The Lib Schtick

10/3/2004

~~"You Forgot Poland"~~

I guess we all have our perspective on how the presidential debate last Thursday went. When I discussed it with a Polish Republican friend of mine, she said, "I thought Bush caught that really well, because obviously Poland is not as "big" as Tony Blair, but Kerry ... probably alienated every Polish person that will be voting. An insignificant number probably, but still something."

Everyone else thinks that Kerry kicked ass.

Speaking of kicking ass at debates, congratulations to our own Lauren Hallett, who won second place at the Freshman Prize Debate last week. Congratulations also to Gary DeTurk, who tied for third. While rumors abound that he may have to split the prize--a four-year membership--into two two-year memberships, the general consensus is that the YPU can afford to give away an extra membership. Good job, too, to all of the freshmen who participated!

--Jade

~~Upcoming Events~~

Monday, October 4

Lib Dinner

5:30 pm, Commons

As always, the Libs will be found eating under the portrait of George H.W. Bush (although some would contend that we've misidentified the portrait).

Monday, October 4

7:30 pm, SSS 114

YPU Guest: Bob Proto

Resolved: Yale should do more for its workers.

Bob Proto is the president of Local 35, the union which represents Yale's service and maintenance workers. While we seem to have staved off strikes in the near future after union negotiations with Yale last year, some issues remain unresolved. Come listen with the Liberal Party in the front-left of the room. If you're interested in speaking, contact sophia.brill@yale.edu

For those of you who have not yet bought YPU memberships, I encourage you to do so soon. You need to be a member to vote for YPU officers at the end of the semester, and we typically run several Libs (this semester, Libs represent us as the Vice-President and Treasurer). Memberships cost $15 for a year or $40 for 4 years, and you can buy them from the Teller right before YPU debates.

Wednesday, October 6

7:30 pm, Location TBA, Lib Debate

Resolved: Capitalism oppresses the Third World.

Personally, I find the phrase "the Third World" oppressive in itself, but that's not what we're going to talk about. Instead, we'll be discussing protectionist trade, the tragedy of the commons, colonialism, democratic development, industrialization, and anything else you care to bring up.

Thursday, October 7

Phone Banking for Kerry

Union Office for Local 34 & 35, 7-9 pm

We may not all be Democrats, but none of us like Bush. The Libs will be sponsoring a phone banking session for those who would like to tell undecided voters why they should vote for John Kerry. The phone bank will also gather data for a non-profit organization. If you would like to participate, please contact Brittney, the community secretary (brittney.hunt@yale.edu) so that she can reserve you a spot, or else let us know at Lib Dinner Monday.

Friday, October 8

Presidential Debate Viewing

Branford TV Room, 9 pm

The second presidential debate will be held in a town hall format, where voters will get to ask the candidates questions. Let's hope for a reprise of last week, with Bush standing there stunned.

~~Links~~

The Tragedy of the Commons

http://dieoff.org/page95.htm

Why Conservatives Think Protectionism is Bad

http://www.aworldconnected.org/article.php/489.html

World Systems Theory

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/wallerstein.html

Unions at Yale

http://www.yaleunions.org/

Linux Games

http://www.happypenguin.org/

If you've made it to the bottom of the whipsheet, congratulations.