It is often frustrating to watch campaigns unfold when the candidate in question has made it his or her policy to blatantly pander to a select few interest groups in order to secure themselves a block of votes. In AMS elections this is often seen by candidates with ties to other faculty related student societies such as AUS, or SUS. Another major block sought after by candidates is the Greek voting potential. This, while not the ideal way to win a representative office, is certainly an accepted tactic used in most forms of democracy world wide. That’s why Laurence Song is just so…. refreshing.

            When explaining his platform last night at the Vanier AMS candidates debate, Song chose to employ a bold, and little seen political tactic of … voter alienation. It was remarkable to witness. I can only liken it to watching the first few episodes of American Idol every season. You are treated to a delightful plethora of wannabe idols all fitting into various archetypes we’re familiar with. The kind of contestant that is most amusing, only slightly nudging out the requisite William Hung type space case, is the untalented diva, or as I like to term it “Mariah Carey since Glitter”. These contestants are so sure of their non-existant ability, that they have effectively morphed themselves into the most obnoxious kind of human being on the planet. The result is millions of viewers across America actively hoping that Simon Cowell will make them cry. I allege that Laurence Song is the political equivalent. 

            Laurence first suggested to his audience that as an engineering student he was by far the most taxed of all the candidates applying for a position on the UBC senate. As an arts student who has taken 6 classes a semester, just like Mr.Song, and who will not be enjoying the benefits of an almost guaranteed job after graduating this fine institution, I would like to extend a large “boo-effing-hoo” in his general direction. After this first stunning act of public relations, Song then turned on his own faculty, suggesting that he was nothing like those “red coats” who gave Engineering such a “bad reputation”. After I overcame the shock of apparently being transported from an AMS debate to a war of 1812 re-enactment, I couldn’t help but wonder exactly what votes Song was hoping to collect. It seemed totally irrational, almost as irrational as Mariah Carey’s inexplicable move to the world of film in “Glitter”. And then it came to me, clearly this is a shrewd long term political strategy by Song. He must crash and burn so that he can rise from the ashes and sh-sh-shake it off just like Mariah did, because we do belong together Laurence Song, we do! At least I certainly hope this is the case, because after alienating the majority of faculties here at UBC I fear this “Mariah” will become a “Pariah” in these AMS elections.

- S