Salient. Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 42 No. 13. June 11 1979
Craw Criticised
Craw Criticised
Dear Peter,
"We want justice, not order,"! Justice without order is, at least, chaos, at worst, something far more sinister. Don't worry, I won't mention fascism. I know the rules. It's fine to accuse people of being "Maoist", "Marxist", or "Communist", even when they're not (ask Phil Sowman, or Peter Edwards if you don't know what I mean) but Never mention Fascism - we wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feeling now would we?
How does Robin C. Craw know that Peter Beach "does not really know what fascism is all about"? Does Robin C. Craw? If so, well, come, come, Robin! Don't keep it ail to yourself! Tell us all!
As for "us having enough jargon to cope with" why give us more? e.g. "diap-sorry dialectical imaginations" (I even have trouble spelling it) also, "Young Hegelian Sword of Righteousness" What about Old Hegel, or has his sword lost its point — I believe it happens with old age.
I think anyone talking about the "dictatorial decisions of Chairman Steven Underwood" is not really in a position to discuss someone else's credibility. They can't have much themselves. For the record, a Chairpersons job is to keep order. It is only through democratic order that democratic justice will be achieved (if that's what we want). Order is necessary at meetings so that people who want to speak either for or against a motion may. Or is all this part of some old system that is no longer wanted? Is constantly interrupting speakers and McCarthyist labelling now to be seen as "one of the clearest examples of participation in democratic (?) decision-making"?
Obviously we have a different definition of democracy, don't we, Robin? To me the terms "democrat", "fascist", "communist" are not just "political jargon". I (modest little Pols III student that I am) would be quite happy to discuss their meanings and difference with anyone, so long as I felt they'd be prepared to listen. Would you?
To conclude, numbers do not make a democracy. The degree of tolerance shown to those whose views are different, and the respect shown to those who hold them do.
There is real cause for concern at Victoria University.
Yours,
Tere Scotney.
P.S. As for people being on Exec, "to serve their own political purposes I think Robin is really exaggerating. VUWSA is hardly on route to Peking, Moscow, or Washington DC. If the people on Exec want to serve anyone, it's you and me - The Student! Personally, they have my sympathy.
P.S.S. Sorry Robin. "Doktor" is I think a spelling mistake. According to Oxford (and they are generally quite good at spelling) it's "Doctor" with a "C" not a "K" but Peter Beach hasn't got his Ph. D. That's why his nickname is "Peter-just-call-me-mister-Beach".
P.S.S.S. Sorry about the pee-esses.