TheCarleton’s campusLeveller and community newspaper

Watching out for the iron fist in the silk glove since 2009. vol 1, no 3 March 16 to March 29 2009

In case you thought Obama/Trudeau/equity services had eliminated it RACISM STILL AROUND and stalking ontario campuses Students speak out at Carleton forum by erin seatter Canadian Federation of Students–Ontario, the Shortly after launching a Task Force on Campus series of forums to exam- Racism followed the ine racism on campuses Task Force on the Needs in Ontario, Hildah Otie- of Muslim Students, no received two pictures which was conducted in in the mail. One was 2006–2007. It will visit a photo of herself. The universities in Ontario other was a New York until April, after which Post cartoon, which had it will compile a list of Apartheid sparked controversy for recommendations aimed week photos its depiction of President at fighting racism in On- Page 15 Obama as a chimpanzee. tario’s post-secondary Written on the pictures education sector. were the words “refugee The task force invites Photo Pax dog,” “KKK,” and “die “racialised students, fac- sity were Shewit Kalaty, ing the hate mail, then heid Week poster and the [word we will not print] ulty, and staff” to speak VP student services for stated that speaking out larger issue of attempts Sexual assault die.” about their experiences the Carleton University about the experience had to stigmatize and limit centre Otieno, national ex- with racism at the uni- Students’ Association, proven empowering for the advocacy of Palestin- ecutive representative for versity. At Carleton, in- and Kimalee Phillip, a her. ian rights at Carleton. Page 3 the Ontario office of the dividuals—mainly stu- councillor for the Grad- With this encourage- Individuals questioned Canadian Federation of dents—testified about uate Students’ Associa- ment, a steady flow of the university admin- Students, received these incidents of racism in- tion. The panel also in- speakers approached the istration’s treatment of threats as a result of her volving students, profes- cluded Wesley Crichlow, microphone for the next groups such as Students Ottawa de- role in the Task Force on sors, and the administra- associate professor at the hour and a half. Some Against Israeli Apartheid amalgamation Campus Racism, which tion. They also provided University of Ontario described flagrant of- and deplored Equity Ser- Page 5 visited Carleton Univer- general comments on Institute of Technology. fences akin to the hate vices’ selective protection sity on March 11, 2009. racism and offered ame- The forum opened mail received by Otieno; of human rights. As she told a crowd of liorative measures. with three of the panel- others detailed encoun- Other perspectives approximately 70 Car- The hearing at Car- lists offering personal ters with more subtle that garnered some rep- leton students, nothing leton was chaired by a experiences with and forms of racism. resentation were those of SSHRC had prepared her to re- four-person panel, which observations about rac- One prominent nar- black, Jewish, and Latin funding ceive such threats. included Otieno. Repre- ism. Otieno described rative involved the ban- American students, who Page 5 An initiative of the senting Carleton Univer- her shock upon receiv- ning of the Israeli Apart- Continued on page 3

Taser inquiry Honeymoon’s over Leaked files Page 5 Bus fares to rise, service not improving Tories encourage front orgs War room by ashley hunkin fares: riders in Toronto erty tax.” by staff campaign manager for and Montreal pay $2.75, When cash fares rose Kitchener-Waterloo Con- Page 7 Lost amid reports of the Vancouverites $2.50, to their current price Audio, photos, and docu- servative MP Peter Braid seemingly daily changes and Haligonians a mere of $3.00 in 2005, there ments leaked to Wikileaks. (also in attendance), ad- to the City of Ottawa’s $2.00. When it comes to were numerous protests. org reveal that the Ontar- vised participants, “Don’t sorry-for-the-strike ap- tickets and passes, Ot- Although the current in- io Progressive Conserva- make [your campus club] peasement package is a tawa is also often com- crease will undoubtedly tive Campus Association a partisan organization…. decision by the Transit paratively higher. raise the ire of transit us- (OPCCA) is hosting a There’s ways [sic] to get Hungry city Committee to raise fares. Citizens might won- ers, the silence surround- series of workshops this around [the rules]…. Pages 8-9 Originally planned for der why Ottawa’s system, ing the hike renders it year to teach association Start a club called Friends April, transit riders can lacking complex subur- unlikely that a similar members how to take over of Liberty or something now expect a fare hike of ban link-ups and trains campaign will material- student governments and like that.” 7.5% in July, a strategic and suffering from long ize. deny funding to “leftist” Participants are told delay intended to allow bus-stop wait times war- Students, one of the campus organizations. that getting Conservative the sour taste of the strike rants one of the highest largest groups of Otta- In audio files leaked to students elected to stu- Songs for the to fade before giving Ot- ticket prices in the coun- wa’s transit users, might the site, speakers at a Wa- dent governments could duped tawans something new to try. do well to reinvigorate terloo workshop advocate help them “[amend] the Page 13 swallow. The hike—which Councillor Clive Doucet their campaign for a U- tactics such as creating student funding rules” so excludes cash fares—is the has a simple answer: it is Pass, which has recently “shell” or “front” organi- that groups such as the first in a series of annual about shifting the bur- gained momentum from zations that do not have Ontario Private Interest fare hikes planned for the den from the City’s purse Doucet’s support. The explicit Conservative Par- Research Group (OPIRG) next four years. to transit users’ pockets. pass is back on the table ty ties. The Campus Co- are deemed ineligible to 2001: A Space The latest increase “You always hear about for consideration at the alition for Liberty is refer- receive the levies that cur- Odyssey will leave Ottawa with that ‘transit subsidy’ and Transit Committee’s enced as an example of a rently support them. Page 14 one of the highest user how much transit costs. next meeting. As pro- Tory “front,” and speakers While speakers on the fees of any transit service You never hear that 50% posed, the pass would assure participants that audio tapes maintain that in Canada. At $3.00 per of transit is paid by us- cost $125 each term and the federal Conservatives they oppose OPIRG and trip, it already takes the ers already and 100% of be deducted automati- “love that stuff.” the Canadian Federation www.leveller.ca top spot in terms of cash roads are paid by prop- cally from student fees. Aaron Lee-Wudrick, Continued on page 4 Level-ler noun 1 Historical: During the English Civil War (c. 1649), one who favoured the abolition of all rank and privilege. Originally an insult, but later embraced by radical anti-Royalists. 2 One who tells the truth, as in “I’m going to level with you.”

3 An instrument that knocks down things that are standing up or digs up things that are buried or hidden.

The Leveller is a publication covering news, current events, and culture at Carleton University, in the city of Ottawa and, to a lesser extent, the wider world. It is intended to provide readers with a lively portrait of the university and their community and of the events that give it meaning. It is also intended to be a forum for provocative editorializing and lively debate on issues of concern to Carleton students, staff, and faculty as well as Ottawa residents.

The Leveller leans left, meaning that it sides with people over private property, and is democratic, meaning that it favours open discussion over silencing and secrecy. Within these very general boundaries, The Leveller is primarily interested in being interesting, in saying something worth saying and worth reading about. It doesn’t mind getting a few things wrong if it gets that part right.

The Leveller is mostly the work of a small group of volunteers. In fact it is produced entirely by volunteers. To become a more permanent enterprise and a more be a leveller truly democratic and representative paper, it will require more volunteers to write, edit, and produce, to Story Meeting take pictures, and to dig up the stories. The Leveller’s next story meetings is Thursday The Leveller needs you. It needs you to read it, talk March 19 from 4 to 6 pm about it, discuss it with your friends, agree with it, in Paterson 436. At this disagree with it, write a letter, write a story (or send meeting, the next issue’s in a story idea), join in the producing of it, or just content will be generated denounce it. Ultimately it needs you—or someone and discussed. like you—to edit it, to guide it towards maturity, to Those who are think- give it financial security and someplace warm and safe ing about volunteering to live. with The Leveller are en- couraged to attend. The Leveller is an ambitious little rag. It wants to be Those who want to simultaneously irreverent and important, to demand contribute stories, fea- responsibility from others while it shakes it off itself, tures, articles, and opin- to be a fun-house mirror we can laugh at ourselves in ion pieces should also and a map we can use to find ourselves and our city in. make an appearance. It wants to be your coolest, most in-the-know friend At this meeting, we and your social conscience at the same time. It has its will be discussing the con- work cut out for it. tent for Issue 4, due to come out March 30. The Leveller is published every two weeks, at the beginning of the week. It is free.

The Leveller and its editors have no phone or office, Submission Guidelines but can be contacted with letters of love or hate at [email protected] Please submit your articles, opinion pieces, features, listings, classifieds, Editor-in-Chief Karen Foster ads, or letters as an e-mail attachment to [email protected] Editorial Board Brian Foster by noon the Thursday prior to printing. Ashley Hunkin Doug Nesbitt Articles should be a maximum of 800 The Leveller reserves the right to When You’re Done: Printing Dates: Erin Seatter words, opinion pieces at most 600, edit or refuse any material that –Spell-check document. The Leveller will print four is- David Tough and listings, announcements, briefs, is considered unfit for publica- –Word-count document. sues this semester: February 9, or events 50 words. Features can be tion as determined by the edi- –Write your name and phone March 2, March 16, and March Daniel Tubb up to 2000, but must be arranged in tors. number. 30. The next submission dead- advance with the editors. –Save your work as a .doc file. lines is noon March 25. Copy Editor Erin Seatter When Typing: –E-mail it to us. Letters to the editor that are more –Do not indent paragraphs. than 200 words may be published, –Do not leave space between Production Daniel Tubb but The Leveller reserves the right to paragraphs. Rakhim “Pax” edit letters for length. Submissions –Type the whole article single- must include your name and phone spaced and leave only one space [email protected] Advertising Liam Giffin number. You may ask to have your after a period, not two. name withheld from publication. Publisher David Tough Logistics Denise Macdonald Where to pick us up Off campus On campus Contributors Mayfair Theatre Glebe Video International Rama Lotus Residence Commons Victoria Abraham, Christopher Bisson, Alex Ottawa Folklore Centre The Arrow and Loon Herb and Spice St. Patrick’s Resource Centre Butler, Christopher Cook, Sam Heaton, Sunnyside Library Brittain’s Magazines Spaceman Music Loeb second floor lobby Melanie Karalis, Christopher Pinch, Richard Octupus Books Crosstown Traffic The Inkspot Tattoo Shop Southam tunnel Sanders, Christopher Schultz, Lesley Vaage Nicastros Birdman Sound Venus Envy Mike’s Place French Baker Francesco’s Coffee Invisible Cinema GSA lounge Sustaining Members Kettleman’s Bagels Irene’s Pub Wallack’s Art Supplies OPIRG Miranda Cobb, Josh Frappier, Erin Wild Oat Morala Coffee James Street Pub Unicentre Atrium Seatter, Daniel Tubb, David Tough Kardish The Clocktower Pub Imperial Pub Unicentre food court

