RIDICULOUS!! on Apr 23, 2008 at 09:43 AM:

Everyone here is just bitching back and forth about SUFC or ASAP or how the election was rigged.

It was rigged. In the sense that less than 5% of the student population voted. That's the truly sad thing here, and maybe you should all be a little more focused on that than complaining about something that is over and done with. Less than 5% probably amounts to friends, family, and associates of BOTH parties. I thought student government and democracy here was about what was best for STUDENTS, and isn't that what ALL of us here are? My mistake....

And this is directed towards both parties. ASAP and SUFC are both guilty of this, and I honestly wouldn't want either of your parties running my student government. I graduate next month, and am disappointed in the state our university is being left in.

Seth Ulysses Fred Cole on Apr 23, 2008 at 08:12 AM:

Nice Try fuckers!!! We're back for another year so quit your whining and deal with it!!!

UC= Waste of Money on Apr 23, 2008 at 07:04 AM:

UC has FAR worse problems than the UWM SA. UWM would be WASTING its money sending a delegation to a conference. It would cost students at least $12,000.00 a year to send a delegation to every conference in which you learn NOTHING because the people run it are EXTREMELY incompetent. All you pretty much do is drink in your hotel room.

Plus, Mr. Chad Johnson, I hope the SA sends a delegation to whichever conference the elections are b/c you would be the WORST UC President. But, then again, it really would not matter b/c nobody in the UW-SYSTEM...ESPECIALLY the Board of Regents takes UC seriously. Back in the day, UC used to be an incredible organization that the legislature and Board took serviously and valued their opinion. Now, it is the complete opposite.

Why don't you tell me, out of the hundreds of thousands of dollars UWM Students spend on UC a year, what does UC do for them? Don't tell me "lobby" because tuition has sky-rocketed, UC has allowed differential tuition to get out of control, and students have NO representation in the legislature unless they lobby themselves...so, Chad Johnson, answer me this...

Chad Johnson on Apr 22, 2008 at 11:29 PM:

SA Senator,

So glad you don't use your own name, however, if you would like you can address me in person on my public speaking; though I do feel you attacked my presentation because you can’t counter my positions stated above. Why don’t you attack my argument and not something most of the people on here didn’t have the chance to see...could it be you have a hard time challenging my statements?

By the way, would you happen to be one those senators who had nothing to say when I came to the senate...which was everyone but two people (and one stand up senator after the senate). You could hear a pin drop in the senate because MOST of you don't know enough about UC (which your constituents are paying for) or have never been directly involved. Also a big thank you goes out to you honorable senator for allowing my money as a student to be wasted because you didn’t feel the need to ensure UWM students are represented in an organization WE PAY for. ahhhh, democracy it its best...

Dr. on Apr 22, 2008 at 11:00 PM:

Dan, make me my goddamn drink, you swine!

This glass isn't going to fill itself!

Daniel V. Bahr on Apr 22, 2008 at 10:22 PM:

Re: Comment Above on Apr 22, 2008 at 01:52 PM:

"This year's IEC chose to hold that and the Student Court size referendum separate from the Senate and Pres/VP elections to make it more manageable. Of course, to make it more manageable and allow Bahr to concentrate his efforts at ripping flyers from voters hands. Hopefully, we can hold a new election at the same time as the referendum."

No,

It is mandated in the bylaws that the student election and the referendum question elections be held at least two weeks apart. SA Senate and President Elections can ONLY be held during the month of April per the SA Constitution. If you want to make comments, perhaps you should get a clue first.

SA Senator on Apr 22, 2008 at 09:46 PM:

Is this the same Chad Johnson that made a terrible attempt to convince the senate to stay in UC?

I was embarassed for you as I watched. Just terrible. Jesus.

Chad Johnson on Apr 22, 2008 at 09:07 PM:

This is my first semester at UWM and I have to say I have never been so disgusted by student politics. Coming from someone who has been the Vice President of UW Stout's student government and been the commissioner of two elections this is the most ridiculous election I have witnessed.All of my interactions with SUFC have been mediocre and though they seem to have a decent platform...they also seem like they don't actually follow it all the time. I will tell you this much...when I was VP of my student government if we would have taken a trip like that we would have been hung when it was exposed how irresponsibly money was managed while we were there...HAS ANYONE EVER SEEN THE MILLENNIUM HILTON??? I HAVE. Also I cant believe the justification was was partially based on training for elections...Obviously the 12 grand wasn't all that worth it. Neither party really seemed to have had a thought out campaign or meaningful action plan. The choices for this election were between those who have good idea but don't actually do what they say and run a shady government...believe me the word is out to the rest of the UWs and has been out about Milwaukee's SA for a while...and the other choice was a group that though they had good intentions too didn't seem to fully grasp what was going on..CHAPTER 17 ANYONE????????? When I asked the ASAP VP candidate about their plan for chapter 17 he told me thats not his area and I should talk to Scott!!!! Now that I am UWM student PAYING the segregated fees that SA controls I will be at every SA meeting I can make it too.

It is clear that the election process is obviously in need to serious reform.

