:: Kerckhoff Journal ::

:: 4.03.2003 ::

Daily Bruin Puts Its Head Above the Fray

Since Thursday's paper is the most read on campus, does it surprise you that the Editorial Board at the Daily Bruin decided to rap the SURE slate on the knuckles for its collusion over "machine politics". It's appropriate that the paper decides it is more concerned about ideology than winning. They have sabotaged nearly every person that was not part of the establishment over the last five years. And they think that SURE was reactionary? Please note, two party systems pop up largely in areas that have winner-take all elections, not proportional representations. The good question that the Ed Board does ask is if they will become more moderate this year, they being Student Empowerment! Perhaps, but will the Bruin?
:: Thomas 00:48 [+] ::
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SURE is Now LaFlamme Retardant

The folks at the Daily Bruin decided to start off Spring Quarter by clocking the ruling SURE slate in the mouth over a story about Financial Supports Commissioner Andrew LaFlamme leaving the SURE slate. He's doing it, we're told because he wanted the Presidency and SURE refused to let him have it. The real danger is that this throws a dangerous roadblock for any reelection hopes for SURE. Even a slight movement to LaFlamme's insurgency could result in a Student Empowerment victory. It also means that LaFlamme might strike down the last official business of the current Dahle administration: to open funding to all groups. With both slates on edge, look for this one to be a choice cut by the Bruin.
:: Thomas 02:52 [+] ::
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A Bigger Piece of Halal Pie?

If you are the least bit surprised that student advocacy groups are fuming about being cut out of the USAC financial pie, don't be. The Muslim Student Association is naturally shocked and bemused to learn that it was not considered as a top tier group by the Budget Review Committee. Well, now the whole campus knows, and sure you could blame the BRC for being so insensitive to promoting Islam at a time when it is being misunderstood. But don't kid yourself. Instead what you have are the biggest, richest groups like Samahang Pilipino and the African Student Union allowing MSA to be hit because the revenue for student program is smaller. Though most of the harder left types are pro-Palestine, the idea that some the Jewish Student Union sought to stick it to the MSA is unrealistic. Of course, this is a political victory for Dahle, and it shows that his control on BRC is going to rend some of the power away from the typical brokers that usually make hay.

Neverthles, Andy Jones talked all about why the Bruin Republicans are such an inclusive and wonderful group on Wednesday. His criticsm of the left at UCLA is pretty valid, and he stands up to the media where Mr. Miller is just not willing to. Still, if you know how Jones and the other members of BRC ran their operation, you would understand why so many BRs wanted to leave and form another group last year. [It may still happen.] The right will remained fractured until BR can enfranchise more people and with Jones being his usual divisive self...don't hold your breath for tomorrow.

:: Thomas 01:06 [+] ::
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UCLA's Fractured Right

No one said this was a honeymoon. In the tradition of Matt Drudge and other Internet sources, KJ has moved to a "secure location" in the event that the governmental apparatus in public gets nuked. Of course, we haven't been putting much on for you, but then again, the fall quarter at UCLA just began, what five minutes ago? Sure, there are plenty of juicy stories to start talking about. Brian Copenhaver is leaving his post, the activity fee is now only $7.50. Adjusted for inflation, this is the cheapest it has ever been, and so with ASUCLA turning the ship around, you would expect this means that a divided USAC would learn to live and let live. Alas, even though the body is without any real rabble-rouser...though maybe someone is hiding it...you wouldn't know based on what Student Empowerment! decided to do. David Dahle, having won the student body just about as clearly as Bush took Florida doesn't pick John Ashcroft for his attorney general. Instead he makes sure to offer four candidates for the board perusal. Now a word about J-Board. Though lots of students like the idea of being on the Supreme Court of UCLA, it's largely empty, and devoid of any real meaning. The Board of Directors is far more important in the grand scheme of things, and remember, Dahle sends out four candidates, each with something to offer.

