Wednesday, November 22, 2006



The Tap That Never Was
The Seeds of Rebellion?


Despite emails from high ranking FBK members that suggest Green was blocked due to fears he would throw his name into the SBP pool for the coming Spring 2007 race, one still has to wonder...what was FBK's leadership thinking? Jamal was cheated of FBK & Ignite's support, but Jamal also held the #2 position of SG-Exec as well as (already) being a member of the leadership honorary. The idea that a sitting Senate President Pro Tempore would be rejected for a tap is unfathomable, it is not only an offense to Green, but to the Student Senate, the Legislative arm of Student Government. FBK should have tapped Green ,if anything, out of respect for his high office and his work as a leader of the Student Senate. How dare a leadership honorary reject the second-in-command of Student Senate? I am surprised at Senators (from both parties) not being OUTRAGED at the honorary for this boldly egregious act against it's second-in-command REGARDLESS if they think he can win this office or that office, he is currently your elected #2 and is deserving of more respect than what FBK showed him, showed you.

Let's get one thing STRAIGHT. Maybe FBK puts more value on leaders outside senate than they should, the fact that senate is a minor and cabinet is a major is one indicator, but why? Screw the fact c.directors have a budget and/or personnel under them, the bottom line is that Senate signs off on filling Key's coffers with A&S Fee money, so why is Senate relegated to a minor? Senators could seize on FBK's insolence towards Green as a point from which to battle for more recognition of the Legislative Body in regards to recruitment. Perhsps next time Growl is up for funding, Senate should slap the honorary on the wrists and remind it who butters their bread.

I sent an email-request to Gator leader Sen. J. Clayton Brett in regards to his promised clarification email in regards to the failed Cingular Bill (Sen. Loh was cc'ed). There has been no response from Brett & the expected clarification email, it appears, will no longer be offered to TR.

I've contacted Sen. Pedro Morales with a topic I'd like for him to write a blurb on. It seems the GDI Hawk may in fact help us out, which would be sensational. The topic will be announced after Nov. 30.

The James Argento interview is still being worked on. Expect James' Q&A to be out the week of Dec. 1-5th.
I was honored to receive a letter from Student Senate President Pro Tempore in regards to my earlier post. I want to thank the Pro Tem for his kind words and for his remarks on my service in SG.
I have written a letter to the Editors of the Independent Florida Alligator to look into Pro Tem Green's case. I believe this story belongs on the pages of the student newspaper. Anyone else that believes this injustice should receive media coverage please email Alligator Editor, Stephanie Garry at once.

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

So, I found out I didn't get tapped today when I read all the comments on this blog. Anyway...

I know this is old news and no one gives a crap about me now , but based on all the "positive" feedback that Christian has given me, I thought I would respond a little...

First, I do not think you can understand what I'm trying to get at without a little digression. Apparently, I have a different perspective of all this due to my background.

I didn't go through High School like most everyone reading. I dropped out in 10th grade (another long story) and then worked for 3 years, which had a pretty profound effect on what matters to me. At BCC (Brevard CC), I started with only a few goals: don't fuck up with academics and meet some nice people. Soon enough, I found out that I could tackle a third obstacle... helping people like me.

Things changed a bit when I transferred to UF. Instead of the inclusive environment at BCC (almost anyone was welcome to join any group), I met something far different ("if we like you" then you can get involved). It was a shocking change, but I adjusted and still wanted to meet new people.

As for SG, it didn't take long but I figured out how important the politics were to everything - not the policy. I thought cabinet might be the answer... I lucked out and got a spot... I was still kind of wrong.

Throughout my last couple years here at UF I have realized a couple things, things that inspired my "Pants Party" run at VP last semester.

1. I still prize my academics. More people here need to do so.

2. I still like meeting people.

3. There are two types of
"achievers," particularly at UF: people who want to help people and people who care more about what people think about them. I'd like to think I'm one one of the former, but maybe I'm wrong/biased. I just try to stand up for what I believe in.