BY THE WAY DID YOU KNOW THAT UWM STUDENTS PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EVERY ACADEMIC YEAR TO BE A PART OF THE UNITED COUNCIL OF UW STUDENTS?...BUT BECAUSE SUFC DOESN'T SEEM TO LIKE UC THEY ONLY HAVE HAD TWO PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN A TOTAL OF 2 OF THE UC GENERAL ASSEMBLIES THIS YEAR...JOE OHLER, AND ME(BECAUSE I WENT TO THEM) TO A TOTAL OF 4 ASSEMBLIES THIS YEAR...ONE WAS EVEN AT UWM AND THERE WAS ONLY JOE THERE FOR UWM. UWM CAN SEND 9 DELEGATES TO UC, SO OUT OF 36 POSSIBLE DELEGATES THEY HAD TWO 2 TOTAL ACTUALLY FULLY PARTISIPATE ...BECAUSE SUFC DOESN'T WANT TO BE IN UC THEY APPEAR TO HAVE BOYCOTTED IT..THUS MORE OR LESS ALLOWING THOUSANDS OF STUDENT DOLLARS TO BE WASTED! THATS FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. UC COULD USE SOME CHANGE AND THAT IS WHERE I CAN AGREE WITH SUFC, BUT HOW CAN YOU CHANGE SOMETHING IF YOU DON'T ATTEND.

I AM RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT OF UNITED COUNCIL AT THE ASSEMBLY THIS WEEKEND THAT WILL BE HELD AT UW STEVENS POINT...THIS MEANS WE CAN HAVE 8 MORE PEOPLE COME, I AM CURRENTLY GOING TO BE PAYING FOR MY OWN WAY FOR TRAVEL AND A PLACE TO STAY AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE...IF THERE IS ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO AND HELP REPRESENT UWM (WE THE STUDENTS ARE PAYING FOR IT) I HAVE ROOM FOR 4 PEOPLE IN MY CAR AND YOU CAN STAY WITH ME FOR FREE (SINCE I'M ALREADY PAYING FOR IT). ANYONE WILLING TO DRIVE IN CASE MORE THAN 4 PEOPLE WANT TO COME THAT WOULD BE AMAZING. LETTING ME KNOW ASAP IS IMPORTANT. my email is johns699@uwm.edu and my cell is 414 507 6955. Find me on facebook under chad allen johnson belonging to the Stout and Milwaukee network.

FINALLY I HOPE ALL THIS ACTIVISM RESULTS IN US ALL BE INVOLVED...EVEN IF IT MEANS GOING TO SENATE MEETINGS TO SHOW WE CARE! LETS NOT HAVE THIS JUST BE TEMPORARY INTEREST BECAUSE OF THE ELECTION. SA HAS THE ABILITY TO DO A LOT AND CONTROLS A LOT OF MONEY...plus there are many issues facing UWM and all UW students.

Julio Guerrero on Apr 24, 2008 at 08:40 PM:

I dropped the last two complaints for one reason only, the result of hearing those complaints would likely not have had an effect upon the outcome of the election.

I have no desire to pursue complaints that would only fracture an already unstable relationship between the two parties involved.

I hope that after the hurt feelings go away, and the animosity subsides that our parties can work together in an amicable fashion and accomplish what we all set out to do. And of course that is, work together to make this school better than it was before we got here.

Julio Guerrero ASAP Co-Chair McNair/URC Scholar

Dr. on Apr 22, 2008 at 06:12 PM:

Dan Bahr needs to get on his knees and mix me a drink. A Rusty Nail, Dan-o! As for the bummer that follows SUFC like a storm cloud in the west, that party would probably do well for itself if it stuck to playing with roofies and water sports.

What Do you Want SA to do? on Apr 22, 2008 at 03:38 PM:

Let's not talk about the past. All of you with all these "ideas" about what SA SHOULD NOT be doing. Tell me what you want SA to do and what campaigns you want SA to work on. Let's not talk about the past, let's talk about the future. No complaining, no pointing fingers...let's talk about REAL campaigns for REAL students :)

Jim Lemke on Apr 22, 2008 at 03:15 PM:

Though I am proud of the work of SUFC over the last year, for me this isn't about parties, its about the future of UWM. GO PANTHERS!

Concerned Student on Apr 22, 2008 at 03:09 PM:

Its not based on who's conservative and who's liberal. Its a matter of who does what needs to be done on campus. In the past years its very evident the most ethical and effective decisions have not been made and the most responsible people have not been in office. Our student association is not seen as forward and progressive it is seen as a joke. Over the past years this fact has been broadcast over local news and is known and laughed at around the entire UW system. Dan Bahr may be a liberal but he has been extreme and unclear about his intentions for this past election. SUFC has also been extreme and unclear over the entire time I have been at student at UWM by not sticking to their original platforms and not really doing anything but banking money and finding ways to use it only at their own benefits. All I can say is if SUFC wants respect they need to stick with an agenda and make ethical decisions. A pay cut needs to happen because the entire delegation gets payed way too much for what they do, and students in the SA need to act like elected officials and improve their reputation on campus but especially off campus as well. The Student Association needs to realize they make decisions that affect the students and the university and their job is to make changes for the better regarding all students at UWM.

Re: Comment Above on Apr 22, 2008 at 01:52 PM:

"This year's IEC chose to hold that and the Student Court size referendum separate from the Senate and Pres/VP elections to make it more manageable." Of course, to make it more manageable and allow Bahr to concentrate his efforts at ripping flyers from voters hands. Hopefully, we can hold a new election at the same time as the referendum.