But of course, because guys like Terence Cordero and Chris Neal think Dahle is as prone to make mistakes as Liz Houston was previously, they decided to deny any of the "all-Caucasian" ticket. The standard tactic is to say, "You're a race traitor, Dave." Nevermind that the Daily Bruin reverted back to a Pravda-esque editorial. Dahle then responded and was hit by the paper again, largely because to quote Cornell West, "Race Matters". But for the real gem of the day it goes to Berkeley transplant blog "The Angry Clam". The Bivalve snaps shut on Dahle's fingaaaahs as well as spending plenty of time educating the Bruin on journalistic practice. So, the first seal has been broken at UCLA. And it's not how big can Ben Shapiro get before he gets a pie in his face. Conservatives sure cut bait fast, don't they David?
:: Thomas 22:32 [+] ::
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Student Empowerment!'s Final Move

Well at long last, the day has come. Student Empowerment! has a chance to line up all its midnight judges, all it's little last minute stunts before David Dahle and the new SURE government is installed possibly as early as May 21. So what will they do tonight to end their "only God knowns how long" reign. One theory out there is that in time for "Anti-Zionism" week, the Council will issue it's most damning attack on Israel and Justin Levi yet. They don't have much time left to act, so tonight ought to be mighty interesting. Also, there is word that Samahang Pilipino is being ripped apart by internal discord. Will it go public before the Culture Night on Sunday the 19th???

It turns out also that a special, online election will occur on the 29th and 30th to determine a fee increase referendum. This fee increase is minor, about $9.00, but crucial to the survival of the student government as ASUCLA continues to fall down the rabbit hole. Don't bother asking why there is a $100,000 shortfall, just understand that now all the Student Empowerment! types now get to eat crow after being forced to accept this online method because they can't get the poll workers out there. Revenge is sweeter than honey.
:: Thomas 14:54 [+] ::
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T.J. Cordero Takes Vice Presidency; Next Election Pending

This time the crowd was much smaller, and Andy Jones was on his best behavior. With a not so stunning victory, Terence Cordero managed to defeat Justin Levi 58% to 42%. This of course means that Now the Undergraduate Student Council is balanced with 5 SURE slate members, and 5 Student Empowerment! members and three independents, two of whom are allied with the opposing slates. So, now that the battle is over, can we get back to business? Think again. Various commissions had sought to add a referendum to the ballot and failed. This referenedum would increase student fees for programming (concerts, film series) etc. not student advocacy groups. As a result, the Council was reluctant to add it without "consulting their constituencies". So of course, they go about doing this and in the end, have a whole other election (another $25,000 down the drain) in two weeks' time.

So here is the conspiracy theory: The current Council, which is still dominated by Student Empowerment! still has to certify the election results. Consider that they could delay the vote on certification until next Tuesday, the 21st. (USAC meets on Tuesday nights.) At that meeting then, they would be certifying the ballot for the referendum and certifying the previous election results. Should the Council seek to be devious, it could not certify the election and simply add the old ballot to the new ballot and then let the election commence the next day without telling anyone. With people caught unawares outside of the SE! junta, you can see how they could undo some of the closer races and keep their majority. Will it happen, I doubt so, only because they are not that smart to figure it out.

FYI: Andy is gone, but maybe not forever from the pages of the student paper.
:: Thomas 22:52 [+] ::
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Alert: Bryant Tan Asks for Recount; Andy Jones Prepares to Fight Dismissal

It turns out the Election Day shenanigans of 2002 are far from over. First and foremost, Andy Jones reported on Saturday that apparently he volunteered to resign his post with the the Bruin Republicans to keep his columnist job. He alleges that Viewpoint Editor Maegan Carberry allowed this to continue, and that he was gladly willing to resign still if asked. He also disputes that Carberry ever told him anything about backing off during the Election Night debacle. She maintains she warned Jones several times to back off from his stunts, but to no avail. Jones maintains that he did do some pretty nutty things: yelling once "Hate me because I hate all of you" to the Student Empowerment! crowd, but that Carberry never warned or discussed with him any of what she alleges to. Jones is angry and wants to be reinstated internally. If this does not occur, he's ready to take it to the Ombuds office and file a grievance with the newspaper.

And it turns out that the Student Empowerment! types have pulled one out of the Cal Berkeley campus politics playbook to delay the inevitable. Bryant Tan has asked the Election Board for a recount, and he's liable to get it. The problem is, if SE! doesn't win, do they try something else to block Dahle's inaguration on June 1, or just let it be? Already it appears that Tan is ready to fight for his office all the way to the ...Judicial Board. At least there are less votes to count over and over again, right?


:: Thomas 00:34 [+] ::
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