Tell me something I don't know...

Lee Massey was expelled from the office of TMCC student body President. Now he is running for ASUN Senate.

Why is he no longer the TMCC President you may ask?

According to the Reno News and Review, Lee allegedly:

"Lee [Massey, candidate for ASUN Senate] simulated sexual actions with writing utensils on two occasions."
"Lee [Massey, candidate for ASUN Senate] told me that he 'gets aroused when I adjust my armrests on my chair'."
"Lee [Massey, candidate for ASUN Senate] told me that he 'sniffs my chair after I sit on it'."
"Lee [Massey, candidate for ASUN Senate] 'talked about having a threesome with a former student government officer and myself.' During that same incident he said he wanted to 'ride' me. He also 'proceeded to rub my shoulders in a sexual way' saying 'You know you want me'."
"Lee [Massey, candidate for ASUN Senate] has said that he loves my 'sweet ass'."
"Lee [Massey, candidate for ASUN Senate] 'implied that he had done something sexual with an oversized pen in his office'."
"Lee [Massey, candidate for ASUN Senate] has constantly said how much he wants me."

Diversity

Diversity is a popular buzz word. This year's senate has done a few things involving diversity. Every time a new seat opens up and a diverse candidate (i.e., minority, gender) applies. Race and gender are touted as reasons to appoint them. Fair enough; racial and gender diversity are forms of diversity, but the discussions are so shallow -- literally not going beyond a physical appreciation of diversity -- that it actually serves as a disservice to the concept of diversity. This is one reason why Michael (all the other candidates are guilty too, but it’s one of Michael’s issues) pays lip service to diversity.

Also, the issue of Diversity Week is an interesting case of more lip service. How does a week help us accomplish more diversity? I liken it to black history month. It’s nice that we all feel real good about celebrating black history, but then it becomes easy to not worry about it when March 1st rolls around. Diversity Week: we did our part; we had a week, right; a real good “feel good” exercise. More lip service.

I don’t have an answer for how to address diversity in a meaningful way, but I’m not running for VP. I hope all candidates start distinguishing between “feel good” and “do good.”

Esoteric Qualities

The ability to work well with others is what sets Carmen above individuals like Sarah Ragsdale and Lauren Obrien (and according to some even Eli). Carmen doesn't piss people off, turn people off, or annoy people. Therefore, it will be easier for her to develop working relationships with a broad range of people -- with respect to personality.

This is something Eli is going to have to struggle with. Some people love the guy, some people think he's fake. That isn't going to work well for him and it is probably his biggest weakness, and it is a weakness Carmen doesn't have.

As for Justin Shane and Ian McMenemy. Shane doesn't talk so who knows, but he hasn't been impressive to date. And Ian, well, he seems not the brightest.

Expect more

While our disdain for Jeremiah is obvious, our appreciation for Eli's hard work and passion should not go overlooked. In fact, some of us have/had been leaning towards Eli--weird, huh?

Nevertheless, the bitching and moaning coming from Camp Reilly (yes, we know it's you) isn't helping your cause. Mainly, it's just making you look insecure and volatile.

Relax and stay focused on your campaign.

Your Camp is My Camp

Since Camp Reilly is complaining this blog is pro Camp Carmen I'd like to add a few lines about why each camp is retarded.

First, if it's one thing I've noticed listening to all of these candidates speak its that they love to take credit for shit they haven't done. The audience may not know any better while you're speaking, but you're pissing people off and they are letting students know afterwards.

Second, stop making blanket promisses to students about decisions that aren't even made by the President or VP. Students don't need to know every detail, but you're not going to put in the blue lights by yourself. Tell students why you have the ability to work with others to get your ideas accomplished. Otherwise, it sounds like you don't know shit about how the system works.

Lastly, nobody has shown why their team of candidates is going to represent students better than any of the others. Tickets have the potential to make a positive difference within ASUN, but they mean jack if there is no reasoning behind them. Bring together a team of students with different skills and tell students the varying strengths of each member.

There are two things that candidates need to show students:
1. You have good ideas that resonate
2. You have the ability and means to get them done

Aside from the fact that the elections rules aren't being followed by ANYONE including the Elections staff, the campaigns are barely scratching the surface on what they need to show students.

Oh, the brilliance of it all

The ASUN Elections are an absolute debacle.

The elections board still believes they have the ability to censure people.

The judicial board doesn't know which end is up, much less that they are expected to hear cases of misconduct and divvy out punishment.

And, as always, the attorney general is dragging her feet on getting things done.

Can't wait to see how it all pans out, but my guess is that it's not going to be pretty.

What are you doing Eli Reilly?

A source of significant confusion for me has been why Eli Reilly would put Jeremiah Todd on his "ticket." Todd, while being a great Greek leader, hasn't shown much desire or initiative within ASUN (not that I can blame him).

This is nearly completely opposite of Eli, who has thrown himself completely into making ASUN better. Eli was a great chair with great ideas on last years Flipside and this year he is doing a fantastic job of keeping great programs going and a decent job of finding some new ones (Howl at the Moon, the Speakers Series).

Todd has shown a propensity to not give a flying fuck what is going on in ASUN (again, not that I can blame him), which means he probably won't have the drive to be a good VP. The VP is such an open ended position with no real obligation laid upon. Therefore, a VP with initiative could really accomplish some shit. Todd is not the man for the job.

On a complete tangent, neither is Michael Cabrera. I'm really tired of hearing diversity repeated every five minutes. We all get it; you're gay and like minority issues. How about you start doing something about diversity and stop paying it lip service (more to come on this)?