Re: Interested Student on Apr 22, 2008 at 01:21 PM:

The United Council referendum will be on the ballot in a few weeks, probably the week before finals. This year's IEC chose to hold that and the Student Court size referendum separate from the Senate and Pres/VP elections to make it more manageable.

Kenneth on Apr 22, 2008 at 12:14 PM:

Ah! Dan Bahr! That's the name I was looking for! Thanks Percplayer.

Percplayer on Apr 22, 2008 at 12:20 PM:

Oh jeez...now you will forever associate Dan Bahr as a "poo head"...

Kenneth on Apr 22, 2008 at 12:21 PM:

Sorry that I keep posting, but this link helps illustrate the issues that we have with the IEC and this election:

http://uwmpost.com/article/52/20/3132-Sedition-Act-shot-down-at-SA-meeting

Only two months ago Bahr made the transition from SUFC Speaker to.... Commissioner of the Independent Elections Committee... all you really have to do is connect the dots to realize why ASAP was thrown off the ballot.

Also, what's the deal with IEC people refusing voters to carry in the list with write-in names?

Percplayer on Apr 22, 2008 at 12:11 PM:

Well my comment wasn't very ignorant, because I have actually have read all of the bylaws and actually done revisions on them when in SA... so...

I'm sorry. It was just the frustration talking in the form of a rant...that is what these comment areas are for right?...little bit of rant, little bit of logical debate...

And honestly, It's not like I'm calling Dan Bahr a "poo head" or something like that....

re:kenneth on Apr 22, 2008 at 11:56 AM:

thanks for a thoughtful and logical argument. its a breath of fresh air.

re: check off funding. on Apr 22, 2008 at 11:55 AM:

"And the check off money will somehow go all to the SA budget for “salary” and “trip expenses”..."

Can you read??? Do you understand anything that was on the paper in front of you when you voted for student org funding???

The check off ballots specifically say that if you do not allocate the funding on those lines that they will be put into the general SAC account. That means that those funds will be appropriated to student orgs coming to the committee for funding.

Those lines most certainly do not go to the executive branch for salary expenses, nor do they go to the travel budget.

Don't make ignorant statements like the one you just made. that's the majority of the problem here. people are mislead by statements like those and hate the student government for no reason.

Kenneth on Apr 22, 2008 at 11:46 AM:

This last election (and even the election before it) were basically just huge popularity contests. These people would posts notes on Facebook, and their friends would spread the word and that is how they get elected into office. That's the basis for securing votes-- same goes with chalking. They don't show any standpoints on issues, nor do they share with students what they are going to do. It's a popularity contest, and about how many people you can manipulate into voting.

Granted, the Post did this when they endorsed ASAP, but they provided solid reasons, and gave the students actual information that could help influence their decision.

Unfortunately ASAP was thrown off the ballot for (among other things) negative campaigning. ASAP individuals would have to be complete idiots to distribute those flyers when they knew they were so close to being thrown off. Why would these potential leaders throw all of their chances out of the window? They wouldn't.

The issue is that the head of IEC is affiliated (read: biased) towards SUFC. I've worked in student government before, and have seen that the IEC is really a joke. It's a sloppily assembled group of people that want to bring 'justice' and 'democracy' to the students. Now, I'm sure there were a lot of IEC members that did their job and they did it well -- to which I congratulate them. The real problem with the IEC is their chairman. The UWM homepage doesn't really link to an IEC page (just takes you to student org main page), so I can't retrieve his name right now. Nevertheless, his affiliation in the past, and friendships with members of SUFC completely invalidates the 'fairness' and 'objective' stance that IEC needs to take on the election.

Those negative flyers could have been thrown up by anybody. Whatever happened to "innocent until proven guilty?" In the eyes of the IEC, they were guilty until proven innocent.

After seeing clips from these groups argue, it is clear that SUFC (namely Rob Grover) is completely arrogant and elitist. They have this false confidence about them that they knew they were going to win, and that there was nothing that was going to stop them. Has anybody ( other than his friends and people not involved in SUFC) ever talked to Rob Grover? I have. I have dealt with him before-- he is completely patronizing.

About this whole democrat/republican argument: I haven't kept up with campus politics in the last year (even though I voted for SUFC in 2007), but I haven't seen any notable contribution that SUFC has made. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the acronym stand for "Students United for Change?" The irony kills me.

Having seen student government (and even some people that got elected) from the inside, I can vouch that it is essentially a boys club with a huge bank account. These 'conferences' that they go to are nothing more than a glorified trip and party paid for by everybody else that goes to school here. Student government (for those without a passion for it) is about having fun with your friends, getting paid to do your job [by job I mean sitting around in your office on your ass watching 'The Price is Right'] (Yes, people... some of these positions pay several thousands of dollars), taking trips that are covered by the University, and have a great thing to put on your resumé when you are all done with school. Oddly enough it seems that some of these people just don't want to get out of school, as they are either Super Seniors, or above that. (No offense to 5 year seniors-- I understand changing your major and all, but these people are delaying it to stay in student government.) Another reason they do it is for the celebrity, and the self-reassurance. Whenever things go bad in their lives they can be reassured and think ' Hey! I'm Student Association President! I got voted in by nearly 600 of my peers! [ a little over 2% of the students that go here] People love me! I'm important!' It's pitiful.

