Last semester, Associated Student Government Senator James Demaree was removed from office following a controversial video on YouTube in which he criticized and insulted fellow members of the ASG, including former President Nathan Alonzo.
His removal from the senate created a firestorm of controversy on everything from free speech to the competence of the ASG as a whole.
Due to a technicality, Demaree was reinstated at the end of the semester.
The ASG removed Demaree because he insulted their pride, and while their authoritarian attack on the rogue senator was unacceptable, his “triumphant” return has clearly brought forth serious repercussions to the student body.
James Demaree is at it again, but this time, he went on a nearly 20 minute-long rant against fellow members of the ASG. In it, he called for either their resignation, or for them to commit the Japanese suicide ritual of seppuku.
With eyes void of expression or remorse, Demaree gave instructions to “cut yourself open and bleed to death.”
“If you are guilty and you choose not to do either one of them,” Demaree said. “I bet someone will do it for you one of these days, because people like you do not last long in this world.”
Now that he’s back in his seat, James Demaree has taken off the gloves. He charges the ASG with dishonoring the organization, the school, their last names and their families. He has chosen to do so in a video which dishonors the ASG, the school, his last name and his family. The irony isn’t lost in the slightest.
Much in the same way that Don Quixote would attack windmills and pretend they were his foes, Demaree attacks the organization of which he is a part, looking for foes that don’t even seem to exist.
While these baseless accusations may seem comical, they do call into question the senator’s level of competence. It takes a special brand of narcissism to post a video as absurd as his “Weekly Update,” and it takes a special brand of maniac to suggest seppuku for his colleagues.
Justice was served when Demaree was reinstated, having been removed for the wrong reasons. Nonetheless, these updates show a man who clearly is not psychologically fit to serve in the Associated Student Government. The difference this time is that he made threats of violence, threats which are in every sense grounds for removal.
Having been elected to represent the student body at Fresno City College, he uses this opportunity to tarnish the appearance of the college to the entire world. Though he envisions himself as a valiant knight on a white horse fighting for justice, his behavior and videos are more like a clown on a soapbox.
If he truly wished to aid the ASG and do what is best for those who elected him, he would resign from office immediately. The student body doesn’t need him, and he’s only a hindrance to progress within the student government.
