The Cord WeeklyThe tie that binds since 1926 CRISIS, WHAT CRISIS? NETWANKING BACK IN BLACK

. Examining_ the growing food crisis af- Facebook or Twitter? Comparing the Attack in Black talk to The Cord be-

... fecting the world PAGE 10 giants of the social web ... PAGE 12 fore their Thursday show ... PAGE 24

Volume 49 Issue 28 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1,2009 www.cordweekly.com

Culture Jamming

The perfect way to spend April Fool's Day. A feature by Kari Pritchard See pages 14-15

Bus pass Curlers extended golden

Laurier students to be granted May-August The women's curling coverage with Grand River Transit service team claimed Laurier's 11th national title last MORGAN ALAN in school full-time, they will still weekend in Montreal STAFF WRITER be granted year-round access. A similar system is currently in place Effective May 1, full-time Laurier at the University ofWaterloo. LUKE DOTTO STAFF undergraduate students will be "The benefit to students is quite WRITER able to ride Grand River Transit high, given the number of students (GRT) buses year-round by show- who will be able to access [the ser- History has a tendency to repeat it- ing their Onecards. vice]," said Colin Le Fevre, WLUSU self for the Golden Hawks women's Previously, student fees only president. curling team. One covered GRT bus use for the aca- The expansion will necessitate year after claiming the first ever Canadian Interuniversity demic year. Students wishing to an increase of roughly 18 percent Associa- use public transit in the summer in the bus fee. However, this in- Sport/Canadian Curling tion National Championship, they months would have to purchase crease will amount to less than the repeated the feat, defeating Sarah an additional bus pass. cost of a summer bus pass pur- Rhyno's Saint Mary's rink 6-4 to Laurier students currently pay chased through GRT. NICK LACHANCE bring home Laurier's 11th National roughly $42 per semester for pub- As a bus fee is already in place, a

- The bus pass fee will increase 18 percent. Championship. lic transit use for eight months of referendum will not be required to YEAR-ROUND The Hawks earned the right to the year. affirm the increase. fight for the gold after upending Discussion between GRT and Over the summer, WLUSU will point second-year history student. Kaileigh Strath's University of Man- the Wilfrid Laurier University Stu- monitor the number of students the summer, what's the of he In addition, GRT has agreed itoba rink 9-3 in the semi-final, the dents' Union (WLUSU) to expand using the service to ensure the the fee?" added. in to provide summer 2009 service same team that Laurier defeated service began last summer follow- utility of the fee. Students set to stay Waterloo are without a retroactive increase in last year in the national final after ing complaints from full-time co- "We want to make sure the extra over the summer already prais- new fees next fall. stealing one in the tenth end. op students, some of whom have amount of money students will be ing the program. "It's convenient... Iwon't have to "Essentially, Laurier students to work during the summer. paying does have a benefit to stu- a month to get to work are getting a free summer. I'd be SEE CURLING, PAGE 19 Though students will only pay dents," said Le Fevre. pay $40 just in the summer," said Shane Albers, happy about that," said Le Fevre. for the pass when they are enrolled "If there's barely any usage over 2 News WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1,2009 ■ THE CORD WEEKLY

The Cord Weekly - Vie tie that binds since 1926 ~

phone: (519) 884-1970 ext. 3564 fax:(519)883-0873 email: [email protected] The Cord Weekly 75 University Avenue West Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2009 VOLUME 49 ISSUE 28

Next Issue: May 27

QUOTE OF THE WEEK "Have you ever had those shots that come in sperm?"

- Incoming Editor-in-Chief Laura Carlson trying to explain a photo of News Editor Rebecca Vasluianu.

WORD OF THE WEEK

bowdlerize - To remove or modify theparts considered offensive.

CONTRIBUTORS

Morgan Alan Kevin Hatch Taryn Orwen-Parrish Mane Babel Mike Kocheff James Popkie Chris Baluschak Nick Lachance Sam Riches Melissa Cupovic Carly Lewis lon Rivard Natalie Dias Jamie Neugebauer Trevor Schiedel SYDNEY HELLAND Luke Dotto Tleja MacLaughlin Jaclyn Stief MattEnglish Andrea Mathieson Geetha Thurairajah Justin Fauteux Henji Milius Alanna Wallace Katie Flood Paula Millar Myles Wilson Linda Givetash Andrea Millet Esther Wheaton Sarah Murphy VVLUSP STAFF Pool repairs slated for June

Copy Editing Manager Meredith Barrett The $2.2 million project set to be completed in September will keep the pool open for five years Copy Editors Ariel Kroon Gina Macdonald Natasja Pannecoucke Kristen Rowatt LINDA GIVETASH the assurance thatfunding is guar- solutions. will be fine," McMurray explained. Distribution Manager Nicole Weber STAFF WRITER anteed from the users," said David The agreement between WLUSU "There are other sources of fund- McMurray, dean of students. and the department of athletics ing from the cities and external Contracts outlining the conditions The Project Steering Committee will ensure that students will have groups." WLUSP ADMINISTRATION of the new pool improvement fee's - consisting of WLUSU President- access to 46 percent of all available The financing of the project President Greg Sacks transferral to the university will be elect Laura Sheridan, Athletics pool time. will be managed by the VP: Advertising Angela Foster university VP: Brantford Holly Gibson finalized by the end of April, ac- and Recreation Associate Director "As students and the students' development department in col- Chair of the Board Bryn Ossington Vice Chair Janice Lee cording to the Wilfrid Laurier Uni- Patricia Kitchen, Assistant Vice- union, we are considering our- laboration with physical resourc- Board of Directors Brendan McGill Luay Salmon versity Students' Union (WLUSU). President of Physical Resources selves donors in this project," ex- es who will directly oversee the With additional donations from Gary Nower, Dean McMurray and plained WLUSU President Colin construction. ADVERTISING the City of Kitchener, the City of members of the community fund- Le Fevre. "What that allows us is In terms of a long-term solu-

Waterloo and the community, the ing the project - are organizing the accountability reports." tion, WLU, the of Wa- All advertising inquiries should be directed to University VP: Advertising Angela Foster at pool will be renovated over the renovation process. Accountability reports will en- terloo, the Region of Waterloo and 884-0710, ext. 3560 [email protected] course ofthe summer. The pool is scheduled to un- sure that students are receiving private clubs are having ongoing Renovations will improve the dergo renovations following con- their promised pool time and that discussions. Construction of a new COLOPHON architecture, mechanics and elec- vocation in June of this year. It is the fees appropriately reflect that. Olympic-sized pool, its location trical components of the pool and expected thatthe TheCord WeeklyIs the official student newspaper of pool will re-open Pool fees collected along with and the inclusion of other athletic the Wilfrid Laurier University community. building. The ventilation system, for September. tuition will not be available until facilities are ideas currently on the equipment the end of Started in 1926 as the College Cord. The Cord Weekly is an leaks and filtration "We're told that that's sufficient December and August table. editorially independent newspaper published by Wilfrid are the items to Laurier . University Student Publications, Waterloo, a among many to be time get the project done," ex- for the respective semesters. Fi- "The ideal model will involve all corporation-without share capital. WLUSP is governed by its board of-directors. ' repaired or replaced. Asbestos plained McMurray. nancing the project should not be the stakeholders," said McMurray. will also be removed from the The renovation, costing ap- problematic despite the students' The renovation of the WLU pool wlujgp building. proximately $2.2 million, is only union funds being unavailable un- will allow for the needed time in publications "The university has taken re- expected to add five years to the til after construction is complete. developing a more permanent so- Opinions expressed within 7he Cord are thoseof the author and sponsibility to manage the financ- pool's life. The university and com- "In terms of paying the project, lution that will appease all users, do not necessarily reflect those of the Editorial Board, The Cord, WLUSP, WLU or CanWeb Printing Inc. es associated with the repair, with munity are discussing long-term bills are not paid up front, so it he added. All content appearing in The Cord bears the copyright expressly of their creator(s) and may not be used without written consent.