And now according to IEC bylaws, you need 8,000 signatures to redo the election? How does that make any sense at all, when only 1200 or so voted in total? The entire system needs to be reformed-- there is absolutely NO checks and balances in student government. The problem is that students have given up on Student Association. The last few years have killed any interest that the normal student would have in the organization-- mainly due to stupid mistakes, lame duck administrations (that waste money going on trips and conferences), and corruption.

Would ASAP have ended this? I don't know. We thought that SUFC would end USV's corruption last year, but instead just prolonged it. Students are tired... students hate reading stories about SA.... they want/need a new system, but there is no realistic way to reorganize. Shame on me for not reading the pages upon pages of bylaws, but it seems that SA is pretty damn protected from any sort of 'revolution' as it were. Students can't rise against the student government (how cute), nor can any other group impeach or get rid of members (other than SA itself. This monster has grown much too big to take control over, and that's why we need to do as much as we can to get new blood into that space. A new party (or ASAP) needs to actually address these issues, and let students know what they want to do. As we've discovered with SUFC words are not enough-- but this new group needs to follow through with what they say. Even though I am not sure if ASAP would have, I would rather take that risk than be certain of another year full of stagnation, corruption and wasteful expenses.

I propose one question to members of SUFC... what is it that you actually do at conferences? Please show me some examples of what you have learned, what you have implemented, and why they should cost several thousands of dollars to attend. Also, in the words of Bob Slydell from 'Office Space';

What would you say you do here?

Percplayer on Apr 22, 2008 at 11:33 AM:

I second "A Real Student" and the sentiment of their statement. This is all a joke.

As a former SA senator, I did my best to represent my school and the university as a whole. It is now sad and scary what has become of this potentially powerful and important institution that is SA. When you see numbers in the tens of thousands of dollars being embezzled or wasted, and pieces of legislature like the Sedition act actually being passed by the Senate, it is of great concern of what the future will hold.

So, after 3 years of trying involved and make a difference, I've given up. I even thought I could just vote in peace, but no. I can't even vote without being harassed by complete lies about me bringing in a list of names to write in and having my privacy invaded by someone taking photos of me without my permission (I now know it was you Tommy Hughes, and you'll make a great VP by pissing people off like that...) I don't even think I'm going to vote in next election, because what is the point really? One party elections due to ridiculous and stupid election laws? And the check off money will somehow go all to the SA budget for “salary” and “trip expenses”... Really, everyone makes me sick, and I will just focus on helping out my school/department and getting the hell out of this Godforsaken University to make a difference in the real world.

Mark Zeihen on Apr 22, 2008 at 11:27 AM:

Tom is right.

Re: Tom Keeley on Apr 22, 2008 at 11:15 AM:

An addition to my last post...how have you been Tom? How's DC treating you? Hope all is well...

As for a post I remember on here awhile back about how ex-SA officials are losers and the joke was "where are they today?"...Tom is livin' it up in DC...sounds pretty good to me!

fact on Apr 22, 2008 at 11:07 AM:

in re to the last comment: asap filed appeals thru the student court not to the administration

re: fact on Apr 22, 2008 at 11:10 AM:

no one cares. fact.

Re: Thomas Keeley on Apr 22, 2008 at 11:00 AM:

You're right. If anything Stan and Russ advanced student's rights on campus. Before USV came into office the administration used to LITERALLY run SA through "little incentives" that they would give SA officials. The administration ran a "puppet government" under MKE.

Stan and Russ may have gotten terrible media coverage, but as you all know...do not believe what you read in the media...these guys genuinely helped students and advanced shared governance on this campus.

It is no surprise to me that ASAP runs to the administration for an appeal. That is the same thing MKE did when they lost their election. STUDENTS ON CAMPUS NEED TO SAY NO TO PUPPET GOVERNMENTS RAN BY THE UWM ADMINISTRATION.

Thomas Keeley on Apr 22, 2008 at 10:33 AM:

RE: TUVW

SA wasn't ruined by Stan and Russ, there are many people who contributed to SA's bad reputation.

Thomas Keeley on Apr 22, 2008 at 10:29 AM:

I don't care what anyone says, but conservative/liberal/libertarian ideologies do play a role in student government, but they shouldn't necessarily be determining factors.

To "Conservative/Liberal" - I would argue that there are many issues that SA deals with that could have differing approaches, based on ideology.

For example, instead of providing a wide variety of services, the conservative outlook should be to eradicate duplicate services to lessen the burden on the student who have to pay for those. As long as it's done based on financial rationale and not personal grudges, I think the students would be happy with that.

That then lessens a students tuition, or frees up that funding for additional projects.

I think that students should be happy there are more conservatives in the mix this year. And no, it isn't a conservative takeover. I see a good number of liberals and conservatives, which should lead to some great ideas coming from SA.

It's a presidential election year, I would hope that these two groups of ideologues will put together the necessary pieces to develop one of the largest GOTV drives UWM has seen, maybe even generate national attention.

I know for a fact that Wisconsin is going to be a key state for both parties, and if UWM organizes early enough, I see no doubt that it will be a stop for both Presidential candidates.

It's things like this that show the advantages of knowing the ideology of those we elect, even at the student government level.

However, its holding them accountable thats the tougher part.

