concordia’s independent newspaper change sudokus with vision pencils since 1980

Tragic irony ANNUAL ANTI-POLICE BRUTALITY DEMONSTRATION PROVOKES BRUTALITY FROM BOTH SIDES • NEWS PAGES 4 & 5

• Features page 13 Election candidates: Meet the slates • Fringe arts page 21 Cody Hicks closes Art Matters with the debut of Dirty Wedding Men’s basketball team falls short at nationals • Sports page 26 volume 29, issue 26 • Tuesday, March 17, 2009 • thelinknewspaper.ca volume 29, issue 26 • Tuesday, THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/NEWS NEWS 03 Where’s the $800,000? Student money reserve, CSU deficit in question

• TERRINE FRIDAY for CFS-Quebec, an affiliate of the can thank [2005-06 CSU group of the CFS. CFS, Duff answered it was “a dif- President] Mohamed Shuriye and The “Agent of Record” clause Lev Bukhman, former health- ferent organization.” [2006-07 CSU President] blocked other potential health care administrator for the Quebec Bukhman was never invited to Khaleed Juma for that,” said care administrators from tender- Student Health Alliance—or Council to plead his case. Chivi. ing to represent the CSU. ASEQ—was officially fired from “Lev Bukhman was in breach The current $800,000 reserve Although his ego is bruised, representing the Concordia of contract and there is a possible of the CSU’s health plan—which Bukhman says his biggest con- Student Union last week. lawsuit on account of his actions,” was supposed to be used in the cern is the students. Bukhman, who last month said Elie Chivi, CSU VP commu- 2009-10 academic year under a “Keyana Kashfi has done accused former CSU executive nications. “So why would we new retention accounting everything in her power to keep Steven Rosenshein of a $25,000 invite someone who hurt our model—will now be put towards a me from telling the truth to CSU extortion attempt, was decidedly organization so much?” future health plan with a new councillors. She has provided relieved of his duties at the March Chivi said the current execu- administrator. false information, she has with- 11 Council meeting. tive has always been open with Chivi said there’s no need for held proper documents, and may The allegations against the overspending that put them students to worry: “The CSU have misrepresented the truth,” Rosenshein—an employee of the in a deficit, now nearing executives have regularly stated Bukhman said. “A central ques- Canadian Federation of Students- $800,000. that at the end of our mandate the tion is, ‘Is that money a tie to the Quebec—were never discussed at It is now suspected that a deficit, in its entirety, is going to recent large losses and misappro- the meeting. Instead Joel Duff, an number of CSU financial be recuperated.” priation of funds of the CSU?’” admitted salesman for the CFS accounts were used to juggle On Dec. 11, 2008, CSU Bukhman said he has yet to Concordia student Beisan Zubi refus- and advisor to the CSU, made a funds during the period of finan- President Keyana Kashfi signed receive any reply from es to leave the room for an in camera closed presentation to Council. cial mismanagement circa 2005- into an agreement with health Rosenshein and, if converstation regarding the CSU’s “Steven Rosenshein doesn’t 2007. care administrator Morneau requested, would be willing to health plan. Zubi is currently filming a documentary about democracy in work for the CFS,” Duff later said. “One of the bank accounts was Sobeco and the National Student take a lie detector test to prove light of the upcoming CSU elections. When told that Rosenshein works the health plan reserve and you Health Network—a working his allegations. PHOTO TERRINE FRIDAY $68.4 million student centre to come ‘soon’ CSU president says essential agreement will be signed by end of her term

• JUSTIN GIOVANNETTI held his thumb and index finger in the air increase the lot prices. “Five prospective a centimetre apart, proof that Kashfi’s sites are in the core of downtown, around The six-year-old student centre proj- words were not simple hyperbole. campus,” said Kashfi. “We want the ect has emerged as an issue in the “The management agreement with the building near the traffic of students—the $68.4 the cost to build the proposed student Concordia Student Union election, but university will be done by the end of my Hall building is key, the Library building centre in millions. despite promises of fast construction, no mandate,” promised Kashfi. “We’ve made is key, and it needs to be accessible and slate has actually contacted the CSU for it clear: it needs to be agreement first, visible to students.” information about the state of the proj- building second.” The timeline for the construction of ect. the building will depend heavily on the That is part of the problem, says CSU “We are the only university of CSU’s ability to secure financing. “The President Keyana Kashfi. “I have worked building and design process will take two $6 our size in Canada that the amount of money currently in the on this for many hours, nearly 20 hours a or three years, but we can’t start on that week, but from a certain point of view, it doesn’t have a student until we have enough money to begin. We student centre fund in millions. looks like no work was done. When we centre building, [...] know we can’t get a loan until we have tell people that work has been done they Concordia also has the least $10 million in the bank and a more shun us.” amount of space per student steady source of income,” said Kashfi. The prospective student centre— “We won’t have that much money at which already collects a $2 per credit stu- in any Canadian university.” present rates for another two years.” $2 dent fee levy—is a much-needed project —Keyana Kashfi, With only six million dollars currently the amount per-credit that the CSU already that goes beyond electoral politics for CSU President in the student centre fund, the $68.4 mil- collects for the student centre. Kashfi. lion building looks like a large invest- “We are the only university of our size Projected to have a floor area of ment for the CSU, especially considering in Canada that doesn’t have a student 20,643 square metres, the student centre that the student union’s yearly operating centre building,” said Kashfi. “Concordia will be “a one-stop shop for students,” budget is only $1.8 million. also has the least amount of space per beamed Kashfi. “We will move all student “The university projects that it will $5.40 student in any Canadian university.” services into the building. It will be cost $5.40 per credit to sustain and begin the amount per-credit that the university For nearly a year now, Kashfi has shared space with the university; 62 per work on the building. Personally, I think believes will be required to sustain and negotiated with Concordia’s administra- cent of the building will be CSU space that is pretty high,” Kashfi said. begin work on the student centre. tion over every line of a management and one-third will be for the university.” Despite a gloomy funding situation, agreement that will solve the problem. The nine or 10-floor building will be a Kashfi is set on sealing an agreement The final agreement will control the hub for student affairs on campus, cen- between the university and the CSU building’s projected $68.4 million bill, tralizing the student union, student study before her mandate ends in June. Kashfi construction, use of space and hundreds space, an auditorium for presentations is confident, especially due to a strong $1.8 of other stipulations from food to securi- and university services like financial aid show of support from the current CSU the CSU’s current annual operating budget. ty. into a single structure. Council. “Although things are still in the nego- Kashfi wants the building to be invit- “We briefed Council on the summary tiation process, we are pretty close to get- ing for students, “a home away from of the agreement [on March 11] and it ting a signed agreement,” Kashfi con- home, where students can relax, study or passed unanimously. They passed a reso- firmed. drink coffee with friends.” lution saying ‘stay on this road and go 20,643 Sitting behind the president, the The final site of the building has not and bring us back a final draft when it the projected amount of total floor space in CSU’s VP Communications Elie Chivi been released for fears that owners could is completed.’” square metres of the student centre. 04 NEWS THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/NEWS

Two girls run away from the police officer, who is wielding a baton. PHOTO ION ETXEBARRIA The Link gets arrested An account of events at the anti-Police Brutality demonstration

The riot squad was out in full force to halt protest. PHOTO ION ETXEBARRIA Protesters vandalized the city, here with “Fuck the Police” scrawled across the bus. PHOTO ION ETXEBARRIA

• COMMENT BY R. BRIAN HASTIE sion managed to continue and ended up As the police advanced from a block and crimes, the policeman pointed his gun, on Ste-Catherine Street in front of Place a half away, we retreated back up Ste- loaded with rubber bullets, to the crowd at The 13th Annual International Day des Arts. Catherine Street to get to McGill metro. regular intervals. Against Police Brutality started off the way We continued westward and that’s when most people had anticipated: throngs of Trying to get the story we realized our error in judgment: the riot Freedom of the press denied people from diverse backgrounds clad in I spent most of the afternoon with Alex police were both ahead of and behind us. I identified myself as a member of the black and red, holding signs, chanting slo- Manley, a co-worker from The Link. We Manley and I simply had the misfortune press to the media relations officer who was gans and standing off against the police, followed the procession as it snaked along of picking the wrong exit. checking the masses to make sure no mem- who had formed blockades around the bers of the press had been swept up. A team Mont Royal metro. With guns in hand, As we waited, detained without being charged of any crimes, from Radio Canada had been allowed to go, they guarded the entrance ready to fire the policeman pointed his gun, loaded with rubber bullets, but others, such as the reporters for The Link their rubber bullets. and a member of the Association des jour- An emergency brake had been pulled on to the crowd at regular intervals. nalistes independent du Québec, were forced a metro car on the orange line. I had the to stay back. The media relations officer misfortune of riding in the metro at the the city, and split up at one point to catch The police trapped approximately 150 of checked our credentials out and laughed at time, so I made my way to the demo by up. We reconnected and headed east on us on the corner of de Bleury and Ste- us, saying “everyone wants to be a member bus. Ste-Catherine street, towards Place Des Catherine Street and held us there, sand- of the press when they get caught.” We were The afternoon turned into a game of cat Art. We didn’t venture too far into the PDA wiched between two lines of riot police, for then sent back to the throng. and mouse as the police kept racing to complex, keeping our distance from the two hours. A municipal vehicle—soon to be A photographer from the Canadian Press where they thought the protest procession protest, remaining between Jeanne-Mance replaced by a paddy wagon with an officer was allowed to leave once a crew from TVA was going to be. The demo started out at Street and de Bleury Street. A crowd of in full riot gear—blocked our path to the managed to capture, on video, the detained Mount Royal metro and then headed people stood on the steps and lookout, north and a construction site’s fences journalist with press credentials hanging south, down St-Denis Street. When the throwing rocks, fruits, vegetables, cans and blocked us to the south. As we waited, from their neck. police blocked off Sherbrooke, the proces- bits of concrete at the police below. detained without being charged of any I met a man named Pedram, who had the THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/NEWS NEWS 05

Worried mother denied right to see underaged son • CLARE RASPOPOW

“I just want to know that my son is getting the medical attention he needs,” said a worried Trudie Tulk as she paced outside the municipal court on Gosford Street, to which her son would soon be brought. “Someone got [a] video tape of my son being beaten against a telephone at the [anti- police brutality] rally,” she explained at the corner of Bonsecours Street and Champs-de- Mars Street. Tulk’s son had taken part in the 13th Annual International Day Against Police Brutality demonstration. During the rally her son’s girlfriend called to say that the police were beating her son and to try to call an (Clockwise from top) Protesters throw fruit at police (ION ETXEBARRIA); a man is taken into custody (ION ETXEBARRIA); fire burns in front of Cheap Thrills ambulance. (CAT TARRANTS); riot squad are ready to handle business (ION ETXEBARRIA) “She was telling me all this on her cell misfortune of being in the wrong place at Doing hard time took down names, birthdates and addresses, phone and then the police knocked her down,” the wrong time. He was walking up de Manley and I both spent four and a half the busses were on the move again. The offi- said Tulk just after 6:30 p.m. “And then when Bleury Street on his usual Sunday stroll, a hours with our hands behind our backs, cers then started the long task of dropping I tried to call for an ambulance, the operator copy of The New York Times tucked neatly zipcuffs cutting off my circulation, which off the detainees in random bunches of twos told me not to worry and that the police were under his arm, when the riot police swal- made my left wrist bleed. We had been sepa- and threes. I was released near the handling it. Who did they think had done that lowed him up and confined him with the rated and herded into police-commandeered Frontenac metro station. to him?” rest of us. city busses. They took mug shots of us outside of the By 8 p.m., pacing desperately outside of the Pedram wasn’t the only one who was The scene inside the bus was tense, as the busses with our identifying placards and police station, Tulk was bordering on frantic. unrightfully caught up in the mess; an police showed no signs of having a clear handed us our $144 tickets for participating Tulk wouldn’t receive word that her son was Algerian man who did not speak any French strategy. I sat near the front to pick up bits of in—or being at—an assembly, march or gath- in the police station—though not receiving and almost no English had also been picked conversation. A lot of them were frustrated ering that threatened the peace, security or medical attention—until around 10:30 p.m. up. He claimed he had just been on Ste- at their higher-ups, who made them work order on public property. Her son is only 16 years old, making Tulk Catherine Street and happened to notice a overtime. They spent the evening keeping The officer cut off my zipcuffs and hand- his legal guardian. Despite that fact, she was crowd of people. He let his curiosity get the the detained protesters in line and one offi- ed me my placard to hold. My arms, with not allowed in to see him. best of him, walked towards the demonstra- cer even made idle small talk with us. blood returning to them, couldn’t hold the “They called me to tell me that he’s inside, tion and eventually the riot police showed After hours of waiting aboard the idling sign up so an officer had to hold it for me. I but that I’m not allowed to see him,” Tulk said. up behind him. bus outside of the Municipal Court, the pub- then dragged the plastic bag with my belong- “I just want to make sure that he’s okay. I’m his He was confused as to why he was lic transit vehicles moved and we caught a ings down the street for a bit and into the mother and he’s only 16 years old. I should be under arrest. The police officers had a glimpse of the other busses, whose captives’ metro, unable to open it. It took me another able to see him. The only time they’re allowed hard time speaking English and tried to zipcuffs had been cut off. 10 minutes to regain enough feeling in my to take away your rights like this is when it’s explain to him why he was under arrest. I asked the officer closest to me why they hands to rip the bag open, grab my coat and martial law. And this isn’t martial law.” He complained that the plastic zipcuffs were allowed such a luxury. “I don’t trust any make phone calls to friends and family who Tulk continued to wait outside the police restraining him were too tight, but the of you,” he replied, turning his back to us. had called to make sure I was OK. station until past 11:30 p.m., determined to police did nothing for him. After being processed by the police, who —with files from Alex Manley eventually take her son home. THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/NEWS NEWS 07 5 days, 1 charity, 0 showers Concordians forgo comfort to raise money for 5 Days for the Homeless campaign • LES HONYWILL

Student life is usually one of living on the bare necessities, but this week eight -4 Concordia University students and alumni temperature Monday night will survive on far less than that. As part of the 5 Days for the Homeless fundraising campaign, the Concordians are camping out on the streets from March 15 to 20 in a makeshift shelter and without food. The group plans on surviving on nothing 5 more than handouts for nourishment to raise forecasted temperature for awareness for the nearly 30,000 homeless Tuesday night Montrealers and to raise funds for the charity organization Dans la rue. Environment Canada has predicted four of the five nights of their campaign will dip below zero. “Warmth is the biggest issue,” said These Concordians are determined to spend five nights in the cold to raise funds for the organization Dans la rue. PHOTO IAN LAWRENCE Kristina Partsinevelos, a Concordia alumnus 5 forecasted temperature for who is co-chair of the 5 Days campaign. dozers and jackhammers could wreak havoc Josh Redler, a graduate of Concordia and “People can go for a couple days without a lot on the sleeping patterns and patience of the one of the original three volunteers from last Wednesday night of food but staying warm will be the biggest volunteers. However, despite these miserable year, decided to come back. While he said his issue, as will the construction.” conditions, the group has already seen an love of camping and the outdoors makes him The group, camping out just a stone’s increase in the number of volunteers from better suited to spending five nights sleeping throw from de Maisonneuve and Guy, are lit- last year’s three. outdoors, he said the last day could be partic- erally on a construction site: the underground “We expect an average of 12 people ularly tough. tunnel running from the Hall building to the per night to help,” said Partsinevelos, “You have a high spirit at the beginning,” -1 forecasted temperature for Guy-Concordia metro, a $5 million project to who expects a good turnout of students ready Redler said, “although at the end of it you’re Thursday night be completed in December 2009, is already to forgo their luxuries for a good cause. just trying to save enough energy to get out under excavation. Concordia professors, like the JMSB’s there and shake that jug.” Partsinevelos said the close proximity of Dr. Mahesh Sharma, are also slated to The campaign raised over $42,000 —forecasts according to the group to the early morning noises of bull- make appearances. last year. Environment Canada Enemy of capitalism Urban guerrilla Anne Hansen to speak during QPIRG-Concordia’s Keeping it Reel film series

• CHRISTOPHER OLSON for distributing videos purportedly exhibiting scenes of rape and the RCMP later shut them Canadian anarchist Anne Hansen, one of down. the Squamish 5 that committed a series of tar- “In our case, we only did bombings after geted bombings in Vancouver in 1982, is set to the grassroots movement was no longer effec- speak in Concordia’s H-110 about the status of tive. And I’m not saying what we did was per- Canada’s prison system—a system she knows fect,” said Hansen. “So people shouldn’t just well, as she’s currently on parole for a life sen- go out and start orchestrating bombings, I tence. don’t have that view. I won’t categorically say “I’ll be on parole forever,” said Hansen in in all situations that I’m opposed to it either.” an interview with The Link. Hansen’s prison A violation of Hansen’s parole—possession stint lasted seven years, or from 1983 to 1990. of marijuana—sent her back to prison for the “I still think there’s a role for militant entirety of the summer of 2006. The experi- action,” Hansen said. “But it’s sort of a tactical ence allowed her to reflect on the Canadian decision based on what’s happening at the penal system since her earlier incarceration time. It’s never been a question of whether and critique its changes, as well as lack of there should be grassroots change or militant change. change, I think both are probably going to be Prisons should serve a rehabilitative pur- necessary.” pose, said Hansen, whether it is for problems Hansen’s autobiography, Direct Action: with drugs or alcohol, or simply a lack of pro- Memoirs of an Urban Guerrilla, explains why fessional working experience. Hansen and four others took part in the “If you’re going to take people out of socie- bombings. ty, there should be a rehabilitative process to “We saw ourselves as trying to initiate a go through which isn’t totally hinged on psy- more militant practice into the left. We had an chological treatment. It’s pathologizing pris- analysis of what the main strengths of capital- oners. That may be the case with some people, ism were and we set out to attack those areas.” but certainly social conditions have a large The Squamish 5—also called the Vancouver role to play in why people end up in prisons.” 5—targeted an industrial plant, which con- structed components of American cruise mis- Anne Hansen will be at QPIRG-Concordia’s siles, a British Columbia Hydro substation Keeping it Reel film series where they will be and a chain of Red Hot Video stores. The lat- screening P4W: Prison for Women on March 18 ter had drawn attention from feminist groups at 7 p.m. in H-110. Anarchist Anne Hansen spent some serious time behind bars. GRAPHIC ALEX MANLEY THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/NEWS NEWS 09 Art symposium

• BARBARA PAVONE

Uninvited The Concordia University Art History Graduate Protesters crash Hillel dinner hosting Liberal leader Students Association will be hosting a two-day symposium entitled “Writing between the Lines: Art and Its Historians,” from March 27-28. The symposium will fea- ture several emerging schol- ars from both Canada and abroad, who will discuss the issue of authorship in art his- tory and whether the political and cultural leanings of art historians have a profound effect on our understanding of the historical narrative of art. For more info about the sympo- sium and its schedule, visit art- history.concordia.ca.

