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Thursday, January 30, 1997

INVITATION:

Government offers opportunity to ask questions, voice opinionsBy Glenn Inanaga

These days it seems like the number of articles flooding the Daily Bruin's Viewpoint section about student government has suddenly increased to the point of daily reading. Not only are they increasing, but they tend to be mostly negative, and I wonder why. Maybe it's the rainy weather. Maybe it's the frustration caused by book buyback lines.

Regardless, there must be some correlation between these two. After all, it can't really be because election season approaching is it? It isn't just the candidates of the BruinVision and Greek slates jockeying for pre-election victories is it?

It's not about who's doing a better job: I went to an IFC-Panhellenic program last week about date rape, and they asked if anyone was interested in running on the Greek slate during the beginning. That was the my first indication that it's finally begun. What USAC elections and a program on date rape had in common were difficult for me to understand, but I'm about to draw a correlation between USAC and basketball, so I shouldn't talk.

My friends ask me to play basketball on the weekends. I usually refuse, but that doesn't stop my friends from sharing stories later about what happens on court and who they play with. Little did you or I know that USAC and basketball had so much in common.

In fact, I wanted to share an analogy which I know you'll find useful when reading future viewpoints about USAC. According to my friends, there are two types of players on the court who affect the game most consistently and influentially.

The first is the fundamentally sound player who understands the basics but may not have the most dazzling game, yet demonstrates textbook basketball and knows what he's doing. This guy scores, dribbles, passes and plays without finesse, yet is excruciatingly accurate. The media doesn't like the player much because he's a little bland, and defenders cover him closely but aren't too worried because there aren't that many surprises out of this guy.

Next we have the dazzling trash talker who has the moves, the mouth, and the performance always ready. His basketball playing is forgotten when compared to his mouth as he rants and raves at the abilities of other players. Some are jarred by his revelations, and when this guy is given the ball, he produces nothing or the game-saving one in a million play.

The media loves this guy for the attitude and unpredictability. Defenders don't even cover this guy because they don't have to. The only consistency in this guy's game is his inaccuracy.

So what type of player are you?

These descriptions and characteristics exist beyond the court boundaries as we examine some of the articles in recent weeks. I can almost picture the negative portrayals of USAC swallowing the rights of students, the constitutional authority of the Judicial Board and playing tyrant by silencing the voice of the campus community. According to these authors, your student government has a blatant disregard for students and democracy.

Trash talkers and a few juicy comments about your performance (or lack of one) can either be heard at the courts near Dykstra or read about in the Viewpoint section. These authors and a few members of the campus community are ready to climb on top of a soapbox and rouse students to a false revolution. They fight for the ball between themselves and begin their crafty trash talking. Armed with a flood of criticism from the Viewpoint section, they expect everyone to believe that, yes, I know the whole story! I read about it in Viewpoint! I don't need to know the motivation behind the criticism! To the ballot boxes and the barricades!

We will topple this fascist and corrupt government, once and for all! Most should be able to recognize it now for what it is: a smoke and mirrors tactic where they are trying to disrupt your concentration and make you forget the fundamentals of the game and why you play.

So keep your eyes on the ball. Why do you play? I had to ask myself that question every morning when I saw those Viewpoint articles. Why play the way you do when all you do is get talked trash to by people who don't completely understand what's going on. It's a question that I ask you now. On Monday from noon to 2 p.m., the internal vice president's office will be hosting an open house for student government so that anyone can come and ask that question to student council. You can walk in and out when you please and ask questions about USAC and student issues. It's open to anyone to attend, and if you're interested in discussing how to start playing the game and getting involved in student government, this is a good place to start.

I'm not going to lie to you. There are two sides to every issue and I'm sure you can hear more if you'd like from council members Monday. Some of our trash talkers might be there too, but the biggest draw is that refreshments will be served, and this is your chance to ask a question or just walk in and out to mingle.

Why do we play the game? Frankly, it's our job. Regardless of what the latest controversy is, student government is pumping out programs to improve the campus environment and make a difference in your life whether you look to see it or not. We're keeping students a priority at this university and every campus film, concert, community service project, book-lending program, fees and financial aid campaign, G.E. reform campaign, AIDS Awareness, SPEAKUP project, and outreach program is designed and maintained by student government volunteers for the rest of the students at UCLA.

You can choose to be a part of our team or you can sit in the bleachers and watch the game. It's your choice. Even if there isn't an open house the day you decide to help us out, just feel free to come by Kerckhoff on the third floor and ask around. We never refuse fresh ideas and a strong spirit is in high demand.

I often get asked why student government doesn't reply to those flagrant attacks every single time. I have to stress that the point has never been to compete with the trash talkers by fighting fire with fire. Instead, we stick to the game and improve our performance to maintain a consistent and effective list of student government projects and victories for everyone.

You have to prove them wrong on the scoreboard, not in some petty bickering. Focus on the game, not the insults, keep your eyes on the ball and remember the score. Even though I haven't played basketball in a long time, these points of advice haven't changed. The moment we stop playing the game and involve ourselves in a shouting match, we move to a big confrontational circle yelling at each and soon no one is playing the game anymore. What happens to the quality of life then?

Please keep the viewpoints coming. Accountability in student government is always a good thing. As suggestions are harder than criticisms, try to think of some when you send them in so they'll stand out from the ones that complain for the sake of complaining.

We respect everyone's opinion regardless of whether they agree with our actions or not. Come talk to council members at the open house and ask them questions if you're interested in helping in student government (even we agree to disagree).

Student government is not trying to teach you how to play basketball. After all, we wouldn't want to be accused of being tyrannical again. We have our own problems to deal with, and basketball coaching is not one of them. We're just asking you to eat lunch with us Monday. There's only one rule: Leave your trash talking behind and bring your lunch and fundamentals with you. Anything else is game.

Glenn Inanaga is a fourth-year business-economics and political science student. He is also the USAC internal vice president.

JUSTIN WARREN/Daily Bruin

Financial Supports Commissioner Richard Bis and General Representative Michelle Gosom vote at a Nov. 13 USAC meeting.