UConn Metanoia

October 2nd, 2009 No comments

So, I’ve been seeing a lot of posters (high quality, color printed, glossy paper posters) taped around campus for UConn Metanoia, which is a week of speakers and workshops geared towards Domestic Violence awareness and Sexual Assault prevention.

With that said, let’s look at the logo that UConn created for this event:

looks awfully similar to the Recovery.gov logo if you ask me. At the very least, it was used as reference.

Maybe throw in some lettering from the Generation Obama logo and it ’s a match!

Also, our CT attorney general, Dick Blumenthal, is suppose to be speaking at one of the events, if anyone is intereted. For those of you who don’t know about him, I will quote Wikipedia:

Blumenthal has attracted national attention for his hyperkinetic approach to seeking publicity for himself and his legal initiatives, leading one critic to remark “The most dangerous place in Connecticut is between Dick Blumenthal and a TV camera.”

The reason Blumenthal will be speaking: he heard there was a podium and microphone set up.

Democrats with Computers

September 13th, 2009 No comments
[AP Photo/Jessica Hill] Courtesy Courant.com

AP Photo/Jessica Hill

Of course, we all remember this AP Photo from two weeks ago that drew National attention to the CT State Legislative procedures when Democrat Rep. Barbara Lambert and Democrat Rep. Jack Hennessy were caught playing solitaire and the unshown State Democrat Rep. Russ Morin was checking out ESPN while Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr. spoke during our budget debate.

The photo was featured on the front page of the Drudge Report and Michelle Malkin’s blog, as well as the Hartford Courant and news outlets nation-wide. Democrats passed the photo off as a “momentary diversion” (even though it looks like she progressed pretty far through that game).

OK, this was the old news…Why do I bring this up now?

Well it seems democrats are using their computers during work hours to do non-work-related tasks once again. I am referring to the New Britain Mayor elections. The Republican incumbent, Mayor Tim Stewart is being challenged by Democrat Rep. Tim O’Brien.

Courtesy Facebook

Image Courtesy Facebook

The New Britain Herald broke the story, Political smears against mayor traced to state Capitol, The Hartford Courant caught on with, Attacks On Republican Mayor Made From Capitol Computer.

The Herald reports:

A number of comments critical of Stewart have come from the Internet Protocol host 159.247.160.124. The IP address is owned by the State of Connecticut and is used by a server handling many, if not all, of the legislative employees who use state-owned computers.

In one instance the unknown author, who writes under the moniker, Jim, wrote “Like father, like son,” in regard to a story on the DUI arrest of the mayor’s son and in a story on changes to the city’s blight ordinance the message, “Thanks Tim Stewart, I hope you run can run (sic) the city better then you can run your family.”

Being that O’Brien is a State Rep. I don’t think it takes too much deductive effort to put together why comments attacking his opponent are coming from the State Capitol. Just, why is this being done on an internet connection that is paid for by the people, computers that are paid for by the people, and while they are receiving a salary from the people’s money?

Message to the State Capitol: Get Back To Work!

The Involvement Fair - Fall ‘09

September 13th, 2009 No comments
UConn Involvement Fair Listing

UConn Involvement Fair Listing

Wednesday was the Involvement Fair! We were able to be partake in the Fair to meet new people and gain new members, but not without some hassles. The picture above is an excerpt taken from the 4-page listing of Student Activities that scheduled to be at the UConn Involvement Fair. Take a moment and look it over. Notice anyone missing from that list? That’s right, The UConn College Republicans were not listed on the list of Activities under political Groups.

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

My first reaction: “This must be a joke by someone working in the office…maybe they ‘mistakenly’ put us under ‘Religious Groups’ or ‘Special-Interest Groups’ “. It was wishful thinking. We were not put on the list. We were not assigned a table, and there was no record that we had registered to be part of the Involvement Fair.

If only this were the first time that this had happened. Last year, the exact same thing happened! After registering, and confirming, we somehow had no record of being registered. I was told by another member that the same thing happened two years ago as well. If this was a joke, it was not funny.

The most memorable quote of the day came when UConn’s Associate Director of Student Development & Learning, Joe Briody, came to us to discuss the situation and ensure us that nothing happened within the Student Activities Office that is causing us to be left out of the Involvement Fair. Briody’s argument was that UConnCRs must be technologically deficient and not understand how to submit an online form properly.