The Cord is created using Macintosh computers running OS X.3 using Adobe Creative Suite 3 (InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat, cuts Canon of Distiller and Rebel XT 8.0 Guelph nine Illustrator). megapixel digital University programs cameras are used forprincipal photography.

The Cord Weekly is a proud member of the Ontario Press Council since 2006. T> Wilfrid for Any unsatisfied complaints can be sent _y_y Laurier's 2009-2010 budget prepared June will not include program cuts to theCouncil at [email protected].

The Cord's circulation for a normal Wednesday issue is 8,500 copies and enjoys a readership of over 10,000. JEREMY TREMBLAY the deans, chairs, faculty - even if ternal context was it would be dif- nine programs (classical languag- NEWS Cord subscription rates are $20.00 per term for addresses within EDITOR there are some changes in particu- ficult to make internal decisions." es) will be combined with another Canada. lar courses - will do everything we As a result of the delay, Ma- available major. The Cord Weeklyis a proud member of the Canadian University Press (CUP), Tough economic times have tak- to ensure the with since 2004. can that students get cLatchy cautioned that returning Courses dealing women's en a toll on universities across credits they need in order to com- students might find things do not studies and gender will continue Campus Plus is The Cord's national advertising agency. Canada, leaving many institutions plete their degrees." run exactly as they have in previ- to be offered according to Bona- with no choice but to make budget ous years. How- Hunt, who pointed out that the cuts. "Myself, the final not have a wom- Preamble to The Cord Constitution deans, chairs, ever, deci- university does On Monday, the University of sions will still be en's studies department. The Cord will keep faith with its readers by presenting news and FACULTY ... WILL DO EVERYTHING WE expressions of opinions comprehensively, accurately and fairly. Guelph's Senate Board of Under- made in plenty of Instead, students majoring TheCord believes ina balanced and impartial presentation of all graduate Studies approved dis- CAN TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS GET relevant facts ina news report, and of all substantial opinions in time so things run in women's studies took classes a matter ofcontroversy. continuing nine majors that the THE CREDITS THEY NEED IN ORDER TO smoothly in Sep- taught in other disciplines that The staff of The Cord shall uphold all commonly held ethical conventions of journalism. When an error of omission or of university currently offers. The tember, she said. dealt with women and gender is- commission has occurred, that error shall be acknowledged COMPLETE THEIR DEGREES." promptly. savings of these cuts are currently At the Univer- sues. These classes will continue When statements are made that are critical ofan individual, or unknown. sity of Guelph, to be offered. an organization, we shall give those affected the opportunity to reply at theearliest time possible. Despite the uncertainty around - Deborah MacLatchy, VP: Academic about 100 stu- At the board of undergradu- Ethical journalism requires impartiality, and consequently Laurier's financial future and the dents in the ma- ate studies' meeting, there was "a conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest willbe avoided by all staff. implications of the university's Budget cuts will be presented to jors that have been discontinued commitment to look at how to re- Theonly limits of any newspaper are those of the world around budget cuts, whole programs the board of governors in June as a will be allowed to finish de- vive a way" it, and so The Cord will attempt tocover its world with a special their the program in larger focus on Wilfrid Laurier University, and the community of aren't on the line, according to VP: result of a delay to this year's bud- grees as Kitchener-Waterloo, and with a special ear to the concerns intended, according to in the future, she added. of the students of Wilfrid Laurier University. Ultimately, The Academic Deborah MacLatchy. geting process. Lori a Cord will be bound by neither philosophy, nor geography in Bona-Hunt, spokesperson The Guelph Mercury reported its mandate. "At this point there's no consid- "The whole point of [extending for the university. that the University of Guelph's The Cord has an obligation to foster freedomof the press and program - freedom of speech. This obligation is best fulfilled when debate eration of outright cuts," the budget process] isto make sure Nine majors including wom- AVP: Academic Serge Desmarais and dissentare encouraged, both in the internal workings of the paper, and through The Cord's contact with the student body. she explained. that we make as reasonable and en's studies, BSc agricultural eco- accepts that more programs could The Cord will always attempt to do what is right, with fear of "It's really hard right now to rational decisions as we possibly nomics, BA general economics, be cut in the future as the univer- neither repercussions, nor retaliation. The purpose of the student press is to act as an agent of social awareness, and so say what changes there might be," can. The worry was if we rushed and BSc ecology - will no longer sity tries to balance its budget. shall conduct the affairs of our newspaper. MacLatchy said, adding, "Myself, without knowing what the full ex- be available to students. One of the The Cord Weekly ■ Wednesday, april i, 2009 News 3

VOCAL CORD Have you found a Meal plan levy extended summer job yet?

MORGAN ALAN funds that will only be spent on cent partnership in student ser- Le Fevre understands STAFF WRITER these con- food service operations from a vice operations, will continue to cerns, he emphasized the utility of capital re-investment standpoint," administer the collection of the the Dining Hall itself. The Dining Hall levy, originally set said Dan Dawson, general man- fee. "Without the fee, [Food Services] to expire at the end of the 2008-09 of ager Student Services. "It wouldn't be acceptable for won't be able to do capital repairs. academic year, will be extended Dawson suggested several uses Laurier to slide back into what the There needs to be a certain level of for students on a meal plan. for the levy, including streamlin- dining hall once was ... food and upkeep," he said. Introduced in 2002, the levy was ing the Dining Hall's cashier sys- facilities are a huge part of student Le Fevre stressed that the exten- intended to finance a $1.5 million as tem, well as maintenance to the life," said Mike McMahon, WLUSU sion of the levy has been finalized. renovation of the Dining Hall. solarium structure which is unus- general manager. "If [Food Services] has sound Now that the renovation has able in winter months. WLUSU has faced criticism in "I actually have a job that work at all reasoning for why they need the I been paid off, the Wilfrid Lau- "The students that benefited the the area of year the food services in the levy to support a high-quality stu- long. In summer they just rier University Students' Union most from the original renovation past. dent service, then I'll support it," make me full time." (WLUSU) has to agreed continue were in the first three or so years Earlier this year, many felt that Le Fevre said. the fee to maintain food facilities. of the renovation ... The students -Jessica Fobert the organization did not take The specifics of the extension The levy is paid for with roughly of the last few years have not re- a strong stance in negotiating are to be determined by the start Third-year history five percent of the cost of a meal ceived the same benefit from that changes to carry-over policies in of the Fall 2009 term. plan. levy," Dawson added. meal plans. "The levy a is good source of WLUSU, which holds a 50 per- Though WLUSU President Colin See PAGE 20 for editorial reaction to this story Publications accepts Radio Laurier Radio Laurier will transition from the students' "No, I've applied but I haven't heard back from anyone." union to student publications; new station may

- Erin Sills not be launched until October, 2009 First-year communication LINDA GIVETASH location is to be known by the end STAFF WRITER of April. "The revenue model is the other Last Thursday, the Wilfrid Laurier big question mark," said Sacks. University Student Publications Research will be conducted by Board of Directors unanimously WLUSP this summer to deter- passed a motion to accept Ra- mine how Radio Laurier will gain dio Laurier as a departmental income. initiative. In his proposal, Sacks suggest- Student Publications President ed that new volunteer positions Greg Sacks presented a proposal be created and an honorarium yet. "Not I've been banking on a few to the board that will serve as a scheme be put in place to com- things, though." non-binding framework to guide pensate involvement. the development of the station. This includes four managerial

- Jonathan Tao Many issues surrounding the positions that will focus on cre- Third-yearbusiness transition still need to be ad- ative direction, content, broad- RYAN STEWART dressed. As the current location casting and advertising. ON THE AIR - Radio Laurier will have a budget of approximately in the Concourse has been prom- Content supervisors, hosts, pro- $15,000 for next year. Some positions will receive honoraria. ised to the Laurier Bookstore by ducers and production assistants WLUSU, a new to location has yet would work on the actual creation union were $6,108.80. Under to ensure that all hiring, content be determined. and delivery of the radio shows. WLUSP, the new budget set for next planning and technical adjust- To improve the quality of the WLUSP expects to spend no year is approximately $15,000. ments are completed. shows produced, a second record- more than $20,000 to launch Ra- "It will operate as a business "The station itself probably ing booth is also to be established dio Laurier this fall. The budget as opposed to a glorified campus won't launch until October," said for creating pre-recorded material, includes new equipment, possible club," said Sacks, who added that Sacks. including advertisements. renovations to the new location expenses are highly dependent Current Student Publications "No, I'll have to go back home and find David McMurray, dean of stu- and honoraria for the new mana- on what space is provided for the Board Chair Bryn Ossington will a job." dents, has guaranteed that the gerial positions. station. take over from Sacks as president university will provide Radio Lau- Last year's expenditures for Ra- Radio Laurier will likely not be on May 1, when the transition rier a space on campus. Laurier to -Karen Tugade The exact dio under the students' ready launch by September comes into effect. First-year biology

BAG O' CRIME that the occupant of the room INTOXICATED PERSON not stand without holding on to had gone out drinking and left his Mar 29,2009 @ 1:09a.m. a railing, was unable to answer SUSPICIOUS PERSON door unlocked. A floormate had A special constable responded at simple questions and there were Mar 26, 2009 @ 12:37a.m. been looking for him and when the corner of University and Al- no friends around to care for him. A-special constable responded to he discoveredthe room unlocked, bert after receiving a report of a He was also unable to tell officers the Aird Building East after receiv- took the laptop back to his room male lying on the ground in the whathis local address was. He was ing a report of a suspicious male for safekeeping. No further action area. He was found to be intoxi- subsequendy arrested for his own walking around wearing a secur- required. cated. He was co-operative, able safety and taken to the Regional ity guard uniform. Investigation to answer simple questions and Police lock-up facility until sober. revealed that the male was in fact ASSIST OTHER P.F. there was no concern for his safe- He was also issued a provincial of- "No. don't just want to work any old I a security guard employed by the Mar 27, 2009 @ 5:24 a.m. ty. A taxi was called for him and fence notice. job, but it appears going it's to come contractor doing renovations in Special Constable Service re- he went home. down to that." the building. ceived information from Regional Ifyou have any information Police regarding a student who INTOXICATED PERSON regarding these or any other - Bobby Frazer incidents please call Special THEFT UNDER $5000 had thrown a cup Of hot choco- Mar 29, 2009 @ 2:32 a.m. Second-year psychology Constable Service at 519-885-3333 Mar 27, 2009 @ 1:45 a.m. late he had taken from a Tim Hor- Special constables attended the or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- re- Special constables investigated ton's outlet at a passing taxi near Fred Nichols Campus Centre TIPS. You can also report a crime the reported theft of a laptop parking lot 38. The student has ceiving area after having received electronically through the Special computer from a room at a resi- been charged with two criminal a report of a very intoxicated Constable Service website. Compiled by Rebecca Vasluianu, dence. Investigation revealed offences. male. On arrival, the male could The Bag O' Crime is submitted by Photos by Laura Tomkins. WLU-Special Constable Service. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1,2009 ■ THE CORD WEEKLY 4 , News WLU students lobby federal government

REBECCA VASLUIANU ton, Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles NEWS EDITOR Duceppe and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. After travelling across the province Mayoh, who is also current On- for over a week, WilfridLaurier Uni- tario Undergraduate Student Al- versity Students' Union (WLUSU) liance (OUSA) president, was one President Colin Le Fevre, along of the individuals selected to speak with VP: University Affairs Trevor with Ignatieff in a group setting. Mayoh and incoming Board Chair "He spent about 55 minutes with Saad Aslam, returned last Sunday us, which for a leader is unbeliev- from the Canadian Alliance of Stu- able," said Mayoh. dents' Associations (CASA) annual He explained that Ignatieff was lobbying conference where they extremely receptive to the general met with federal party leaders, MPs concerns of students regarding and senators. post-secondary education. RYAN STEWART

- Field organized by the Ecohawks. The three WLU representa- "He wanted to know generally IN THE DARK Students enjoy the Earth Hour festivities at Alumni tives were among over 60 student what we wanted to see for higher representatives from campuses level education because that's what across the country meeting with they're thinking about right now. federal policy-makers to advocate They're gearing up for a fall elec- for changes to current government tion. The Liberals last time had one Laurier votes earth programs affecting the university of the most progressive election experience for students across the platforms so they want to be there its 1 planet. country. again," said Mayoh. TARYN ORWEN-PARRISH goal of billion participants Alyssa Acorn, a second-year In each meeting, the student lob- Both Le Fevre and Aslam also STAFF WRITER worldwide. a for communications student, stat- byists presented sixbasic proposals, were able to speak with MPs fromall "I think it's great thing see "As can see, people came including expansion of the Canada over Ontario, including MPs from On Saturday night, roughly 40 stu- youth especially, to just the ed, you busi- out [to the event], but there's still Student Grant Program to reach the Kitchener-Waterloo region. dents gathered on Alumni Field to effects," said second-year so on. We need to underrepresented groups and "The fact thatwe w*ere able to get take part in Laurier's Earth Hour. ness student Betsy Phillips. "Even many lights just improve the awareness." those in need, as well as changes the ear of every single leader of ev- Hosted by the EcoHawks, Lau- just turning out the lights and just kind of difference that Reyn O'Born, Ecohawks co- to the Repayment Assistance Plan. ery party as well as senators from rier's Earth Hour was in support seeing what the lack of They also lobbied for pre-emptive all the parties and MPs from all the of an annual global event started can make and how important it is coordinator,- believes for our earth." awareness is not just aproblem for actions to ensure copyright laws parties speaks a lot to what CASA is by the World Wildlife Fund asking to make a change theme university students. do not affect students academically able to accomplish," said Le Fevre. people to turn their lights off for This year, Earth Hour's "It's not a matter of the campus, and for thereduction of high prices When speaking to The Cord, one hour in order to raise aware- was "Vote Earth," urging people to over a of society," he said. of academic materials. Aslam, Mayoh and Le Fevre all ness about energy consumption choose the earth's well-being it's matter a Because the conference took expressed their excitement at the and its impact on the planet. climate change by turning offtheir "It's matter of consciousness.... trash into place after the annual federal bud- positive feedback they received The EcoHawks arranged for lights. The theme was inspired You don't see your going It's not [just] aware- get was released in February in- from the federal leaders, explaining those lights not essential to build- by the upcoming Global Climate the dump. of your stead of in the fall, little lobbying that CASA's objectives wererealistic ing and campus operations to be Change Conference, where the ness, it's being conscious just throw things could be done around government enough to gain support while still turned off from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.; results for Earth Hour 2009 will be actions. People spending. CASA delegates therefore representing the needs of students. while residences were not includ- submitted in efforts to motivate away and do it unconsciously, focused their attention on more Aslam, who also serves as CASA ed in this request, occupants were government action in fighting cli- they don't think about it." was install- structural changes to programs. campus ambassador, stated that the encouraged to participate. mate change. As this the second of Laurier's Earth Hour, the "This type of lobbying was actu- experience he has gained through As part of the event, the Eco- In support of the "Vote Earth" ment Lau- ally verysuccessful. I think we'll get lobbying at his second consecutive Hawks provided a free barbeque theme, the EcoHawks provided a EcoHawks were pleased that more more out of this than ifwe were ac- conference will be indispensable alongside drum circles, guitar voting box at Laurier's Earth Hour, rier turned off the lights in tually to lobby before the budget," when he enters the roles of WLUSU sing-alongs, Frisbee playing and inviting participants to write down buildings than last year. said Mayoh. board chair and returning member three-legged races. and submit the changes they want An article in The Record states Over the week, CASA student of the board of governors next year. Earth Hour first began in Syd- to see happen on campus in sup- that power consumption across six representatives attended meet- "It definitely prepares you for ney, Australia in 2007 and, by the port of the environment. Ontario decreased by nearly Hour. Wa- ings with all five main federal party the meetings you will have.... It has following year, had grown into When asked what they believe percent during Earth saw a of leaders - Conservative Prime Min- made me much more comfortable a global event. According to The Laurier's biggest environmental terloo Region decrease ister Stephen Harper, Liberal Lead- to sit down in meetings with ad- Record, 3,929 cities in 88 coun- issues to be, many individuals nearly 7 percent. er Michael Ignatieff, New Demo- ministration," said Aslam. tries participated this year, bring- named a lack of student aware- cratic Party (NDP) Leader Jack Lay- ing Earth Hour closer to reaching ness regarding their impact on the 88888 The Cord is hiring volunteers SNO° for the 2009-10 year: ForestFirefiohtingCourse liiißSl J to be held in PSWJWfI Waterloo/Kitchener, ON March 1115,2009 , fllSflSjiil ~ compiete 30-Hour Seminars I - VrllM-iJ/ • Convenient Weekend Schedule Begis"""""™wio ' htlrs ' 3app' l"ls -photoqraphers affSflPl • Experienced Course instructors Course will be held duringevening - productionnmHlirtinn assistantsn«i

