5:00pm
April 26: Pot Luck
Association For Social Entrepreneurship (Texas A&M University Chapter)
Neal Park in Bryan at 1:00pm
Neal Park in Bryan at 5:00pm
April 26: Pot Luck
Association For Social Entrepreneurship (Texas A&M University Chapter)
Neal Park in Bryan at 1:00pm
April 28: J Goodin
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 29: Biased Transmission
89.1 FM KEOS at 6:00pm – 7:00pm
April 29: Open Mic Hosted by Alyx Pryce
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 30: Death Penalty Protest
"Protest Park" (Texas Avenue and Walton Drive) at 5:30pm
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 29: Biased Transmission
89.1 FM KEOS at 6:00pm – 7:00pm
April 29: Open Mic Hosted by Alyx Pryce
Revolution Café and Bar at 10:00pm – 1:00am
April 30: Death Penalty Protest
"Protest Park" (Texas Avenue and Walton Drive) at 5:30pm
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