http://garnetdonkey.com The online home of the Swarthmore College Young Democrats Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:59:37 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en This morning, Washington Monthly reports that 48 House Democrats are still on the fence about HR 2981, a new version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Unlike previous versions of this bill, if enacted, HR 2981 would prohibit discrimination against transgendered Americans as well as against gay and lesbian Americans. The ... http://garnetdonkey.com/2009/06/30/democrats-on-the-fence-about-discrimination/ College Dems went to D.C. in early May to do some lobbying for comprehensive sex ed.  One of the offices that we met with was that of Senator Arlen Specter, Republican turned Democrat of Pennsylvania (at the time of our meeting he had just made the switch).  Of all of ... http://garnetdonkey.com/2009/06/25/we-rock/ The governor of South Carolina went missing for 5 days recently.  He returned yesterday to explain his disappearance: In a rambling news conference, Mark Sanford apologized for having an affair, ending a mystery over his recent activities. http://garnetdonkey.com/2009/06/25/made-me-laugh/ Just read Bob Herbert's column in today's New York Times. He points out the role of the NRA in fueling the flames of right-wing extremism. He cites an article written by an NRA lawyer claiming that the second amendment is not abount hunting, but rather is"directed at maintaining an armed ... http://garnetdonkey.com/2009/06/20/repeal-the-second/ Today, to celebrate his birthday, former President George H.W. Bush parachuted out of a plane. As a Navy Lieutenant, Bush has considerable experience, but it was an impressive feat nonetheless. Did I mention that this was to celebrate his eighty-fifth birthday? You can watch this bit of ex-presidential awesomeness on video here. (h/t ... http://garnetdonkey.com/2009/06/12/credit-where-credits-due/ The battle over healthcare reform is heating up as congressional democrats debate the public option. Last week the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of 51 conservative democrats, issued a statement saying they would only support a public option as a fallback measure that would be triggered sometime in the future ... http://garnetdonkey.com/2009/06/09/923/ Rep. Sestak is, officially, in the race for the Democratic Senate nomination in 2010. Politico reports that the congressman said to Wolf Blitzer this afternoon: I don’t think that a D next to your name makes you a Democrat. It’s about whether Arlen will fight for the right issues, Democrat or ... http://garnetdonkey.com/2009/05/27/hes-in/ In keeping with my earlier post, here's a quick run-down of the comparative voting records of Sen. Specter and potential challenger Rep. Sestak. The numbers paint a clear picture: an right-leaning moderate ex-Republican versus a progressive Democrat with an exceptional record on issues that matter. I have done my best ... http://garnetdonkey.com/2009/05/27/specter-v-sestak-by-the-numbers/ TPM is reporting that Rep. Joe Sestak, who represents Swarthmore and has long been a great friend to Swat College Dems, is privately telling supporters he's running. If he does chose to run, I'm all for it. The congresman has done great work in his  years in the House and ... http://garnetdonkey.com/2009/05/27/run-joe-run/ One of the most surreal experiences I have had at Swarthmore was that of being repeatedly asked, in my function as then-president of College Democrats (aka the organization that brings you Garnet Donkey), how one might contact College Republicans, a group that has gone in and out of existence during ... http://garnetdonkey.com/2009/05/22/in-college-democrats-news/