A rock and a hard place: Between the cops and the merchants

Last week the students at the MUK responded to a proposed hike in their graduation fees. The response was measured but when the students began to be seen as disruptive, the riot police was forced into action. Some of the students then found themselves caught between a rock and a hard place...or in this case between the police officers (anxious to preserve order) and the merchants (keen to protect their merchandise). 

As can be expected soon the matter was resolved, albeit temporarily and a few heroes emerged. The solution in my view was temporary because the problem that brought about the hike in fees...which in this case, is likely to be a shortage in funds, still remains. In addition to this, the enforcement arm of the law continues to undermine the administrative work of the university council by appearing at strategic and calculated moments to play the role of messiah in times when they should really allow the University and it's systems to play their role. 

The students seem to be concerned that they have been gagged while in council and at the moment restricted to observer status so that they are unable to present their views in order to influence in a direct manner the way business is run at their University. 

As though this is not enough, our lecturers have emerged through their association with fresh demands regarding some of their payments. 

Unlike their counterparts though, they are more likely to down their instruments in an effort to paralyze the system a move that will further enflame the student body to response with yet another demonstration resulting in the same cycle in which yet again another savior will emerge dressed in full riot gear. 

Advise? Try as much as possible not to alienate yourselves from the merchants...they happen to be the ones who feed you. 

The use of force is brutish and must be your last option. After all you are being trained to be our first line of defense and there is great likelihood that most of your will find your way into some top positions in parliament and in our political parties. 

Thirdly, do not take part in activities that place you at the mercy of better armed and better trained officers of the law. Do not chose to be a pawn unless you are certain of promotion at the end of the game. 

Fourthly, you are aristocrats...do treat the rodents with some measure of respect!