50. Mike the Tiger can’t be fed in public because of “security reasons.”
49. LeBron James is the next Michael Jordan.
48. Twitter is evil.
47. iPhones are worse.
46. Smart phones were not made for smart people.
45. Talent isn’t skin deep. Yes, this one’s about Susan Boyle, the British singing sensation that looks like the offspring of Joan Rivers and Austin Powers.
44. It’s tough to talk when you’re teabagging.
43. Michelle Obama is — and should be — the hottest woman on the planet.
42. Short shorts with words displayed on the rear end will never go away.
41. Rap music is dying. Case in point: the new hit song, “Do the Ricky Bobby.”
40. Felons do the best work, as evidenced by their tireless efforts on Student Government’s Class Gift project.
39. Members of SG don’t realize how little they matter or how pretentious they are.
38. It’s tough to get to “The Next Level” when you’re at the bottom of the top tier. It’s even tougher to do “More” with budget cuts.
37. Crying gets you nowhere.
36. Hannah Montana is to America what hepatitis is to the third world. It’s curable and life would be better without it.
35. I’m kind of a jerk.
34. The Octomom is getting exactly what she wants in coverage of her lack of parental skill.
33. Sarah Palin thought about getting what she would outlaw across the country.
32. There’s no difference between Sarah Palin and the Octomom, only California isn’t dumb enough to elect Octomom governor.
31. “Scrubs” is dead.
30. “The Office” is dying.
29. For a hint into the stupidity of America, tune into any matchmaking series on VH1.
28. Jon Stewart is a better journalist than Sean Hannity.
27. Stephen Colbert, the current comedian, is a better journalist than Glenn Beck, the former comedian.
26. Rachel Maddow might singlehandedly save the value of cable news.
25. Chancellor Michael Martin looks more like the Monopoly Man than former Chancellor Sean O’Keefe.
24. Vice President Joe Biden doesn’t have a filter between what he thinks and what he says.
23. Neither does Rush Limbaugh.
22. Neither does Bill O’Reilly.
21. The Twilight series will destroy humankind before global warming ever melts us.
20. If you lived in Somalia, you’d be a pirate too.
19. Navy Seals are amazing.
18. If Al-Qaeda were smart, they would recruit geese.
17. America is only No. 1 in obesity and imprisonment.
16. Friedrich Nietzsche was right.
15. Martin Heidegger was dead wrong.
14. Joel Osteen missed the point.
13. The correct debate about torture is not whether those techniques worked, it’s whether those techniques were torture.
12. Ask the Japanese we executed after they waterboarded our troops in World War II.
11. None of us know anything, but we all share the same capacity to learn.
10. The truly wise questions. The truly dumb assumes.
9. Liquor before beer, never fear. Beer before liquor, never been sicker. Marijuana at all, you’re going to jail.
8. Bobby Jindal is running for president in 2012.
7. I’m not voting for him.
6. Neither is the rest of the country after his Mr. Rogers impression.
5. Capitalism is more dangerous than socialism.
4. Greed in a free society is more dangerous than piracy.
3. Taking a semester off from doing something you love to refocus study habits pays off in the end.
2. Taking a year and a half off school to refocus after tragedy pays off a year and a half after returning.
1. Fear the hat.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Fifty more lessons learned throughout this year
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Student fees should be increased, called ‘taxes’
Oliver Wendell Holmes never needed to go to the University Student Recreation Complex.
But the former Supreme Court justice did offer some enlightenment for the situation confronting University students.
“Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society,” he said.
Across the country, Wednesday’s “Tax Day Tea Parties” brought together thousands of people nationwide to protest what they called “wasteful spending” by buying millions of tea bags and throwing them all away. The message has to do primarily with government bailouts but, thanks to Fox News’ corroboration disguised as “coverage,” turned into a nationwide exercise in hypocrisy.
The looming budget cuts will wreak havoc on the quality of living, setting the University back “decades,” according to Chancellor Michael Martin.
As a result, students now face larger class sizes, the elimination of scholarships and higher student fee increases.
The first two would limit the quality of learning, but student fee increases should be appropriately named to reflect their impact on the University.
We should be calling student fees “taxes.”
And they should be increased.
I just lost most of you — I can feel it.
The traditional argument against tax increases is the prevention of the growth of businesses, reducing the number of jobs allegedly created by small and large business owners. In this case, government is likened to its own entity, scheming and plotting to rob everyone of everything from their money to their guns and, inevitably, their beliefs.
What was lost on the crowds around the country was literally surrounding those crowds, as the parks and waters, the roads and bridges, the municipal buildings and the police guarding them, were all funded with taxes.
Here on campus, we can eat lunch in the Student Union, rent books from a vast library, work out at the Rec and even get checkups and mental health examinations complete with support groups and wellness units, all from student fees.
But some students act like facilities at this University should just be given to them without any method of payment, though not necessarily on a silver platter.
After all, tuition should go for something, right?
Wrong.
Student fees, like taxes, go into what we will of them, and we make those decisions based on who we put in office. Mayor-President Kip Holden should be commended for the construction projects around the city to repair outdated and broken roads.
Anyone upset with construction clearly can’t see the huge signs displaying the total state and federal funds, under the eight-foot long caption, “Your Tax Dollars at Work.”
Much like those in Massachusetts, who recently agreed to raise taxes to provide health insurance for its residents, I’d like to think my sales and payroll taxes are going to provide for the common good.
Personally, I’ve been to the Rec exactly once but I am a regular patron at the Student Health Center.
As a student, I’ll take every advantage to visit a counselor to help with a stressful semester or advice in handling major traumatic events.
As a New Orleanian, I’m hard pressed to find someone who can legitimately claim taxes are unfair, considering the levees that broke in my city in August 2005.
As an American, I’m confused when the same people who rail against taxes implore their fellow Americans to support our troops protecting our freedoms overseas. Protesting against taxes and supporting our troops don’t go hand in hand.
After all, as the old adage goes, freedom isn’t free.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Unity ‘09, One Voice ‘09 betray tickets for political gain
Student Government elections are all about empty promises and bogus campaign tactics.
Most of the empty promises I can live with. I didn’t actually expect SG President Colorado Robertson to follow through on his promise of a live, public feeding of Mike the Tiger.
But this election season saw a little bit of everything.
From a vice presidential candidate missing a live debate on TigerTV because of a sorority chapter meeting — that would be you, Laura Boggs — to the owner of a used car dealership with shady ties to a frat he left without the slightest bit of honor — hello, Ari Krupkin — I saw the best of the worst personalities on campus.
Friday saw the ugliest side of campaigning and the benefits of shunning an entire ticket for an endorsement with the potential for a staff position.
Both the Unity ’09 and One Voice ’09 tickets — headed by Krupkin and Melanie Oubre and Greg Upton and Boggs, respectively — endorsed Andy Palermo and Phoebe Hathorn’s
The Next Level ‘09 ticket for today’s run-off election.
In doing so, the four contradicted themselves in citing reasons as to why Stuart Watkins and Martina Scheuermann’s More ‘09 campaign didn’t merit endorsement.
“We have argued that this campaign is not about who has the most experience, but who is the most capable to bring about the change that SG needs,” Krupkin said, right before his running mate, Oubre, said she believed Palermo’s ticket has the most experience.
This happened right after Upton cited both Watkins’ and Scheuermann’s lack of experience in SG — despite his support for the novice Vice President Shannon Bates in their 2008 Foundation campaign.
This was after Boggs cited Palermo as the most experienced candidate.
Upton and Boggs have every reason to be bitter. After all, the pair almost contributed as much to their campaigns — $1,889.26 each — as the More campaign spent, $3,933.80, according to SG expense reports.
In supporting The Next Level, the former heads of Unity and One Voice decided to pretend their own candidates aren’t still in run-off elections today.
I would now like to pay homage to these candidates in today’s runoff, betrayed by the tops of their tickets.
From the Unity campaign:
Brandon Burke, Business vice president; Annie Jacobson, Education Senate; Adam Lagneaux, UCAC Senate; and Michael Jones, UCFY Senate.
From the One Voice campaign:
Ashley Johnson, Agriculture Senate; Brittany Bourg, Agriculture Treasurer; Sarah Bertrand, Agriculture President; Chaylon Brignac, Arts and Sciences Senate; Steven Belflower, Arts and Design Treasurer; Matt Babineaux and Beau Bebeau, Business Senate; Kelly Springet, Business Secretary; Katie Peaslee, Education Secretary; Beth Higginbotham, Education Vice President; Will Delaney and Steven Menard, Engineering Senate; Gabriella Arroyo, Engineering Executive Secretary; Blaine Fuselier, Engineering Vice President; Robert Ingram, Engineering President; Kyle Mancuso, UCAC Vice President; Brooke Story and Cody Wells, UCFY Senate; and Hannah Chambers, University Court.
A total of 5,467 votes were cast for the One Voice run-off candidates, while the four Unity run-off candidates received a total of 906 votes.
The Unity and One Voice campaigns officially sacrificed a total of 6,373, presumably in the name of their collective future.
By throwing these candidates off their already derailed buses, Unity and One Voice have proven to be anything but united or speaking in unison. They traded their tickets for whatever political gain Palermo and Hathorn can give — that is, if Palermo and Hathorn win today.
Congratulations, SG. You wreaked havoc on Free Speech Alley for the past two months in the name of your individual resumes.
No wonder more than 2/3 of this campus didn’t vote at all last week.
Monday, January 26, 2009
State-of-the-art venues lack history, alienate fans
I’ll never forget the first time I walked into Wrigley Field in Chicago.
On the ground level, surrounded on all four sides by neighborhoods created out of love for the Chicago Cubs, the first thing that revealed itself to me wasn’t the ivy on the outfield wall or the perfectly sculpted dirt forming the infield.
It was the smell.
Like walking into an old saw mill, the aroma of history — combined with years of leftover vomit, beer and urine — wafted through the crowd’s nostrils with an equal tenacity toward support and admiration of the North Siders.
It was exactly what I wanted.
Regardless of the alleged curse currently haunting the Cubs — no World Series appearances since 1945, no World Series championships since 1908 — the fans of Chicago continue to sell out their most hallowed of grounds.
It’s a shame this trend looks like it’s over.
More often, sports franchises opt for newer, state-of-the-art stadiums in lieu of retaining emblems of their history, by far the biggest factor in establishing any type of home field advantage.
Entire generations of fans have looked forward to the day when they could introduce their children to the same, almost cult-like worship of their hometown team in their hometown stadium.
It’s exactly what pumped through my veins the first time I entered the Louisiana Superdome.