2 The Leveller vol 1, no 3, March 16 to March 29, 2009 www.leveller.ca campus Where is our sexual assault centre? by Victoria Abraham to motivate President tor and representative of Runte, advocates wonder the Coalition for a Sexual After a year of quick-fix if the academic reputation Assault Centre, pointed solutions, students at and finances of Carleton out, “Many people do Carleton University are could. not feel comfortable go- still left wondering where Given that advances ing to a doctor when they their sexual assault centre have been slow on this have experienced trauma. is. issue, students are left They don’t feel sick per On February 13 and to speculate about why se. Survivors of sexual as- 14 of 2008, the student Carleton lags behind, sault should have support body at Carleton voted while universities such as options on campus; they on a referendum question McGill, Dalhousie, Uni- shouldn’t be funnelled posed by the Coalition for versity of British Colum- through an overworked a Sexual Assault Centre, a bia, University of Alberta, and underfunded depart- grassroots coalition led by and University of Victoria ment like Health and students. The referendum all have student-run sexu- Counselling Services.” asked students if they al assault centres. The counselling services would support a sexual as- In the late summer, that exist in residence are sault centre on campus. President Runte and the restricted to those living The Vote Yes: Because department of Univer- in residence. Foot Patrol Warning Posters Aren’t sity Safety took a decid- and Campus Security are Enough campaign was edly superficial approach not prepared to provide a success as 77% of un- to the issue. After doing counselling and instead dergraduate students and a safety audit, they cre- refer people who have 85% of graduate stu- ated marked safety paths been assaulted to the dents voted in favour of around campus, replaced Health and Counselling a sexual assault centre. the emergency phones Services waiting list. The Such a strong vote shows with assistance phones, re- Womyn’s Centre, which a common understanding painted emergency phone serves as a resource cen- among the student body lines in the tunnels, im- tre and a referral service, of the importance of a proved lighting on cam- is also unequipped to sexual assault centre. pus, and installed more provide regular and last- Yet a year later there is than 50 security cameras. ing counselling services. still no centre. The voice In addition, the uni- The measures taken by of the students is being versity continued to President Runte and the ignored. maintain programs such existing services are not Sexual assault is a re- as Working After Hours, sufficient, because they ality on many university which offers walk-home fail to address the full campuses, and Carleton is services, check-ins, and scope of sexual assault no exception. According increased patrols of ar- and do not provide effec- to statistics, 20 to 25% of eas registered individuals tive methods for helping college-aged women will work in. It also offered a survivors of sexual as- become survivors of sex- free women’s self-defence sault. Recently, the uni- ual assault sometime dur- program. These measures versity has finally taken ing their college careers. improved the perception steps to fill the position ual assault support ser- Hayley Lopes, a mem- tions at all. Not only is the issue of of safety on campus; how- of Equity Advisor/Sexual vices will be that ball.” ber of the coalition, does For Lopes, the univer- sexual assault relevant and ever, since only 20% of Assault Coordinator. Al- The Coalition for a not understand why the sity’s inaction makes it important, but it is also sexual assaults are com- though this seems like a Sexual Assault Centre’s school wouldn’t want a seem like Carleton does something that directly mitted by strangers, these move in the right direc- vision for the sexual as- sexual assault centre in not care about its stu- affects the university and measures are rendered tion, in actuality it is just sault centre is a student- the first place, explain- dents. She can think of the student body. useless for the 80% of cas- as superficial as the rest run venture with two ing that having a peer- few other explanations: Survivors of sexual as- es where the perpetrator is of the measures. paid staff members, as run volunteer centre “If other universities sault face mental health not a stranger. The Sexual Assault well as volunteers. The would help to remove have been able to get a challenges, which com- On top of these im- Coordinator, who will volunteers would be ex- the stigma surrounding peer-run sexual assault promise their ability to provements, the univer- be trained to deal specifi- tensively trained and the sexual assault, as well as centre, why can’t we?” successfully complete sity has continued to offer cally with sexual assault, centre would provide help people who have ex- Despite the univer- their degrees, directly im- basic support services. Eq- will focus on educating peer counselling and perienced sexual assault sity’s quick-fix approach pacting Carleton’s income. uity Services is an advoca- the public and opening a public education. The to come forward. Given and unwillingness to The province financially cy and mediation service, dialogue with the various coalition has advocated that fewer than 5% of create a sexual assault penalizes universities with which provides conflict departments at Carleton. for an active listening sexually assaulted stu- centre, sexual assault high dropout rates, and resolution between the ac- Furthermore, the Sexual model. The centre would dents report their crimes on Carleton’s campus Carleton’s is one of the cused and the accuser, but Assault Coordinator will thus help to eliminate to the police, measures remains a reality. As the highest. As researchers, no counselling. Health also be the Equity Advi- any discomfort associ- to reduce stigma seem of Coalition for a Sexual survivors, and frontline and Counselling Services sor. It remains to be seen ated with the medical paramount importance. Assault Centre prepares workers attest, the best does offer counselling; how one coordinator will model of Health and Moreover, although for to become more aggres- way to reduce the mental however, it consists of only be able to effectively help Counselling Services and some survivors going to sive by getting the wid- health challenges faced five people and sometimes over 23,000 students. As be able to provide imme- a sexual assault centre er Ottawa community by survivors is to prevent it takes between four and Vaage explained, “With diate assistance to sexual may seem intimidat- involved, this issue will assaults and support sur- six weeks to get an ap- so many balls in the air, assault survivors. The ing, having the option undoubtedly continue vivors. If compassion- pointment. something is destined to centre’s services would of counselling is better to be at the forefront of ate causes aren’t enough As Lesley Vaage, initia- fall, and we fear that sex- be confidential and free. than not having any op- Carleton politics. Students share experiences of racism at Carleton Continued from page 1 participate in the forum exposing and combating visit classrooms to an- with future initiatives, racism is a collective re- provided testimonials have the opportunity to racism at the university. nounce the task force will require broad par- sponsibility as well, one on negative and positive communicate with the Participants suggested and explain its objec- ticipation from stu- in which we all have a experiences at Carleton. Task Force on Campus establishing a follow- tives—could contribute dents, and ideally fac- part; racism shapes the Several white individu- Racism through alter- up forum to further the to increased participa- ulty and staff, to best lives of all individuals, als—whom the task force nate means. In lieu or dialogue and organizers tion. Clarity and de- achieve its goals. Genu- regardless of whether refers to as “allies”—also addition to giving voice hope to build upon this tail could help as well; ine student engagement they consider them- stepped forward to share to experiences of oppres- event in order to draw some Carleton students could have both sym- selves “racialised” or their thoughts in support sion at a task force hear- stronger support and expressed confusion bolic significance and not. of the forum. ing, people can submit participation from the over what constituted a an empowering impact Statements to the Task Certain perspectives, written statements to the student body. “racialised” individual on campus life. Force on Campus Rac- such as those of Aborigi- task force by e-mail or Supplementing pas- and whether or not they As the task force ism can be submitted by nal students, were con- through its website. sive promotional post- were welcome to attend recognizes, “creating e-mail to taskforce@cfson- spicuously absent or re- The task force hear- ers with more active the task force hearing. inclusive campus com- tario.com or through the ceived limited mention. ing at Carleton was a advertising—for ex- The Task Force on munities is a collective website at www.noracism. Those who did not powerful initial step in ample, having people Campus Racism, along responsibility.” Fighting ca www.leveller.ca vol 1, no 3, March 16 to March 29, 2009 The Leveller 3 BRIEFS university / LOCAL O’Brien’s trial bound to shake things up The trial of Ottawa May- or Larry O’Brien will start on May 4, and many of O’Brien’s Tory buddies have been subpoenaed to testify. O’Brien is alleged to have offered Terry Kil- rea a federal appointment if he dropped out of the 2006 mayoral election. The trial means a nine- week absence from city hall for O’Brien, during which council members plan to implement 20 new pieces of legislation, ranging from light-rail plans to changes to public housing.

PM earmarks big bucks for retrain- ing programs For over 80,000 Cana- dians who lost their jobs in February: don’t fret. Stephen Harper has a $2 Photo Pax billon plan. Last week, the government announced a four-pronged retraining scheme for folks who are or will be unemployed as Hiring cools as a result of the recession. Rather than shaping the economy to meet the ex- isting skills and contours of the workforce, the market melts down Conservatives, in their infinite wisdom, have Recession will mean larger classes at Carleton opted to work on pressing vulnerable workers into a by staff Planning Group.” omized model that lifts dents’ TA funding and be bracing for what they new, corporatist mould. What is most unusual pressure off a province replace it with scholarship believe will be extensive Carleton University’s ad- about this announce- that already chronically money. Under this new and damaging cuts to the ministration is laying the ment is that it is actually underfunds universities. plan, a master’s student number of contract posi- Canadian econ- groundwork for poten- a restatement of policy, It is worth noting, how- TA, who would normally tions across faculties. omy knocked off tially substantial changes rather than an announce- ever, that while the prov- receive $9,638 plus ben- When the university that will lead to larger ment of new ones. When ince of Ontario expects efits, would be offered president’s office was high horse class sizes at Carleton. questioned about the let- an $18 billion deficit over $8,500 in non-taxable pressed on these issues, a Opposition and econom- In a November 17 mes- ter, Carleton University the next two years, Carle- scholarship money, with representative stated that ic critics accuse the Cana- sage, President Runte Academic Staff Associa- ton actually budgets for a fewer work hours and no “the situation is being dian government of un- announced that, despite tion’s (CUASA) chair of surplus (to pay down its benefits. monitored closely and derstating the severity of the university being in external communications, debt) and has, according It is argued that this carefully on a case-by- Canada’s recession. Since relatively good financial Mark Langer, said, “What to some sources, done so will save money, but crit- case basis to minimize the first signs of economic shape, “it will be impos- we are talking about is a for a long time. ics are quick to point out the effects on students, downturn, Stephen Harp- sible to pass through this delicate balance of power When asked for com- that this fails to account faculty, and staff. No er has assured Canadians negative financial situa- in decision making be- ment on the announce- for the lost staff hours that general reductions in that Canada is “better off” tion unaffected.” tween individual depart- ment, Carleton University will inevitably have to be any category have been than most other coun- Given the tone of the ments, deans of faculties, Students’ Association rep- made up elsewhere, likely made.” tries. Now that Liberal letter, recent proposals and upper administration. resentative Erik Halliwell by faculty. Contacted Ontario already has leader Michael Ignatieff tabled by the Faculty of How this balance may be said, “We are concerned about this issue, Canadian the worst faculty-to- has claimed Canada is ac- Graduate Studies, and affected because of this over the quality of educa- Union of Public Employ- student ratio in Canada, tually losing 15 jobs for fears about the reduction announcement has yet to tion being offered at Car- ees organizer Stuart Ryan with an average of 27 every 10 lost in the US, of the number of ses- be determined.” leton, because if we have noted, “Over these tough students to every faculty the PM has had to find sional instructors, it looks Aside from the obvious more students and not the economic times, people member. Carleton, as a new way to assert his as though the recession threats to academic free- staff to match enrolment, go back to school.” In this CUASA’s website points confidence: Canada, says might exacerbate the ad- dom that accompany in- then the quality of learn- context, not hiring TAs out, is among the worst Harper, will be the first to ministration’s tendency to creased scrutiny from the ing goes down.” is a dubious approach to of the worst. Cuts to the rebound from hard times. allow financial concerns financial committee over Other bids to save take. number of TAs and in- to dictate academic stan- hires, the reassertion of money include a mo- Finally, a number of structors, along with in- dards. the committee’s authority tion by the dean of Fac- sources have told The Lev- creases in student enrol- CAW: More In the letter, it is stated worries student groups. ulty of Graduate Studies, eller that the school, look- ment, the possibility of that “for the remainder Unions on campus sense John Shepherd, to cut ing to pull back on the slower rehiring to replace women than men of this fiscal year, and for that the recession will back master’s students’ number of sessional in- retiring or resigning pro- losing manufac- the foreseeable future, no serve as an impetus for TA funding and benefits. structors, is hinting at in- fessors, and the decision turing jobs vacant or new continuing radically restructuring In a series of documents crementally larger reduc- to increase enrolment at staff and faculty positions the nature and number of obtained by The Leveller, tions over the next two Carleton again next year, The Canadian Auto Work- will be automatically filled. teaching assistant (TA), it appears that Shepherd years. While no decreases means that the universi- ers (CAW) released a re- All such hires will require contract instructor, and has proposed, at depart- have been formally an- ty will have to expand al- port this month, showing special consideration and even faculty positions by mental faculty meetings, nounced, instructors and ready unreasonable class a higher rate of job loss for approval by the Financial fitting them into an econ- to cut back master’s stu- faculty members appear to sizes. women in manufactur- ing jobs than for men in the same sector. Statistics Campus Conservatives training to defeat progressive organizations Canada figures since 2002 show that 16% of women Continued from page 1 federal Tories are made tivist” program—which tives. listed as a speaker. Ber- in manufacturing posi- of Students (CFS) not for by the speakers on the urges students, “Freak A workshop planned gamini, currently CUSA tions have lost their jobs ideological reasons, but tapes and are further out your prof. Join the for Carleton University council journalism rep- over the past seven years. because of their apparent supported by the atten- Conservatives”—this is scheduled to take place resentative and member This trend is on the same monopoly over student dance of MP Braid at suggests that the party March 21 from 10am to of the Carleton Reagan- list of concerns, for CAW, levies, participants are the Waterloo training has its sights set squarely 4pm in Tory 376. Carle- Goldwater Society, was as the sector’s gender gap nonetheless encouraged session. Combined with on intellectuals and the ton University Students’ quoted during the cam- in wages: women earn to take on causes “you the Conservative Party’s academy when it comes Association (CUSA) VP paign as listing “funding roughly 70 cents for every and your friend in the targeting of university to quashing progressive, student issues-elect Nick for clubs and societies” dollar earned by men. Tory club dislike.” students through its left-leaning, or social Bergamini, from the as one of Demand Bet- Clear links to the CPC Energy “youth ac- justice-oriented initia- Demand Better slate, is ter’s platform planks. 4 The Leveller vol 1, no 3, March 16 to March 29, 2009 www.leveller.ca LOcal “We don’t have a city anymore” Clive Doucet on why undoing the 2001 amalgamation of city wards might be the solution to Ottawa’s problems

