Trust us, we know what we're doing
The professional students association of which I'm a member held its annual elections last week, which added yet unseen levels of hilarity to my life. There was a forum held where candidates could introduce themselves, and talk a little bit about their positions on the various issues over which student organizations wield absolutely no power. During this little exercise we heard from a dude who informed us that as an elected representative he would do everything in his power to prevent the implementation of part time programs, so as not to "dilute the brand" of the school. No doubt worried about what his resume will look like after graduation.
After making this statement several hands shot up; his first questioner was a woman, who informed him that she was a single mom and that the lack of a part-time program at the school had imposed severe hardship on her and her young son, and wouldn't a part-time program help both single mothers and poorer students who have to work? Answer: we all have to make sacrifices, and like everyone else single mothers have made their choices and now they have to live with them. The succession of small thudding noises was the sound of a few dozen jaws hitting the floor.
The next questioner pointed out that in this state both single mothers and poor people are disproportionately minority, and wouldn't implementing a part-time program afford greater access and opportunity to minorities? Answer: he doesn't believe in affirmative action, because that leads to unqualified people being admitted. I'm not sure where in his "brain" the leap to affirmative action was made. I was waiting for him to pour gasoline on himself and strike up a match.
What made the irony more delicious, by several orders of magnitude, is that not only did it look like he was going to lose this election, but he was running unopposed.
But wait, it gets better. The election was held, but declared invalid and no results were posted due to irregularities in the voting. When you go up to vote an "election official" checks your ID, provides a ballot, and checks your name off the list of eligible voters. Apparently there were seven more ballots cast than names checked off the list. I'm savoring the fact that a bunch of 12-year-olds can elect a homeroom representative and that goes off without a hitch, but a bunch of grad students blow an election because they can't CROSS A NAME OFF A FUCKING LIST.
I weep for the future.
After making this statement several hands shot up; his first questioner was a woman, who informed him that she was a single mom and that the lack of a part-time program at the school had imposed severe hardship on her and her young son, and wouldn't a part-time program help both single mothers and poorer students who have to work? Answer: we all have to make sacrifices, and like everyone else single mothers have made their choices and now they have to live with them. The succession of small thudding noises was the sound of a few dozen jaws hitting the floor.
The next questioner pointed out that in this state both single mothers and poor people are disproportionately minority, and wouldn't implementing a part-time program afford greater access and opportunity to minorities? Answer: he doesn't believe in affirmative action, because that leads to unqualified people being admitted. I'm not sure where in his "brain" the leap to affirmative action was made. I was waiting for him to pour gasoline on himself and strike up a match.
What made the irony more delicious, by several orders of magnitude, is that not only did it look like he was going to lose this election, but he was running unopposed.
But wait, it gets better. The election was held, but declared invalid and no results were posted due to irregularities in the voting. When you go up to vote an "election official" checks your ID, provides a ballot, and checks your name off the list of eligible voters. Apparently there were seven more ballots cast than names checked off the list. I'm savoring the fact that a bunch of 12-year-olds can elect a homeroom representative and that goes off without a hitch, but a bunch of grad students blow an election because they can't CROSS A NAME OFF A FUCKING LIST.
I weep for the future.
posted by Mimbreno at 10:40 AM
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