Flyers, Grievances, and Smears: Oh My!
In going around and doing the typical distribution for the good ol’ OC this morning, I happened upon a poster that was illegally taped to a Register Guard distribution box (which I do not believe the R-G would be too happy about). The poster, put forth by a front group known as the “Students for Responsible Government (Oregon Chapter)”, is a running list of accusations against the Sara Hamilton/Athan Papailiou campaign. This flyer states many issues that would seem be pertinant, and covering each of them in an honest way is the only way to understand this group’s statement.
The flyer speaks for itself, however with it comes great controversy in the way things are displayed. First, the “SRG”, as we shall call them, have posted their flyers illegally. They have violated private property laws for the city of Eugene by posting their flyer on the Register-Guard distribution box, as well as violated ASUO elections rules on poster distribution for posting a flyer on the window of the ASUO office.
According to Dante Vivanco, the ASUO elections coordinator, the SRG has also not registered their committee with the ASUO Elections office, nor has submitted a contact name for the campaign group. This is in violation of the rules found on the Campaign Manager Registration form (as approved by the Con Court.) Also, according to Vivanco, the group has not submitted an expenditure form for any and all costs or donations incurred as of yet. While the group does still have until Friday to submit an updated form, the SRG is still in direct violation of Elections Rule 4.6 (The submission of expenditure forms).
For note, this would mean that 4 separate grievances could be filed against the Students for Responsible Government, for really really stupid mistakes.
The statements in question smell quite similar to a similar incident that occurred last year involving a campaign against Jared Axelrod, where some posters were found in McKenzie Hall. The similarity also follows the idea that the person or group who put up these flyers were also not registered with the ASUO Elections Coordinator, and were subsequently torn down.
Attempts to contact the SRG to get a name, reasons why, or verification of their lack of paperwork are ongoing, and this will be updated as soon as can be expected.
Now, for the real question to ask you: Who do you, the readers of this blog, think is behind the movement to slam this particular executive ticket? Leave your comments. This should be exciting.
April 10th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Elections rules of this sort, that keep student groups from acting in the ASUO campaign unless they’ve registered with the ASUO, are akin to McCain-Feingold and thusly pretty objectionable, as far as I’m concerned. I mean, really, why shouldn’t any old student be able to make a poster and put it up without filling out some stupid form? Protect speech? Anyone? Bueller?
That said, a pox on them for vandalizing the RG’s boxes, that’s some serious bollocks.
April 10th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
It’s doubtful that any forms of the sort will ever make it to the ASUO elections office. Whys that? Because it is doubtful that any group or manifistation thereof will own up to the statements made on the flyer. I mean, grievances were filed against candidates earlier this week for just using a listserv for campaign purposes…Lord Xenu only knows what kind of political paperwork would be shoved in the way of the masterminds behind these fliers. It’s guerilla campaigning; ANYONE could go around campus posting fliers without having the appropriate documentation to do so.
That said, the more interesting question is who posted them up. The Hamilton-Papiliou campaign is one of the heavy-hitters as far as campaign-tickets go. Even students who don’t even know what ASUO stands for have heard the names throughout the week, just by glimpsing their name in the emerald as they flip to the sudoku. The only campaign tickets that seek benefit from a smear tactic are those that believe they stand a chance. The McLain-SunOwen campaign *might* have posted the fliers in retaliation to the contempt of the grievance that was filed earlier in the week, but I think it is more likely that an even lesser campaign ticket, one that honestly believes they can win against a majority slate ticket, posted up the fliers (Rosenburg, Shwoefferman, …Niedermeyer?)
April 10th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
I have received word from the headquarters of the Coalition against Douchebaggery (The Niedermeyer Campaign) that they are not responsible for the posting of these banners, as they don’t like waking up early.
April 10th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
It’s guerilla campaigning; ANYONE could go around campus posting fliers without having the appropriate documentation to do so.
Man, couldn’t have students expressing their opinions without consent of the ASUO that’d be…CHAOS!
April 10th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Nick Hudson
April 11th, 2007 at 9:00 am
Nick Hudson?
Hmm… interesting. Only, not. Seemingly uninterested and disengaged, we both support the blue.
April 11th, 2007 at 9:30 am
I don’t think “David” was serious. ^_-.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Can’t we all just get along? I don’t understand why we have to try to tear each other down in hopes that it will build ourselves up. So lame and quite pathetic… :D Don’t forget to vote in ASUO elections.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
I second Timothy on this. How ridiculous it is that you have to go through all the loopholes to have an “official” voice, recognized by the ASUO. I think Wayne sums this up better than I could: Psh-ah
To Jacque: by telling people they’re lame and pathetic for tearing each other down in attempt to build themselves up I have to point out the obvious, that you are tearing other people down. This was a nice attempt at playing peacekeeper, but it’s also an obviously hypocritical way of doing so. Politics is about debate, so let them. Name calling and criticisms happen on every level, and to be honest, that’s how races are won. It’s also, sadly, what gets people involved.
On one side everybody hates that campaigns on the federal as well as the student government levels always thrive on mud-slingin’. But on the other side, if nobody mentioned the other party’s or candidate’s faults, then they’d all be the same friggin’ candidate and you’d never know who they really are! It also shows which candidates are better speakers; that is, who can defend themselves against false claims. While a smooth talker isn’t necessary the perfect representative, it saves the constituents from the embarrassment of being represented by babbling baboons like Bush. I say, let the mud-slingin’ continue. Politics isn’t and probably shouldn’t be the place for politeness. The last thing I want to see is rivals patting each other on the back in hopes of winning an election on brown-nose points.
April 11th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Chaos… couldn’t we spell it KAOS, like in “Get Smart”? The International Organization of Evil? Killing as Organized Sport?
April 12th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
BTW, on an unrelated note:
Anyone who makes one more whine about the layout of the Commentator this issue is going to get their beverage laced with Ex-lax.
April 12th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Sorry, haven’t been keeping up to date on this whole layout kerfluffle, but from what I’ve seen there’s only been one complaint. And not to put too fine a point on it, Miles, but the guy complaining put four years into the magazine, k?
Personally, I don’t see any problems with the layout, though I’m not sure why the magazine looks different everytime a new one comes out. Still, copy editing is more essential. Please, please, please, copy edit the mag.
And since I haven’t seen too many Miles Rost pieces, maybe you can do that, dude.
April 12th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
What…no one could let me indulge in my saying of incredibly stupid things online? Facetiousness, my friend. Tongue in cheek. I just wanted to have an excuse to use the phrase “lace your beverage with ex-lax”.
April 13th, 2007 at 5:16 am
Please use senekot or something stimulant free, I’m delicate.
April 13th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Whoa…now you’re getting into a whole new realm. Remember, I’m poor and a non-economist, I have to use what I can…
April 13th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Boring.
Let’s talk about racism.
April 13th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
The sad thing is that the flyer is damn right about Athan, that boy is all about padding his resume. He is a perfect example of a politician and a horrible example of a leader. I am sure this is just a step to try to be President next year. The sad thing is no other decently qualified candidates are running against Sara and Athan. ATHAN…You are a joke