Drew also said that he personally looked into the matter, and tried to get a description of the offenders from Dalton, but got no response. As far as he can tell, these individuals were not actually members of Eco-Sense, and he feels that it is unfair that The Eagle (and I) assumed that they were without talking to anybody in Eco-Sense.
And I kind of agree with Drew that it is a little silly that this story got more prominent placement than did the one about the CERF Referendum passing by a large margin.
However, there is also a larger point here about the importance of civility in politics. Whether it be here on campus, or in the halls of Congress, we ought to be able to disagree without resorting to petty name-calling and smearing. Steve Dalton is not a bad guy because he opposed the CERF Referendum, just like healthcare reform is not socialism. Let's strive for less rhetoric and more constructive debate.
UPDATE: Dalton's statement:
I guess Drew thinks that I should have asked for their AUID numbers after they told me that 'my day would come;' if it happens again I will be sure to do just that. I didn't make up what happened, and I spoke with Stephen Bronskill and Jennifer Jones of EcoSense more than once to tell them that I don't think this was some EcoSense plot. This is yet another example of the loss of civility in our elections.
Drew,
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I am disheartened by your continual comments regarding my good friend Steve Dalton. Your tone is absolutely absurd.
This story is not gossip. I was there as an active participant in the "discussion," if that is what you would like to call it.
The Eagle does a fine job reporting for the students of American University, and if you have conducted research yourself, you would have contacted me about it.
I remember what most of the gentlemen looked like. You did not "look into it." Any amount of initial research would have included contacting all the members involved. Rather than do this, you decided to throw your hands up and call this a "semi-libelous" story because of the negative press that Eco-Sense has received as a result.
If you want to get to the bottom of it, do the research, talk to everyone involved. Continuing this culture, if you will, of a war of personalities of yourself versus my friend Steve is not going to solve any problems, but rather promote the issue of supporting CERF as one were we have to pick sides.
Mr. Mayer said it best: "lets strive for less rhetoric and more constructive debate."
I look forward to hearing from you Drew,
Eric Reath- Senator for the School of Public Affairs
I was shocked and infuriated when I heard about this incident at Chipotle. When I wrote the referendum, I NEVER intended it to be a wedge that drove people into attacking each other. Mr. Dalton and I have significant disagreements about CERF and other issues, but when it gets down to getting things done I have been glad to have his help on legislation and admire his determination and legislative abilities for the benefit of the students of AU.
ReplyDeleteI was glad to get a call from Stephen Bronskill asking for Dalton's number (which I didn't have) so that he could call and personally apologize. He expressed his dismay that members of Eco-Sense, which he is deeply committed to, would go so far outside the bounds of civility. I look forward to see Eco-Sense under his leadership in the future.
Furthermore, can say that, as far as help from me is concerned, CERF is now on its own. The Senate has done all it can on the matter, and now that the student body has made itself heard on the Referendum, the ball is now in the court of the administration. CERF has caused vicious fights in the Senate, and it's time to move on to other substantive issues that are of concern to the AU community. I'm glad to have had the help of both Mr. Dalton and Mr. Reath on different Bills coming before the Senate this weekend, and the time has come to leave CERF to do what it was intended to do and move on.
~Brett Atanasio
Senator for the Class of 2013
I would love to respond to your accusations, Drew. Below I provide descriptions of the three disrespectful students who attacked my friends Eric, Steven and Colin as we enjoyed a late dinner in Chipotle.
ReplyDeleteSubject #1 - Approximately 5' 10", 185 - 195 pounds. Curly, long blonde, unwashed hair. Curve features. Wearing a zip up sweatshirt, dark possibly with some sort of mainstream pattern. Dark Green t-shirt and jeans.
Subject #2 - Approximately 6' 2", skinny, dark shorter hair. Wiry looking. Not wearing coat, jeans. Sharp features. Long nose.
I will not describe Subject #3 as he hid behind the other two.
Perhaps the reason that all four of us have declined to give descriptions is that we wanted to move past the embarrassing situation.
Not unpredictably, you just can't let it go. You seem to have this idea that every action taken or word spoken against your cause is a personal attack against your very existence. This I cannot understand.
Here is the best part - you are sabotaging the very process you are fighting so unnecessarily wrong.
If you took a minute to look at your issue objectively you would understand why your antagonistic approach is a complete waste of your time. To help you out I will make the following suggestions/observations.
1. You have the overwhelming support of the student body - it’s obvious by the vote count, and even you are smart enough to understand how percentages are part of a whole.
2. So stop pretending the entire world has a vendetta against CERF, it’s not true and makes you look dumb.
3. Focus all effort on the University Board of Trustees. If you had any understanding on how this process is going to work, you would know that the Trustees are the only people who can change the activity fee.
4. To further explain point four, what don't you understand about point one. You have the support of the students, work on the administration.
5. Board of Trustees.
OK, I have wasted enough energy on you. I truly believe in clean energy, sustainability and environmentalism but I think the way you go about achieving these goals are useless and unintelligent.
And your behavior as a representative of the Student Government and CERF is atrocious. Good luck in your future endeavors, I hope you can spend your life passionate, about this important issue and make a real difference for the future of this country. And maybe someday you will find your soul.
Taylor Yeates
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteA little disingenuous to claim you never wanted to complain about the story, since you did it in the comments just a few posts down.
ReplyDelete