Last words of another fallen to the Crab Boil

With a run-off election following spring break -- as no candidate received 50 percent of the vote -- Dan Ross is officially out of the race.

The Ugliness asked him for a statement and here's what he wrote at 3:09 a.m. (unedited, of course):

So I’m officially out of the race for the presidency and that’s fine, I was the “least” qualified person for the job. I would like to say people of the UP and Owl TV (not gonna name names) took me way too seriously. The position of president of student government really isn’t that intense, it’s just a small frame in the big picture of things. As long as you can speak English and articulate a point, that’s really all you need. Looking at the results, I received 423 votes making up 20.77% of the total vote causing the run-off between Abe Cohen & Bri Bragg. Becoming president of a University should not be easy, leaving me no regrets for running. I completely enjoyed the experience and would like to thank anyone who actually voted and supported Maria Sutton and I (you were the ones who made the right decision). When it comes down to it, whoever buys the most balloons and gives out the most shirts in the breezeway will be the winner. If anyone actually cares who I’m gonna vote for in the run-off, all I gotta say is, “Don’t Be A Baby, Vote For ABE!” Party at my house Friday, March 14th…let me know!
This message has been approved by:
Dan Ross

It was a good run kid.

Perhaps a Foul Organization

The Fowl Owl's.

Monday, the Palm Beach Post wrote about this organization, it's purpose and vandalism apparently caused by them.

If you didn't know, the Fowl Owl's are "tired of seeing UF, FSU, UCF, USF, Rutgers, USC, UM, UCLA and especially FIU shirts, hats and sweatshirts worn around campus," according to their facebook. According to the Post, the organization was started by Rick "$mitty" (yes with a dollar sign...) Smith. And the Post cites that SG Vice President Abe Cohen, currently running for president under the Voice Party, "worked with him on the program."

What a great thing for a Presidential Candidate to do help create an organization that bolsters school spirit and possibly vandalizes students' cars.

Photo by Josef Palermo

Wait... vandalism?

As Dori Zinn reported in her Inside FAU blog, "sophomore Minnie Bhimani...realized that her car ahad been vandalized...the Rice University sticker that was formally pasted onto her rear window...was missing." The only thing left: "Sammy" the owl, Rice University's mascot.

Although, an anonymous comment on Zinn's blog stated, "There's no evidence it was anymore a person on the Fowl Owls group than it was just a random douche who decided to screw with someone's sticker."

Really, who would care enough, outside this organization to randomly deface someone's sticker and only leave an owl? This is obviously some sort of owl-crazy zealot, who is most likely associated with the organization. I mean, if I was a cop, that's the first place I'd look.

Regardless, every day the University looks more and more like a microcosmic world, with political crooks and extremist groups.

Was it Abe Cohen's Fowl Owl's that were behind this? The case may never be solved, but I'd bet if FAU were a nation-state run by someone like, say, George W. Bush, and we could consider this an extremist act -- we'd be invading and/or bombing something.

Deprivation in the Morning with a Retrospective Perspective

I talked to Gary Goldberg the other day; Friday, maybe. Honestly, I just found the paper I scribbled quotes and notes on.

Goldberg is a Voice party supporter, and he wanted to give me perspective on the Strange Relations... post.

Among the many things we spoke, he stated some members of the Younity party "know how to fight fair but they know if they do they'll lose." He was speaking about the Younity party and how they "know how to make [things] appear."

He cited that it's the same members from the Younity party who perpetuate rumors about SG presidents... I've never looked into it, so I won't write on it; if you don't know what I mean, read the comments.

He also said, "Adam Fernnado was the most qualified for the [Supervisor of Elections] job," and that Jared Torres, a Younity party supporter, sat on the Senate that confirmed Fernnado.

However, this was countered by one of the many anonymous comments that:

Torres has been opposed to the appointment and confirmation of Adam Ferando since the beginning.

The commenter also recommends checking the record, something that no one will be able to do before the election is over, but I plan to do anyhow.

Fuck, how did I get off track? How did Torres get brought in to this? he's not running this year.