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. ' .. , _ , Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Accredited , Be Will Direct questionsto [email protected] __ No Guarantee ofEmployment P!ffTirW7»ffn??MTTi : : The Cord Weekly ■ Wednesday, april i, 2009 News 5 Budget offers education relief $150 million in one-time funding will be given to the post-secondary sector; Laurier will be able to defer its pension fund assessment by a year

REBECCA VASLUIANU an actuarial rqaort on the pension it will provide assistance towards NEWS EDITOR fund in January 2010 to assess WLU's deferred maintenance costs whether the pension fund is able of $54 million in unperformed re- With the release of the Ontario to cover all pensions for its current pairs on campus which must be budget last Thursday, WLU will members on an ongoing basis re- completed. receive some monetary relief to- ferring to criteria such as age and It could also assist in funding wards its deficit, including a pro- number of pensioners. Solvency expansion at the university, in- RYAN STEWART vincial grant of one-time funding - whether the fund could cover all cluding residences or any neces- ACCLAIMED - Melany Banks, who was acclaimed as president of the to post-secondary institutions its members' pensions if the uni- sary capital expenditures to ac- GSA last night, speaking to another graduate student. along with possible extensions in versity were to stop operating im- commodate the school's growth. pension solvency payments. mediately - is also assessed. Over the next .few months, the The budget, presented by Fi- The law states that the univer- university will integrate this new nance Minister Dwight Duncan, sity must meet both requirements. information into the budget man- Graduate students' includes a total of $150 million However, the one-year deferral ager's already proposed budget in one-time funding towards all could push back this assessment plans for each specific depart- colleges and universities for the to January 2011. ment at the university. The com- positions acclaimed 2008-2009 fiscal year. "All it means is that it's a stay pleted budget will be presented in "It's unclear what share the col- of execution. We don't get hung June for approval from the board MORGAN ALAN from one individual holding both leges will have of that and what January 1, 2010, we get hung Janu- of governors. STAFF WRITER offices. will remain for universities," said ary 1,2011, but it helps," explained "We're going to plug all of this "There will be information I will VP: Finance Jim Butler. Butler, suggesting that the gov- into our budget model and reca- Last night at the Grad Pub, the an- be privy to that I will not be al- He added that the provincial ernment may be hoping for an librate but it's still not enough nual general meeting of the Wilfrid lowed to share [with the GSA]said government has indicated that improvement in the markets by to offset our needs for cuts," ex- Laurier University Graduate Stu- McAndrew. colleges will be getting more than 2011. plained Butler. Association was held. contention was » dents' Further raised their traditional share of one-third "The markets would have to The Ontario Confederation of An audience of roughly thirty over constitutional amendments due to the increase in job loss come back 50 to 60 percent in or- University Faculty Associations graduate students attended the pertaining to job descriptions of because of the economy and the der for us to break even and I don't (OCUFA) - a group with the inten- event, which saw the passing of executive officers and procedures need for re-training from colleges. think that's going to happen in the tion of enhancing the quality of constitutional amendments, grad- for candidate acclamation in The one-time funding will pri- next 18 to 20 months," he added. education at Ontario universities uate fees and the acclamation of elections. marily address WTU's structural Because the pension fund is not and representing the interests of the executive board. Of particular note was a dispute deficit - a discrepancy between legally allowed to carry a budget, teachers, researchers and librar- Melany Banks, who was ac- over the formalized shortening of the university's revenue and oper- there is a five-year period over ians - believes that the Ontario claimed as GSA president, spoke of director terms. Directors' terms ating costs causing a deficit. which payments towards the defi- budget presents the necessary her vision for her position and the will now expire at the end of April, However, the grant will only cit can be made. The provincial tools to ensure that class sizes will association itself. as many graduate students are pre- help bridge the gap for this past government has extended this not grow and faculties will not "Graduate students are very in- occupied with research during the fiscal year, not the 2009-2010 fiscal period to 10 years if the university need to be cut. visible on campus. Laurier ranks as summer. year for which WLU is currently gets a two-thirds vote of permis- In a press release sent out on one of the top universities for un- Though the amendments were drafting a budget. In regard to next sion from its constituency - union March 26, OCUFA President Bri- dergraduate experience, but not for ultimately passed, the complain- year, Butler explains that Duncan members and retirees. an E. Brown, stated "The sense graduate experience," she said. ants were encouraged to raise their has given no promise of such year- "My comment to the govern- of panic created by many univer- "The GSA has come such a long concerns to the incoming executive end monies. ment before was that they think sity presidents over the past few way in the past three years ... it's board. "There's Duncan's statement they're helping us with this but months created unfortunate and such an exciting time to be in- The AGM concluded with a out there that don't count on it in that we're not sure that two-thirds completely unnecessary anxiety volved," Banks added. report from the GSA Sustain- the future, so we have to plan for majority is going to be easy to ob- among students, faculty, librar- David Palmer was acclaimed as ability Committee, who detailed the worst," said Butler. tain," said Butler. ians and staff." treasurer, while Miriam Fine was the . implementation of environ- The budget has also allowed a The provincial budget has also Brown added that universities acclaimed as events co-ordinator. mentally sound policy within the one-year deferral period for all matched the federal government should resist eliminating courses Jeremy McAndrew was ac- association. assessments of pension solvency with a grant of $780 million in and increasing class sizes, to en- claimed as the GSA's representa- Profits at the Grad Pub, for ex- and ongoing concern deficiencies capital funding for the post-sec- sure the quality of education at tive to the senate and board of ample, have been re-invested in amounting to approximately $63.9 ondary sector. post-secondary institutions. governors. The acclamation raised bursaries as well as donations to million. Butler explained that while this a minor controversy over possible the Grand River Conservation WLU is legally obligated to file will not help on the operating side, conflicts of interest that could arise Authority.

