UMBC YAF on Rep. Ron Paul’s removal

Rep. Paul at CPAC 2011

It has been just over a week since the national board of Young Americans for Freedom removed Republican Congressman Ron Paul from the national advisory board. This was not an easy nor was it a rash decision on YAF’s part. Rather, this action against Representative Paul was for the ultimate benefit of YAF’s future as a cohesive and strong organization. As a co-founder and leader of one of the first university branches of YAF in the state of Maryland, I would like to further explain this decision and offer support on behalf of UMBC Young Americans for Freedom chapter.

There is no doubt that Representative Paul has done wonderful things for his country. He stands firm in the constitution and believes in the traditional principles of American society. However, his stance on foreign policy, particularly when it comes to the War on Terrorism, is in stark and blatant opposition to the Sharon Statement, which is the foundation of YAF’s core values.

The reason that the YAF national advisory board decided to remove Rep. Paul from their ranks is because of his opposition to America’s foreign involvement in the Middle East. It is Rep. Paul’s belief that American foreign policies are the reason for the devastating terrorist attacks on the United States and our friends. Paul is such a strong anti-war advocate that he seems to deviate from the fundamental conservative principle to act militarily when the national security of our nation is at stake.

The Sharon Statement clearly lays out its principle on foreign policy: ‘American foreign policy must be judged by this criterion: does it serve the just interests of the United States?’ YAF believes that, while Islamist extremists want to harm our nation and our nation’s allies, the US is cannot stand by and wait for the next attack. Rep. Paul simply does not see it in this way.

Commenting on the removal of Rep. Paul is YAF’s Senior National Director Jordan Marks, who explained the disparity between YAF’s values and Rep. Paul’s anti-war sentiments further: “Freedom and prosperity cannot peacefully exist alongside radical Islam. It is unfortunate that Ron Paul – a member of the U.S. Congress – does not understand this. Surely, our enemies do.”

There is no doubt that the Young Americans for Freedom have received some undeserved backlash from this recent controversial decision. However, it is clear that the national advisory board was fully grounded in principle in this decision. As previously mentioned, Rep. Paul is a highly respectable man and there is no denying the work that he has done for this nation. His foreign policy stance simply does not align with the principles and core values of the Sharon Statement, which is YAF’s founding and guiding document.

Therefore, UMBC YAF joins the Maryland YAF in supporting of the national board’s decision.

join the purple elephants

relay for life team

Betsy and I have decided it’s time to stomp out cancer and we’re using our feet to do so. On June 11, starting at 6 pm, we’ll be gathering with several hundred people from around the region, to walk in Catonsville’s annual Relay for Life.
We’d love for you to join the purple elephants. Not only do we plan on raising bu-kudos of money for cancer research and patient assistance but we also intend to have a blast doing it.
If you’re a client or potential client, we plan to promote everyone at our tent, so this might not only be an investment in the future, but also in your company.
So join our team and help us reach our goal of $1500. If you can’t walk, we completely understand, so we’ll certainly take any and all donations.
You can also purchase a luminaria in honor of someone touched by cancer. They’re only $10 and they’ll line the track and light the night.
Why we relay: Hillary lost her dad, David Crawford Foster, to renal cell cancer in April of 2008. This is a way she can give back and help continue the fight her dad couldn’t quite win.

Appointed School Boards Aren’t Politicized?

Last night the Baltimore County Board of Education voted to oppose SB 141 that would make at least some positions on the school board elected.  The proposal is for a hybrid board made of both appointed and elected positions.  According to a Catonsville Patch article by Penny Riordan, they approved a document that stated:

“creating a board structure composed mostly of elected members would unnecessarily politicize an efficient process that must remain focused on ensuring sound education policy for all Baltimore County students, avoiding the potential for narrow geographic focus and special interest groups’ agendas.”

Let’s explore this for a moment.  They’re afraid of politicizing the school board.  Um, hello, you’re appointed by the most partisan person in the state, the Governor.  We’ve heard of backroom deals using positions on the board for political gain, so let’s just throw that theory out the window right off the bat.  These people don’t want elections because they don’t want to lose their jobs or their power to negotiate positions for their “friends.”

Here’s my thing with the school board, and it actually has nothing to do with politics per say.  I’m not sure what the criteria is, but I’m thinking you must be old and out of touch to even be considered.  As a parent with a kindergartner, I wonder what goes through their heads when they plan out the school year or deciding snow days and delays.  Within the first two weeks of school, my son had three days off.  The argument is that it helps ease them into school.  Sure, that’s great for a 7th grader, but a newbie?  Not so much.

