Joe Bennett Speaks!

TheRadikal: Please tell us when you arrived at UF and what were some of the first organizations/causes you got involved with?

Fmr. Sen. Joe Bennett: I arrived at UF in the fall of 2005 and I didn’t really care about SG. I’d been in SG in high school and figured it was a bunch of dorks playing house and adding resume lines. I joined the gator swim club freshman year and then the UF Rugby team fall 2006. I never really got involved with any causes throughout my college career. I did some work with mentally handicapped kids for community service, but I wouldn't describe that as anything close to championing a cause. I directed most of my passions into UF Rugby; building it from a scrub club into a nationally ranked force to be reckoned with. I tore my ACL spring of 2008, taking me out of the game and leaving me with enough free time to find another cause. Queue entrance of Student Government.



The Radikal: How did you first learn about student government and what motivated you to join the Orange & Blue Party and run for public office?


Fmr. Sen. Joe Bennett: I got involved in SG through my association with one Mr. Samuel Miorelli, whom I attended high school with and lived with freshman and sophomore year. He told me over the summer that the Senate seat for my college (public health and health professions) was open. I wasn't taking classes at the time, so I had to wait until Fall to apply. I applied as an Independent, and with some pointers from Sam made it through the interview unscathed. My plan was simple: I'd stay Independent in the Senate and vote according to my conscience (that thing everyone talks about doing but never does). I realized very quickly that the Orange and Blue party was essentially a coalition of people that already did that, combined by the common goal of bringing down the corrupt Gator party. I joined right after I got my R&E seat.


TheRadikal: Did the candidates and/or the party change from the days on the campaign trail to the historic Fall victory, and if so, how?


Fmr. Sen. Joe Bennett: I wasn't really involved with the historic Fall victory. Like I said, I joined the Senate as a replacement Senator and was not initially involved with Orange and Blue until later on.

I can offer some commentary on how things changed, however. I think what made Fall 2008 so successful was the wonderful circumstance where everyone was united to champion the same goal. Everyone was able to ignore their differences because the Gator party was a foe worth uniting against. The division that caused the formation of Progress and Orange and Blue as separate parties came as the result of personality clashes. Essentially we had two groups of people that didn’t like one another, and so even though they had the same goal of usurping the Gator party, they weren’t willing to work together to make it happen.


The Radikal: How would you describe a typical Tuesday night Senate meeting?

Fmr. Sen. Joe Bennett: The typical Senate meeting… makes you lose at least some of your faith in humanity. JJ was almost as bad of a chair as Kelly Dale. The leadership of the Gator party regularly took action ranging from pointless to ludicrous. That anyone is willing to follow them at all is laughable. For some reason people do… I have no idea why.

Orange and Blue would fight the good fight, but far too regularly goes into a conflict expecting to lose. Far too often people complained for the sake of complaining. The chorus of nasal “NAAAAY”s from the back corner did nothing but foster a defeatist attitude. The idea of isolating the party to a single, back corner in a four corner room is in itself defeatist. We needed to work much harder at being the voice of reason and providing an example for others to follow. Far too often we just bitched; no one respects that.

The Radikal: How would you describe typical office hours, a senator's modern day relationship with Glenda & Sandy, and a typical senator's relationship with his/her Senate President?

Fmr. Sen. Joe Bennett: I didn’t really do many office hours; I tabled for my constituency requirements because it took half as long to get done. The time I spent in the office was either for Rules and Ethics or working with John Ossip on something or other. JJ was a terrible Senate President, one of the least genuine people I have ever interacted with, and almost as poor of a chair as Kelly Dale. Glenda is a nice lady, but I wonder why she stays around. Everyone in Senate speaks well of her, but few and far between are the Senators that treat her like a human being.


The Radikal: What are some of your proudest moments w/ O&B in Senate? Low points?


Fmr. Sen. Joe Bennett: My proudest moments in Senate were defeating the bills removing minority protections and gaining the support of some Gator senators. There was a small victory every time we succeeded in getting a Gator party senator to vote their conscience. It’s truly terrifying how mindlessly people will vote for things that are blatantly morally reprehensible, and so seeing someone break free from brainwashing or resist being strong-armed was inspirational. Ben Dictor gets most of the credit for getting a lot of these Senators on our side, but I’d like to think I had something to do with it as well.

Getting bylaws written for the Orange and Blue party and having elections for new officers was somewhat of a personal victory, although the main aim in doing that was to prevent the party splitting. History can tell you how well that one worked out…
That leads into my lowest point; the split between Orange and Blue and Progress. Political death. We essentially said, “Here Unite, have the election, we didn’t want it anyway.”

Another huge source of exasperation for me was Rules and Ethics. From the committee’s ridiculous refusal to subpoena Riley for the Green Means Go emails to the Senate’s repeated refusal to kick out Taxter. I still can’t believe he kept his seat. Pretty much the only time the guy came to Senate was to plead not to be kicked out. He didn’t even show up to his hearing with Rules and Ethics to defend himself.

I’m going to have to stop here in the interest of time, but rest assured I have witnessed more ridiculous occurrences during my time in Senate than I care to recall.



The Radikal: We all know you left Student Government, but no one really knows why. Could you please tell us, in your own words, why you stepped away from SG? Is the move permanent?



Fmr. Sen. Joe Bennett: I must admit I’m at a bit of a loss as to why anyone would find it a mystery why I stepped away from SG. I’m graduating this May, so I wasn’t planning on running for reelection. Everyone I’ve spoken to was aware of this. I had moral qualms about running for an office that I knew ahead of time I would have to vacate within a few months. At the time I resigned, I had only a few Senate meetings left until my term was over. The opportunity arose for me to enroll in a first responder class as a precursor to Emergency Medical Technician training (it was only offered Tuesday nights 6 to 10 PM). I would have had to delay my plans by at least a semester in order to stay in Senate for three more meetings. With nothing pressing on the table, I decided to go the First Responder route. I’ll get the chance to actually save lives instead of just talking about doing it (paraphrased from Alan Yanuck).