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Contact Julia Williams at 519.884.4404 ext. 28658 www. conestogac.on.ca [email protected] 6 News makers 08-09 WEDNESDAY APRIL 1, 2009 ■ THE CORD WEEKLY News makers 08-09 Deluding everything from financial losses to human rights issues, 2008-09 was a busy year at Wilfrid Laurier University. The Cord examines the sources of this year's biggest stories in our annual ranking of the news I.The pool

Issues surrounding the Laurier pool The region of Waterloo Swim Club surfaced just before the start of last (ROW) had raised over $700,000 summer, and have been recurring towards the pool by this point. This ever since. When a pipe burst last was followed by the city of Water- April, cost evaluations began to loo agreeing at a February meeting determine the 35-year-old pool's to give $250,000 over the next five future. years, a figure that was matched by Initially, the pool was to be closed Kitchener the following week. for good starting September 2008; Laurier students also lobbied for however, the university decided it help, resulting in a successful ref- was safe to keep the pool open on erendum question where students a day-to-day basis until Decem- will pay $10 per semester toward ber, allowing time for community renovations on the pool. groups to step up and raise some Repairs are scheduled to com- money. mence this summer, to keep the A Waterloo council meeting in facility open for another five years. December started the ball rolling, - •

- FILE PHOTO - SYDNEY HELLAND when delegates voted in favour of Lauren Millet

POOLING CASH - Different groups will contribute towards the pool, including students and city councils. supporting funding for the pool. 2. Budget cuts

A rough year for the world's finan- pecting to make $31 million in week's provincial budget and to cial markets left Laurier feeling the cuts over the next three years. The ensure sound thinking regarding hit. revised total reflected an expected cuts. In November, VP: Finance Jim rate of return of minus 13 percent. Butler explained that many cuts Butler announced that due to a Previously, the university had been would not be in place in Septem- lowering rate ofreturn for the uni- expecting a rate of return of zero ber and, while administrators have versity's investments - particularly percent. said that no spending will be left its pension fund - the university Last week, the university an- unexamined, no cuts have been would be forced to cut about $21 nounced that its 2009-2010 bud- announced to date. million over the next three years. get, containing cuts of six percent,

At the beginning of November, would be delayed from April until - Jeremy Tremblay the university announced that it June. According to Butler, the de- was revising its budget cuts, ex- lay is to consider the effects of last

FILE PHOTO - NICK LACHANCE

THfe FINDINGS - A consultant presenting to the WLUSU Board. 3. Radio Laurier 4. Pepper spray As part of a Wilfrid Laurier Univer- announced that the station would sity Students' Union restructuring lose its space in the Concourse. As a plan unveiled at the beginning of result, activism amongst volunteers The campus was abuzz with talk decision lay outside of students' December, the announcement that and students ranged from motions about pepper spray during the union control, the board issued Radio Laurier would no longer be raised to the WLUSU board de- fall, while the Special Constable a statement on November 11 that under the students' union was one manding transparency to a petition Service was going through ad- said the union accepted the in- of the most talked-about issues of signed by the student body. ministrative channels to become troduction of oleoresin capsicum, the year. Radio Laurier's prospects began authorized to carry the use-of- but was concerned with issues Originally, controversy arose to improve, however, when Dean force device. such as when it would be used. when WLUSU management ex- of Students David McMurray an- At an October 17meeting, Chris On November 19, Laurier's plained that the radio station nounced that the station would be Hancocks, operations manager board of governors approved pep- would be transitioned to Wilfrid guaranteed space on campus. of the Special Constable Service, per spray as a use-of-force tool Laurier University Student Publica- While the location of next year's presented the idea to the stu- for Laurier's special constables, tions, but offered no contingency station still remains uncertain, dents' union board of directors. effectively ending campus debate plan to ensure that Radio Laurier WLUSP officially accepted Radio The issue was debated at sever- and allowing special constables would still exist if the transition fell Laurier as a new department on al board with pepper RLE PHOTO - RYAN STEWART meetings, and students to begin training through. March 27. across campus made their opin- spray in January. NO RADIO - The students' union After the winter break, the issue ions for and dropped Radio Laurierthis year. against pepper spray

- gained more attention when it was Rebecca Vasluianu heard. Despite the fact that the - Jeremy Tremblay Weekly The Cord ■ Wednesday april i, 2009 Newsmakers 08-09 7 5. Laurier's meal plan

Severalyears of large financial loss- A maximum of $500 dollars can suit ofemploying unionized labour, es at food services resulted in meal be carried over from firstyear. It will and measures such as the meal plan restructuring effective with expire at the end offirst semester. plan's restructuring were under- this year's incoming class of first- Before September 2008, 100 per- taken to help improve profitability. year students. cent of the money left in students' In 2007-2008, food services had A smaller amount of money from meal plans was transferred to the a loss of $485,000 and an accumu- the meal plan is now located in the convenience account and could be lated deficit of $3,420,000 accord- convenience account - up to $350, refunded during the summer. ing to its January 2009 financial

depending on the plan - and mon- According to Dan Dawson, direc- survey. eyremains in the allotted account if tor of student services, much of the

it is transferred over. cost faced byfood services is there- - Jeremy Tremblay 6. complications First-year - FILE PHOTO RYAN STEWART

EXPLOSIVE - Dr. Eglin at one of January's Concourse discussions. First-years that came to Laurier last fall were faced with new issues: a lack of residence space and no ac- cess to the campus nightclub. The university struggled to find 8. Peter Eglin's rallies space for a record 3,902 incoming students - 400 more than intended. Residential Services got creative, After many years of conflict in the riety of students to voice their putting extra beds in Laurier Place Middle East, attacks erupted once opinions at will. and doubling up rooms in Bricker again in December between the Although Eglin's concern was Residence. Students that opted to Israeli army and Hamas. Sociol- initially directed towards the live in Bricker - where 100 extra ogy Professor Dr. Peter Eglin took Laurier Administration, the Jew- students were housed - paid half- a stance in early January, holding ish Students' Association (JSA) price, got to choose theirroommate a series of unbooked rallies in the quickly became involved follow- and were given a free laptop. Concourse-. On the evening prior ing an instance in which he re- After having been permitted ac- to each of his rallies, Eglin always ferred to members of the group cess to The Turret for the past 20 informed various media outlets, as being "nefarious." The last rally years, the students' union decided , as well as supportive students was held on January 16, in which to deny underage students entry. from WLU and UW, that he would an explosive argument occurred According to management, the be rallying in the Concourse the between Eglin and some mem- nightclub rarely met its maximum following morning. Open-mic bers of the JSA. of 80 underage students. opportunities typically followed

The students' union had its own Eglin's speeches, allowing a va- - Heather MacDonald liquor licence for the first time, and said that the previous year of underage drinking cases bogging down the Judicial Affairs Council 9. * Labour settlements contributed to the decision. The Turret saw a rough year of business after this, shutting down While last year's part-time faculty ruary 17.