Sadly, thats usually the toughest part.

re: tuvw on Apr 22, 2008 at 10:26 AM:

"Last time I checked Mr. Bahr, slander only applied to individuals, not a party itself."

not according to the by-laws. maybe you doing believe an a system of order. maybe you believe that there should be no rules to abide by. tuvw you are an anarchist. we do not run our school by means of anarchy.

asap on Apr 22, 2008 at 10:24 AM:

is basically all the members of wispirg and sds. you want to talk about a political agenda and only mention sufc, get your facts straight. at least sufc has members of the college democrats and college republicans and not just extremist left groups.

tuvw on Apr 22, 2008 at 10:07 AM:

Dan Bahr is not a huge Democrat, he's an open libertarian. Obviously the libertarians are going to align themselves with the conservatives.

You're right though, it shouldn't be a "conservative/liberal" issue. Though I would contend that there is a conservative or liberal slant to each of those issues you mentioned.

And you're right again, about the past president guy, I recall that he was always chatting it up with Russ Rueden and Stan Rubins, who are without a doubt the architects of the mess SA is currently in today.

Maybe this all started with a "conservative/liberal" power scheme.

I just think it's sad that even the leaders in SA today can be tied in some way to the corrupt people who ruined SA years ago.

I guess what's even more sad is the fact that I'm posting so much on student government when there are much larger issues to deal with in the world. :(

Conservative/Liberal on Apr 22, 2008 at 09:56 AM:

I'll have you know that the past conservative president you're talking about was worse...he was just quiet when he did it. Just so you all know...Dan Bahr is a HUGE Democrat...he has spoke with Governor Doyle at events, campaigned for MANY Democratic candidates, and even did poll watching for a Democratic leaning organization...I suggest you all get to know one another before you pass judgment.

When I was involved in student government some years ago, it was not about conservative/liberal...it was about the best interest of the students. There is not a conservative slant to parking issues, textbook adoption, and many other IMPORTANT student issues. I suggest you all ban together for the good of the students and work on those issues that you agree with.

Re: Allyson on Apr 22, 2008 at 09:49 AM:

lets hold a protest against the post like the hippies were planning on doing against sufc. obviously the post is living in a fantasy land.

tuvw on Apr 22, 2008 at 09:50 AM:

I'm not too worried about this, the results just scream scandal.

I think it's quite clear that there is a hardcore attempt by the conservatives on campus to take over, by any means possible.

I've watched the conservative movement on campus go from a more modest, pride and issue driven organization to the power-hungry, hypocritical organization that it is today.

They tout their conservatism in these boards and around campus, but what conservative ideals are they really trying to implement? I have no doubt that the organization that aligns itself with being for "limited government" is the first organization to have their funding requests in. Hypocritical? I think so.

I'd consider myself a liberal in the scheme of things, but even so, I used to have a lot of respect for the conservative movement on campus a couple of years ago. In many of my political science classes I had the president of some of the conservative groups (who I assumed graduated or got arrested) and he never seemed like the type of person who would partake in or condone any of these shenanigans.

Though, one thing I've become quite convinced of is that if there are people who shouldn't be trusted, conservatives are on the top of the list.

There will be a battle on this. In the past, the elections have been fishy, but this time around it just screams obvious fraud.

Last time I checked Mr. Bahr, slander only applied to individuals, not a party itself.

Re: Re: Just an Observer on Apr 24, 2008 at 02:30 PM:

Hmm, when I caught a glimpse of the tail-end of the latest batch of IEC complaints, Julio withdrew the last few, so I'm guessing some of those were the made-up stories you refer to. If this is the case, maybe he's not that bad, maybe he thought better of the allegations after sleeping on it. Still, I agree that one should tread carefully.

Allyson on Apr 22, 2008 at 09:18 AM:

I called Isral's cell this morning and asked that he get in touch with me as to when this issue will be resolved, and I would advise other SUFC members to do the same as well. Please call him and ask him nicely if he would get rid of these kinds of comments. I won't post his cell number here, but you can leave a voicemail with the post's office at 229-4578.

I also made him aware of the comments on the Ryan Cardarella story that read as follows:

"Fuck Dan Bahr on Apr 21, 2008 at 05:00 PM:

What an asshole.

Fuck u Dan Bahr on Apr 21, 2008 at 05:48 PM:

Eat dick asshole. I hope you burn in hell. Good luck in the real world cockbag."

This double standard held by the post of allowing comments like these about SUFC to stand while comments about ASAP and their supporters are censored, changed, and removed is not very objective on their end, nor is it the kind of image that I think they want to project as the independent weekly here at UWM.

Allyson on Apr 22, 2008 at 08:08 AM:

Student1 -

I actually called The Post's office yesterday shortly after I had found out that the Dan Bahr comment had been posted, and whoever I talked to on the phone said it would be taken care of immediately.

Apparently not, because it's still standing today.

A real student.... worried about real issues on Apr 22, 2008 at 05:49 AM:

The student government is a joke. They don't do anything but try to piss people off.. Its really just an excuse to have something down on a resume for after college... But what these right wing nuts don't understand is that if anyone reads thats they were apart of the UWM student government that resume will become nothing more than a piece of toilet paper. This system is F*cked beyond all repair.

Be proud of yourselves you made some neat green t-shirts and lied your asses of to all the students... you don't give two shits about students at this school you care about yourselves. The fascists in the SUFC and the hippie stoners... You are all a joke.