Photo Pax by brian Foster to learn more about why a series of organizational differences between the vice, consistently vote rural areas are not likely to and Karen Foster members of Ottawa’s City adjustments, which task city’s rural wards and those against it. Rural constitu- get a chance to consider Council can’t all just get force members surmised inside the Greenbelt, but ents appear unwilling or parking their cars and rid- On February 19, 2009, along and why undoing would help council get suburban wards are also unable to see light rail as a ing the rails. the Ottawa Citizen ran the 2001 amalgamation of beyond crippling im- split from urban ones on a viable alternative to their He explains this catch- a story announcing that the city’s rural, suburban, passes and make key deci- number of critical issues. currently car-dependent 22 of Ottawa’s transit Councillor Clive Doucet and urban wards might be sions. Doucet, however, is Sustainable development ways of life. Nonetheless, plans: “You can live in a was calling for the de- the solution. unconvinced. “The prob- of transportation—roads, Doucet is confident that, suburban community, get amalgamation of the city lem,” he says, “is not in- busses, and light rail—is given a chance to try the on a train, and be down- of Ottawa. More recently, Internal Organization ternal organization of the perhaps the major battle- O-Train, rural and sub- town faster and more con- Metro News proclaimed Not the Problem city. The problem is that ground for geographically urban Ottawa residents veniently than in your car. the city’s council to be The Metro News “Council the communities we rep- diverse wards. would climb on board. But you have to give peo- “in chaos,” following a in Chaos” article emerged resent are so diverse that However, without initial ple an alternative. You can’t mayoral task force report around the same time as a the people that represent Road versus Rail support from constituents just say, ‘Cars are bad.’ So released in early March. task force put in place by them can’t come to an Rural councillors, faced outside the Greenbelt, the now we’re trapped. If you The Leveller’s Brian Fos- agreement.” with motions for the ex- City can’t implement such wanted to create a transit Mayor O’Brien released Continued on page 6 ter sat down with Doucet a report recommending Most pronounced are pansion of O-Train ser- a system, and therefore National RCMP admits “less- Female researchers lethal” weapons kill too waiting for stimulation by Sam Heaton wherein the concern is mercy. by Lesley Vaage sciences, which have a re- that the new funding protection of self and fel- People assume they grettable gender gap, the is assigned to business- The Braidwood Inquiry low officers from bodily will not be fired upon Women in Canada have social sciences and hu- focussed research, the on Taser use, which re- harm and the cost is the by a police officer using reason to be upset with manities have equal repre- federal government has convened on January 19 safety and trust of the a handgun unless they the new stimulus bill sentation of women, who directed SSHRC to pri- in Vancouver, brings to public. produce a firearm or passed by the House of make up on average 54% oritize applications in the fore an unsettling This goal is achieved equivalent weapon; by Commons. of the academics in those this area, even if the re- new reality of policing in through the use of the contrast, anyone who The Canadian Fed- fields. search applications re- North America. Taser, a “less-lethal” reads the news knows eration of Students (CFS) However, within busi- ceive a lower score on During the first stage electroshock device mar- they can be Tasered for has reported that new ness-related fields, women the peer-reviewed rank- of the hearing last De- keted around the world protesting, fleeing po- Social Sciences Humani- comprise only 40% of ing system. cember, the Crown opt- by an eponymous cor- lice, resisting arrest, be- ties and Research Council students and researchers. This is yet another ed out of pursuing crim- poration from Arizona. ing “agitated,” or any- (SSHRC) funding will be Of this 40%, the majority move to micromanage fi- inal charges against the Following the adop- thing else, potentially directed disproportion- is located within the dis- nancing for post-second- four officers responsible tion of Tasers for mass leading to their death. ately towards research ar- cipline of social work— ary education, part of a for the death of Rob- application by North Although the RCMP eas dominated by men. which is not included un- broader trend to corpo- ert Dziekański. Since American police forces, now admits Tasers can Under the guise of der the SSHRC umbrella. ratize research on Cana- then, inconsistencies in instances where Taser kill and claims to have funding innovative re- “When you consider dian campuses. the officers’ stories have use has led to the deaths changed policies to re- search to help pull the that the three largest busi- Although the federal emerged. of innocent people, strict their use, the Ca- economy out of its down- ness-related programs— government refuses to Constable Kwesi Mill- who would otherwise nadian Police Associa- ward spiral, the Harper MBAs [masters of busi- provide leadership to ington’s original account be physically restrained tion and the Canadian government has allocated ness administration], ensure provinces fairly of the incident—that or even left alone, have Association of Chiefs of $87.5 million in new masters in public admin, allocate federal funds to on October 14, 2007, become commonplace. Police released a report funding for Canadian and social work—are pro- post-secondary educa- Dziekański rushed at Marshall McLuhan’s in late February recom- Graduate Scholarships, to fessional degrees, rather tion, citing a “separa- him, screaming and contention that tech- mending that all offi- be distributed by SSHRC, than research based, you tion of powers,” it has holding a stapler, forc- nology is an extension cers be equipped with the Natural Science and are left with a very small violated the principle of ing him to discharge his of the human body rings electroshock weapons. Engineering Research percentage of research that academic independence weapon five times—has true here. In the hands Officials from the Council, and the Cana- can actually be funded,” by bypassing a research- been thoroughly discred- of police officers, Tasers Canadian Police Asso- dian Institutes of Health said Melanee Thomas, funding process based ited by video evidence, have become a cheap ciation claim, without Research. CFS graduate students’ on peer review and meri- prompting accusations and easy substitute for evidence, that Tasers Unfortunately, the representative. “Once you tocracy. of a police cover-up. the hands themselves, save lives—but whose $17.5 million in new take social work out of All the while, female Whether cover-up resulting in a physical lives? SSHRC funding will be the equation, you realize researchers in the social or confusion, the inci- separation of the police Advocates of public directed solely towards that these funds are being sciences and the human- dent at the Vancouver from the public, as well safety argue it must take “business-related re- directed almost entirely ities are left wondering International Airport is as a psychological divi- precedence over police search.” toward male researchers; if and when they will re- the ultimate example of sion between those with perspectives of officer Unlike other areas such it’s a step backwards.” ceive any of the stimulus the new police culture, Tasers and those at their safety. as the natural and health In order to ensure going around. www.leveller.ca vol 1, no 3, March 16 to March 29, 2009 The Leveller 5 Ottawa de-amalgamation

Continued from page 6 plan to stop transit in its what you have here is rep- Doucet, is not for the city tracks you couldn’t have resentation without taxa- centre to win the battle designed a better one.” tion. I was never able to over funds. Rather, wards While light rail and get the papers of Ottawa currently competing for rapid transit are quashed, to pay attention to this cash ought to be running Ottawa spends millions fundamentally undemo- their own affairs so that on roads, building new cratic fact. What you see growth for one area does ones, expanding old on council over and over not necessarily mean de- ones, and—the latest is these four rural council- generation for another. initiative—digging tun- lors being the pivot. […] nels under main thor- If it was just the urban- What About oughfares so those darn transit-levy-area people, the Mayor? busses aren’t getting in we would have north– Mayor O’Brien is a polar- the way of cars. The tun- south light rail going right izing figure for Ottawa nel project, which is sup- now. […] But we cannot residents and city council- posed to divert bus traffic get that.” lors alike. Doucet’s criti- away from the downtown Doucet is clear that it cism of O’Brien is matter- core, will cost “billions of is not simply a matter of of-fact: “We have a mayor dollars” and “provide ab- stubborn rural council- that is not very good at solutely no new [transit] lors and constituents. The getting consensus between service […] for ten years.” city has been built, over divergent views.” But for Instead, “We’re going for the last 50 years, in such a Doucet, this should not roads. And that’s what way as to make car travel be the focus of efforts to we’re going to be doing seem like the best avail- fix city hall. After all, the for the next 10 years.” able option. Without a mayor is “one person. If a That is, any new transit significant investment in city council’s really work- development—including alternative ways of get- ing, it should be able to light rail—will have to ting around—and given overcome […] a mayor wait until the tunnel is the existing layout of the that doesn’t function very complete. city in terms of amenities well.” As an amalgamated All of this resistance— and thoroughfares—there city, he says, Ottawa sim- or “inertia” as Doucet is little incentive for rural ply can’t do that. calls it—against the ex- and suburban residents to pansion of light rail is back a light rail plan. De-Amalgamation? paradoxical, given the “You can build a city Doucet was “originally outstanding success of the for people or you can quite a strong proponent O-Train when it was just a build it for cars,” states of amalgamation.” For pilot project. The train— Doucet, and Ottawa has him, Ottawa was “re- Doucet’s “baby”—was clearly favoured the lat- ally just one urban and supposed to be a failure ter. Now “you cannot ex- rural region,” and the from the start. “The folks ist in Barrhaven or Kanata swathes of land between against it all said, ‘It’s not without having a couple the capital city and the going to work.’ We pro- of cars sitting in your nearest major centres (To- jected 6,000 riders would double driveway.” ronto and Montreal) have be a success. Well, we had Rural councillors’ ac- meant a “very, very strong 10,000 riders.” cess to “representation connection to the rural Beyond this, there’s an without taxation,” claims parts of the Ottawa val- even more troubling fig- Doucet, was also behind ley by the city of Ottawa.” ure underneath the stalled the grinding, two-month It “made sense” then to rail plans. “We have lost transit strike. “I can guar- amalgamate and collabo- 3 billion dollars in invest- antee you,” he says, “if it rate with rural neighbours ment with that north– had just been the urban- in planning and growing south linem,” Doucet re- transit-levy people voting the city. But he now says veals. “And we’ve replaced at council, we would not that Ottawa’s amalgama- it with nothing but a few have seen a two-month tion has been a “travesty. more roads.” Now Ot- strike.” The parties would It hasn’t worked at all. I tawa is “the road capital have gone to binding ar- kept hoping it would turn of Canada. There’s no one bitration sooner. around, and get better, else that comes close to Perhaps more appalling but it never has. It’s just us.” is the way funds are dis- gotten worse.” tributed across the city’s Doucet makes it clear “Representation urban and rural wards. that 2001’s idyllic vision Without Taxation” When rural wins, urban of neighbours coming to- So why has this happened? tends to lose. Doucet of- gether into one amalgam- And what does it have to fers the example of com- ated city has faded: “It’s do with de-amalgamation? munity recreation. This one thing to say, ‘Hey, Doucet explains, year, the city centre will you have to reach out “The rural guys—four spend $1.8 million reno- and help your neighbour.’ of them—do not pay the vating and repairing the It’s another thing to say, urban transit levy. […] Ottawa South Old Fire ‘Your neighbour is going But they all get to vote on Hall, which the commu- to reach so far into your transportation issues. So nity uses as a recreation pocket it’s going to make centre. The job is partly you poor.’” financed by donations, Doucet sees de-amal- which residents raised gamation as a realistic “The rural guys— themselves, essentially option, and he is not the four of them—do “having to levy themselves only one pulling for it. to get minimum services.” Rural councillors feel “dis- not pay the urban In contrast, $45 million connected” from city hall, transit levy. will be spent in Kanata on and they want more con- […] But they all similar services this year. trol over their areas. There The culprit, says are alternatives, a bor- get to vote on Doucet, is the structure of ough system, for example. transportation development charges set Doucet is not “wedded to up by the Harris govern- issues. So what de-amalgamation,” but it ment, which makes it easy is clear to him that some- you have here is for developers to make “a thing needs to be done. representation ton of money” developing “I maintain we don’t old farm land. Develop- have a city anymore. We without taxation. ing inside the Greenbelt don’t have a city govern- I was never able is rarely as profitable, and ment. We have a rural to get the papers developer dollars are put government for a very towards what Doucet sees large city, and it’s really of Ottawa to pay as unsustainable projects destroying it, because attention to this outside the city centre we cannot move the city fundamentally (and some equally unsus- forward in all of the key tainable ones inside the elements of what makes a undemocratic Greenbelt). city a city.” fact. The solution, says 6 The Leveller vol 1, no 3, March 16 to March 29, 2009 www.leveller.ca International Clinton proposes conference on rethinking Afghanistan by brian foster and attended by Afghani- tration towards Afghani- opening address. winnable,” Prime Minis- has had to approve send- stan, Pakistan, NATO al- stan and its borderlands Clinton was quick to ter Harper welcomed the ing an additional 17,000 In an attempt to halt lies, and those countries with Pakistan, an area qualify that the confer- proposal, saying “Can- US troops to Afghanistan plummeting international that have troops in Af- increasingly referred to ence is still only an idea. ada would be delighted this spring and summer. support for the war in Af- ghanistan. An invitation by policy insiders as the However, this new direc- to participate in any In a period when in- ghanistan, US Secretary would also be extended “AfPak” region. tion in diplomacy fits such gathering.” Canada ternational opinion has of State Hillary Clinton to Russia and Iran, each Clinton hopes that the with recent attempts by has about 2,850 troops turned so strongly against has proposed a high-level of which Clinton said meeting will “provide an the Obama administra- involved in the NATO the war, the US plan to international conference ought to be “invited as opportunity to reach a tion to bolster seriously mission in Afghanistan, expand the theatre of op- on Afghanistan and the a neighbour of Afghani- common set of princi- lagging NATO support and they are slated to be erations—to include the region. Clinton presented stan.” ples, perhaps embodied for the mission by taking pulled out in 2011. extremely contentious the idea for a meeting of This is the latest mea- in a chairman’s state- seriously what Canadian Despite support for Pashtun borderlands—is “stakeholders and inter- sure aimed at recovering ment, on a common way Foreign Affairs Minister the conference idea, a dubious strategy. Fur- ested parties” at a NATO humanitarian, diplomat- forward.” She has asked Lawrence Cannon has popular support for the thermore, critics doubt foreign ministers’ meet- ic, and military support the UN special represen- called “the need for a war is quickly sinking whether a surge will do ing in Brussels, Belgium, eight years into a dete- tative for Afghanistan, regional strategy that in- in most countries that more than intensify the where she hopes to see it riorating foreign occupa- Kai Eide of Norway, cludes Pakistan as part of have troops committed. fighting, hindering any hosted on March 31. tion. Key to this recovery to chair the conference the solution.” In the absence of further possible improvements The conference would is a larger shift in focus and Secretary-General Despite having previ- NATO commitments, to civilian living condi- be sponsored by the UN by the Obama adminis- Ban Ki-moon to give the ously called the war “un- Obama’s administration tions.

