Thoughtful Dems

Rebekah Warren Responds to Attacks!

cuellar — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:40:30 -0700

Democratic State Representative Rebekah Warren, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to replace Senator Liz Brater in the State Senate, recently was attacked in a mail piece by Betsy DeVos’ ultra-conservative “Great Lakes Education Project” – an extreme right-wing organization, aimed at destroying public schools in support of private charter/parochial schools. Please read Rep. Warren’s [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Outsourced: Cheap Tablets, David Cameron, Etc.

cuellar — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:41:59 -0700

It’s been a while since I’ve written this column, unfortunately. It’s been really easy to get swept up in all the domestic events in the news cycle and to forget the bigger picture. Anyway, I’ll try to be more regular in the future. Let me start with a round-up of sorts of fun South Asian [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Unemployed? “Suck it,” says Boehner.

cuellar — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 09:36:16 -0700

So much empathy in those eyes. So remember when House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said three of his brothers lost jobs in the recession? At the time, Boehner noted, “I know that three of my brothers lost their jobs, I’m not sure whether they’ve found jobs, yet, so I’ve got a lot of empathy [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Grains of Salt Take One

cuellar — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:48:50 -0700

This will be short: From what I have picked up, this guy named Breitbart, better called Bart (as in our favorite prankster Simpson, though I doubt he deserves that much dignity), put out a video clip. Video clip has USDA official Shirley Sherrod saying things which assuming no other context, are pretty bad, socially wrong, [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Mama Grizzlies and Pink Elephants Take on DC

cuellar — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:29:51 -0700

Over the past few weeks Sarah Palin has rolled out a new campaign and a snazzy commercial to energize conservative women across the country. Unfortunately her Mama Grizzly and Pink Elephant platform, like all of Palin’s other political dealings, ignores a majority of Americans while energizing her small group of fangirls. Below is a sampling [...]

Thoughtful Dems

“Seg-book-gation”?

cuellar — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 19:40:39 -0700

Browsing through Borders — it was going out of business, I couldn’t resist dropping by — last week, I became painfully aware of how segregated the genres were. In most chain bookstores, I feel there exists this separate space devoted solely to the African-American genre. Honestly, can I can even call it a genre? It’s [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Teen Pregnancy and TV (Unfair and Unbalenced)

cuellar — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 01:25:30 -0700

So this has been something that has been weighing heavily on my mind for the past year or so. The way that teen pregnancy is being portrayed on TV could probably be equated to the way that Obama’s presidency has been portrayed on Fox news, totally one sided and totally unfair. With hit shows like [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Live from the Oval Office | BP Spill Address

cuellar — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:57:35 -0700

Live from the Oval Office | BP Spill Address

Thoughtful Dems

The Feminist Case Against Urban Outfitters

cuellar — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:10:17 -0700

I’m apprehensive about launching a full-scale war on Urban Outfitters for a number of reasons. My main concern is the fact that it’s a staple on campus at the University of Michigan, and it’s probably safe to bet that we’ve all shopped there. And with good reason: there are trendy clothes and a variety of [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Quote of the Day | Michael Steele

cuellar — Sun, 23 May 2010 10:19:52 -0700

Rarely do we have a quote of the day from a Republican that actually I agree with. I think it goes to prove just how crazy Rand Paul is. “Rand Paul’s philosophy got in the way of reality.” – RNC Chairman Michael Steele Source: Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire

Thoughtful Dems

Douche of the Day | Mark Williams

cuellar — Thu, 20 May 2010 19:47:47 -0700

Blah, blah, blah, DOUCHE. The animals of allah (terrorists) for whom any day is a great day for a massacre are drooling over the positive response that they are getting from New York City officials over a proposal to build a 13 story monument to the 9/11 Muslim hijackers. The monument would consist of a Mosque for [...]

Thoughtful Dems

A Word with Management

cuellar — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:23:12 -0700

First, for this and my previous post – Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), the Michigan Federation of College Democrats (MFCD), the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), or the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Second, if [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Open Thread: 5.20.2010

cuellar — Thu, 20 May 2010 10:18:23 -0700

+ Rand Paul opposes racism, limits to racism, forced segregation, forced integration, the Civil Rights Act, and repealing the Civil Rights Act. + A second-grade student asked Michelle Obama if her mother would be deported because she “doesn’t have any papers”. (Expect Miss Oklahoma to swoop in and deport them in 3…2…1.) + As Zach explained, Thomas [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Embarrassed to be an American

cuellar — Wed, 19 May 2010 15:26:27 -0700

We’ve all known about the Texas plans to eliminate history from their textbooks and replace it with a fairy tale in which, to quote from Eric Foner’s appearance on the Colbert Report, America started out perfect and has been improving ever since. We know that when, on Friday, a board full of lame-ducks voted out [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Miranda Warning and Civil Courts: Don’t Fix What Isn’t Broken.

cuellar — Wed, 12 May 2010 12:08:31 -0700

Attorney General Eric Holder, speakin’ truthz… somewhere. Following Faisal Shahzad’s arrest for the attempted bombing of New York City’s Time Square, Democrats have been quick to promote their anti-terrorism credentials and compliment the reaction time of the law enforcement involved. On Sunday, Attorney General Eric Holder appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press and ABC’s This Week [...]