Oh yea, I brought him up because Goldberg cited Torres in a list of names that included, most notably, Peter Torres (former chief justice who heard from rabbits in his term) and Kurk Murray (former SG president from scandal tarnished era).

Goldberg said, they're "all in the same group." He noted it was their party that got the original Teixeira election win, circa April 2006, thrown out. Those from that clique, who haven't graduated or faded away in infamy, have formed a very recognizable part of Younity.

At this late or early hour -- it's all so strange. It seems like all parties involved are pretty sketch, but maybe that's because everybody has something to say.

"This is politics mind you..." I have to remind myself every so often.

Greg Lefkin, one of the few people without a blogger account with the fortitude to actually identify himself, stated in the ugliest thread of comments blogger has ever seen:

I was an Election's Commissioner under Supervisor's Andrew Barry and Adam Ferrando. I am also the primary author of the current SG Election Chapter 300 Statutes.
I can say with confidence and experience, there is little or no opportunity for the election supervisor to give an advantage to anyone. The online voting system is monitored by the admin as well as the commission. The only contention is that the supervisor might give information to a person before all others. ie candidacy declarations or board decisions. But as the statutes are written, this would not be an advantage because everyone is privy to this information.
...
As the author of the new statutes, I encourage all interested parties to make sure the rules are being followed and keep your eyes and ears open. The commission in not a police force, is something is wrong, report it, make a complaint. It will be public and it will be dealt with fairly, if not by the commission then by the court.

Your right Mr. Lefkin. Although, I feel like fair or rigged or batched, in the end it'll be more of the same.

If you're not at my level of democratic discouragement you can vote on MyFAU. Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. today. I have a feeling this is going to drag on after spring break though.

Twenty-four hours in and one down.

Chris Ayala dropped out of the race this morning at 1:51 a.m.

In an email sent to members of the "Ayala for Governor" Facebook group he stated:

After much consideration, I have opted to support the Voice Party and Tiffany Weimar for our campus governor...

What a Bummer... I suppose.

Just another victim of the crab boil.

Inspired by Ed Fulton.

Tonight, Ed Fulton wrote this on the Voice Party's Wall:

Someone who made a comment on the posted Sun-Sentinel article made a great suggestion that I thought I would post.

"Perhaps they could model their departments like a corporation, and nominally reward department heads by coming in UNDER budget, instead of toeing the "government" party line of "if you don't spend it all this year, you get less next year".

What a neat idea!

I dig what he says. I think it's funny that he left out the rest of the comment (what he stated is omitted):

Perhaps the VP's and above that have 3-4 assistants (one at each campus)could get by with ONE?

...

....this is an absurd policy, and I have personally seen 8 month old tech equipment get "taken away", and bigger, better flat screens...smaller lighter laptops and the like take the place of perfectly good new equipment. What happens to the old (8 months old)stuff?
Many employees with over 5 years of time in the university system COAST because they have to kill someone to get fired.
Give me a break....don't punish the students, or the teachers for that matter....start with the infrastructure!

I can understand, not wanting to piss anyone off upstairs, because some parties might say Student Affairs rigged the elections.

I've always -- for a lack of better words -- admired that revolutionary Students vs. Administration attitude that was perpetuated by some House Speakers, notably Chris Mack.

In that old spirit and, recently, inspired by Ed Fulton, here are some other quotes from the same Sun-Sentinel piece cited by Fulton:

Why are the trustees using our tax dollars at all? Why whould we pay for their trips? Its the students who matter the most, why not use the money on them, its a college after all, the students and teachers are the ones what make a school a school. Wow how much will it cost each individual member to drive to Tallahassee,$100 for gas and $100 for a one night hotel, wow, let me shed a tear for these fat cats

Yea, Why is that?

Who wants to go to this school anyway, anyone notice that FAU is in the biggest financial trouble of any state college? Their mismanagement with funds and mistreatment of students and teachers is well known and people are not coming or giving money anymore

D-D-D-Davenport ring a bell?