More conversations with the president Young Jews for Social Justice tried to give Liberal leader a piece of their mind as he sat down with Hillel Montreal and Liberal Concordia. PHOTO TERRINE FRIDAY

• TERRINE FRIDAY to condemn his record on “For someone who used to be a fact that they were protesting a • LES HONYWILL Palestinian human rights,” former director of a prestigious Shabbat dinner on Shabbat Federal Liberal party leader Lukacs said. “Since he’s eyed the human rights centre, you think he makes me personally question Concordia students will get Michael Ignatieff has a double position of prime minister a few would know that human rights their validity as a self-identifying another chance to meet standard for human rights and years ago, he’s gone out of his apply to everyone and not just student organization.” Concordia University President wrongfully supported the Israeli way to keep contempt on the Israelis,” Lukacs said. Mendelson said the dinner Judith Woodsworth. bombing of Gaza in December, basic human rights of Ignatieff was director of the wasn’t about attracting dis- Another round of said David Lukacs, representative Palestinians.” Carr Center for Human Rights at senters, but rather it “was an “Conversations” will be held of Young Jews for Social Justice. The Canadian Press reported Harvard University’s Kennedy opportunity for students to have to provide faculty, staff and Ignatieff, who was invited to in January that Ignatieff support- School of Government. access to a very prominent students an opportunity to the Opus Hotel along with Liberal ed “the right of a democratic Mick Mendelson, a member of Canadian politician.” speak with Woodsworth in an MPs Irwin Cotler, Marlene country to defend itself” against Hillel Montreal, was appalled by Although a little peeved about informal setting. Jennings and Marc Garneau, took Hamas, a group Israel considers the demonstration. the unwanted appearance, The “Conversations” will be part in a special Shabbat dinner to be made up of Palestinian “I would hope that most Israeli Mendelson is happy with the held on March 17 and March hosted by Hillel Montreal and extremists. Ignatieff also said groups would have the good turnout. 24 in GM 801-4. There will be Liberal Concordia on March 13. “Canada can’t touch Hamas with sense to not interrupt a Shabbat “The dinner went fantastic. No a meeting at Loyola on March “We’re here as a Jewish group a 10-foot pole.” dinner,” Mendelson said. “The one inside could see the protesters.” 18 in AD-224. The confer- ences will be limited to 25 par- ticipants each, on a first-come first-served basis. 13 and counting Students wishing to attend can register by e-mailing con- [email protected]. Campaign contestations flood election CEO For more information, visit president.concordia.ca. • CLARE RASPOPOW up with push pins. My suspicion is that our posters are being moved.” Concordia’s chief electoral officer Oliver “Thus far there seems to have been a lot of tat- Water and Cohen is a busy man these days. No fewer than 13 tle-tailing to the CEO,” accused Reckziegel. complaints surrounding election campaign prac- However, presidential candidate for Vision sanitation in tices have been filed with the CEO since last Amine Dabchy maintains, “every violation is sup- Friday—six of them coming from the current posed to be reported to the CEO,” as per the Zambia Concordia Student Union executive. CEO’s instructions. • LAURA BEESTON The charges range from the mundane and Though the other slates—New Union, somewhat expected—postering over an opposing Decentralization, ATTENTION and Fresh—have The Concordia chapter of slate’s posters, tearing down posters, trash-talk- not yet filed contestations, CEO Cohen could soon Engineers Without Borders ing opponents in classroom speeches—to the find himself with even more work on his hands. will be hosting a talk with more serious: using the CSU’s offices to print This cat-fight of a campaign doesn’t show any signs “We’ve noticed violations and bad conduct on long-time EWB contributor posters, illegally using a student group’s list serve of getting friendlier in the near future. the part of the other slates so far,” said Mike Trevor Freeman. The talk will to solicit votes, encouraging friends and support- GRAPHIC GINGER COONS Xenakis, VP External for Decentralize Concordia. surround Freeman’s work in ers to become polling clerks, publishing fake Reckziegel, CHANGE’s candidate for CSU presi- “Right now we’re considering whether or not we rural Zambia, especially water endorsements on the slate’s website and posting dent. want to report them. We’ve been very careful to and sanitation in those racist comments on a slate’s Facebook profile. Each of the two slates who have been accused make sure that everything we’re doing is legal.” regions. “I don’t really have time to talk about it,” said of misconduct during their campaigning are both “There might be something forthcoming. We The discussion will then be Cohen, when asked to comment on the situation. adamant that the accusations leveled against don’t know,” said Spencer Bailey, a member of followed by a short question- The CHANGE and Vision slates are at the them are false and are quick to point the finger at New Union who’s campaigning for VP Internal. and-answer period for those heart of the controversy thus far. The two groups their competitors. “We see our posters disappearing. I haven’t seen interested in the Zambian have already met together with Cohen in an effort “We’re very careful to never poster over an anyone taking them down. We don’t go around state. to work their ever-escalating problems out. opposing slate’s poster,” assured CHANGE’s can- taking pictures like some people. I do notice that The talk will take place tonight “One of our contestations is actually about the didate for VP University Affairs Audrey Peek in there’s a lot of CHANGE and Vision posters at 6:30 p.m. at the B-Lounge, meeting we had with Oliver,” said Kurt reference to Vision’s charge. “Our posters are put where ours used to be.” located at 2160 Bishop Street. 10 NEWS THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/NEWS Online ballots hike turnout across the country

• JUSTIN BELL, INTERCAMP of Ottawa election. “I think we defi- to ensure their identity. A number of been using e-voting for the last five Voter turnout at (GRANT MACEWAN COLLEGE) nitely reached out to those stu- graduate students attempted to vote years and have seen increased institutions across Canada dents.” in the undergraduate elections at the turnout, making the executives’ job EDMONTON (CUP) – At the U of A, turnout increased U of A, but were turned away by the easier. Students’ unions across the country by six per cent up to 20 per cent this increased security. “We do care about having a high- 60.4% are moving to electronic balloting year, due at least in part to the move It was the first year at the U of A er voter turnout, but it’s not just a St. Francis Xavier University with various levels of improved to electronic balloting. where all students could vote elec- show thing. It gives you a lot more voter turnout. It’s a marginal uptick, but Patrick tronically, but smaller rollouts have swing with the university, a lot more Both the University of Alberta Wisheu, the chief returning officer been going on since 2002-03 when swing with governments,” said and the University of Ottawa imple- for the U of A Students’ Union elec- study abroad students were able to MacGillivray. 27.2% mented e-voting for the first time tions, says he hopes that it will vote online. It was through gradual The Students’ Association of University of Ottawa this year with an increase in voter increase more in the future. upgrades that the all-student MacEwan executive election this turnout at both institutions. “With the availability to send out upgrade went out this year. year will remain a paper ballot and, The U of O moved to electronic campus-wide e-mail and getting Students at St-Francis Xavier but SA President Maigan van der 20.4% balloting for the first time this year, people to vote works very well,” said University in Antigonish, N.S. broke Giessen says she liked the idea of University of Alberta doubling their voter turnout to 27.2 Wisheu. “It makes voting incredibly records for student election turnout, electronic balloting and it could be per cent, more than the previous two easy for people. They can just log on pulling in just over 60 per cent of one way to increase the stagnating elections combined. and vote.” students in their executive election voter turnout at Edmonton’s “People underestimate the num- System security was also a big this year – higher than the last fed- MacEwan College. 10% ber of students who are part-time or factor in the election as there would eral election. “I think it’s great. We have a huge MacEwan executive elections doing co-op terms or who have dis- be no paper backups. Students had St-FX Students’ Union President voter turnout deficit. I think it would abilities and can’t make it [to cam- to go through a double-verification Matt MacGillivray says turnout at be a great way to get those people pus],” said Wassim Garzouzi, the process in order to validate their bal- the school has always been high – out who aren’t on campus or who chief information officer for the lot, logging in using their student ID, between 25 and 30 per cent – before don’t get out to voting booths,” said 6.4% Student Federation of the University but also providing more information electronic balloting. But, they’ve van der Giessen. MacEwan council elections

Adrift in a sea of good ideas, with no port to publish them in? Maybe your prose is a little too flowery, or maybe your talents just aren’t in bloom?

Visit The Link’ s arts writing workshop! With Christopher Olson Literary Arts Editor Friday, March 20 4 PM H-649 Disclaimer: do not tell me about your band.

GRAPHIC MOLLY SOWIAK

editor-in-chief opinions editor layout manager The Link is published every Letters to the editor are wel- MATHIEU BIARD Tuesday during the academic year come. All letters 400 words or CONTRIBUTORS The Link SEBASTIEN CADIEUX JUSTIN GIOVANNETTI by the Link Publication Society less will be printed, space permit- CONCORDIA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER web editor Leila Amiri, Bianca Bourgeois, Mona Sacui Catrinescu, Damir news editor copy editor Inc. Content is independent of the ting. Letters deadline is Friday at Volume 29, Number 26 BRUNO DE ROSA University and student associa- 4 p.m. The Link reserves the right Cheremison, Bethea Clarke, Madeline Coleman, Cynthia TERRINE FRIDAY R. BRIAN HASTIE D’Cruz, Lee Eks, Gaëlle Engelberts, Ion Etxebarria, Matthew Tuesday, March 17, 2009 tions (ECA, CASA, ASFA, FASA, to edit letters for clarity and Fiorentino, Owain Harris, Cody Hicks, Les Honywill, Vincent features editor student press liaison business manager CSU). Editorial policy is set by an length and refuse those deemed Hopkins, Elsa Jabre, David Kaufmann, Tristan Lapointe, Ian Concordia University elected board as provided for in racist, sexist, homophobic, xeno- Hall Building, Room H-649 OPEN RACHEL BOUCHER Lawrence, Vivien Leung, Madelyn Lipszyc, Jackson CLARE RASPOPOW The Link’s constitution. Any stu- phobic, libelous, or otherwise MacIntosh, Alex Manley, Orphée Ladouceur-Nguyen, Barbara 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W. business assistant dent is welcome to work on The contrary to The Link’s statement Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8 fringe arts editor photo editor Pavone, Norm Ravvin Sinbad Richardson, Jesse Samuels, JACQUELIN CHIN Link and become a voting staff of principles. Molly Sowiak, Cat Tarrants, Rachel Tetrault, Giuseppe Valiante JOELLE LEMIEUX JONATHAN DEMPSEY ad designer member. The Link is a member of Board of Directors 2008-2009: editorial: (514) 848-2424 ext. 7405 Canadian University Press and Giuseppe Valiante, Ellis arts: (514) 848-2424 ext. 5813 literary arts editor graphics editor CHRIS BOURNE advertising: (514) 848-2424 ext. 8682 distribution Presse Universitaire Steinberg, Matthew Gore, Indépendante du Québec. Jonathan Metcalfe; non-voting fax: (514) 848-4540 CHRISTOPHER OLSON GINGER COONS ROBERT DESMARAIS business: (514) 848-7406 Material appearing in members: Rachel Boucher, sports editor managing editor DAVID KAUFMANN The Link may not be reproduced Sebastien Cadieux. without prior written permission Typesetting by The Link. Printing cover photo by Ion Etxebarria [email protected] DIEGO PELAEZ-GAETZ JOHNNY NORTH http://thelinknewspaper.ca from The Link. by Transcontinental. THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/NEWS NEWS 11 Media accountable for human rights Student delegates discuss the role of democratic journalists

• CYNTHIA D’CRUZ Miriam Raymond-Jetté, a law student at the Université de Montréal, enjoyed the Students across Ontario and Quebec theme since it touched on her interests in boarded planes to Sudbury, Ontario to dis- equality rights. cuss “The Rights and Responsibilities of “It really deepened my knowledge on the Journalists on Conflict Situations in subject and made me more critical of the Developing Countries” on March 6. media,” Raymond-Jetté said. “There was a The Rights and Democracy organiza- lot of context provided on media during war tion’s Ontario Regional Event, a free two- and the propaganda that can occur.” day conference, was organized by Raymond-Jetté, who took part in the lec- Laurentian University students and ture on wartime reportage and propaganda, brought together Rights and Democracy will be leaving on March 11 to observe the delegations from universities in Ontario upcoming elections in El Salvador. The goal and Quebec. Experts and chapter represen- of Raymond-Jetté’s project, which tatives spoke on geopolitical and ethical stemmed from the interest of the U de M challenges facing journalists in conflict, delegation, is to observe the democratic gender equality and women’s empower- process and ensure its transparency. ment. Rights and Democracy is a Montreal- Jean-Sébastien Marier, a student dele- based organization that seeks to “promote, gate from York University, has been advocate and defend the democratic and involved with other Rights and Democracy human rights set out in the International projects and says journalists are crucial to Bill of Human Rights.” The student net- protecting civil liberties. work is a small part of the organization, “The media has a strong impact on soci- which is always looking for students who ety and they play a major role in fostering are interested in human rights and want to the political agenda,” Marier said. “So they get involved. have a responsibility to understand human rights and report on it when they aren’t For more information about Rights and being respected.” Democracy, please visit ichrdd.ca Jean-Sébastien Marier speaks to students about their own responsibilities. PHOTO CYNTHIA D’CRUZ Benny Park destruction sparks protest from locals Park set to make way for state-of-the-art sports complex The Monitor: • JESSE SAMUELS loss of advertising Notre-Dame-de-Grace residents say the con- leads to online- troversy over rezoning Benny Park to build a new sports complex could have been avoided only publication had the borough not shut down the Fraser Hickson Library. • JESSE SAMUELS The Benny Park Sports Complex, which will have a six-lane pool, basketball court, outdoor Notre-Dame-de-Grace resi- deck and a green roof, was originally to be built dents are upset about the clo- on the Benny Farm land across the street from sure of local newspaper The the park. In September of 2007 the borough Monitor. rezoned Benny Park and made the decision to Transcontinental, the com- build the new sports complex over the park’s pany that printed The outdoor pool. Monitor, is now printing bor- “There was never a sufficient explanation as ough newsletter Le Citoyen to why they wanted to [rezone Benny Park],” instead. said Cym Gomery, a member of the Save Benny “What is disturbing, howev- Park petition. Gomery said the $16 million er, about [Le Citoyen’s] publi- Fraser Hickson Library project is the real reason cation is that it is paid for by the borough chose to rezone the park. the taxpayers while much of it Former city councillor Jeremy Searle said is being used as a vehicle of those who campaigned against closing the propaganda,” NDG resident Fraser Hickson Library just didn’t get it: “The Diane Chambers wrote in an whole point was to get a new library for NDG,” email. he said. The Monitor was a newspa- According to Searle the idea from the begin- per that published many opin- ning was always to start on the Benny Farm land ions pieces by NDG residents. and then expand, with other projects. It closed earlier this year due “It’s just that the people in office currently to a loss in advertising rev- have got a bit mixed up,” Searle said. “They’ve enue. turned it around but it was always part of the The Monitor is now an plan to expand.” online-only publication. The sports complex, once built, will open up “It was a purely financial onto Monkland Avenue. As a result, the park decision,” said Toula Foscolos, will lose green space; the complex is 30 per cent editor of The Monitor. “As larger than the pool grounds the borough a journalist, I miss the intends to build over. This property will house new recreational facilities. PHOTO ELSA JABRE print version.” 12 FEATURES THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/FEATURES 6 from the John Molson School Of Business faculty (represented by figures 13 from the Arts and Science wearing ties) faculty (represented by figures holding books)

1 Chair appointed by Council

The CSU Council is made up of 27 councillors

3 from the Engineering and Computer Science faculty (represented by figures with hard hats)

3 from the Fine Arts faculty (represented by figures holding paint brushes and palettes) 2 representing independent students (represented by the plain figures)

Andre Leroy Colin Goldfinch Elie Chivi Jose Garcia Keyana Kashfi Priscila Gomes VP Finance VP External VP Communications VP Services CSU President VP Clubs and Sustainability THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/FEATURES FEATURES 13 The race to represent you The Link asks the slates why they deserve your vote