As for my withdrawal itself, I’m still around for anyone that wants my help. The only call I received from anyone in SG during the elections was from Sam Miorelli, who needed a candidate to slate with Orange and Blue for my college. I found him one within 20 minutes. That said, I’m not a Senator anymore, so I am taking a step back. SG is draining, and I have to decide how best to direct my energies. During my time as a Senator, I would regularly spend entire days working on nothing but SG issues. I just can’t afford to keep doing that.

During the elections, I kept to myself mainly because I never decided who I wanted to support. On a case by case basis, the Progress party had more candidates I supported, but fundamentally I was opposed to the formation of a second party to begin with. I’d been saying since well before the election that any division would be our downfall. I tried hard to stop it; I wish I’d tried harder. To beat the force that is the United Swampy Gator Party, we have to be working as a unit.


The Radikal: If O&B and Progress were to join forces, would you consider returning to SG to work with Eric Conrad & Joe Trimboli?


Fmr. Sen. Joe Bennett: I will work with anyone that wants to improve SG. I’ve known Joe Trimboli since high school and have gotten on well with Eric Conrad since I first met him. I’m not sure why you chose those two people specifically, but yeah I’ll be around Gainesville until fall 2010 and I’m willing to help out.


The Radikal: Per my promise, there will be no questions regarding contentious matters as of 11/2008-03/2009, however, some of these issues have been marked in word association.


Fmr. Sen. Joe Bennett: Not sure what issues you’re referring to, but sounds good.


Ben Dictor: Charismatic. The Progress party was basically formed around Ben as a presidential candidate. A lot of the victories we had in the Senate during fall and early spring were due to his gaining of rapport with opposition senators.


Grasshopper: Experienced. No one’s been around longer than this guy. He makes damn good pizza rolls too.


Elizabeth Stinson: Angry. I have no idea if she is even sure what her own goals are. She shouts a lot and talks big but I’ve never really seen her do anything constructive.


Stacey Gray: Promising. One of the nicest people I’ve met. It will be a sad day for the student body if she ends up as jaded as the rest of the people in SG.


Joe Trimboli: Veteran. He’s been around SG for ages. I disagree with him on some issues and he knows that, but we get along well. That said, he works for an insurance company. You can never really trust an insurance salesman.


GMGo Emails: Pain in the ass. They basically highlight everything wrong with SG. In themselves they show how corrupt SG leadership was and is. The refusal of R&E to investigate them shows even more clearly how much Gator sucks. They were almost assuredly obtained illegally, also a problem. That said, they exposed corruption, and for that they were invaluable.


Mark McShera: Likeable. He was easy to rally around; reference his spontaneous appointment to the R&A committee. He got too hot headed at times, but he’s a good guy. I wish he’d stepped down to allow Ben to run for SG President, but then I also wish Ben had done the same thing for Mark.


Kyle Huey: Behind the scenes. Never saw much of him but apparently he does a lot.


12/11 Meeting/Scandal: I’m not great with dates, but I’m going to assume this is referring to the Orange and Blue open meeting where we called out the supposed cabal. Since then people have said the word “cabal” is too strong. Whatever. I don’t care what word you use; a large portion of the party was being lied to by our leadership and I called them out on it. I was personally the one that called them out on it, but for some reason in the weeks that followed a number of people chose to hold it against Ben Dictor, who actually had very little to do with it. That did not help the healing process.

By this point our party was tearing apart at the seams. A lot of people were pissed at one another; pretty much every person with good reason. We were headed for splitsville, and this was my last ditch effort to get our issues out into the open and keep everyone on the same page. It was a shitty situation, but we made the best of it. We got bylaws passed and new officers elected. I could go down the list and tell you the mistakes made by each person involved, but the bottom line is that we didn’t do what we needed to do to stay together. Divided we got conquered.


O&B 2009: Good luck. They’ve taken a big hit and they need to figure out where to go from here. My vote is to have O&B and Progress get back together.


Progress 2009: Best wishes. I’m happy for the grad seat wins, but I don’t like how people are viewing them. Winning eight seats means Unite got all the rest. It was a big step back from the success of the previous Fall. As far as I’m concerned, as long as Unite or Gator or whatever they call themselves are winning, everyone is losing. I hope they have more success in the future.


Keg 2009: Retarded. Leading up to the election we were concerned that Gator would form several parties to diffuse the anti-Greek vote. They didn’t go that route, so some genius decided to do it for them. Whoever’s idea it was to form this party should kick themselves in the balls/ovaries.



Unite 2009: U suck. Every time I see someone with that stupid U on a shirt or sticker I lose some respect for them. That U does not stand for Unite in my brain.


Frank Bracco: Overzealous. He’s got good ideas but has zero ability to build rapport with people that don’t already agree with him.


Charles Grapski: Activist. I don’t know anything about what the guy stands for, but I can’t help but admire anyone willing to sacrifice so much for what they believe. Whether he’s insane or just determined I don’t know.


Thomas Jardon: I don’t really know him well enough to comment.


Matt Martz: --- [Fmr. Sen. Bennett wrote in to state he in fact has not met Mr. Martz and to offer his apologies for the mix-up.




The Radikal: Any parting words?



Fmr. Sen. Joe Bennett: SG’s main problem is that it’s populated by people that realize things are corrupt, but are unwilling to take a stand against it. They join Gator/Unite because they think they can make change from the inside. Pretty soon they find they value their resume lines too much to rock the boat. As always, it’s the sheep, not the wolves, that are the real problem. Dumbasses like JJ and Fager pose no threat at all until you add 60 Senators ready to blindly vote at their command.

