Comments on: Strike!

By: Jonathan Dresner

Jonathan Dresner — Wed, 25 Feb 2004 02:58:21 +0000

Que se vayan todos! [Throw them all out!]

By: agitpropre

agitpropre — Tue, 24 Feb 2004 01:50:51 +0000

Yes, its an entertaining set of circumstances, all right. Not as enjoyable, perhaps, as actually working in British academe. But then, what could be nicer than a crap job in an underfunded university where the government says you are part of the problem as you fill out your Quality Assessment paperwork which will have no effect whatsoever on improving your situation? Quite right, Chris! No hope of success! That’s what makes Britian great! Give up now!

By: Ophelia Benson

Ophelia Benson — Mon, 23 Feb 2004 19:42:35 +0000

“In fact, I’m kicking off my campaign by being Extremely Annoyed that you thought of that joke first.” Very well then, Matt. If you want to be that way about it. If you’re not even going to wait until election night to start with the snippy remarks. Fine. No problem. Fine. Suits me. Perfect. My platform of Sulks, Snits and Pouts will withstand any Annoyance you can muster, buster.

By: sidereal

sidereal — Mon, 23 Feb 2004 19:10:16 +0000

Rectify the Anomaly! Normalize the Parameters! Eschew obfuscation!

By: Matt Weiner

Matt Weiner — Mon, 23 Feb 2004 19:06:34 +0000

Ophelia, I intend to contest that election vigorously. I foresee a negative campaign, full of snippy remarks, hurt looks, and cold silences. In fact, I’m kicking off my campaign by being Extremely Annoyed that you thought of that joke first.

By: Jean Valjean

Jean Valjean — Mon, 23 Feb 2004 17:59:01 +0000

WOMAN ONE Did you see them Going off to fight? WOMAN TWO Children of the barricade Who didn’t last the night? WOMAN THREE Did you see them Lying where they died? Someone used to cradle them And kiss them when they cried. WOMAN FOUR Did you see them lying side by side? WOMAN FIVE Who will wake them? WOMAN SIX No one ever will. WOMAN TWO No one ever told them That a summer day can kill. WOMAN SEVEN They were schoolboys Never held a gun… Fighting for a new world That would rise up like the sun. WOMAN THREE Where’s that new world now the fighting’s done? WOMAN FOUR Nothing changes. WOMAN SEVEN Nothing ever will.

By: Ophelia Benson

Ophelia Benson — Mon, 23 Feb 2004 17:25:55 +0000

Fight fiercely Harvard Fight fight fight – Impress them with our prowess, do. Won’t it be peachy if we win the game? Oh goody! Etc. Ancient Tom Lehrer song. State of Extreme Annoyance reminded me of it. I could be governor of that state. I’d be damn good at it.

By: Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak — Mon, 23 Feb 2004 17:23:15 +0000

Well, not that I’d want to appear all optimistic or anything, but don’t you think there’s some sign that the AUT is (finally!) getting it’s sh*t together? A week of action rather than the odd day, followed by an indefinite boycott of assessment, seems like a pretty big deal. And the vote in favour of the strike (65%) was pretty overwhelming (with a further 16% supporting disruption short of strikes)…

By: Simstim

Simstim — Mon, 23 Feb 2004 16:38:39 +0000

“What do we want?” “Gradual Change!” “When do we want it?” “In due course!”

By: Cryptic Ned

Cryptic Ned — Mon, 23 Feb 2004 16:31:26 +0000

“Whada we want?” MORE EQUITABLE TREATMENT AT THE HANDS OF MANAGEMENT! “Whenda we want it?” SOON!

By: Matt Weiner

Matt Weiner — Mon, 23 Feb 2004 16:22:30 +0000

“We are in a state of extreme annoyance”? That’s not very stirring. Anyway, good luck.

By: Ophelia Benson

Ophelia Benson — Mon, 23 Feb 2004 16:03:11 +0000

Well I’m the strait-laced type, the boringly conventional type. I much prefer to rectify the anomaly. I do it all day long – going to and fro on the earth, and walking up and down in it, rectifying all the anomalies I see. Full time job, I can tell you.

By: A.M.B.

A.M.B. — Mon, 23 Feb 2004 15:35:20 +0000

Good Luck!

By: Harry Powell

Harry Powell — Mon, 23 Feb 2004 15:34:57 +0000

If anyone can bring the government to its knees the lecturers can! C’mon, whom is this strike going to hurt, other than the students who don’t matter anyway. Your strike wont cost the vice chancellors a day’s revenue, will create zero media interest, and will embarrass no one except those academics self-aware enough to see the futility of this kind of demonstration politics. But hey, have fun.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 23 Feb 2004 15:02:00 +0000

I never would have though that teacher salaries would be higher in the US. Looks like we do one thing right, anyway. Good Luck!