Friday night's Retro Rewind - strike gave WLU one of the most The Wilfrid Laurier University once a popular campus event - in severe labour disputes it had seen StaffAssociation was supposed to March. in several years, this year's nego- enter arbitration with the univer- FILE PHOTO - SYDNEY HELLAND took a different turn. sity on March 16 as a result of an FULL - Rooms in Bricker were doubled up thanks to over-enrolment. tiations

- Alex Hayter Lasting nearly six months, bar- October 2007 grievance that said gaining between full-time faculty student employees of the univer- and the university was ongoing sity were wrongly excluded from 7. Athletic success throughout the year; however, the union's bargaining unit. the prospect of a strike seemed On the weekend of March 14, Sport at WLU was represented more possible than ever when the the two groups reached an agree- across the world this year. Hockey Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty ment before entering arbitration. players Andrea Bevan and Andrea Association (WLUFA) filed for a Students were not added to the Ironside brought home gold at conciliator in January as the two union's collective bargaining the Winter Universiade in China areas of compensation and work- unit, and the university agreed in February, playing for Team load still remained on the bar- that staff association jobs would Canada. gaining table. not be lost as a direct result In a shocking victory, the men's However, after three concilia- of the work students do at the and women's soccer teams pro- tion dates, the two sides reached university. duced double OUA Champion- a settlement on February 9 which ships this year. The eighth-nation- was ratified a week later on Feb- - Rebecca Vasluianu ally ranked women picked up their sixth provincial championship this year, defeating the third-nationally ranked Ottawa Gee Gees on pen- 10. Suresh Sriskandarajah alty kicks. The nationally unranked men produced a huge upset as they Described by Laurier faculty as a dering and smuggling goods to defeated last year's champions the "role model," Laurier MBA grad- the LTTE. Having made bail after York Lions with a 1-0 overtime uate Suresh Sriskandarajah was first he was taken into custody in victory. approved for extradition to the 2006, his family once again pro- The women's hockey team pro- United States based on allega- vided $445,000 to free him after duced yet another stellar season, tions of terrorist involvement. the March 5 hearing. picking up their sixth consecutive The March 5,2009 decision was Further hearings with the Min- OUA Championship and receiving based on the evidence presented ister of Justice and the Court of the silver medal at nationals. against him for having been as- Appeal will determine Sriskan- Finally, the women's lacrosse sociated with the Sri Lankan ter- darajah's fate to either stay in team continued their OUA domi- rorist organization the Liberation Canada or face trial in the US. nation, securing their sixth straight Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Such hearings will take several Championship with a second con- A winner of the CIBC Lead- months in the least to occur. ers in Entrepreneurship award FILE PHOTO - LAURA TOMKINS secutive undefeated season. in May of 2008, Sriskandarajah - Linda Givetash GOLDEN HAWKS - The men's soccer team celebrate their victory.

- Lauren Millet faced accusations of money laun- 8 International WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1,2009 > THE CORD WEEKLY The world in 2008-09

Looking back at the biggest news of the international community this year

Environment black president ofthe United States attacks on Conflicts Mahal Palace hotel - and raided HEATHER MACDONALD of America. Since his inauguration, merchant HENJI MILIUS the Nairman House business and INTERNATIONAL EDITOR President Obama has been hard at vessels in The STAFF WRITER residential complex that houses the workreviving American politics. He Gulf of Aden are Jewish Chabad Lubavitch Outreach

- AUSTRALIA - Deadly wildfires has tackled issues such as abortion, frequent, account- DRC Continued genocide Centre. The terrorist group respon- In early February, approximately the economic crisis, healthcare, ing for 40 percent of In the past year, the Democratic Re- sible for the Mumbai massacre has 400 wildfires spread across south- Guantanamo Bay and relations such attacks last year. public of the Congo has seen a re- warned ofa potential increase in its east Australia, leaving 210 dead. with the Middle East. surgence in conflicts, fighting and attacks on India. Among the survivors of the mass Most recently, Obama aban- broken promises. The unsuccess- destruction are 10,000 homeless doned the Bush administration's Economy ful ceasefire that was agreed upon due to the annihilation of about Afghan policy which neglected Af- PAULA MILLAR between the rebels and the govern- Health 2,000 homes. ghanistan in order to focus on the INCOMING INTERNATIONAL ment to quell the continuing geno- ALANNA WALLACE Since the unexpected damage war in Iraq. The US will now com- EDITOR cide saw an eruption of violence INCOMING IN-DEPTH EDITOR occurred, fundraising efforts have mit 4,000 soldiers to strengthening once again. taken place in the form of benefit and training Afghan forces. This INTERNATIONAL - Recession More than three million Afri- CHINA-Milk scandal concerts such as one in Sydney change in policy will be welcomed Spawned in the wake of America's cans have lost their lives and ap- In late September, over 13,000 % which included performances by by Canada, who on numerous oc- housing market meltdown, the on- proximately one million refugees infants fell ill after the chemical artists such as Kylie Minogue and casions has called for a greater level going global financial crisis is un- exist today. Despite the efforts of melamine was found in ready- Coldplay. Kings of Leon took part of US involvement in Afghanistan. arguably the year's top economic the UN peacekeeping troops, the liquid milk from the Sanlu Group. in a concert in Melbourne to raise newsmaker. Across the world, international community and Ni- Melamine is a chemical that is nor- funds for victims. Respectably, they VENEZUELA - Eliminated terms economists agree that we are in- colas Sarkozy's recent peace plan, mally used in the manufacturing of avoided playing their hit single "Sex In mid-February, 54.8 percent of deed experiencing the worst global this situation needs the concern of plastics and fertilizers. China's food on Fire." the Venezuelan electorate voted in recession since the 19305. powerful advocates and demands safety agency said it would "severe- favour of removing limits on the The statistics are grim. The reces- our awareness. ly punish those involved."

CHINA - Devastating earthquake number of terms local governors, sion crisis is blamed for: the halv- However, China's milk scandal On Monday, May 12, 2008, over state politicians and the president ing of Japanese exports in Febru- MIDDLE EAST: Gaza-Israel escalated, leaving 300,000 infants 67,000 people were killed in Sich- may serve in office. The vote was ary, pleas from three European On December 27, in response to ill and at least six dead, as a result uan, China due to an earthquake close; as 45.1 percent voted for term countries for emergency Interna- rocket attacks against Israeli com- of the milk contamination. Two that reached 7.9 on the Richter limits toremain in effect. tional Monetary Fund support, munities, Israel launched air strikes individuals were sentenced to scale. Over 361,000 people were Originally, the president could the nationalization of numerous in the Gaza Strip, and a ground in- death over the Sanlu scandal and injured in the three-minute-long serve a maximum of 12 years in of- American investment banks and cursion soon after. In February, a now the Chinese government has quake. fice — two six-year terms. Current the bailout of the North American rocket fired by Hamas landed in a enacted stricter regulations over Over 14,000 businesses were president Hugo Chavez has been in automotive industry. Any glimmer field near the city of Ashkelon in the 500,000-some food processing damaged, leaving China with bil- office for ten years, meaning that in of turnaround is not in the forecast southwestern Israel. firms throughout the nation. lions of dollars of economic loss. 2012 he would have had to leave the until at least 2010. At the time, no casualties were

