Liberty University pulls plug on Democratic club

[kpete]

Source: The News And Advance

By Ray Reed

Published: May 21, 2009

Liberty University has revoked its recognition of the campus Democratic Party club, saying “we are unable to lend support to a club whose parent organization stands against the moral principles held by” the university.

“It kind of happened out of nowhere,” said Brian Diaz, president of LU’s student Democratic Party organization, which LU formally recognized in October.

Diaz said he was notified of the school’s decision May 15 in an e-mail from Mark Hine, vice president of student affairs.

According to the e-mail, the club must stop using the university’s name, holding meetings on campus, or advertising events. Violators could incur one or more reprimands under the school’s Liberty Way conduct code, and anyone who accumulates 30 reprimands is subject to expulsion.

Read more: http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/news/local/article/lu_pulls_plug_on_democratic_club/16172/

[YOY]

They hold "moral principles"?

Who the fuck knew???

[UpInArms]

42. GMTA

:hi:

[Joe Bacon]

53. They worship Ayn Rand

These assholes at Liberty U talk the Jesus Talk, but they walk the Ayn Rand Walk.Their god is Ayn as in Mine Rand.

[YOY]

75. What is it with the wanton desire to follow the philosophy of a woman who died alone and bitter?

n.t.

[Kerrytravelers]

1. They can't stop these students from organizing off campus and changing their club name.

[LostinVA]

18. Actually, they can

Read "The Liberty Way" sometime. They are expected to do/not do certain things no matter where they are, 24/7.

[Kerrytravelers]

25. Lovely. What a way to allow students to make their way in the world.

I can't imagine a Democrat wanting to attend that "university."

[OneAngryDemocrat]

38. CONTACT INFO for Brian Diaz, President of Liberty U's College Democrats

Contact Info for Brian Diaz, President of Liberty U's College Democrats:

[e-mail]

I e-mailed Mr. Diaz, and told him that I was standing in solidarity with him and his group, and also asked him to provide some contact info for any local democratic activist groups with which he, and his group, have no direct ties.

I have an idea... picketers carrying signs saying "No Liberty at Liberty U," or, "Jesus was a Liberal Jew!"

I would NOT want any of the 30 or so Liberty U stutdents who participated in the College Democrats Club to engage in a lawful protest, however - getting these young men and women expelled from Liberty Univeristy should not be a goal... but surely there has to be a local VA activist group or two willing to get some press coverage to aid these young men and women, carrying protest signs on the drive leading up to the campus.

I called Congressman Rep. Thomas Perriello's 5th Congressional district office in Virginia... Perriello is a democrat whose district is right accross the river from Lynchburg and they are already aware of this afront to Christian democrats. The gal who answered the phone was actually reading the news about this atrocity online, when I called: she actually finished my sentence for me, when I aired my complaint, and laughed aloud at the timing. Her response, after I got this thing off my chest, was that while the Congressman would be interested in bringing this afront to democrats and Christians, alike, up on the floor of the House, he won't be bringing up new business on the House floor for a few more weeks, and by then, the hub-bub may have blown over.

WE SHOULD BE THE FOLKS MAKING A STORM OUT OF THIS.

I urge someone, anyone, from Virginia to get this ball rolling, and make this issue NAITONAL - this bastardization of our Christian faith shoulod not stand. Not unlike Osama bin Laden, these looney zealots are hijacking one of the world's great religions. While the school has every right to do what it chooses to do in it's own interests, Christians and democrats have the same right to act in their own intersts - and right now that means to speak out against this atrocity.

Rep. Thomas Perriello's 5th Congressional district office
Washington DC Office
1520 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

The Liberty U. Democratic Club only started in late '08.

It would appear that the University was perfectly content with the club until a democratic candidate won the '08 election, and only then, did the Club wear out it's welcome. The Democratic Party Platform has not changed one iota betwen then, and now.

http://www.liberty.edu/academics/communications/champion/index.cfm?PID=10609&CAID=581

Furthermore, the University's Doctrinal Statement says nothing about abortion, whatsoever...

http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=6907

And neither does the University's Statement of Purpose, Mission/Aims say anything on the topic.

https://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=6899

Furthermore, Liberty University DOES have a Young Republican's Club, and it should be noted that the GOP does, in fact, endorse the death penalty... which, obviously, does not sanctify human life.