The reason I did "Pants" is this: people in both "parties"/"sides" at UF fight back and forth.. for what? To be the most important? To get to make the decisions?

Listen, maybe you all didn't get my essential message with the Pants Party, but it is this: It's about helping people. Other people. Not yourselves.

How does me applying to FBK fit in?

Well, I never cared about being part of the "political machine," but that is the same for a lot of FBK's members (unbeknownst to some newspapers/bloggers). It goes with one of my first values in coming back to college: meeting new people.

FBK may or may not be evil or powerful, (who knows, I'm not in it...) but it is a great way to meet at least a few other people who want to make some changes in the world. I didn't get in, but I did try. I will always try.

Any of you can talk trash about me - that's fine - I don't hold anything against any of you personally. But on a professional level I am saddened knowing that many of you could do much more if you looked beyond the silly politics.

UF hasn't had a Rhodes Scholar in a long time. I have a feeling there's a reason and I might have mentioned it...

Much love,

Bruce

Anonymous said...

As someone from the "evil" side... I just want to say I love Bruce, and I have tons of respect for him.

Christian Duque said...

#1

Bruce,

Thank you for posting. I'm sorry you think I'm "talking trash" about you, but the fact is you seriously let me down by parading around as some champion of the people and then running to key with high hopes of joining the ranks of Elitism. Your past transgressions and life's hardships aside, nothing excuses a weakness of character of that sort. I'm glad you like to meet as many people as possible, but in the process, try not to sell your soul to the group that promises to have you meet the most people...that's a pretty sad reason to cash in your credentials and put your reputation in question over.

#2 I will be contacting key members of the SG and UF communities, hoping to apply enough pressure to get some kind of coverage on the Sam Green case.

Anonymous said...

Don't expect the alligator to cover the story. The only time DaSilva covers hard news is when she wears a low-cut shirt.

Christian Duque said...

I have a feeling this Monday you'll read about the Block. Let's see how hard we can push in five days (and on a holiday at that!).

Anonymous said...

Christian, please let people fight their own battles. You are not a student anymore and not in touch with our concerns and beliefs. As much as you like to decry a lack of indie (or system) leadership, it is precisely because people like you stick around and try to be the man behind the curtain, that no one has stepped up. I'm giving way too much credit to your leadership on campus, but please, let us be.

Christian Duque said...

Spoken like a true coward. I don't hide behind any curtain, you are the one hiding your name. I didn't force the 16,000+ hits to come here. I provide an alternative. I will always care about SG. I may not be a student today, but I am an alumni and I don't need to have anyone's permission or support to write. I will write till I am no more and this campaign will move forward.

Anonymous said...

Weren't the blacks running close to their cap anyway? Someone had to be the odd man out.

Anonymous said...

Dude, Christian, while there might be some "evil machine" aspects to FBK - that's not it in its entirety. You can also think I sold out all you want. Who knows, maybe you're even right. Somehow, though, I think I'll manage.

Regardless, there are petty dipshits on both sides of the aisle. The "indie" movement is not necessarily the goodhearted Jesus of SG that some seem to believe it is. It's just more kids who also want positions whom, for whatever reason, don't want to do it with the establishment party.

Bruce

PS: If only I had never found these damn blogs... or had not always posted my name... so much drama. :)

Christian Duque said...

Go have a beer Bruce. This thread is about Sam Green, he's the topic of the news story.

Anonymous said...

I doesn't take a lot of effort to be a senator. All you need to do is sit in a seat and say yea or nay.

The real work comes from committees. Anyone making FBK is on a committee, as either chair or vice chair.

Anonymous said...

And being a cabinet director is hard?

Anonymous said...

You can count the number of cabinet chairs who get majors on one hand, if not one or two fingers. The only cabinet directors who get majors go over and above their job description.

On the topic of Sam, what you don't know, since you aren't in FBK, is that you don't get credit for a position until your term is over. So since Sam's term is not over he cannot get credit for being Senate Pro Temp. I know it kind of sucks, but your term has to be over.

Anonymous said...

