That is all.

As creepily self-serving, misguided and venal as the current crop of ASUO tools are, they are all doing something. McLain may be a temperamental careerist with whom I disagree on nearly every point, but she works like a maniac. Ditto most of the other squinty dweebs who occupy Suite 4. Anyone who wants to have any kind of impact on things has to work for it. Period.

Thanks a lot for turning me into a cranky old man. Best of luck with meta narrative construction.

In every organization there are (at least according to one class) tough minded individuals, and open minded individuals. Starting a respectful conversation with the more open minded individuals, that will then approach some of the more tough minded individuals is the best way to achieve change in my opinion. Not by making accusatory remarks, and putting people on the defensive. Also, I really cant run, didnt want to anyways, I’m going to South America here in a few weeks. All I want to do, is try and help people conceptualize a new meta narrative for our generation, hopefully that includes more involvement, and better representation.

Our voice is being heard. We’re just too stupid to realize that it’s called Facebook, attendance figures and forecasted operating costs.

1. I believe the media takes too much effort for the majority of students, and has institutional restraints to expressing ideas as well. This is unfortunate, but again, my goal is to create something, i’m not sure what, that will facilitate involvement, not ask for it. This is a really important distinction from most forms of student activism/opinions/involvement that we have today including the media, groups, and ASUO. Which again I find value in all of these preexisting institutions, but feel as if our generation needs to create something new that works with our unique capabilities and interests. Unfortunately, I dont have a clear idea of what this would look like. Its sort of like being able to identify symptoms of a disease, without being able to find the cure.

2. I think every rational instinct in my body agrees with you. Unfortunately, rationality is a construct that comes out of agreeing with previous assumptions that have created what we exist in today, not what we wish to create in the future. Therefore, my “heart” if you will, wishes this wasnt the only way, and is still trying to find other avenues.

3. It’s too bad that we need to luck to try and institute change, but its true.

Thank you for commenting on my ideas, not the reaction to them the night of the event. If you would like to continue this discussion that would be really great as I’m always interested in other points of view and other ideas.

1- A parallel institution to document grievances? It’s called the media. It sounds like you’d be a good fit for the OC, but you want to get this stuff mainstream you should consider writing a scathing weekly ASUO column for the ODE. Either way, the only way to change things is to call the situation as it is as publicly as possible.

2- The goals you set out will only be realized through reform of the ASUO. And the entrenched interests you correctly identify will fight this every step of the way. This reform will only happen through the bullet or the ballot, and for obvious legal reasons I recommend using the latter (admittedly less appealing) option. Serving in the ASUO will likely be the single most aggravating experience of your life, but it is also the only way to guarantee that someone will at least try to impliment reform. If you wade into the mess though, be sure to bring friends you can count on. Otherwise you’re screwed.

3- Good freaking luck. Maybe someday we’ll be able to retire the “things only Ted cares about” tag on this blog in favor of an “ASUO Reform Movement” tag. Nothing would make me happier.

Anyone else find it problematic that Ryan McCarrel knew so much about people running for ASUO Executive but still claimed to be an outsider student who doesn’t know much about the ASUO? I mean I honestly have no clue who is running (I have my guesses and I know about the Oregon Action Team slate thing ran featuring Derek Nix) so how does this outsider know more than me. Wouldn’t that make him an ASUO insider?

Anyways, filing begins in the morning and everything will be clear. Thank God I never had to run.