Show f 1 1 f t M t L. L i I Ji III I y Weir Weer not involved in politics not for now by Daniel Weir Journalism Its It's the time of year when politics is in the air The dust is just settling from our student body elections that were held May 15 The parties made madea a strong showing in the elections It lies in inthe inthe seems as though the power the parties here at Political power is an interesting concept I recall my first experience with the power of politics I arrived in La Paz Bolivia on July 15 1980 Presidential elections had been held and the President elect was to take office soon Suddenly on July 17 1980 General Garcia Mesa killed the president elect and his cabinet He exiled the acting President and seized tight control over the entire country One month later I saw Mesa in the Presidential booth watching a parade as if nothing had ever happened At that time I really wondered what gave Mesa the right to take that office and how he had the power to do so What is political power and where does it come from Here on campus I contemplated running for a student body office When I asked around I found out that there were several well organized organized organized organ organ- well funded parties that had already formed I wondered who was behind these parties and from where they derived their apparent power I was so intimidated that I attempted attempted attempted at at- tempted to align myself with the professional party With the aid of Nance Hansen I met with Suzy Turner and Linda Strasburg At that meeting I became more aware of where political power comes from Political power seems to originate in the charismatic ambition of an in in- It germinated in success and acceptance by peers in ante duties Finally it becomes even stronger when combined with others others' in a cause I decided after that meeting not torun to torun torun run for office after all But at least now I feel more comfortable with what political is |