Friday Is Joe Bennett Night!

The Q&A will be published at around 10pm tonight :)

Updates

I'll be speaking with Fmr. Progress Party Presidential candidate, Sen. Benjamin Dictor this weekend for an update on where the Progress Party is headed, continued negotiations with O&B, and SG-strategies. Dictor, whether remaining at UF or not (like Bruce Haupt), has made a lasting contribution to the modern day independent movement.

I'm also awaiting the Q&A from Fmr. Sen. Joe Bennett and working on some loose ends for the months of April & May, as well as hopefully getting more involvement from Joe Trimboli & Eric Conrad on the State of the Parties.

I'm also hoping to be able to have a Jordan Johnson Q&A up at some point during his administration - I consider this a top priority for the blog and would be ever-so-gracious to anyone that could help make this happen.

GDI v. Mainstream Indie

Mainstream Indies

GDI's

There's three types of Independents...yes more subcultures...but these three types have been around a lot longer than yours truly or this blog. The first type (which is a Greek-friendly version, e.g. "Swamp," "Impact") was not present in this election. The next garden variety is the Mainstream (or Moderate) Independent (ala Progress '05, Action, or Hernandez-UNITE!), which in this case would be the Orange & Blue Party. The smallest type - and contrary to this year's upset, the worst performing faction - are the GDI's (see Student Alliance '03, Keg '04, Voice '05, and arguably, ARGUABLY Keg '09.

In the featured videos, you see Mainstream GDI's using the same influences as their elder-GDI counterparts and while funny, the O&B version seems forced, whereas as the Pants version is very spontaneous, laid back, and naturally "WHATEVER!"

You decide for yourself. Put your film critic's hat on and comment!

Early Decision

I've decided to lift Kerns' ban and declare an end to the cyber conflict between us. This decision was inspired by a brief facebook exchange with Ken yesterday.

A New Term: "The Officer Corps"

TR Terms - A Review

Officials - the hardline-moderate wing of the O&B Party pre-2009. This faction, was loosely led by outgoing Party President Sam Miorelli and retained control of the party, during a brief mutiny led by the 'the Progs' culminating with the 12/11 Scandal.


'Progs' - disenfranchised minority wing of the O&B Party pre-2009, led by Benjamin Dictor. The faction sought a primary, but withdrew during the 12/11 Scandal.


'Prags' - smaller ideological tendency, found in both factions. Leading figures in this movement included Mark McShera and Joe Bennett (who is no longer involved with SG).


"The Officer Corps" - label for mid-level party leadership in O&B, Progress during 2009 Negotiations Period - (beginning with rumored talks between Eric Conrad & Joe Trimboli.

"The OC's", as postulated by this blog, will likely man the last holdout pockets of resistance to an O&B/Progress reconciliation, should such a move be either premature or backward in substance.


12/11 - Progs believe cling to this date as marking a deceptive Executive Order by O&B Party President Donte Hargrove, whereas Officials believe that Progs had ample notice of the meeting time(s) and that this is a mere smoke screen.

"I don’t see the December 11th meeting as a cause for the now-Progress Party members leaving Orange & Blue but rather a manifestation of the actual root causes. I chose to not attend the meeting because I was uncomfortable with the idea that we would hold a critical discussion without a significant portion of the party being present. As it was, quorum was called with only 13 members present. There simply wasn’t enough time for many senators to adjust their schedule, especially given the proximity of the date to finals.

I don’t want anyone to be crying over spilt milk, though. In the words of Lady Macbeth, 'What’s done is done.'"

Sen. Dave Schneider (Progress)
3/09/2009

GMG Emails - Officials called the Progs bluff on this one. Progs failed to deliver the goods, though, 'the Officials' believe this turned the PR tide against them.


Toto - a rumored multiple personality of Justin Wooten. Many anon posts claimed Wooten engaged this double in lively conversations on bus-stops all throughout campus. These tales amounted to nothing but off-color humor. Toto also supposedly beat up Wooten at a Turlington restroom.

SG News! Served Up Fresh Since 2005!

Opposition Leader's Wallet Stolen!

"I was at a concert last night, the girltalk show at the venue, and i realized about halfway through that my wallet was gone."

Sen. Dave Schneider (Progress) spoke to TheRadikal, stating that the larceny began within thirty minutes of the theft and that he raced to cancel credit cards - SMART MOVE! Schneider was an integral part of the Spring 2009 student body elections, where the longshot Progress Party defeated its larger, more solidifed indie rival nine seats to nothing.

---

"Progress Won't Survive Summer A."

Fmr. O&B Party President Sam Miorelli is convinced the rogue O&B faction that became the Progress Party has its days in the UF-Senate numbered. The Officialist-Indie leader (recognized by this blog as one of the Great SG leaders of the 2000-2010 decade) had this to say:

"I just don't think that putting all of your political eggs in the GSC basket with Ryan OMara and Grasshopper is a sustainable electoral strategy...

I don't think they'll survive past Summer A."

In response to Miorelli's comments, current Progress Party President Joshua Simmons lashed back, stating:

"Ignorance and volume often make for a lethal combination, and Sam has plenty of both.

Since his conception of "surviving as a Senate party" seems to be calling for dilatory roll-call votes, standing to pose irrelevant, inflammatory, and often insulting questions, and generally just being as obstructionist as possible, then yes, we probably won't "survive as a Senate party."

However, I can guarantee that the Progress caucus will do far more policy-making in this one summer than Sam Miorelli has ever done in his entire SG career.

Dictor and I aren't planning for the next election - we're going to be here for the next few months helping do what we set out to, and then we're leaving Gainesville. For the first time in a number of semesters, independents are going to focus on policy, and not on politics."

---

Joe Bennett Agrees To Tell-All Q&A!

