Everyone Chillax (Or Not): 2012 Is A Competitive Election

It has been the recent meme among commentators, especially those in the bag for one side, to claim that the election is already “in the bag”. Besides the insidious capability of such statements to be self-fulfilling prophecy by demoralizing supporters from voting (certain members of the media with an agenda? Well I never!), coincidentally the rationale in Canada behind the ban on exit polls and election reporting until all polls close, such hasty conclusions are often anchored on a very questionable assumption.

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Nervous on Newt

Gingrich said of Congressman Paul Ryan’s proposed budget plan this spring:

“I don’t think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering.  I don’t think imposing radical change from the right or the left is a very good way for a free society to operate.”

Gingrich was attacked for the statement, but he seemed to be channeling the classic gripe about the Left and big government: that it is dangerous and silly to use bureaucracy to “engineer” solutions to complex social problems.

However, it all seems a bit hypocritical given Gingrich’s historical tendency to favor big, radical overhauls instead of  more practical (and feasible) tweaks.  As first grade teachers everywhere will attest, there is no problem with dreaming big, but one cannot help but wonder at both the nature and efficacy of a Gingrich presidency.

It is refreshing to have a more articulate candidate at the fore of the GOP race after the cringe-inducing stumbles of Rick Perry. But just because he’s gaffe prone doesn’t mean the Governor didn’t have a bit point when he emphasizes in commercials the importance of “doing” vs. “talking” in a presidency.

Gingrich has proven himself an adept talker. But can he be a "doer"? And, in the context of already bloated bureaucracy & waste, will he be truly committed to the idea of smaller government?

-Ke Ding

Is Politics That Tiring? Apparently in Great Britain!

You know when you read a story and just burst out laughing? This was my hilarious report of the week.

A 17 year-old girl in Great Britain was listening to an electrifying lecture in her politics class when she let out a big yawn. The problem is, ending the yawn was more difficult than trying to understand the political parties in Old Blighty. After consulting a classmate, her teacher, and the school nurse, Holly Thompson had to go to the emergency room to shut her mouth. There, the doctor stacked 26 splints in Holly's mouth to relax the jaw, which ultimately worked. Below is a BBC video telling the extraordinary tale.

 I’ve heard some boring lectures in my studies at Dartmouth, but come on, this is British politics- where debates in Parliament are filled with booing, screaming, and passing laws like making it illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament!

In other news, the Interfraternity Council will be hosting a debate between candidates for Student Assembly President on Monday at Heorot. Hopefully the debate is more stimulating than Holly’s politics class…

Date: Saturday, April 9, 2011 12:13pm

From: Interfraternity Council <Interfraternity.Council@DARTMOUTH.EDU>

Subject: IFC Debate – SA President

The Interfraternity Council will be hosting a debate on Greek life between Student
Assembly Presidential candidates on Monday, April 11 at 6 PM at Heorot.

Bring questions.

IFC SA Presidential Debate
XH
Monday, 6 PM

-- Dave Lumbert