| Show Democracy L. L y Y Lost in indecision Recent events in China remind us how precious and fragile is the balance between free speech with the democracy it engenders engenders engenders en en- genders and authoritarian control Nationally Nationally Nationally Nation Nation- ally in the US we see politicians politicians' wrapping politicians wrapping themselves in the flag for political gain while tinkering with Constitutional amendments amendments amendments amend amend- ments that by their nature would set undesirable undesirable undesirable un un- un- un desirable precedents Even closer to home we have an executive council hesitant to take a stand in support of a duly constituted and ratified student constitution constitution constitution tion that took effect on the day they were elected On his last day in office Cameron Cooper last years year's president declared the newly ratified student constitution constitution constitution tion unconstitutional and the old constitution constitution constitution tion operative The simple fact is that nowhere in either the theold old or new constitution constitution constitution tion is he given that power Coopers memo is an affront to the he served and is somewhat humorous since he attempted to void the only legal document granting him authority in the student association Assuming the remote possibility that Coopers voiding of the constitution is legal we wonder if his power to revive a rescinded constitution isn't even more tenuous If so the would currently be operating without a constitution or a legally constituted constituted constituted con con- executive council For that matter unlikely as it is there may not even be a student association The current executive council has not publicly taken a position more than happy to operate under the old constitution citing legal concerns and rumours attributed to the Attorney Generals office that the constitution constitution constitution con con- is full of holes So what Few if any documents are perfect and patching holes is part of the executive council and senate duties outlined in the constitution If in fact Coopers memo has any legal basis and the is operating under the theold theold theold old constitution then an equivalent memo from the current executive council should have equal power to void his actions It has been almost two months since cooper wrote his memo memo and and long past time to resolve the issue The Horizon reminds the executive council council council coun coun- cil that the basis of their authority is the students of and the constitution they adopted in a free election Our underlying concern is whether the is a representative representative representative democracy We urge the executive council to stand up for the new constitution and properly serve the who supported both it and them in last years election |
