The Garbage Disposal Unit
18th January 2005, 18:36
(Admittedly, this isn't "International" Politics, it's Concordia Politics, but . . .)
The last issue of 'The Link' demonstrated that anybody, even Stephen Harper, can (and probably will) pay lip service to the causes and interests of students. Naturally, most of us will continue to dismiss Stephen Harper as a reactionary, right-wing, homphobic, douche-bag whose Conservative Agenda is absolutely counter to the interests of students (As well as workers, women, ethnic minorities, and so on). We are capable of seeing through the absurd fascade of 'caring' Harper . . . but why are there some of us who have yet to see the Harpers in our midst? The New Evolution CSU exec continues to talk-the-talk of being on the side of Students, while steadfastly refusing to defend our rights and interests. Initially riding to power on the wave of fear/discomfort (I see a theme in the way the right seizes power) that swept the school after the Netenyahu riots (as 'Evolution Not Revolution'), New Evolution are sitting back and touting BEER SALES as grand successes instead of fighting for our rights. Sure, they've thrown some great parties - but this secondary function of the Union doesn't make up for the fact that they've sat back playing careerist swine on our dime. A union is supposed to be an organization through which a student body manifests its unity against the forces whose interests are antithetical, and its unity with those who share our needs, ends, and vision. It is self-evident that attacking workers (union busting?!), permitting corporate invasion of campus, and ending association with the ASSE (the federation who is in closest co-operation with the CFS-Q, and who is willing to take meaningful action, istead of blowing student cash on useless reports), all run counter to the roles a Union ought to play. I am not ashamed to admit that I am fond of both beer and concerts - but beer and concerts should not be, and need not be, at the expense of a progressive and active union! When we find ourselves bound to a reactionary and ineffectual student union, who represents only their own interests, we have a right to free ourselves from it. We are left only one recourse - New Evolution is no solution - I want a fucking . . . PUTSCH! No, it doesn't rhyme.
The last issue of 'The Link' demonstrated that anybody, even Stephen Harper, can (and probably will) pay lip service to the causes and interests of students. Naturally, most of us will continue to dismiss Stephen Harper as a reactionary, right-wing, homphobic, douche-bag whose Conservative Agenda is absolutely counter to the interests of students (As well as workers, women, ethnic minorities, and so on). We are capable of seeing through the absurd fascade of 'caring' Harper . . . but why are there some of us who have yet to see the Harpers in our midst? The New Evolution CSU exec continues to talk-the-talk of being on the side of Students, while steadfastly refusing to defend our rights and interests. Initially riding to power on the wave of fear/discomfort (I see a theme in the way the right seizes power) that swept the school after the Netenyahu riots (as 'Evolution Not Revolution'), New Evolution are sitting back and touting BEER SALES as grand successes instead of fighting for our rights. Sure, they've thrown some great parties - but this secondary function of the Union doesn't make up for the fact that they've sat back playing careerist swine on our dime. A union is supposed to be an organization through which a student body manifests its unity against the forces whose interests are antithetical, and its unity with those who share our needs, ends, and vision. It is self-evident that attacking workers (union busting?!), permitting corporate invasion of campus, and ending association with the ASSE (the federation who is in closest co-operation with the CFS-Q, and who is willing to take meaningful action, istead of blowing student cash on useless reports), all run counter to the roles a Union ought to play. I am not ashamed to admit that I am fond of both beer and concerts - but beer and concerts should not be, and need not be, at the expense of a progressive and active union! When we find ourselves bound to a reactionary and ineffectual student union, who represents only their own interests, we have a right to free ourselves from it. We are left only one recourse - New Evolution is no solution - I want a fucking . . . PUTSCH! No, it doesn't rhyme.