The next big name to grace the Q&A Roster will be a name that was largely absent from the recent student body elections. This will be Joe's time to explain why he left SG! This is a must-read for anyone interested in the current crop of Indie leaders and for those curious as to what internal party strife means to the guys on the front lines!

---

Matt Martz Shares 'His Side'

O&B Activist, Matt Martz gave TheRadikal.com an exclusive on the comings-and-goings of current scandal rocking the pillars of UF student leadership. The following was provided directly from the man some insiders called 'O&B Spymaster'.

"I really dont know the name to be honest [when asked by yours truly for the identity of an unknown sorority member/speaker at tonight Senate meeting], a friend of mine was handing out I-voted-stickers outside of a KA social at Xs because we saw them walk by Salty Dog while we were drinking

Two or three frat guys start harassing her so i come up to get them to go inside the club (we were handing them out at the door) anyway after awhile of me trying to get them inside and them yelling at me that i was unethical one of the KA guys makes some comment about how much more he gets laid than me, and to look around at the girls walking in so i tell him that at least i dont have to pay to get laid (referring to frat dues)anywho, like 5 minutes later in the conversation they threaten to call the cops if we dont leave saying that they will tell them that I pushed his girlfriend and sexually harassed her and that his frat brothers would all back him up.

I told him to fuck himself and to call the cops, he didnt, and all of sudden a few days later after it became apparent that the charges against me for stealing I-Voted-Stickers werent going to hold up, an elections complaint comes up essentially they are ramping up the pressure, they tried a false police report on the election wednesday and once that fell through they are pushing this sorority girl to lie to get me in trouble with Student judicial affairs

The better part was apparently before Stephen lawson, the elections commission chair announced the results he went off topic to say that I in no way should be trusted; I dont have the exact wording because I wasnt there but yeah, twice in one meeting I was called out its just JJ and Dan Siegel ramping up their retalitory actions for me requesting then printing i voted stickers they know they are fucked as soon as i get my legal brief in order, they broke a shit ton of laws."

I have a little trouble believing all this. In fact, when a few brave FIJI M-E-N escorted Access Presidential candidate Jamal Sowell through Fraternity Row, there wasn't a nicer group than those diversity-loving KA's. I still remember, fondly, a young KA man, wearing a KA cap on no less, walking by me as I tried to hand him an Access flyer and speak with him about Sowell, stating, "I won't vote for that colored." I remember how I lovingly followed him from Turlington to the Hub bus-stop, courteously reminding him of what a lovely sentiment he'd just shared with me. So I must say, Mr. Martz you had me going, until you mentioned that glorious fraternity. I cannot believe they would make such a sordid tale. Bless those boys! Bless them.

---

Bracco/Wooten Feud Continues
Indie leaders from both factions need to figure out a way to get Wooten & Bracco speaking again. It will surely take a village - let's try Hawthorne - I mean what else do they have goin on anyways?

---

That's all folks.

Bracco, Wooten Feud Heats Up

Orange & Blue Leader Frank Bracco has been fingered by top Progress Lt. Justin Wooten in a scandal rocking the Independent movement. Wooten claims he has first hand knowledge that the former O&B Vice Presidential candidate has been telling fellow party-members that Wooten is an FBI Agent, allegations that, if true, will put a major damper on hopes of a key-Summer-pactbetween the two warring Indie factions.

"We need a united front for [Fall]," expresses a key indie leader on the ground at UF. Wooten, who is widely rumored heir-apparent to the Progress-presidency, a post currently held by Joshua Simmons, is the #1 go-to person O&B should be looking to win over.


Bracco, on the other hand, is a senior member of the independent movement, having made his bones with the heroic Pants Party of Bruce Haupt and following that up with a successful tenure at the helm of a key SG Agency, not to mention consisten ground & organizational work several indie parties.

Many people have had their fingers crossed since the results were announced - hoping for unity and reconciliation. On the other hand, many hardliners (from both parties, I'm afraid to say) still have some fight left in 'em. It could be Bracco/Wooten or it could be Heinz or Hunts Ketchup, but some hardliners seem poised to carry on the tensions - even though the elections are a thing of the past.

Question is...will this feud provide a forum for the upcoming battles? You Decide!

"What Do The Insiders Say?"

"It's utter nonsense. SDS people made it up and Bracco just parroted it. If Wooten has beef he should take it to SDS.

Chairman Joe Trimboli
Orange & Blue Party

"I think it's a bit overblown, although Bracco has been extremely obnoxious as of late and Wooten's not one to tolerate a lot of rowdy and unwarranted behavior.

Like, Bracco was yelling and screaming about this poster we made and put up at our table in turlington w/ our exec and lil wayne+obama and he was really trying to raise hell, saying we were misrepresenting ourselves and falsely implying that these two figures endorsed us.

And Wooten flat out told him to shut the fuck up, or something in that ballpark which may have sparked the fbi comment as backlash.

But like, even after o&b pulled their complaints against progress (a ridiculously shallow gesture), Frank still filed a couple against us for the lil wayne poster."

Sen. Dave Schneider
Rumored Progress Party 2010 SBP Candidate

"I think Wooten isn't a student at UF and seriously question how much free time he has on his hands that he's so "involved" in SG politics."

Sam Miorelli
Fmr.O&B Party President

"Wooten wins in the 5th round by TKO. Sam is trying to be relevant. Wooten is a really good guy, committed to the party and the cause."

Sen. Benjamin Dictor (Progress)
2nd Place Finisher, UF-SG Fmr. SBP Candidate

Congratulations to Unite, Progress, & O&B.

The Original photo has been deleted. I received an email from Harrison Diamond Photo Editor of The Independent Florida Alligator, stating:

"I already had to come down hard on the Unite party after they stole the image you used in the congratulations post on their campaign website after being formally warned not to use the images from our site on any campaignmaterials. I have nothing against you, your blog, or anything like that,but it is important that I am consistent in matters of protecting ourintellectual property."