Great, if they consider cutting summer classes, I won't graduate until Fall 2010, instead of Spring 2009.

Me too man, Me too. How ever will Student Government save us?

I suppose they won't, even if the preamble of the SG constitution states:

We the students of the Florida Atlantic University, in order to form a Student Government, that will provide effective representation in the students’ best interests, to promote the general welfare, to ensure the continuation of self-governance, to uphold the principles of the Constitution and laws of the United States and of the State of Florida, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Florida Atlantic University Student Government.

God bless the dream...Because it's time to wake up.

But if you aren't awake and/or want to ask you SG candidates the hard questions -- you can vote, Feb. 26 and 27, on MyFau and some locations around the various campuses.

Allegations from Younity gubernatorial candidate

This afternoon, Rasheed Shotuyo, Younity gubernatorial candidate wrote this on the Voice party's wall:

someone erased my challenge to Mrs. Weimar.. so i will ask again. What will you do to strengthen this school. If you are the best canididate as you claim, speak your piece and stop erasing my messages.

Tiffany Weimar is the Voice Party's gubernatorial candidate, for those not keeping track.

Apparently there was a long winded response from Weinmar:

I have no problem discussing the many ideas that I have planned for this campus. Currently working on several university committees (CITF, AOD Task Force,Housing Committee,& Campus Recreation Advisory Board), I have and still am working with Student Government on amazing advances for the students of FAU. The greatest way to have confidence in future leaders is to look at what they have accomplished in the past. I don't know that anyone can question my passion and hardwork that I have put forth for FAU and its students. If you would like to meet up and discuss all that I stand for, let me know. As I do with running the other organizations that I am currently active in, I feel that it is important to be a true professional. I have no problem discussing any ideas with you or anyone else that is interested. Shoot me an email and we can set something up! Also, feel free to check out the Vote Voice website to see some of the plans.

I'm curious. If she has so much time to write this kind of response, why she doesn't throw the gauntlet down instead and challenge him on the issues?

Strange Relations -- Hopefully I Live through the Night.

Alex Jones did a very interesting documentary called Dark Secrets Inside Bohemian Grove.

It's an 1 hour and 34 minutes long -- I'll save you some time.
The Bohemian Grove is a secret meeting place of powerful world leaders (presidents, senators, top-level advisers), business leaders (like CEO's of Standard Oil and General Electric), University Presidents and the rest.

According to the site educate-yourself.org:

Bohemian Grove, a summer camp of sorts for the rich and powerful. Bohemian Grove is a secluded area outside Sacramento, Calif., where world leaders and dignitaries meet annually for a retreat that involves neo-pagan activities, including mock human sacrifices made before a large Owl statue referred to as "Moloch." While conducting this ritual, which they call "The Cremation of Care," participants are dressed in druid robes and chant and sing before Moloch.

And here's a New York Times Article that cites:

"The club, which holds two-week outings outside San Francisco at the Bohemian Grove, where members run about in the woods naked, includes many former Republican officials like Mr. Gergen."

Although the Times retracts the naked republicans running through the woods thing they do say "similar assertions have appeared in various newspapers over the years."

Where am I going with this?

Well, besides killing any journalist integrity by citing Alex Jones.

It touches on the idea of fraternal orders. The problem with Bohemian Grove isn't cult-like practices or running naked through the woods -- it's secret alliances and closed-door meetings.

What the hell does this have to do with SG elections?

Well, look at your current SG presidency, a particular candidate and the election board.

It's no secret: Supervisor of Elections Adam Ferrando, other members of the election board and presidential candidate SG VP Abe Cohen all have associations (membership or past membership) with Sigma Phi Epsilon (or SigEp).

Although many don't know -- the supervisor of elections has to be appointed by the Student Senate, which is run by SG VP Abe Cohen.

Sadly, because the person who witnessed it, is to cowardly to go on the record, there are rumors are abound about shady things happening in that closet across the hall from the Student Government office in the Student Union.

Notably: Unsanctioned candidate meetings between Cohen and Ferrando (Friends and Fraternity Brothers) where Cohen may have gotten a backstage look at the other candidates fliers (which have to be submitted to the supervisor of elections for approval).