US withdrawing from Iraq… kinda sorta by Doug Nesbitt stay longer. The Status of watered down SOFA. 2006, a point largely ig- dad neighbourhoods have Despite the proposed Forces Agreement (SOFA), The success of the surge nored by Ricks. How the been purged of either Shia pseudo-withdrawal of Six years after the inva- signed last fall between the itself has also been ques- civil war started has long or Sunni inhabitants. Bagh- American forces, com- sion of Iraq, it appears as Bush administration and tioned, particularly by the been contested. The Bush dad’s new ethnic enclaves binations of ethnic and though the war is now the Iraqi government, calls anti-war movement. Wash- administration’s claims that now resemble other cities political tensions remain winding down. The gen- for US troops to leave Iraq ington Post columnist civil war was inevitable victimized by a deadly mix explosive. Last October, eral consensus in Wash- by the end of 2011. How- Thomas Ricks confirmed may have been a prophecy of occupation and sectari- the United States ended ington is that the “surge” ever, Secretary of Defense this in his recent book The engineered to be fulfilled. anism, such as Belfast. its $300 a month pay- in 2007 brought about Robert Gates has said the Gamble. As a critic but Anti-war critics have long Stability has also been ment to the 100,000 the necessary stability for agreement offers opportu- not an opponent of the asserted that the US itself achieved through the ab- Sunni resistance fighters. the new Iraqi government nities for US forces to re- war, Ricks demonstrates fuelled sectarianism in an sence of Muqtada al-Sadr Unemployment remains to begin functioning in main in Iraq beyond that that the stability came not attempt to derail a united from the Iraqi political high and in recent days earnest. Against the back- date. from a surge in soldiers but Iraqi resistance movement scene. Iran, long considered a series of bloody suicide drop of a largely anti-war That there is even a date the buying off of 100,000 in the wake of the April by the US establishment bombings have shattered population, President for complete US withdraw- Sunni resistance fighters at 2004 uprising in Fallujah. to be fomenting the war what American officials Obama has announced al is the product of Iraqis $300 a month. This strat- In early 2005, the “Sal- in Iraq, has held Muqtada call “acceptable” levels of his plan to withdraw themselves. SOFA origi- egy was led by General Pe- vador Option” was revealed al-Sadr in captivity since violence. “combat” troops from Iraq nally called for 400 per- traeus, commander of all by Newsweek as a strategy a visit there in early 2007, Coinciding with Obama’s over a 19-month period. manent US military bases, occupation forces in Iraq, being floated in the Pen- thus removing his 60,000- announcement of troop However, critics across the right of the US military who enacted the buy off tagon. It would entail us- strong Mahdi Army as a withdrawals comes the an- the American political to launch attacks on other without White House con- ing American-backed Shia threat to the Americans. nouncement of a 17,000- spectrum have challenged countries from these bases, sent. He raised the strategy “death squads” to eliminate Iraq is a shattered coun- strong surge in Afghani- the generally accepted in- and the right to launch mil- with the White House only the Sunni resistance leader- try and its future remains stan. At this point, one terpretation of the surge’s itary operations within Iraq after it was implemented ship. This did in fact hap- uncertain. Scientific sur- can presume only that success as well as Obama’s without approval of the and producing the desired pen and culminated in a veys have estimated the war this is not a problem plan for withdrawal. Iraqi government. Massive results. bloody civil war through dead to be anywhere from of lessons learned, but Obama’s withdrawal will protests across Iraq forced The decline of violence 2005 and 2006. One result 700,000 to 1.4 million, the rather a problem of defi- still see 35,000 to 50,000 Prime Minister Nouri al- in late 2007 can also be was ethnic cleansing. For majority of deaths due to nite geopolitical interests troops remain in Iraq Maliki to take a stronger attributed to the winding example, population sur- occupation forces. Another overriding concepts such through to at least 2011. stance in negotiations, re- down of a sectarian civil veys show many peaceful 4 million Iraqis have be- as human rights and self- There is evidence they may sulting in a substantially war, which peaked in late and diverse pre-war Bagh- come refugees. determination. www.leveller.ca vol 1, no 3, March 16 to March 29, 2009 The Leveller 7 food deserts starving for supermarkets

around former Booth St. Loeb

around supermarket

by Melanie Karalis a more precise definition: distance or a short bus the distance to key stores cluded that as neigh- of course, fresh, healthy any area where there are ride away, people are left in many areas becomes bourhoods lose access to things to nosh on. How do you get your no supermarkets within a with few options. For insurmountable. One nutritional foods, citi- While Ottawa actu- groceries in Ottawa? For 10 to 15 minute walk, a those with access to cars can only imagine the toll zens become more prone ally has an impressive people living in the city’s distance of 1,000 metres, or money for cabs, food the 59 days of the OC to diabetes, obesity, and number of inner-city food deserts, the answer is or a 10-minute direct bus deserts may not seem Transpo strike had on hypertension. People re- supermarkets compared not as simple as you might trip can be considered like a big deal. But for people in food deserts. sort to fatty, salty food to other major cities in think. While the term as lacking access to fully low-income individu- To avoid the label of with minimal nutrient Canada, many Ottawa “food desert” might not stocked grocery stores. als, students, those with food desert, a neigh- value—the most acces- residents face challenges have widespread recogni- Granted, such areas limited mobility, and bourhood must have a sible food in their area— in getting affordable gro- tion, many people know, may still be rife with con- elderly people, the dif- balance of food choices, which takes a toll on ceries. The most striking through experience, the venience stores or fast ference between having and health is the main their health. Not only local case is the now- hardship that comes with food restaurants. Howev- a grocer close or far is concern. There is plen- that, but eating out and closed Booth Street Loeb living in one. er, the point is that citi- hard-hitting. Struggling ty of research to war- trying to buy the essen- in Little Italy. The super- A food desert, as de- zens do not have access to carry grocery bags can rant worrying about the tials from corner stores market shut its doors in fined by the US Mari Gal- to nutritious food. Big be enough to convince health and social ramifi- can be expensive, and 2006, to the dismay of lagher Research Group, is Macs and Doritos, to the someone to choose chips cations of large spreads the costs cut into money the whole community, a “large geographic area chagrin of some grease over vegetables. between supermarkets. that could be used for which includes areas in with no or distant grocery lovers, definitely don’t fit Add tight schedules; For example, the the other things that and around Chinatown, stores.” A recent Canadian the description. cold, rainy, or otherwise Mari Gallagher Research make lives healthy and Little Italy, Hintonburg, study of the phenomenon Without a grocery nasty weather; or chil- Group conducted stud- balanced—recreation, re- and residences along in London, Ontario, gave store within walking dren to tow around, and ies in Chicago and con- laxation, medicine, and, Carling Avenue. 8 The Leveller vol 1, no 3, March 16 to March 29, 2009 www.leveller.ca food deserts starving for supermarkets

around former Booth St. Loeb

around supermarket

Graphic Doug Nesbitt

The store was, by it seems, is better in which characterize some so far there have been blocks to the south and the curve. But if, by con- most accounts, in need the suburbs, where gro- of the neighbourhoods no measures to fill the the Loeb Glebe about trast, things are tilting of extensive renovations cers can erect sprawling once served by the Booth void. In 2007, the Som- 1.5km north. While the in favour of suburban to comply with Loeb’s complexes housing ev- Street Loeb—are usu- erset West Community Billings Bridge store is supermarket complexes, image, which at that erything from sundried ally the most susceptible Health Centre held a fo- close enough to be con- other areas of Ottawa time was undergoing an tomatoes and baby wipes to food deserts. These rum to let citizens voice sidered within walking may stand to lose the update. The company as- to patio furniture and neighbourhoods are par- their concerns over the distance, it is housed in conveniently located sessed the Booth Street women’s underwear. But ticularly in need of rea- store’s closing. Enough a mall geared towards grocers they have come location and existing in- when a supermarket clos- sonable prices for grocer- interest was generated cars. A sprawling park- to rely on. frastructure and decided es down, it’s about more ies, as fewer people own for the centre to start ing lot and the need to With all of the bur- breathing new life into than just the business. cars, have the income to working on a project for cross busy Riverside geoning “buy local” the old supermarket was While there are many support transit, or have a community grocery Drive serve as deterrents initiatives in Canadian not worth the invest- smaller food shops in the freedom to structure store, but there is no to shoppers whose mode cities—largely aimed at ment. the area of the old Booth their days around getting word, as of late, on fur- of transportation is put- middle-class buyers who This is, of course, a Street Loeb, the super- to and from a big gro- ther progress. ting one foot in front of can afford, paradoxically, general trend. Huge new market was, for many, cery store with afford- Even more recently, the other, not to men- to “go the distance” to developments—and the the best choice for low able products. the Fresh Food Compa- tion residents with lim- buy local—perhaps there opportunity to start with prices, a variety of fresh The Booth Street Loeb ny in Old Ottawa South ited mobility. is a need for increas- a blank slate—often produce, and the basics closure has received on- closed suddenly, leav- By and large, if the ing attention to keeping trump the reconfigura- like bread, milk, butter, going attention from ing the community with trend is towards more inner-city supermarkets tion of old, unattract- and eggs. advocacy groups and the Independent Grocer grocery stores in urban anchored in their cur- ive buildings. Business, Low-income areas— community activists, but at Billings Bridge a few areas, Ottawa is ahead of rent spots. www.leveller.ca vol 1, no 3, March 16 to March 29, 2009 The Leveller 9 Editorial Editorial Rank this, The other b-word MacLean’s magazine