How about the fact that they only allowed for one week and a day for Christmas break, and the kids didn’t get out until Christmas Eve?  So when are you supposed to travel?  Earth to the Board: this is a very transient community.  Many people don’t have family around at all.  We didn’t go home at all this year.  There just wasn’t enough time.

So what do you think?  Should the school board be elected or continue to be appointed?

PVRC: "aNew” Leadership Team

Recently, as you may have heard, the PVRC held it’s elections. Although the mission remains the same, the new leadership team will take the reigns from the old in hopes to make anew.

a·new

[uh-noo, uh-nyoo]

–adverb

1. over again; again; once more: to play the tune anew.

2. in a new form or manner: to write the story anew.

While the mission remains the same, we’ll focus on the latter definition of “anew”, in a new form or manner.

First, I want to recognize the previous leadership team(s) for creating and fostering the club through it’s infancy, the awkward years and it’s most recent adolescence. The charge of the new leadership team is to be aware of the importance of building coalitions in new and different ways, by incorporating new media, community outreach, and fundraising, as well as expanding the active participation of the club. This team will lead us out of adolescence and into maturity. How we label that will be defined by their success. I believe the general membership recognized that, and from within elected this new leadership team. At the very same time, they issued a challenge, a challenge that these very capable people will live up to, and likely surpass.

A BIG THANKS!

So to, Capt Harry Korrell – President, Leslie Tinker – Secretary, The Reinningers, Ree and Mike – Both serving as treasurers in the past term and Gary Smith – Sgt Sergeant of Arms and all previous leaders; thank you for your unique contributions and tireless efforts. We are forever in your debt for continuing to beat back the progressive attacks on our philosophies and standing firm in defense of our liberties. We are indebted to you and will count on your continued support. From time to time, we will seek your precious advice.

I would like to introduce to you your new leadership team, a fine mix of personalities with views that reflect a wide spectrum. Although we may not always agree on specific issues, we all agree that we must be unified and stand together as Republicans.

David Aughenbaugh – President

Stephan Chan – Vice President

Hillary Pennington – Secretary

Allison Baird – Treasurer

Gary Koloski – Sgt at Arms

Betsy Merena – Member at Large

David Camden – Member at Large

We challenge the single party rule within the great state of Maryland, and we seek to protect the very things that make us identify ourselves as Republicans. Our fight is for liberty. Our fight is for our inalienable rights and our fight is for the welfare and the protection of the people of our district and the American way of life. By taking a personal stake in our surrounding communities, we can make a difference. We need to prove that we are a viable, visible and worthy  organization. Only then can we expect, not only our fellow party members, but also the opposition, to take us seriously. We will be a force to be reckoned with.

While it may take some time to break the mold and step outside of our comfort zone, look for this team to create an environment that will focus on the following stems :

o Communicate

o Educate

o Activate

I hope that you share the excitement, as we do, and join us in our efforts. In the next few weeks we will undergo multiple changes to our media outlets, please be patient while we do a little housecleaning. I hope to see you soon. Please visit http://patapscovalleygop.org for more information.

In Liberty,

David Aughenbaugh

President

Patapsco Valley Republican Club

Baltimore County Night in Annapolis

Every year our legislators invite county Republicans down to the state capital for a chance to meet and chat with the who’s who of conservative Annapolis politics. 

This year’s reception will occur this coming Monday night from 6-8 pm in Rm 170 of the State House of Representatives building. 

This is a great opportunity to see how your government works.  You can tour the State House, see where sessions take place, meet with delegates and senators, and enjoy some very yummy food.  It’s well worth the trip.

For those of you wishing to carpool, contact Augie.  He has space for five and will be leaving the Catonsville area around 5:00 pm.

If you’re looking to drive on your own, you can either park at the Navy Stadium and take the shuttle over to the House building or you can park in a garage and walk over.  We hear Gotts Court garage is by far the cheapest.

We hope to see you there.  Seriously, don’t miss this great opportunity.

For Baltimore County Republican Central Committee members, a meeting will follow the reception. 

Get Involved: Birthright Fundraiser Tomorrow Night

Don’t you love the types of fundraisers where all you have to do is eat dinner with family and friends and it benefits deserving organizations?  What a great way to get involved in our communities and lend a hand at the same time.

Birthright Pregnancy Care Center is hosting a fundraiser at Squisito Too tomorrow night from 5-9 pm.  The restaurant has generously agreed to donate 10% of their proceeds for the entire evening, so all you have to do is eat.  It’s that simple.

Here’s a recap of the deets:

What?  A fundraiser for Birthright Pregnancy Care Center of Glen Burnie

When?  Wednesday, February 2, 2011 from 5-9 pm

Where? Squisito Too, 417 S, Camp Meade Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD