So, as promised, here is your (not-so) friendly neighborhood snarkblog. Unfortunately, Carrie can’t be here right now, so its just me for the time-being. She might come later, and Mike Laderman and Amanda Hoffman might join in as well.
UPDATE: So, since the software Sahar gave me isn’t working, all snark will be presented to you via comments
UPDATE 2: I would just like to point out again that this is the SNARKblog. For legitimate liveblogging of this trial, see Emily’s coverage, which should be up shortly.
Comments
100 responses to “SnarkBlog: UJ 4/22/09 Edition”
Mike — Snark-blogging typically involves a lot more banter and collaboration then you actually see in the published version. In the past, we’ve always had several snark-ers working with each other in the room, and it was an unusually difficult task for Jourdan to take it on alone this time. Also, I think the unusually combative and emotional nature of the case caused her to switch to a more personal, serious style. Despite these factors, I still think she got in some good lines.
We happily welcome criticism of any of our postings, but in the future, could you do it in a more productive way than through personal insults?
This SnarkBlog was quite uninteresting (and therefore disappointing) compared to the last one for the “Ayers SMR” trial. Why was there only 1 person providing the commentary? I hope someone more talented and humorous can do the next one…
You missed the funniest line of the trial!
[someone]: Good afternoon.
Gideon [nodding out to grey, rainy skies]: Well, shitty afternoon, actually.
[general laughter]
I don’t trust a blog with such a negative attitude towards Mr. McElhaney’s personal style.
good stuff jourdan! i feel so…so…informed!
Okay, I have to go do a project for Italian class. I’m done here. Thanks for reading, guys!
Nathan presents the closing argument for the defense, with the disclaimer that he will try not to be redundant. I would just like to point out that everything is much more pleasant to listen to when it is said with a British accent.
Again, Ryan pretty much summarizes everything… I’m not a legal expert by any standard, so I don’t know the difference between a legal argument and a closing argument, they seem like the same thing to me.
Actually the Senate passed a non-binding resolution speaking out against the UJ’s decision to hear the case…it did not whatsoever speak to the necessity of the RM positions. Instead, the resolution said that there may be legitimate issues with the case and that a decision should be made through the constitutional review process.
Time for closing arguments, prosecution first. Y’know, once Ryan is done writing.
Also, she pretty much said that laws and by-laws are bullshit here.
Friends of the Court: Noam Shouster
Noam points out the Senate Resolution that was passed regarding the necessity for the RMS. Noam pretty much call out Gideon and Ryan, and is hilarious at the same time.
Friends of the Court: Kalynn Cook (aka, my best friend… WOOOO!)FYI, I edited this statement.
She speaks brilliantly. That is all I have to add here. She made me cry.
Jourdan, I don’t understand what was outrageous with my comment about how feelings shouldn’t trump civil rights. Are you saying the right to vote is not a civil rights/liberties issue?
Friends of the Court: Taisha (I didn’t catch her last name)
She points out that this is not a clear-cut case. You cannot take feelings out of a situation such as this. In her words “race is not simple.” This should be dealt with next year in the constitutional review. This entire court proceeding is an embarrassment to Brandeis. There is a need for an RMS on this campus.
Let me clarify… Brooks said “‘feelings’ should not trump civil rights.”
so once again… ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!?!
Brooks says he understands your feelings. And had the audacity to drop the phrase “civil rights.”
I’m sorry… ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!?!
Friends of the Court: Andrew Brooks
Justice Jordan leaves for A Cappella Fest. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
Jamie apologizes for the yelling and everyone laughs.
Jamie would make a good real-life lawyer.
Jamie’s legal argument now. And he sounds ANGRYYYY.
Ryan is yelling at the audience about the injustice of the situation. Yelling.
He’s still speaking.
We’ve moved on to Ryan’s legal arguments. He’s pretty much just summarizing what’s been said over and over. I still think he’s wrong.
I just want to mention that I’m personally really offended by some of the questions and comments coming from the defense, and I certainly don’t hope that people think that this is the voice of the community-at-large here; its certainly not mine.
Ryan just asked whether its unfair that white students don’t have an RMS, which is something he’s been hinting at the whole trial. Ariella just served him his ass on a platter. I like her.
Kaamila just got applause from the audience for pointing out that “colorblind” approaches to this sort of situation DO. NOT. WORK.
Kaamila pointed out that there IS white privilege. Therefore, minority representation is necessary. “White” representation, however, is not.
Ryan just used the word “phenotypic” …seriously.
Ryan just questioned Kaamila’s validity as a witness, implying that she would be redundant because we have already heard from “other members of the racial minority community.”
I am truly furious right now. That was a completely unnecessary comment that definitely sent a gasp around the courtroom. People here are upset, Ryan, you should be watching what you say. Tact and sympathy towards the emotions of others are important, even in this setting.
Back to me…
I think Sahar’s point is a valid one, and I think that the post-trial forum would probably be a good idea, however…
I think the anger and hurt currently brewing in the courtroom right now are compelling evidence as to why this position is necessary within the Brandeis Community. People are angry because of the lack of representation, and I think JV put it best when he said that “they deserve more.”
I can’t be snarky about this. Sorry for those who feel like I’m being a downer, but the mood here is very serious right now.
Sahar here again – Julia addresses the courtroom: “I know there’s a lot of hurt here, I can see it in your eyes. And I’m truly sorry for that”
I’m impressed in her sincerity here.
There’s an idea floating here for a forum after the trial to address the feelings of hurt and anger in the audience. I think that’s a very good one
Sahar here – There’s a bit of a dynamic here of impatience in the audience and JV with the rather stilted structure of the court proceedings.
The legal structure here (the need for examination and cross-examination) is making a tense situation worse.
Ryan is causing a serious uproar with some of his remarks, which I’m sure is unintentional, but he’s definitely making people really angry right now.
Justice Jordan is now giving a vocabulary lesson.
May I please just reiterate how impressed I am with JV’s testimony?
JV is speaking very candidly about the uproar that would be caused if they get rid of the RMS. He’s a very impressive speaker, and very honest.
Ok… apparently the document in question at the moment is something JV found in the archives regarding the history of racial issues at Brandeis.
JV says he wouldn’t feel comfortable running for a position besides RMS. This might be one of the most important and pertinent pieces of testimony we’ve heard all afternoon.
The UJ and the defense just spent about 10 minutes arguing in circles… oh dear
Jess Kent just almost tripped on Ryan’s sequined blue headband, which was lying on the floor. Ryan, for safety reasons, please keep your headband on your head.
Ryan, for aesthetic reasons, please don’t.
(kidding!)
JV just brought up Ford Hall and the treatment of racial minorities on Brandeis’ campus. Great point. And unfortunately, a true point, as well.
Ryan is arguing that we should have a “white senator”… please raise your hand if this sounds completely ass-backwards to you too?
Currently on the stand is JV, who is running for RMS, y’know, if they don’t get rid of it. He seems really cool. If I could vote for RMS, I’d probably vote for him. But I can’t vote for the RMS, and I’m cool with that, so instead I think I’ll just tell him that he seems cool.
LOVING Nathan’s bow tie right now, by the way.
Jamie asked everyone to keep their cool. Justice Rachel says she’s got it covered.
Ok, so Andy informed me that he and Jason had to be out of here by 5:00 for the feedback meeting regarding the CARS proposal (which you should all go to!!!)… it is now 5:12, and Ryan is still yelling at Jason.
Jason just called the Union out on structural racism. Yeah, that’s right Student Union, the President just CALLED YOU OUT.
Ryan has taken his seat again.