As a die-hard Saints fan, I can’t fully explain the meaning of the Superdome to anyone who hasn’t followed the sport. Others might think I’m either wasting my time following a “meaningless” activity or even suggest I need a little more church.
On Sundays during football season, the Superdome is church.
But like many other churches, the popularity of “old school” is being replaced with high-tech mega-behemoths.
Since 1999, 10 stadiums, labeled state-of-the-art, have been constructed for NFL teams. Two of those arenas house this Sunday’s Super Bowl participants, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals.
Both Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field, which hosts the Steelers, and Glendale’s more recently built University of Phoenix Stadium — housing the Arizona Cardinals — serve as a stark reminder of just how obsessed sports teams are, not with cultivating and nurturing a fan base but with eliminating any semblance of tradition and history.
The latest obscenity of technology lies in Indianapolis, as the Colts opened Lucas Oil Stadium for its inaugural season last fall. The project was estimated to cost up to $720 million, forcing local counties around the area to raise taxes to supplant the $100 million the Colts put up as a franchise.
Like most other SOTAS, the stadium comes with more than a hundred corporate suites.
ESPN.com’s “The Sports Guy,” Bill Simmons wrote a column last November about how SOTAS destroy home-field advantage by forcing its fans to adhere to the changes and to try to redevelop a tradition to last with the team. He verbalized his discontent by claiming Lucas Oil Stadium was nothing more than “the latest state-of-the-art football venue that seems much more interested in looking cool and making money over, you know, actually helping its home team win games.”
It’s this fear that worries me about the future of sports and, most importantly for University students, the upcoming baseball season.
There was no shortage of people attending baseball games at the old Alex Box Stadium. The University even holds the record for most in a season, with 291,676 catching a game in 2003.
The new Alex Box Stadium will house 8,500 seats. The old stadium eclipsed this number five times, despite its capacity of 7,760. It will feature more than four times more space dedicated to restrooms and 5,100 square feet for an arcade, suites, a club lounge and a hall of fame — all brand new additions to LSU baseball.
While 9-year-olds have the chance to ignore the game while pumping quarters by the hundreds into LSU’s Athletic Department, those of us with memories of LSU baseball are understandably miffed.
After losing the 2003 Super Regional to LSU, Baylor head coach Steve Smith commented on what made his experience at old Alex Box memorable.
“I want to commend what I truly believe may be the premiere crowd in all of college baseball — that is a special, special crowd out there. I want to say that the way the fans have responded all weekend to just excellence and outstanding play leads me to believe that they truly do appreciate the difficulty of playing this game. I’m glad to have our players play in front of a crowd that I truly believe appreciated their performance.”
Regardless of the distractions to the game, the fans are what makes a team unique.
Stadiums don’t make dynasties. They simply make money.
Originally published in The Daily Reveille...
Thursday, January 22, 2009
SG class project beautifies ignorance of problems
Three inspiring University halls will soon be shaded by stately, yet unnecessary oaks.
The area outside of Dodson Auditorium will soon host a brand new courtyard, complete with oak trees, a vast lawn area and a money-making scheme to perpetuate future senior class gifts.
Intended as a way for the class of 2009 to “leave their mark” on the University, the proposed Dodson courtyard will feature purchasable and engravable bricks, ranging in price from $75 to $100, meant to fund the class of 2010’s future project.
The courtyard raises many concerns, from the source of funding to the absence of a substantial idea to improve — not merely “beautify” — our campus.
First, the courtyard would only be accessible from the parking lot connecting Stubbs and Audubon halls to Lockett Hall. An area to relax in such a congested space will only intensify the foot and car traffic, creating many more problems in an already claustrophobia-inducing campus.
The parking garage — a long-awaited yet incomplete vision for decreasing traffic problems — includes moving the African-American Cultural Center and the Women’s Center.
Postponed by delays involving Highland and Pentagon dining facilities, the parking garage would also house the University bookstore, freeing up space for other student activities and organizations within the Student Union.
With the Union’s renovation behind schedule — now scheduled for completion in April 2011, according to a Daily Reveille report on Jan. 15 — plans for a parking garage are on hold, further congesting campus.
Second, the University was already aiming to renovate the Dodson courtyard into something more useful than a strip of grass with port-o-potties. When SG came up with the plans for the Class Gift Project, the University jumped at the chance to pass the buck to the students.
“The University was only looking for funding, and the students provided a real way to pay for it,” Dennis Mitchell, campus landscape architect, told The Daily Reveille.
The final problem is SG’s lack of interest in student opinion on how fees are used.
The Dodson courtyard idea was funded by the SG Initiatives Account and the SG Surplus Account.
The Daily Reveille’s Editorial Board endorsed the SG Class Gift Project after initial hesitance about spending more than $70,000 of student money.
“If SG has to spend $70,000,” the Editorial Board wrote Nov. 18 when the bill passed, “given the rules that attend student fees earmarked for SG expenses, SG often does have to spend that money or risk losing it — we’re glad the money will be spent on ... something tangible, generous and relevant to students.”
While criticizing the spirit of giving back to the University can be viewed as mean-spirited, the fact remains SG did not give students the option of spending this surplus money.
SG is remedying this handicap, following a cue from the Ivy League.
In a broadcast e-mail sent by the Student Senate Tuesday, SG asked for student opinion on how to spend $5,000 of student fees.
“Out of all of the ideas submitted, the Student Senate Temporary Student Initiative Committee will narrow them down and check to see which ideas are feasible. The 3 top ideas will be placed on the Spring Election Ballot, and YOU, the students, will be able to vote on which idea you want your $5,000 spent on,” according to the e-mail.
SG is coming up $65,000 short.
Real change to the University cannot occur with this paltry sum. But if a contest was devised to figure out a way to spend a substantial sum of money — like $70,000 — the produced ideas wouldn’t seem like a lazy attempt at leaving a legacy.
Most students are only concerned with earning their degrees and leaving the University to join the rest of the working world.
SG could make a counterargument, since many in the Senate could claim the body has every right to employ what it feels are the best wishes of the students.
Reality check for SG. The Senate has 14 vacant seats, according to the SG Web site.
No wonder student opinion is underrepresented.
Originally published in The Daily Reveille...
Monday, May 5, 2008
Thirty lessons learned throughout this semester
1. To fail is human; to win, divine.
2. The difference between paying for a Blimpie sub at the Student Union with a meal transfer and being forced to pay with other means is bacon and heat.
3. I need to take typing classes. Some people talk way too fast for me to get it all in my blog.
4. A pancake made out of biscuit batter lying in a shelf for a week never is, was or will be a pancake.
5. "If you had food and could give it only to a starving dog or a homeless person, which would you choose?" This question has the power to start a 2 1/2-hour long debate, which ends by giving reasons why it's better to eat a dog with another human being when stranded in a rowboat.
6. Something doesn't sit right about the Nintendo Wii. It's too addictive, and I think it's trying to kill us all.
7. Bacon and eggs can make any situation better.
8. Beware any room where everyone is sitting in a circle looking at each other but not talking.
9. Ryan Perrilloux really was the University's Britney Spears. We could've had something good together, Ryan. Oh well.
10. "Ready or Not" by The Fugees should be the new Alma Mater. If that song blasted across campus from the Memorial Tower at noon, everyone would have a better day and be in the mood to get things done.
11. If you scream "L-S-U!" in the middle of the Quad at the end of the Alma Mater, you look really stupid.
12. The Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., could've been the next Martin Luther King Jr., but I still wonder how King would've fared against today's punditry. What would King have given as advice to Alan Colmes? Would he have to keep chanting "non-violent" while on Bill O'Reilly? What would he make of John Roberts' magic touch screen board?
13. Ballin' is a habit.
14. High-definition television is both a gift and a curse. It can be brilliant, especially for sporting events and old movies, but it makes Alex Trebek even more pretentious.
15. Bikes will never be prohibited from the Quad. I have a bicycle, and literally nothing will stop me from riding through the Quad. It's a question of personal responsibility, making common ground attainable if people can talk about it. Additional bike racks were put on the sides of Middleton Library, but people will still park on trees, posts, rails and anything else their locks fit.
16. Facility Services has a metal detector. I recently lost my high school ring in some bushes while throwing a frisbee. After an hour of searching, it was nowhere to be found. I've accepted this as a sign to let go.
17. Michael Sandel, George Orwell, Plato and Aristotle can change someone's life.
18. Fox News will always be on in the Health Center. I'll let that go.
19. The devil is here on Earth. Her name is Miley Cyrus.
20. SG push cards are just as flammable as any other paper.
21. Apparently, it's worse to be considered "elitist" than to be "unelectable."
22. Car washes are elitist.
23. The Boondocks was secretly modeled after my life. It's also the best show on television. Riley and Huey Freeman could have just as easily been my younger brother Andrew and me, respectively.
24. If I bought a bag of oranges and put them in my refrigerator, there is a 70/30 chance I'll leave them in there for four months.
25. Pointing out the ignorance of what happens at sorority functions is a one-way ticket to being called "the biggest racist on campus" and to be told to "go back to Congo" - even if you've never been there.
26. The New Orleans Hornets are going to the NBA Finals this year. It's going to happen.
27. The Chicago Cubs are going to win the World Series this year. Yes, it's going to happen.
28. Random sports predictions don't necessarily make the best of columns.
29. People should be focusing on making each other's lives better. It's not enough to say "care for your fellow man." You must actually reach out. I've been critical in the past of many things - some without proper justification. But humility is a virtue. People make mistakes, and more often than not, silence is golden.
30. The Daily Reveille has been a large part of my life this year, and I can't stress enough what a privilege it has been and is to be a columnist. To all those leaving the University this year, good luck in whatever you do because we're all in it together.
Many happy wishes, and enjoy the summer.
Originally published in The Daily Reveille...
Monday, April 28, 2008
SG members' costumes feature blackface, offend
Oaks and TusaI've had enough.
There comes a point where a person can no longer make excuses for the idiocy of their past or try to cover up relatively good intentions masked under a web of ignorance.
To think, Kristen Oaks fell 13 votes short of becoming Student Government vice president.
Not to say anything about her qualifications, which if you've ever spoken to her, sound about the same as any other person running for Student Government:
I'm really passionate about being organized and helping achieve the best interests of the student body. I really think I'm most qualified because I'm dedicated, I come up with new ideas and I really want to make a difference.
Now I'm an elected official.
I've heard some version of this song-and-dance for the past four months now, which sound slightly like comments made by someone fresh off a lobotomy.
