Posts by Daniel Strauss
MSA approves spamming rule and supports letter for blood drives
By Daniel Strauss, written on Mar. 19, 2008
The Michigan Student Assembly passed a rule at the most recent meeting prohibiting candidates from sending out massive emails advertising their candidacy during election periods. In a near unanimous vote, the student government ruled that “spamming” students who the candidates do not know or have group connections with (like being in the same club) deserved penalization when polls are open for voting. The ruling will go into effect during the next election because MSA rules put new rulings into affect a few weeks after they have been approved. MSA President Mohammad Dar clearly opposed spamming solicitations and voted against it.
“It’s one of those issues that I felt quite strongly about for quite a while,” he said.
Also at the last meeting the government approved drafting and sending a letter to the Michigan FDA regarding the banning of people who have had homosexual sex since 1977. At Red Cross Blood drives currently, anyone who has is immediately ineligible to give blood regardless of whether they carry HIV.
The Romneys dropped in
By Daniel Strauss, written on Jan. 13, 2008
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s son, Craig Romney, visited Ann Arbor as part of a state wide effort by his family to campaign for the presidential contender. Craig Romney, the youngest of the Romney children, answered questions by Romney fans and undecided voters at the Brown Jug on South University Avenue this afternoon. Craig, a gangly man about six feet tall, clearly inherited Romney’s charm and oratory skills. He spoke in a smooth and laid back fashion, like he was talking to an old friend. The crowd, a mixture of student and middle-aged fans, watched avidly. The entire gathering was pretty light-hearted with Romney fans making supportive speeches and listening to stories of how Craig’s son tired out his grandfather while babysitting.
Romney’s son explained why the Romney family is backing their father. (Hint: it’s not only because he’s a family member.)
“Obviously, we wouldn’t be doing this if he wasn’t our dad, but we also wouldn’t be doing this if he wouldn’t make a great president,” Craig Romney said.
At one point, a crowd member asked what the biggest difference between Mitt Romney and rival republican presidential candidate John McCain (R — Az.) is. Romney’s son explained how Mitt Romney recognized Washington as “broken” and that Romney “will fundamentally change Washington.”
The last question asked to Romney’s son was about his father’s drive.
“It’s genetic,” Craig Romney said. “He really does have a tremendous amount of energy.”
LSA-SG remembers ten spots
By Daniel Strauss, written on Nov. 29, 2007
Less than forty-eight hours before student government elections opened, an error was corrected on the voter ballot system for LSA Student Government. Government members thought there should only be nine seats open for elections but in fact, their own constitution called for ten. The correction was spotted by MSA Rep. Tim Hull and it was fixed in the afternoon before the election. There were ten candidates running for positions and now, unless there is a major write-in movement, all are likely to gain seats.