Thoughtful Dems

The Gulf Oil Spill and the Climate Bill

cuellar — Mon, 10 May 2010 14:46:54 -0700

Since the oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico, I’ve read several viewpoints about how the spill will affect the yet-to-be introduced Senate climate bill. The viewpoints have ranged from practically declaring the climate bill already signed by President Obama to stating that it is dead for good. I think it is too early [...]

Thoughtful Dems

And We Wonder Where the Deficit Came From…

cuellar — Sat, 08 May 2010 22:01:51 -0700

A new report by the Senate Fiscal Agency (its like the not-cool CBO for the state) notes that as a percentage of personal income state taxes have fallen over the past decade. State obligations stay the same or go up during a recession, and even with constant tax rates, tax collections will go down during [...]

Thoughtful Dems

An Assault on Student Voting in AA

cuellar — Fri, 07 May 2010 20:59:56 -0700

The most anti-democratic tree ever. Today AnnArbor.com ran an article detailing recent negotiations between the University of Michigan and the City of Ann Arbor over the placement of polling locations in majority student precincts on campus. The University, after years of hosting polling locations in the dorms, has decided it is no longer safe for residents, [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Don’t Panic…

cuellar — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:50:06 -0700

The recent oil drilling accidents in the Gulf of Mexico have brought uncertainty to whether or not Obama will follow through with his plan to expand offshore drilling. Some have called it Obama’s Katrina. In either case, it is a horrible situation for the wildllife, for the livelihoods based off of seafood, and much much [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Governor Granholm on CNN

cuellar — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:21:30 -0700

While on CNN yesterday, Governor Jennifer Granholm talked about the possibility of being nominated the next Supreme Court Justice. Take a look: I’m still holding out that President Obama will announce that she’s the nominee at Commencement… It can happen, right? Source: CNN

Thoughtful Dems

The Weekly Plus/Minus

cuellar — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 22:28:59 -0700

Thoughtful Dems

Congressman Dingell on The Daily Show LiveBlog

cuellar — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:00:05 -0700

The Daily Show LiveBlog

Thoughtful Dems

Media Release: College Democrats Issues Statement on Order of Angell

cuellar — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:20:45 -0700

Ann Arbor, MI – Brendan Campbell, Chair of College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), issued the following statement on behalf of the organization about Order of Angell, a secret society on campus known for its history of racism, elitism and exclusivity: “Order of Angell’s existence and practices run contrary to the progressive values of [...]

Thoughtful Dems

A Daily Daily by Joe Smith

cuellar — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:43:32 -0700

… It’s the 13th of April… here’s it’s Daily Daily, a true Daily Double: 1. Coleman estimates 100K people will show up for Obama’s commencement address. Not really news, but that’s the Michigan Daily for you. Pictured: Rumor has it that the U is hiring this guy to help plan security measures when Obama comes for the commencement [...]

Thoughtful Dems

The Moral Case for the U-M Smoking Ban

cuellar — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 09:21:10 -0700

Actually not a swastika or a hammer & sickle. Anyone paying attention to the editorial page of the Michigan Daily over the last month would come to the conclusion that the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus is in a uproar over a public smoking ban announced nearly a year ago by President Coleman. The libertarian [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Monday Open Thread: 4.12.1

cuellar — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 06:43:13 -0700

+ Jonathan Cohn finishes ‘The Treatment’ + With Justice Stevens ready set to retire Obama needs a nominee. Any suggestions (Granholm, Clinton, NECS’s hair)? + The economy is making gains, but Americans aren’t paying attention. + When Ben Stein thinks you’re a joke, it might be time to at least consider resigning. + A round up of the weekend’s [...]