Once again, I do not, in any way, suggest that the school can not, in it's own interests, make this move. What I am suggesting, however, is that the school is LYING, as all conservatives do, about their motives.

This move by Jerry Falwell's legacy isn't about any kind of so-called ''Christian'' values - it IS about penalizing a student for his/her politics.

[OneAngryDemocrat]

54. Kicked

Kicked... I don't want to see this story just disappear into the fog over the weekend.

[No Elephants]

71. Jesus was left of liberal.

[LostinVA]

39. I suspect it's parents holding the pursestrings

New book by Kevin Roose -- get it! 'The Unlikely Discpline." He was a soph at Brown, liberal and a Quaker, and spent a semester at Liberty to see what it was like. Just raed it this week. I worked at UVA for about a decade, and can tell you alot about our neighbors and hour south on 29.

[Iowa]

41. That's what I was thinking...

Why would any Democrat go to that shitty school?

[timtom]

49. "I can't imagine a Democrat wanting to attend..."

Neither can I!

"What a way to allow students to make their way in the world."
I don't believe that that is their intention. I believe their intention is to generate lock-step nonthinkers who cannot see nuances.

[JoePhilly]

19. The far right continues to PURGE itself of more moderate voices!!!

[Blue_Tires]

2. eh.... it will just encourage liberal students to attend real colleges

[Dogtown]

3. So much for "Liberty" n/t

[murdoch]

69. That's what I thought

What an ironic name.

[Ganja Ninja]

4. As Jon Stewart called it "saviour school".

I wonder if they receive any federal or state money?

[meegbear]

5. I think the real question here is ...

Liberty University has a Democratic club? You'd think Falwell would have never allowed that type of club on his campus.

Most peculiar mama.

[No Elephants]

72. It's been recognized there only since October '08.

[Wickerman]

6. 30 reprimands to expulsion?

That is a lot of meetings! I think the honorable thing for Diaz and his fellows is to see how creative the admin get with the reprimands. The mistake would not be getting expelled from Liberty, it was attending in the first place.

[Posteritatis]

40. They'll probably redefine "being registered as a Democrat" as worth 25 (nt)

[gauguin57]

7. What are Democrats doing going to Liberty U anyway?

They won't learn about Ida the Missing Link till after they graduate!

[konnichi wa]

8. They weren't quite hateful enough.

...

[cap]

9. I hope they yank the government funds from Liberty University

I hope the local Democratic Party steps up its advertising to students.

[saigon68]

13. The present regime will do nothing of that sort

[zoff]

32. They would be in violation of Dept of Eds

rules if they do in fact receive federal funding.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

51. They're a private school -

they get no federal money.

They can do whatever they want, within limits...............

[mbperrin]

57. They do receive federal money. Here's their own website and

the details for federal work study:

https://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=301
STUDENT EMPLOYMENT/WORK STUDY

Work Study is a federally-funded program awarded to students based on need as determined from the results of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This program provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students who have financial need as established by the FAFSA.

Earnings are estimated at $4,000 annually; however, students may earn up to their need as established by the FAFSA.

Part-time jobs are available on and off campus.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

58. Ahhhhhhh

So they DO dip into the Big Bad Government Trough?

And they claim to be GOPigs?



Hypocrites at Liberty U.? I am shocked. SHOCKED, I tell you.

Nice catch. Thank you very much for this. I am still, though, perplexed why any kid who even had Democratic leanings would want to go to a place like Liberty University.

In a town called ::: gasp :::: Lynchburg......................

[MissB]

74. The kid may not have a choice

If mom and dad are paying the bills.

[cap]

66. almost all schools receive federal and state funding

Liberty U is no exception. Once it becomes clear to them that their funding is at risk, their hearts and minds will follow. Grab 'em by their soft spot: their wallet.

[bluesmail]

10. The title is hypocritical to the nth degree. HA! eom

[Javaman]

11. But the young repuke club which I bet supports torture, is just fine, right?

pigs.

[struggle4progress]

44. "... Liberty has had a College Republicans club for several years. The Democratic club formed in

October and worked aggressively to elect President Obama. 'They ... let the Liberty University College Republicans stay on campus but they don't let us,' said Diaz, 18, who will be a sophomore next year. 'Sounds like censorship to me.' ..."