SUFC is full of sexist/racist/elitist right wing posers.

Any other opposition is full of people who just want to cry and moan for the sake of crying and moaning. They wouldn't know what to do if they were 'elected'....

that is if a real election actually took place.

I'm going to focus on my studies and actually try to make a difference in my community instead of worrying about who is going to pretend to have some kind of power.

SUFC senator elect on Apr 22, 2008 at 02:31 AM:

hahaha I love our crazy student government and I wouldn't change a single thing about it! That includes all the hippies and conservatives involved!

You have to admit without all the bickering SA wouldn't be nearly this much fun or entertaining!

Sore Loser on Apr 22, 2008 at 02:29 AM:

We lost and I don't like it so I’m just going to make profane and childish comments about Dan, Tyler, and Tommy. Real Mature. Perhaps this is why you lost?

Confused on Apr 22, 2008 at 02:26 AM:

Jimmy, if you support SUFC, why do you have a such a profound problem with someone supposedly using your name to write something you would agree with???

another student on Apr 22, 2008 at 01:09 AM:

They haven't changed anything today, dolt.

student1 on Apr 21, 2008 at 11:47 PM:

oh, and equating tommy hughes to hitler, a person who killed millions of people, is perfectly fine, but saying that katie jessie aborts babies is unacceptable? although i do not agree with either comment, there is an obviously perfect reason to throw the bullshit flag on the post here. the post will never amount to anything so long as it continues to write and allow for this garbage that some are calling journalism.

sudent1 on Apr 21, 2008 at 11:41 PM:

its funny that the post doesn't delete profane post about dan, tommy, tyler, and the rest of sufc, but yet the deleted a comment about katie jesse the second it is posted. way to show your bias post. maybe i should file a lawsuit with the aclu about your silencing of students rights to voice their opinion. silencing one side and not the other is what you at the post have been bickering about this entire election cycle, but then you go and do it yourself. wow do i love people who cover up their biases.

The real Jimmy Lemke on Apr 21, 2008 at 11:03 PM:

Also, I do support SUFC and their agenda but I don’t like others posting under my name!!!

The real Jimmy Lemke on Apr 21, 2008 at 10:47 PM:

Hey jackass. Stop using my name. Seriously, you're starting to piss me off.

Jessica Skinner on Apr 21, 2008 at 10:08 PM:

Congrats Tommy! I think you will do a great job!

Jim Lemke on Apr 22, 2008 at 01:20 PM:

Obviously my political affiliations have nothing to do with this. The second post under "The real Jimmy Lemke" is the same IP address as the person who originally posted under my name on this article.

Poll Worker on Apr 21, 2008 at 10:11 PM:

As a poll worker and one of the individuals who counted the ballots after the election, I can say that we counted each and every ballot that was cast in the election, and we numbered each ballot with a starting number (1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000) reflecting the four voting locations. A very professional job done by all of my fellow poll workers.

UWM Student on Apr 21, 2008 at 08:24 PM:

Re: Recall! RECALL!

http://www.uwm.edu/StudentOrg/sa/executive/documents/bylaws/iec/current/bylaws_iec.pdf

Article X

Good luck, you will need 5x (~7500 - 8000) as many signatures to start the recall as there were people who participated in the election to begin with.

If you are petitioning for a recall because of fraud by the IEC, be aware that the IEC is the one that reviews the petition. He'll be the one that decides if there is merit to have a recall election. Of course the right thing for him to do is to recuse himself since he'd the subject of the recall. Don't hold your breath on that.

Also, circulate the bylaws before they mysteriously disappear.

36.09(5) on Apr 21, 2008 at 05:11 PM:

I don't think that Student Government should be regulated by anyone but students. SS. 36.09(5) allows students to oragnize in a manner that they determine. This includes the election of students within the Student Government. This is not a problem for the state or admin, it is a student problem and should be solved by students. Lets not allow this election to diminish SS. 36.09(5). If students cared more we wouldn't have these problems, but they don't so we must all live with the outcome.

Fightin' Brian on Apr 21, 2008 at 04:55 PM:

I urge students to petition the State of Wisconsin to abolish the legislative right for a student government without any oversight. We are required to PAY for this government.

Recall! RECALL!! on Apr 21, 2008 at 02:59 PM:

What are the rules for a recall? If someone has them, please post. We will need to be careful that Bahr doesn't pull the petitions out of our hands!

HaHaHa on Apr 21, 2008 at 02:09 PM:

You call this a victory SUFC. Give me a break. Tyler Kristopeit, is the worst campaign manager ever. A word to future Republican candidates, DON'T HIRE, Tyler!!!

Re: on Apr 21, 2008 at 01:12 PM:

yeah just watch the post not censor that one...

Dan Bahr Blows Monkey Cock on Apr 21, 2008 at 12:52 PM:

I think it is all the name...

and the monkey in this situation is Tommy Hughes

losers on Apr 21, 2008 at 12:47 PM:

I'm glad SUFC is so proud of the way in which the won....

hmm on Apr 21, 2008 at 12:48 PM:

impeachment anyone?

OMG! on Apr 21, 2008 at 12:43 PM:

WTF is wrong with this campus! DO YOU REALIZE THAT YOU JUST GAVE HITLER HUGHES MORE POWER! SERIOUSLY? THIS IS FUCKED UP!