That's not the point, no one is arguing that. Sam was on reccomended which means he was qulaified for membership and only needed 50% plus 1 to get in. He was voted down twice with the same 58 votes against him both times. It's not right.

Anonymous said...

I feel that programming is more difficult than just saying yea or nay on bills that a senator hasn't put work into, unless s/he served on the committee.

Anonymous said...

Bruce are you blogging again? Green was Chair (although apparently a bad one) of R&E and also Chairs R&A as Pro-Tem, plus he was Party President.

Anonymous said...

Like I said somewhere on this site, the quality of his work in Senate must improve. I hear he has a lot of his plate, such as being president of his fraternity and working within his greek council.

Anonymous said...

When peopel say Sam handed his community on a platter to Joe Goldberg or whoever, what do you mean?

Anonymous said...

Much obliged Christian. Who knows, I may.

As for Sam, if he wants to run, then he should. No one who wants to run for anything needs a sign-off from any office or organization to do so. Throw your name in the hat and see what happens.

Also, just because I like a good back and forth with you...

It's interesting that one of your points on behalf of Sam Green is that he was rejected from FBK, a "leadership honorary," all while he is the #2 in Senate. From your previous writings, you describe FBK almost exclusively as a political machine - I think that's one of the first times I've seen you refer to FBK as an honorary. So, why be surprised then?

I hate to bring up the past, but it's similar to how you salute Ryan Nelson when he switches to the indie side, but at the same time you decry those indies who "sell out" to the keys.

Sounds like you're whoring your values out for your blog. You pick and choose whatever side of an issue is most convenient to you making your "point," even if it means contradicting yourself.

Bruce

PS: Just let me know and I'll buy you a beer too. We can chat it out. I really have no hard feelings toward you, much less anyone else out there. I do like stirring things up a bit tho. ;)

Anonymous said...

Bruce has a point!

Anonymous said...

A beer sounds quite delicious on a warm winter morning such as this. I'll "cheers" you in spirit my dear Bruce, and gladly drink my Black-and-Tan with you in my heart. ;)

Anonymous said...

This is stupid. I'm GLAD Sam Green didn't get FBK, he was a LOUSY R&E chair, has yet to do anything remotely impressive as pro-temp. I'd be willing to bet he's a terrible Vice-Chair on Budget as well. (Also, when was he ever Party President)?

This system of hand-outs sucks... but there are plenty of people that take those hand outs and DO something with them!

It would seem that FBK f*cked up this semester by blocking some of the Greeks who actually get things done (Agrusa, Lauren Asher..) But at least they did one thing right by leaving Sam Green out.

Anonymous said...

I vote for Fei Long (Peace Be With Him).

Anonymous said...

what did agrusa and asher do to not get tapped?

Anonymous said...

Sam Green is incompetent. He did ABSOLUTELY nothing as Party Chair. Laura covered EVERYTHING. He was publicly ridiculed as R & E Chair. As someone who has been interviewed by him in R & A, he is an IDIOT. FBK protected itself from self-degradation by blocking him - and good for them for having the presence of mind and courage to go after someone like him!

Anonymous said...

Top 10 Forces in SG (taken from Allison Cullin)

10) Justin Bell: This leader within senate has proven he is capable of handling complex issues on behalf of the student body. His recent realignment with the mainstream leads many to believe he is shooting for Senate Pro-Temp in the near future.

9) Panhellic Sororities: The vice presidential candidancy of Nina DeJong proves the power of the female greek community on this campus. Will they finally stand for more acknowledgement within the system. Only time will tell.

8) Arturo Armand: This Key and former HSA president outmaneuvered his way past AKA Vanessa Goodwin for the vice presidency. Not forgetting his latin root, Armand has worked to place other hispanic students in positions of power, like Jesse Wright, as a cabinet chair, many latin senators, and a few newly tapped Keys.

7) Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority: Following the lead of President Lola Bovell, is HSA presidential contender Kathy Valle, and other powerful members Maryam Laguna and Frankie Gonzalez. This group has influence extending into CLASSC, Student Senate, and Preview, and obviously HSA.