But a lobotomy would prevent someone from either coming up with or actually fulfilling a desire to dress in blackface.
On April 19, a Kappa Delta sorority function entitled "Opposites Attract" featured two notable celebrity guests - Kristen Oaks as a pregnant Heidi Klum and newly-elected College of Basic Sciences College Council Secretary Nick Tusa, in blackface to emulate Klum's husband Seal.
The pictures - one featuring Tusa and Oaks, the other featuring Tusa with a woman named "Lois" - have offended many students including African and African-American studies major and former SG Senator John Collins.
In an e-mail featuring the two pictures, Collins expressed his disgust with Oaks and Tusa's actions.
"Typically, I would not be bothered by what my fellow classmates do," Collins wrote. "But these pictures are rather disturbing. Ms. Oaks is pictured as if she's pregnant, with Mr. Tusa to her extreme left. Both seem very happy and are smiling broadly.
"While Ms. Oaks seemingly did nothing wrong, aside from showing extremely poor judgment," Collins continued, "Mr. Tusa's actions are in very poor taste. I am offended and I am sure lots of other students on campus, from any cultural, racial, ethnic or religious background should be."
People figured I wanted to address this issue, as many are unfamiliar with the inflammatory nature of blackface, whether satirical or otherwise.
This has happened to me before, as the Student Senate debated President Colorado Robertson's Student Athletic Advisory Council, questioning one spot on the council reserved for a "minority student representative." The Senate looked around the room to find a minority who would take issue. When all 50 heads in the room turned to me - the only black person in the Atchafalaya Room - I waved my hands in exasperation.
It doesn't bother me when I am called to address these issues, whether racist or, in this case, ignorant beyond ignorant.
Blackface has its roots - no pun intended - in minstrel shows of the past. "Stereotypes embodied in the stock characters of blackface minstrelsy played a significant role in cementing and proliferating racist images, attitudes and perceptions worldwide," according to John Strausbaugh, author of "Black Like You: Blackface, Whiteface, Insult and Imitation in American Popular Culture."
As attitudes toward black people shifted throughout time, the prominence of blackface dissipated quickly. Soon, reputable black entertainers, including Sammy Davis Jr., Whoopi Goldberg and Damon Wayans dressed in blackface to educate and to pay homage. Blackface was never eliminated from society, as Saturday Night Live actors Darrell Hammond and Fred Armisen regularly apply makeup to emulate Jesse Jackson and Barack Obama.
But Hammond and Armisen are actors. Oaks and Tusa are elected student officials, and their display, however innocent, is insulting on many levels.
My main problem is the party's theme, "Opposite's Attract." Obviously, Oaks and Tusa have no problem perpetuating the stereotypical view of white and black people as opposites. Their combined costume seems to scream white and black people come from "opposite" worlds, and when they "attract," white girls get pregnant.
Their costumes weren't racist, and I can't stress that enough. Their costumes were merely mind-numbingly stupid.
I questioned both Oaks and Tusa on this issue, and both replied, via e-mail, that they decided to pick a couple they admired.
"In no way was I trying to offend or make fun of anyone," Tusa said.
Oaks was slightly wordier.
"We DID NOT choose the couple because we wished to make fun of them, or because we thought it would be humorous," Oaks said. "We simply wanted to dress as people we admired. When we realized the impact that our portrayal created, we were and are appalled. Never was there in any way a slight intended to the couple or to any race.
"I chose to be Heidi because I have always admired her work and value a lot of the same things she does. She obviously embraces diversity, and that is one of the many qualities I respect in her. They are two very talented, attractive people: qualities we wished to portray."
Well, Madame Oaks, because you obviously respect Heidi Klum because "she obviously embraces diversity," I only have one question.
What are you doing Friday night?
I don't even need makeup.
Originally published in The Daily Reveille...
Read more...
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
LiveBlog: 4/23 LSU Student Government Senate Meeting
6:39 p.m. - Eric W. Freeman, Jr., here in the Atchafalaya Room of the LSU Student Union ready to blog the khakis off this tire iron. Still not sure what that means. Right now, we listen to the induction of three new senators and the reading of the SG Code of Conduct. 7:06 p.m. - President Robertson talked with Michaela from Students on Target, saying “she did an excellent job planning Groovin’ on the Grounds, and we hope to make Groovin’ on the Grounds, while not as great as hers, will be up to par.” The plan for SOT is to move it out of SG and combine this into the Programming Committee, including the Union Planning Committee. The relationship and structure of SOT will change, but Groovin’ on the Grounds isn’t leaving. He thanks the Rules Committee for the eight hours spent yesterday going through the Executive Charter. The committee approved all of President Robertson’s Executive Orders for appointments except for two, which the body will discuss tonight. One President Robertson defends is Laura Boggs for Executive Director, whose job is to organize the office. 7:14 p.m. - Interim Director of Athletics Andrew Remson talks about the LSU-Ole Miss rivalry, as a trophy will now be presented for the winner of the game. The senators voted on the new name of the Rivalry Game, and 15 names will be narrowed down to five, and the top five from both schools will be compared as to what the name will be. LSU and Ole Miss will play in Tiger Stadium in November, making LSU the original host of the game and trophy. 7:18 p.m. - Remson announces to the body that Natalie Messina won News Editor. The senators clap loudly. Temporary Chairman Sellers 7:20 p.m. - Two people were absent from the Temporary Committee on Finance, and the group discussed the Executive Budget. Student Athletic Advisory Council 7:27 p.m. - Executive Order No. 30 will create the Student Athletic Advisory Council, which will work with both Director of Athletics Remson and the Department of Athletics. “Hopefully they will help poor attendance at things like swimming, tennis and soccer,” said President Robertson. Debate 7:30 p.m. - After speaking privately behind the podium with President Robertson, Sen. Andy Palermo walks back to his seat. 7:31 p.m. - Sen. Kyle Chandler comes in to bring up the 10th position in the Council, “One (1) Minority student representative appointed by the Student Body President.” Sen. Chandler argues that he “wants everybody to be represented.” President Robertson agrees, and moves to add a fifth student delegate. How interesting of the president to ask a minority-less Senate to get rid of the “Minority student representative” from the Student Athletic Advisory Council. President Robertson says he already has selections for the council. I don’t know if this is misguided political correctness or blatantly ignorant sarcasm. 7:35 p.m. - Speaker Pro Tem Prestridge discusses in questioning with President Robertson about the definition of “minority,” being taken to mean “age, religion, sexual orientation…” and the like. 7:36 p.m. - It passes with abstentions. Robert Starnes 7:36 p.m. - Robert Starnes is now up for a spot on the Student Fee Oversight Committee, and I know Robert. That’s all I’ll say about that. He previously applied for University Court, Trial Judge and now Student Fee Oversight Committee. 7:37 p.m. - Robert Starnes is enrolled. Taylor Craft! 7:38 p.m. - Taylor Craft, leader of the “Do Nothing” ticket, has been appointed, with one nay and some abstentions, to the Student Fee Oversight Committee. Really. Do Nothing is now in charge of doing something. Mark Hill Revisited 7:39 p.m. - Everyone’s anxious, so Chief Justice Hill is asking the Senate to “hurry up so we can appoint these judges.” Sen. Parker Wishik moves to bring up SGCR No. 34 which will appoint Sean Horridge to Trial Judge. 7:42 p.m. - Sean Horridge speaks about doing everything in his power to hear all complaints of the student body and exercise the correct judgment in decisions. 7:43 p.m. - Justice Horridge is enrolled. Ryan Hudson, Yunan Yuan, Mykell Clem and Trey Perry are all about to be sworn in, and I’ll be back in a minute. An anonymous source 7:51 p.m. - I just spoke to an anonymous source who told me the Administration doesn’t recognize the existence of either the Student Fee Oversight Committee or the Student Required Fee Committee. Robert Starnes, a former “Change” ticket member who got the least amount of votes out of anyone in the 2007 Spring Elections, and Taylor Craft, leader of this past Spring’s “Do Nothing” ticket, were essentially appointed to a “Do Nothing” committee which will not be called by the Administration. Will Harris 7:56 p.m. - Will Harris became the first student to ever chair the Media Board, and is “running” as an appointment to the Media Board. He “brings the true voice of student opinion on the Media Board.” Basically, Will knows a lot of people. 7:58 p.m. - Will gets it unanimously. Contracted Auxiliary Services Committee 7:58 p.m. - The first candidate is Cole Avery. He is appointed unanimously. 7:59 p.m. - Madeleine Golson becomes the second. The senators sound bored with their unanimous vote. 7:59 p.m. - Joshery Dubois is the third, again unanimously. Student Required Fee Committee 8:00 p.m. - Brett Jackson is the first candidate, and is given a question as to whether or not fees can be assessed without bias toward the administration. According to my source, the Administration “recognizes their irrelevance,” but we go on with this proceeding anyway. 8:01 p.m. - Brett Jackson is accepted unanimously. Mark Hill ReRevisited 8:02 p.m. - Chief Justice Hill is truthfully sad about leaving, but congratulates Chris Cummings, the new chief justice of University Court. “Thank you all, I wish you well.” John Volte 8:04 p.m. - John Volte is appointed unanimously to the Student Required Fee Committee. University Recreation Advisory Council 8:04 p.m. - Clark Lanius, already serving, is appointed unanimously to the council, again. Student Athletic Advisory Council 8:05 p.m. - Mark Slavich, unanimously. 8:06 p.m. - Josh Howard, unanimously with one abstention. 8:07 p.m. - Kelly Landry, unanimously. 8:07 p.m. - Maggie Placer, unanimously. Traditions Council 8:07 p.m. - Former vice president Josh King created and appointed this council, and is now appointed to the council, you guessed it, unanimously. President's Cabinet 8:08 p.m. - Madeleine Peters, unanimously. 8:09 p.m. - Cody Cadella, “President of the Rugby Club,” unanimously. 8:10 p.m. - Susan Reiners, “great girl,” unanimously. 