Not Taking It Anymore

In recent news, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales—one of the more loathsome members of the Bush administration—resigned. Gonzales was quoted while testifying in front of a Senatorial committee as saying the Geneva Convention was "quaint," which he later denied, but as he is on record saying so in front of the U.S. Senate, he can't really get away from it. Gonzales was key in what news reports have politely referred to as the broadening of executive powers under the Bush administration. This "broadening of powers" is resulting in a government that is at worst fascist and at best approaching monarchy. And although, as Winston Churchill said, democracy is the worst form of government other than every other one ever tried, it is, in fact, ours.

Enter Democrats, who, while often feckless and unable to agree or back one another publicly, are still the voice of the people. And if this paragraph gets your dander up at all and you want to say something or do something, the Young Democrats Club feels your pain and is here to help. Notoriously absent at the polls are 18- to 25-year-olds, who tend not to have their voices heard in our political process—even though they make up the ruling class in MTV and Hollywood focus groups. And the Young Democrats Club also participates in a hosted afternoon at Memphis called Drinking Liberally, which means they're not only smart, but also fun. Like you kids. Right?

The Young Democrats are hosting a Women's Forum featuring a panel of speakers, including councilwomen from the cities of Fullerton, Yorba Linda, Santa Ana and Costa Mesa. Their distinguished panelists are Pam Keller, Sharon Quirk, Jan Horton, Michele Martinez and Katrina Foley. People of all ages are encouraged to attend. So, show up, be inspired, get mad, whatever . . . just DO something.

Orange County Young Democrats present a Women's Forum at OCEA Hall, 830 N. Ross, Santa Ana; www.myspace.com/ocyoungdemocrats. Thurs., Sept. 13, 7 p.m. Free.