6) Adelle Fontanet/Kevin Bacon Duo: This head over heels couple has worked on many-a-campaign together. They have been a formidle team, most notably this past fall during the vice presidential election, where they engineered 1,500 votes from the student body and excellent PR in favor of Nina DeJong. These indies have added more power to their control as Fontanet controls the up and coming Pride Student Union and is a new member of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority.

5) Christian Duque: Thanks to Duque, us SG pundits have a medium to discuss all of the political happenings of the day.

4) Asian American Community: The Asian American community has proven it can be easily mobilized. Now there is an influx of leadership to accompany their numbers. With leaders like Dennis Ngin, Huy and Perry Chung, there's no limit to how far this contingent can go!

3) Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority: We haven't seen acheivement from any African American sorority since Delta Sigma Theta Sorority a couple of years ago. They have 6 Keys, at present, massive involvement in SGm Preview and Cicerones. The encouraging thing about these ladies is that they dominate quietly, unlike their predecessors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

To be continued...

Anonymous said...

2) Josh Weiss: A great political mind. He will think outside of the box if his greek support is not substantial enough. He has been very involved with the cultural communities and can surely put together a viable campaign. Also, a current senate president, Weiss has the ability to hurt Houses that do not cooperate.

1) Ryan Moseley: Seen by everyone as the guy driving the bus. He will garner at least half of the greek support. His next step is to wrestle away the cultural organizations from Weiss, which will surely secure his presidential bid.

Anonymous said...

The Agrusa and Asher non taps were not personal. They were both on not reccomended which means they needed 2/3 to get in. Agrusa damn near did it 68-40 while Asher fell short 52-51. Both would have been tapped if they had the points to be on the rec list. Green on the other hand was a legitimate block. He was on rec and got voted down twice 46-58 and 51-58.

Anonymous said...

why do u have their vote totals? LOL im sure u are a Key, but I didnt think it was that serious.

Anonymous said...

Everyone keeps track of the vote totals

Anonymous said...

Yes, but why is it important to STILL have them. I can see keeping them in handy during tapping, but now...

Anonymous said...

JA here. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Day. However I hope that some of you, especially the UF law students and UF Law school alumni, come by this weekend for the FSU law school's tailgate party (we will have breakfast and you can hang with the Arg). It starts at 8:00am and goes to noon, and it will be at Booster Lot 10, see http://www.seminole-boosters.com/seminoleboosters/renderpage.asp?pageid=2830

Now everyone, calm down. Use the Holiday weekend to get hold of yoursevles. FBK is just a leadership honorary. A nice little thing to put on your resume. Don't kill each other to get in it. Too often I hear stories of kids who would run over their mamas to get into FBK. Don't do that. Just do your best, and hey you may get it if no one knows who you are and have a good resume. Or you may get it if people know who you are and you haven't made anyone angry (like I did not) Or you may not even apply and still be very successful in your life.

FSU has Burning Spear and Garnet Gold Key, UM has Iron Arrow, UF also has Savant UF in addition to FBK. My point is that all the schools have their elite clubs and not everybody gets in. If you get in, great, if not, that is not the end of the world.

Anonymous said...

I find this list of leaders interesting Slightly off base, but interesting nonetheless.

And I'm str8 FBK Beeyatch!

Anonymous said...

christian, check out the movement against the grading scale change. you'd be impressed.

Anonymous said...

So, is this gonna be a Alligator story? Do we know, yet?

Anonymous said...

Spessard Holland is going to come back from the dead to run for SBP, mark my words.

Anonymous said...

who was that?

Anonymous said...

Moseley is going to run away with the SBP race... Weiss is dead already. Discuss.

Anonymous said...

How do you know that Josh won't get a party together? Or that none of the houses will support him?

Anonymous said...

We, the members of Florida Blue Key, pledge ourselves to serve the University of Florida; to develop and foster a greater spirit of unity among Florida men and women; and to conduct ourselves and direct our efforts at all times to promote the purposes of Florida Blue Key.