Just when it seemed Canada’s National En- be dissected and isolat- Mention the word “bias” bias, one would need to “neutral” shares the same like the gang violence quirer according to one ed into their constitu- to a few teaching assistants elevate oneself above his- etymological roots as in Vancouver might blogger—has compiled ent parts, or they have currently working in the tory, society, and geogra- “neuter.” To attempt to force us to wrestle with municipal statistics on to be left out altogeth- social sciences or humani- phy, to sever oneself off appear neutral in writing, some tough questions, murder, robbery, sexual er. ties, and you’re bound from one’s emotions, and speech, or projected stance the experts at MacLean’s assault, aggravated as- Aggressive capital- to get the same response to have absolutely no in- is to effectively neuter the magazine have gra- sault, vehicle theft, and ism can’t be measured from each of them: “If I terest (even a curiosity) in possibility of dialogue ciously supplied Cana- breaking and entering, as a variable. Neoliberal could blink, and make the outcome of the issue or dissent. Writing that dians with a convenient treating each of these economic policies— one word disappear from or event at hand. puts the impossible goal list of 100 Canadian crimes as equal to the and the cultural cli- undergrad vocabularies, it Still, “bias-free” re- of neutrality above all else cities, ranked according others. The resulting mate they create—are would be ‘bias.’” searching and reporting nips disagreement in the to how dangerous they figures place Saskatoon, similarly impossible to It is unclear where and have attained, for many bud, so to speak, and as a are. Winnipeg, Regina, represent in numerical how the word seeps into people, a status as legiti- result, audiences are paci- The once-intellectu- Prince George, and Ed- form. Years of abuse of students’ consciousnesses, mate, achievable goals fied. al glossy rag—now on monton in the top five Aboriginal peoples by and who or what legiti- in academia and jour- Fed only the “facts,” the road to becoming slots. the Canadian govern- mates it, in their minds, nalism. Politicians and consumers of the news can A disturbingly wide- ment can never be dis- as an intelligent response governments rely on so- do nothing but swallow. spread response from tilled into a beta coeffi- to a text or a speech. In cial scientists—many of Given something to chew many has been to accept cient or whatever magic discussion groups and whom work in universi- on, audiences are brought that the rankings are symbol economists, classes, teaching assistants ties, many others in think on board as both consum- accurate, to interpret quantitative sociolo- and professors sometimes tanks—to provide them ers and producers of the the six measured crimes gists, and criminolo- dedicate time to a discus- with “unbiased” reports, record of events, the tally as the best indicators of gists tell us we need to sion of bias—specifically, which the public tends to of important social issues, social dysfunction, and get at the Truth. the impossibility of unbi- accept rather uncritically. and the debate over what then ask why the most So we’re left to rely on ased writing and speaking. If EKOS did a poll, goes our many publics, institu- dangerous cities are so individual-level factors, Oftentimes, heads will be the thinking, it must be tions, and societies hold crime ridden. such as ethnicity, in- nodding, pens scratch- true. It’s scientific. They dear at a given time. For Maclean’s and its come, education, tran- ing, brains registering, have numbers and mar- Privileging public dia- readers, this has largely sience, and age for our but weeks down the road, gins of error to back it logue in this way, however, become a task of sift- explanations of crime. instructors inevitably up. “Truths” like these are need not lead writers and ing through the known In turn, we’re prompt- get more than one paper transformed into policies audiences to a place where “risk factors” for crime, ed to look for individ- whose author proclaims and laws, and we’re com- everyone’s view is equally and showing how each ual-level solutions— some scholar or another forted knowing that the valid or worth preserving. city’s spot in the list can increasing university to be biased. b-word was kept out of Public dialogue, rather, be made sensical accord- enrolment, training and Sometimes, the reader the process, thanks to the is held up as the process ing to the prevalence of skills development, an- is offered a reason—per- objectivity of science. by which we (as societies everything social sci- ti-discrimination laws, haps the scholar is deemed In journalism, it’s a of Ottawa residents, uni- entists have linked to and youth engagement to be biased towards a similar story. Publications versity students, young criminal behaviour. rhetoric. Western, first-world per- boast objective reporting, families, public transit us- Youth, low levels of Focussing on indi- spective, for example. assuring audiences that ers, coffee connoisseurs, education, unemploy- vidual people to miti- More often than not, the writers and reporters or whatever the case may ment, poverty, and high gate crime is akin to however, the budding who work for them have be) wrestle with compet- percentages of Aborigi- trying to cure AIDS author simply uses the b- been deprogrammed of all ing views until we reach Focussing nal people in the popu- by focussing on the le- word as a dismissal, claim- personal history, interests, a pragmatic or utilitarian lation are cited in the sions. Policy makers, ing to have found bias values, and emotions, so compromise, wherein on individual article as risk factors, as governments, media, somewhere and been ut- that all they can see are the greatest good for though they speak for and everyday people are terly turned off by it. End the facts (and they can the greatest number of people to themselves—the kind finely attuned to the of story. “Find” it, and see all of them). But that’s people prevails. of background informa- symptoms of crime at you’re no longer obliged simply not true. And the The process is mitigate tion that should make the expense of asking to respond to whatever most unfortunate thing is messy—feelings are crime is akin every other finding fall critical questions about it caused someone to say. that, in their quest to re- hurt, tastes are of- into place. the disease. Bias is convenient that main unbiased, objective, fended, and journalism to trying to But there’s something This fallacy is inher- way, if you think it can be and—another convenient moves from pointlessly wrong with the ranking ently linked to a second, avoided. word—neutral, they end seeking to mirror the cure AIDS by and the lines of inquiry related black box just The problem is that it up saying nothing at all. world towards repre- it has spurred. waiting to be opened. can’t be avoided. It is as Saying nothing at all, senting it in one of focussing on First, there is a prob- It’s obvious, when the inevitable as objectivity— in turn, gives audiences many possible ways— lem with risk factors. MacLean’s ranking is or “value freedom”—is nothing to respond to. but it is much better the lesions. We rely on them to ex- contextualized in the impossible. To escape There’s a reason why than being neutered. Policy plain everything from economic, social, and obesity to gambling political circumstanc- “England is not a free people, till the poor that have no land makers, and gangs, from suicide es of today, that what have a free allowance to dig and labour the commons…” to familial abuse, and we define as criminal Gerrard Winstanley, 1649 governments, we like to think that doesn’t capture all of by identifying the risk the morally and ethi- media, and for every social prob- cally reprehensible be- lem, we can predict haviour underlying so- everyday where and when such cial disintegration and problems will arise and unrest. people are then nip them in the In the midst of an finely attuned bud before they have a economic crisis brought chance. on by corporate greed, to the However, in order to mismanagement, over- fit into the statistical spending, and under- symptoms models in which they cutting, why are we can be legitimated, looking at “violent” of crime at risks have to be con- crime as though eradi- ceivable in the form cating it alone would the expense of a variable. We need make life safe, secure, of asking them as numbers or ra- and harmonious? If we tios that can be plugged saw violence in all of critical into mathematical for- its forms—not just the mulae. ones that damage prop- questions This means that the erty or break the skin— big, messy, complicated would a city whose about the explanations that likely mayor is about to go on really account for the trial for bribery charges disease. way things are have to be ranked 56th? 10 The Leveller vol 1, no 3, March 16 to March 29, 2009 www.leveller.ca [email protected] Comment