Time for SUFC to make good on its promise on Apr 21, 2008 at 12:46 PM:

Since they managed to steal the election by getting the opposition tossed, now its time for SUFC to step up and start and saving us money. They can start by refusing the money set aside ot pay the salaried positions in student government. If they're so concerned about saving us money they can start with themselves before cutting student services and resource centers. If they're so dedicated to us they'll all work for free.

SUFC on Apr 21, 2008 at 12:34 PM:

um, we're bringin sexy back

and asap don't know how to act

Re: SUFC You're a joke on Apr 21, 2008 at 11:59 AM:

As someone who ran with SUFC I can assure all students that our party represents this year more than ever a multitude of opinions (in stark contrast to our opponents, who know each other from a political action committee). While there is a conservative element (which is indeed very proud of itself) there are also many more liberal minded individuals on the ticket (such as mia steineman, or emma sonney). I can only guess who made that specific comment, I wouldn't take much stock in it.

SUFC You're a Joke on Apr 21, 2008 at 11:53 AM:

"Successful, conservative government" Do you mean successful at cutting students programs, giving yourselves raises and vacationing on students' funds? Are you busy writing Sedition Act Part II??

Re lets get fired up! on Apr 21, 2008 at 11:51 AM:

well the hippies just can't deal that they lost man.

it's no national election. follow the rules.

need further details? see my remarks on the editorial

Oh sweet sham! on Apr 21, 2008 at 11:45 AM:

Shams rock, don't ya know?!?

sweet sham? on Apr 21, 2008 at 11:47 AM:

dude I love shamrock shakes

Lets get more fired up! on Apr 21, 2008 at 11:48 AM:

Almost everyone here makes this out to be a national election, where some sort of fascists came in, and oppressed the masses. The facts are that it is a student government elections, where negative campaigning is not allowed. ASAP failed to understand this, and did everything they could to break the by-laws including campaigning on election day. So, ASAP endorsing UWM Post, we all see your emotions (and those of the other five posting comments) are riding high... Maybe writing frivilously about something else nobody cares about might help your cause.

SEDITION!!! on Apr 21, 2008 at 11:45 AM:

hahaha....

Joe Ohler (SUFC) - 563

re: states perception on Apr 21, 2008 at 11:44 AM:

oh katie get over it.

I don't read The Card. it's more biased than the post (hard to believe) but Madison is more left leaning than milwaukee. it's like a bastion of liberalism. of course they look with disdain upon our successful, conservative government.

Hmmmm on Apr 21, 2008 at 11:36 AM:

this election can suck my fattie

State's Perception of SA Negative on Apr 21, 2008 at 11:23 AM:

I think you need to start reading articles from throughout the state including UW-Madison to see how negatively the UW-Milwaukee SA is viewed. The election was a sham and SUFC, especially Bahr, has nothing to be proud of with the pathetic turn out and win. Of course you won, you were the only ones on the ballot. Don't get too comfortable as the new SA and start planning your vacations. Students are angry and will protest, recall and seek a fair election no matter what it takes!

oh Chris on Apr 21, 2008 at 10:39 AM:

did Scott offer to sign your ASAP sheet for you? perhaps your ballot.

^-^

Re: Percplayer on Apr 21, 2008 at 10:34 AM:

actually, our fabulously conservative government has drawn much acclaim throughout the state, and even without being known for being conservative, is known as one of the most active and aggressive student associations in the state.

Percplayer on Apr 21, 2008 at 09:56 AM:

Another year, another unfair, undemocratic election. Thank you Mr. Bahr, and other leaders of SA for making UWM's student government the laughingstock of the state.

Re: Just an Observor who Supports SUFC on Apr 24, 2008 at 08:59 AM:

I don’t now about Julio’s maturity. If he labels you as one of his political opponents, he will take it personally and sever any former semblance of friendship, as well as manufacture hearsay stories in an impotent attempt to discredit the apparent enemy. I wouldn’t trust him even as an office manager. One well-written post cannot make up for what he has done over the past month.

Chris Walker on Apr 21, 2008 at 09:54 AM:

Sweep? It may be that there was a sweep in the elections. However, the legitimacy of the "sweep" may be as legitimate as other elections which have only one party on the ballot - think China, Soviet Russia, Cuba, North Korea.

I'm not saying that SUFC or next year's SA are comparable to those countries (they have a much higher GDP, for just one example :-p). What I am saying is that the legitimacy of the SUFC-led SA next year will be about as legitimate as any country's elections that provide only one choice on the ballot.

Until the elections process is reformed to allow both free speech (early campaigning, moderated negative campaigning, etc) and the right of parties to remain on ballots (since they were petitioned to be on the ballot by students at UWM), the elections will never provide legitimate leadership, especially when the elections process is performed the way it has been for the past two years.

SA 08-09 on Apr 21, 2008 at 09:29 AM:

SWEEP BABY SWEEP!!!

it's gonna be a good year

rigged!! on Apr 21, 2008 at 09:23 AM:

sham election, sham representation. Time to overthrow student government.

Interested Student on Apr 21, 2008 at 08:57 AM:

Was United Council on the ballot too? Thought those results would have been announced, anybody know?

yz on Apr 21, 2008 at 03:25 AM:

nah, if that were true then the CRs would have all the top vote totals instead of being scattershot in at-large and l&S - some of the more liberal incumbents were top in their category, eg grad school, so not rigged

x on Apr 21, 2008 at 02:30 AM:

r-i-g-g-e-d.

