Thursday, September 12, 1996 Political posturing with John by John Rossomando CoUtgioHHaff Just a few weeks ago I was granted the honor of being invited to the Republican National Convention in San Diego as part of the Young Voters Program. Every participant paid $325 for room, board, and transportation as well as airfare. We arrived August 9, in San Diego, all 800 of us. It was especially heartening to meet a group of Pennsylvanians in the airport when I was 3000 miles from home. by Joneatra Henry Catttmmtkff Are you involved? Many ttudents walked through the Reed Building on Wednesday, Sept. 4, and signed sheets of paper designated for “Membership Sign up," but how many of us will show up for the organizational meetings? I am treasurer of the Association of Black Collegians and I know how hard it is to attract and keep members. Of course there are two extremes to this: having people who don’t commit at all, and those who commit themselves to too many organizations. College is a time to have fun and meet new people, but some students shouldn't spread themselves-too thin. For instance, I would like to be involved in SOA, Roundtable Society, MCC, ABC. HRPC, SPC, St JRC, but I’d only be able to give each organization partial commitment The best way to narrow ones interests may be to choose an organization based on one’s mnjor, race, or an organization where one Choosing an Activity feels able to leave their mark on campus. Of course this is not the only criteria to use to pick an organization, but it does narrow down the choices. Once you find an organization that you would like to join, make sure you join fdr The gathering got off to a fast paced start with a beach party in La Jolla Beach. Most people in the Young Voters Program remained low key about the convention until the Deputy Convention Manager announced that Jack Kemp was Bob Dole’s running mate. The crowd went wild with excitement over the selection. From then on we knew that fate had brought us into contact with our future. Beginning on Sunday morning we left our dorms at USCD early for the convention site where we were scheduled to go out into San Diego Harbor to escort Bob Dole and Jack Kemp back to the Convention Center from the Navy Base. The different groups traded shouts of “Dole and Kemp” as well as other slogans. My personal favorite was “Back on track with Bob and Jack.” Jack Kemp pretended to throw a pass toward us when we shouted “Quarterback Jack” at him. All of this was spontaneous and not orchestrated. Throughout the week we were treated to discussions on a whole host of issues hosted by MTV, featuring speakers such as Armstrong Williams, Lamar Alexander, Senator Rick Santorum, Mary Matalin, and others. This was our chance to challenge our party leaders on Social Security, Medicare, education, and the environment. Opinion Not everything went according to plan, such as our pizzas that showed up two hours late. If this was not bad enough, two men streaked past a group of Republican girls, flashed them, and screamed “Clinton Gore.” Monday night we were barred from the Convention Center by the Secret Service due to concerns that we might be a security risk. Even so I was able to get into the Convention Center through the press entrance. For the next three evenings we were able to make it onto the Convention floor. The mood in the Convention Center was very electric and everyone seemed to know that history was being made. Every speaker voiced a positive message for the future. The media said that Newt and the Contract for America were absent from the convention, but you could feel the impact they had. It was evident, from discussions with the delegates, that they believed in both the Contract for America and in Gingrich. I personally saw an eventful and very exciting convention in which the hall was the stage and we were the players. The media looked for any evident divisions within the Republican party and it was visibly obvious that there were none. Everyone was more interested in electing Bob Dole and Jack Kemp than fighting yourself and not for someone else. The organization you choose may not be the one your best friend is in or even.your roommate. Organizations work best when members are truly dedicated, so make sure you pick the organization you can best serve. over a minor issue like abortion The media was very pushy, arrogant, and very biased. Hey, I was there and I saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears. Every question asked of the speakers at the Youth Pavillion was hostile and intolerant. For example, the Detroit Free Press launched a barrage of affirmative action questions against Armstrong Williams. The hostility was evident in the reporters indignant tone. The convention tried to orchestrate everything on the floor, but kids will be kids. Many of us started chanting without provocation and even off cue on occasions. Nothing on the floor was fully orchestrated because those of us who were on the floor believed in everything that was said. Mr. Dole’s speech was from the heart, and it was evident by how he turned red and his voice broke when he spoke about his father and the war. I shouted so loud and with so much passion at Bob Dole that I lost my voice for about a week. Before the convention I doubted Bob Dole, but now I am a true believer. Too bad it had to end. See you in 2000 when I attend as a delegate. “Back on Track with Bob and Jack” is my battle cry. Adam continued argued by the many as undemocratic, however, it is necessary to understand Cuba’s political situation. Cuba is situated 90 miles away from a hostile power that has been trying to destroy the evolution since it threw out dictator Fulgenico Batista in 1959. Many counterrevolutionary organizations that have sprung up over the years have been funded, organized and sometimes armed by the CIA. But what about Fidel Castro? Not only is he the country’s President, he’s also First Secretary of the PCC. He’s also the one dubbed a “dictator” by the American media and government. Let us look at how much power this “dictator" really has. The Council of State, including the President and five Vice Presidents, are elected by the National Assembly to govern while the Assembly is not in session. The Council has no permanent decision-making power and only acts in emergency matters. While the Assembly is in session, each member of the Council has one vote. This means that Fidel Castro’s dictatorial powers consist of one vote out of 5504- people. Of course, it is easy to see this as an abstract issue. To actually go to Cuba and see it for yourself is the best way to understand socialism and Cuba. While l was there, I lived with a Cuban family and was able to get an idea of what living in Cuba is like (though my Spanish still needs a little work). I even met Ricardo Alarcon, president of the National Assembly. One thing remains certain; the Cubans are proud of their country and its accomplishments. I want people to look around and (consider the possibility that maybe, just (maybe, American propaganda is wrong. Page 7
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