I saved the photo from Jordan Johnson's facebook profile, thinking it looked very classy. Mr. Diamond pointed to six other photos on my blog since October that were taken from the Alligator.

I have asked Mr. Harrison to please provide me with all dates in question so that I may remove them and issue proper credit. Over the past four years I have been the subject of articles, as well as had letters and a column printed in the Alligator. I've enjoyed the readership of Alligator writers and, arguably, its editors. Over the course of the past four years, I've cited the Alligator and/or shared photos without any incident - whatsoever. However, Mr. Diamond makes very valid points in that these photos are intellectual property and requests must be made, be it from a political party, a blog, or anyone else for that matter.

I hope that no one's feelings are rubbed the wrong way by this post, but I believe a valuable lesson has been learned here today and I wanted to go above and beyond Mr. Diamond's request because I feel it's the right thing to do.

Final Election Thoughts

The Progress Party (first endorsed by TheRadikal.com and later by the Independent Florida Alligator) must live on. While Orange & Blue remains a viable independent party, the real GDI's are in the Progress Party. Unaware of any election results, I believe the only person that can be to Progress what Sam Miorelli was to Orange & Blue - or what James Argento was to Access -- or what Ken Kerns was to Voice - is Justin Wooten.

This incarnation of Progress means something. SG can finally move in a honorable direction, educating the students about worldly affairs, organizing grassroots campaigns for true sustainability (not just dropping a plastic recycle bin outside some random classroom in Turlington. History shows us that the students are the ones that pushed for civil rights, suffrage, gay rights, the students helped end wars, but here at UF, the students are relegated to bullshit roles in a government that's carefully monitored by the UF Administration and infected with legacies and good ole boy systems.

Whatever the results may be, the only party that was truly about real, in-your-face change: was Progress and this party should not 'marry' O&B or sail off into oblivion. Progress should be alive and well in 2009, with Dave Schneider as its presidential candidate in 2010.

In the coming weeks I hope to look into the Keg Party and study how O&B chose to milk the name of a heroic party, we'll also look at the threatened ***complaint*** [correction] from Elizabeth Stinson against our dear Ben Dictor. Once again, major kudos to Mark McShera for a kickass, LIVE Q&A. This blog may have endorsed Progress, but the Dictor Q&A, much like the Bracco one, was a snoozer. Then again the interviews took place at different times...Ben was trying to gain support and by the time we got to Mark the lines in the sand had not been drawn, but were actively being held, defended, w/e.

Jordan Johnson was smart to extend a hand to Wooten- he's the future of the Independent movement. It's not Ben Cavatero in 2010, it's not Donte Hargrove, it's not TH allegedly redbaiting... interesting.

Well anyways the law library is closing soon. I heard Brandon White didn't campaign much - heard this from both Indie factions...that's mildly pathetic.

So anyways, best of luck to Ben, Mark, Justin, Joe, the Geico spokesman, Liz, Dave, Joe Bennett (don't pull an Eric Gordon....come back to SG), Sam, Crazy-But-Cool MT, Alleged Redbaiter TH, Alan, Gary, Stacey, Grasshopper, Bracco (stop [allegedly] calling Justin an FBI Agent), and everyone else.

Charlie Grapski, glad you're out, thanks for letting me know, you to Michael. I brought Progress to your side, when no one knew who you were, but doin that for ya since 2005, but no sweat. Try to stay out of jail, will always support you in one way or another, but stay out of trouble - if you can, lol.

Best of luck to Mark and Ben, seriously. Jordan Johnson, good luck to you too. Keg...jump off a cliff.

TheRadikal.com's Official Election Predictions

First and foremost, let me speak to the issue of credibility. Aside from my Alum' readership, every single regular contributor and friend of the blog hails allegiance to one of the two major Indie factions. There are minor factions as well - be very sure of this. However, these minor factions have succumbed to the ramifications of internal party strife - not seen in Indie cirlcles since the Spring 2005 term.

Minor factions have wrestled with the fact that they are not in a position to break into yet another viable faction and so, have compromised their stances and become mere tendencies of a larger, more pronounced organization - key tendencies from within the Progs would be best articulated by those wanting more revolutionary politics and a mor militant-SG. The leadership of the Progress Party, while possibly sympathetic to many of these worldly causes, has undergone sometimes subtle, sometimes rigid efforts aimed at keeping Dictor a viable alternative to McShera for many Indie moderates. So...I would say that a minor faction within Progress would be 'The Red & Blacks' championed by Justin Wooten. Let it be recorded for all [SG]history, that it was not Ben Dictor or Ben Dictor's charm that won the Progress Party this blog's endorsement, rather, it was the ideological perspectives and future-outlook of Justin Wooten. JW is the red, MT is the black, and JS is neither, but they're all Progress!.

The Orange & Blue Party's minor faction would be the The Pragmatists, of which I believe even Mark McShera could be categorized as being a part of. This faction, through failed attempts stretching even pre-12/11, seemed growingly resilient in its efforts at avoiding a split. Initially, 'the Progs' seemed open to talks with the stunning victory of Donte Hargrove, but even this bleak glimmer of hope soon faded, as Hargrove formally accepted the strengthened role of Party Chair Joe Trimboli (almost a pre-condition on his very election) , thereby substantially weakening the title he'd gain from outgoing Party President (& boss) Sam Mioreli. I believe, that the election of Hargrove drew a line between hardline-Official thought and a version of pragmatism willing to lose some power, in the hopes of saving the day. It's no secret McShera more than likely voted for Hargrove, but what does this say about the candidate and the structure of the party supporting him? Supporting or forcing? Today there is no question Mark wants the Presidency, but in Oct., Nov., and Dec. - it's a bit iffy.