Liberty University Shuts Down Campus Democratic Party Club
By Anita Kumar
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 22, 2009; 11:52 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/22/AR2009052200793.html?hpid=topnews

It's not a university: it's a political action committee

[rateyes]

12. The University should change its name.

Liberty, my ass.

[zoff]

33. It's false advertising ...

they should just call themselves the Falwell School.

[blueworld]

14. Jerry's son is worse than he was, if possible

This "school" is an extra-conservative indoctrination center. It seems to be a little off the Christan beam, though, with abstinence training. They won't put up with Democrats, offered a free scholarship to Miss Prejean, are fighting the "Hate crimes" bill because it "protects pedophiles" BUT...

The Math professors apparently give massages (http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/local/lynchburg/article/former_liberty_univ._professor_facing_sex_charge_granted_bond/33976/)

and the extra-curricular student activities apparently include surfing the internet for 13-year-olds (http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0509/619546.html).

Go figure. :shrug:

[rms013]

15. I guess the name of the university is a misnomer

[rateyes]

16. Now, THIS paragraph is priceless:

“Among other things, Liberty University stands for the sanctity of human life. The loss of human life through abortion is a great tragedy and we cannot remain silent when the political policies or politicians themselves promote the destruction of innocent human life."

How about the loss of human life through WAR, Mr. Hines. Why do you support the death penalty if you stand for the sanctity of human life? Why do you defend Mr. Cheney and his torture regime if you stand for the sanctity of human life? Mr. Hines, you and the university you represent only care about human life before that life breathes its first breath. After that, you don't give a shit about the sanctity of human life.

You are one hypocritical piece of human garbage. And, your universtiy has unmitigated gall to call yourselves "liberty."

Go fuck yourself.

[No Elephants]

73. Democrats do not promote destruction of human life. They simply do not seek control over someone

else's body. Democrats really ARE pro-choice, not pro-abortion. Republicans, on the other hand, really ARE anti-choice, not pro-life.

[HopeHoops]

17. Why the hell would a Democrat go there in the first place?

:shrug:

[jeff30997]

21. Good question.

That place sounds like an insane asylum.

[Sezu]

43. Yeah I can't wrap my head around that one either. n/t

[Quantess]

48. I'm wondering the same thing.

Some people are masochists that way. They may want to be contrary to the people around them, instead of being around people who are more in agreement with them.
I say, life's too short to spend it around assholes.

[woo me with science]

59. I suspect these are kids raised in fundie households

who are beginning to dare to think for themselves for the first time in their lives, being away from their parents.

Maybe for some of them, this was the only college their parents would pay for.

[pstokely]

60. Only place parents will pay for in many cases

nt

[Honeycombe8]

68. Democrats can be religious, can't they? But if they go to a Falwell university...

they should know that they won't be allowed to do things that don't fit in with the evangelical viewpoint, which is hard right, far right, strongly pro-life, and intolerant.

They can still have their organization, though, according to Falwell, Jr. The University will just not recognize it, and the mtgs can't be held in certain places on campus. Not a big deal, IMO.

[gbate]

20. This kinda makes me sad.

As far as the question of why a Democrat would want to attend LU in the first place, well, I can't answer that.

I do know that there are many moderate Dems who are Christians and for whatever reason, choose LU. (hopefully it's just ignorance)

It saddens me because shit like this further widens the chasm between Progressive and Conservative Christians. Most of the Progressives I know would find this highly insulting.

[OneAngryDemocrat]

22. The Liberty U. Democratic Club only started in October '08

The Liberty U. Democratic Club only started in late '08.

It would appear that the University was perfectly content with the club until a democrat won the '08 election.

http://www.liberty.edu/academics/communications/champion/index.cfm?PID=10609&CAID=581

The University's Doctrinal Statement says nothing about abortion, whatsoever...

http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=6907

And neither does the University's Statement of Purpose, Mission/Aims say anything on the topic.

https://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=6899

Furthermore, Liberty University DOES have a Young Republican's Club, and it should be noted that the GOP does, in fact, endorse the death penalty.