I trust the SG member, who witnessed this. But I don't respect Him for not going on the record to tell the students the truth. Especially because his excuse was:

"Because I work with SGA, I will not be able to do that."

Regardless, here's what could be the truth, look into it for yourself.

When you can't make it: trust, another cynic will.

I love Dori Zinn. Her piece here: University Press and some posted below.

This is not the opinion of the Ugliness, but rather the opinion of the opinions editor at the University Press.

...The Governor hopeful that said too much without telling me anything

Mike Burdman says he has been in the House for almost a year and that he "stands for a better tomorrow." He never told me what bills he passed - apparently there were "many" of them. He never mentioned what he's going to do tomorrow… or today, for that matter. I'm not quite sure what he's running for because he never mentioned what he's done already.

The I'm not going to say it, but I'm better than you moment

Chris Ayala was the first out of all four candidates to answer the question of what their biggest accomplishment was. While Rasheed Shotuyo helped maintain an ROTC program at FAU and Tiffany Weimar was helping kids with cystic fibrosis, Ayala told us that his biggest accomplishment was having the 11th highest GPA in the College of Business. That's exactly what I want - what about your fellow students?

...

The Put that in your juice box and suck it! moment

During questions from the audience, current SG President Tony Teixeira felt it necessary to not necessarily ask a question, but rather, educate the Presidential hopefuls on what they are getting themselves into if they win. After a heated rant about what he has done to prepare for a Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday - the 13 member board that oversees FAU and President Frank Brogan - he threw down his hundreds of pages of notes like a gauntlet in front of the candidates to show them that SG isn't all "fun and games" - it's actually about doing work for the student body - something none of the candidates can say they've done.

Somewhere in between Teixeira's "question" came former Presidential hopeful Jared Torres (whom Teixeira beat for the SG president seat last year) butting in to say that Teixeira wasn't even asking a question. With the look of complete anger, Teixeira eventually asked something or another. No one really listened, though, because they were too busy waiting to see if he was going to take out Torres in the parking lot… that would have been sweet.

The pitiful party

Without a doubt, the winners are Dan Ross and Maria Sutton. Sutton, that poor girl, actually had some very positive answers to the questions throughout the night. Unfortunately, Ross made himself, and his party, look like complete idiots. In response to a question about what makes them better than the other candidates, Ross in his pony tail and flip-flops, responded with "Google is dominating. I can dominate. Vote Ross." He also said that as President, he would fix the parking garage. Too bad the follow up question wasn't why he thought it was broken. Google talk and unbroken parking garages… what do those Program Board people actually do all day?

Again, Read the whole thing: University Press

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words...or a few slurs.

See it for yourself here

Current SG Pres Threatens Independent Gubernatorial Candidate

I'm really loving the dark horse candidates in this election. Kids have come out of the wood work, as normal for the semi-annual Crab Boil.

One for example, Christopher Ayala, seems to be making waves with the current SG establishment. On the Ayala For Governor Facebook Group, he describes his platform with some choice key phrases: "...the people in charge and their parties have become distant and out of touch with students...Let us believe in Student Government again, let's change the status quo."

So Inspiring and Progressive... I guess. Regardless of how it makes me feel current SG President Tony Teixeira had something to say as he wrote, today at 1:01 p.m.:

You need to change your group description ASAP or I'll make certain you get buried in the election!!!!!

Harsh words Mr. President. Why so Brash? Why so threatening? Regardless of the questions this raises about your influence in the election process: Why five exclamation marks?

An old creative writing professor once told me, we got one exclamation mark in all of our writing in that class and that people really only get to use one in their complete and total bodies of work.

Mr. Teixeira, you are the reason why the exclamation point is dead.

A Heated Exchange Now Makes No Sense.

Whilst looking for more digital mudslinging, I noticed something was different...

What I posted on yesterday, about the heated exchange between gubernatorial candidate Kevin Cho Tipton and Younity supporter Jared M. Torres has mostly vanished from Rasheed Shotuyo gubernatorial facebook group. Mostly, in regards to Tipton's comments.