The quote was, “What I don’t understand is why, with all the groups who are on campus, you are the only ones who have problems every year.”

To which our President, Tim Plungis, responded, “That’s exactly my point.”

If the same problem has happened three years in a row, with a different UConnCR executive board each time, then I think any reasonable person would say, the problem isn’t with the person filling out the form, but rather in the people that handle the information. After all, it is reasonable to think a form wasn’t submitted properly if it happens once. However, this explanation becomes less likely every time it is used.

What further fueled our suspicion that perhaps, this was more than a mistake was the Involvement Fair website. Take a look for yourself:

The first picture on the page is of the UConn College Democrats holding a sign reading, “Vote Democratic”!

Furthermore, many of our attempts to communicate with UConn’s Involvement Office in the past have been ignored. For example, when we first sought to create an online presence, we tried using the UConn Involvement Office to get a website.

The UConn Democrats have the website, http://democrats.uconn.edu. When we requested a website, we were given http:// homepages.uconn.edu/~republic/. I placed several inquiries with the office to find out how to receive a domain in the format that the Democrats have. I was ignored every time. That is when we decided to buy the privately owned domain that we have today (UConnCollegeRepublicans.com).

I could continue on with grievances against the the Office of Student Activities, but I digress. Perhaps these are all honest mistakes and with fault on one or both sides. But the point is to show that there is justification for my skepticism.

Fortunately for us, we were eventually able to use a table, not due to the Involvement Office making accommodations, but because another group on campus, CFACT UConn, generously shared their table with us, which put us side-by-side with the College Democrat booth (which was good because it put us close to our rivals but bad because a 6ft Obama-cardboard cutout was always in sight)

Where was the Forum?

September 3rd, 2009 No comments

 

Image Credits to ranzino on flickr

Image Credits to ranzino on flickr

 

 

When people go to an event announced as a “forum”, they usually expect that there will be some form of discussion or exchange of views on issues relating to a certain topic. This is not an arbitrary expectation, this is the definition of the word, “forum”. Merriam-Webster gives several definitions for the word:

1 a: the marketplace or public place of an ancient Roman city forming the center of judicial and public business b: a public meeting place for open discussion c: a medium (as a newspaper or online service) of open discussion or expression of ideas

2: a judicial body or assembly : court

3 a: a public meeting or lecture involving audience discussion b: a program (as on radio or television) involving discussion of a problem usually by several authorities

I don’t mean to bore anyone with seemingly superfluous dictionary quotes, but apparently it is necessary to do this.

Today several political figures, including Chris Donovan, Joe Courtney, and Ned Lamont were brought to the UConn campus under an event described as an “SEIU Health Care Reform Forum“. As we discovered today, SEIU must have an differing definition of “forum” than the definition that the dictionary and most ordinary people have. The event was far from an “open discussion”. There was no “audience participation”. There was no ability for people to ask questions to those who represent us. This was not a forum.

The event was listed to occur on “Thursday, September 3 from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM”. The “forum” was scheduled to occur “from 12 Noon to 1:30 PM”. However, Rep. Joe Courtney finished speaking at 12:50 and the podium was handed over to the Host to end the “forum”. So, there was definitely time to take questions from the audience, but instead the event was ended early.

So, the question is, “Why was there no chance for public interaction, no ‘Question and Answer’ session, in an event described as a ‘forum’ with our Congressman, Joe Courtney?”

The answer is simple: The Democratic legislators who are pushing for a Healthcare overhaul do not want to answer the questions that the opposition has. They only want to echo rhetoric without giving a chance for constituents to question their views. In fact, that’s exactly what this “forum” was! Speakers came one after another and echoed the same general statements of healthcare being a moral obligation which we must allow government to be a part of. It was mentioned by one speaker that healthcare was Ted Kennedy’s dream. A rough quote goes as follows: Ted Kennedy was ill so he handed his dream over to his good friend, Chris Dodd because he knew Dodd could handle the job. So, in Kennedy’s memory, it is our responsibility to help Dodd “Get it Done” (Which was the title of the Event).

Many conservative commentators already saw this tactic coming: For example, Michelle Malkin wrote, “Yes, there will be a nauseating excess of MSM hagiographies and lionizations — and crass calls to pass the health care takeover to memorialize [Kennedy's] death.” Her prediction came true today for those who attended the UConn Event! Duane Lester already wrote a column on The Death Of Ted Kennedy And The Leveraging Of His Passing, showing how Speaker Pelosi and Sen. Robert Byrd have already invoked Kennedy’s name to call for the passage of the current healthcare legislation. So, just add another name can be added to the list of people who have used it.

Democratic leadership has called those who interrupt townhall meetings “unpatriotic”. However, when given a highly agenda-driven event that is described as a “forum” with no means for people to express their views other than interrupting, how can it be seen as unpatriotic when interruptions occur?

Fortunately, there were no interruptions made by any conservatives attending the Event at UConn, but perhaps there should have been: At least then we would have been able to say something.

Rep. Joe Courtney to be at UConn for SEIU Healthcare Forum

August 31st, 2009 No comments

Image Credits to Chion Wolf, WNPR

Image Credits to Chion Wolf, WNPR

Rep. Joe Courtney D-CT will be on the UConn Storrs Campus this Thursday (Sept. 3rd) to speak about healthcare reform at the Jorgensen. We know it’s early in the semester and UConnCRs hasn’t even had its first meeting yet but we’d love to have some voice there for opposition. Please have some questions ready for Mr. Courtney. The event is open to all so if you know anyone who would be interested, let them know.
UPDATE: We created a Facebook Event. Let us know if you are attending:
SEIU Health Care Forum with Rep. Joe Courtney
Let’s Get It Done
Location:Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts
Time:11:00AM Thursday, September 3rd
Here are the details from the event’s website:
SEIU Health Care Reform Forum with State Legislators & Congressman Joe Courtney (Let’s Get It Done)

The Connecticut Employees Union Independent (CEUI), affiliated with the Service E

RedState: President of UConn Democrats Publicly Mocks Constituents

July 24th, 2009 No comments
Image Credits to Facebook

Image Credits to Facebook

Interesting article in RedState today. Why so interesting? Because it was about the President of the Uconn College Democrats, Andrew Elash, who is also an intern for Rep. John Larson (D-CT). Apparently, Mr. Elash publicly mocks the constituents that Rep Larson is in office to serve. I won’t summarize anymore, Here’s the article:

Lesson One for Capitol Hill Interns: Don’t Publicly Mock Your Member’s Constituents

Posted by Jeff Emanuel

Wednesday, July 22nd at 3:08PM EDT

Update: A friend on Capitol Hill makes the following excellent point: “Attitudes like that, whether from an intern all the way up to Speaker, have no place in this complex. The people are here to serve — it is an honor to hear from constituents. It is an honor to hear them complain, to hear their ideas, to hear what they think. People who forget that or never knew that have no place being here.”

Andrew Elash, a chapter president of the College Democrats of Connecticut (don’t get me started on the abject worthlessness of both the College Democrats and College Republicans, please) and intern for Rep. John Larson (D-CT), has a pretty entertaining stream of Facebook updates about calls he’s receiving in the Congressional office from constituents who, like the majority of Americans, want nothing to do with the health care legislation being demanded by President Obama.

Andrew Elash- Constituents hate the healthcare bill. They hate Obama.

They tell me there’s no crisis. One woman even said healthcare would
be less expensive if gangs in cities stopped shooting each other and
sending each other to the ER. Golly!! THAT’S why healthcare is so
expensive!! THAT’S the problem!! Inner city gangs…

Samuel Greenberg
only crazy people call their rep.
35 minutes ago

Autumn Alston
i live in a big city….and i rarely see the ER filled w/gunshot
victims! i never see ambulances roll in hardly! i hate ppl…..
33 minutes ago

Donald Clive Richards
LOL!! I love stupid ass people. It makes the world go round!!
26 minutes ago

Andrew Elash - One more constituent screaming at me about healthcare
before lunch would be great. Please? No, the government will not
invade your house and force you to accept public healthcare. But we
will take your phone.
2 hours ago

Andrew Elash- Larson’s office. Lots of callers angry about
healthcare!!
4 hours ago

On the upside, it’s pretty funny to see how much folks hate the health care overhaul the President and Congressional Democrats are trying to force on them. On the downside, given that communications between constituents and their Representatives is protected speech, the results of this could be very unfunny for Mr. Elash.