We asked the candidates 11 ATTENTION questions so Concordians can get to know them better, 1) To get as many eyes as possible watching swears and slanders is baffling. and gave them as much room the CSU in order to prevent illegalities. 8) They are extremely hard workers and as they wanted to answer. 2) I, Tessa Star, have attended at least two seem to have gotten a lot done in their short council meetings. [Average meeting length] time as execs. I also like what I have heard so eight to nine hours. far about the upcoming student centre. Questions: 3) There is every type of student at 9) Instead of promoting and helping the Concordia and I believe most have strong con- Co-op Bookstore and CUTV, the CSU and victions when it comes to their personal council did not allow the students to decide 1) In 15 words or less, what’s beliefs. When it comes to student politics whether we wanted to help them with a fee- your mission? there are lots of apathetic students. levy or not. These are amazing resources that 2) How many people on your 4) By telling the truth. I think it will be dif- Concordia students have worked incredibly team have attended at least two ferent enough to get their attention. hard to offer great advantages to students. CSU Council meetings? How long 5) Concordia has a great image of being a They get no aid from the people who are sup- has the average regular meeting diverse school filled with active students. posed to be looking out for and helping the been this year (excludes all spe- What worries me is that it is on its way to students. It seems as though clubs have disap- cial meetings)? (please state the becoming nothing but a money generating peared this year. The only events I have heard Tessa Star, the one and only member of the names of each exec who has business that only supports ad campaigns and of have been faculty associated. It’s a sad day ATTENTION slate, just wants you to get educated attended at least two CSU about the issues. PHOTO TERRINE FRIDAY for-profit initiatives. at Concordia when Queer Concordia only has Council meeting from Sept. 2008 6) People go into debt all the time in this two executives and the student union offers no line. Fresh really are fresh. They are students to March 2009) country. As long as actions are taken wisely help. for the students. New Union really do want to 3) Is there student apathy at and legally it will all eventually work itself out. 10) Students should not vote for me. They correct the wrongs. I met them in my Concordia? 7) Trying to get rid of the Sustainable should read about what has happened and advanced ethics class so I feel confident that I 4) How do you plan to engage Action Fund was a mistake but they have apol- what is happening at our school. To do that, can trust them. Decentralization are also Concordia students? ogized, and as a fellow human I can forgive search back issues of both school newspapers philosophers. Go Philosopher Kings! They 5) What do you think of them. But going around the rules to allow a and read critically. CHANGE is not change, have great points and seem to know what they Concordia’s image? non-student to chair the council meetings is they are in support of the same people who are talking about. ATTENTION is only here to 6) How are you going to get simply illegal. Also, the fact that they attack have delegated the CSU for the past six years. get your attention, give you information I per- the CSU membership out of a Beisan Zubi in Council meetings for standing Vision is half ‘left,’ half ‘right.’ They have the sonally know and ask you kindly to find the near $500,000 deficit? up for students and saying her opinion, but best opportunity to win but you are depending facts for yourself. 7) In what area(s) do you don’t even blink when Colin Goldfinch yells, on a minority of them to keep the majority in 11) I would watch The Wire. That’ll work. think the current CSU executive has failed? 8) In what area(s) do you think the current CSU executive FRESH has excelled? 1) Increase participation and on a personal level will have more 9) How would you rate the awareness. End infighting, waste- of an impact. services offered by the current ful financial management. Give 5) We believe that Concordia’s executive? the union a FRESH start. image has been hurt in the past 10) Why should students vote 2) Three of us have attended few years because of the scandals for you? one regular CSU council meeting surrounding the CSU. This has 11) If you had to watch repeats since Sept. 2008. Joel Suss, tarnished Concordia’s reputation of either The Office or 30 Rock Jayme Leitner, and Allan Guindi. and taken focus away from all the for the rest of your life, which one The average regular meeting has positives about the university. We would you pick? been 7.5 hours. love Concordia—you just have to 3) Sadly, yes. When only search “Fresh Concordia” on approximately 10 per cent of YouTube to see how much. And so stdents eligible to vote for the we are running for the CSU, so CSU do so, something must be that we can have a union that Students should not wrong. Our main goal is to reduce reflects the true image of vote for me. They apathy and stimulate voter Concordia. should read about turnout, so that the CSU ade- 6) We will seek alternative what has happened quately reflects its members’ ways to raise money for the CSU wants and needs. without increasing student fees. Made up of mostly JMSB students, Team Fresh promises to be different than and what is happening 4) By showing them that we For instance, we will offset the the rest. PHOTO TERRINE FRIDAY at our school. are students just like them and costs of prominent speakers and —ATTENTION that we are focused towards musicians by charging students 8) In organizing a trip to NYC efit from them. improving their overall experi- $2-5 each for these events, we will at low cost, in bringing in interest- 10) Because we are the only ence at Concordia. We are deter- have fundraising events that ing and stimulating speakers, and team with creative and original mined on getting more students would target the deficit, and we in providing valuable services like ideas, the only team that is running We don’t believe that involved and aware about the will work within the budget and HOJO and advocacy for students. with the interest of the students in lollipops, Sudoku, or state and direction of their union. cut any unnecessary spending. They have also excelled in getting mind, the only team not running harassment at the We are not campaigning like 7) The CSU has failed by losing negative publicity and tarnishing on a platform of empty promises, escalators would get the green or purple team, we are trust with the student population. the image of the CSU. the only team of students for stu- approaching people in order to By being involved in inordinate 9) The current executive has dents. people to vote, but get to know them and understand amount of litigation, garnering offered excellent services for the 11) We choose not to answer rather engaging what they want out of the CSU. negative publicity, and failing to student body; however we don’t this question, as it has no import students on a personal We don’t believe that lollipops, connect with its paying members. believe they have done enough on the campaign or the CSU. Also, level will have more of Sudoku, or harassment at the It has also failed by not getting publicity for them. So while the we can’t answer it because we have escalators would get people to people more aware about their services are very beneficial, not been unable to come to a consen- an impact. vote, but rather engaging students campaigns and services. everyone is aware enough to ben- sus on which show we like more. —Fresh 14 FEATURES THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/FEATURES Questions: DECENTRALIZATION

1) In 15 words or less, what’s CONCORDIA your mission? 2) How many people on your 1) Mission: To give decision-making power team have attended at least two back to the students. CSU Council meetings? How 2) None of us have been to CSU Council long has the average regular meetings. Your question assumes that Council meeting been this year (excludes has either the political efficacy or political will all special meetings)? (please to ensure proper governance. Council has nei- state the names of each exec who ther. We do not believe that a small handful of has attended at least two CSU individuals have the authority to represent Council meeting from Sept. 2008 over 32,000 students. Student council is not to March 2009) students’ council, but the council of a few. 3) Is there student apathy at Furthermore, the executive is known not to Concordia? seek Council’s approval, and the Council has 4) How do you plan to engage not been meeting regularly. If a petition Concordia students? signed by 3,600 students could not get the 5) What do you think of executive to re-evaluate their decisions, then Concordia’s image? what good is a council anyways? 6) How are you going to get 3) For sure, and I too have been very indif- the CSU membership out of a ferent about the CSU. What can we expect near $500,000 deficit? when there is such a great distance between 7) In what area(s) do you the team of seven execs and the student body think the current CSU executive of 30,000? Why should students care about has failed? the CSU? They can’t get involved, their voices 8) In what area(s) do you are not heard, and the likelihood of having think the current CSU executive more than 10 per cent of students know CSU Mike Xenakis, Marouf T. Mahmoud, Humza Ali Makhdoom, Clay Hemmerich make up Decentralize Concordia. They aim to redistribute decision making power throughout the school. PHOTO CLARE RASPOPOW has excelled? representatives is very low. 9) How would you rate the Although students should care, since the On the international level, we are mostly act in the interest of Concordia’s student body. services offered by the current decisions the CSU makes affects them, and known for the business school, but many rec- They failed to take on the role they aspired to, executive? since they pay for the CSU’s dealings, they ognize the school’s strengths in engineering and which was assigned to them. 10) Why should students vote simply cannot given the structure in place. and political science. Locally, we also attract 8) I enjoyed watching Talib Kweli. I also for you? Why should anyone be happy or content with lots of art students, and this gives the univer- think that the “bring your own mug” campaign 11) If you had to watch an executive they do not know, that is hard to sity a very nice touch. I cannot list all the was fantastic, but they haven’t promoted repeats of either The Office or 30 get in touch with, that doesn’t listen to com- departments I believe to be strong ones, but large-scale sustainability. There aren’t any Rock for the rest of your life, plaints or demands, and that is also getting this is what I know with regards to our local poster regulations, just have a look at the which one would you pick? paid a salary for it? and international reputation. ridiculously huge posters printed by Vision 4) I think that Decentralization is the only The real question is why does the CSU have and Change, scattered all over our campuses. platform where students will naturally get the image it has? This isn’t about who cheers They are members at every level of student involved in communal affairs. We have to the loudest, who wears more burgundy than government, but disregard environmental We have to forego forego facile cynicism and afford students in anyone else, or who loves the trees on campus. considerations. facile cynicism and each department actual, reasonable, practical This is about an honest look at our image in 9) A more practical way to answer that accessibility to the decision making structure the community and among the students. question is to send out an electronic survey to afford students in and to the affairs of the department. The central government is too removed to all the students in Concordia. Nonetheless, I each department Our system is a participatory one, and stud- have a close relation to most students. believe that the services offered are necessi- actual, reasonable, ies have shown that these systems promote Furthermore, it has become a den of smooth- ties—here, I am talking about the Housing and practical accessibility the flourishing of communities. Students will talkers, self-servers, and cynics. It is no won- Job Bank, the Advocacy Centre, the Legal get involved because it will be much easier for der then that both large segments of the stu- Information Clinic, and the Tutoring Centre. to the decision making them to do so, and because the environment dent body and the surrounding community Many students who have used these servic- structure and to will promote political understanding. Right find the CSU either incompetent or corrupt. es are very glad that they are made available to the affairs of now, it’s hard to keep track of what’s going on 6) Obviously, healthier business and oper- us, and realize how indispensable they are. We the department. in school, you’d have to hang out with people ational practices will take precedence over certainly feel the same way, but we feel that who are involved or do your own research. anything. It is extremely important that we services are bogged down by executive inter- —Decentralization Concordia Under our model, these will be stories of the work closely with the accountants and make ference, even if the interference is uninten- past. sure that the accounting system is fully tional. Moreover, the politicization of services 5) Honestly, my opinion varies quite a bit. respected and kept up to date. is reducing the quality and equal accessibility I studied at the American University of Beirut It would be foolish of me to commit to a of services. before coming here, and that is one the top business strategy at the moment. I do not have 10) Only about 10 per cent of students cur- There are too many universities in the Middle East—so whatever access to any of their financial statements, and rently vote, and we are aiming to attract the good people doing too comparisons I make, they are with regards to no one knows if it is just $500,000 missing. non-voters. A big portion of this demographic much good work at A.U.B. The CSU is capable of throwing events gross- couldn’t care less about the CSU, and see I find academic standards to be somewhat ing up to $90,000, but what I will be capable through the façade of campaigns. If we are Concordia to have it relaxed and not super challenging (come exam of doing remains open until I take office. elected, it will be the last time students have to dumped on by self- time my attitude will change!), but the pro- One thing I can say for sure is that once our vote for representatives of the entire serving mini-fascists. grams seem to be quite strong. Take philoso- system is in place, we will save the students Concordia community. about $150,000 a year in executive salaries. If Instead, they will have the option of voting —New Union phy for example. The Philosophy department is quite small and does not employ as much the CSU were to make no profits at all, then for representatives of their department—peo- faculty as other departments do, but it is a sur- the debt can be recovered in less than three ple they are more likely to know, and who have prisingly good program considering the fund- and half years. We aren’t going to abstain from the same academic interests they do. We also ing it receives. throwing events for profit however, so I want students to be able to vote on specific CHANGE is the best I’ve taken classes with professors like believe the deficit to be manageable. matters, like which speaker they would like to choice for Concordia Smith, Rozahegy, and Morris who totally blew 7) The executive has first and foremost invite, whether or not they support fee levies my mind away with the extent of their knowl- failed its fellow students, and has certainly for places the Co-op Bookstore, and what kind students because we edge and their eloquent lecturing styles. Then failed itself. The CSU is supposed to represent of facilities are most needed, and at what cost. have great ideas [...] again, I’ve taken marketing classes that left me the interests of Concordia’s 32,000 under- Basically, students voting for us are voting and we have the utterly unimpressed with the teaching quality graduate students, but this has not been the for themselves. They are ensuring a future experience to (this might boil down to preference). case. democratic system, and are thus ensuring that If you want to consider Concordia’s image The reason I said they have failed them- their individual interests will always play a see them through. abroad, I think we have a good reputation— selves is because they were suppose to take on part in future policies. —CHANGE although the name McGill somewhat intrudes. public roles, meaning they would have had to 11) You’re kidding me, right? THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/FEATURES FEATURES 15 NEW UNION

1) Anyone who can summarize a hindrance than anything else by self-serving mini-fascists. what needs to be done into 15 (that’s why Decentralize can seri- 6) Before addressing this debt words isn’t being serious. ously propose to get rid of it alto- (a deficit applies to a budget, the 2) Robert Sonin—two this year, gether). permanent accumulated shortfall but about 25 to 30 in total over the 4) The first thing we will do as is debt), a proper financial system years. Council meetings have a new student union is to hold the (not merely a bookkeeping or become a farce. They do not deal first General Meeting in over two accounting system) must be put in with any real business, other than years, where fundamental changes place, including participation that which people from outside to the bylaws and regulations will from the Financial Committee Council bring to it (like fee levy be made openly and democratical- (some basic starting points can be groups and the people who hate ly. The student union, even found at voteforanewunion.com them), because councillors are for assuming the debt is paid off in under “A Program for the most part not involved in the one year, will have more than $1.5 Transparency”). daily (mis)management of the million to spend—and most of it Having done that, we will have CSU. The only resolutions that will be spent supporting student to figure out exactly what the aren’t housekeeping are motions initiatives, student groups, and deficit consists of and how much to go into secret session and reso- student activities. It’s amazing of it can be eliminated or renegoti- lutions that result in yet another what you can do to a budget when ated. The CSU receives enough scandal. you eliminate the graft. cash from fees to pay it off in one (Clockwise) Robert Sonin, Spencer Bailey, Emily Gallant, Dania Sonin, Kai Average Council meetings go The first thing we will do to the year if significant cuts are made to Matthews, and Karl Jeschek make up New Union. They want to give you a for three to four hours, and at least seventh floor office is to physically unnecessary expenses. student union you can be proud of. one went about eight. If the Board remove the door between the However, we have to keep in of Governors can deal with the reception area and the inner mind—and it should be clear to other and the Unity (“Evolution,” People might enjoy making a scarf entire University’s business in office. And the hinges. anyone who has read The Link “Experience,” etc.) people that cre- while enjoying tantric sex without one-hour meetings, so can the 5) Concordia’s image has taken over the last year or two—that the ated them. That was a pretty neat worrying about the replacement CSU Council. But, of course, the many hits in the last few years, CSU’s finances are in disarray and trick. They’ll probably get away costs of their hardwood floors if Board of Governors has a func- mainly because of the Unity (for- veiled in secrecy, so no one can say with it, too. they puncture the waterbed with a tioning committee system, and merly “Evolution,” “Experience,” exactly what needs to be done 9) The current executive has knitting needle, but do we need a competent chair and secretary. etc.; now they’re “Vision” and right now. almost nothing to do with the student union to provide these 3) No. There is frustration and “CHANGE”) people mismanaging 7) The space required for a valuable services that the CSU kinds of services? exhaustion from dealing with the the CSU. Search the Gazette’s proper answer would be a finan- offers—they have been around a 10) 1. We don’t lie. 2. We don’t children running the CSU. website for CSU—nothing good cial imposition upon The Link due long time, and they mostly run cheat. 3. We will help students cre- Everywhere you look students are comes up. Ask people on the street to the amount of paper it would their own affairs. The “Unity” ate a Student Union they can be active and involved—but not with what they think and they’ll reply require. (“Vision”/“CHANGE”) innova- proud of. the CSU, because they see the CSU “Oh yeah—Con U.” That has to 8) They’ve managed to run two tions have ranged from inappro- 11) We’d be bored of the same as a clubby, cliquey, high school change. There are too many good slates in the election (“CHANGE” priate to goofy. Courses in knit- thing, year after year. We would student council. For some student people doing too much good work and “Vision”), and to make it seem ting? Discount home and auto probably just turn the TV off and groups, the CSU has been more of at Concordia to have it dumped on like they are different from each insurance? Courses in tantric sex? read a book. CHANGE 1) CHANGE will put petty politics aside and refocus the CSU on student issues and representation. 2) Three members of our team have attended at least two council meetings this year: Samantha Banks, Audrey Peek and Cathy Lin. The average length of the meet- ings is about five hours with the shortest special Council meeting being 23 minutes on Thursday, March 5, 2009 and the longest being 10 hours on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009. CHANGE wants to respresent you so much, they put their name all in caps. 3) CHANGE knows that students at Concordia feel disconnected from their faculty members, a diverse student body and to the very people who elected them. They to include a wider variety of courses, better University. Students don’t feel ownership progressive course offerings, Concordia is allowed themselves to get bogged down in advertise the Loyola Luncheon and ensure over their curriculum, don’t feel like their becoming an internationally known centre petty politics instead of focusing on serving that it serves more students, and expand the course evaluations make a difference, and for research and learning. CHANGE mem- students. classifieds section of the Housing and Job are dissatisfied with academic space facili- bers are proud Concordians and will work 8) The current executive has started sev- Bank website. ties. The CSU should serve as a vehicle for next year to further improve our school. eral of new services and events, like the Food CHANGE also wants to begin new servic- students to engage their University, and 6) CHANGE will finish repaying the and Clothing Bank and influential speakers es to reach out to students in different ways, CHANGE plans to be a voice for those stu- deficit by trimming the fat from the CSU’s like Spike Lee. They also continued to like a Financial Information Office that will dents. budget. We’ll perform an efficiency audit at advance the plans for the student centre, provide counseling on personal finances and 4) The CSU needs to work with honesty the beginning of the year and work to make although not many students know about budgeting. and transparency to re-enfranchise stu- sure that every penny of student money is these projects. CHANGE plans to continue 10) CHANGE is the best choice for dents. CHANGE will have an open-door pol- being spent wisely. CHANGE will ensure these projects and communicate with mem- Concordia students because we have great icy next year and give regular updates about that mismanagement like this one never bers about our projects, since students ideas—like the creation of a fall reading the work we’re doing and about the CSU’s occurs again by strengthening the CSU’s should always know what their union is week and a universal bus pass program— finances. We will also work on services and financial regulatory practices and by ensur- doing for them. and we have the experience to see them campaigns that matter to all students, like ing that students are informed about the 9) The services are one of the CSU’s through. It’s time for the CSU to be brought lobbying the University to create a fall CSU’s finances by posting regular updates strengths, but they could be improved sig- back to students’ issues and focus on stu- Reading Week and working with the STM on the CSU’s website. nificantly. The CSU’s services are built up dents’ representation, which are precisely and the AMT to create a reduced cost uni- 7) This year the CSU failed to communi- over the years and need constant re-evalua- the goals of CHANGE and the role of the versal bus pass. cate with the students it represents. tion and restructuring. CSU. 5) Concordia has taken great strides over Concordia students should know what their Next year CHANGE will ensure that all of 11) We choose The Office, as long as it’s the past couple of years, but there is always union is doing and how it is representing the services are up and running throughout the UK version. If it’s not, we reserve our room to advance. With the new JMSB build- them. The current CSU executive was dis- the year and that they are efficiently serving right to choose 30 Rock, because Tina Fey ing opening, fantastic full- and part-time tant and neglected to report on its progress students. We will expand the tutoring centre is awesome. 16 FEATURES THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/FEATURES Questions: VISION