Europeans find voice, still need War shows un- sarcasm detector Dear Mr. Nesbitt, ignorant pieces I have ever matter you are writing banned as anti-war read. about in a newspaper I would like to be the first On behalf of the less nonetheless. to congratulate you on important countries, I I expect you to issue posters banned offending as many Eu- would like to ask you a written apology to any ropean, and some non- why did you write about European you may have European countries, as them if they are not offended with your ig- you possibly can with one that important? Greece norant article. I hope by Richard Sanders, This is a double stan- port should be banned, ignorantly written and especially—they have you edit your promising dard. not the artwork exposing blindly edited article. I am no history, culture, or paper more thoroughly It’s a topsy-turvy world Similarly, when Israel’s atrocities. referring to your article in say in the world, right? going forward. and Ottawa is no excep- indiscriminate attacks CANSEC will also at- the international section I would advise you to tion. wounded 5,300 (more tract thousands of govern- of issue 2 of The Leveller. spend the $500 and take — Vergil Grantcharov Where else would anti- than half of whom were ment buyers and military “Strikes rock ... and vari- a course in European war posters be banned for women and children), users from across Canada, ous other less important history or read a couple Editor’s note: We will try to inciting hatred, while in- and totally or partially the US, and around the countries”—easily one of of books to gain a basic use a different font for irony ternational arms bazaars levelled 22,000 housing world. the most disgraceful and knowledge on a subject next time. pretending to promote units, 92 mosques, and 29 They will all gather in peace are un-banned? schools, several top Cana- Ottawa this spring. Crazy? Yes. But this is ex- dian government officials But so too will levellers All poster bans created equal? actly what happened. Let’s condemned Palestinians of a different persuasion— start with the infamous as the cause of violence. people who see ultravio- I wonder whether the edi- sue only when people say with Israel’s Gaza cam- posters. This is blaming the vic- lence and its purveyors tors are aware of the irony something that offends paign. tim. as a scourge upon hu- in the current edition of you. Clearly some Carle- Conclusion: cen- manity—levellers willing The Leveller. ton students (or admin- sorship is OK when Banning Anti-War Art First, let’s be clear, AH-64 Un-banning to stand up and fight for The front page (March istrators) were offended it is employed against peace and human rights, 2 to March 15, 2009) by the Students Against speech that we disagree attack helicopters are lev- Arms Bazaars ellers! Now, take international even if Runte doesn’t like features two stories. Be- Israeli Apartheid poster, with. their artwork. low the fold is “Carleton which implies that Israel The Leveller ran these They easily level people weapons shows, please! admin bans free speech.” deliberately bombed Pal- two stories together on (including children), as These events are actu- well as the infrastructure ally levellers too! — Richard Sanders is co- Free speech good! Censor- estinian children. its front page, evidently ordinator of Coalition to ship bad! Boo, Carleton Likewise, some Carle- without recognizing the they rely upon. It’s really They bring together bad news when these war hundreds of military ex- Oppose the Arms Trade admin! ton students were offend- philosophical contra- (COAT) Above the fold is ed by the “Gods of Rock” diction between them. machines are sighted over- porters, both large and “FALLEN ‘GODS OF ad campaign. Aside from that, con- head. Unless of course small. ROCK’: Social network So why is censorship gratulations on the new you’re at an air show in Suits from more than activism brings down ri- good in one instance publication. This is the North America, Europe, 200 companies will be diculous radio ads.” Free but not in the other? first issue I’ve read and, or Israel, and these war- flogging their wares at speech bad! Censorship There is no reason, ex- by and large, I was im- birds are just performers CANSEC, Canada’s larg- good! Yay, Carleton stu- cept that students are pressed. shelling out good whole- est arms show. Brows- dents who campaigned in philosophical agree- some family entertain- ing the stalls at Ottawa’s against the ads! ment with equal rights — Stephen Peltz ment. Lansdowne Park May 27 Free speech is an is- for women, but not Honours BA in Law, 2002 But for ordinary peo- to 28 will be multi-billion ple in Gaza, Iraq, Af- dollar war behemoths like ghanistan, and other kill- Boeing, Lockheed Mar- Never-ending election story ing fields, AH-64s never tin, General Dynamics, provide a fun afternoon I confess I enjoy reading to Erik Halliwell’s 1,569. phrases like “allegedly” and other prime weap- with the kids. Like other ons contractors. Rub- Carleton’s newest news Secondly, Scott Gorry and “is accused of” can major US-made weapons, source, if more for its en- was not the Demand come in handy, espe- bing shoulders with these they represent the cutting well-heeled “merchants of tertainment value than Better campaign man- cially when libel notices of edge of state-sponsored the quality of report- ager, as you repeatedly start getting handed out. death” will be representa- terror. tives from lesser compa- ing. There were a num- state. Scott is a friend of Finally, let me remind It’s not surprising ber of factual inaccura- mine and was a high-lev- you that we are in the nies churning out small then that Carlos Latuff, but essential high-tech cies and serious flaws in el member of the cam- process of appealing to a Brazilian cartoonist and your March 2nd edition, paign staff, but the man- the CUSA Constitution- components for war ma- rights advocate, depicted chines. which I feel obliged to ager was Alex Gibson, as al Board. I hope to see an AH-64 targeting a Pal- correct, specifically in you would know if you you there. This will be the first estinian child. time in 20 years that the article and editorial had bothered to hear our AH-64s, along with (although in The Level- side before printing. ­— Emile Scheffel, volun- an arms bazaar will be It’s really bad Israel’s F-15 and F-16 hosted by the City of Ot- ler, it’s hard to tell the Most importantly, you teer manager, Demand warplanes, were recently difference) regarding the present the serious accu- Better campaign tawa. That’s because back news when used to bombard Gaza’s in 1989, during a high- recent CUSA elections. sations against Bruce as densely populated civilian First of all, permit if they are acknowledged Editor’s note: Scott Gorry profile COAT campaign, war machines neighbourhoods. At least City Council banned all me, as a scrutineer for facts; your treatment of was referred to as the De- 1,380 people, including are sighted the ballot count, to in- the issue of Facebook ads mand Better campaign arms shows from mu- more than 430 children, nicipal property. But City form your readers that is particularly egregious manager in The Charla- were killed. overhead. Bruce Kyereh-Addo did and not substantiated by tan’s February 27th issue staff now claim that by This is a war crime. some legal technicality, in fact win the presiden- any proof of your claims. as well, and we mistakenly But according to Car- Unless of cy, garnering 1,744 votes I would caution you that took this to be accurate. Ottawa’s ban no longer leton University’s ad- applies to Lansdowne! course you’re ministration, it is the And so, Canada’s war Questioning BOG “corporate” code artwork—not Israeli manufacturers—scattered at an air attacks—that deserve across this country like As a Carleton student en- To quote my parents, tomers and education to condemnation. The post- razors concealed in a loaf show in North tering his first year of my “If your friends were a commodity that can be ers, Carleton authorities of bread—are now aim- masters’s program, I am jumping off a bridge, bought and sold. say, may “incite others to ing for Lansdowne. Many America, extremely concerned with would you too?” It is this Also, there is a fun- infringe [human] rights” produce machined parts, Europe, Jacques Shore’s attempts sort of herd mentality damental difference be- and are “insensitive to the electronics, and software to justify the draconian that threatens to stamp tween dissent and dis- norms of civil discourse shipped stateside for as- or Israel, Board of Governors’ code out voices of dissent— loyalty: the former is in a free and democratic sembly into the world’s of conduct. in particular, the voices essential in a strong pub- society.” deadliest machines. Oth- and these While I am sure other of student representa- lic institution of which Students posting the ers proudly crank out am- institutions have similar tives. Disturbingly, Mr. we can all be proud. controversial graphics munition, handy machine warbirds policies that attempt to Shore also suggested that To equate dissent with have been threatened guns, armoured vehicles, gag board members, it is this sort of anti-dissent disloyalty—as the code with expulsion and Carle- and air-to-ground mis- are just in no way a justification policy is based on those effectively does—is both ton’s president, Roseanne siles that fire phosphorous to legislate that policy found in the corporate misleading and unfair. Runte, said the posters and cluster bombs. All in performers here at Carleton. This just sector. Universities are The code should be re- “were deemed ... to incite a day’s work, eh? shelling seems to be an excuse to NOT corporations, and moved. hatred.” In a recent report, ignore the concerns of policies such as this re- But when 56 Carleton COAT identified 142 Ca- out good students. duce students to cus- ­— Austin Miller professors asked Runte to nadian military companies join them in condemning with direct exports to Isra- wholesome human rights violations el. Another 53 equip AH- [email protected] caused by Israel’s bomb- 64s, F-15s and F-16s, the family ing of a Gaza university, US weapons used against she refused. Gaza. Of course, this ex- entertainment. www.leveller.ca vol 1, no 3, March 16 to March 29, 2009 The Leveller 11 culture Prime-Time Crime Taking a (gristly) bite out of police procedural dramas

Plots rotate entirely was on CBC. They’re around a piece of forensic quite similar, though evidence. There’s always DVI preceded The Wire a rare mould spore on by about four years. Both the cuff of the murderer’s flout the constraints of pant leg—as well as the the one-hour episode, murder weapon! If the with DVI engaging in fetishization of silver bul- multi-episode and even- let science wasn’t enough, tually multi-season story the cops have become the arcs, while The Wire con- decathletes of the police structs each season as a force, capable of anything visual novel that builds and everything. They can on the previous season. even be seen walking a Because of their will- beat when they should re- ingness to explore social ally be cooped up in labs, issues such as poverty, while real cops like Lennie racism, prostitution, un- Briscoe (god rest his soul) employment, education, hone their cheese-encrust- and much more, DVI ed sarcasm. and The Wire construct Prime-time crime increasingly interesting has always been bloody, portraits of their respec- but the new wave of bad tive cities, Vancouver shows has an enthusiasm and Baltimore. for what a friend of mine The Wire starts off by rightly described as snuff focussing on the drug porn. While Law & Or- trade in the ghettos of der: Special Victims Unit West Baltimore, but ex- at least attempts a serious pands well beyond that, psychological and moral exploring the politicking by Doug nesbitt ing: prime-time crime. Ex- Before I bite into the and related shows such as exploration of horrific at city hall, the plight of emplified by the longevity subject of prime-time Raising the Bar (Dawson’s crimes of a sexual nature, the organized working The scourge of reality TV of Law & Order and the crime (mostly fat and Creek meets ER in the CSI and other programs class at the city’s port, may be on the minds of wild success of CSI, such gristle), I have to confess courtroom). have sexualized mutilated, the public school sys- most avid couch potatoes, programs have remained that this article is part of My regular fix is any dissected bodies, often fe- tem, and the offices of but you’ll still find one a staple on nearly every my rehab program. Over of the Law & Orders, but male. Combined with its the cash-strapped Balti- genre of expensive televi- major North American the past year I’ve been ad- I’ve dabbled with every- black and white portrayal more Sun. What results sion surviving and thriv- network. dicted to crime dramas thing else. However, the of good and evil, CSI is a searing indictment of good stuff is hard to come makes Dirty Harry come American society from by. Most crime dramas are off as a sophisticated anti- its two unlikely creators, a bad trip. The dialogue is capitalist critique of Rea- a former Baltimore Sun lifted from an encyclope- ganism. crime reporter and Bal- dia of clichés, the trans- While most crime timore police depart- parent mysteries always shows do little more than ment homicide detec- unravel 13 minutes before reinforce the ideological tive turned public school the hour, and the formats arsenal of America’s futile teacher. come off an assembly war on crime and drugs, a DVI centres on the line. few shows buck this trend. Vancouver’s coroners’ of- The explosion of cook- This may seem counterin- fice, where one city coro- ie-cutter police procedur- tuitive since, after all, it’s ner, Dominic Da Vinci, al dramas can be traced the police who are always must determine causes to the success of the two first to suppress dissent, of death and whether or Law & Order spin-offs whether at protests or not to involve homicide (Special Victims Unit and picket lines. But piercing detectives. Seeing how Criminal Intent) and the (and entertaining!) social people die, Da Vinci ad- CSI franchise, which has commentary can be done vocates unpopular ideas often occupied the top from any aspect of society, like red light districts three spots in the Nielsen including the police force and safe injection sites Ratings (another round of and legal system. and engages in intelli- ammunition for misan- Perhaps the best ex- gent debate with other thropes). ample of this is the Brit- members of Vancouver The focus on a specific ish crime drama Frost, law enforcement who see branch of the law enforce- which airs its two-hour things differently. ment system has been episodes occasionally on Most of all, the pro- replicated in numerous TVO. Drawing on the tagonists in each show, shows such as Without A best of the English mur- Da Vinci in Vancouver Trace (missing persons), der mysteries, Jack Frost, and Detective McNulty Cold Case (unsolved mur- a cantankerous detective in Baltimore, are well- ders), Criminal Minds (the inspector in the fictional developed and evolv- FBI’s “Behavioural Analy- city of Denton, lives like ing characters, who re- sis Unit,” which tracks se- a slob and flouts author- tain their humanity but rial killers), and Flashpoint ity, but manages to get the are neither heroes nor (sniper/SWAT team). job done while keeping saints. Even the paranormal a sense of humour and I’ll leave readers to can be found, in shows perspective. The Shield, discover these shows on such as The Mentalist and now off the air, is another their own. It’s worth Medium. Each of these decent show, albeit con- starting with the first shows is a disappoint- strained by the one-hour season of The Wire, what ment, not only because narrative. It follows a Los has to be the best prime- of bad writing and acting, Angeles anti-gang squad time crime ever. For but because the focus on that has turned to vio- those of us who can no a narrow aspect of polic- lence and corruption as longer distinguish one ing creates a self-imposed means to wage the war on Law & Order from an- straitjacket that threatens drugs. other, or are consider- mundaneness. Either the However, the two real ing a complaint to the show stays incredibly for- gems of prime-time crime CRTC over the airing of mulaic, or it takes the CSI are the largely ignored CSI, you’ll find that the route and just makes up HBO program The Wire genre isn’t dead, but has whatever it wants. and the too-often dis- in fact produced some of CSI is notorious for missed Da Vinci’s Inquest the best television ever plumbing the depths. (DVI)—yes, that show made.