8:10 p.m. - John Collins, in addition to PSIF committee, unanimously. Executive Aides 8:11 p.m. - The new doors will stay open on the first floor, being the first thing the students see. 8:12 p.m. - Drew Marento, handles customer service training at Best Buy. “Hopefully he’ll be able to bring the organizational skill from Best Buy here. Unanimous. 8:13 p.m. - Aly Neel, unanimously. 8:14 p.m. - Melissa Guidry, unanimously. 8:15 p.m. - Johnnetria Weakley, unanimously. 8:15 p.m. - Cali Meyer, “Same, ditto” from Robertson, unanimously. Legislative Aide 8:16 p.m. - Speaker Clark’s turn. Brett Jackson, unanimously. 8:17 p.m. - Devin Ricci, unanimously. 8:18 p.m. - Lauren Breeland, unanimously. There will be more appointments next semester. Executive Budget 8:18 p.m. - Student Government Bill No. 1 is the Executive Budget, written by Sens. Palermo, Sellers and Bonvillain. College council budgets went down because of a decrease in enrollment. This $109,672 is provided by $2.20 from every student in the Fall of ‘08 and the Spring of ‘09. President Robertson presses for an increase in spending for promotion of Student Government events, which moves money to the Executive Branch. 8:26 p.m. - A question comes up about “telephone services,” and last year, telephone services went from $6,600 under Alsfeld to $4,800 under Robertson. They have to pay for the phone lines in the Executive Office. Also, the Office Manager, known as “Administrative Coordinator,” costs $15,000, which goes to software and a person’s salary. President Robertson believes a trained professional will be needed to process documentation, make purchase orders and every other facet of allotting money and making sure the money pays for what it should. 8:29 p.m. - Sen. Amanda Gammon asks about the surplus money that was supposed to roll over. President Robertson says this money is the operational budget, and is paid for with student enrollment and fees next year. Debate 8:33 p.m. - $1,500 of the Legislative Branch’s Constituent Notifications were moved last night to the Executive Branch’s Executive Notifications. A motion to amend $500 back to the Legislative Branch was made by Sen. McMann, deemed hostile by Sen. Palermo. Debate now starts about moving this money. 8:35 p.m. - Sen. Chandler asks a question, “Aren’t the college councils supposed to do this dirty work before this gets to the Senate?” Way to take responsibility. 8:35 p.m. - Speaker Clark speaks about vacancies in the college councils, saying he will try to fill vacant positions in the college councils as best as he can. 8:36 p.m. - Recess for one minute. The Budget passes... 8:52 p.m. - Sen. Kelli Eason pushes the senators to vote for Laura. The two have known each other for about a year, working together in the Office of Admissions. Laura’s age is brought up, as she is 21, older than most senators. “Where is our state going? Bobby Jindal is 36. Where is our country going? Barack Obama is the front runner and he’s in his 40’s … please vote for her. 8:54 p.m. - Sen. Chandler was on the Temporary Rules Committee, and if Micah West decides to leave, Sen. Chandler brings up whether or not she can handle this responsibility. “You did a lot in high school, but we wanted to know whether or not she could handle this on a much larger scale.” 8:55 p.m. - Sen. Eason asks whether or not Sen. Chandler knows that her participation of state rally is “state-wide.” Sen. Chandler speaks instead about the transition from high school to college. 8:57 p.m. - Sen. Sellers asks whether or not she Boggs could pick up the slack if Chief of Staff Micah West were to resign. Sen. Chandler says that he personally hasn’t interviewed anyone personally, and cannot answer. 8:59 p.m. - A flurry of controversy sparks over possible replacements, starting from Sen. Jackson. Ridiculous banter and threats of lawsuits fly, quicker than I can blog. 9:01 p.m. - A senator asks, “Can we get past this technical jargon and get back to talking about Laura?” One man in the back claps. 9:02 p.m. - Sen. Wishik remarks on Laura’s impeccable work on the Foundation ticket, which arises a question regarding the relevance of party affiliation. Sen. Wishik implores the body to vote for her, citing her service record during her time. 9:04 p.m. - Questions about affiliations with Micah and the Foundation ticket distract the body from voting on Laura. Again. 9:05 p.m. - The anti-technical jargon senator knows Laura and cites her two best assets, “communication skills and organization. That’s exactly what this position needs. I think she’s the best qualified.” 9:06 p.m. - Speaker Pro Tem Prestridge speaks directly to Sen. Jackson about the Rules Committee and lack of her presence at the Executive Session. Speaker Clark bangs the gavel to end the nonsense, and Speaker Pro Tem Prestridge moves favorable passage. 9:08 p.m. - With a healthy number of abstentions, Laura Boggs is appointed Executive Director. Executive Assistant to the President 9:08 p.m. - J.P. Abon served as an appointed senator this past semester, and he advocates transparency, trying to be a voice for students. “I came up here and resonated their voice and opinions, and I plan to do that with the college councils.” His job would entail organization for the president, as “he’s kind of a messy guy.” 9:10 p.m. - Abon: “I’ve been advised to not say anything sad or demoralizing as it will make Ben Clark cry.” 9:11 p.m. - After a unanimous vote, Abon spins in a circle before exiting. Executive Assistant to the Vice President 9:11 p.m. - Daniel Marsh “revolves around the principles of we.” He is brief in his comments, but is approved unanimously. Webmaster 9:12 p.m. - Stephen Martinez. “I rock, and when I communicate, I roar.” Flurry of applause. 9:13 p.m. - Unanimous. Press Secretary 9:14 p.m. - Ellen Carmichael. Unanimous. Director of Finance 9:16 p.m. - Sarah Nowacki. They’re all talking about how “awesome” everyone is going to be. There’s no chance of anyone getting denied from anything. 9:18 p.m. - Unanimous. Assistant Director of Finance 9:19 p.m. - Now this blog is starting to serve the role of angry stenographer. 9:20 p.m. - Phoebe Hathorn. 9:20 p.m. - Unanimous. Director of Academics 9:21 p.m. - Bryce Addison wants to work more with computer-based testing, improve online accessibility, including problems from “Easy Streets.” He wants the degree audit to be more interactive and accessible, thinking about the W policy, and others. 9:21 p.m. - Unanimous. Assistant Director of Academics 9:22 p.m. - Jonathan Walker. 9:22 p.m. - Unanimous. Assistant Director of Academics again 9:23 p.m. - Lorra Ashley Bryant. 9:23 p.m. - Unanimous. President Robertson 9:24 p.m. - He wanted to address everyone and to keep their comments as brief as possible. But, “ask as many questions as you want. Question them thoroughly. That’s what this body is for.” OH REALLY?!?!? WOW! I haven’t heard anyone question anyone since Laura Boggs. Director of Athletics 9:26 p.m. - Andrew Remson. 9:27 p.m. - Unanimous. Assistant Director of Athletics 9:27 p.m. - Molly Hall. 9:27 p.m. - No questions. 9:27 p.m. - No debate. 9:27 p.m. - Unanimous. Director of Campus Development 9:28 p.m. - Corey Graham. 9:28 p.m. - No questions. 9:28 p.m. - No debate. 9:28 p.m. - Unanimous. Assistant Director of Campus Development 9:29 p.m. - Cole Avery. 9:29 p.m. - No questions. 9:29 p.m. - No debate. 9:29 p.m. - Unanimous. Assistant Director of Campus Development 9:29 p.m. - Kaitlyn Derenbecker brings up her high school information. 9:29 p.m. - No questions. 9:29 p.m. - No debate. 9:30 p.m. - Unanimous. Director of External Affairs 9:30 p.m. - James Zitzmann. 9:30 p.m. - No questions. 9:30 p.m. - No debate. 9:30 p.m. - Unanimous. Assistant Director of External Affairs 9:31 p.m. - Jude Burnet. 9:31 p.m. - No questions. 9:31 p.m. - Sen. Palermo comes up for debate, but he voted in the negative yesterday in committee. He thinks Jude is a great person, and wanted to clarify his vote. 9:32 p.m. - Sen. Edwards has known Jude for a year, and would do great. 9:32 p.m. - Unanimous, yet woeful. 9:33 p.m. - Brittney Lombas. 9:33 p.m. - No questions. 9:33 p.m. - No debate. 9:33 p.m. - Unanimous. One abstention. Director of Transportation 9:34 p.m. - Brandon Boyd. 9:34 p.m. - No questions. 9:34 p.m. - No debate. 9:34 p.m. - Unanimous. Assistant Director of Transportation 9:35 p.m. - Taylor LeMay. 9:35 p.m. - I think you get the gist. If the candidates talk, they give stats from the high schools, the Senate will ask no questions, there will be no debate, and the vote will be unanimous with maybe an optional abstention here and there. We get it. 9:37 p.m. - The Administration could give me the power to appoint these people, so the senators and directors and assistants could go home and study for finals instead of meeting and approving various appointments. 9:39 p.m. - They’re actually asking this guy questions relating to what he said in his introduction. Everyone else kept their comments brief, saying they’re “looking forward to working for the University.” LeMay said way too much. 9:40 p.m. - Sen. Gammon asks whether he will continue to work for Tiger TV, and he doesn’t know. Questions about his promptness for meetings comes up, but he assures “I never really missed anything.” 9:41 p.m. - No debate. 9:42 p.m. - Unanimous with various abstentions. 9:42 p.m. - Derek Killebrew. Talked up by President Robertson. 9:42 p.m. - No questions. 9:42 p.m. - No debate. 9:42 p.m. - Unanimous. 9:43 p.m. - Nita Clark. 9:43 p.m. - No questions. 9:43 p.m. - No debate. 9:43 p.m. - Unanimous. 9:44 p.m. - Jeffrey Noel. 9:44 p.m. - Sen. Wishik asks about a meeting over the summer, and Noel works in the bookstore and will be here all summer. 9:45 p.m. - No debate. 9:45 p.m. - Unanimous. More unanimity 9:53 p.m. - Katie Cicardo. 9:53 p.m. - Unanimous. Assistant Director of Student Involvement 9:53 p.m. - Travis Andrews. 9:53 p.m. - Sen. Chandler votes no because he says Travis cares more about Exec Staff than Legislative. “He strives to do something bigger and really doesn’t care much about Senate.” 9:54 p.m. - He’s baraged by questions about qualifications, saying, “I think he’s qualified, but my personal opinion is that he should not be ambivalent to the Senate while pursuing an office of that much power.” 9:55 p.m. - Sen. Meghan Hanna, you don’t think I have Facebook? I know this is boring, but if you’d rather update your Facebook status instead of pay attention to the meeting, you should leave. 9:57 p.m. - Speaker Pro Tem Prestridge and Sen. Edwards support Andrews, saying, “we shouldn’t hold it against him that he left Senate for something better. I don’t think we should hold that against him.” 10:00 p.m. - Unanimous with various abstentions. Assistant Director of Student Involvement 10:00 p.m. - Brittany Smith. Freshman Leadership Council. Delta Sigma Phi. Very, VERY, blonde. 10:01 p.m. - Sen. Wishik points out the importance of FLC. 10:02 p.m. - Unanimous. 10:04 p.m. - Sen. Gammon, sitting next to me, decides not to vote. 10:05 p.m. - Iftekhar Rouf. My old pal Ifti. 10:05 p.m. - One question. 10:06 p.m. - Sen. Eason decided to stand behind me. She sat earlier all the way across the room, “because Sen. Wishik made me.” She was against the gun resolution from last week, and is my girl. 10:06 p.m. - No debate. 