Just an Observor who Supports SUFC on Apr 24, 2008 at 07:10 AM:

Julio, I will have to say, that post was very mature of you. You are right, you will see another election. If you are as mature as you seem in that post, I urge you to work with SUFC in the upcoming year. Gain the experience of the process and the university that you need. I do not know you at all, but I do know that Tyler Draheim is a very nice guy. He is sensible and wants to work together in the students best interest. Get involved, join campus committees. This is where many important decisions are made on this campus. To all of you...best of luck.

Just an Observor who Supports SUFC on Apr 24, 2008 at 07:10 AM:

Julio, I will have to say, that post was very mature of you. You are right, you will see another election. If you are as mature as you seem in that post, I urge you to work with SUFC in the upcoming year. Gain the experience of the process and the university that you need. I do not know you at all, but I do know that Tyler Draheim is a very nice guy. He is sensible and wants to work together in the students best interest. Get involved, join campus committees. This is where many important decisions are made on this campus. To all of you...best of luck.

Just an Observor who Supports SUFC on Apr 24, 2008 at 07:10 AM:

Julio, I will have to say, that post was very mature of you. You are right, you will see another election. If you are as mature as you seem in that post, I urge you to work with SUFC in the upcoming year. Gain the experience of the process and the university that you need. I do not know you at all, but I do know that Tyler Draheim is a very nice guy. He is sensible and wants to work together in the students best interest. Get involved, join campus committees. This is where many important decisions are made on this campus. To all of you...best of luck.

Re: All Is Lost (World Is Over on Apr 23, 2008 at 11:11 PM:

Dear World is over;

Yes the world is over and now that we have siezed power we shall remake destroy the world and remake it in our own image.

MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

At last our plan is complete!

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Just an Observor who Supports SUFC on Apr 24, 2008 at 07:10 AM:

Julio, I will have to say, that post was very mature of you. You are right, you will see another election. If you are as mature as you seem in that post, I urge you to work with SUFC in the upcoming year. Gain the experience of the process and the university that you need. I do not know you at all, but I do know that Tyler Draheim is a very nice guy. He is sensible and wants to work together in the students best interest. Get involved, join campus committees. This is where many important decisions are made on this campus. To all of you...best of luck.

Re: World Over on Apr 23, 2008 at 06:33 PM:

Hmm, maybe we’ll see a third of the stars fall from the sky tonight. I haven’t heard the seven trumpets blare yet.

Julio Guerrero on Apr 23, 2008 at 05:37 PM:

Truth be told, we have made an effort to keep it quiet over the past few days. I know that there are ASAP supporters who are really upset about the outcome of the election, but I agree with Ms. Wartick, the personal attacks need to stop.

Dan Bahr is an interesting person, but my problems with him are not with him as a person, they are with him as the IEC. By using vulgar attacks against him or any other member of SUFC, we strengthen the argument that we were not fit to be in student government.

Kyle Duerstein has made some attacks that I found to be distasteful. That is fine I guess, except that even he must remember that the 'hippies' he blasts on his weekly talk show are the same 'hippies' that he now has the responsibility of representing as an L&S senator.

Certainly, there is disappointment from our camp at outcome and circumstances that arose in the past month or so, but we are a strong party with strong leadership. We will live to see another day, another election. In the meantime, we need to deal with the situation at hand and make the best of it.

Is the process flawed? Of course. I genuinely think that, for the most part, the people on the other side of the aisle are good people. They may disagree with us on issues or philosophy, but they mean well. Same holds true for Dan Bahr, obviously I don't agree with every decision he has made. However, I realize the incredible burden that the flawed bylaws
placed on the acting IEC.

I would like to congratulate SUFC on their victory and I hope that we can find some common ground to make positive change in the future.

Sincerely,

Julio Guerrero ASAP Co-Chair McNair/URC Scholar

World Over on Apr 23, 2008 at 02:46 PM:

Joe Ohler (SUFC) - 563 All is lost. Joe Ohler (SUFC) - 563 All is lost. Joe Ohler (SUFC) - 563 All is lost. Joe Ohler (SUFC) - 563 All is lost. Joe Ohler (SUFC) - 563 All is lost.

No matter on Apr 23, 2008 at 01:44 PM:

Didnt vote, dont care, student gov here has no real power.

No matter on Apr 23, 2008 at 01:45 PM:

Also, no one from the student body voted. The only people voting are those people in the race themselves and friends of those running. so good job on having friends. Run for a real office if you want to change things.

Jessica Skinner on Apr 23, 2008 at 12:13 PM:

There was a comment posted earlier under the name Jessica Skinner, and as the REAL Jessica Skinner, I would like to state that I did not post that comment.

Cindy Pawelski on Apr 26, 2008 at 07:58 PM:

(I don't see the comment that I posted a few days ago on here....) Where are these Election By-Laws..? Why is is SO DIFFICULT for students to get any info from the SUFC controlled SA? The website for SA is USELESS..just self-congratulatory BS, no facts/useful info. Where's the SEDITION ACT Vote info...?

Another senator on Apr 23, 2008 at 09:45 AM:

"You could hear a pin drop in the senate because MOST of you don't know enough about UC "

Um no, it's because you had put just about all of us to sleep.