12 The Leveller vol 1, no 3, March 16 to March 29, 2009 www.leveller.ca culture Best imitation of himself, or songs for the duped by Chris Cook Many strategies have been devised to fight this. I’m the first to admit that In the early days of mu- I’ve been spoiled. I still sic piracy (way back in support artists by purchas- 2003), Sony Music tried ing albums and merchan- releasing review copies of dise and going to shows, albums by artists like Tori but I have absolutely no Amos and Pearl Jam on patience when waiting what became known as for new releases. Several The Glueman: a portable times in recent memory, CD player containing the I have found myself be- album for review with coming irritated and bel- the lid glued shut and the ligerent when I can’t find headphones glued into an advance copy of a new the jack to guard against album online. connecting the device to a In some ways this makes computer. me feel like a spoiled six Of course it didn’t take year old in toy store ask- long for people to figure ing for a bigger Lego set. out how to dismantle (Do kids still play with the player completely to Lego?) I am not proud. remove the disk without But I am representative opening its lid. The in- of one of the biggest chal- dustry has definitely had lenges facing the industry. a hard time building a In a time when many better mousetrap. Other artists have embraced and artists, such as The Ra- leveraged the technologies conteurs and Stars, have they used to curse, the ad- recently opted to avoid a vance leak still seems to be leak by releasing albums a universal sore spot. as soon as they are ready to go, with no advance re- views, videos, or singles. When prepping his new album for release, Ben Folds took a different Folds didn’t approach. He decided to create a completely differ- count on two ent “fake album” and leak Suffice to say, it didn’t disappointed. This al- Song”—takes away from In subsequent inter- it himself. take long for the Internet bum was more promis- what could have been a views about the leak, issues though: Folds didn’t count on soldiers to disprove this ing then Folds’ previous fine song. The fake ver- it seems Folds has also first, that two issues though: first, leak. Several live versions two releases, which were sion instead finds Folds in become aware of the di- that discerning fans are of the planned tracks were generally overthought his element with a simple chotomy of the real and discerning well equipped with the already available in a mul- and overwrought, but in but upbeat staccato pop fake albums. He told information to investigate titude of YouTube videos many ways the real album song. Rolling Stone, “There’s fans are well and disprove such an at- and bootleg live record- lacked the musical energy Other companion another component equipped tempt and, more impor- ings. and lyrical bite of the fake tracks work so well to- that’s really interesting. tant, that this fake album Despite the backlash, I one. gether that it’s a shame We’re calling it ‘fake,’ so with the might end up better than decided that I was starved It’s not that the themes they weren’t included you’re not really respon- information to the official version. enough for material to were lacking the typi- together from the start, sible for how bad it sucks. Just before releasing his give the fake album a lis- cal Folds satire. The real such as the two versions It takes the fear out of it, investigate and third full-length solo al- ten. And, to my surprise, album features songs of “Dr. Yang.” The real al- and then you get back to bum, The Way to Normal, it wasn’t half bad. In some about getting concussed bum still has its fair share the magic of making re- disprove such Folds decided to enter the ways this was some of the in Japan, receiving a Dear of gems though, such as cords, I think.” an attempt studio with his bandmates, most promising material John letter in a song, and “The Bitch Went Nuts,” This has also been drummer Sam Smith and that Folds had released Lisa Nowak (look it up). a stellar, upbeat piece, backed up by the fact and, more bassist Jared Reynolds, since dissolving his epon- It’s the execution and which acts as a sequel to that the two versions of and record six completely ymous Five at the end of songwriting that come off Ben Folds Five’s classic the album have been important, new songs in eight hours. the 90s. The fake tracks as stale at times. breakup tune “Song for recently re-released as that this All of the songs had ti- recaptured the humour, In some cases, the the Dumped.” Primarily, companion pieces in the tles or themes similar to spontaneity, and also, at themes are treated in a though, it’s a case of con- compilation Stems and fake album those planned for release times, the aggression that more interesting manner sistency, as in the track Seeds. Folds obviously on the proper album and Folds had once described on the fake release (“Free “Errant Dog,” which is hasn’t solved any of the might end up were leaked with two real as “Punk Rock for Sissies” Coffee Town” versus the ploddingly awkward and industry’s problems with better than tracks from the album, in his old band. official “Free Coffee”), seems completely unnec- early leaks, but it will be “You Don’t Know Me” Unfortunately when and in others, overly pro- essary, especially when interesting to see if it has the official and “Hiroshima,” as well I finally got to hear the duced instrumentation— compared to the quality changed the approach he version. as an alternative cut of the proper release of Way like the distracting synth of the extra material on uses to record his next track “Cologne.” to Normal, I was oddly opening in “Frown the fake album. album. Support The Leveller Become a sustaining member ($50) or a contributing member ($20) [email protected] www.leveller.ca vol 1, no 3, March 16 to March 29, 2009 The Leveller 13 culture 2001 today: Attuning audiences to the crucial subsumed by the trivial by Chris Schultz with almost single-hand- instigates or at least sig- edly elevating science fic- nifies moments of hu- 2001: A Space Odyssey, I tion to the status of an art man transformation. A can confidently state, is form. pair of astronauts, fly- one of my favourite films. It should go without ing over an incredible It is one of those rare saying that this is a film moonscape, is being told cinematic spectacles that best appreciated at the of the tremendous dis- engage both the intellect theatre, where the cin- covery of the Monolith and the senses. Director ematic scope of Kubrick’s and what it might mean Stanley Kubrick combines project matches its narra- for the development of some of the most breath- tive ambition. How many human knowledge. Their taking cinematography films today can claim to only response is to de- you’ll ever see with deeply address the whole of hu- bate what kind of sand- philosophical ideas. The man progress? And how wich they want to eat for film has also been credited many do it with such elo- lunch. quence? Kubrick seemed to Nevertheless, Kubrick be picking up on what always expressed a pro- was becoming a trend, found sense of scepticism way back in 1968 when towards the notion of he made the film. The progress. Dr. Strangelove, pathetic response of the for instance, contains this astronauts indicates two bleak message in its comic things. The first is that heart: we have engineered hubristic sense of secu- our own demise through rity in our own develop- nuclear proliferation. ments, failing entirely to 2001, on the other hand, appreciate the awesome- deals with what Kubrick ness of our ingenuity as Carleton’s Teaching Assistants and Contract Instructors saw as humankind hav- a species. This complaint ing convinced ourselves is relevant across the full of our own perfection as spectrum of human exis- a species. tence. Of the many brilliant The second issue, moments in Kubrick’s however, is more trou- CUPE 4600 Annual General Meeting filmmaking oeuvre, the bling and has only be- Thursday, March 26 one that remains most come more salient in our 12 noon, 2203 Dunton Tower poignant to me is an ear- present day: the absolute ly scene in 2001. In the dismissal of momentous scene, an ape-like human occurrence. In the age of ancestor, having learned blogging, and sensation- Agenda how to use his tools to alizing mundane events, Election of Table Officers: hurt other apes, throws a the truly significant President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, bone in the air. The ro- changes get lost in the tating bone fades away to noise of over-saturation. Chief Stewards, etc… be replaced by a rotating Years ago, philosopher space station, graphically Jean Baudrillard sug- matched turn for turn. gested that the first Iraq Year End Review The sense of continu- War never happened, be- ity Kubrick attempted cause we knew of it only to invoke is explicit: no through media; I wonder Global Justice Project: Solidarity Exchange in the Philippines matter our technologi- what he would say in to- cal advances, we are as day’s media climate? — Food Provided — socially flawed as our If the present econom- earliest ancestors. Our ic situation worries you, inventions are imbued this is a film that will All Members Welcome with these flaws, be- remind you to appreci- ing mere extensions of ate the importance and human will and desire. significance of change. For those who have seen If you ♥ Obama, 2001 the film before, you are will have you recall that likely thinking now of hope demands hopeful HAL, the sentient robot action. The crucial is too intelligence that is the easily subsumed in the embodiment of human- trivial. Kubrick seems to Get Involved! kind’s hubris. Once seen, be aware of these issues you never forget HAL’s and makes them central detached, disembodied to his themes. 2001: A voice and the complex Space Odyssey remains as morality it comes to rep- relevant today as it was Vote! – You Are resent. 40 years ago. Perhaps the most striking part of the film 2001: A Space Odyssey occurs with the second plays at 1:30pm on March discovery of the Mono- 22 at the Mayfair Theatre, The Union! lith, a black pillar that 1074 Bank St. 14 The Leveller vol 1, no 3, March 16 to March 29, 2009 www.leveller.ca apartheid week photos

Photos Christopher Bisson

“The fact On February 26, over 100 students and faculty from Ottawa’s two major universities took part in a march to that I protest the institutions’ banning of a controversial poster, listened to released to promote awareness of Israeli Apartheid Week. Beginning at Carleton—where university President Roseann you is the Runte, immediately before returning to her office and locking fact that you the door, assured protesters, “The fact that I listened to you is the fact that you are heard”—the group continued on to are heard.” the University of Ottawa, where the top photo was taken.