10:07 p.m. - Unanimous. Assistant Director of Student Involvement 10:07 p.m. - Denise Dupree. Freshman in political science. The senate is talking amongst themselves quietly while Dupree talks, showing a serious lack of respect. 10:07 p.m. - No questions as some members text. 10:08 p.m. - No debate. 10:08 p.m. - Unanimous. Assistant Director of Student Involvement 10:08 p.m. - Tyler Abadie. President Robertson talks him up. 10:09 p.m. - No questions. 10:09 p.m. - No debate. 10:09 p.m. - Unanimous. Election Board 10:09 p.m. - Emmy Gill. 10:10 p.m. - No questions. 10:10 p.m. - No debate. 10:10 p.m. - Unanimous with one abstention. Election Board 10:10 p.m. - Jordan Milazzo. 10:11 p.m. - No questions. 10:11 p.m. - No debate. 10:11 p.m. - Unanimous. Election Board 10:11 p.m. - Kristin Davis. She thanks the body for “letting me be here tonight.” Well, it’s the Student Government. All students are invited. She’s a Delta Zeta, by the way. 10:13 p.m. - No questions. 10:13 p.m. - No debate. 10:13 p.m. - Unanimous. Standing Committees 10:13 p.m. - Speaker Clark’s Committee Appointments. 10:14 p.m. - No questions. 10:14 p.m. - No debate. 10:14 p.m. - Unanimous. 10:15 p.m. - Secretary Emily Chambers is nominated for Secretary, and is the only one nominated. Speaker Clark says the position was advertised, but the potentials couldn’t apply and just had to know to be here tonight. 10:17 p.m. - Chambers is the only applicant, and the applicant for undersecretary was the only one either, so both are approved by acclimation. 10:19 p.m. - Four-way battle: Meghan Hanna, Parker Wishik, Brett Jackson and Melissa Hart. I asked Sen. Hart over to ask her name, which she informed me before shaking my hand harder than some men I know. Bottom line, I’ll consider the history of this voting body, as Hart and Wishik are both new, and Brett Jackson has lost a lot races. I’ll predict Sen. Hanna wins it. 10:21 p.m. - Hanna is in a sorority. Hart is a freshman. Hart follows every “freshman sorority girl” stereotype, without the blonde hair. 10:22 p.m. - Jackson begins by saying he has no Mass Com experience, but that’s why this qualifies him, as he is “an informed student, uninformed with Mass Com.” Sen. Sellers asks what Media Board does, which Speaker Pro Tem Prestridge steps in to qualify. 10:23 p.m. - Donald Hodge gets on my nerves sometimes. He’s sitting next to me right now, gloating because he doesn’t have to blog. 10:25 p.m. - Debate has been limited to two minutes. The Senate only has 20 minutes until they get kicked out of the room. People are getting uppity about time limits and inferences. 10:26 p.m. - Sen. Wishik has a direct relationship with Student Media, and cites people he works with and branches to work with. After all, he was just Director of Communications. “I know how these things work.” 10:28 p.m. - Without debate, it goes straight to a vote. 10:35 p.m. - Now they’re getting lazy. They want to get people out of here so bad, four committee elections have been moved to the fall semester. Speaker Pro Tem Prestridge calls “division” on the vote, which means the senators must stand to vote instead of saying “aye.” 10:37 p.m. - It passes. 10:37 p.m. - Sen. Megan Blanco offers her goodbye. She has to make it quick, but she has also met some “egotistical, self-gratifying people.” She asks the body to ask their constituents what they want. She’s done this in front of class. “Don’t be afraid to stand up.” She offers a brief, yet heartfelt goodbye, right before insulting me to my face. Thanks for ruining it, and good riddance. “Please work for the students.” She should try first. I introduced Sen. Blanco to five of her “constituents” in the College of Arts and Sciences. Chit-chat breaks out, forcing Anna Dearmon to scream at everyone to quiet down. 10:40 p.m. - Speaker Pro Tem Prestridge wanted to thank the body for hearing every resolution, but “as senators, it’s our job to question … don’t be afraid to voice your opinion. We do have a backbone.” Really?!? 10:43 p.m. - Sen. Hanna thanks the new senators for listening to the candidates for today’s appointments. People keep reading my blog. Sen. Hanna says “I have some gum for you if you want to get that throw up taste out of your mouth.” Sen. Blanco replies, “I already do.” Hee hee, I started drama because people can’t pay attention to the meeting in favor of this blog. All of you should be ashamed. 10:45 p.m. - Sen. Wishik thanks the Senate for electing him to Media Board. He addresses the wasted time on points of information and clarification that don’t have anything to do with topics of discussions.
Full Agenda
6:43 p.m. - Tonight under Unfinished Business, we’ve got 35 Executive Orders, four Legislative Orders, the Executive Budget, 38 Concurrent Resolutions and a whole host of elections. We’re going to be here for a while.
Groovin' on the Grounds gets whacked
6:47 p.m. - A banner day once again. The leader of Students on Target is expressing her dismay with the removal of Groovin’ on the Grounds as Students on Target’s production. She likens her experience in planning Groovin’ on the Grounds to a dream, but she says, “I’ve worked hard on something people told me I couldn’t ever do and with the removal of Students on Target I feel like I’ve been stabbed in the back … for eleven years, Groovin’ on the Grounds has been a good time not wasted.” She talked to President Robertson about the subject, and he said the program group would be reformed.
Debate sends thanks
6:54 p.m. - A representative of the Speech and Debate team and former SG senator comes back to thank the body for allowing them to compete in the NFA, the national debate tournament in Nashville. SG gave $10,000 to the debate team for their competition, and notable shout out goes to Ginger Gibson for getting 24th in the country in blind debate. Kudos!
Speaker Pro Tem Prestridge
6:56 p.m. - Prestridge was the Senate representative on the Media Board, the board which elects editors for student media. An election will be held tonight in the meeting for the new representative. Congratulations to Kyle Whitfield for becoming the Daily Reveille’s new editor-in-chief.
Sitting with the body?
6:59 p.m. - This past semester, Speaker Robertson and Speaker Pro Tem Clark sat next to each other in the table in the front. Tonight, Speaker Pro Tem Prestridge is sitting front and center of the Senate body and not at the front table. I don’t get it.
Sen. Andrew Remson
7:00 p.m. - Sen. Andrew Remson says farewell to the Senate body, and leaves the body with three big thoughts. “Look around you senators. The people you will work with in the Senate, you will treasure those friendships forever.” I thought it was inspirational, until he unveils the fact that, because of former senators, he gets to meet Sen. John McCain and got tickets to this weekend’s NFL Draft. I’m sure Sen. Remson treasures his Senate time just fine. His second point is to accomplish much. His third, “Student Government has a bad name sometimes … but the worst thing an organization can do is to not allow someone to serve.” He thanks everyone he worked with and will remember this work fondly as he offers his resignation.
Chief Justice Mark Hill
7:05 p.m. - The new justices are meeting in the Orleans Room of the Student Union, and Chief Justice Hill makes his farewell as chief justice, but is a little too emphatic about his desire to leave.
President Colorado Robertson
7:23 p.m. - As Temporary Rules Committee Chairman, Speaker Pro Tem Prestridge and his group stayed for eight hours looking over appointments. Concerns include Jude Burnet, Kaitlyn Derenbecker and Travis Andrews, who received a tie-breaking “aye” vote from Chairman Prestridge for Assistant Director of Student Involvement. He also brought up Laura Boggs, about whom the resolution had no action taken.
7:53 p.m. - During this time, Holden Wright was also appointed to the Student Fee Oversight Committee. Andy Palermo, Joe Curry and Chris Young were appointed to the Student Tech Fee Committee. John Collins, Austin Davies, Lytina Winbush (great name) and Taylor Matthews to the Programming, Support, and Initiatives Fund Committee. Zach Barrileau and Laura Gedicke went to the Organizational Relief Fund Committee.
Resume of Laura Boggs
8:49 p.m. - Laura Boggs runs through her entire high school resume, including joining a sorority and Tiger Athletic Foundation, as well as Christ the King Catholic Center. I feel like I know this girl’s life story, as President Robertson’s ultimate seller feels she must tell us everything about her. She runs six or seven different things, as she runs for Executive Director.
Debate
10:29 p.m. - Instead of debating the issues, multiple people have expressed their desire to hurry up so the Senate won’t have to meet again.
10:31 p.m. - There’s a runoff between Hanna and Wishik. Sen. Megan Blanco turns to me and says, “Hanna? I think I just threw up a bit in my throat.”
And the winner is...
10:33 p.m. - Sen. Blanco was right. The winner is Parker Wishik.
Summer Planning Committee
10:46 p.m. - We’re done. Good riddance SG. I hope your summer retreat introduces you all to tact. Freeman out.
Read the original blog posts at The Daily Reveille...
Monday, April 21, 2008
LiveBlog: 2008 Installation of Student Government
6:40 p.m. - It’s time to induct. I’m sitting next to an entire flock of new senators ready for induction into the Student Senate. Behind me, local Boy Wonder Travis Andrews returns for his seat, being joined by many others tonight in the Magnolia Room of LSU Student Union. After the pledge of allegiance to no flag in the room, we’ve been called to order, the senators now circle around Speaker Pro Temp Ben Clark, as the senators take the Oath of Office for the LSU Senate.
Why do I still do this?
Chief Justice Mark Hill
6:44 p.m. - Chief Justice Hill reads the Code of Student Government, procedure after swearing in new senators.
In other news, around the room I can see many suits; even the Reveille reported looks stunning. But the tie-breaking vote in the pro-gun resolution to support Louisiana House Bill No. 199, a bill aimed at allowing concealed weapons on campus, is sitting, waiting to be sworn in as President of LSU Student Government.
Public Input
6:47 p.m. - Former senator Pfeiffer comes up to speak about upcoming elections for Summer Planning Committee, urging to be careful in selection.
Chris Brown6:49 p.m. - After not being counted the first time, Sen. Chris Brown comes in late to be sworn in by himself. I don’t see how a lack of promptness can allow for a solitary, dignified inauguration, as opposed to the primary cluster of 30 or so circling around Ben Clark and saying at once, “I, (state your name)…”
The Main Event
6:52 p.m. - Now is the time. Surrounded a quarter of the way by people in suits, we have officially sworn in President Colorado Robertson and Vice President Shannon Bates. Colorado does it in style, wearing a yellow polo, khaki pants and the same stupid hat on top of his dome. Good luck finding a picture of Louisiana State University’s Student Government President without his hat.