1) In 15 words or less, what’s 1) To give students the better your mission? leadership they deserve, ensure 2) How many people on your transparency and offer more team have attended at least two services. CSU Council meetings? How 2) Three executives. Four to five long has the average regular hours. Amine Dabchy, Stephanie meeting been this year (excludes Siriwardhana, Prince Ralph Osei. all special meetings)? (please 3) There is huge apathy among state the names of each exec who the student body that can be attrib- has attended at least two CSU uted to the disconnection between Council meeting from Sept. 2008 the leadership and the entire stu- to March 2009) dent population. 3) Is there student apathy at Concordia University is an edu- Concordia? cational institution and, based on 4) How do you plan to engage our observation, it seems as though This team is made up of a combination of eager greenhorns and seasoned politicos. They say Vision will show you a Concordia students? some students view their experi- better future. PHOTO TERRINE FRIDAY 5) What do you think of ence at school as a task to complete, Concordia’s image? or a work shift to get through. really be brought about. talked about this very fact. posed to be the union for ALL 6) How are you going to get At the same time, students who 4) At the current moment, the Therefore it is of utmost impor- undergraduate students, and we the CSU membership out of a have the time to get involved at fact that there are five slates run- tance that the student government feel that the current executive did near $500,000 deficit? school, or have passions to fulfil, ning is promoting the entire elec- changes, thereby allowing not understand this responsibility. 7) In what area(s) do you look for ways in which to get toral process. Vision is mounting a Concordia to be known, once again, 8) They have been able to think the current CSU executive engaged—whether it be by going to strong campaign by talking to as for all the great things that sets it employ a full-time chef to run the has failed? an event, or joining a student club, many students as possible in an apart, such as its passion for sus- Loyola luncheon, brought some big 8) In what area(s) do you etc. Concordia seems to have a wide attempt to create awareness tainability and a greener Concordia, names to the Speaker series think the current CSU executive range of opportunities available for amongst the student body. After its active students, as well as its cul- (although this comes with a huge has excelled? students to be active; it simply takes elections is a whole other issue, tural diversity. price tag), and their website is very 9) How would you rate the the initiative of the student to however. 6) Knowing that a large portion nice and almost always up-to-date. services offered by the current decide to step outside of the class- Engagement comes from a con- of this amount is due to unpaid 9) On a scale of one to 10, with executive? room. nection, and Vision intends to be as taxes, we will arrange with the gov- 10 being excellent, we will give 10) Why should students vote Apathy, in the case of student accessible to the student body as ernment to pay it back through them a four. for you? politics, seems to be measured by a possible. Right now the CSU is an monthly instalments. We will likely 10) Vision envisions a CSU 11) If you had to watch low voter turnout. However, some elite group that is cut off from daily have to make cuts to projects that where the interests of our students repeats of either The Office or 30 students make the choice not to life at Concordia. Vision hopes to have been initiated by the current are put first, where full financial Rock for the rest of your life, vote, as they may feel that they are alter this by having casual weekly executives that do not benefit stu- transparency is in place by being which one would you pick? not making a difference, or do not gatherings at both Java U and the dents as a whole. We will also be accountable for every single penny benefit from their student union Hive. We want the student body to saving by cutting legal fees, as the students entrust into our hands, (whether they know it or not). be aware that every concern, no current executive unnecessarily and where leadership is combined We also believe that students matter how big or small, is an issue spent nearly $70,000. with accessibility. We are running need to see a benefit to being active we want to address. VP Finance, Sam Moyal: Many on an open door policy, to answer Vision envisions a CSU at school. In some cases, students Vision promises to have an open of the financial problems that CSU and interact with the student body where the interests of are able to fill their resumé with door policy that will allow students executives have had in the past on a day-to-day basis and provide experience, and others are simply to check in with CSU happenings have been caused by not only mis- very important services with the our students are put happy to make the connections and ask questions of their own. We management of funds, but by VP hard-earned money students pay to first, where full they have made outside of the class- also want Concordia students to Finances who overspend because the union. financial transparency room. For some, the thought of a know what we’re up to as their stu- they can’t say “no” to their fellow Vision is a group of dedicated is in place by being Council meeting may be regarded dent union, and so we intend to executives when a project exceeds students that are fed up with the as a waste of time, especially when have monthly VP reports accessible the set budget. I am firm in my current petty politics of their stu- accountable for every it is portrayed as a playing field for online. Vision hopes to engage stu- decisions and have no trouble say- dent union. We are all involved in a single penny students petty politics and personal vendet- dents by providing opportunities ing “no” when a project is not feasi- variety of different clubs, unions entrust into our hands, tas. geared towards their specific ble. For events such as orientation, and activities here at Concordia and and where leadership What it comes down to is that degrees, allowing our initiatives to which often costs hundreds of thou- we feel that the CSU could provide there are many factors explaining affect them directly. sands of dollars, I plan to put a lot more for its students. Our slate has is combined with student apathy at Concordia, from 5) We believe there is more of effort into fundraising in order to a combination of individuals who accessibility. both ends—the lifestyle of the stu- room for improvement. The univer- spend less student money. With have been involved in the CSU pol- —Vision dents, as well as how Concordia sity has had bad publicity recently, this kind of responsible spending, I itics, and those who have not been presents opportunities of engage- and we will be working to promote truly believe that the CSU will be involved at all. ment. Somewhere down the line, our university as well as the value of freed of this large deficit and back We feel that a new approach is students need to see the value of our hard-earned degrees. on its feet to serve Concordia stu- needed, and this balance will help being engaged, and that is a very Concordia has always been known dents the way it should. us in bringing a fresh perspective to relative statement. as being a very diverse university 7) They have failed in terms of the CSU. Through our involvement I encourage all With a stronger CSU in office, where students are not afraid to transparency, accountability and with FASA, ASFA, IEAC, IFC, vari- Concordia one where students can directly see stand up for what they believe in. have acted in bad faith. In most ous clubs and committees, we undergraduate what the executive does for stu- However, lately it has been talked cases, self-interest and future polit- understand what is required of stu- students to participate dents, we feel students will be more about mostly in terms of the differ- ical ambitions have been at the dent representatives and are eager excited to get involved and vote, as ent scandals, which have occurred forefront of their agenda, which and prepared to step up to the chal- in the electoral they will know their opinions do due to the student government. An does not benefit Concordia stu- lenge. process, by running, by make a difference and change can article in the Gazette last Sunday dents on the whole. The CSU is sup- 11) 30 Rock participating in Referendum Committees, by informing themselves Voting takes place March 24, 25 and 26 on election candidates and issues and of For more information about the slates, • changeconcordia.ca • visionconcordia.com course by voting. visit their websites or talk to a representative. • decentralizeconcordia.ca • voteforanewunion.com —Oliver Cohen, • search YouTube for “Fresh Concordia” Chief Electoral Officer 2009 THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/LIT LITERARY ARTS 17 It ain’t necessarily so Guy P. Harrison knocks down the pillars of religious reasoning

• CHRISTOPHER OLSON Setting out to compare and contrast dif- “My gosh,” says Harrison. ferent religious beliefs, what Harrison “If there are fundamentalist As a travel writer, Guy P. Harrison has found is that they don’t contrast so much as Christian preachers who aren’t been exposed to a wide number of climates, compare. believers, then it’s not far- cultures and religious cults. “When I hear a Hindu in India say fetched to believe that there are “I’ve been to every continent except ‘Ganesh cured my mother of her health a lot more people in society who Antarctica, and while hanging out with peo- problems and therefore I know Ganesh is aren’t.” ple, inevitably I’d ask them about religion,” real,’ and then I hear a Christian in North Harrison was once reluctant says Harrison. “What fascinated me is that Carolina say ‘Jesus healed my daughter of to call himself out as an atheist many different belief systems will reach her migraine headaches,’ I know Jesus and to his family and friends, prefer- into the same grab bag of arguments to Ganesh are not floating around in this uni- ring the term agnostic. defend their particular religion.” verse together. So either one of them or “It’s traditionally been The most common answers that both of them is wrong.” thought that there are believers Harrison heard were compiled into 50 Being able to leave home and observe on one side, agnostics in the mid- Reasons People Give for Believing in a other cultures has been a wake-up call, says dle and then atheists on the other God, which aims to correct some of the Harrison. side. I incorrectly saw agnosti- more fallacious arguments in defence of “Religion seems to make a lot of sense so cism as a happy middle ground religion. long as you’re surrounded by people who that would make me seem moder- “I wanted to make them reasons that are saying the same thing, but once you step ate and tolerant or something like were common to more than one belief sys- out of your neighbourhood, once you step that. I was really an atheist no mat- tem. They had to overlap.” out and take a good look, there is plenty of ter what I was saying, because I really did- The nature of religion is “infinitely flexi- reason to have doubt,” says Harrison. n’t believe.” GRAPHIC ble,” and that’s why it’s important to criti- “You have to ask, why aren’t we all wor- Harrison’s goal with 50 Reasons isn’t to CHRISTOPHER OLSON cize the rationale for religiosity rather than shipping Zeus today? It’s not because Zeus win arguments, but to raise the level of organized religion itself, says Harrison. didn’t have enough good, hard evidence. debate. appearance on CNN, “A person can gravitate towards what It’s because Athens lost its grip on the “The fact that today there are millions of and then we’d know that at they like. [Religion is] like a paradise for world. Greece had its heyday when they happy, content atheists with families that least one god is real.” confirmation bias. Many times I’ll say to a were the epicentre of everything. And then are doing just fine, that shows that there is Ten minutes later, the likelihood of Christian, ‘Did you know that this is in the they faded away, and so did their gods and no absolute human need for religion.” Mutubu’s glorious return began to seem Bible?’ And they’ll say, ‘I bet you $100 it’s their religion.” In the meantime, Harrison will be keep- more and more remote. not there.’ And of course it is.” Harrison has a feeling more people are ing an open mind. In fact, many Christians nowadays atheists than are willing to let on, citing “I’m completely receptive to someone 50 Reasons People Give haven’t actually read their Bibles, says several cases of fundamentalist preachers coming up to me and saying ‘Hey, look, we for Believing in a God Harrison. who later admitted to being atheists— have an 8 x 10 glossy black and white photo Guy P. Harrison “I think I know why. I think so much of even while excoriating their congregations of Zeus and we have 1,000 witnesses, and Prometheus Books it must just fly in the face of everything they for their sins—simply because they didn’t here’s some DNA evidence.’ I’m not going June 2008 think they knew about Christianity. Their want to give up their livelihoods over a to close my mind. Five minutes from now, 354 pp faith would waiver if they actually read it.” lapse of faith. Mutubu, the African god could make an $15.89 Lit Writ

send me an MSN nudge and ask me if I'm ly, “real life!” Deleted feeling well. At least you stopped ignor- But it’s all the same really. I • MONA SACUI CATRINESCU ing me. And what business of yours is it if have completely meshed with I'm feeling alright? But you would have computers. My hard drive is I can delete you. saved both of us some time if you had just saturated and my motherboard Look, the simple press of a button and typed “R U OK?” I don’t have patience for can barely hold me together. I browse. I you are gone, obliterated, erased! you anymore, or for anyone else for that process. I analyze. I store. The screen The ‘delete’ button invites me, smil- matter. I’m busy and I have no time for stares back at me with bright indiffer- ing. Or maybe I’m the one who’s smiling. you. My patience is running out through ence. I should stop working so much, you Because I know I have the power. Do I my high-speed connection. say? Stop working so much? Stop telling not delete images, documents, words and Please, quit typing in so many ques- me what to do. letters every day? I can delete you just as tions in my brain. Feelings for you? You Oh, I’ve had enough. How I hate the well. Do you hear? misinterpreted my emoticons. What feel- pattern in your eyes. 10101010101 But you won’t stop, will you? You’d ings? You mean, stress? Yes, you are a 01101100010101101101101010. I've had much rather humiliate me with your significant source of stress. enough. It’s so simple; I can fix this prob- silence and those sharp words of No. I don’t love you. Oh, don’t start lem with one stroke of a button. reproach. Well, I will delete you and that crying. I don’t need this right now. I don’t Goodbye. I will log you off forever. sad grin off your face. I can't stand the love you. I never did. Adieu. sight of you much longer. I’ll drag and But it’s not your fault. I just cannot *** drop you out the door, and I’ll never see process that word in my mind. An error I just sat there, staring at a blank your mass of pixels again. always occurs. L&--oV#e. I won’t let this screen for hours on end. I stared for But somehow I can’t seem to get you virus infect me. hours, still and silent, until I realized the in the crosshairs of my cursor. No matter Our faces have been desaturated. The horrible truth. It was true. I was no how hard I try, I can’t see the arrow glow of the monitor has made our skin longer part of the real world. touch you. And frankly I can’t even see pale, livid. Oh, will you stop whining? I had deleted myself. the shift key anywhere, or the ‘delete’ Can I minimize this conversation window button for that matter. And where is the now? Or could I at least open another To submit your fiction or poetry to keyboard? tab? “This is real life,” you hiss at me, as the Lit Writ column, email them to While I deliberate on these things, you the lights of your modem blink frantical- [email protected]. GRAPHIC VIVIEN LEUNG THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/LIT LITERARY ARTS 19 A high caliber Pistol that isn’t full bore Anthology of Concordia Creative Writing students’ work is hit and miss

• JACKSON MACINTOSH suspiciously Socratic teacher, who remains nameless. It’s the most exciting thing here for- Reading takes a lot of time, so it’s natural to mally, but it remains jokey, sharp and makes want to spend that time with books that have fun of Canadian writing, all admirable quali- officially been deemed good. Anthologies, ties in my book. It stayed casual enough in uneven by design, can’t live up to that. tone and construction to potentially be a toss If you’re not on the editorial board, you’re off, but if it is, my God, what an impressive not going to like everything in it. But the good throwing arm. thing about anthologies is that you’ll probably Similarly ambitious is Gil Filar’s short story like something and it’s a great way to get the “On Receiving Criticism” narrated by a lay of the land of an unfamiliar or emerging mediocre, arrogant writer who is expelled literary scene. I kept this in mind while read- from a creative writing program for plagia- ing Pistol Vol. 1, No. 1, published by Pistol rism. Press. Unfortunately, Filar parodies the style of a Like any anthology, I didn’t like everything, bad creative writing student. I’ve never but at least very little of it was bad, and some enjoyed the sneering condescension of pur- Pistol Press’ first volume of creative writing holds some hidden gems, but some are less likely to sparkle. GRAPHIC DAMIR CHEREMISOV of it was terrific. posefully bad writing, and as one of the work- Pistol Press emerges from the Concordia shop participants in Filar's story says, “I’m lost of humour writing in the collection, detailing put into producing the books is equalled by Creative Writing Program, although in this on where the writing tries and where it suc- the aftermath of the Lord’s resurrection at a the irreverence, wit and skill of the writing. volume they extend their reach into the ceeds,” but the attempt itself is ballsy. Neil Young concert. Expert deployment of In short, I liked them before I read this vol- greater Canadian literary scene. The book Other highlights are co-editor J.P. King’s hoser dialect is always welcome and usually ume and I’ve only had my high opinion of includes many contributions from current and poems, many of which also appear in his funny, even if he allows it to become the focus them confirmed by this book. I am certain that former Creative Writing students, but it also excellent short volume of poems, We Will Be of the story. they will continue to put out work of a high boasts an impressive number of professional Fish. King has a unique, funny, and poignant Melissa Bull’s writing is appealingly plain- caliber: without a doubt, they are the .44 contributors, especially for the initial sally of a voice and you would be well advised to get on spoken, and captures the effortless glide Magnum of small Canadian presses. young press. board with him early in his career. between French and English that character- Best among them—for me at least—is David McGimpsey, a faculty member of the izes contemporary Montreal. Pistol Anthology Sheila Heti, who has been published by Creative Writing Program and a Respected Elsewhere you’ll find an encomium to the Vol. 1, No. 1 McSweeney’s Press and who originally organ- Canadian Poet, turns in the wittiest use of the lowly handkerchief, illustrations from five Edited J.P. King ized the Trampoline Hall lecture series in haiku form I’ve seen, writing wryly about the artists and lots of poems and prose, most of Pistol Press Toronto and New York. sundry pleasures of firearms. which is worth reading. December 2008 Her contribution, “The Book of the Mike Spry’s poems contained a number of Although Pistol Press has only published 224 pp Writer’s Union of Canada,” is a dialogue lines that landed with an audible thud, but his three books so far, they’ve all been impeccably $14.95 between a personified Writer’s Union and a story “Jesus of Thunder Bay” is the best piece designed and edited. The amount of care they Easy steps for eco-living Author provides guide to new methods of sustainable living • GAËLLE ENGELBERTS society in the near future. scraps and turn them into fertilizer “We will need to do a pretty that can be later used for gardens, Dreaming of going green but rapid transition into a society that houseplants, or even sold. think you don’t have the time and consumes drastically less as we’re “It doesn’t smell, it doesn’t take energy to do so? Scott Kellogg faced with the converging trends of up a lot of space, you don’t have to might have the answer. climate change and energy deple- have a back garden and you don’t His do-it-yourself guide Toolbox tion,” says Kellogg. have to have sunlight either,” he for Sustainable City Living is “We want this transition to be as adds. packed with advice on how to peaceful and gentle as possible and Kellogg’s message is simple: we become a perfectly green urban not to have it result in suffering and shouldn’t wait for governments or dweller. in a [global] die-off,” he adds. corporations to switch towards sus- From managing your own live- In order to survive the transition tainability. As he writes in his stock to building a wind turbine from a fossil fuel based economy to guide, this transition should start as from recycled bicycle parts, a self-sustainable society, Kellogg of today if we are to “survive the Kellogg’s book makes sustainability believes we have to explore new implosion of a society that has accessible to the masses. methods of living now, while we overextended its natural limitations “It means creating systems that still have the leisure to make mis- in every capacity.” are affordable, simple, and that uti- takes and are not completely The future is in our hands, says lize a lot of salvaged recyclable dependant on these alternative Kellogg. “We, as people, as com- materials,” says Kellogg. techniques. munities, as neighbourhoods, as Kellogg came up with some of So where should busy students grass-root organizations need to the handy tips in Toolbox for start if they want to move towards a begin this work now, to take it Sustainable City Living along with sustainable lifestyle? Kellogg sug- upon ourselves to redesign our co-writer Stacy Pettigrew while gests that a good way to make one’s communities and build a sustain- serving as the co-founder of the home a little greener is worm com- able infrastructure.” educational and activist organiza- Some lifestyle changes are inevitable, says Kellogg. PHOTO RACHEL TRETAULT posting. tion Rhizome Collective. Some of death ray that we actually built Inspired from this ancient myth, “It involves just having a little Toolbox for these tips are innovations that orig- using similar principles but we’ve the Rhizome Collective created a plastic bin that can be kept under- Sustainable inated in the Collective itself, while taken it to this point where we’re low-cost and eco-friendly device neath the sink or on top of a refrig- City Living others were adapted from already using recycled satellite dishes.” that produces enough concentrated erator and that contains a species of Scott Kellogg existing ideas and techniques. Greek scientist Archimedes was heat to cook and light fires. worm called the red wiggler,” he South End “For instance the parabolic said to have repelled Roman war- Tips like these ones were devel- explains. Press cooker; that’s actually a design that ships with the use of a device that oped in response to what the collec- The red wigglers, or Eisenia June 2008 dates back to ancient Greek times,” focused sunlight on the coming tive perceive as inevitable lifestyle Foetida as they are officially 242 pp says Kellogg. “It’s Archimedes’s enemy fleet causing it to catch fire. changes that will be forced upon named, will eat your vegetable $16.00 20 LITERARY ARTS THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/LIT A century of epiphanies An old friend remembered through the lens of Joyce’s Araby

• NORM RAVVIN weight against a crowbar to force heady pre-AIDs time. A decade later Allan Gardens on the east side of Inspector Pork. But he might well loose rail ties back into place), while David died a fast, awful death from Toronto’s downtown. It was there have been called Dork. Or Hork. Many students who try an intro- dinner was served with high gay the disease that wiped out a genera- that the Police sent what they called There is no doubt in my memory, ductory course in literary studies panache at Hamburger Mary’s, tion of gay North Americans. Even their Morality Squad, ostensibly to however, that between his mutton- are likely to encounter James among other places, on Davie St. with good care (David’s Toronto maintain order in response to the chops, while delivering his testimo- Joyce’s much-anthologized story A movie was made around this doctor was a leading early advocate park’s nighttime culture of margin- ny, he wore a smirk. I watched the Araby, which is now nearly 100 time called Hookers on Davie, of experimental treatments) his end als and non-straights. judge nod as she listened to him, years old. The title refers to a “splen- which documented the under- was grim, grim, grim. But it is David was beckoned to by a man and her agreement with his way of did bazaar” where a boy goes to find ground economies of drugs and moralistic and false of me, I know, in street clothes who was half hid- telling the story seemed to be clear- a gift for a girl who lives on his prostitution that generated a good to imagine a link between those den by bushes. I learned what hap- ly marked on her face. street. deal of attention from the rest of the highflying days of cruising on Davie pened next by way of a late night When I took the stand David’s Araby presents a singular lesson city, and even from the rest of the and the end, in a Toronto hospital, a phone call, which David began in a lawyer invited me to describe our in the despairs of first love, but also country, much the way the down- decade later. tone of voice I’d never heard him long friendship and my sense of his in the workings of the modern short town east side presently captivates The events I want to describe use. He had been beaten up, he said. non-violent character, which was so story. At its end, Joyce employs his non-Vancouverites as a site of took place before David got sick, The undercover cop had waited till self-evident to me that to argue for it breakthrough method of narrative taboo-busting despair. I lived on the when we were both U of T students he’d reached out an arm to him, and seemed absurd. David was a talker, epiphany—a flash of recognition, West End’s reputedly mean streets, in the early 90s. This was the time then the cop and a partner had a cruiser, a collector of tin cans on which reveals the main character's Davie, a swimmer, a son who’d been moment of growth and change, abandoned and had then pursued which is linked to the reader’s own the abandoner. He was no fighter. A appreciation of a new kind of self- survivor, yes. But not more. I tried knowledge. to convey this. For young writers, Araby can When the prosecuting lawyer—a present itself as an over-determined woman just a few years older than model, a story so exemplary, com- myself, just out of law school and in pact and effective that the careful need of a reputation for go-getter- reader is tempted to copy its strate- ness—began, she said: “Now, we gies and motifs. want you to remember that what is But there are moments in life on trial here is not the accused’s sex- when that flash of recognition con- uality.” To which I responded, veyed at the end of Joyce’s story “That’s exactly what’s on trial.” To actually flare up, tsunami-like. which the judge said, “The witness Let me tell you about one such will be found in contempt if there is moment: another outburst like that.” After When I was a young man living which my status as a character wit- in Toronto in a Victorian walk-up ness was destroyed, because I had not far from Kensington market, I set myself up as a hothead advocate had a remarkable and strange friend of some kind. I had undone whatev- I’ll call David S. er use I could be to David with my I met David in Vancouver, where youthful directness. we both went to university. Our con- The judge concluded the hearing nection ran deeper than this; our by handing down a suspended sen- mothers had been girlhood friends tence, which meant that David was in the city in the 1940s, when a great Vancouver’s West End, just off Davie, once the street of hookers and cruisers of all stripes. GRAPHIC MICHAEL KLUCKNER not going to prison. He would, how- Jewish act of rebellion was the will- ever, have a criminal record, which ingness to slip out for a cheeseburg- “Now, we want you to remember that what is on knocked him down and cuffed him. he could apply, down the line, to er at the Aristocratic coffee shop on The bizarre outcome was that David have removed. In the meantime he the corner of Broadway and trial here is not the accused’s sexuality.” To which had been arrested and charged with was marked. Case closed. Granville, where the buses rolled I responded, “That’s exactly what’s on trial.” assault. As I describe these events We stepped out onto the down- down the hill towards the water. now they make no sense at all, but at town street. David and his lawyer Before I knew David I’d heard though I knew no despair at all. when I got to know him best. We the time the story of entrapment stood behind me. The city rushed by about his father, who was so abusive Some of the people featured in saw films together and we talked struck me as familiar and unsur- us—traffic, pedestrians, the usual that David’s mother abandoned him Hookers on Davie—including a rail often on the phone. My memory of a prising. lunchtime activities. What I felt and his brothers. Raised by a suc- thin male prostitute in drag, who typical call being: the phone rings, I The assault charge was heard at came home to me in the image of a cession of his father’s housekeepers was murdered by a john wielding a put the receiver to my ear, and the old court house on Dundas and camera lens clicking into focus. The on the Prairies, David eventually hammer—were regular sightings on David’s voice comes out in the mid- Bay St. I appeared as a character day, the events leading up to it, our found his way back to Vancouver to my walks up Davie for late-night dle of the conversation we’re about witness, which seems sad, since I weird hour in the old court room all reinitiate a life with, or at least near, groceries. to have. was a university student at the time, offered a flash of clarity, which his mother. Once in a while David was one of Sometimes he began archly, with and nothing more. Admittedly, I brought with it an understanding of When he and I were students at my late night sightings. I would see his habitual pronouncement: “Oh, had known David for a long time how things must play out if the U.B.C. I would cross paths with him coming out of Hamburger you’re there!” which struck me as and could say a good deal about his earth is to continue spinning in its David on campus. But I saw him Mary’s or Doll and Penny. He was vaguely accusatory, as if he knew by harmlessness, his routines, his own undeniable way. Like the boy in downtown too. He lived in an attic cruising, primarily. But on occasion the tone of my voice that I wasn’t inability to do the kind of aggressive Araby, I felt my creatureliness apartment back on West Sixteenth, I also saw him digging in garbage quite up to another of the rambling, thing he'd been accused of. keenly, and recognized the terms by by the University. My apartment cans for empty pop tins or bottles. digressive calls that were his trade- The judge was a middle-aged which we are dealt our fate. Then was in the West End, not far from He didn’t live like someone who mark. woman. I forget her name, but the three of us parted. English Bay and Stanley Park, at a needed to scavenge the West End’s Before David got sick, my last remember her high curly hair and time when the downtown nightlife waste, yet when I saw him up at real engagement with him had to do her flat Ontarian accent. The main Norman Ravvin is a fiction writer and gay counterculture were at a campus his gym bag often held his with trouble he had with the witness for the prosecution was the and teacher. His most recent publica- high point. The places of choice take—clanking tin cans and beer Toronto police. This was a drawn- policeman who claimed that David tion is an excerpt from a recently nearby included nightclubs called bottles for return. out fiasco initiated by a rather com- had beaten him. He was beefy and completed novel manuscript in Luvafair and Gandy Dancer (after I think of that era’s culture of mon pastime of David’s, which was mutton-chopped and his name is Descant. He Chairs the Concordia the railroad worker who throws his cruising as being emblematic of a to visit the gay cruising scene at registered in my memory as Institute for Canadian Jewish Studies. THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/FRINGE FRINGE ARTS 21 Take it off! Strip spelling bee has players showing off their brains and their bare skin • MADELINE COLEMAN things and make them new.” For him, this seemingly nostalgic brand of festivity is The lights are dimmed. really all about exorcising old demons. The beers are in hand. “[High school] was when I lived my most The ravenous crowd is hooting and hol- trauma,” he admits. “I didn’t know how to lering as the sweat-drenched figure onstage navigate that world so I just stayed out of peels off yet another article of clothing, one it.” less shield between their skin and the Now that the hormonal nausea of ado- unwholesome eyes of slavering masses. lescence is a thing of the past, former school A man leans close to the microphone dance wallflowers can join Tjia as he and, with great levity, pronounces the word “[reenacts] old traumas and [makes] them that will determine the figure’s future: okay.” “Glockenspiel.” Middle school spelling bee enthusiasts Welcome to the exhilarating world of the were, to their peers, about as cool as getting strip spelling bee. Most bees provide the excited about homework. Here we are at the chance to show off your brains—and if other end of the tunnel, where exhibition- you’re willing to do that, Sherwin Tjia, the ism and orthography meet in unholy union. Honeysuckle Strip Spelling Bee Night Has the great unwashed finally decided organizer, figures why not show off some intelligence is sexy? other things too? Tjia remains skeptical. “I’m not sure how “I’m a pretty good speller,” says Tjia, but much better it is to be smart. I think it’s still “as good as you think you are, there’s better to be beautiful.” always someone better.” What’s more beautiful than a well- This won’t be Tjia’s first spelling extrav- spelled word? aganza. He hosted one touted as a “hipster Exhibitionism and orthograophy meet in unholy union at the Strip Spelling Bee. spelling bee” at Cagibi last year, but felt it GRAPHIC MADELINE COLEMAN The Strip Spelling Bee takes place Saturday lacked a certain je ne sais quoi. the winner—and every participant is guar- the popular Slowdance Nights with Lickety at the MainLine Theatre, 3997 St-Laurent That missing element was, as it usually anteed a free drink! Split editor Amber Goodwyn. Blvd. Doors 10 p.m., sign up for spellers at is, nudity. Upping the stakes even higher Tjia has a penchant for social events last The former Concordia student says he 10:30 p.m. and the Spelling Bee starts at 11 this time around is the $50 that will go to suffered in middle school; he also organizes “[has] noticed that [he likes] to take old p.m. Tickets $6, free drinks for spellers. Life outside of Here today, gone tomorrow... the womb • CODY HICKS makeshift armour: a fur coat, sunglasses and a beer jacket. Last Saturday Galerie This crowd was more receptive Artefacto was abuzz as art stu- of our drunken attempts to dents, art lovers and party ani- simultaneously channel The mals alike gathered for the Art Replacements and The Rolling Matters Closing Party, where Stones, culminating in a mid- the beer was cheap, the bands song guitarist walk-off cigarette were dirty and the bathroom break (an inevitable result when line-up was legendarily long and a band is paid in beer). winding. The dynamic tension maxed Kudos to all the ragers who out when it was my turn to sing. braved the journey to the depths Our seasoned guitarist started of St-Henri! Finding the cav- spearing me in the back with his ernous and gritty garage space guitar like a pirate pushing a at the end of the highway for the mutineer off the plank to swim culmination of three over- with the sharks—I was busy whelming weeks of bleary-eyed singing the first song I’ve ever vernissage hopping. written. Cody Hicks makes last minute debut at Art Matters closing party last Saturday. (Left) Cody Nashville Things kicked off with the Before I knew it, it was over (Centre) Chicago Hicks (yep, Cody ... ) (Right) Tallahasee Sharma (Not pictured but equally important) Miami Boyd *Pseudonyms! Didja guess?! PHOTO ELSA JABRE last-minute debut of Dirty and my post-set senses were Wedding, featuring vocals and overwhelmed. My nerves rattled keeps getting better and better growing crowd’s inhibitions I stuck it out to the end, after tambourine smashing by yours as I rode the shaky high of open- as evidenced in their blistering melted away and they started to the venue-draining dash for the truly and, despite my Red Mass ing act jitters. cover of Jay Reatard’s “Not a take part in traditional no-bones Metro, where the real die-hards experience, I’m still pup when it I spent the rest of the night Substitute.” They tore through art school dancing. kept on dancing through the DJs comes to music making. grinning ear to ear, pacing back that fiery pop punk nugget as Perri set the stage for the pos- attempts to clear the room with Technically it was our second and forth through the remains passionately as if it were one of itive-energy-overload of Pete choice cuts off Captain set (having drunkenly bullied of IN/DECENT xposure, the their own. Samples, a duo comprised of Beefheart’s Trout Mask Replica. our way into an acoustic open exhibit currently on display at With the schlock rock and the bobbing guitarists who fed the After a stressful three weeks mic a few nights earlier) but the the gallery that served as the punk skronk over, it was time audience with their unbridled it was great to see the Art audience at the first show con- controversial de facto centre- for last week’s spotlight and enthusiasm. Headliners The Matters brigade cut loose and sisted mostly of stoners, more piece. winner of the Cutest Band of the Witchies finished the night with plow through the St. Ambroise keen to melt into bean bag Next up, St-Henri’s favourite Night title, Matt Perri, to woo a solid set of skewed pop music pyramid that was not-so secretly chairs than get up and shake basement scum-punks Dead the crowd with a stripped back that was the perfect woozy tucked behind a curtain back- some action. Wife followed and really got set of stomping acoustic jams. soundtrack to the mad dash to stage. I was a nervous wreck before people gyrating to their raucous Halfway through the night and imbibe as much payment as I Good luck trying to top this the show so I suited up in sounds. This young band just sufficiently sauced, the steadily could get my hands on. next year! THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/FRINGE FRINGE ARTS 23 Nothing to forget Booze-soaked VAV Gallery features three students to keep your eyes on • LEILA AMIRI and vulgar They say two is company and three’s a crowd, but when it comes to Dancing Cock Brothers’ the works of one Concordia threesome, crowded isn’t so bad. Cockaholics marks the return “It was actually professor Eliza Griffiths, who strongly suggested we submit together,” explained Rhonda of founding member Chamberlain and Laura d’Alessandro in an email. The two will present their work, with colleague and friend Emily Cloutier, in an exhibit at the VAV Gallery called Forecast Forget. “Our works are all very individual Forecast Forget features work (above) by Rhonda Chamberlain, Emily Cloutier and […] There are a couple important Laura d’Alessandro. threads that create a unison between est with one another,” they revealed, exhibit their works by the Fine Arts our paintings, though. First, we’ve all stating that “[they] learn a lot from department is motivating. […] It offers been stirring up settled memories, try- each other just by hanging out and experience and it’s incredibly encour- ing to make sense of them, and in the conversing on a regular basis.” aging when the VAV Gallery or Arts process, discovering new significance,” While they don’t see each other as Matters is around to reward hard- they explained. consciously influencing and being working students.” “Second, we experiment with our influenced by each other, they’re sure Marked with poignant colours, portrayal of space through the use of “seeing all our works hung up together memorable subjects and a play on unrealistic colour combinations, and it in our show will let us know for sure,” visual space, this trio is not to be Ryan Hipgrave joins his “Cock Brothers” in their first show since helps that none of us are very attached said Chamberlain and d’Alessandro. missed. December. GRAPHIC ALEX MANLEY to realism.” Each having exhibited on their own The trio “spend a lot of time togeth- before, Chamberlain and d’Alessandro Forecast Forget runs until March 27, • BIANCA BOURGEOIS er outside of the studio, as well as in it agree that, “the amount of opportuni- at the VAV Gallery, 1395 Rene Levesque and have grown to be completely hon- ties made available to students to Blvd. Vernissage tonight at 6:30 p.m. Smart, dangerous, booze-soaked and vulgar, the Dancing Cock Brothers describe their humour as the kind you don’t take your mother to. Founding member Ryan Hipgrave is a current Political Assume nothing Science major at Concordia. He began the troupe in 2005 with Adam Kelly and George Mougias, both graduates of the Theatre Montreal playwright Ann Lambert’s The Assumption of Empire touches on Performance program. Iran, the Cold War and the Dawson College shooting The three actors quickly recruited Kyle Allatt, known for his commercial and film work, and James McCullough from • BETHEA CLARKE of her professors (played by Tim Hine) Dawson’s Dome Theatre. Over the years, the troupe has seen and although it was a tumultuous personnel changes, with Mougias and McCullough leaving and A slide projector clicks on and pho- relationship, the two married. Their the addition of Matthew Legault in 2006. Even Hipgrave took a tos flash across the stage, the only light passionate marriage ended suddenly leave of absence. in a darkened room, timeless and when it became apparent that they had “I’m very excited to be back with the troupe. I couldn’t ask to instantly recognizable. These are the conflicting desires; he wanted a family be part of a more talented and funny group of guys,” said images of events that forever change and she wanted to change the world. Hipgrave. those who witness them. A shift back to the present reveals He insists the transition has been smooth and he’s more than Four actors take their positions and that shortly after her divorce, Sophie ready to perform again. He says he’s not nervous about returning begin Unwashed Grape’s presentation remarried and now has a teenage to the stage at all. “If I’m going to get smashed, I might as well be of The Assumption of Empire, a new daughter (played by Alice Abracen). doing something other than playing Rock Band,” he joked. play by Montreal playwright Ann Their relationship is strained to say Their new show revolves around one simple theme: “Booze. Lambert. the least and every conversation is a We drink it before, during and after our performances, so we fig- An old man sits behind the projec- battle. ured we should create a show soaked in beer and gin.” tor, the other three (a man, a woman Sophie’s life is not how she had Cockaholics will feature a mix of new and classic sketches, like and a teenager) sit together, the per- imagined it would be, and the obitu- “Nun to Confess,” in which Hipgrave plays an Irish alcoholic fect representation of a cohesive fami- ary, it is revealed, was for her ex-hus- priest (and claims this isn’t a big stretch), as well as “Rebound ly unit. The audience soon discovers band’s wife and compels her to contact Boy,” a sketch that takes an absurd look at relationships. that any semblance of cohesion in this him. Old feelings resurface between “The great thing about sketch comedy is that I get to play all family was abandoned long ago. the two and through their interac- these crazy characters in scenes with other crazy characters.” A lighter moment between Tim Hine as After a tense conversation with her tions Sophie rediscovers her sense of Ivan and Laura Mitchell as Sophie Cockaholics also includes “Goodbye Toronto, Bonjour husband (played by Bill Croft), Sophie self and some old ambitions. Wiseman. Montreal,” an original song about Hipgrave’s move from Ontario Wiseman, the mother and wife, reads However, the audience is brought to Quebec which was featured in Let’s All Hate Toronto, a docu- an obituary that shocks her to the core. sharply back into the present when ence was forced to watch the back of mentary that aired on CBC. Suddenly, the audience is transported Sophie’s daughter, a student at an actor’s head due to the theatre’s “We did the song twice, and we’re only in the film for five sec- back in time to a period in her life Dawson, calls her in a state of panic. three-quarter round stage. onds, so there is still lots left of our 15 minutes of fame.” when she was passionate, driven and She is barely 17, but her life has been While sometimes preachy and Cockaholics signals the start of a busy season for the troupe. convinced she could make a differ- changed forever, mirroring how major superficial, ultimately you will appre- In May, they perform at Montreal Sktech Fest and then it’s onto ence. events marked turning points for ciate the excellent acting and topical the Montreal Fringe Festival. Also for the first time, they’ll be The play spans the years 1979-2006 Sophie throughout her life. subject. It’s a bit lengthy, but it’s defi- performing at Fringe Toronto. and follows the life of Sophie (played It was an insightful play, that nitely worth your time. Hipgrave, who holds a diploma in Comedy from Toronto’s by Laura Mitchell). Throughout the author Lambert says is all about “the Humber College, is proud to host the troupe in his hometown. play momentous events like the empires we assume we have, both per- The Assumption of Empire will be “Finally, my parents will see where all their money went,” he Revolution in Iran, the first referen- sonal and political.” playing until March 22, Tuesday through laughed. “They will disown me.” dum in Quebec, and the fall of the The use of real events as symbols Saturday at 8 p.m. with matinees Berlin Wall are used as time markers. was an interesting tactic, but it made Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Cockaholics will be presented at Theatre 314, 10 des Pins Eventually it is revealed that while some of the transitions awkward and MainLine Theatre, 3997 St-Laurent Ave. O., March 27-28. Both shows are at 10 p.m. with a $10 at university she had an affair with one static. Quite often, part of the audi- Blvd. Tickets are $20, $17 for students. charge at the door. 24 FRINGE ARTS THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/FRINGE The DOWN-LOW Events listings Mar. 17-Mar. 23 ART As much as possible given the time and space allotted Curated by Rebecca Duclos and David K. Ross in collaboration with students and gallery staff. A team of students and technicians will sequentially remove as many art works as possible from the Gallery’s storage vault and install them. Once the Gallery is saturated, the project will reverse its strategy, leaving the Gallery in its for- Director Sabiha Sumar sits with local mullahs (a muslim man educated in Islamic theory) to discuss Pakistani feudalism. mer “clean” state. Until April 17 Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery, Elections and other forms of coercion 1400 de Maisonneuve Blvd. O. Cinema Politica asks: can a dictator lay the foundation for democracy? FILM Montreal Human Rights Film Festival • CHRISTOPHER OLSON had for making real progress—whether he was Pakistan can progress.” 72 films from 22 countries and 48 pre- elected by his people or not. Unlike Bhutto’s regime in the mid-90s, mieres including after-screening Pakistan is rife with paradoxes, says Sabiha “[Pakistani elections] are really another form Musharraf was making inroads towards debates, a conference by the Sumar, a filmmaker who was once granted an of coercion,” says Sumar. “It’s not about people’s women’s emancipation in Pakistan, say the two Colombian journalist Hollman Morris exclusive interview with Pakistan’s former pres- individual will at work. It’s about having a cam- filmmakers. and photojournalism exhibition on ident, Pervez Musharraf, who took control of the paign, building a personality in the media, it’s “It was really during Musharraf’s time that human rights at Coeurs des Sciences. country in an October 1999 military coup. about sending trucks out into rural areas, filling me and a lot of my female colleagues felt free, Until March 22 Sitting down with Musharraf over dinner, them up, bringing them to a polling booth and not only on the streets, but in our work places Cinema du Parc, 3575 Parc Ave. Sumar and co-director Sachithanandam insisting that they stamp your name or symbol and being able to say and do what we want to NFB Cinema, 1564 St-Denis Street Sathananthan were struck by his candidness on the election card.” do,” says Sumar. “Ironically, it’s in democratic Coeurs des Sciences, 174 President- and introspection, the highlights of which were Sumar doesn’t see the use of voting, “because times I feel scared. Nobody really understands Kennedy Ave. included in her film Dinner With the President: a large majority of the people in Pakistan don’t outside of Pakistan what it means to live under a For information on tickets prices, loca- A Nation’s Journey, which will be screened at have the concept of individual rights. Actually, democracy. For us it really spells a lot of trou- tions and screenings of films visit Cinema Politica next week. [holding free elections] means legitimizing feu- ble.” ffdpm.com One year after the film’s release, Musharraf dal rule because Pakistan’s political parties are After the country’s troubling elections, was forced to resign after an 11-month battle made up of feudal landlords.” Sathananthan confronted a group of intellectu- P4W: Prison for Women that strained Pakistan’s constitution, Supreme Pakistan’s current elected President, Asif Ali als who had supported Pakistan’s dramatic shift QPIRG-Concordia’s Subversive Cinema Court and media. Zardari, the husband of slain former President towards democratic rule. Series next feature film, followed by a All this is proof, said Sumar in an interview Benazir Bhutto, is a case in point, says “I asked them, ‘now that you have worked special lecture by Ann Hansen, author with The Link, that Pakistan wasn’t yet ready for Sathanathan. In her will, Bhutto handed the your democracy, what do you have to say?’ And of Direct Action: Memoirs of an Urban democracy. reins of the Pakistan Peoples Party to her hus- they were of course very sheepish, but maintain- Guerilla. “I don’t understand how Pakistan reels from band. ing a straight face, they told me, ‘you have to go Wednesday, March 18, 7 p.m. one crisis to another and every crisis is of its own “[It] goes back to what I said earlier about through a bad democracy to reach a good Concordia University’s Hall Building making,” says Sumar. “We have nobody else to feudal values, where they have no concept of democracy.’” Room H-110, 1455 de Maisonneuve blame for all this, because the liberals in democracy. How can a political leader in her will That’s not the way to do it at all, says Blvd. O. Pakistan decided that they didn’t want a dicta- hand over the party to her husband?” Sathananthan. To get a good democracy, you tor.” Sumar sees Pakistan’s future outside of have to start with a good dictatorship. MUSIC “In my view, quite honestly, he should have democracy. Glory Glory Man United [called] martial law, and ruled the country for a “What Pakistan needs is a strong benevolent Dinner with the President: A Nation’s Journey will With Archipelagos and Open Fields good 10 years,” says co-director Sathananthan. dictator who has a vision for the country,” says be screened with Please Vote for Me on Monday, Tuesday, March 17, 10 p.m. Having had a private audience with the pres- Sumar. “That vision should be modern, and March 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Room H-110, 1455 de Bar St-Laurent II, 5550 St-Laurent ident, Sumar and Sathanathan were convinced should really allow for the growth of a strong Maisonneuve Blvd. For a full list of screenings, Blvd. that Musharraf was the one great hope Pakistan middle class, because that’s the only way that check out http://cinemapolitica.org/concordia.

Equinox Party With Sweet Mother Logic, Akido and The spins Bloodhound Gang bravado. New tracks they engage in is rife for exploration. “Ras and gangster rap. The lyrics are tired, the Coward and The Pelican. “Like A Boss” and “Santana DVX” display Trent” in particular is great because of its sound is borrowed, and her monster ego Friday, March 20, 8 p.m. The Lonely Island more of this musical approach. social implications. Sadly, the album is keeps me from relating to any message that Sala Rossa, 4848 St-Laurent Blvd. Incredibad Unfortunately, their flow is all the same and filled with too many doodie rhymes to be may be fighting its way out. The title track Tickets $10 Republic Records the songs could possibly be interchange- truly considered a contender. is a commercial effort that puts ISIS’ pub- able if it were not for the fact that each 3.5/5 lic persona in the spotlight: “You don’t The Young Dads Comedy troupe The Lonely Island gained song’s rhymes pertain to the subject at —R. Brian Hastie know where I’m from / Don’t judge me ‘til The Young Dads are a New York-based some amount of fame as the poster chil- hand (being a boss, rapping about cham- I’m done.” In the last minute, she breaks it comedy-pop duo that draws compar- dren for what’s right with Saturday Night pagne, and beating one’s chest over the Empire ISIS down “Under the Bridge”-style and while isons to Flight of the Conchords and Live; their comedic multimedia presenta- awesomeness of being on a boat). Brand New Style I’m tempted to believe her, I’ve listened to Tenacious D with a small but loyal cult tions became Internet sensations and tran- Thankfully, though, the group branches out Monumental Records the whole album and I know this book can following in NY for their catchy hooks, scended television to become cultural into other musical stylings for a number of be judged by its cover. Fortunately for lis- witty observational humor, and extend- events. Their first album of material, songs. They pay lip service to reggae on the I don’t want to say it’s nothing new, and I’m teners, the best track is also the first; “Get ed gibberish solos. Incredibad, is an uneven-handed collection song “Ras Trent,” display a fondness for definitely not one of those people who Up On It,” which sounds the way a brand Saturday, March 21 8:30 p.m. of tunes that relies heavily upon their brand Boyz II Men with “Dick In A Box” and flirt believes that there are no more original new, white Cadillac Escalade looks and ISIS The Yellow Door, of white-boy rap. Tracks like “Lazy Sunday,” with euro-dance on first single “Jizz In My ideas, but Empire ISIS’ second album, is in the back seat, waving a bottle of 3625 Aylmer “I’m on a Boat,” and “Natalie’s Rap” all Pants,” which has seen extensive play on Brand New Style, is pop—plain and simple. Cristal, wondering why she isn’t famous. Tickets $8, students $5 had their start on SNL and are indicative of this nation’s video channels. Actually, it kind of reminds me of a one- 2.5/5 this brand of Beastie Boys-cum- The group’s at their best when the subject woman TLC who’s sold out to synthesizers —Joelle Lemieux —compiled by Joelle Lemieux THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SPORTS SPORTS 25 Pondering her future Stingers forward Karen Stewart looks back on another disappointing soccer season and her break from the sport

• JOHNNY NORTH athletic ability, pushing her to work hard on her game and The first time I met Karen improve her abilities. Stewart she was too drunk to “She is probably the best ath- remember it. Three years later it’s lete in the whole family.” rare to see her go out and party “I love team sports,” she said. with her teammates. “I love all the aspects of it. I love “The first two seasons were the girls, I love the competitive- cool and new,” she said. “I used to ness, the team unity.” be a bartender, it was a part of the The Stingers’ 2008 outdoor lifestyle. Now I just stick back season was filled with high expec- home, I go to class, I go to work as tations for Stewart, but consider- a receptionist, then [I go] home ing the Stingers ended the season with my dog.” (1-11-2) with one win they defi- Following three disappointing nitely fell short of reaching them. seasons with the Concordia “I can’t really give you an Stingers women’s soccer team, explanation as to why it turned Stewart, a 5’4” forward and third- out that way,” she says. “There’s year Human Relations student, so many reasons, so many factors. has taken a break from playing There’s so many different person- soccer. She isn’t playing with the alities, there were some that team during their current indoor weren’t as committed […] There’s season for a number of reasons, nobody that stands out and takes including nagging injuries. charge of the team. Everyone is “I’m taking care of injuries, just at the same level, show up do throughout the years I’ve been the work, there’s no progress.” neglecting injuries. My right hip For Stewart, the Con U sports and my groin are really bad,” she athletics department have done said. “I got sciatic nerve pain an excellent job providing the that’s all linked in my joints. I’ve team with field and gym time. “I can’t really give you an explanation as to why it turned out that way [...] There’s nobody that stands out and takes charge of the team. Everyone is just at the same level, show up do the work, there’s no progress.” —Karen Stewart had doctors look at it, had x-rays “[The current sports complex] and had therapy. I’m taking it portrays Concordia’s view on ath- easy right now, just playing letics, because if you go to any ringette. Which is good, I found a university that’s high-standing, new love in playing a new sport. it’s very devoted to athletics. “For three years I was just soc- [L’université de] Sherbrooke is cer, soccer, soccer. Not that I was- nuts. It blows our complex out of n’t enjoying myself, but it felt like the water. You just wonder how soccer was something I had to much money goes into it. What [do] instead of enjoying doing it. kind of a stadium doesn’t have Concentrating on one thing alone real stands? I understand that is very tiring, you need new things Concordia has come a long way to spice up your life. Ringette did from what they used to be with that, it’s not really running, just the athletics and I guess it’s baby gliding.” steps. Stewart played soccer compet- “We are going in the right Concordia women’s soccer forward Karen Stewart. PHOTO BROOKS YARDLEY itively at Lindsay Place High direction, I just hope the dome School in the West Island and in happens, because it will save to stay active. kids now, they’re punks. They are after so many disappointing sea- CEGEP with John Abbott before Concordia money. We won’t have “I would love to be a gym not nice people, they don’t sons it’s hard to come back. There coming to Con U in 2006. It was to rent out training facilities. If teacher—I’ve done sports my respect authority, it’s just a differ- are several factors, what girls her lifelong dream to play soccer we had a dome we could host whole life. Considering the epi- ent life these days. Kids at 12 come back, how the recruiting at the university level. tournaments, we could have half demic with obesity, I would love years old know a little more than goes. I haven’t really thought “She is very focused,” said the teams that practice [off cam- to introduce physical activity. I’ve I [did] when I was 16-17, every- about it because I was so aggra- Jorge Sanchez, head coach of the pus] come here.” worked with kids my whole life, thing is accessible [on the vated after this season that I just Stingers women’s soccer team. During her time away from maybe I’ll do it… you never know. Internet] to them.” needed a break. “Her work ethic is something soccer Stewart has focused on her I don’t even know what I want to Stewart will be returning to “I don’t care who’s on the everyone could follow.” academic career, taking do in my life. Right now I’m just Concordia university next year to team, I don’t want to go there as “She’s always been sports-ori- Education classes in order to concentrating on graduating. complete her academic career, a leisure thing, I want to be com- ented, playing on elite teams and build up a possible minor in the “I find kids need role models but is not sure yet if she will be petitive. If we’re not going to be excelling with them,” said Donald program. While the classes because there’s a lot that kids deal playing for the Stingers. Setbacks competitive, I’m not going to Stewart, Karen’s father. He cites haven’t been exciting for her she with these days. I always said I over the years are making her give them the time. I’d love her three brothers, two of them hopes to be involved with kids wanted to be a high school think twice about her decision. to come back, I just want it to older than her, as influencing her after graduation, teaching them teacher. Dealing with high school “I’d love to come back, but be competitive.” 26 SPORTS THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SPORTS

Stingers guard Damian Buckley. FILE PHOTO JONATHAN DEMPSEY Stingers overwhelmed at national championships Men’s basketball team lose their first game of the tourney and consolation game

• DAVID KAUFMANN took a back seat in the second don’t think we got the effort we well, I’m just on the sideline weren’t going to let a tight score quarter. From that point on the needed from a lot of guys. They being helpless. Its not that me get to them as they got out of the The Concordia Stingers basket- Dinos picked up every loose ball beat us to loose balls, they beat not being out there is hard, the quarter leading 18-10. ball team battled hard, but came that moved. The Dinos tied the us down the floor,” said John fact that we lost is even harder,” In the second quarter, the up empty handed at the two-day score at halftime at 32. Dore, Concordia head coach. said Vann. teams were evenly matched, yet nationals tournament last week- In the third quarter, Dinos “They’re a lot bigger and more the Stingers still managed to end at the Scotiabank Place in forwards Ross Bekkering and physical than we are. We let widen their lead to as high as 19 Ottawa. older brother Henry were dunk- them come; they fed off the Concordia 72 points before the Tigers closed Con U fell short to the Calgary ing everything in sight for a com- dunks and the excitement,” he Dalhousie 61 the gap to 13, ending the half Dinos, defeated the Dalhousie bined total of 44 points. The added. Unlike the day earlier, the down 39-26. Tigers, but succumbed to the Stingers struggled to get on the This game marked a bitter- Stingers played a full 40 minutes In the third quarter, Tigers Ottawa Gee-Gees in the fifth-place board, as they couldn’t score a sweet ending for players like in a 72-61 victory over the sixth- guard Simon Farine made life dif- consolation game. basket until the quarter was Jamal Gallier, Levi Vann, and ranked Dalhousie Tigers last ficult for the Stingers, as he fin- seven minutes old when Stingers Dwayne Buckley. “I’ll never win a Saturday after the previous day’s ished the night with 25 points. guard Dwayne Buckley finally national championship and I heartbreaking loss. When Laroche slam dunked Concordia 67 found his way to the net to end hope the younger guys could Like the previous game, the over the opposition 3:30 into the Calgary 76 the scoring drought. learn from the experience,” said opposition broke the ice, but once third quarter indicated that the The Calgary Dinos opened the The fourth quarter saw a brief Dwayne Buckley. the Stingers registered their first Stingers were going to emerge scoring, but the Stingers got off comeback by the Stingers as they Vann, who had to watch the basket, they never looked back. In victorious from this game. Sure to a great start as they managed closed the opposition’s gap to 62- game from the sidelines due to a the first quarter the Stingers got enough in the fourth quarter, the to hold their opponents to only 56. However, the Dinos’ lead was season-ending injury, also felt off to an 11-5 start before the Stingers held the team from 14 points in the first quarter, too much for Con U to overcome. the heartbreak of not winning it Tigers nearly caught up. Eastern Canada at bay for the with Con U scoring 23. The final score was 76-67 for on Friday. Dwayne Buckley’s younger win. However, even with their Calgary. “That was heart wrenching. I brother Damian, guard Decee Despite the heartbreak of the offence clicking, their defence “We just didn’t get it done, I mean, with me being injured as Krah, and forward Evens Laroche previous day, Dore was satisfied THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SPORTS SPORTS 27

“You have to give these guys a lot of credit. It’s tough to get up on Saturday and play after a disappointing loss the day before, but they did it, and they did it with class.” —John Dore, Men’s basketball head coach with his team’s performance. “I thought we played well enough to win,” said Dore. “I don’t think we played our best basketball, but we played well enough to win.” Although there wasn’t much to gain Saturday, the coach and his team saw the game as a good experience. “It is for pride, but it’s also for the younger guys that are coming back, giving them a chance to see what they have to work on and what they have to do to come back here [to Nationals],” Gallier said.

Concordia 73 Ottawa 86 Con U failed to come up on top in the men’s consolation final last Sunday against Ottawa. Despite the loss, this was a milestone game for Damian Buckley, as he scored his 2000th career point. “It felt good. I did- n’t really know how many points I needed, but I guess it’s quite an accomplishment,” said Buckley when asked about his milestone. The Stingers enjoyed an early lead to start the first quarter but Gee-Gees centre Dax Desserault, also playing his last game, wasn’t going to let the deficit stop him from going out on a high. He had a total of 25 points. Although the Stingers gave up their 11-2 lead before the end of the first quarter, they still man- aged to keep it close, ending the quarter down 22-20. In the second quarter the opposition stepped up their game, but the Stingers still hung in there, going into the second half down by eight. The second half saw the older Buckley brother getting a bad call from the ref, causing coach Dore to get frustrated with the official. Despite a strong effort, the Stingers lost the bronze medal game by a score of 86-73. Stingers senior leader Dwayne Buckley. FILE PHOTO JONATHAN DEMPSEY Dore was satisfied with his Calgary Concordia team’s overall performance. “We Calgary 76-67 played okay, but we made some Concordia Concordia 72-61 mistakes; a lot of mental errors,” UBC 79-74 UBC he said concerning his team’s Dalhousie loss. He walked away from the UBC 78-54 Dalhousie weekend proud of his team. Ottawa 83-76 Carleton 87-77 “You have to give these guys a Western Championship bracket Consolation bracket Western 75-48 lot of credit. It’s tough to get up Ottawa Ottawa on Saturday and play after a dis- Carleton 66-65 appointing loss the day before, Carleton Ottawa 85-63 but they did it, and they did it Carleton 94-57 with class.” St-FX St-FX 28 OPINIONS THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/OPINIONS Green Letters @thelink.concordia.ca Linkies made bad choices not in our name. Vision is also claiming that the Loyola Luncheon has I saw your March 10 cover, featuring male basketball Not in Our Name–Concordia has been formed to reject been inactive all year. Though there were two months in space players with the caption “Ballin’,” and didn’t know the way the Zionist project attempts to assimilate our the fall semester where the Luncheon was not serving whether to laugh or cry. identities and our voices for their own purposes. Through students due to internal restructuring, the Luncheon has Advertising pollution Did none of you think twice about the irony—and the existence of our group, we strive to counter the often- been back for the past three months and is now serving inappropriateness—of making that the cover of your expressed notions that equate all Jews with Zionism, and delicious vegetarian meals five days a week. Why is this • MADELYN LIPSZYC annual women’s issue? I found the cover of the special understand an Israeli Apartheid analysis, and stand in promise, as well as others such as their Subsidized insert, tongue-in-cheek as it might have been, to be solidarity with Palestinians resisting colonialism as Tutoring Database, Career Fairs, and Book Exchanges, Advertisements are taking up every last bit equally obnoxious. Was that free-flowing nature/swamp anti-Semitism. included on their platform when they all already exist of our blank spaces, from metro walls, to toilet goddess truly the best representation of 21st century We believe that both Israel and Canada must be held either through the CSU or other associations? stalls and taxicabs. women your editorial board could come up with? accountable for their violations of human rights. We At this point, I would have expected a little more from The real problem is that ads are not promot- Though I was inclined to question the necessity of a stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, as with Councillors Dabchy and Osei. They are both smart indi- ing essential goods or services. They’re part of women-themed issue in the year 2009, your bizarre cover all Indigenous independence movements. In particular, viduals who should have spent their time on Council an excessive push for consumerism that is using choices made me reconsider my optimism. we stand against Israel’s racist laws and Canada’s com- actually learning about what the CSU offers instead of up an awful lot of dirty resources and energy in You disappoint me, The Link. plicity, while calling for a solidarity that stretches beyond continuously encouraging the petty politics and hostility the process. I know you know better. borders and nationalities. that has plagued the CSU all year in hopes of one day There is very little written on the topic of —Leah Pires, Our experiences are diverse—whether from Canada, ruling the CSU. advertising pollution. Perhaps that is because McGill Art History & English Israel or elsewhere—but we are unified as Jews impli- —Elie Chivi, writing negatively about advertising impacts cated in the struggle against Israeli Apartheid. We CSU VP Communications the very people or organization that are writing Justin Giovannetti is an idiot endorsed Israeli Apartheid Week, and were encouraged CHANGE for best orientation the most. Nearly all media advertises, so writ- Mayor Tremblay is an idiot, but Giovannetti says that and inspired by the results: powerful speakers, nuanced in Canada ing about ads could be somewhat hypocritical. Tremblay is only committed to public transit in a super- analyses, diverse perspectives and empowered voices. Louise Story from The New York Times is an ficial manner. Certainly the only tangible difference in We stand behind the role of Israeli Apartheid Week on I am voting to CHANGE Concordia! For the past year I exception; she wrote that “a person living in a Montreal’s transit network that have arrived due to his university campuses and the Concordia community. have been looking for a reason to get excited about the city 30 years ago saw up to 2,000 ad messages administration is not an improvement in public transit We recognize the historic nature of anti-Semitism in CSU and now I’ve found it. CHANGE Concordia has a day, compared with service, but a marked destruction of the quality of serv- the world and oppose anti-Semitism wherever we see it. assembled a dedicated and innovative group of candi- up to 5,000 today.” ice offered by the road network to all vehicles. We see Israel’s violent acts in the name of Jews as pro- dates. Their platform shows that they understand stu- $500 Most of those mes- However, I am almost delighted Tremblay isn’t paying viding additional fuel to anti-Semitic actions and dent needs and know how to change Concordia for the sages are not written an extra $40 million to the STM. The STM is chronically claims. Furthermore, we reject the violence of Zionism to better. billion on recycled paper with mismanaged and under funded, or in reality, over- impose an identity of oppressor on all Jews. I would especially like to speak out in support of Yearly cost of global advertising organic ink. extended. With this in mind, we believe that it is important to Samantha Banks, candidate with CHANGE for VP stu- Reading a magazine like Cosmopolitan or Less than 40 per cent of the STM’s budget comes from oppose anti-Semitism while recognizing the nature of dent life. Sam is an outstanding person who cares about GQ you often have to endure 150 pages of ads fares. This is an unsustainable practice. It is one of the Israel as an apartheid system that oppresses her peers and her school. She is always willing to take printed on non-recycled paper using poisonous prime reasons for the poor quality of service, as the STM Palestinians, and fight against this system until the time to listen to students’ concerns and work to chemical dyes promoting cigarettes and alco- has no initiative to provide for the consumer, manage Palestine is free. In our struggles against oppression we make school a little more fun. hol. Multimedia ads are not much cleaner. itself efficiently, nor is competition possible. find it most important to decry, with loud voices, oppres- I know that Sam will organize the best orientation Television and Internet energy usage is higher In Hong Kong, the fares make up 159 per cent of their sion perpetrated in our name. Thus, as Jews, we strong- Concordia has ever seen and continue to put the CSU on when viewers are constantly turning away ads. budget—that is, a significant profit, and the system is ly decry Israeli Apartheid. Not in our name. the map for having the best orientation in Canada. But A 22-minute television show has eight minutes one of the most efficient in the world. And it is strange —Kinneret Sheetreet, Women’s Studies we also need a VP Student Life who will be able to throw of commercials. that with so much support for user-pay systems, for pub- —Aaron Lakoff, Women’s Studies events that will cater to the diversity on our campus, Bus shelters, billboards, blimps, and the like lic transit it’s all but forgotten, even though that is the —Jackson Hagner, Women’s Studies which seems to always be an issue with the CSU and I are constantly spouting messages. situation that existed in Montreal before the 1976 elec- —Nadia Hausfather, Humanities, PhD think Sam’s experience and diverse background makes The infamous Montreal trucks towing an ad tion of the PQ—ah, the culture of delirium. —Afek Launer, English Literature her perfect for the job. encased in glass or a half-naked woman telling It wouldn’t take a huge hike—the average cost of a —Alli Burgess, Election promises have you to visit her at a strip club, is not only trip on the STM is $1,60. The only real increase would major errors Exercise Science demeaning, it’s also wasteful. L’Association need to be the monthly passes. Perhaps a return to the Quebecoise de lutte contre la pollution atmos- maximum age of 18 for student passes and an increase As a current CSU executive, I feel compelled to clarify Get involved, do research, vote pherique discovered that Montreal ad trucks in the adult fare to $80. Still a bargain, but at least mar- some major errors in team Vision’s platform. Three I’m sure you have noticed it is that time of year again, travel more than 2.3 million kilometres yearly. ginally reasonable. The STM could also save money by prominent points being advertised are: “Finally launch Concordia’s CSU elections. This is the time where you reducing wasteful bus routings, like most suburban the Student Centre,” “Open a café at the Hive” and see hundreds of posters using up all the space on the Advertising is only necessary for excessive profit lines during the day when only one or two people are rid- “Bring back the Loyola luncheon.” bulletin boards, you are bombarded with flyers from the ing. The headway could be reduced to 60 or 90 minutes These points, although definitely high priority for all different slates while travelling in and out of school and Does a company really need to advertise and cut a significant cost, at no real decrease in serv- Concordia students, are extremely deceptive. As current finally the ever so inspiring class room speeches. excessively to succeed? If we look at local busi- ice—nobody is heading to work at 1:30 p.m. And if I can CSU Councillors who have had several opportunities to I am writing to you today because regardless of the nesses like Wok Café, Copies Concordia and dream, running the 221 bus all day instead of the crap- be informed about the Student Centre project all year, typical political tactics used here at Concordia, this Marche Lobo, they all do well without advertis- py 211 [the main lines serving the West Island]. Vision’s presidential hopeful Amine Dabchy and VP year’s elections are one of the most important. The CSU ing. Instead of harmful advertising a better In closing, mortgaging our future by running up the Services Prince Ralph should know better than to prom- has slowly made its way down a path where students do business plan would focus on location, planning municipal credit cards is not an option, nor is outright ise students a building that still requires several more not feel connected to their student union and most stu- and word of mouth. The planet would be thank- theft of citizen money. The octopus of the municipal gov- years of collecting fees before construction can begin. To dents have a negative aura of the CSU. It is unreason- ful. ernment of Montreal and its expensive low quality serv- claim that no work has been done on this project for the able how our student union is guarded when it comes Another aspect of advertising and business is ices needs to be fixed. Ideally a “slash and burn” tactic past four years is also terribly misleading. with meeting with students in their offices. It has come marketing. Provigo and Loblaws have a brand should be employed, allowing a fresh, dynamic opera- Anyone who attended the March 11 Council meeting to the point now where you make an appointment to called President’s Choice Mini Chefs for kids. tion—comparable to Laval perhaps—to grow in place. can attest to the incredible amount of progress the proj- which you’ll never meet with any of the executives. While promoting nutritious snacks for kids, The unions would hate it. ect has seen this year in the form of the new, concrete Lastly, I do not understand how student council is the their marketing strategy has gone overboard —James Augustynski, Management Agreement negotiated by President Keyana strongest body of the CSU, yet they do not carry any office and they have sacrificed clean packaging for Mechanical Engineering Kashfi that was approved by Council. hours or there is no information available to contact profit. They actually sliced apples into eight Stating that that a café at the Hive is also going to them even though they are “representing the student individually wrapped packets ready for school— Not in our name magically open without difficulty is concerning given body.” pre-sliced and not brown, you need to wonder, A number of high profile and well-financed Zionist that the current executive has spent months negotiating It is time for students to take an interest and engage what’s in there? These eight packets are then organizations claim to represent the Jewish community a lease agreement with Concordia Administration that is in student politics because it is in their best interest and packaged in an even bigger plastic bag to con- in Canada in its entirety. We have formed a new group on beneficial to students. Clearly, a café at the Hive has it is their money that funds the CSU. Take the time to tain them all. campus to make it clear that they do not. What they rep- always been in the works but without a lease, no project research all the executive teams and councillors and While it is important to feed kids nutritious resent is a Zionist political stance: an unconditional could’ve ever been initiated. To come in at the end of the then make an informed decision. When it comes to food, this should not be done at the expense of defence of the policies of the state of Israel. These negotiation process and capitalize on what we are councillors, you do not have to pick an entire slate, the environment or our wallets. Is our society organizations speak and act for themselves alone and accomplishing for students is appalling. instead pick and choose the ones that will be the most that gullible? Why not just buy the real thing: an apple. The Link’s letters and opinions policy: The deadline for letters is 4 p.m. on Friday before the issue prints. The Link reserves the right to verify your identity via telephone or email. We reserve the right to refuse letters that are libelous, sexist, homophobic, racist or xenophobic. The limit is 400 words. If your letter is longer, it won’t appear in the paper. Please include your full name, weekend phone number, student ID number and program of study. The comments in the letters and opinions section do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board. THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/OPINIONS OPINIONS 29