www.leveller.ca vol 1, no 3, March 16 to March 29, 2009 The Leveller 15 Listings Tues March 17 of Geography; Robert Stacey, e-mailing snbreservations@ Infoshop, 256 Bank Street. Café Dekcuf. MUSIC: The Weakerthans, TALK: How Much Is Enough? Department of English. Free. gmail.com. $15 general FILM: Viva Verdi. Rigoletto. MUSIC: Adam Saikeley, Leif Constantines @ Bronson Nuclear Deterrence Then and 11:30am @ 129 Simard Hall, admission/$12 students and Minimum donation $15. 7pm Vollebekk, Self Surgery @ Za- Centre. Now. Keir Lieber, Political U of O. seniors. Runs March 19 to 21. @ Auditorium, Library and phod. MUSIC: In-Flight Safety, Science, University of Notre FILM: REEL Food Film Fes- 8pm @ Kailash Mital Theatre, Archives Canada. Still Life Still @ Zaphod. Carleton U. Dame. Free. Complementary tival. Michael Schmidt: Or- SOCIAL: Grad karaoke. Ev- Fri March 27 light lunch. Limited space. ganic Hero or Bioterrorist and Sun March 22 ery Tues night @ Mike’s Place, TALK: 2009 Canada-Europe Sun March 29 RSVP by March 12 to csdsev- Tabletop. Free; $5 donation Carleton U. Annual Law Lecture. On the SHOP: Spring Ottawa An- [email protected] or 613-520- appreciated. Doors open at EXPO: Ottawa Go Green process of amending the na- tiques Sale. Admission $8. 2600 ext. 6671. 12:30pm–2- 6:30. 7pm @ Saint Paul’s Uni- Expo. Free. 10am–5pm @ tional constitutions of the EU March 27 to March 29. Fri Lansdowne Park. For info, Wed March 25 pm @ 617 Robertson Hall, versity Auditorium, 223 Main TALK: A Critical Assessment member states from Central 5–9, Saturday 10–5, Sun Carleton U. Street. For info, visit www. visit www.ottawagogreenexpo. and Eastern Europe. Dr. An- 10–4 @ the Fieldhouse, Car- com/ of Turkey’s ‘New’ Foreign Poli- SOCIAL: St. Patrick’s Day. justfood.ca cy. Kemal Kirisci, Internation- neli Albi. 2:30pm–4:30pm @ leton U. For info, visit www. Band Port ‘n Brandy. 1pm @ TALK: Medical accounts from ACTION: World Water Day: al Relations, Boðaziçi Univer- 2203 Dunton Tower, Carleton asinter.com Mike’s Place, Carleton U. Gaza. Dr. Abdel-Rahman “Join the Call, Toilets for All.” sity, Istanbul. 11:30am–1pm U. MUSIC: Shout Out Out Out Toilet seats from across Cana- MEETING: IPSMO (In- Lawendy‏. Firsthand humani- @ 3120 Desmarais, U of O. TALK: The Passion of -Per Out @ Barrymore’s. tarian account of the implica- da presented to Parliamentar- petua. Paul Visser, University digenous Peoples Solidarity ians to call for safe water and ART: Prisoner Justice Week. MUSIC: From Funk to Movement) public meeting. tions of the offensive on Gaza. Voices from Outside: Artists of Groningen. 2:30pm @ 114 Swing. 18 musicians and 3 Free. 7:30pm @ 351 Fauteux, basic sanitation.1 pm @ Par- Arts Hall, U of O. All welcome. 6pm @ Library liament Hill. against the Prison Industrial singers playing tunes by Ja- and Archives Canada. For U of O. Complex. Justseeds art ex- TALK: A Late Medieval De- miroquai, Tower of Power, info, visit http://ipsmo.word- SHOW: Evil Dead: The Mu- ART: Prisoner Justice Week. hibit. March 20 to 27. Wed to bate on Emotions as Cogni- Lionel Hampton, Andrews press.com sical. Tickets can be reserved Voices from Outside: Artists Sat 12–8pm, Sun 12–5pm @ tions. Martin Pickavé, Univer- Sisters. Tickets $15 advance, against the Prison Industrial TALK: The Future of Nuclear by calling (613) 520-3770 or Exile Infoshot, 256 Bank St. sity of Toronto. Free. 3pm @ $20 at the door. 8pm @ e-mailing snbreservations@ Complex. Justseeds art ex- 509 Arts Hall, U of O. Salle Jean-Despréz, Maison Energy Generation in Canada. hibit. March 20 to 27. Wed to TALK: Science Café. The Dr. Michael Binder, president gmail.com. $15 general Large Hadron Collider: A Par- WORKSHOP: What I du Citoyen, 25 rue Laurier, admission/$12 students and Sat 12–8pm, Sun 12–5pm @ Gatineau. and CEO of the Canadian Exile Infoshot, 256 Bank St. ticle Smasher Designed to An- Learned in Class Today: Ab- Nuclear Safety Commission. seniors. Runs March 19 to 21. swer the Fundamental Ques- original Issues in the Class- Free. RSVP by March 12 to 8pm @ Kailash Mital Theatre, tion About Our Universe. room. Brief film viewing fol- Mon March 30 Carleton U. Mon March 23 TALK: Georgia and the Poli- [email protected]. TALK Louise Heelan, PhD candi- lowed by discussion. Open to 7pm @ 303 Paterson Hall, TALK : New Canadian Expe- tics of Oil. Dr. Andrew Bar- : Darkling Beetles rience Class of Immigration. date, Department of Physics. all. 3pm @ 118 Leeds, Carle- Carleton U. of Australia. Dr. Patrice Free. 6pm–7pm @ Wild Oat, ton U. ry, School of Geography and Martha Hassenfratz, repre- the Environment, Oxford TALK: Whiskey & Wicked- Bouchard, research scientist sentative from the Canadian 817 Bank Street. ART: Prisoner Justice Week. ness. Larry Cotton, retired at the Canadian National Col- University. Free. 11:30am @ Consulate, Buffalo, New York FILM: Cinema Politica. The Voices from Outside: Artists 217 Tory, Carleton U. land use planner, looks at the lection of Insects and Arthro- will answer questions about World According to Monsan- against the Prison Industrial role of alcohol in the early so- pods. Free. 7:30pm @ Salon becoming a permanent resi- to. With Lucy Sharratt from Complex. Justseeds art ex- TALK: Presenting Byzan- cial life and political develop- C, K.W. Neatby Building, dent and re-entry visas. Free. CBAN. Free. 7pm @ 447 hibit. March 20 to 27. Wed to tium to the Public: Lessons ment of Ottawa (1825-1850). Central Experimental Farm, 9:30am–11:30am @ 402 Li- Tory, Carleton U. Sat 12–8pm, Sun 12–5pm @ from Curating an Exhibition. 960 Carling Ave., Ottawa. For Robin Cormack, Courtauld Free. 7:30pm @ Room 156, brary, Carleton U. MUSIC: The Red Chord, Exile Infoshot, 256 Bank St. Library and Archives Canada. info, e-mail humedgl@gmail. Institute of Art, University com TALK: Is Virtue Knowledge? Walls Of Jericho @ Babylon. SHOP: Spring Ottawa An- of London. Free. 7:30pm @ TALK: The Changing Face of Socratic Intellectualism Re- tiques Sale. Admission $8. Classical Greek Funerary Art. Exhibition Room A, Library Fri March 20 considered. Jörg Hardy, Freie Thurs March 26 March 27 to March 29. Fri and Archives Canada. John Oakley, Classical Studies, Universität Berlin. 4pm–6pm MEETING: CUPE 4600 An- 5–9, Saturday 10–5, Sun 10–4 SOCIAL: Tour of Royal Ca- FOOD: All-you-can-eat College of William and Mary nadian Mint. With Interna- @ 509 Arts Hall, U of O. nual General Meeting. Year- @ the Fieldhouse, Carleton U. in Virgina. Free. 7:30pm @ end review and elections. For info, visit www.asinter. mussels. $14/pp, includes tional Student Services Office. TALK: The European Union fries and choice of four Auditorium, Library and Ar- 11:30am–5pm @ 128 Univer- 12pm @ 2203 Dunton Tower, com chives Canada. and Challenges. Giovanni Di broths. 5pm–closing @ Petit sity Centre, Carleton U. Girolamo, head of Political Carleton U. MUSIC: Lady Gaga, The SOCIAL: Grad karaoke. Ev- Bill’s Bistro, 1293 Welling- TALK: Eating and the Theory Section and Chargé D’affaires, ART: Prisoner Justice Week. White Tie Affair, Chester ton St W. ery Tues night @ Mike’s Place, of Practice. Alan Warde, De- Delegation of the European Voices from Outside: Artists French @ Bronson Centre. Carleton U. Commission to Canada. against the Prison Industrial MUSIC: New Kids on the partment of Sociology, Uni- DANCE: Wiseguys with Davy Block @ Scotia Bank Place. versity of Manchester. 3pm–5- 5pm–6pm @ 3120 Desmarais, Complex. Justseeds art ex- John Pacheco and DJ Balu. Wed March 18 pm @ 3105 Desmarais, U of U of O. hibit. March 20 to 27. Wed to 9pm–3am @ Heaven Night- TALK Announcements : The Politics of Migrant O. TALK: Media Ethics and Cov- Sat 12–8pm, Sun 12–5pm @ club. “Illegality” in Canada: Issues Exile Infoshot, 256 Bank St. FOOD: Ottawa Good Food ART: Prisoner Justice Week. erage of Muslims in a Time of Box. Orders are due by the in Research and Organizing. Terror. Maher Arar and Mo- FILM: REEL Food Film Fes- Sat March 28 Cynthia Wright, School of Voices from Outside: Artists first Wed and delivered the against the Prison Industrial nia Mazigh; Ian MacLeod, tival. The Sacred Food; Fried SHOP: Spring Ottawa An- third Wed of the month. $5, Women’s Studies, York Uni- Ottawa Citizen; Evan Dyer, Chicken and Sweet Potato Pie; tiques Sale. Admission $8. versity. Free. 5:30pm @ 2017 Complex. Justseeds art ex- $10, $15, $20. Visit CUSA, hibit. March 20 to 27. Wed to CBC Radio News; Faiza Hirji, In the Same Boat; Once Upon March 27 to March 29. Fri GSA, or RAAA offices. Dunton Tower, Carleton U. Communication, Carleton U. a French Fry. Free; $5 dona- 5–9, Saturday 10–5, Sun 10–4 Sat 12–8pm, Sun 12–5pm @ TALK: Snapshots of the Jew- FILM: RiP: a Remix Manifes- Exile Infoshot, 256 Bank St. 7pm @ Porter Hall, University tion appreciated. Doors open @ the Fieldhouse, Carleton U. to. Free. 5:30pm @ 101 Azri- Centre, Carleton U. at 6:30. 7pm @ Saint Paul’s For info, visit www.asinter. ish Canadian Experience. eli Theatre, Carleton U. FILM: Outaouais film festival. University Auditorium, 223 com Hosted by the U of O’s Vered Le nœud de cravate, Killing FILM: Against the Tide: The Jewish Canadian Studies TALK: Breaking the Silence. Story of America during the Main Street. For info, visit SOCIAL: PROMdemonium. Time, and Lustrale. Two short www.justfood.ca Program and the Association Open forum on violence films and a documentary. 7pm Holocaust. Dessert reception Fundraiser for creative resis- against women. Joanne St. for Canadian Jewish Studies. @ National Gallery of Cana- and guest speakers follow- SOCIAL: Diva’s Dream Night. tance initiatives working in the Sun, May 24, 2009 at the Lewis, U of O; Ottawa Coali- da. ing screening. Reservations Manicures, massages, psychic community for social change. tion to End Violence Against Soloway Jewish Community recommended. Contact Josh readings, make-up applica- Tickets $10 in advance/$12 at Centre. Free lectures open Women; Interval House. SHOW: Evil Dead: The Mu- Hacker at 416-864-9735 tions, dance lessons, a come- the door. Cash bar. 19+. Prom 6pm–9pm @ Porter Hall, Car- sical. Tickets can be reserved to the public from 10am to ext.29. 7:30pm @ Audito- dienne, silent auction. Tickets wear mandatory. 8pm–1am @ 5:30pm. Tickets for evening leton U. by calling (613) 520-3770 or rium, Library and Archives $30. Proceeds go to The Chil- Saint Brigid’s Centre for Arts e-mailing snbreservations@ kosher banquet featuring FILM: Myths for Profit: Can- Canada. dren’s Wish Foundation. Be- and the Humanities (not a a musical performance by gmail.com. $15 general ad- gins 7:30pm @ Biagio’s Italian church), 314 St. Patrick. For ada’s Role in Industries of War mission/ $12 students and se- FOOD: All-you-can-eat mus- Shelley Posen available until and Peace. Followed by dis- sels. $14/pp, includes fries and Kitchen. For info, visit www. info, visit www.promdemo- May 19 at the community niors. Runs March 19 to 21. divasdreamnight.com nium.ca/index.html cussion with directors. 7pm @ 8pm @ Kailash Mital Theatre, choice of four broths. 5pm– centre front desk for $20 per Hintonburg Community Cen- Carleton U. closing @ Petit Bill’s Bistro, FILM: Yes Man. $2. 8pm @ MUSIC: Reminisce Brad person. For more informa- tre, 1064 Wellington Street. 1293 Wellington St W. Alumni Auditorium, U of O. Copeland, Martin Villeneuve, MUSIC tion, visit www.acjs-aejc.ca : Bane, Cruel Hand, DJ Dusty. $10 cover. 10pm or contact Rebecca Margolis, FILM: Whale Rider. Under- End Of A Year @ Mavericks MUSIC: Noah, Ennuie @ Za- MUSIC: Howie Beck, Angela standing indigenous peoples’ phod. Desveaux, For the Fairest @ @ Heaven Nightclub. 613-562-5800 ext. 2955. realities through film: The MUSIC: Broadcast Radio, Maori case. Discussion ani- The Urban Aesthetics, The Tues March 24 mated by Natacha Gagné, Ethics @ Zaphod. TALK: Now It’s Everybody’s Department of Sociology and DANCE: Timekode. Ottawa’s Crisis: The Social and Eco- Anthropology. 7:30pm @ monthly soul shakedown. $5 nomic Challenges of the 8161 Desmarais, U of O. after 11pm. 19+. 10pm @ Eri Spread of the Global Crisis to SOCIAL: Play for the Kids. Café Pan-African Social Club, the Developing World. Gor- UNICEF on campus. Educa- 953 Somerset W. don Betcherman, World Bank. tional presentations, bands, 11:30am–12pm @ 3120 Des- photography displays, open Sat March 21 marais, U of O. mic. Donations accepted at EXPO: Ottawa Go Green TALK: Cultural Diversity, Eu- the door. 8:30pm @ Rooster’s Expo. Free. 10am–6pm @ ropean Identity, and the Le- Coffeehouse, Carleton U. Lansdowne Park. For info, gitimacy of Europe. Dr. Hans visit www.ottawagogreenexpo. Dieter Klingemann, Wissen- Thurs March 19 com/ schaftszentrum Berlin/Freie TALK: A Nuclear Iran: Poten- ART: Prisoner Justice Week. Universitat Berlin. 2:30pm–4- tial Effects on the Architecture Voices from Outside: Artists pm @ 2017 Dunton Tower, and Security of the Middle against the Prison Industrial Carleton U. East. Naor Gilon, head of Complex. Justseeds art ex- MEETING: Stop the Ottawa the Bureau for International hibit. March 20 to 27. Wed to Arms Bazaars. Information Affairs, Center for Policy Re- Sat 12–8pm, Sun 12–5pm @ and strategy session to oppose search, Israeli Ministry of For- Exile Infoshot, 256 Bank St. CANSEC. 7pm @ Southmin- eign Affairs. Limited space. MUSIC: Ukrainia, Win- ster United Church, 15 Ay- RSVP by March 16, 2009 chester Warm @ Zaphod lmer Ave. at Bank St. For info, to [email protected] visit http://coat.ncf.ca/ or 613-520-2600 ext. 6671. SOCIAL: Dreamcatcher. Car- Free. 11:30am–12:45pm @ leton International Student TALK: Prisoner Justice Week. 509 Dunton Tower, Carleton Gala. Tickets $25 in advance/ Indigenous People and the U. $35 regular. All ages. Cocktails Criminal Injustice System. 6pm, dinner 7pm @ Museum TALK Kim Pate, executive director : Historical Tracings of Civilization. of the Canadian Association and the Contemporary Cana- SHOW: Evil Dead: The Mu- of Elizabeth Fry Societies; dian Setting. Richard T. Con- Sheila Grantham, researcher nors, Department of History; sical. Tickets can be reserved by calling (613) 520-3770 or on the Aboriginal Women and Robert Mcleman, Department Stigma project. 7pm @ Exile

Send listings to [email protected]