Are rules really made to be broken?

An SFUO executive in place on May 1st 2009 would be great wouldn't it? I for one would love to see an executive in place (and I truly do hope that it is). I must speak to the events that have occurred since the beginning of the appeal process; you know, the one that contests the most recent SFUO elections' results.

First of all, I do not agree with people who say that the plaintiffs are all "sore losers" or that "they're just looking for attention". I think that if there's a constitution in place (which there clearly is) and if there are explicit rules in this constitution, then it's only logical that ALL these rules should be followed. Let me be very clear here. Rules are rules; one rule isn't more important than another. You can't just say "Well I think that rule is there for nothing, therefore I'm going to break it". Like it or not, whether it be the slightest technicality, RULES ARE RULES.

Now, let me make myself very clear by stating that what is being brought forward against the defendants are still only alleged accusations. Therefore, in no way am I assuming their innocence nor their guilt. What I will say though is that when I read these allegations, I was extremely disappointed in all who were alleged to be involved. Although I have only been attending the University of Ottawa a little less than two years, I have had the pleasure to get to know (some more than others) the defendants.

Let me explain with an example exactly how I felt after learning about these accusations. It's always shocking when you hear that a person that you look up to, someone who is a role model to you, is found to be guilty of lying, cheating, misleading someone, somewhere, somehow and that he or she is now exposed to the whole world. Whether it be an athlete who took steroids, a singer who lip synced their whole live performance or anything else that is viewed to be illegal or that is simply wrong. It's normal to be in a state of denial. "What?! No, that can't be true" you tell yourself. Once reality sets in, you all of a sudden feel betrayed by that person, whether you know them personally or not. A sense of disappointment follows that feeling of betrayal. After having possibly purchased that athlete's team jersey or having bought that singer's new album, you feel like the loyalty that you showed towards that person was taken for granted. You feel like every word that has ever come out of that person's mouth now must be second guessed, scrutinized.

Well, let me tell you that if these alleged accusations are found to be true by whoever might replace the SAC, I will feel betrayed by the defendants. Not only will I have a very hard time accepting their legitimacy, I would also have a VERY hard time trusting them. Let me just finish by saying that, like I mentioned in my last blog, there are most likely many factors that are causing very low voter turnout when it comes to student elections. I also stated that, in the past, scandal probably wasn't one of those reasons. Unfortunately, if these allegations are proven to be true, you can be sure that students, whether they've voted in the past or not, will be thinking twice before voting for the next SFUO executive.