Thoughtful Dems

What a Week

cuellar — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:54:52 -0700

An offering of a mixed bag of goodies from roughly the past week of news packaged with light commentary. An eye needs to be kept on Poland, as we all should have read by now that the president, top military, finance, and other major government officials were killed in a plane accident over the weekend. There [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Lauren Coffman Presents | The Daily Daily

cuellar — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 09:21:12 -0700

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), the Michigan Federation of College Democrats (MFCD), the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), or the Democratic National Committee (DNC). + RHA agrees to draft a gender-neutral housing plan by January 2011. + The Lecturers’ [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Devin Parsons Presents | The Daily Daily

cuellar — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 08:45:50 -0700

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), the Michigan Federation of College Democrats (MFCD), the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), or the Democratic National Committee (DNC). First, a dispute between the fire department and AAPD. (The latter not to be confused [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Millionares of the Left and the RIght

cuellar — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:17:15 -0700

I wanted to introduce you to my new favorite people: a group of “families with net assets of more than $1 million donating the amount they saved from Bush tax cuts to organizations fighting for the repeal of the Bush tax cuts” detailed by Dana Milbank in today’s Washington Post. That’s awesome, and the contrast [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Stuff I Read At Work: A Blog Digest

cuellar — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:28:42 -0700

Numbers and stuff… from the Freep + From The Daily Caller – Turns out the RNC had some fantastic fundraising scheme wherein wealthy Michigan donors maxed out to the RNC, which would then immediately give all of the money back to the MIGOP. This accomplishes 1) possibly bypassing federal donation limits and 2) inflating RNC fundraising numbers. [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Fireside Chat with Jocelyn Benson | Livestream

cuellar — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:34:00 -0700

Thoughtful Dems

Monday Open Thread: 4.5.2010

cuellar — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:26:46 -0700

+ The Daily reported on something other than sports: term limits in the Michigan state legislature. + Mike Cox and his creepy emoticons will see Governor Granholm in court! + Don’t fill out your census forms! + States debate the virtues and shortcomings of the Race to the Top school funding contest. + Let’s toss in the RNC nightclub [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Devin Parsons Presents | The Daily Daily

cuellar — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:17:30 -0700

Good news opens the Daily’s report, Gender-neutral housing has student support! 67 percent of the respondents said yes, And Pres. Chris Armstrong believes the plan will progress. – Alas, the front page brings some solemn truths. Yes, I’m referencing the 10% tax on all tanning booths. Ann Arbor salons feel unjustly outdone. (They suspect backroom dealings between Congress and the Sun.) – Next, as Campus [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Douche of the Day | Shelby Steele

cuellar — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:17:06 -0700

Normally the title “douche of the day” is a label reserved for the type of unsophisticated political pugilist whose comments are nearly universally scorned by every reasonable person. Very rarely is that person handed a megaphone by a major American newspaper. Today’s douche, Shelby Steele, is the exception. The very title of Steele’s Wall Street Journal editorial, “Barack The Good,” [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Lauren Coffman Presents ⎮ The Daily Daily

cuellar — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 08:52:11 -0700

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), the Michigan Federation of College Democrats (MFCD), the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), or the Democratic National Committee (DNC). +A fraternity member says “it’s a little lopsided” that frats should be the ones responsible [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Quote of the Day | Michelle Obama

cuellar — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:41:59 -0700

“Flexible policies actually make employees more – not less – productive. Instead of spending time worrying about what’s happening at home, employees have the support and the peace of mind they need to concentrate at work which is good for their families.” – Michelle Obama This week’s Quote of the Day isn’t anything particularly idiotic or [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Robert Bowen Presents | The Daily Daily

cuellar — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:18:58 -0700

Thoughtful Dems

Militia Member or Terrorist?

cuellar — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 09:27:22 -0700

Michigan made big news in crazy this week when several members of a group called the Hutaree Milita were arrested outside Adrian, MI. This small, heavily armed organization was driven by a combination of anti-government hatred and Christian zealotry that sought to fight the coming of the “anti-Christ.” Hutaree is part of a greater trend [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Sarah Palin to Take Another Trip to Real America

cuellar — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:22:31 -0700

You would think that after being forced to apologize for making statements about the “pro-America areas of this great nation” on the campaign trail, Sarah Palin would be cautious about associating herself with anything which might be viewed as questioning American authenticity. Of course Ms. Palin often has difficulty learning her lesson, which might explain [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Sam Morykwas Presents | The Daily Daily

cuellar — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:07:49 -0700

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), the Michigan Federation of College Democrats (MFCD), the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), or the Democratic National Committee (DNC). +An article on how Obama was recruited to speak at [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Kaitlin Henry Presents | The Daily Daily

cuellar — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:59:00 -0700

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), the Michigan Federation of College Democrats (MFCD), the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), or the Democratic National Committee (DNC). + The University has to relinquish its unidentifiable human remains back to [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Beast Watch, Day 63

cuellar — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:34:59 -0700

Not since the days of “Panda Watch” have we had such an engaging movement to track an event of great importance. The fine militiamen of Hutaree, in addition to bringing you video with shooting, rolling, and running through smoke, offer an in-depth look at how “the Beast” is slowly encroaching on our world. For those who [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Monday Open Thread: 3.29.2010

cuellar — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 07:23:15 -0700

Some badge I stole from the creepy Hutaree militia website. + Egg-as-a-person measure makes the Colorado ballot. Omlettes promptly removed from diner menus across the state. + Sarah Palin encourages shootings and attacks that will draw blood. No worries. She’s just talking about basketball. + Obama has returned from a “surprise” trip to Afghanistan, where he apparently spent [...]