The Speech
6:54 p.m. - Opening with a joke about the Magnolia Room serving lunch and dinner that falls flat, President Robertson provides the program for tonight’s ceremonies. Tonight elections will be had for many different positions in SG, and it means I won’t make it to see The Daily Show tonight. Rats.
Anyway, “we are still moving forward to lay the foundation…” We didn’t make it fifteen minutes before that catchy phrase was found.
Justin Ledee
6:57 p.m. - Promptness is at a premium these days, as yet another senator shows up late to be inducted. Chief Justice Hill runs back into the room to barely whisper the Oath of Office to Sen. Ledee, who retreats to the middle of the room behind a column with lack of applause. Chief Justice Hill’s third time reading the Oath of Office sounds a lot like the medical warnings at the end of a car commercial. One can hear every word, but it’s too fast to catch.
Election for Speaker of the Senate7:00 p.m. - After pre-emptively calling for the nomination of Sen. Drew Prestridge, Sen. Amanda Gammon first opens the floor for nominations and immediately nominates Sen. Prestridge. Another senator in the back nominates Speaker Pro Temp Clark.
7:02 p.m. - Speaker Pro Temp Clark opens by explaining his background, a basic science senator who started from UCFY, and explains that communication with constituents is the most important facet of Student Government. He then ventures on how important senate retreats are and how important the work they do there matters,not just sitting around and “singing Kumbaya.” “The student body does not care about the day to day activities of Student Government. They need to know that things are getting done for them.”
Computer Trouble
7:09 p.m. - The adapter for my computer is failing, and my notoriously bad battery is about to die. Sen. Prestridge is giving his speech now, but I cannot continue much further. It would be morally presumptuous to ask the Senate for a laptop, and our news reporter clearly needs hers. Apologies for this lapse in estimation, and it will forfeit me dearly, because Sen. Prestridge just compared his “vision” for the senate to “a well-oiled machine.” Peace out for now, hopefully this won’t come back to haunt me.
I'll keep writing7:11 p.m. - I’ll keep going until this thing dies. You might not read this.
Sen. Prestridge just proposed a massive Student Government retreat, saying, “Wouldn’t it be great to have all of us come together and figure out how to fix the problems of the student body?”
Actually, you could just ask.
His words were ferocious, and we now go into questioning.
Questions
7:13 p.m. - Sen. Parker Wishik asks of both of the senators about the image of Student Government next semester. He also poses the problem of efficiency.
Sen. Prestridge agrees that outbursts were a problem, and the key lies in instructing the new senators on how to speak, invoking once again, his “well-oiled machine.”
Speaker Pro Temp Clark states essentially the same thing, asserting his desire to be more pro-active in calming the situation.
More questions7:17 p.m. - Speaker Pro Temp Clark reiterates his commitment to neutrality, vowing to abstain until the event of a tie.
Sen. Prestridge compares the job to his previous appointment as chair, saying he would guide the process but not influence the final decision. He pushes committees and leadership, but his role as speaker wouldn’t be one where he would tear off his biases.
7:19 p.m. - Sen. Prestridge gets a tricky question about a conversation involving more mentions of checking the Executive Branch than running the Senate. He says it’s essential that Senate work with the Executive Branch and also checks to see it does its job appropriately. Typical, he was a Vision candidate.
Speaker Pro Temp re-emphasizes his work with Colorado in the past, saying it’s more important to work together rather than focusing most of the time on checks and balances.
They agree
7:21 p.m. - Asked if they wanted to author legislation, the pair agreed that the Speaker doesn’t author legislation, but would talk with other senators to come together.
Relationships
7:22 p.m. - Sen. Megan Blanco asks about blatant disrespect, “high school clicky stuff” and asks how this could be corrected.
Sen. Prestridge that says it’s great to sit by college rather than by friends, and being professional is key, but “The Speaker isn’t here to babysit you.”
Speaker Pro Temp Clark cites a former retreat, in which friends hung out together, but outbursts will cut down.
It's finally dead7:24 p.m. - I have three minutes of battery left. It’s been a pleasure being here for an hour, as Anna Dearmon, THE PARLIAMENTARIAN, shows up one hour late. She timed that well as I left. Good night from the Magnolia Room, read the Reveille tomorrow, and I think I have a AC-adapter-related Google search later. Peace.
Just think about it. For once.
He's BACK!!!!
8:00 p.m. - Just when you thought it was safe to conduct a meeting, Eric Freeman is back!
Debate is still going back and forth. In the time it’s taken me to secure a new laptop, I’ve been able to witness virtually every member of the Senate body voicing their endorsements for Sen. Drew Prestridge and Speaker Pro Temp Ben Clark. STOP WORRYING SO MUCH!!!!!!
I’ve got this.
Checks and balances8:02 p.m. - I’ve heard the words “checks and balances” way too much tonight. Half the senators emphasizing checks and balances are former Vision members untrustworthy of Colorado. People keep mentioning passion and loyalty, seldom mentioning specific things for the student body except for the subjective qualities of the candidates, one of which will lead them, and all of us.
Drew and Colorado
8:05 p.m. - Sen. Chandler brings up the perceived vision between Sen. Prestridge and President Robertson. He states, quite bluntly, “They said the same thing about Colorado and Cassie [Alsfeld], and SG ran great.” This caused me a little concern.
8:08 p.m. - A motion has been proposed to limit the debaters’ time to two minutes, which is the best possible way to show the new senators exactly how to run in SG. The motion passes, and a time limit is enforced. After talking for a minute, a new senator yields her minute left to former Sen. Ryan O’Malley, who pushes loudly and quickly for Sen. Prestridge.
Limp mic
8:12 p.m. - Pardon the lewdness, but the microphone at today’s podium looks like a sad swan, drooping over to one side. The sloping angle makes quieter folk disadvantaged, while the resident loudmouths of the senate dominate the discussion. Currently, Sen. Hanna is barraging the name of Speaker Pro Temp Clark in favor of Sen. Prestridge.
8:15 p.m. - Secretary Chambers receives yielded time from new senator Meghan Brown, who speaks about how organized Speaker Pro Temp Clark is in the office, and endorses him for the Senate.
8:16 p.m. - A feisty new business senator noticed the problems in Senate from tonight’s meeting: pointless reiteration of the same old lines from each senator’s support. She urges the senators to speak their minds while endorsing Speaker Pro Temp Clark.
In a surprise move...8:23 p.m. - The final vote goes to Speaker Ben Clark. I thought Drew had it.
President Robertson walks in to shake Speaker Clark’s hand before giving him the gavel. Sen. Prestridge looks crushed, but is nominated currently for Speaker Pro-Tempore against Sen. Brett Jackson.
The two candidates...
8:26 p.m. - As Speaker Clark looks on, the two people he defeated in elections for Speaker and Pro-Temp, no one wanted to ask a question. Sen. Wishik stands to ask one involved for the sake of having elections. It must be hard being recognized for Sen. Prestridge, as he just lost to the person currently recognizing him. The body hasn’t heard substantially from Sen. Jackson, but has heard much from Sen. Prestridge, and the body recognizes his qualifications.
Getting paid?8:31 p.m. - A business senator asks a question as to whether or not the members of the Executive Staff deserve to be paid. Sen. Prestridge and Sen. Jackson stand unified in their agreement, both saying they would like to see our Constitution changed so they can be paid, against 87% of the student body from last Spring.
Debate
8:34 p.m. - A motion to limit debate to two minutes was proposed again, and objection was called by Sen. Blanco. They then rose for votes, and more than half the room stood. This motion required a two-thirds vote after question is called, and the motion fails, giving half of this room who apparently doesn’t want to be here unlimited time at the podium. It’s obvious they don’t want to be here, but they should have thought of that before they wanted to run for Senate.
Our news writer
8:37 p.m. - Our news writer Natalie Messina moved from the front of the room to the back to concentrate away from the whispered noises around me. I miss her.
This blog
8:39 p.m. - I can see you, Sen. Andrews. If you don’t want to be here, stop reading my blog and get out.
Lackadaisical
8:40 p.m. - The senators look frustrated. They don’t look like they want to do any of this anymore, and just realized the magnitude of this sacrifice. I fear these senators will carry this nonchalance into the Atchafalaya Room when we convene next fall. But they definitely look bored, and thought this wouldn’t take as long. Senators continue to jump up on party lines, with the exception of Sen. Wishik supporting Sen. Prestridge. The senators are being talked to in SG language, which involves dying metaphors, much pretentious language and irrelevant words, according to Orwellian standards.
Congratulations...
8:52 p.m. - Speaker Pro Temp Prestridge.
Sit back
8:53 p.m. - Sit back, and enjoy the reads. Speaker Clark steps out, Speaker Pro Temp Prestridge takes over, and gets rid of his frustration of losing the Speaker’s seat by banging the gavel as loud as he can to move resolutions to committees.
And we're back
9:17 p.m. - After a five minute recess, we’re back in the Magnolia Room, ready to appoint committee members. The room looks emptier this time.
9:18 p.m. - I just spoke to President Robertson, and he informed me that his decision to support a resolution supporting Louisiana House Bill No. 199, allowing concealed weapons on campus. He said that after hearing each senator’s arguments for or against this resolution, and he said “my role as Speaker is to break a tie, and I felt this resolution best served the interests of the student body.”
9:19 p.m. - Thanks for asking them.
"Sen. Prestridge"9:21 p.m. - Speaker Pro Temp Prestridge asked a question about the docket, and Speaker Clark answered his question with an additional “Thank you Sen. Prestridge.” I know it’s habit, but that hurts. I feel for Speaker Pro Temp Prestridge.
Bad decision?
9:23 p.m. - Speaker Clark is busy pounding the gavel 28 times, referring different resolutions to the “Temporary Committee on Rules.” During this time, Speaker Pro Temp Prestridge has been approached by three different senators about different things. I will be monitoring how many people ask Prestridge a question in relation to Speaker Clark over the course of the semester.
Tension
9:27 p.m. - I can see President Robertson visible gesturing for Speaker Pro Temp Prestridge to talk to him for a moment. The president is waiting for the Speaker Pro Temp, and the pair walked out to review a document. The president is seated on the couch outside, while Speaker Pro Temp Prestridge goes into his phone to unlock information. Prestridge has his hands on his hips while he sways from side to side, while the president sits back with his arms crossed. I have no idea what this is about, but any body language specialist will notice these actions as confrontational and passive aggressive, while the senate rumor mill has it that the two don’t trust each other. I won’t say who, but if anyone paid attention during campaign season, a lot back and forth was said about both. Hopefully the student body won’t be the victim in this case.