I suppose some evidence exists as Tipton writes, at 1:59 a.m.:

So there is no confusion: I believe that Rasheed is a great person, an honest
and hardworking individual and a great candidate for governor.-tipton

Possible leaving someone, who never saw the exchange, to wonder: "Why would there be confusion about how Tipton feels?" and "Why is Tipton making sure he's understood at 2 o'clock in the morning?"

Or wait, maybe it could leave someone to wonder why (before Tipton posts anything) Torres calls him out saying,

...But why must you bring up about what "people supposedly say about him or his
running mates?" It seems to me that You in fact are trying to imply that; no one
else.

Although it’s unclear who censored the wall or if it's self-censorship; regardless it is, never-the-less, censorship.

I suppose the standards of free speech -- that is, being free to say whatever you’d like and being free to face the consequences -- don't exist when it comes to SG elections, or Facebook or a combination of the two.

Perhaps it was a backroom deal (which seems unlikely while Torres' comments still exist): maybe it was a cowardice attempt by a commenter to save face. We may never know.

But it still exists here like a stain in your toilet, that no matter how hard you scrub and clean it will never go away.

Ma! There's a Shit Storm Brewing!

The candidates have begun to post their websites and facebook groups.

And, of course, nothing says "maturity, college or [especially] SG elections" like some good-old-fashion flaming.

On gubernatorial candidate Resheed Shotuyo's Facebook Group, a flame war has already erupted on his wall:

Fellow gubernatorial candidate Kevin Cho Tipton posted:

Whatever anyone says about Rasheed or his running mates. He is a good man, an honest person, and an outstanding candidate.
Best of Luck to you man,
tipton

Which, Jared M. Torres, team younity supporter (according to the Vote Younity facebook group) responded:

Tipton,
We all know that Rasheed is a great man, a true honest person, and an amazing candidate.
--- But why must you bring up about what "people supposedly say about him or his running mates?" It seems to me that You in fact are trying to imply that; no one else.

Tipton seeing a potential political shit-storm starting responded (in a panicked fashion see typos):

Rasheed understands my intentions and my message. Jared, I'm sorry that's what you interpreted b/c it is absolutely positively NOT what I was saying.
I believe whole-heartedly that Rasheed IS an honest, caring, and upstanding person. He's a great man and a hard-worker. Everytime [sic] I've collaborated with him, he has given it 120% (including in ISU as an E-board Member). He knows how I regard him and his unparallaled [sic] drive, and I know that he would make a fine governor. Without a doubt, he takes every initiative to reach his goals and to do what's right which is why I respect him a great deal.
Let NO ONE misunderstand my comment. I know that Rasheed knows what I meant, and Jared, I'm sorry you interpret it that way.
-tipton

And all this between 1:14 p.m. and 2:51 p.m.

Don't these SG kids have classes or political things to do instead of sitting around on facebook all day?

Welcome to the Crab Boil.

It's just about that magical time of the year. When all the Student Government officers join in a violent orgy of betrayal, insanity and something at deeply inbreed into this American Culture: the glory of victory.

In the beginning of this grueling event there were four Presidents and Vice Presidents, respectively:

• Dan Ross and Marria Sutton
• Abe Cohen and Ed Fulton
• Briana Bragg and Jared Stark
• James Tobin and Nisha Hollingsworth

Now, there are three after Hollingsworth pulled out of the race. One Former SG Rep speculated that Hollingsworth pulled out because she was a former ally of Tony Teixeria/Abe Cohen ticket. This same Former Rep cited that Tobin "had, alone, enough to beat the top candidate twice -- with the whole art department."

Another source speculated that Hollingsworth blamed Tobin for having to leave the house, and this was her revenge.

I could call everyone I know and get a hundred different answers, I could ask Tobin himself and probably get smoke and mirrors. But I won't -- the poor bastard, he's the first victim of this Crab Boil of an election, and I promise he won't be the last -- just watch: