YAF Change in Leadership

Conservative, extremist politics at Michigan State University took a hit recently as Kyle Bristow decided to step down from his post as Chairman of the Young Americans for Freedom. The group, which has tried to host events like "Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day" and successfully hosted events by ultranationalists, vigilante border guards, and those of a similar ilk has been a blight to the university for a long time now.

We can only hope that Bristow's departure means the end of an era for the Young Americans for Fascism, or at the very least, a shift away from the lunacy that he brought to the organization. I personally hope that this timely departure, right after a hate speech bill was passed by ASMSU, will have a similar effect to Wiggins, former College Republican Chairman and YAF officer, leaving the College Republicans. Since Wiggins' departure, the group has been able to shift closer to its more moderate roots, and away from the extremism that it had so recently been.

Is this the end for Kyle Bristow? I doubt it. He is still a junior and has a year to go, as far as I can tell. He will by no means leave the spotlight, it isn't in his nature. We will no doubt see his cowboy hat-laden head at many more events, dishonorable speakers, and protests in the months to come.

I can only hope that this means a shift in ideology for the YAF, for their own good. While Bristow contends that it is a "leftist" organization, the Southern Poverty Law Center has never before labeled a university group as a hate group until the MSU Chapter of YAF. Talk about bad press for our school and our state. Maybe Kyle leaving will allow the other members of YAF to express themselves in a more civilized way, something that Bristow did not allow under his rule. He even instructed them not to talk to the press or disagree with any tactics or leadership (as if anyone would have the gall to oppose the great and powerful Kyle).

Still though, you have to give Kyle the limited respect that he deserves for being able to stick to his guns despite the ire of the entire Michigan State Campus and administration, however insane his guns are.

Finally, in full tribute to his only favorite Spanish words, I close by saying this about the regime change within YAF...

Viva la Revolucion!

CRs shouldn’t be blamed for YAF actions

After reading the letter, “MSU officials violate the anti-discrimination policy” (SN 10/18) I am distressed to find out that the MSU College Republicans were lumped with the MSU YAF in the anti-discrimination allegations by the Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives.

Knowing the background of what happened at the YAF event, I can’t possibly see how the College Republicans were involved. The College Republicans and YAF are two different and distinct groups, though they may not be seen that way. College Republican Chairman Ben Morlock has taken positive steps to distance himself and his group from the YAF.

The MSU Democrats fully support his efforts. The MSU YAF is a fringe group and does not represent what the majority of Republicans feel. This is by no means an argument that they be banned or silenced, I agree that they have a constitutional right to assemble, believe what they believe, and speak freely. The College Republicans have a right to be distinct from YAF.

As the President of the MSU Democrats, I would like to think that we would not be held responsible for fringe groups from our side of the political spectrum. The same should be true of the College Republicans.