(getting past that little preamble)....

I have Johnson winning the first round, similar to Joe Goldberg in '05, missing the win by less than 1-point. Forcing a run-off.

I predict a large turn-out election: 13,000 votes, of which I believe Jordan Johnson will receive between 6,000-6,500 votes; I believe O&B will come in a distant second with between 3,250 - 3,500 votes; Progress I believe will get between a low of 1,600 votes and a high of 2,100; independent/write-ins candidates will probably secure the remaining votes.

Not to be bested by Progress '05, I believe Progress '09 would not only not endorse Orange & Blue (staying silent per MM/Robert's incarnation) but endorse Unite/Johnson as a final vindication. Johnson/Unite, will more than likely offer piecemeal concessions through mid-level intermediaries and likely fail to give full faith and credit under a Johnson administration to any of the said offers come May 2009.

At this point, Dictor (like most defeated presidential candidates - e.g. Tommy Jardon, Dennis Ngin, Bruce Haupt, Jared Hernandez, Travis Marsh, etc) would either graduate and leave, fade away, or decide to hang up their prestigious SG credentials, opting for retirement and possibly living on as consultants for a carefully selected cadre of respective proteges.

It will be with Dictor's defeat (or McShera's) that we will see where th Independent movement will head post-election and into the new decade. I believe a JW/MT-led Progress would never marry Orange & Blue in the Fall of this year, then again it depends who's in the driver seat.

For O&B Trimboli is the driver (with Miorelli making the gear changes, Cavatero navigating (despite the fact the car comes with OnStar), Stacey Gray has been carefully buckeled into her baby-chair, and Hargrove's out behind in full force - pushing.) . In Progress Simmons is doing the driving, Dictor is doing the site-seeing, MT has leaned forward from the backseat to channel-surf the radio-dial, meanwhile JW & a group of SDS'ers push the car as it smokes by O&B at high speeds of 9mph - yes NINE MILES PER HOUR.

O&B Nominee, Sen. Mark McShera Speaks!

The Great Hope of UF Independents seems poised to take on Johnson, Dictor!

TheRaDiKaL: When did you arrive at UF and what organizations did you initially get ivovled with?


Sen. Mark McShera: I arrived at UF in Fall 2006 and became involved with the UF College Democrats. I also attended a few Habitat For Humanity and VOX meetings but decided to really stick with College Dems.


TheRaDiKaL: How & Why did you get involved with SG - and - do you see SG as true voice of the students?

Sen. Mark McShera: I got involved with Student Government when my friend Joe Trimboli brought me into the Fall 2007 iteration of the Progress Party. My motivation for getting involved with the SG reform movement was a general dissatisfaction with the way leaders like John Boyles represented the student body.
Currently I do not see SG as the real voice of the students, Again and again SG caves to the administration on issues like the conduct code regulation changes we say in Fall 2008.


TheRaDiKaL: Many members of the System (students & alums) have stated that O&B made a lot of noise, but failed to deliver anything of substance in chamber from Spring '08 - Fall '08. How would you respond to such statements?


Sen. Mark McShera: I would categorically disagree. We almost doubled CLAS's representation in Student Government. Our senators and supporters negotiated with the VPSA's office to make the conduct code changes more palatable. For the first time in recent memory Student Government began actually following Florida law on the Sunshine Standards. Many of our efforts were blocked by the Gator Party out of sheer bad will. I don't think we can be faulted for the failure of resolutions that 80% of students supported and the Gator Party subsequently voted down.


TheRadiKaL: In your own words, how would best (and concisely) describe the split between the two factions of O&B.


Sen. Mark McShera: Ben Dictor knew he would never been democratically nominated by the Orange & Blue Party so, after lying to nearly everyone in the party, he left and formed a third party. Dictor planned to run no matter what. He discussed his current exec ticket as early as October with Donte, the only question that remained was whether he would run under the Orange & Blue name or another. The answer to that is clear now.


TheRaDiKaL: To what degree would attribute the exclusion of Josh Simmons from any post of trust in O&B, to the split of December 2008?


Sen. Mark McShera: Simmons has his own motivations for forming a third party, I wouldn't say splitting from Orange & Blue because he was never a member of the party. Josh wants power and friends, that's all it ever came down to. He knew Joe and Sam or anyone else who knew his history would never trust him or allow him to do anything but pass out flyers. Ben Dictor and his supporters also offered Josh the base of of friends he so badly desired now that Cruts and Grove are gone. Simmons and Dictor played off of each others lust for power but I believe Simmons to be more of a bit player. Ben Dictor was going to run regardless of Josh Simmons. At this point Simmons is just along for the ride.


TheRaDiKaL: In your opinion, what motivated the Progs insofar as demanding disclosure and transparency on the GMG Emails.


Sen. Mark McShera: Ben Dictor's personal political ambitions motivated their witch hunt on the green means go emails. He wanted the party to surrender to him with empty claims about the "Green Means Go" emails. Basically he trumped up the charges he leveled in a last ditch attempt to take over the party.


TheRaDiKaL: Question #1 from Sen. Schneider: what constructive measures in the senate he's put forth to push for online voting? (not including public debate and/or questioning officials)


Sen. Mark McShera: There have been none. Attempting to push online voting in the senate would endanger the Online Voting Lawsuit as it would call into question whether final administrative action has been taken on the Amendment. The only way online voting will ever make it onto the ballot at UF will be under a court order. I suggest Senator Schneider consult both Florida law and student government history on these points.


TheRadiKaL Question #2 from Sen. Schneider: In hindsight, do you regret not adjusting the language of the handscanner bill so as to get the Gator Party behind it and if not, why?


Sen. Mark McShera: I voted for an amendment that made the bill easier for the Senators to understand in an attempt to get the handscanner bill passed. So no I don't have any regrets.


TheRaDiKaL (Question #3 from Sen. Schneider): How does Sen. McShera respond to the allegations that his treasurer candidate is a shameless opportunist, given that he sought the nomination from two parties prior to going to O&b


Sen. Mark McShera: Brandon White is the most qualified candidate to be Student Body Treasurer on the UF campus. Period. His performance in the debates thus far has clearly demonstrated this.

He is a great asset to the ticket.


The RadiKaL (Question from Fmr. CTV Director, Frank Bracco): Do you feel the good ol' boy system still exists at UF and if so in what form? How do you plan to change this system if it does exist?


Sen. Mark McShera: The Green Means Go Scandal proves that it absolutely does. The Gator/Unite Party promises away SG positions and Blue Key taps in exchange for organizational support. The best way to combat it is to appoint the most qualified candidates to all positions in Student Government.


The RaDiKaL (Question from GDI Legend, Nick Capezza): "Would a bicameral SG legislature be better for the student body?"


Sen. Mark McShera: That's an interesting question. I don't really see how a bicameral legislature would be any more effective. A larger chamber of deputies style lower house would allow for more diverse representation but would be impracticable based on colleges and residence areas. A smaller upper house would probably only divide independent support and allow for less competitive elections. Ultimately I don't think it would help.


The RaDiKaL (Question from UF Activist/Progress leader, Jon Bull): If a runoff election takes place between Jordan Johnson and Ben Dictor, could you guarantee Ben your full support?"


Sen. Mark McShera: Absolutely. Ben Dictor has shown repeteadly over the last 3 months that he would make a great Student Body President.


The RadiKaL (Question from Access Party supporter Galen Wood): How would you choose your cabinet - who do you already have in mind?


Sen. Mark McShera: I would have to consult heavily with Stacey on Cabinet Chairs and Directors, as she would be overseeing them. I don't have anyone in mind for cabinet yet. We would ultimately select the person that we thought brought the best ideas and most energy to the position.


Name Association
5 words or less

Sam Miorelli - a warhorse and a good friend
Donte Hargrove - fiery and a relentless campaigner
Toto - That joke is lost on me.
Ben Dictor - Vain
Justin Wooten - Fierce supporter of dictor
Kim Cruts - Simmons ally, minor player in Gator
Nina Martinez - dedicated campaigner
Stacey Gray - Great running mate, poised
Jordan Johnson - Nice guy but not SBP material
Thomas Jardon - History professor of the movement
Skeet Surrency - Smart guy, very funny
Joe Trimboli - one of my best friends, fierce
Glenda Frederick - Another great source of historical information
Kyle Huey - effective at almost everything a campaign needs behind the scenes
James Argento - friend of Will Foster, helped run Access
Christian Duque - always controversial but well intentioned
Ken Kerns - reunion at university ave
Armando Grundy - dedicated to the party


TheRaDiKaL: Any final thoughts?


Sen. Mark McShera: I look forward to the election this Spring and think its the best chance the independent movement has had at a major breakthrough since Access. Hopefully over the next 2 weeks the Orange & Blue Party will continue its trend of expanding election after election, culminating in the victory of of executive ticket.

That Takes Guts!

We often talk about people being brave and usually look over to our service personnel in Iraq & Afghanistan as primary examples - and they are, rest assured. But there's other examples of bravery, courageous people that are determined to living their lives 'by any means necessary' (TY Comrade Malcom).

I was at this awesome alternative diner last night and saw a really awesome looking person. I wasn't sure if he was a dragqueen (stylistic persuasion) or Trans (a bonafide gender identity) person. What I was sure about is that this person was alive, vibrant, and having a blast with friends.

Before leaving I bought a slice of cherry pie, with whipped cream, a la mode and walked over to their table. "You look awesome," I began and handed my present over. She was so happy and touched that she got up and gave me a huge hug. I'm guessing she was around 6'2 or so and had 6" heels, so she actually towered over me, lol.

She insisted we exchange numbers and said that what I had done was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her. I told her she deserved it and left.

I met a really nice person that loved life and lived on her own terms and you should all know, there's no other way that's worth living.

:)

Fantasy Motorcycle Ride

I wonder which would be more likely at this point: Ben Dictor & Mark McShera joining forces or Graham Clark going for a motorcycle ride with Justin Wooten. I have never met Wooten, though I have a great deal of respect for him. Still, it would be funny if Graham bearhugged the Dictor-Lt., with his hair blowing in the wind, as the motorbike jetsetted across University Avenue, honking and waving pedestrians up and down the boulevard.

The GMG Emails

This controversial issue will go down in history as one of the most contentious issues between the two major factions of the Orange & Blue Party. The Officials controlled meetings through adroit replies under direct questioning by Prog stalwarts in prosecutorial form. Miorelli was vocal in that he received the information by post, having kept the original envelope, and denying knowledge of its sender - a story that has not once changed.

Ben Dictor, made various comments challenging the honesty & integrity of those he once called party colleagues. Meanwhile those same party colleagues, were right to be outraged, in that everyone benefitted from the leak in Fall - including Progressive senators up for election.

But I guess the real question is, what really could have been done here? Plausibly-speaking.

The Officials Return [Heavier] Fire.

Both factions took the trouble of digging themselves in post 12/11, almost in Great War like fashion, firing sporadically at one another with the occasional mortar or two raining down on a mess hall or latrine. A few people gone blown off their can, but no major action.

