EditorialPublished in the UCC Gazette 6th March 1997 "But what will a write about?" I asked, when Hugh told me to write an editorial. "Er... it'll be election day; write about that," he suggested. As he was leaving, he managed to shout back, "but make it unbiased!" Of course - unbiased. By now, if you are the kind of person who cares, you will know which candidates are going for which positions, so there is no need to re-iterate here. Being in my third year of college, I think I have some perspective on the Student's Union elections. During my first year, I will admit that I did not care, or cast a vote, when election time came around. But as this was also the year I nearly fell into a coma after drinking eight cans of Jolt, let's not pay too much heed. In second year, I put more thought into it, having become involved with societies and knowing some of the people running. I read all the leaflets, listened at the hustings, and cast my vote as I saw fit, moderately proud that I was part of the democratic process. This year, I am choosing to take a more cynical view. Although I assure you I will cast my vote, it will not be accompanied by feelings of the sort usually associated with daisy-filled meadows and sun-drenched country lanes. There will be the over-riding impression that the winner of each position will not be the most worthy of the job, but the greatest Sophist. (Sophist is the ancient Greek word for "bullshit artist". Socrates didn't like Sophists. Then again, they did poison him. Hm.) I believe that the candidates whose management teams present them in the best light, or who have more money to spend on their campaigns, will be elected. Will the candidate who has one hundred posters too many have an advantage over the candidate who adhered to the Student's Union limit of three hundred? To go on a tangent, having effectively postered over every square inch of notice board space, is it then reasonable for the candidates to complain when the clubs and societies, eager to publicise their events, inevitably poster over some of the candidates' posters? But that's enough about the elections, my feelings on which, I must stress, are my feelings alone. I will finish in the hope that even half the time, effort and energy which the candidates are expending in their election campaigns will be seen in the execution of their responsibilities. Leaving cynicism aside for the moment, I hope you enjoy this Gazette. I only found out about my expected editorial role when I read about it in last week's Gazette, so, as you can imagine, it's been frantic. As always, we will be delighted to hear your opinions and suggestions, good or bad in any medium: letters; e-mail; phone calls; Semaphore; Morse code; performance art, etc. As it's obvious I have nothing more of value to say, I'll stop now. Thanks for reading my editorial,
|