Oklahoma Democrats

Brian,

I must inform you that the College democrats’ club is no longer going to be recognized as a Liberty University club. We are unable to lend support to a club whose parent organization stands against the moral principles held by Liberty University. I expressed these concerns when we met, earlier in the spring semester.

The Liberty Way states, “It is the duty of every student to respect Liberty’s Statement of Doctrine and Purpose. They may not engage in any activity on or off campus that would compromise the testimony or reputation of the University or cause disruption to Liberty’s Christian learning environment.”

The Liberty University School of Law had been working on a policy to govern their clubs and organizations for quite some time. They have now completed that policy and we have adopted it for Liberty University as well. Now that it has been adopted and will apply to all clubs and organizations, it is clear that this club does not comply.

Below is a copy of the policy which governs clubs and organizations at Liberty University. This policy is posted on the website.

“STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS POLICIES

Student clubs or organizations must request and receive permission from the Liberty University administration before they may meet on campus, advertise, distribute or post materials, or use any University facilities for their activities or events. All such clubs or organizations and their activities or events must be consistent with the University’s mission, and must be and remain in compliance with the Liberty Way, the Honor Code, and any policies or procedures promulgated by the University. The University reserves the right to refuse the use of its facilities for any reason to any student club, organization, activity or event.

Consistent with the Honor Code, all students, student clubs and organizations, faculty and staff of Liberty University, have a responsibility to uphold the moral and ethical standards of this institution and personally confront those who do not.

No student club or organization shall be approved, recognized or permitted to meet on campus, advertise, distribute or post materials, or use University facilities if the statements, positions, doctrines, policies, constitutions, bylaws, platforms, activities or events of such club or organization, its parent, affiliate, chapter or similarly named group (even if the similarly named group is not the actual parent, affiliate or chapter) are inconsistent or in conflict with the distinctly Christian mission of the University, the Liberty Way, the Honor Code, or the policies and procedures promulgated by the University.”

Even though this club may not support the more radical planks of the democratic party, the democratic party is still the parent organization of the club on campus. The Democratic Party Platform is contrary to the mission of LU and to Christian doctrine (supports abortion, federal funding of abortion, advocates repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, promotes the “LGBT” agenda, Hate Crimes, which include sexual orientation and gender identity, socialism, etc). The candidates this club supports uphold the Platform and implement it. The candidates supported are directly contrary to the mission of LU. By using LU or Liberty University and Democrat in the name, the two are associated and the goals of both run in opposite directions.

We are removing the club from the Liberty website and you will need to cease using Liberty University’s name, including any logo, seal or mark of Liberty University. They are not to be used in any of your publications, electronic or internet, including but not limited to, any website, Facebook, Twitter or any other such publication.

If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Mark Hine
VP for Student Affairs
Liberty University

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I want to wish all those who have been elected to County or District Office for the Democratic Party the best of luck for the next two years. The same to those who will soon be elected at State. As one of the few active these days who have held all three levels of office, I know what a challenge it can be to deal with a host of problems with a handful of resources.

The biggest  internal headaches come from those who often complain but seldom help or even bother to vote; the purists who throw a hissy fit when an officeholder they have agreed with on 90% of votes held suddenly casts ONE they don’t like; and the gossips who love to trash talk those who are actually in the arena. I also always got a kick out of those who had a fantastic idea for a massive advertising campaign the Party should undertake-but Heaven forbid they should contribute even a dollar to it.

That having been said, you will get to meet and work with some great folks. Yes, some people you counted on won’t help like you thought they would, but a person you never even thought about will become a hero for the day when you least expect it. You will get to meet some of the most wonderful people in the state, and can make friends for life. This is serious business, but don’t forget to see the humor in it all. And let the constant critics comments roll off you like water on a duck, because you will be amazed at what you can do if you don’t care about either praise or snarky attacks.

This work matters. It matters because of who we are fighting for, the type of government we want, and  frankly because some people don’t have any other champion  or vehicle for expression but us.

So congratulations. Now go do good work!-Ben Odom

-Ben Odom

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Looking at the photos of some of those who attended last week’s “I watch too much Fox news” rallies, otherwise known as the “Tea Parties”, it is no surprise that the whole thing has been seen as a real turn-off to independent voters. Some of the signs I saw were ignorant, mean-spirited, or borderline racist. Demonstrations are always a double-edged sword, because they attract fanatics who take you off-message.

The strange thing about all the upset people was that they didn’t seem to get upset about the bailouts handed out during the Bush term (at least enough to have a conservative protest day), or the way Bush ran up deficits, or the no-bid contracts in Iraq, or even have any praise for the last president to balance his budget-Bill Clinton. No, for some reason all this had to be done within 3 months of Obama taking the helm. How convenient!

Too bad most of them seemed in need of a history lesson-the Boston tea party was not about high taxes or deficit spending; and spending initiatives got this country out of the Great Depression. Then again,  many of them seemed to think they had a monopoly on love of country, so why bother to be informed?

Spare us this type of hype, and let’s see if we can all still work together as Americans. THAT is patriotic.-

-Ben Odom

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