'Hostile takeover' of pro-war clubs

The Justice ^

[deisjaws]

'Hostile takeover' of pro-war clubs a 'joke' By Johanna Schwartz

Brandeis' United We Stand (BBUWS), saying it was threatened with a hostile takeover, said it stands united against club filibustering, proposing amendments to its constitution and privatizing its mailing list. These measures were taken preemptively after club members became aware of an e-mail which "outlined in depth how to use our constitution against us to take over our club," BUWS President Mira Meyerovich '03 said in a forum discussion she created on my.brandeis.edu.

The e-mail in question, sent by Daniel Mauer '06 to the Antiwar Planning list server, explained that, "you can become a member (of BUWS) by attending one meeting and that, following that, you can vote on proposed amendments to their constitution."

"Let's just say I wouldn't be too terribly opposed to a hostile takeover (although I clearly would never support a hostile takeover)," Mauer's e-mail said.

Meyerovich and her co-legionaries became aware of this e-mail after Mauer, North Quad senator and the sponsor of a proposed referendum declaiming U.S. military intervention in Iraq, unexpectedly joined the BUWS list server.

Meyerovich claims she knew Mauer to be "a prominent anti-war activist," and "in the spirit of mutual information," she and other BUWS leaders proceeded to browse the archives of the Antiwar Planning list server, stumbling upon the e-mail.

Mauer was subsequently excised from the BUWS mailing list.

In response, Mauer sent responses to both the United We Stand and Antiwar Planning lists, apologizing and assuring that his proposals were made in jest.

"I have no intention of attempting to take over any club -- United We Stand or any other," Mauer wrote. "I can see after re-reading the e-mail I sent why people would not have seen that my comments were a joke. I apologize very much for that, as I sometimes forget that e-mail can't express the humorous tone that I intended."

When asked to comment, Mauer reiterated these sentiments. "The e-mail was just intended to brighten everyone's spirits a little," he said. "I certainly don't want to take over any clubs."

Nonetheless, this incident has provoked United We Stand to take action in protection of its sovereignty. Club leaders have decided alter their constitution to include a clause whereby "if someone joins the club to change the constitution, they can be kicked out," Meyerovich said.

"It's basically designed to prevent anything like what was described in the e-mail from happening," she continued. "Although at this point, it's really unlikely that anything's going to happen."

Also, the club's list server now requires the approval of the moderator in order to join.

Meyerovich also created a discussion forum on the my.brandeis.edu Web site to decry what some people see as anti-conservative sentiment at Brandeis. The forum is entitled "persecution of conservatives on campus."

"This is not an isolated incident," Meyerovich said in a Wednesday post. "The Republican club has lost its office with no explanation... BUWS fliers are being defaced. Conservative and patriotic student decorations on dorm doors are being vandalized...."

Meyerovich and other BUWS members have refused to go on the record regarding dorm decoration vandalism.

As for the defacement of BUWS fliers, club secretary and public relations officer Joshua Wiznitzer '03 explained the extent of the damage.

"One of the signs just had the word 'moo' written all over it. One of them just had the big yellow ribbon on it totally scribbled out," he said. "One of them had 'This can't happen at Brandeis' written on it. Sometimes there were just a bunch of peace signs."

When asked about allegations of unfair treatment of conservatives on campus, Mauer said, "it is certainly possible that the conservative clubs are being discriminated against."

"But it is also possible that things are just happening," he said. "I can certainly understand why things which are just everyday, normal occurrences can be interpreted as being discrimination. It's a touch issue, the whole thing."

Tobias Harris '05, editor of the campus conservative-libertarian publication Concord Bridge, seemed to agree with Mauer's assessment of the situation.

"There may be individuals who missed the part about liberal democracy including free speech (all across the political spectrum)," he said, "but most people seem to respect others' opinions, if not agree with them, when the proponents argue in a calm, rational manner rather than engaging in ideological guerrilla warfare."

"If we compare it to other universities, it's really not a bad place to be," he said.

[deisjaws]

Liberal threatens hostile take-over of pro-America, "pro-war" groups. Pro-USA signs defaced. Republican club gets office taken away w/o warning, items vandalized, and later seen at an anti-war rally (also vandalized).

[anniegetyourgun]

anarchists all.....

[lavaroise]

THe sheeple will have to hold charges against the users of stolen property.

[RockyMtnMan]

It's a good thing the former soviet union (and current leftists) couldn't do this to our own government by using our laws against us. </sarcasm>

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

By the way.. we aren't "PRO WAR". Nice try by the leftiesk huh?

We just "get it". We are "Support the President and the Troops" groups!!

We think had Americans and OTHER COUNTRIES been UNITED, it was our best chance to "prevent" War. HOPEFULLY, one day these people and those countries will wake up to that FACT.

[dead]

They should amend the constitution of their club to say that the poopyheads in the anti-war camp are stupid and smelly and have no friends and are mean.

[zip]

'Hostile takeover' of pro-war clubs

I strongly object to that title. We are not pro-war but we understand the need for peace utilizing proper means which may include confrontation. We need to support our troops, our Country and our President in these times of crisis. Period!!

[Black Agnes]

ping.

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

Situation being what it is any pro-American organization should ad to its bylaws,THAT NO DISSENCION WILL BE TOLERATED AND THAT WILL BE GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE EXPULSION.

[Texas_Jarhead]

"... after club members became aware of an e-mail which "outlined in depth how to use our constitution against us to take over our club,"

ah they've learned from their commie handlers very well I see.