Again.
Student Involvement9:31 p.m. - Students’ Rights and Welfare used to be a committee, but is now being absorbed under the new committee, Student Involvement. The Students’ Rights and Welfare committee used to be headed by former Sen. Whitney Breaux, but since her departure, the position was left vacant. President Robertson explains this in his changes to the Executive Charter, saying much more should be done in terms of accountability and partnerships when it comes to various committees.
SG got a webmaster
9:34 p.m. - Press secretary and webmaster positions are open in the Executive Staff. The pair will take over the combined job of the director of communications, which last session was current Sen. Wishik. The rest of this is a basic rundown of Executive Staff positions, as Secretary Chambers looks at me and silently blows a raspberry.
9:36 p.m. - The first question for President Robertson comes from Speaker Pro Temp Prestridge, who asks why Director of Finance and Assistant Director of Finance aren’t included in the Executive Department. President Robertson explains that these two positions will be regulated as regular office workers handling outside work of Student Government.
9:39 p.m. - Former Director of Communications Wishik asks about the change from director of communications to webmaster and press secretary. President Robertson asserts that this past year proved the job too big for one man to handle, and they felt it feasible to split the job into two.
9:40 p.m. - Sen. Palermo asks if the president will yield to a series of questions. President Robertson replies, “Um, sure…. I’m not used to being on this side.” This visibly upsets Speaker Pro Temp Prestridge. He remembers when former President Cassie Alsfeld didn’t care about the senate’s opinion, and will the president work with the senate. President Robertson replies, “If we can’t get someone out of Rules Committee or out of the body, I will return to my list of applicants.”
9:44 p.m. - Sen. Gammon asks about the effectiveness of the college councils, and President Robertson feels the student body has elected a capable body to serve the councils. The possibility of “at-large” members is brought up.
9:45 p.m. - I just realized Parliamentarian Anna Dearmon is in the back of the room, having moved from the front to the back with her laptop and cell phone. I guess it was to keep an eye on (read: scare the crap out of) the new senators. By the way, she explained to me that her lack of promptness earlier was because of a job interview. “Just in case, you know, well….”
Going to vote9:50 p.m. - The charter is enrolled with near-unanimity. The sole exception is Sen. Parker Wishik’s second abstention tonight.
Advisors
9:54 p.m. - Advisors Ray and Eldridge both emphasize the academic life before the senatorial life, saying the senators should focus first on their studies before the senate.
Speaker Pro "Tem" Prestridge
9:55 p.m. - The abbreviation is actually “Speaker Pro Tem.” I’ve misspelled that throughout this blog. Well, it started because former Speaker Pro Tem Jacqueline Delery resigned, and the subsequent election effectively made Sen. Ben Clark a Speaker Pro Temp. Tem is the correct shortening of tempore.
Petitions, Memorials, and other Communications
9:58 p.m. - Senators use PMC to say whatever they want, basically. Sen. Hanna congratulates Speaker Clark and Speaker Pro Tem Prestridge, as well as Sen. Jackson. She is the first to mention SG’s tradition of going to Pluckers after SG meetings.
9:59 p.m. - Sen. Chandler addressed a couple of comments about staying until 10:45 p.m., and he says “everyone has a voice. Each of you have to represent your own college, but if your college has to say something, say it. You have to voice what you heard from your constituents and what you feel.” The senator doesn’t approve of certain things that happened tonight, but oh well.
10:00 p.m. - Sen. Gammon urges senators to talk to their legislators.
10:01 p.m. - Sen. Remson remembers the days when SG met until 1:30 in the morning. He congratulates Speaker Clark and Speaker Pro Tem Prestridge. The senator says he heard from representatives about the uproar over the gun bill, saying the representatives heard about it in the Daily Reveille.
Ah, the Daily Reveille. Connecting SG senators to the legislators they claim to emulate.
PMCs continued10:04 p.m. - Sen. Sellers brings up Dustin “DC” Clemons, whom I knew as an incredible guy and a good spoken, kind-hearted man. He uses this to bring up the Phi Delta Theta event “Buy a Guy.” Proceeds from this will go to the Dustin “DC” Clemons Award, founded by his mother, but the uproar starts when Sellers says he, himself, is being auctioned off. He then turns to Speaker Pro Tem Prestridge and says, “I know you’ll be bidding.”
10:06 p.m. - Sen. Palermo reiterates Sen. Sellers’s “real name,” “Sassy Sellers.” He says that as chair of Housing, Infrastructure and Technology, he has been in contact with getting a better email system for students. The solution will involve a choice of the current email, Outlook email or Gmail. He also said, in regards to certain comments, cited certain senators who resigned because they didn’t feel they had a chance to speak. He urges the senators to participate actively in the body, and hopes next year will be a great one.
10:08 p.m. - Sen. Sellers informs the new senators that, due to the departure of former President Alsfeld and former Sen. Ryan O’Malley, he is the only sassy one left and is now accepting applications to fill positions in his sassy caucus. I know. I know.
10:10 p.m. - Sen. Remson mentions former Vice President Josh King’s initiative to turn the Ole Miss game into a Rivalry Game, and meetings will be held to discuss the new name of the rivalry.
Adjourn10:12 p.m. - The motion to adjourn has been heard, and we’re out. Good night, people!
Read the original blog posts at The Daily Reveille...
Read more...
Health Center should change channel from Fox News
Are we truly beyond the notion of any other television network illuminating the pale beige walls of the Student Health Center?
I'm old enough to understand a couple of things.
I know what happens when you feed a squirrel a piece of bread - unless you have a whole loaf, you will inevitably piss off a massive group of squirrels ready to throw their vegetarian values out the window for the sake of whole wheat.
I know Febreze was sent to us by the grace of whichever God you believe in.
I even know how to recognize and interpret lies when they're fed to me.
But I still don't get why the Student Health Center lobby is somewhat infatuated with showing Fox News to patients waiting to see a doctor.
What are they trying to do to us? What is the ultimate goal?
An increase in anxiety?
I reached the age of intelligent and engaging discourse at the age of 14 and have been able to pick up on both distortions of the truth and outright lies.
And Fox News never fails to deliver.
Whenever I visit the Health Center, it's there, waiting for me like a continuous loop on hell's television, asking me to believe that a story about a missing girl in Nevada with questionable MySpace.com pictures is more important to the American conversation than the economy or immigration.
I'm asked to listen to anyone from Steve Doocy to resident sex pot Megyn Kelly - go to YouTube.com to find out why.
And Cavuto, Cavuto, Cavuto.
Neil Cavuto once described "Happy Feet" as an animated "An Inconvenient Truth" because of its "insidious 'far-left' political propaganda."
Michelle Malkin, a Fox News contributor only by virtue of having a Web site called Michellemalkin.com, wrote for Townhall.com this past Wednesday about "Snob-ama," starting her column with a simple phrase, "The odor of elitism is like onion breath: It's quick to acquire, hard to mask."
What's lost in this comment about Sen. Barack Obama's recent "charges of elitism" is simple: It's now an insult to be considered elite, when as recently as 10 minutes ago, being "elite" in a particular field was a good thing. An incredible thing.
An "elite" thing, if you will.
But Fox News isn't the only entity "charging" Obama with "elitism." Just look at self-proclaimed populist Lou Dobbs from CNN, who recently said,"We don't need another Ivy League-educated knuckle-head." As a graduate of Harvard in 1967, Dobbs is one to talk.
Getting back to my point, I still don't understand why the students of this University are subjected to a daily song-and-dance from the lowest of today's "info-tainment" culture.
This sort of game has no place in the waiting room of the University's Health Center. But this raises a question as to why the channel is on in the first place.
I could understand if many of the alpha dogs on this campus needed a pick-me-up while waiting to see if they have ADD. If they can focus their attention on the long legs and savage beauty that is Megyn Kelly and feel better, it's clear they don't have ADD or a girlfriend.
But what is the motivation behind having the television tuned in to Fox News in the Health Center? Is it torture? Is it a secret neurological study on how the brain works? Or is it, more understandably, the way Dick Cheney would want it?
If you've ever been vice president and shot a man in the face while hunting wing-less quail, this story might relate to you.
In a memo sent out on official vice-presidential letterhead, Dick Cheney made a list of suite demands for whenever he stays in a hotel on official business. Among some of the stipulations, Cheney insists that all of the televisions be preset to Fox News.
Not C-SPAN, where he could at least pretend to be interested in the grumblings within the Senate - of which he is president.
Also included in his suite demands are four cans of caffeine-free Diet Sprite. If traveling with his wife, Lynne, a portion of Perrier should be provided - all-too curious considering that according to Fox News, we're all supposed to be boycotting France right now.
I suggest that, instead of Fox News, a program should be shown in the waiting room of the Health Center that puts the patient more at ease. I could understand the justification of Fox News if someone told me that Fox News makes the patient want to feel better doing daily activities rather than suffering in the lobby.
Maybe then I could understand.
Until that happens, a change is long overdue. Those in charge of the situation need to get their hands on the remote and end the suffering being addressed in their lobby.
I'm just saying we would feel better sooner with less Bill O'Reilly and more Blue's Clues.
Originally published in The Daily Reveille...
Robertson's vote for on-campus weapons a bad move
Editorial Board Staff Column
President-elect Colorado Robertson's final vote as speaker of the Student Government Senate could taint whatever mark he will leave when his days are done at the University.
After hours of debate stretching between two Student Senate meetings, Robertson cast the tie-breaking vote in support of a resolution supporting Louisiana House Bill No. 199. If passed, the state bill could allow people with concealed weapon permits to bring their guns on campus.
A previous resolution sparked the debate Wednesday night. Sen. Drew Prestridge led the fight for his resolution opposing the House bill, but it was voted down 9 to 14 after debate Thursday. With barely a quorum present - half of the Senate plus one, the Senate's required attendance to conduct business - the Senate split voting on the supporting resolution, 11 to 11.
This board strongly opposes any type of gun on campus, and we are disappointed in Robertson's vote.
On the flip side, this board congratulates outgoing SG President Cassie Alsfeld's refusal to sign the bill.
As this board has said before, college campuses around the country face a serious dilemma from proponents of the Second Amendment, as well as those of us actively pursuing a rational solution to the crisis affecting America's institutions of higher education.