The international community presidency. According to the BBC, officially reported. Egypt played ZIMBABWE - Cholera epidemic jumped to support the victims of Chavez claimed that he must re- RUSSIA - Gas crisis a crucial role in bringing peace to President Robert Mugabe has con- the earthquake with hundreds of main in power past his second term Economic consequence, not to the region. Recently, according to tinuously denied the cholera out- millions of dollars. in order to successfully secure the mention political fallout, was the some reports, 1,434 people died. break his country faced this past Two employees of Wilfrid Lau- socialist revolution inVenezuela. direct and inevitable outcome of According to the Israeli military, winter. There had not been a chol- rier University were in their offices the Russian-Ukrainian gas dispute. 1,166 people were killed; and the era outbreak since 1961 and Zim- located in Chongqing — a city close SOMALIA - Pirate attacks This economic newsmaker arose Gaza death toll was lower than was babwe's struggle was intensified by to the area most impacted by the If you think that pirates only exist from a decidedly ominous series claimed due to false information the country's lack of infrastructure. earthquake. Director of Laurier In- in the movies, think again. Pirate of events: the onset of a global originating from various Palestin- Recently, the cholera epidemic ternational Peter Donahue ensured attacks have increased 75 percent economic crisis, a frigid European ian sources. in Zimbabwe seems to have de- The Cord at that time that the WLU this past year alone. According winter and a European Union des- creased, as there were only 2,076 employees were safe. to the BBC, 292 pirate attacks oc- perately dependent on Russian INDIA - Terrorism in Mumbai more reported cases during the curred in 2008. resources. Terrorists attacks in Mumbai, In- third week of March, many fewer News of pirate attacks came to On New Year's Day, as Russia dia, caused at least 195 deaths and than in the previous weeks. Over Politics light when a tanker believed to halted all gas shipment through almost 300 injured victims. Two 4,000 people have died, according MELISSA CUPOVIC be carrying two million barrels of Ukrainian pipelines as per condi- hostages were killed: Rabbi Gavr- to the World Health Organization, STAFF WRITER crude oil worth an estimated $100 tions of the dispute, upwards of 15 iel Noach Holtzberg and his wife and there have been 93,046 re- million was seized. They held the European countries were literally Rivka. Violent attacks, killings and ported cases of cholera. However, USA - Obama is elected president tanker, along with its 25 crew mem- left in the cold. Ultimately, the de- fires lasted for three days in late numbers are unreliable as Zimba- On November 4, 2008, history was bers, for ransom off the coast of So- liberate stoppage of gas flow to the November. bweans continue to flee into neigh- made when Barack Obama defeat- malia. Nearlytwo weeks ago, pirates Ukraine resulted in a lose-lose draw Gunmen fired bullets at Chha- bouring countries and thousands ed Republican candidate John Mc- struck again, capturing a Greek car- for all involved parties — which, trapati Shivaji railway station, at- of cases are suspected to remain Cain in the race for the position of go ship and its crew of 24. The ship to date, has yet to be completely tacked the Cama and Albless Hos- unreported. th 44 American president. Many cel- was carrying metal from the Black resolved. pital, Leopold Cafe and two hotels ebrated Obama's victory as the first Sea to Korea. The BBC reports that - the Oberoi Trident and the Taj Weekly The Cord ■ Wednesday, april i, 2009 International 9 Food crisis escalates with recession

Over 900 million undernourished people worldwide have contributed to the fact that 36 countries applied for food aid last year

ALANNA WALLACE were in 2005. to protect their most valuable peo- Laurier Political Science Profes- mouth in need of feeding. EDITOR INCOMING IN-DEPTH The Washington Post traces the ple from the impact of rising fuel sor Dr. Derek Hall explained that "It's going to be one of the big current crisis back to the summer costs." one of the most striking things challenges where social safety Sombre warnings surround a crisis of 2007, when wheat prices spiked "We need to get ready for these about the global food crisis and nets are not fully functioning," Hall years in the making that is being as a result of mediocre harvests in kinds of shocks and blows includ- its relationship with the economic expressed. intensified by the ongoing global North America and Europe pro- ing reduced [agriculture] produc- crisis is "just how complicated and financial recession. There are over longed drought in Australia and tion from climate change, from complex it is to find out who is be- Speculated action 900 million undernourished indi- floods in China. reduced water availability." Oxford ing hurt and how." "We're not out of the woods and we viduals around the world and al- professor, economist and author Institutions like the WFP were have to build a better anti-famine though the United Nations claims of 7he Bottom Bil- made for times of trouble like mechanism for the 21st century" that the world produces enough "Food crises are not necessarily lion Paul Collier these, but when world food prices claimed Collier on the BBC. food to feed the global population stated on the BBC increase, the WFP runs out of mon- Collier also claims that higher ABOUT WHETHER FOOD IS OUT THERE 36 countries applied for food aid last month, "I think ey. Last year, the WFP could have crop yields are one of the answers last year alone. BUT WHETHER PEOPLE CAN BUY IT." this is the warning purchased twice as much food for to the current rise in global food

that these few years the same monetary contribution as prices. He cites a spike in prices - Economics x)f the hungry have given us." this year. due to the wasting of one-third of

Speculation surrounds the eco- - Derek Hall, political science professor In a discussion The WFP has issued warnings for American grain outputs on biofuels nomics of the food crisis, which has with Collier on the areas around the globe from West - and the lack of yields in Europe - been ongoing since 2007. With the BBC, Josette Sheer- Africa to North Korea. The agency due to reluctance to use genetically global recession looming, most of At the time, global trade in oil an, executive director of the United feels the crisis will drive more than modified crops - as reasons for the the world's concentration has been shrank, while the prices of corn, Nations World Food Programme 100 million of the world's poor crisis. focused on the economy, while an- soybeans, wheat, oats, rice and (WFP) expressed, "We're not out of deeper into poverty. Sheeran agreed with Collier, other global crisis falls by the way- other grains skyrocketed. the woods in the global food crisis Current UN Secretary General claiming, "To counter hunger, we side, exacerbated by economics The World Bank claims that and in fact it's combining with the Ban Ki-moon expressed his con- need cheap food and for that we that have left billions on the brink worldwide, the impoverished strug- economic crisis to hit the poorest of cern, as reported by The Washing- need higher supply." ofstarvation. gle to survive day to day because of the poor in the world very hard." ton Post, that the crisis could "be- Others advocate a more broad, The current food crisis is outpac- the collapse in global finance con- come a multidimensional problem economic approach to markets. ing the Soviet grain emergency of fidence, linked to the current global Repercussions for everyone affecting economic growth, social Solutions are vast and include the '70s, when world food prices recession. In dire economic times, it has progress and even political security increasing people's access to re- rose 78 percent. Although food World Bank President Robert been made clear that it is gener- around the world." sources, markets, knowledge and prices are not currently as high as Zoellick told the BBC, "The finan- ally the most at-risk groups who Dozens of countries have been development opportunities. Gov- they reached last year, they still re- cial crisis will only make it more feel the worst implications ofglobal plagued by food-related violence, ernment-based, rural-oriented main 77 percent higher than they difficult for developing countries markets. including Malaysia, Bangladesh strategies and policies are being and Haiti. proposed, as well as improving the Wilfrid Laurier Global Studies nutritional health of diets among Professor Dr. Alex Latta agreed that vulnerable people. Decrease of de- civil and social unrest can often be pendence on imported food in ur- triggered by food insecurity. ban areas is also being stressed. "There's a long history of people But there is a clear divide be- taking to the streets because they tween those who are advocating don't have enough food to eat," he for the liberalization of trade and said. reduction of subsidies, and those The economics of the current who advocate for protectionism, recession and global food crisis saying market-based agricultural hit those who have little income practices over the last 25 years have the hardest, as Oxfam claims that destabilized the system. the impoverished spend between Hall brought up afi ongoing phe- 50 and 80 percent of their daily nomenon whereby nations mostly income on food. The agency also in Asia and the Middle East have claims that persistent hunger af- begun buying up land in Africa, fects 854 million people worldwide Southeast Asia and central Euro- and the current food crisis will push pean countries like the Ukraine in another 290 into this category. order for their companies to grow "Food crises are not necessar- foods in that area. ily about whether food is out there "We need to challenge the power but whether people can buy it," Hall of the industrial agricultural com- explained. plex," Latta explained. In order to protect these people But Latta also warned against from being pushed towards the food approaches that are too brink of starvation, the BBC reports localized. that 42 countries have enacted pro- "Localizing to a certain degree is tectionist measures in an attempt an important part of the solution*... to feed their own populations. there's always a danger with very The WFP and other agencies alike individualized approaches." attempt to feed about 37 countries Latta explained that by not buy- in which there is a shortage of basic ing international foods, one does staple foods. However, the Water- not necessarily help the farmers loo-based Centre for International that grow the goods, though he did Governance Innovation claims that not discredit the use of local farm- even before the crisis supposedly ers' markets or goods. began, food aid needs were inclin- For hundreds of millions of peo- ing as donations were declining. ple around the world who do not Hall pointed out that often dur- know where their next meal will ing crises, like in the Asian Finan- come from, who spend the majori- cial Crisis ten years ago, people be- ty of their funds on sustenance, this lieved that if they experienced hard global crisis could cost them their times they could return to their lives. agricultural roots in rural commu- nities, when in fact there was little them upon their return work for See PAGE 20 for editorial reaction to this story GRAPHIC BY JULIE MARION and they became simply another 10 INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1,2009 * THE CORD WEEKLY Flooding in Indonesia leads to death

