In This Issue  

 Young Democratic Socialists Update: February 3, 2008

Winter Conference: Still Time to Save!
 
 
 
 


 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Still Time to Save on the YDS Conference
Get the Pre-registration Rate for "Be Realistic, Demand the Impossible"
 
The national YDS conference, Be Realistic, Demand the Impossible: Reviving Democratic, Socialist, and Youth Activism, is almost here!  At YDS, we're excited and can't wait to see old friends and make new ones during this President?s weekend conference (Feb 15-17th).  To make this event as affordable as possible, we are offering a special discount registration fee of $25 for those who register with payment by February 13th.  Early registration will save you $10 dollars off the door rate!  Conference registration is available here.  Your fee will cover conference materials, access to all plenaries, breakfast and lunch, and more.
 
For more information on conference speakers, directions, etc., click here for the event page. 
 
To speak to a conference planner directly, email yds@dsausa.org or call 212-727-8610.
 
Help us promote the event by downloading and distributing this conference flier to friends.  For bulk color copies, email yds@dsausa.org.
 
Why Edwards Didn't Catch Fire
A Perspective from Conference Speaker Bill Fletcher Jr.
 
Bill Fletcher Jr., Democratic Socialists of America member, labor union activist, executive editor of The Black Commenator, and upcoming YDS conference speaker, has authored "Edwards' Strategic Mistake" on the failure of presidential hopeful Senator John Edwards campaign to gain mass support. With Edwards and Rep. Dennis Kucinich now out of the race, the Democratic candidates most critical of corporate-friendly politics and most strongly courted progressive primary voters are gone.  Fletcher chronicles Edwards' failure to prominently address race and gender issues or make sufficient contact with leaders of community and civil rights struggles during his run.  Fletcher offers a possible framework for a future successful progressive electoral campaign for the US presidency.
 
The Activist: Straight off the Presses
A Sample of the Newest Articles from YDS's Online Magazine
 
Check out these two great articles from the latest The Activist bi-weekly update.  First, YDS Co-Chair Maria Svart and Coordinating Committee member Christina Huizar attended the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights conference in Houston on January 18-20.  Read about their experience and the growing importance of the immigrant rights movement and the need for ally support.  Second, Adrian Bliefuss-Prados tackles the absurd notion put forth by neo-conservative Jonah Goldberg that left liberalism finds its roots in fascism.  Make sure to read the other fantastic pieces in this week's and previous editions, too.
 
5th Anniversary of the Iraq War
Unied for Peace and Justice Actions in March
 
We have been at war for five years too many.  United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ), a coalition of which YDS is proud to be a member, is promoting several events in March to make this the last Iraq War anniversary.  One is the Winter Solider campaign to be held by YDS ally, Iraq Veterans Against the War, in Washington, D.C., from March 13 through the 16th.  The second is a large civil-disobedience action in DC and local events on March 19th.  You can learn more about these actions at the UFPJ website.
 
 
 
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