Want to know why constituents call their representatives? So they can be REPRESENTED.

Want to know why a lot of constituents are calling Rep. Larson to oppose the healthcare bill? Because A LOT of people do not want it.

Hmmm…maybe instead of paying more attention to the people we represent, we should make fun of them behind their backs.

Tim Plungis: State economic policies pushing young people out

July 9th, 2009 No comments

Below is an Op-Ed written by our very own UConn CR President, Tim Plungis, that was published in The Norwich Bulletin today. Share this with anyone you think may be interested.

UPDATE:  The Op-Ed also got published in the Sunday Edition of The New London Day.

Tim Plungis: State economic policies pushing young people out

By Tim Plungis
For The Norwich Bulletin
Posted Jul 07, 2009 @ 11:50 PM

I’ve lived in the same home in Mystic with my family for 21 years. We’re not wealthy; we do not live in excess, and we don’t drive flashy cars. My father is an electrician; my mother is a microbiologist. If it were not for them my brother, sisters and I would not have the opportunity to attend college.

When I complete my last year at the University of Connecticut, I’ll be forced to leave this great state and seek opportunity elsewhere. You may ask why I’m being forced to leave Connecticut, and why that should matter to you.

On June 25, Senate Democrats voted 19-16 for a state budget that raises taxes by $2.5 billion. The next day, House Democrats nearly unanimously approved this budget — leaving college students such as me with few or no options.

Their budget, vetoed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell, ignores common sense and lacks foresight. Democrats continue to rely on the same old idea that “when times get tough, raise taxes.” What once was a state focused on opportunity and economic growth from private innovation, enterprise and a vibrant work force has fallen victim to high taxes, bloated bureaucracy and the public sector.

The proposed budget would add a three-year, 25 percent surcharge on businesses in Connecticut. We’re in one of the worst economic crises in the state’s history and Democrats think it’s a smart idea to increase taxes on the job creators of our state.

What the Democrats fail to realize is something Maine’s Democratic Gov. John Baldacci said last week after a sweeping tax overhaul: “Without an employer, you do not have employees.”
Connecticut Democrats are driving businesses out of our state faster than Usain Bolt can run the 100-meter sprint.

To greener pastures

When businesses fail to start up or leave because of undue regulation, taxation and rising health care costs, you must ask yourself, where do workers go if quality jobs are no longer being created? They will migrate to more tax-friendly and opportunity-driven states. Connecticut continues to lose more 18- to 34-year-olds than any other state. This must stop.

Democrats in Hartford talk about the brain drain and the effects it has on the state’s economy as if they have solutions to solve it. But in reality, when they get to Hartford they drain our state and personal bank accounts until there’s nothing left.

To make Connecticut competitive again in this global economy, we should implement a long-term strategy focusing on growth, innovation and quality workers. We must restructure our tax code to make Connecticut an economic engine in the Northeast. This involves cutting taxes, waste, duplication, unnecessary agencies and programs — and putting state government back into the hands of its rightful owners, the Connecticut taxpayer.

If we fail to take these necessary steps now, we’ll see more college-educated students leave this state to seek opportunity elsewhere. Not because they want to; because they have to.

Tim Plungis of Mystic is president of the College Republicans at the University of Connecticut.

Direct link to the article:
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/opinions/columnists/x488829565/Tim-Plungis-State-economic-policies-pushing-young-people-out

Update: http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=ea77be43-fd6b-458c-8568-91e187d8659f

UConn CRs Present: Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson

June 14th, 2009 No comments

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED…
…how Barack Obama was elected?
…what he means by “change”?
…how his change will impact our nation?
…how black Americans can better their condition?
…how the civil rights establishment represses blacks?

What: Hear Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson’s insight to those questions!
Who should come come: You!
When: 6:00PM on April 28th: Torrey Life Science 154!
Admission: FREE!

On Tuesday, April 28th 2009, Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson will be speaking on the UConn-Storrs Campus in stop in his “Stop Obama’s Socialist Change” Tour. Addressing the November election of Barack Obama, America’s first African American President; Peterson intends to address the specific topic of how Obama drew on racist tensions within the black community and fraudulently gained the support of white America. Scheduled to be held in Room 154 of the Torrey Life Sciences Building, the College Republicans anticipate a high turnout, expecting to fill many if not all, of the Lecture Hall’s three hundred seats. Admission will be free and seating is “first come, first serve.”