Thoughtful Dems

A Week for Science and Democracy

cuellar — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 15:30:40 -0700

It has been a wonderful week for science, fans of science, and lovers of the mix between science, policy, and politics. Notes on Obama Adminstration official John P. Holdren’s speech, A2 Fiber’s Flash Mob, and inventor Dean Kamen’s visit inside! To start off, Monday had the Ninth Annual Peter M. Wege Lecture featuring “John P. [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Your Daily* Dose of Viral: The FDA and Emergency Contraception: One Year After the Decision

cuellar — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:40:15 -0700

Tell the FDA to Act on Emergency Contraception from Center for Reproductive Rights on Vimeo. I, Zachary Martin, on behalf of Ariel Kaye who is otherwise busy, present to you the Daily Dose of Talking Bunnies. Today’s bunnies are adorable, and know that the FDA, at the behest of conservative politicians put unnecessary restrictions on women [...]

Thoughtful Dems

DemTV | Season 3, Episode 6

cuellar — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:59:24 -0700

Thoughtful Dems

Feminews: Sexist attacks on Pelosi

cuellar — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:11:02 -0700

Conservatives are at it again. After literally bashing Pelosi (in piñata form) earlier this year, Conservatives have turned to another old standby: attack powerful women for their appearance. Instead of focusing on these women and the substance of their work, they rely on attacks about their appearance. Why? Are powerful women too threatening to Conservatives? We need to reframe this [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Quote of the Day | STFU Mike Cox

cuellar — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:19:30 -0700

Owned. Governor Granholm, using her constitutionally derived powers, directed Attorney General Mike Cox to intervene in the lawsuit filed by Attorney General Mike Cox in conjunction with several other Attorneys General questioning the constitutionality of the health insurance reform. “I certainly do not question your authority or even your obligation when specifically authorized under MCL 14.28 [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Joe Biden I Quote of the Day

cuellar — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:44:46 -0700

“It’s [Health Care] a big fucking deal” Yes, Mr. Vice President health care is one big fucking deal. Why? As if you don’t already know… + 32 million uninsured people will now be insured +No more denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions +Being a women is no longer a reason to pay higher preminums +You can be on your parents [...]

Thoughtful Dems

Thoughtful Dems

Rebekah Warren Responds to Attacks!

Outsourced: Cheap Tablets, David Cameron, Etc.

Unemployed? “Suck it,” says Boehner.

Grains of Salt ***Take One***

Mama Grizzlies and Pink Elephants Take on DC

“Seg-book-gation”?

Teen Pregnancy and TV (Unfair and Unbalenced)

Live from the Oval Office | BP Spill Address

The Feminist Case Against Urban Outfitters

Quote of the Day | Michael Steele

Douche of the Day | Mark Williams

A Word with Management

Open Thread: 5.20.2010

Embarrassed to be an American

Miranda Warning and Civil Courts: Don’t Fix What Isn’t Broken.

The Gulf Oil Spill and the Climate Bill

And We Wonder Where the Deficit Came From…

An Assault on Student Voting in AA

Don’t Panic…

Governor Granholm on CNN

The Weekly Plus/Minus

Congressman Dingell on The Daily Show LiveBlog

Media Release: College Democrats Issues Statement on Order of Angell

A Daily Daily by Joe Smith

The Moral Case for the U-M Smoking Ban

Monday Open Thread: 4.12.1

What a Week

Lauren Coffman Presents | The Daily Daily

Devin Parsons Presents | The Daily Daily

Millionares of the Left and the RIght

Stuff I Read At Work: A Blog Digest

Fireside Chat with Jocelyn Benson | Livestream

Monday Open Thread: 4.5.2010

Devin Parsons Presents | The Daily Daily

Douche of the Day | Shelby Steele

Lauren Coffman Presents ⎮ The Daily Daily

Quote of the Day | Michelle Obama

Robert Bowen Presents | The Daily Daily

Militia Member or Terrorist?

Sarah Palin to Take Another Trip to Real America

Sam Morykwas Presents | The Daily Daily

Kaitlin Henry Presents | The Daily Daily

Beast Watch, Day 63

Monday Open Thread: 3.29.2010

A Week for Science and Democracy

Your Daily* Dose of Viral: The FDA and Emergency Contraception: One Year After the Decision

DemTV | Season 3, Episode 6

Feminews: Sexist attacks on Pelosi

Quote of the Day | STFU Mike Cox

Joe Biden I Quote of the Day

Grains of Salt Take One