Subversives meet the ALCU.

[Ditto]

Hell. The radical left took over the Sierra Club, the NAACP, the ACLU and the Democrat Party in the same way. This campus club shouldn't feel special.

[Feiny]

"There may be individuals who missed the part about liberal democracy including free speech"

Since when is this a liberal democracy? That is part of the problem, even the conservative spokesperson gets it wrong.

[My2Cents]

The thing which is irking me right now is this backpeddling by the anti-war types that they "Support the troops," implying they don't support the effort. We need to emphasize, as you suggest, that WE support BOTH the troops, and their Commander-in-Chief.

[SpookBrat]

Amen and BTTT!

My wonderful aunt, whom I love very much, calls herself a yellow dog democrat. I got an email from her the other day talking about how she "doesn't believe in war". I thought to myself, "No one "believes" in war you big dummy".

I'm not happy we're going to war. I have 7 family members over there right now and more will join. But I understand it's necessity and I support my President. He's got more information than I have, so I have no reason to doubt his integrity or plans. I support our troops and I support this war....I wish it didn't have to happen, but that's life. War is a part of life and we have to be brave, face it.....and win.

I also believe we had war declared on us on 9/11. I think this talk of "going to war" isn't accurate. We've been at war all along. This is just the next fight.

We just "get it". I love that!!

[judicial meanz]

Good comment! Can I add something?

"By the way.. we aren't "PRO WAR". Nice try by the leftiesk huh?

We just "get it". We are "Support the President and the Troops" groups!!


We are Pro-Freedom!

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

God Bless all 7 of your family members!! Please THANK THEM for us for their service to our country. Also.. THANK YOU.. THE FAMILIES!!!!

Our hearts and souls are with you all through this time of war. We honestly sit on the edge of our seats waiting for news. Please keep us posted on your family members K?

We would be honored to be kept updated on their well being.

God Bless,.. Mary Ann and Art

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

We'll be doing JUST THAT this weekend in Sacramento at the rally to support the President and the troops :o)

[Hobsonphile]

Leftism on Campus ping!

If you would like to be added to the Leftism on Campus ping list, please
notify me via FReep-mail.

Regards...

[goodieD]

took over? I thought these groups have always been leftist organizations?

[Ditto]

took over? I thought these groups have always been leftist organizations?

Go back 50 years, and not one of them was "leftist". All of them welcomed conservatives back then.

[SpookBrat]

You are so sweet. I didn't mean to draw attention from your great post. I just feel a little miffed when I hear us being critisized for being "pro war" or not taking this seriously enough. We're all taking this very seriously. I know what I'm supporting and we all know the risks involved.

So far as I know, they are all ok. If I hear anything, I'll let you know. Our nephew is a B1 Bomber, so I'm guessing he could be doing his job in the next 24 hours. I don't know.

God bless you today.

[OBone]

Hang in there guys. You are OK

OB

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Our Pop was a B-17 Bomber pilot in WWII. Then his son *(Vets Husband) became a medivac pilot in Nam, and has flown for the military for 26 years retiring as an Aviation Battalion Commander.

All our troops are extremely special to us, and appreciated more than mere words could EVER convey. We are very mindful and understanding of the sacrifices of the families too.

We get a knot in our gut when our troops go out in harms way..and we know that they are DAILY. Bosnia, Afghanistan, The DMZ in the Korea's, and other places where they are deployed are all with risk. All the troops are in our prayers every single night.

We feel great confidence in our troops.. but we also feel the "reality" of what they are doing, and about to do.

God protect your nephew..and all the other wonderful patriots in your family!

Believe me.. we know your frustration, and NONE OF US like or WANT war. Like you, we understand that the sacrifices of our young people.. how those sacrifices allow all of us to remain free and safe. Sometimes people forget to stop and think WHERE the world would be without the USA. It would sure be a different place. Definetly Not a better place!! The price was our sons and daughters precious blood.

God Bless our troops, and God Bless the President!!

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Nothing new here. That has always been a tactic of the left. They plan to use our freedoms to undermine them and take over our government. Has the idea of free speech, the 1st Amendment, been so expanded as to allow almost anything? Yes. Have trial lawyers and leftist judges expanded the idea of "justice" to include extortion and robbery? Yes.

They infiltrate until they have enough votes to pull a surprise upset, or steal and election ala Gore's attempt, and then they own the whole organization. They then make it almost impossible to overthrough them. They insist that you play fair to the exact letter of the law, or their interpretation of the law, but once they are in control you can forget fair play.

[A_perfect_lady]

So, do those discovered and tossed off get that RIGHT OF RETURN so valued by folks who like to destroy from within?

[weegee]

The media likes to spin it that only conservatives plan activism through the internet (FR is specifically getting mentioned) and that such use of a computer as a meeting place invalidates any merit in the activism.

That the left uses computers to plan to DUmp and otherwise bias online polls or flood email boxes is lost on journalists. Activities like this attempt to subvert the group (as some attempt to subvert our political system) don't get widely reported.

[weegee]

They insist that you play fair to the exact letter of the law, or their interpretation of the law, but once they are in control you can forget fair play.

If you go to the Smoking Gun website and read from the Al Qaida playbook, they advise using the American legal system to subvert attempts to stop them from their goal of overthrowing the American government.

[deisjaws]

Thanks to all who have expressed support!

If anyone at a college or university is going to be joining in this effort, if you could please email me at the email address in the press release, that would be a great help!

We'll be sure to list you in a list of participants.

G-d bless the USA and the President