Founder of Brotherhood Organization for a New Destiny (BOND), a Los Angeles based community improvement organization; Rev. Peterson is well respected for his boldness in challenging the ideas put forth by the mainstream civil rights establishment, which includes figures like Jesse Jackson. Peterson is also known for challenging domestic terrorist Bill Ayers, who is scheduled to speak at the University, Thursday April 23rd.

Born in rural Alabama during the “Jim Crow” era, Peterson is well known for framing his political philosophy on his own life experiences. Though seen by critics as divisive, the College Republicans insist that they see Peterson as a “Unifier” who genuinely wishes to better all Americans. Newly elected Chairman Timothy Plungis hopes that the event will raise awareness towards (conservative) African American Politics, an area he believes “is underrepresented in University offerings.”

Funded by the Undergraduate Student Government, Rev. Peterson’s speaking engagement has been arranged by the UConn College Republican Chapter. With generous assistance from BOND-Action, and the fiscal prudence of Finance Director Joseph Dilling, the overall cost of the event has come in approximately $500 under the approved budget.

DOWNLOAD the Official Informational Flyer
DOWNLOAD the Official Media Release.

Protest Bill Ayers Speaking At UConn

June 14th, 2009 No comments

IMPORTANT: THE DATE OF THE EVENT IS THURSDAY, APRIL 23. PROTESTING BEGINS AT 2:30.

On April 23rd from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Bill Ayers will be speaking at the University of Connecticut in Torrey Life Science, room 154. This event is being sponsored by the Human Rights Institute, Idealist United, ConnPIRG, and funded by your student fees, donations, and CT tax payers!

Bill Ayers was the founder of the Weather Underground- a radical left wing organization that advocated destructive behavior and bombings. During the 1960s and 70s he initiated destructive behavior in order to protest the Vietnam War. He bombed the New York City Police Headquarters in 1970, The United States Capital in 1971, and the Pentagon in 1972.

As recently as 2001, he was quoted by a NY Times reporter as saying he wished he had done more. A person like this should not be speaking at the University of Connecticut during Human Rights Awareness Week. This is ironic at best and we must send a clear message to the administration and CT that UConn does not accept the views of Bill Ayers. Stand up, make your voice heard, and protest beginning at 2:30 p.m. outside of Torrey Life Sciences building (across from the north campus residence halls on North Eagleville Road). This will be a peaceful protest and there will be no heckling of the speaker as he delivers his speak. We will conduct ourselves with civility and respect. As Americans we will show true patriotism by saying no to domestic terrorism and yes to Ammmerrrica!
DOWNLOAD the Official Media Release.

Join the Facebook Group For This Event:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=79892107202

UPDATE: Watch the FOX 61 News Segment featuring us:

The following media outlets have featured us:
Fox 61 WTIC: Tuesday, April 21, News@10: http://www.youtube.com/…
Fox 61 WTIC: Wednesday, April 22: http://www.fox61.com/…
Fox 61 WTIC: Thursday, April 23, News@10: http://www.youtube.com/…
NBC Connecticut: Wednesday, April 22: http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/…
NBC Connecticut: Thursday, April 23, News@6
WTNH News 8: Thursday, April 23, News@5 http://www.wtnh.com/…
104.7 WXLM: Thursday, April 23, 8AM w/ Lee Elci
102.9 WDRC: Thursday, April 23, 5:05PM w/ Dan Lovallo

Nation-Wide Tea Parties

June 14th, 2009 No comments

Tax Day Tea Parties have been scheduled for today all around the country. These protest and rallies and continued conservative efforts are necessary for our voices to be heard by our government: federal and local.

Here are the Tea Parties in CT:

City: Hartford
When: April 15, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Where: North Steps of State Capitol, Capitol Avenue
Facebook Group:

City: New Haven
When: April 15, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Where: Long Wharf, I-95, Exit 46
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=60002567693

City: New Milford
When: April 15, 10:00 am
Where: New Milford Green
Facebook Group: http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=62842908006

City: Norwich
When: April 15, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Where: Marina Area Near Gazebo
Other Info: There is plenty of parking in the marina area and across the street in the parking garage.
Facebook Group: Coming Soon!

See more info: http://taxdayteaparty.com/teaparty/connecticut/