I do not, in any way, suggest that the school can not, in it's own interests, make this move. What I am suggesting, however, is that the school is LYING, as all conservatives do, about their motives.

This move by Jerry Falwell's legacy isn't about any kind of so-called ''Christian'' values - it IS about penalizing a student for his/her politics.

If Republicans couldn't lie, we'd never hear from them at all.

[SirRevolutionary]

23. Ahhh Liberty U

Long time lurker here. I've written little over the years but was too compelled this time as this is a favorite subject of mine. The fundie hypocrites - ahhhh gotta love them.

I "growed" in NJ/NY metro area and moved to Liberty U's own Lynchburg a few years ago (not going to spend my life here, this was just a transition) but I thought I'd share some of the wonders that are Liberty University. Wonders like

Liberty University student arrested in online predator sting:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: May 2, 2009

LYNCHBURG (AP) - A Liberty University student is behind bars after being arrested in a sting to catch Internet sexual predators.

State Police arrested 22-year-old Jamison Dean Gibbs of Acworth, Ga., Friday at the conservative Christian school founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell.

He was charged with attempting to take indecent liberties with a child and using an electronic device to solicit a juvenile. Read more: http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/local/lynchburg/article/liberty_university_student_arrested_in_online_predator_sting/34387/

or

Liberty University Professor Arrested for Sex Crimes:
LYNCHBURG, VA -- Liberty University police have arrested a former Liberty University professor on sex related charges. Court records show Joshua Young Moon is charged with object sexual penetration by force. We’re told the alleged incident happened with a student.

Read more: http://www.aboms.com/archives/011071.html

and that's just inside one month! When Obama was on the campaign trail down here, some of the fine folks from LU wouldn't allow supporters access to parking lots Read more: http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/news/local/article/the_plaza_off_limits_for_obama_event_parking/7589/

From what I've heard, Sonny boy Falwell was in danger of losing Fed funding when he opened his yap one too many times during the election. I surely hope they don't receive any. But I have to admit, it's kind of fun to be a pioneer down here in Fundie-Hypocrisy Land. Forgive my little rant, but I just love to point out what scuzz runs that "school".

[WestSeattle2]

29. So typical of sexually-repressed, "God-fearing Christians"...

I can't imagine going through life with my head up my ass, but millions of people choose to, and some of them end up at LU.

[Canuckistanian]

45. Hmm, "indecent liberties" at Liberty U

Maybe that's where they got the name.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

52. No federal funding there -

it's a private school.

But, did anyone ever look at the name of the town?

[MadMaddie]

62. Not true they do get federal money

See post #57

[Tangerine LaBamba]

77. See post 58

Sometimes you have to read the whole thread to see how it ends ......

[hangman86]

24. I love how the president sounds really surprised by the whole matter

If I was the leader of the Democratic Club at Liberty University I'd be expecting a shut down 24/7

[WestSeattle2]

26. So just change the name to...

Organization for Ethical and Moral Behavior.

[sofa king]

27. Well, that oughta put a bit of polish on the old resume.

The resumes that I would, for the rest of my life, throw in the trash when I saw "Liberty University" on them.

No, seriously. Republicanism is a cognitive disorder. Half of the Republican party is comprised of right-wing authoritarians, who are prone to racism, tolerant of inequality, open to suggestion, and who have underdeveloped problem-solving skills. Their leaders are "double" RWAs, who think better but with personality traits that lean dangerously in the direction of psycho- and sociopaths.

By accepting Republicanism and the fundamentalist Christian superstition, they necessarily must have a misunderstanding of the basic underpinnings of all sciences, most of history and sociology, and (obviously, considering the past thirty years) economics.

More than that, Liberty is a choice, a choice students and their families must make where they select the worst college in Virginia while ignoring a dozen better and often less expensive schools within a hundred miles, including James Madison, Virginia Tech, Old Dominion, Washington and Lee, William and Mary, and VCU. And that goes double for the Patrick Henry kids on the other end of the Blue Ridge.

[leftynyc]

28. Time to pull the plug

on their tax exempt status. Enough of this bullshit.

[The Doctor.]

55. I've been looking everywhere for confirmation that they are tax exempt.

I've found nothing concrete enough to bury some of the stupid arguments out there.