The arguments in favor of this legislation were the same arguments any Second-Amendment-loving American will put forward when asked to defend the individual right to bear arms.
But the phrase "law-abiding citizens" is thrown around so casually that it is easy to forget everyone is technically a law-abiding citizen until the split-second they decide to break the law - and for those of us in the classroom, a split-second is not enough time to react.
Hypothetical scenarios, then, are drawn to distinguish what would happen if someone with a gun ran into a classroom.
Here's one for the supporters: if this bill passes, how many people in that room will pick that moment to prove their heroism all at once?
How many bullets will it take before you're satisfied?
President-elect Robertson should be ashamed now that his Senate legacy has been established.
Originally published in The Daily Reveille...
Thursday, April 17, 2008
LiveBlog: 4/17 LSU Student Government Senate Meeting
Lateness never helps 7:17 p.m. - Sen. Kyle Chandler, after a heated debate last night with the pro-gun posse, brings up laws from the U.S. Constitution, including the Second Amendment. 7:18 p.m. - Sen. Avery says, “Do you think someone would go through background checks, psychological evaluations and the like would prevent someone from killing themselves?” Sen. Chandler replies they’re nothing stopping them from shooting themselves in the head later. 7:19 p.m. - Sen. Juneja tries to make a point about the whole community, but Sen. Chandler replies that we’re only talking about college kids. Sen. Juneja brings up the two slain Indian students from last semester, and Sen. Chandler continues to talk about students potentially killing themselves if they had a gun with them on campus. He then appears a little misguided with his insinuation that girls are less likely to own a gun, arousing arrogant giggling throughout the room. 7:23 p.m. - The senators are going back and forth on a simple point. We’re talking in hypotheticals, about scenarios and statistics on whether or not what could happen could happen. What gets lost in this song and dance are two fundamental facts: More guns make areas less safe, and the Louisiana House of Representatives doesn’t give two cents about the opinion of the LSU Student Government Senate. Whether or not SG says its opinion, and whichever it is, will not influence the decision of the final vote, regardless of how long it takes to debate this irrelevant resolution. Debate 7:27 p.m. - Sen. Remson comes up to say he won’t talk about hypotheticals. He brings up a good point about the nature of credibility when it comes to having a Driver’s License in court. “It’s a privilege that Driver’s License owners have that their word is respected over someone who has never been to the DMV.” He then says the same is in effect for concealed gun license owners, and their consequence for breaking the law will be greater for owning the training and the privilege of a concealed gun permit. He says he feels more safe if he knows someone has a concealed permit in the class room because that man will be protecting someone else’s life in the event of an attack. The Law School helps 7:34 p.m. - Anna Dearmon steps up to explain the difference between “Point of Information” and “Point of Clarification.” Information is a question, clarification is an answer. Sen. Sellers 7:35 p.m. - Sen. Sellers argues against the House Bill. “You can’t really group what happens at [Edward Gay] Apartments and something like Virginia Tech. This isn’t conducive to learning. This is not the solution to our safety issue.” He then provides an allegory about a girl being stopped at night, dropping her I.D. and getting her head blown off. Sen. Juneja brings up a statistic about the lack of gratuitous fatalities from concealed gun holders. Sen. Sellers says he went a little out of line. After another question, he says the law would make the campus less vulnerable to attack. Sen. Graham asks how Sen. Sellers would defend himself against someone who tried to intrude in his apartment on campus with a gun. Sen. Sellers says he doesn’t know, but the law is still a bad thing. I admire Sen. Sellers’s resolve. He repeats that this is not conducive to learning. He brings up the story of his cousin and got a tazer. He said, “She’ll probably taze anyone that stands behind her.” 7:54 p.m. - Sen. Graham is 50-50 when it comes to guns on campus. He feels the campus is safe, but “the people that have the permits don’t feel safe.” This is faulty logic. The people with the guns, WITH THE GUNS, don’t feel safe. He doesn’t feel he needs to brings guns onto campus, but he wishes that to happen to the students sitting in the gallery, and it feels it would help if given any emergency. Sen. Chandler asks if it makes the campus uncomfortable, should the bill be passed? He brings up a hypothetical in which 23,000 people don’t want guns on campus, but 1,000 do, should we pass the bill. Sen. Graham speaks about defending their Second Amendment rights. Sen. Chandler continues about the only state, Utah, with the law currently in place, and wonders whether or not, if this bill gained speed and was passed in multiple states, would it lead to a rise in killings? Other states are considering these in their legislatures, but the policies in particular Universities are in place for a reason. Sen. Chandler then asks if more people have guns on campus, would it lead to an increase in killings. Sen. Graham replies no, but can’t justify the answer. Another senator looks at the data in the past showing an increase in violence on campus. I think I have the solution. Why don’t we all bring guns to the campus and shoot it out like men? Doesn’t that seem reasonable?!?!? Sen. Chandler repeats his question, and Sen. Graham says no, but gains applause with his simplicity. Sickening. Closing comments 8:02 p.m. - People are expecting me to write down something that could have been interpreted for a metaphor for something sleazy. I won’t do it, because half the Senate is reading the blog. 8:03 p.m. - She says, “we need to teach, we need to learn, and we don’t need guns. We’re against having them on campus. We feel campus should be a place for education. To bring up a point when I got laughed at in the gallery, and I said what if I knew someone had a gun, and I snatched it from him, and I was laughed at for that.” She replies to the gun lobby as the students “to my left.” She thanks the students for coming because, “it’s so rare that we get students who care this much to come.” The presence of five concerned students at SG arouses applause, while clearing up the air about the question of SG’s irrelevance. The case is closed. The students don’t care. 8:09 p.m. - I means we hate guns, No means we like guns. Roll call vote. Almost half of the Senate is missing. 8:13 p.m. - By a vote of 9-14, the bill fails. The next bill is to support the same House bill. 8:14 p.m. - “Feeling safe isn’t the same as being safe. If you don’t like weapons, you need to move to another country, because this is America and we have a right to defend ourselves.” Woo-hoo America. Yee-haw! 8:17 p.m. - Darrell Ray, adviser to Student Government, finally brings up the point that debate over whether or not guns would be allowed in resident halls is irrelevant, as there is no official from LSU Residential Life. 8:18 p.m. - Sen. Brinks says that voting nay on both of these bills wouldn’t stop the students from being able to call their legislatures and make their voices heard. Roll call vote 8:20 p.m. - After a vote to support the House bill, the vote is an 11 to 11 tie. Speaker Robertson uses his tiebreaker vote to vote I, and the bill is passed. I need a minute. SG just said, we want guns on campus. 8:32 p.m. - Sen. Prestridge just made a motion to rescind the bill, and debate will commence about whether or not to rescind today’s bill supporting concealed weapons on campus. He brings up both votes, 9-14 in opposition of the House bill, 11-11 in favor. 8:33 p.m. - Sen. Sellers respects the resolutions of this body, and asks that we make clear the 11-11 vote was noted. A rescinding vote requires 2/3 passage of the Senate body. 8:34 p.m. - Speaker Pro Temp Clark says “we’ve spent three hours on this vote.” It’s actually two, but he keeps going by saying a majority was reached, and we should respect the vote. 8:35 p.m. - Sen. Blanco can’t believe we passed this bill. By we, I don’t mean the student body, I mean SG. “How can you tell the student body this is what they want? We don’t know. Please think about what you’re about to do.” 8:36 p.m. - Sen. Juneja doesn’t care about the time of debate, rather the substance of the bill. He says we should decline both, but the people he’s talked to wanted this bill. He says they did vote, and they should have thought to vote. 8:37 p.m. - Sen. Remson congratulates the body on giving it a story to tell. He says that this discussion has become bigger than we thought. “The majority ruled on this discussion. I don’t think it was a bad thing that this was passed. We went to debate and we got answers. It has a decided voice on it, and people will be listening now. This is why I’m proud to call myself an American. I think it shows the process works.” The process just silenced the student body with a barely present quorum and the voices of the students completely blocked out. 8:40 p.m. - Sen. Bryant says it was 11 to 11, and the speaker is the senator. He had a voice, and it was 12 to 11. That’s a majority. 8:41 p.m. - Sen. Chandler thinks the voice of the majority was heard. But he talked to his constituents, and if the senate body didn’t, they should rescind this bill. “It hurts LSU’s name if we send this bill without asking the students.” 8:41 p.m. - Sen. Prestridge thinks rescinding is the right thing to do. “If we send this bill to the House, they should see it was 11 to 11, and they will know it was this close.” The vote 8:42 p.m. - With Sen. Juneja abstaining, the vote to rescind fails overwhelmingly, and SG smears the name of the University with this resolution.
7:14 p.m. - Sorry for my lateness, but I tried to get here sooner. What fun it is to make my way around the Law School for the first time. We are in room W230 of the Law School, and I have to be a little frank. For the first time, Natalie Messina isn’t my compatriot in representing the Reveille tonight, but I am joined by Daniel McBride, resident bad man of the Reveille. I don’t think he approves. He had to sit, however, behind the same pro-gun people from last night’s session, making me wonder what they have on them right now, or more importantly, what would happen if they get their way.
Sen. Chandler
Sen. Blanco brings up a point of clarification about girls owning guns as well, and Sen. Sellers asserts that he is a jumpy individual.
7:43 p.m. - Sen. Brinks says we don’t have to pass anything tomorrow. “Whatever we send to the State, it’ll be a powerful tool.” He’ll assume the students will be automatically for or against. “We don’t have to vote for either of these bills until we can assure we’re representing our constituents well.” Well said. The House doesn’t care anyway.
Sen. Chandler continued
7:47 p.m. - Sen. Chandler correctly says that LSU isn’t just a University, but a day care, high school and middle school, and we need to be thinking about them. He says that we need to be thinking about representing the whole school, and most of the people he’s talked to and they all hate this bill. Sen. Boyd asks him if he talked to anyone who wanted to get a permit, and Sen. Chandler told him no, but Sen. Boyd put words in his mouth to get him to say, “Because they don’t matter. OK,” and Sen. Boyd sits back down.
Sen. Juneja
7:51 p.m. - Sen. Juneja is misguided in his words, as he says he has met people who are good people who happen to own concealed weapons permits. He talks about a girl who “got nauseous” when they suggested the bill to them, but the senator asked her whether or not “she got sick when she went to bars or clubs or other places off campus.” Bars and clubs are off campus, but we’re talking about the University. The University is not an adequate place for guns, as I type next to the increasingly nervous gun lobby.
Sen. Graham
Read the original blog posts at The Daily Reveille...
