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thetartan.org @thetartan October 1, 2012 Volume 107, Issue 6 Carnegie Mellon’s student newspaper since 1906 ‘(Chi)politics’ takes over Connan Room Lecture emily dobler Editor-in-Chief probes Advertised around cam- pus as “(Chi)politics,” last Wednesday’s town hall meet- Israel ing set the tone for what Student Body President Will Weiner and Vice President issue Meela Dudley hope to accom- plish while in office. NOëL UM Weiner, a senior econom- Junior Staffwriter ics and statistics and decision Tackling the highly con- science double major, and troversial topic of liberal Dudley, a senior creative writ- Zionism in terms of Pales- ing and professional writing tinian justice, Max Blu- double major, emphasized menthal, Jewish-American throughout the meeting that journalist and bestsell- transparency and a strong ing author, presented his public presence on campus are lecture to an audience of integral to their roles. around 100 University of Held in the Connan Room, Pittsburgh students and fac- the forum attracted about ulty last Wednesday. 70 people, a number Weiner Blumenthal’s lecture mentioned was significantly focused on debunking sev- higher than in the past. Wein- eral myths about liberal Zi- er and Dudley built up hype by onism, a political trend in offering free Chipotle burritos Israel that advocates for a to the first 100 attendees, ad- two-state solution in order vertised in posters and on the to support the Jewish state. student body president Face- Blumenthal said that book page. Jennifer Coloma/Operations Manager he wanted to challenge the Weiner and Dudley plan Student Body President Will Weiner addresses students at his and Student Body Vice President Meela Dudley’s first town hall of the year. At the town myths of liberal Zionism be- to theme each of their ensu- hall, Weiner and Dudley discussed their plans for the year and asked students for feedback. The first 100 students were promised Chipotle, though cause he believes that these ing town halls. “The Chipo- only about 70 attended. More town halls are planned for the future. misconceptions are respon- tle wasn’t the cheapest thing sible for worsening the ever, but I’m happy because the functions of the branches their ongoing initiatives, such ing underfunded. He said that “We’re going to be doing focus current Israeli-Palestinian it made a big impact,” Weiner of student government, from as improving communication student government had been groups on this.” crisis. He centered the crux said. “Even a lot of people who the executive committee to between student groups. compiling data on increasing Once Weiner and Dudley of his argument on his be- couldn’t make it still knew, cabinet liaisons. This transi- One initiative, in particu- the fee, and would host info moved through the projects lief that a two-state solution and were excited and jazzed.... tioned into Weiner and Dud- lar, included the possibility sessions and more town halls they have already slated, they will not bring about peace. [We’re] figuring out ways that ley’s projects for their time of raising the student activity specifically for this initiative. asked attendees for feedback “I think liberal Zionism are still fun and gimmicky, but in office. The pair discussed fee. Jon Mark, the student body on a series of preplanned has lost much of its political cost effective.” what they’ve completed thus According to Weiner, there vice president for finance and questions. influence in Israel, but it re- This particular town hall far, such as launching a social have been complaints in the a senior lighting design major, mains very culturally influ- began with an overview of media platform, as well as past about student groups be- echoed Weiner’s sentiments: See CHIPOTLE, A3 ential and has an enormous currency in the