Date: Mon, 24 Jul 1995 18:32:19 -0400 From: Charles J Grapski Newsgroups: uf.general, uf.announce Subject: Congress and the Silence of Students The news from D.C. is as follows, the Istook amendment, the one that was to silence students from organizing against the legislators who made bad policy -- is planned to be introduced on the floor of the House. The specifics of the amendment are as follows -- federal money will not be allowed to go to any institution in which mandatory fees are allocated to organizations that hold political views and try to implement them. SG is EXEMPTED from this -- meaning, it would NOT bar Kevin Mayeux from spending $68,000 to travel to Tallahassee and D.C. -- WHY -- simple -- the politicians DO NOT fear most SG representatives. First - they are few in number, and second, most - like Mayeux, will be more enamored by the opulent treatment and hob nobbing with the big boys -- and will not really DEMAND anything of the legislators. What would be the result -- exactly what MAYEUX himself attempted to do in SG (although now he denies he had anything to do with it - and even claims to have been opposed to it from the beginning -- despite the documented evidence to the contrary) -- that is, groups that have points of view SUCH AS Environmental Action Group, Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Save Our Schools, etc. will not be allowed to get funding - for they attempt to change the outcome of legislation by mobilizing opposition to it. Why do they fear groups such as this? Because they are effective -- they mobilize people on ISSUES -- not simply bring buddies on all expense paid trips to make future contacts. This is the way you effectively sway the legislature -- with PEOPLE. There is certainly a danger that this amendment MAY pass. Students need to be aware and need to take action. Write your Congressman, e-mail your congressman (addresses are available on my web site - just go to National Government resources). Get the word out. ______________________________________________________________________________ Charlie Grapski | 1125 S.W. 4th Ave. B1 University of Florida | Gainesville, Fl. 32601 cgrapski@grove.ufl.edu | (904) 335-4439 Take a look at my WEB SITE: http://grove.ufl.edu/~cgrapski ** Resources on Democracy, Proportional Representation, Government, Law, and more - take a look ** ______________________________________________________________________________