Slating saw an eleventh hour attempt at peace. Ken Kerns should take pride, as do I, in that even during the slating efforts were made to reconcile. Dictor showed up, McShera did not. Mark's excuse, 'they didn't confirm'; Dictor's excuse to the 12/11 meeting cancellation/re-setting and his absence 'they didn't confirm.' Initially McShera/Officials through authorized personnel were willing to engage through yours truly (not Armando Grundy, lol), but the Progs (somewhat immaturely) demanded unconditional surrender. Gradually I wore the Progs down to accepting some concessions, culminating in a Monday night attempt to reconcile the Progs & the Officials, Dictor was willing to talk. When I asked McShera what he wanted or was willing to offer - he said 'they pull out,' another way of saying unconditional surrender.

Throughout the months of December and January, the Officials were largely on the receiving end. They lost the Prog-faction, they lost a key vote in senate, many felt undermined by Dictor's announcement to the Alligator, and still many were literally knocked off kilter to see the re-emergence of an old foe, Josh Simmons, in a top leadership capacity. To end the streak, Progress won the TheRadikal.com and SDS endorsements.

Slating, however, may have just turned the tide. The Officials secured Stacey Gray for Veep (as speculated on this site), they secured a key Treasurer candidate, they fired over two dozen campaign violations against Progresss (I think this tactic should be reserved for the Machine, but w/e), and they chose to get payback on MT with GC, only I can't promise JW won't lose his cool, as GC has taken MT and totally outdone him.

Slating numbers provided on a day-to-day also proved life in the O's was by no means defeatist. Although TR continues supporting Progress, I'm glad lines of communication remain open and strong and I hope to see both sides grow stronger, however, could the two factions kindly consider reducing the campaign violations war - I mean don't you guys think that's a bit petty? And that's being addressed to Progress folks thinking it wise to reply in turn in the future.

---

---

O&B's Mark McShera Agrees to Q&A!

While I jumped at the idea of Ben Dictor's Q&A, it proved to be a big snoozer and remains incomplete. Mark McShera, presidential candidate of the larger Indie faction (which also enjoys control of the party name) has agreed to speak to TheRadikal.com, but also promises to up Dictor in terms of content.

TheRadikal.com is also weighing options between a Q&A and/or Official Statement from Progress Party Treasurer Peter Laumann, who phoned me a couple days ago in reference to key anonymous comments made on the blog.

Speaking of phone calls....Dictor can't seem to keep his word on calling people back...can the Radikal-endorsed Progress candidate for SBP multi-task?

Also checked Brandon White's speech to the Senate -- very nostalgic of Jamal Sowell, with a tinge of militancy. I'm curious if White hold weight with the African American community - or - if he's the latest dose of Diane Kassim - merit, charisma, but no pull with BSU all rolled into one?

Progress, Orange And Blue

The Independent movement is at war - there's no other way of putting it. Compromise at this stage is still possible, it will be possible up until the day of slating - be clear on that fact! However, it's time to validate what's been said on this blog for sixty days now - there are factions, there is an ideological divide, and Dictor does have a tangible base of support.

The Officials have governed with Iron Fist... and the excuse that McShera was biding his time until Sam Miorelli announced his, is simply unacceptable. As recent as three months ago, McShera expressed no clear-cut desire in executive office of any sort. With the news that Miorelli would leave, a gap appeared out of thin air, and The Officials' hasty attempt at filling it - failed!

Fall 2008 also signaled the advent of new beginnings. The largely untapped, disillusioned (with SG) Left answered Dictor's call - and - as opposed to Officialist thinkers like Joe Trimboli & Kyle Huey, SDS is not (by majority) with them.

There is, however, something to be said about SDS Leader Skeet Surrency. Leading Progs cite that Skeet has been inactive in recent terms and that new SDS Leadership will come about - a new leadership that will likely not include the likes of Mr. Surrency.

Conflicting reports have made this lone SDS'er's loyalities somewhat ambiguous. The Officialist-line believes Surrency will not only be loyal to its faction, but that he will capitalize on O/B-Holdouts in the organization and bring about org.-wide support for McShera.

The Progressivist-line begins be refuting these assertions in that 'SDS doesn't run that way...' meaning that no single one person can turn the group. The Progs also cite that Surrency has already pledged his support - and - it wasn't to The Officials. So where does Skeet really stand and is it even relevant to SDS or the GREATER LEFT that Officialist thought has consistently refused to credit to the now splintered-off Progressive Faction of the Orange & Blue Party?

The question of reconciliation cannot be addressed until The Officials address their former comrades with the respect they're owed. Do I agree with the Progs voting down of an O/B'er? Partly, I do and partly, I've personally instigated the notion on this blog.

How can the Progs speak of ideological separation per the upcoming elections yet act inconspicuously in chambers? How do prospective supporters of the breakaway O/B Faction comprise their ideals to fall out of line and support a rebel, when that same rebel and that rebel's supporters are still in-line and actively promoting the very agenda that they're campaign literature states (or will state) they've broken away from?

Ideally, both factions will unite, but I am of the opinion that Ben Dictor offers the greatest amount of good for the independent movement and that McShera was largely thrust into the gap in a hasty, somewhat messy chain of events. I am also firmly of the belief another splinter, this time within the Officials (hereinafter dubbed "the Pragmatists" or 'the Prags') are more open to dialogue and concessions that holding the line against their populist rival faction's executive selection(s).

Institutionally speaking, however, the Officials et. al. (through Article IV. & creation of a strong Party Chair position to offset any difficulties with Miorelli's replacement) are both unprepared & unwilling to eiter share power or much less, hand it over.

Compromise Possible, Though Unlikely

There's two factions, the Progs & the Officials.
The Progs seem resolute: Dictor & Statement on GMGo.
The Officials are comprised of Hardliners & Pragmatists.
The Hardliners have taken up 'Defeatism;' the Prags - hope.
Rumor has it Armando Grundy is donating $1,000 to the Officials...
Rumor running that Joe Trimboli went log jamming w/...

Stay tuned for more.

Progs, Officials May Dialogue.

Developing story.

p.s. The Unite Party should get fucked.