[zoff]

30. There must be repercussions

with the Department of Education. If in violation then, the DE should pull the plug on this "university's" accreditation. It's got to be somewhere in the DE's regulations.

Personally, I wouldn't attend a school founded by a Falwell.

[sakabatou]

31. Yay freedom?

[RaleighNCDUer]

34. Well, that's not smart.

Where will our future blue dogs and DLCers come from?

[southernyankeebelle]

35. WOW LIBERTY U - YOU SUCK - WHAT HIGH MINDED PEOPLE

THEY ARE. IT WOULD BE NICE IF THE REALLY PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH. THEY THINK THE DEATH PENALTY IS FINE. ITS OK THAT THEY THINK THEY HAVE MORALS WHEN THEY REALLY DON'T. I WONDER HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE SEXUALLY ABUSED? HOW MANY ARE SPENDING THE CHURCH'S MONEY FOR PERSONAL GAINS? THEY ARE NO MORE MORAL THAN ANY OTHER GROUP. THESE REPUBLICANS NEED TO STOP SAYING THEY ARE MORAL WHEN WE ALL KNOW THEY AREN'T.

[KamaAina]

36. Where did they hold their meetings? In a phone booth?

That actually makes less sense than "Log Cabin Republicans"! :eyes:

[Demeter]

37. Give Me Liberty, or.....Whatever

Is it any wonder we've got the dumbest population in the world, including nations that are chronically malnourished?

[OneAngryDemocrat]

46. Jesus is Rolling in His Grave...

...or laughing his ass off in Heaven - one of the two.

Don't those numbskulls KNOW that Jesus was a Liberal Jew?

[No Elephants]

70. Jesus was way beyond liberal. He was a radical.

[Vinca]

47. I guess this means we're eeeeeeeevil.

:rofl:

[Pryderi]

50. K&R

[The Doctor.]

56. Does LU have tax-exempt status?

I imagine so, but I've been looking and found no solid confirmation.

This is the closest;

http://libertycounsel.org/index.cfm?pid=14096

But it's not LU itself.

[musicblind]

61. "You can't be a Democrat and be a Christian"

That is a direct quote from CNN's article on the same news story:



Childress says she was told by Mark Hine, the vice president of student affairs, that "'You can't be a Democrat and be a Christian


http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/22/liberty-university-bans-college-dems/#more-52973




So everyone knows, I do not agree with this statement. I am a Democrat, I am openly gay, AND I am a Christian.

[UrbScotty]

63. I too am a Christian Democrat

as are so many of us here.

:hi:

[underpants]

64. Good Christian soldiers them

they are doing it as loyal servants to the Republican party which clearly is their top priority

1.RNC
2.Country
3.God

[tj2001]

65. Government should remove Liberty U., Oral Roberts U., et al from recognized diploma list

for employment.

[tabasco]

67. One-party fascist state is their religion.

They are no different than the madrasas in Saudi Arabia.

Crazed fascist nutbuckets, hiding behind the false flag of religion.

[No Elephants]

76. Some choice excerpts from the article in the

OP:


"Hine said late Thursday that the university could not sanction an official club that supported Democratic candidates.

“We are in no way attempting to stifle free speech.”


:rofl:



"Hine said the university had recently completed a policy that would govern clubs and organizations on campus.

“We looked at each club and organization to determine where it stood and unfortunately this one kind of got in the sights of policy, if you will,” he said."



Wonder what suddenly got them started on writing a policy about clubs, 'cause it seems like Hine did a 180.



"Last fall, Diaz said, Hine had complimented the club for being a faith-based organization working within the Democratic Party."



“He said it wasn’t us. It was the national Democratic Party,” which the campus club’s constitution supports, Dervish said. The campus club also opposes abortion and supports the traditional view of marriage, Dervish said.

“His bottom line was, ‘You can’t be a Democrat and be a Christian and be a university representative,’” Childress said.

Hine denied saying that."



Maybe he did not say it in those exact words, but he clearly conveyed it. Then again, Hine seems to have a disconnect between what he says and what the impact of his words are.

[Vehl]

78. this is sick....they need to change the name of the university

they need to change the name of the university because it certainly does not stand for liberty or freedom of thought!

a good substitute would be "fundamentalist university"