Lincoln County Democrats

So Iowa and Vermont are our two newest entrants into the whole gay-rights, same-sex marriage discourse, the newest to grant rights that is. Iowa did so through legal means, as Massachusetts and Connecticut before it, while Vermont being the first to grant same-sex marriage through its legislature.   Vermont officially granted same-sex marriage rights this week when its houses overrode the Republican governor’s veto.  What’s interesting in Vermont’s case is that by having the state’s duly elected representatives pass the measure, opponents’ entire Judicial Activist argument is officially cut down.

So what does all this mean?  Well, according to my favorite most crazy congressperson Steve King of Iowa (who also happens to be Republican, imagine that), we are now on the path to the “complete dissolution of society and religion.” 

Go figure. 

Then of course there is this interesting statistical extrapolation from fivethirtyeight.com predicting a turn in Nebraska public sentiment whereby we would be willing to support such a similar measure by the year 2014.  (Hard to imagine, but who’d have thought Iowa would make such a ruling.)

As for me, I don’t necessarily see the apocalypse on the horizon.  (In fact, it’s my hope that it has already occurred with very few takers.)  However, using my own discussions with my Iowan resident parents and the common attitude I see from people in this area of the state, I realize this is an issue that will likely resonate and drive political wedges for some time to come.  My hope, however, is for this issue to spawn needed discussions between the young and the old, the religious and not so much, the gays and the straights.  Ask each other why you believe this to be the new front of civil liberties or the destruction of society, and anything in between.  I, for example, have never really before talked to my parents about their feelings and beliefs concerning gays and lesbians.  (That despite my repeated attempts to convince my mother that I am gay to get her off my back about not having a girlfriend, which never seems to work.)  It is interesting to get their perspective on such issues considering their Democratic, Catholic and pro-life backgrounds.  It’s also something overdue and, admittedly, very frustrating at times.

All and all, understand that the world really can seem quite a bit different from only a few years ago (just look at these last eight years).  However, I have a feeling that the things that bond us will remain the same.

Principle trumping politics? I’m not so certain that is how this will play. Either way, the North Platte Housing Authority has turned down $588,000 in stimulus funds. I can’t help but to wonder if the board’s decision would have been different if they lived in the very houses they are charged to up-keep. But then what do I know?

You are Invited!

What: A word from the First Lady followed by the NET video presentation “Your Kids Are Drinking,” a message from a medical expert on the dangers of alcohol in adolescent brain development, and a Q&A with a panel of experts.

When: Monday, April 6^th at 7:00pm

Where: North Platte High School Performing Arts Center (1020 W. 2nd Street)

Community Connections presents the NET television production “Your Kids Are Drinking,” a documentary that examines the most under-reported aspect of underage drinking by youth – the adults that allow it to happen.  This documentary includes a visit to a small Nebraska town celebration where heavy drinking is a tradition and families protect their teenage drinkers.  In a larger community, cameras capture underaged decoys purchasing liquor from stores and restaurants.  Finally, one family’s tragic story illustrates the horrible consequences of teenagers drinking before they can handle its effects.  From tougher parenting to a hard-line from law enforcement officials, there is a new emphasis on how adults need to take responsibility for the drinking behavior of teens.

This event is open to parents, youth, community leaders, teachers, special event board members, city council, churches, and all interested parties.  Everyone is strongly encouraged to attend.

For more information please contact Community Connections at (308) 696-3358

A message from NYD President Kyle Michaelis:

If you are a Nebraska Democrat between the ages of 13 and 35 (sorry, we had to draw the line somewhere), please join us on Saturday, April 4th for the 2009 Nebraska Young Democrats Convention hosted by the Creighton College Democrats in Omaha.

Registration begins at 9:30 am
Convention begins promptly at 10 am
Parking available at 20th Street & California.

This is an important convention for NYD and the Nebraska Democratic Party as each looks to the next generation of young leaders to carry us into the next decade.  Special guests will be joining us, and we’ll even be devoting time to helping Omaha’s Democratic candidate for mayor days before the city’s primary election.

As previously announced, I will be stepping down as NYD president at the convention and look forward to helping our new leaders realize Young Democrats’ potential as a powerful force and a progressive voice in Nebraska politics.

The deadline for presidential nominations is this Thursday, April 2nd, at 10 am.  Just send your nomination to convention@nebraskayoungdemocrats.org.  We also encourage nominations for our other elected offices at this address, although they will be accepted from the convention! floor.  Please see our Conventions 101 guide for more information.

The deadline for submitting amendments to the NYD Constitution is also Thursday, April 2nd at 10 am.  Any proposed amendments should be sent to convention@nebraskayoungdemocrats.org.  This is our one opportunity all year to change our organization’s guiding document, which can be read here.  If there’s an issue you’re very passionate about, our members will also have the opportunity to propose and debate resolutions in the name of Young Democrats across the state.

I look forward to seeing you this Saturday at Creighton University.

Kyle Michaelis
President (for a few more days)
Nebraska Young Democrats
kyle@nebraskayoungdemocrats.org

Dear Friends – as many of you may know, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is facing severe budget cuts.  As part of the proposed cuts, “Buffalo Bill State Historical Park and State Recreation Area…will have limited visitor hours and tours and school groups will be by appointment only.”

Scouts Rest Ranch is an extremely important part of North Platte’s travel and tourism industry.  The North Platte/Lincoln County Convention and Visitors Bureau is urging each one of you to write Governor Heineman asking that he do what he can to restore funding to the Ranch in the NGPC budget, and send copies to Richard Baier, Rex Amack, Senator Tom Hansen and Jerrod Burke.  I have attached the NP/LCCVB letter for your reference, and the addresses are below.

Time is of the essence in this situation, as the budget will come up for review within a week or so.  Please take the time to write as soon as possible.

Please forward this e-mail on to anyone you think would be willing to write a letter.

Thank you in advance for giving of your time and energy to write these letters.

~Muriel Clark – mclark@visitnorthplatte.com

Governor Dave Heineman

Office of the Governor

P.O. Box 94848

Lincoln, NE 68509-4848

Richard Baier, Director

Nebraska Department of Economic Development

301 Centennial Mall South

P.O. Box 94666

Lincoln, NE 68509-4666

Senator Tom Hansen

District 42, Room 1012

P.O. Box 94604

State Capitol

Lincoln, NE 68509

Rex Amack, Director

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

2200 North 33rd Street

PO Box 30370

Lincoln, NE 68503-0370

Jerrod Burke, Commissioner District 5

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

220 Crook Ave.

Curtis, NE  69025