Topic: 2008 California Democratic Party Platform - aka Judge's week

[TheJudge]

So, if you've been wondering what I've been up to, this weekend is the 2008 CDP convention.  This is California only, but I'm on the Platform Committee and well, here's a link to what we've done this year:

http://www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.3949385/

You can download the platform from that link...I'll leave out all the griping about the horrible formatting that I had to redo...

Oh, and there was a push to get put a plank in opposing the death penalty and a push for the right to die plank, but both were talbed as there is no consensus...whew.

[Dracho]

There's just some sort of ironic comedy in trying to get both of those issues on the same platform.  LOL

[TheJudge]

I got some frowns when I made a similar remark, but guys...the chair of the committee is: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XAjThwvBTY

[Just plain old Punisher]

No orgies?

Sheesh, you aren't doing your part to bring down western civilization!

[Soreyes]

Ahhh another comedy platform.  I have the Republican platform and it was some entertaining reading. I find that the Republicans are  out of touch with reality. As for The Dem's. I sometimes find that they make there own reality.

Then again I think all politicans in CALIFORNIA should be put up against a wall and shot, for screwing up this state over the last 20 years.

[TheJudge]

One of my favorite lines:

No Torture. No Exceptions.

[Dracho]

One of my favorite lines:

No Torture. No Exceptions.

Would forcing a voter to read a 90 zillion page political platform be covered under that? 

[TheJudge]

Yes, it would.  We're quite proud of the fact that we got the platform down from 48 pages to less than half that number.  If we'd incorporated even a third of the commentary and amendments people offered, it WOULD be 90 zillion pages.  I've got a binder that has about four hundred pages of stuff people submitted in it, versus the 23 page final version. 

[Dracho]

LOL...So basically, you're like the torture surogate for everyone else then?  Thanks!

[marstone]

Actually, I believe neither party really wants you to read the political platform and just listen to what they say, thus it doesn't have to match.

[TheJudge]

Close, Marstone.  The PARTY wants you to read it and hold the candidates to the Platform, but the candidates like to hem and haw depending on their district.  A LOT of the discussioni in meetings centered around what different electeds would and would not accept in the platform (since having candidates run against the platform is actually bad).  So, as an example, all Democratic members of Congress were contacted (kind of helped because Nancy's daughter is the chair of the committee), and both Boxer and Feinstein's  offices were regularly contacted, updated and provided advice.  Several state legislatures even showed up at various committee hearings to provide their own testimony.  Believe it or not, many of them were pushing the more controversial topics that the committee ended up letting fall to the wayside because they were too controversial.  The bottom line of the platform is that it is a consensus document which 90% of the democrats in California can look at and agree on for most of the issues.  Not everyone will agree 100% on every issue, but most will find many things they like in the platform. 

An example is the Equality of Opportunity section.  The California Democratic Party, in that section, affirms its support for Gay Marriage to be enacted through legislation or a vote of the people.  At the same time, it ALSO supports the right of clergy to only perform religious marriages that conform to their belief system.  An evangelical preacher WILL NOT be forced to sanctify a gay marriage.  There's also support for FULL sex education including the featuring of abstinence as the only 100% guaranteed way of avoiding sexually transmitted diseases and/or pregnancy. 

The anti-war faction were quite happy with the calls for retraction of the AUMF and grudgingly accepted the language ensuring that any withdrawal does NOT put our troops in additional danger.  It also leaves the door open for redeployment to Afghanistan or other places, something those folks didn't like either.  Now back to work.  I've got to fix up the Energy and Environment section

[marstone]

True, I should have stated it more to the fact Candidates don't want people to read it.  Since it usually is say whatever is needed and locally wanted to hear.  Truth doesn't always play much of a factor in it. (from what I have been hearing so far this year, and the last many)

Kurt
/|\

[Bonk]

Voting only encourages them, and validates a fatally flawed system.

I suggest the thread be moved, unless this is intentional sanctuary from the hounds in H&S.

[Sirgod]

Voting only encourages them, and validates a fatally flawed system.

I suggest the thread be moved, unless this is intentional sanctuary from the hounds in H&S.

Actually this has been Pretty harmless Bonk. This is more About Dan's career, and his goals then the actual politics Involved. Besides, He left H&S because of the debates held there. Of Course, If he wants back in, I wouldn't be opposed. I've always felt the choice should be left to him. Once again, Just my Opinion on moving the thread.

Stephen

[TheJudge]

Move it or not, as needed.  I wasn't trying to get a political debate started (I DID leave H&S and still have resisted temptations to get back in there). 

[Bonk]

Move it or not, as needed.  I wasn't trying to get a political debate started

Cool... I don't really have a say in the matter anyway. (Nor do I want one - see below)

I DID leave H&S and still have resisted temptations to get back in there. 

Good man yerself. Congratulations! It feels really good when you stop banging your head against that wall doesn't it?

[TheJudge]

The purpose of political discussion should include attempting to find compromise positions (hell, the founders of our country established that with the constitution where they dealt with slavery as a national issue in representation).  Unfortunately, too often these days all of us have become too entrenched in our positions. 

Yikes, okay, time to move on, nothing to see here folks. Judge is NOT going to ask for H&S access. 

[Sirgod]

The purpose of political discussion should include attempting to find compromise positions (hell, the founders of our country established that with the constitution where they dealt with slavery as a national issue in representation).  Unfortunately, too often these days all of us have become too entrenched in our positions. 

Yikes, okay, time to move on, nothing to see here folks. Judge is NOT going to ask for H&S access. 

Coward...






Just kidding man. Hey anytime you change your mind, I'm all for it. Hell we done made Capt. Stumpy a mod, times change. Hey, I always supported you, even though we disagreed on Politics. Hell the best part of Hot and Spicy is the Bewbies thread... oh hell, that won't convince you, Ok, My amazing wit ... Nope that won't work either... Ok how about this, Once a month, I try and post a good news story that the Media passes on. All media, not just left or right.

Hell I already made Bonk a Glorious Bastard, what else can I do to get people talking?

hehe, Take care Kirk.

Stephen

[Bonk]

Don't you have some cows to feed or something?   

(edit: strictly a good natured ribbing there Stephen, I hope you weren't offended... as I notice you logged right off...)

[Dracho]

Better hope they don't eat hula grass.. that's all I have to say..

God what a sight that would be..