General Studies Lounge

After months of debate and violence following disputed elections,
Robert Mugabe is clutching onto power in Zimbabwe while the world
watches and waits for action.

http://citizensoftheworld.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=2130363%3ATopic%3A1364 

In the course of the last few tumultuous months, I have often had cause
to consider what it is that makes a country. I believe a country is the
sum of its many parts, and that this is embodied in one thing: its
people. The people of my country, Zimbabwe, have borne more than any
people should bear.

http://citizensoftheworld.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=2130363%3ATopic%3...

Anytime I hear that a corrupt leader or government still has a close
following in a country, I wonder how. I wonder how such leaders get
into power in the first place and why they are tolerated by their
country men. I wonder whether supporters of corrupt and misleading
regimes fully understand the impact of their support and how it
perpetuates a cycle of corruption and degeneration.

Recent instability in Kenya and the ongoing incidents in Zimbabwe are a
good reminder of what happens when supporters follow their
leaders blindly and when power sharing is purely based on ... http://citizensoftheworld.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2130363%3ABlogP...

Today, I suffer from a case of nausea. What saddens me the most is the cause of this nausea: my fellow students and supposed leaders. Tuesday's proceedings may have lacked tact, but the subsequent tirades by many members of the GSSC and GS community have left me disgusted.

Regardless of the manner in which the matter was raised at the meeting, it was a legal motion. Unless someone can show otherwise, I suggest you cease your dispute of who is out to get who and focus on whether or not the council had a quorom to validate the vote. For once, let's use the GSSC Constitution as our guide and hopefully set a precedent that will be followed for the remainder of the semester and beyond.

All GSSC members had the opportunity to make their case at the meeting. The fact that multiple member, who were either not in attendance or left early, have chosen instead to make their case with degrading public commentary is indicative of the faulty management of the council this year which has left the GSSC and student body in a state of disarray.. If you want to be the leader you claim to be, then please act accordingly.

This entire dispute comes down to official conduct, ineffective leadership, and childish behavior. All have been exhibited on multiple occasions. Many are guilty.

I ask all members of the GSSC to examine in the coming days whether they have acted in good faith for their constituents rather then themselves and have helped rather then hindered the students they represent. If you cannot answer yes to both, perhaps it is time for you to resign.

Another embarrassing moment occurred yesterday eveningshortly before the end of the GSSC weekly meeting.  Yesterday, some council members thought it would be a goodidea of creating a “fake” whining and very artificial emotional statement tothe council to deceive those who were unsure about our Student Body President’simpeachment hearing last week. However, along with the Junior Class President, some other members ofthe council embarrassingly forgot that the council should not be used for gainsand victories in their personal embattlements among themselves, but rathertheir duty is to help and assist the GS student population.  Yesterday, with the “impeachment” ofNiko Cunningham, some people felt their revenge has been achieved. 

This is a fatal blow to our rights as students.  It is unbelievable how the council hasmade such an embarrassing mistake. Counting should be learned Ms. Curcio – and all the other people whowere suddenly “swayed” to attack the reputation of another GS student.  12-3 counts for impeachment results to15 votes.  There are 23 votingmembers and a quorum can only happen (according to the dear Constitution thatso many council members seem to have memorized so greatly) when 2/3 of thevoting members would be present. Well, Ms. Curcio & Co? How much is 15 from 23?  More importantly, what kind of changecan occur when the Student Body president is being impeached two (2) daysbefore the campaigning for the new general elections?