effective regardless of the slate they are running we get escalators that actually work? I don’t for President and VP Services are both CSU sity. This March vote to CHANGE Concordia. and commitment to changing Concordia for the with. think I should even try to ask for more competent councillors this year. —Lea Zimmerman, better. I will highly encourage students to vote for my teachers. Vision also wants to create an inter-faculty International Business I am particularly excited about their plans to fellow incoming ASFA executive teammates, Apparently, an extra week off trumps all these book exchange. Were they not aware of the book help clubs on campus. CHANGE’s clubs platform President Leah Del Vecchio, VP Academic Affairs other issues. I’m sorry to disappoint you Mr. exchanges are already run by the Arts and A bright future with CHANGE includes a dedicated clubs newsletter, assis- Dane Perera, and VP External Adrien Severyns as Candidate, but adding another break will not Science Federation of Associations, Commerce I am writing to declare that after a year of tance for clubs seeking funding for events and councillors, as well as Stefan Lefebvre who is help prepare students for the real world. A and Administration Students’ Association and endless internal drama within the CSU, we final- projects, and the creation of a new special proj- running as an independent councillor this year. semester is 13 weeks long. If you somehow the Co-op bookstore? ly have some hope that we can move away from ects fund for club collaborations and office I will leave you with one last piece of advice, manage to get a job and then request a vacation Next on the list are faculty-specific career hostility and towards a CSU that will put improvements. All of these initiatives will allow with this year’s election being so important, and every 13 weeks, you’re in for a real eye-opener. fairs. These types of fairs are already run by a progress before politics. clubs to do even more to for student life at with proper research done on all the teams that Besides, if you cannot concentrate on your number of student associations and Concordia’s I am running for CSU Arts and Science Council Concordia. are running you’ll see that you do not need schoolwork for 13 weeks in a row, you should counselling and development services. with CHANGE Concordia but I am not a student By contrast, CHANGE’s competitors haven’t glasses, contacts or laser surgery to help your seriously reconsider your place in life. Vision’s flyer also let me know about their politician. The reason I’m running with CHANGE even developed a clubs platform. This March I vision on which one is best suited for the CSU in In my opinion, spring break should be elimi- website so I figured I’d check that out too. There is because I’m of sick seeing my union in the am voting for the slate that understands how 2009-2010. nated. It exists for students to catch up on their I found as many redundant services and proj- papers for all the wrong reasons. I came into this important clubs really are. I’m voting to CHANGE —Amir Sheth, studies, but I have yet to meet one who uses it ects as I saw on their flyer but what bothered me campaign thinking that we were going to be fed Concordia. Political Science for that purpose. Therefore, it is inefficient and the most was Vision’s platform for Loyola. They a bunch of unrealistic promises but saw a list of —Vivian Shum, unnecessary. However, if your party chooses to are promising to build an enclosed shuttle bus well researched, feasible ideas that our school Economics Free tickets from CHANGE do the smart thing and cancel the weeklong shelter. Really? The shuttle bus shelter again? desperately needs like Water Bottle Free Zones, Vote for Audrey Peek’s My name is Anna Goldfinch and I am running drink-fest you will never get elected. Now that’s Every average Loyola student knows that the Fall Reading Week and an Online Note and Exam change for Arts & Science councillor in the upcoming a real Catch-22. shelter is too close to Loyola’s chapel, a Bank. CSU elections with a great team called CHANGE. —Arbel Ben-Or, Canadian Heritage site, to be allowed any kind I also came into this campaign and met a Another year, another election. Lots of flashy Many of you may have seen CHANGE around Operations Management of construction. It is shocking that a group of group of honest, hardworking people who want posters. Big promises. Tons of free candy. Why school last week in bright green t-shirts running student leaders were either oblivious to the last to put the troubles we’ve seen this year behind should students care? Students should care around campus! We’ve been having a lot of fun Kurt’s the right guy for the job three CSU elections or trying to pull the wool over us and move us in a direction that will unite, not because of the candidacy of one person, Audrey talking to students about how we want to I’m sure a lot of people in the Concordia polit- Concordia student’s eyes one more time. alienate, the student body. Peek, and the changes to the CSU and Concordia change the way things work here at Concordia. ical scene aren’t familiar with Kurt Reckziegel, Vision’s platform is an unimpressive grab bag Though I am a candidate running with proposed by herself and her team Students are especially responding to our Fall the candidate running for CSU president with of projects that other groups already do or proj- CHANGE, I am also a regular student who is As someone who has known Audrey for quite a Reading Week idea! Many think at first that it’s CHANGE Concordia. Through working together in ects that aren’t feasible. Do they think Concordia swept up by this movement. I sincerely believe while now, I have to say that I very excited that she a pie in the sky idea but I’m really happy to tell several associations under CASA, I learned that students are stupid or that we weren’t paying that under the leadership of Kurt Reckziegel and decided to run for the CSU with CHANGE you all that it is very feasible. Several other uni- Kurt is one of the most honest, hardworking, and attention? This March I’m voting for real the rest of the team, we have an unprecedented Concordia. Through her work as president of ASFA versities in Quebec have a Fall Reading Week enthusiastic people I’ve ever met. CHANGE. opportunity to help shape our community the and two years on University Senate—among because the fall and winter semesters are the One of the reasons I actually chose to even run —Karl Dingfeld, way we are supposed to, from the bottom up, many others positions she’s held representing same length! for JMSB Council with CHANGE is because I Chartered Accountancy with every one of our voices heard. That is what thousands of students—Audrey has consistently Having a Fall Reading Week is an opportuni- believe Kurt has not wasted his time bashing his the CHANGE campaign stands for and that’s proven just how hardworking and dedicated she is. Check off Sam Banks ty to take on more hours at work and make extra peers all year, or ever got involved in any scan- on my ballot why I’ve chosen to run with them. Audrey is a strong and influential advocate for money, a week to catch up on readings and dals with past Concordia politicos. I think the —Sarah Cole-Burnett us, the students, and I think the CSU desperately papers or to go away and be relaxed and rejuve- only way for us to be able to truly affect change I would just like to express how excited I am to Sociology and Sexuality Studies needs independent thinkers like Audrey, who are nated for the rest of the semester. CHANGE will at our school, is to have someone who simply see that Samantha Banks is running with sincere enough to truly help change the current cli- lobby the administration for this change in the wants the CSU to go back to serving students, CHANGE Concordia as VP Student Life and Change to help our clubs mate at the CSU. academic calendar so all Concordia students not attacking them. Loyola. I think we need a passionate person like As former president of the Concordia I am proud to be supporting Audrey Peek for VP will get a much needed break. I encourage students to stand behind Kurt, I Sam who will ensure that the needs of students Canadian Asians Society I would like to express University Affairs with Something I really love to talk to students encourage students to join the movement, and I on both campuses are properly met. Knowing her my support for CHANGE Concordia in the upcom- CHANGE, and I encourage you to do the same. about is our plan to sell subsidized movie tick- encourage students to vote for CHANGE. for a while now, I have to admit that I have yet to ing CSU elections. CHANGE has a great platform —Tara Dominguez, ets! You’d be surprised how many people wait —Christopher M. Calkins Jr., see her take on a task that she hasn’t been able that demonstrates their experience, creativity Liberal Arts College in History till cheap Tuesday to go to the movies. CHANGE Management to fulfil. Concordia wants to make it “cheap Tuesday” With all the drama surrounding the CSU this every day for Concordia students! By bulk buy- Where does Mo fit? year, someone like Sam is exactly what we need ing movie tickets from the AMC and the Scotia All year the campus newspapers have been to put the interests of students first, and petty Bank Theatre we’ll be able to sell them for filled with stories about money that was over- politics second. With all due respect to all other reduced prices directly to you! spent and financial records that can’t be teams running, after looking at the CHANGE So Concordia students, on March 24, 25 and accounted for at the CSU. All of those articles team it becomes pretty clear which team is 26 make sure you go out and vote! Make an say that the problems started in Mohammed actually going to be able to fulfil their promise of informed decision and get the CHANGE that you Shurye’s year as president. Now it seems there is progress. deserve! reason to believe that Mo is the campaign man- It’s time we take back our CSU. It’s time for —Anna Goldfinch, ager for team Vision. CHANGE. Political Science Over the course of this campaign I’ve even —Leora Kimmel, heard some members of Vision try to link their Human Relations and Religion Hey candidates: Fix the school opponents to last year’s executive. It is absurd that the team backed by the executive that CASA for CHANGE Once again it’s student election time at started this mess, who have been the most As incoming President of CASA for the 2009- Concordia, and one of the candidates running guilty of mudslinging this year are pretending 10 academic year, I strongly urge all JMSB stu- for CSU president requested five minutes of pre- that they have a new vision for the CSU. dents to vote for CHANGE Concordia. I sincerely cious class time to give a short campaign I for one am sick and tired of reading the believe that CHANGE has a platform of new speech. What is the main focus of his party’s same old story in the student papers every week. ideas that accommodate the needs of students platform? Lobbying to add a “spring break” dur- I want to the see my CSU executive do work that and can realistically be implemented within the ing the fall semester. I actually care about. That’s why I’m voting to upcoming year. This is the most pressing issue at Concordia CHANGE Concordia. Their platform addresses some of the most that requires attention? What about the decrepit —Eleanor MacPherson, critical concerns that students face. The pro- state of the building and facilities? How about Independent Student posed Financial Information Office will remedy lobbying for better classroom equipment? financial anxiety and academic assistance will Overhead projectors from the ‘70s that no longer Accountants for Change be available through the online note and exam focus are not acceptable. Neither are broken Is anyone as upset as I am about Vision’s bank. Furthermore, the Fall Reading Week will chairs that require delicate balancing for two platform for the Concordia Student Union elec- provide students with an opportunity to relax, and a half hours. tions? Their flyers advertise that they will create regroup, and re-energize before mid-term sea- If they tried hard enough, maybe classroom a subsidized tutoring database but the CSU son. temperatures can be regulated somewhere already offers that service. Surely they must CHANGE is the only slate with the drive and between igloo and sauna. At the very least, can have been aware of this since their candidates experience to improve our union and our univer- 30 OPINIONS THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/OPINIONS Pro-life groups More [email protected] An end to petty in-fighting during exam time. Vision should respect the work and the long The CSU elections are coming up on March On a feasible and financial level we are hours the executive and fellow councillors put in 24, 25 and 26 and you should get out and stuck in a paradox. On the one hand, to fight to properly inform the student body and not con- deserve a place vote. Every undergraduate student is a mem- tuition fee increases would imply fewer tinue to spread defamatory rumours that make ber of the CSU and on polling days I encour- resources for university. On the flipside, how Vision sound good and taint the executive’s rep- age you to vote for CHANGE. will the promises of reduced fees for standard utation in the process. I am proudly running with CHANGE to repre- tests, massages and other perks come into —Edouard Fuchs, sent Arts and Science students on the effect? The STM is a unionized organization, for Accounting on campus University Senate. I have been actively repre- them to reduce the already low student fares senting students as an executive with the would be a lengthy process. A change for one Vision is a real change Honest methods must be used Women’s Studies Student Association as an university body must be applied to all students I would like to comment on this year’s stu- ASFA Councillor and on several departmental in the region. dent union elections. I, like many students on in spreading the message and faculty committees for the past three Finally, would Fall Reading Week be suitable campus, have heard a lot of speeches in my years. I have to say, I am sick of seeing petty in this turbulent economy? Students and pro- classes from all parties, been given many • WENDY GILLIS something that would go against in-fighting and politicking on the part of our fessors voices must be considered on this point goodies, seen a lot of posters, and been given THE SHEAF (UNIVERSITY the right to free speech. elected student officials. before a proposal is put forward. A large num- many flyers. However, one party sticks out: OF SASKATCHEWAN) Although there are certainly We desperately need stronger representa- ber of students will agree with the doubled Vision Concordia. specifics in each case, it is not a tion at the university level, advocating for stu- workload during “Reading” week, true to its This team is the real deal. They are the ones SASKATOON (CUP) – You solution to slowly push pro-life dents rights first and foremost. CHANGE can- name. that really want to change Concordia for the would be hard-pressed to raise the groups off campus. It halts healthy didate for VP University Affairs, Audrey Peek, CSU’s elections are edging near. Students better. All the members of the executive have subject of abortion and not have it debate at universities—where has been a strong and vocal representative are encouraged to vote for Vision. Vote for a the drive, commitment and the integrity to strike up a heated debate. healthy debate should happen— for students and I believe we need folks like transparent mission before a promised action. reform the mishaps that have been going on The topic has been and likely and sets a dangerous precedent. her to represent us and change things for the Following the CSU’s unresponsiveness on cer- this last year. will always be a contentious one, Pro-life groups deserve to be a part better. tain issues this year; namely, refusal to give It was a tough choice to choose one team. capable of arousing deeply emo- of campus as much as any other CHANGE is what we need. The CSU repre- financial statements, attacking campus sus- There are many teams that are vying to control tional reactions. club. sents tens of thousands of students, and I tainability and running a $50,000 legal budg- $1.6 million of student’s money. Aside from the dichotomous However, the issue is not want a strong student union, which will use et, we need to withdraw from a myopic system. I think everyone can agree that we need a pro-life versus pro-choice argu- whether such groups have the our collective power to improve things for us. The Vision slate executives have a brilliant new direction and Vision Concordia is the only ments, there are other crucial con- right to say what they are saying; CHANGE has put forth exciting and important track record. As an example, this year Amine team that offers that. The main reason that I, siderations: How late into the it’s the way they are saying it. initiatives, such as subsidized standardized Dabchy & Prince Ralph Osei fought the CSU’s as president of the Liberal Concordia Student pregnancy should a woman be In cases where pro-life groups tests like the LSAT & GMAT, the creation of an attack on the Sustainability Action Fund. Association, have faith in Vision Concordia is able to have an abortion? Should have been criticized, it is often due online note and exam bank, and lobbying the Amine and Prince Ralph have been true to their because they understand how the Concordia the Canadian government regulate to the tactics they use and the university for a Fall Reading Week. Like the word this year and will be next year as well. Student Union operates. this? Doesn’t the father have information they distribute. winter, a fall reading week allows students to Students, inform yourselves with Vision and Some of Vision’s members stood up to this rights? The list goes on. Just last week, a poster of an relax a bit, catch up or get ahead on their vote on March 24, 25 and 26. To everyone, good year’s current CSU executive when shady oper- Even among like-minded indi- unborn fetus donned a wall at the course work and gear up for the second half of luck. ations were going on, and you need a vision if viduals, there are likely to be dif- U of S next to signs that read: “I their term generally improving our grades and —Azarakhsh Zarei, you want to change the CSU for the betterment ferences in opinion with one regret my abortion.” Some women saving our sanity. Psychology of student life while being accountable at the aspect of abortion or another. claim to have been harassed by CHANGE has the experience and the drive to same time. Since the legalization of abor- members of the group as they make real change in our lives as students. I It wasn’t their fault From Amine Dabchy and Steph Siriwardhana tion in Canada in the 1980s, fer- walked past. encourage everyone to make an informed As a current CSU councillor, I have to admit making sure ASFA students were put ahead of vent abortion debate has been If a woman is to pick up a pam- decision and check out the full platform that I was severely disappointed to hear that personal politics to Prince Ralph Osei making quelled somewhat. But pro-life phlet or visit a pro-life website, online. If, like me, you want a union that cares several members of team Vision were making sure that the CSU executive was held account- activist groups have taken to fight- they are likely to read one-sided, about students’ needs, that uses our money to classroom speeches claiming that it was the able for many misdoings and devious opera- ing this legislation as well as pseudo-scientific facts regarding fund services that we need, like cheaper STM current CSU executive that lost or stole thou- tions; whether it be Helen Downie, Kristen attempting to convince individual the potential implications of an and AMT passes, and that spends its time sands of dollars of student money. Gregor, Sam Moyal or Ayoub Muntasar making women to choose against abortion. abortion. fighting to make Concordia a better place, I have worked closely with Andre, the VP sure their student associations were well rep- This has recently been seen at To be sure, there are potential- then please vote CHANGE. Finance, and can attest that he, and the rest of resented to John Kyras trying to make sustain- the University of Saskatchewan ly horrific psychological conse- —Carolyn Wilson, the executive have spent long hours ensuring ability a priority on campus, this group is ready with the Students for Life group, quences following an abortion, Women’s Studies that the deficit incurred is properly explained to to change Concordia. and through presentations by and many women maintain they students in the most transparent way possible, I hope many students will see the same and Silent No More—a group of are permanently changed after Paradox with CHANGE and to legally pursue all parties who are at fault. I encourage everyone to vote on March 24, 25 women affiliated with Anglicans having one. The decision is incred- In the season of student campaigns, the Just in case, I would like to remind Dabchy and 26 because it’s your say for a new vision, a for Life who say they regret having ibly difficult precisely because of hard work must be saluted. On a note of con- and the rest of his team that the deficit started new direction, and—with Vision Concordia— had abortions. the numerous negative effects and cern I beg to ask the Change slate about the in 2005, when his friend and campaign manag- change we can actually believe in. The U of S is far from being the women should be aware of all of following: Fall Reading Week; stopping tuition er, Mohammad Shuriye, was president. —Zach Battat, only campus host to a renewed these beforehand. increases; decreased STM fares and massages I realize that this is an inconvenient truth, but Political Science abortion debate. The issue is being When a woman is faced with publicly discussed across the this decision, it is important that country, with some universities she has the resources available to halting funding for pro-life her to help her make the best groups. choice. These resources include Notice of elections for The Link Board of Directors In June, the Canadian spiritual guidance or peer support. Federation of Students, a national But, both pro-choice and pro-life student lobby group, went so far as groups must be cognizant of their The Link is currently looking for three (3) persons to sit on The Link Board of Directors. to ratify a motion to support stu- ability to inform this significant These three members must be staff (contributed to four or more issues this semester), dent unions that deny funding to decision and ensure that the tac- and none of whom shall hold an editorial position within The Link. pro-life groups, to the disappoint- tics used are honest and accurate. ment of even some in the pro- Ultimately the matter is choice camp. unquestionably personal and Candidates for the Board must present letters of intent by Friday March 27, 2009 Denying funding can be viewed one person’s view—no matter at 3 p.m. to the business manager ([email protected] or at as a step towards outlawing the what it is—should never be The Link’s office, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. O. room H-649) groups on campus altogether— forced on to another.

Corrections NOTE: This year masthead elections are held the same day as the election for staff In last week’s Women’s Issue (Vol. 29, Iss. 25, pg. 11) of The Link, we reported in “A woman’s wish for her son” that Melca Salvador died of breast cancer in 2004. Salvador died on Feb. 27, 2009. representatives on Board of Directors, therefore you can run for a masthead position A picture for “‘Calm and sedate…just what we wanted’” on pg. 8 of the same issue was credited wrongly to Clare Raspopow. Elsa Jabre took the picture. and for the staff representative on Board of Directors. If you are elected to masthead Two weeks ago (Vol. 29, Iss. 24, pg. 9) The Link reported in “Arts and Science election results,” that Catherine Dicaire was elected as an independent councillor when it was in fact Gabriella Foglia. In your application to the Board of Directors will automatically be withdrawn. the same article Stephanie Siriwardhana’s last name was misspelt. The Link apologizes for the errors. THE LINK • MARCH 17, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/OPINIONS OPINIONS 31 editorial

crswrdTHE ALPHABET: FROM EH TO ZED pzzlol• R. BRIAN HASTIE & TIMELORD DE ROSA Fresh eyes see the CSU’s election

ACROSS 12 3 I don’t know what’s going on with Concordia’s election. In fact, 2. A sport that has more spik- it seems to be part of my charm. So when elections started, I ing than an American high decided to get down to it. From what I gather, CHANGE and 456 school graduation punch bowl. Vision are comprised of members from last year’s slate, Unity. Can be played in the sand or on When I talked to CHANGE about it, they became suspicious solid floor 7 and shut down—I guess I got my answer.

4. Scale used to measure earth- 8 Vision didn’t back down or attack the other side, but they quakes. When this baby hits made it clear that there had been differences in the now ironical- 10, we’ll all be shaking ly titled Unity. So where does that leave me? 5. A moment of clarity, usually 9 Fresh has been nowhere to be found—how can I think they’ll of a religious nature 10 represent me if they don’t even want to see me? New Union—with

7. Good precious metal to 11 12 its intimidating Gonzo-reminiscent fist—stands at the bottom of invest in today’s global eco- the second-floor escalator. “Tired of purple and green?” they ask. nomic recession Yes, I am tired. But more of student politics than the ridiculous 9. This goes boom. Red sticks 13 14 colours you align yourself with. Where are these slates coming that are the best way to clear a 15 from, and what inspires them? I’d rather know why you’re run- path through a mountain. 16 17 18 19 ning for student government than your platform. 11. Winter has come and gone. Slates like CHANGE and Vision seem to be more like extra- This means that the bears will curricular loving CV fillers than normal students. I can see it in be ending their sleep, beware 20 21 your photos. You don’t want to make a difference in student lives, the bears your end game is corporate—why should I vote for you?

13. Ancient writing utensil, 22 23 I met some representatives for Decentralize Concordia outside typically a feather Le Social on Thursday night. They handed me the skinniest piece 14. The only time you are of paper with a simple message, “DecentralizeConcordia.ca.” I allowed to sing “Living On A 24 don’t know about you, but drug dealers have approached me in Prayer” in public and get away 25 the same way. You want my attention? You definitely don’t have with it it. 16. The ideal society. Not a city It’s not as if I’m anti-social, anti-government or holed up 26 made of chocolate and gummy under some rock, I’m probably the best representation of the 90 bears per cent of Concordia that can’t be bothered to vote—except I do 17. Typically installed on a issue 25 vote, I love democracy. But candidates, you aren’t making it easy. computer. Bad examples of this with the same letter. There, you solutionz —Joelle Lemieux, include viruses, trojans and Second learned a new word, go get a dictionary 1 Fringe arts editor C 2 I F Life and your quest to education shall con- 3 45 SPORT I NGEVENT A M 67 20. KAPOW! ZAP! BOFF! Often used tinue A I C SCOTCH 89 The media failed us on Sunday C WAR T I N U 10 in comic books to represent sounds 10. As children, we all believed they H S STEAKHOUSE N 11 A D Y L T T 12 22. An aquatic animal that has chased roadrunners. But now we I R B H CAVE I The English news media’s coverage of Sunday’s Anti-Police N I A A R N 13 14 webbed feet, fur and a bill know, they chase humans using chain- S N H PARK I NGLOT G Brutality demonstration was shameful. A K I U S R R 24. Used by firefighters to combat saws. Sorry 15 Until yesterday morning, The Gazette was reporting that 21 BOWL I NG M U 16 flames or used by pet dogs to mark 12. Not Transmorphers. Close, but not N H P C B people had been arrested—down from the wild estimate of 30 17 18 19 T G FIXINGSTUFF K A their territory close enough Asylum Studios E I N I S C arrests posted the previous night. The CBC reported the same L V G S K 20 21 25. The best part of a cake and a 15. You know when you go to the den- E D I RECT I ONS TRACTOR impossibly low number until 11 p.m. on Sunday night. P S R P U hockey term tist and half your teeth are removed H O O B Yesterday’s edition of The Globe and Mail reported to the 22 LOUFERR I GNO U S 26. Branch of biology that involves without feeling a thing? Yeah, that’s 23 nation, along with many factual errors, that “three dozen protest- N PENPALS the study of animals this stuff's fault. If you’re a degenerate E D ers” were arrested. The Globe’s story painted the portrait of calm 24 MANDATES this can also be seen as an awkward and balanced police officers standing up to the dangerous horde DOWN form of entertainment at social gather- ent sounds of violent young protesters. 1. A sweet preserve that is made with ings 21. Medieval sport played by knights To make matters worse, the picture accompanying the article citrus fruits 18. Often the first word in the diction- using lances on horseback. We believe reinforces the official story: a hoodie-clad protestor throwing a 3. Mythical creature that hides gold at ary. Don’t mess with them when it would be better with robots and/or table at riot police cowering behind shields as wisps of smoke the end of a rainbow. That’s where da they’re wearing sweaters, or sucking electricity wash over them. golds’ at on things with their long, pig-like 23. Singing that involves an extended Anyone at the demonstration would have seen the crowd of 6. With his pal Rocky, they were often snouts note and rapidly changing the pitch. hipsters talking on cell phones, grandparents shaking a finger at entangled by Boris and Natasha 19. Childhood toy where using mallets CAUTION: Doing this in mountainous ranks of armoured police and yes, the occasional grungy punk 8. It means washroom. It even starts on pieces of metal lead to many differ- areas will cause avalanches looking for trouble. But 22 individuals out of 600—a single man in a red mohawk has seen his image beamed across the country— arrested on criminal charges is not proof of a crowd bent on being violent. ed•i•to•ri•al — noun: a newspaper article written by or on To oppose those 600 protesters, the Montreal police deployed behalf of an editor that gives an opinion on a topical issue hundreds of riot police armed with tear gas, rubber bullets and batons to rap on shields and skulls. Horses, armoured vehicles and helicopters were also brought out and a metro station was closed down. Want to write The Link’s editorials? This is the same police force whose union head told Le Journal de Montreal in August, “Our job, as police officers, is repression. We do not need a socio-cultural agent as director, we need a gen- Then run to join The Link’s masthead—the newspaper’s body of editors—and you get to choose. eral. After all, the police is a paramilitary organization, let’s not forget it.” Letters of application must be posted in The Link’s office [H-649] before March 20, a minimum On Sunday the English media decided to ignore the protesters of four contributions in the Winter semester are necessary to apply. and talk to the easily available talking points provided by the police. As a result they painted the protesters as loud and angry animals “sedated” by the calm and orderly police officers in atten- To following positions are open: dance. Editor-in-chief / News editor / Features editor / Fringe arts editor / Literary arts editor / Sports editor Unfortunately for the media, roles get muddled in these skir- Opinions editor / Student press liason / Graphics editor / Photo editor / Layout manager / Copy editor mishes. Life isn’t as easy as it seems. —Justin Giovannetti, Managing editor / Webmaster Opinions editor