At least 93 people were killed and 400 homes were destroyed in a flood last week; nearly 700 officials are assisting the victims in search of those missing

MELISSA CUPOVIC son and granddaughter as a result dam. The Jakarta Globe reported

STAFF WRITER of the flood - described the water thatresidents had noticed cracks in current as extremely strong. "It was the dam over a year ago. The news- Last week, more than two million like a tsunami; I couldn't do much paper also reported that residents cubic metres of water gushed onto for my family. I was swept away and were so frightened by the possibil- the streets of Jakarta, Indonesia's battered by debris," he said. ity of another flood that they had capital city, destroying everything Rahman was among hundreds even practiced evacuation drills. in its path and killing at least 93 of people staying at Muhammadi- The Situ Gintung dam, which was people. The flood has ruined 400 yah University, which served as built out of dirt by Dutch colonial- homes in the Tangerang district, an emergency centre and tempo- ists in 1933, has had little mainten- overturned cars, telephone poles rary morgue. The New York Times ance since it was built, experts told and uprooted trees. reported that mothers wailed in the BBC. They warned that many Speculations say that the cause agony as they identified their dead dams in Indonesia are in similar was a large tear in a dike, brought children, while others were treated condition. about by days of torrential rainfall for minor injuries. Those who were According to The Times, former thatfilled a lake bordering the low- severely injured were taken to Ministry of Public Works official lying city. The army assisted police nearby hospitals. Wahyu Hartono claimed that the in digging through piles of mud and Residents claimed to have heard dam had been weakened in several debris in search of survivors and a rumbling noise around midnight places by previous floods. "We need humanremains. which was followed by water flood- to find a way to take better care of By early Saturday, most of the ing the streets. They warned neigh- these Dutch-era dams. Otherwise, water had retreated, but the streets bours by whacking utility poles and there will be more problems like are still covered with mud and cooking pots. this," he said. rubble. Indonesia's search and res- This is not the first time that the President Susilo Bambang Yud- cue agency reported that while 93 city has been flooded as a result of hoyono visited the area on Friday people have died, 102 are still mis- a dam giving way. Two years ago, and pledged to aid families in the sing. As of early Sunday, approxi- more than 40 people were killed reconstruction of their homes. An mately 700 rescue workers, police after rivers ruptured their banks. investigation will also be launched and military personnel were hard Critics argue that widespread over- to determine the official cause of at work searching for the missing. development, inadequate city plan- the broken dam. The latest disaster to hit Indo- ning and blocked drainage canals Dozens of landslides and floods nesia has stirred memories of the were to blame. occur annually in Indonesia as shattering 2004 Indian Ocean tsu- People from the flooded area a result of seasonal downpours. namithat destroyed western coast- are arguing that authorities are Improving the condition of the lines and killed 230,000 people. partly responsible for the damage dams in Indonesia may help to al- The world came together to help because they failed to spot warn- leviate the threat of such occur- tsunami victims and Indonesia ing signs and repair the damaged rences in the future. rebuild. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO According to The New York Times, FLOOD FARMER - An Indonesian man wades through the water. Cecep Rahman - who lost his wife,

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Contact [email protected] Weekly The Cord ■ Wednesday, april i, 2009 Student Life 11 Springing to action in KW Now that the snow has melted, KW has plenty of spring activities for students to do outdoors

ANDREA MATHIESON through the month of April as long CORD STUDENT LIFE as supplies are available. Give back to Waterloo, and organize an Earth Brown grass, hints of flowers and month event ofyour own. longer days can mean only one With spring comes the unfor- thing: spring is here! Put away tunate task of finals. Studying for those boots and mittens and enjoy these can be much more enjoy- the outdoor activities Waterloo has able than winter finals. Most coffee to offer. shops have outdoor "seating once Waterloo Park is beautiful in the nice weather comes. the spring, and is a nice way to re- Barring this, gather a group of unite with nature. Along with lots friends, bring some blankets and of grass, fields and outdoor facili- snacks and find a nice spot on or ties, the park has a display of both off campus to study. Those who are common and unique farm animals, brave enough can even get a start open (and free!) from dawn until on their tan. dusk. Waterloo Park is quieter than Thursday and Saturday are the campus, with lots of grassy areas perfect days to venture to the St. or picnic tables to spread books Jacobs market. Though it is two and papers out. For those who live bus rides away, the fresh fruit and off campus, organize weekly BBQs vegetables, delicious pastries and with friends. They're the perfect friendly people are the perfect way way to get outside, take a study MYLES WILSON to escape the Dining Hall to do break and eat a delicious meal. I SEE LONDON, I SEE FRANCE - A group of students play street hockey in a Laurier parking lot recently. some inexpensive and healthy gro- Get rid of those study blues by cery shopping. working out. Organize group activi- April features Earth Day, and is ties on the fields on campus; skip Waterloo website for information sium has some of the best desserts breakfast at one of the many break- the perfect month to give back to the gym and play a game of soccer, about these trails and other park in town, and a beautiful upstairs fast restaurants in uptown Water- the community of Waterloo. With touch football or rugby on Alumni facilities in fhe area. patio. loo, or enjoy a quick coffee sitting all of the snow having melted, Field. Finally, spring is a time to finally When it begins to get cold, head outside together at Starbucks or

streets and parks are littered with For those who prefer exercising enjoy the dating scene again. Pack inside to the often understated - another cafe.

winter trash. alone, both Waterloo and Kitchen- a romantic picnic for two and head but always fun - Starlight to check As the weather gets nicer, more The City of Waterloo has orga- er have many trails on which torun, to Waterloo Park to take a stroll and out some live music and grab a and more activities are held out- nized a litter clean-up event on bike orrollerblade. enjoy an inexpensive, yet perfect, beer. Even if the night is cool, it is side; check out the City ofWaterloo April 18; there are also opportuni- Check classified ads to buy a dinner. not cold enough to validate taking website as they add more activities, ties to organize a clean-up event used bike, or lace up those run- Head back to uptown Waterloo a taxi home. festivals and concerts for the spring of your own. They will provide gar- ning shoes and explore the nature and stop at a restaurant with a pa- Walk home, and if the date goes and summer months. bage bags, gloves and even prizes in Waterloo. Check out the City of tio to share some dessert; Sympo- well and lasts long enough, enjoy Cramming solutions There's still lots of time to get a headstart on studying successfully for exams

JACLYN STIEF mon mistake students make when studying for exams CORD STUDENT LIFE is they wait until the last minute. "All they do is read their notes," he said. "If they started earlier, they could April is fast approaching, which means only one thing: use study aids and make the information long-term exams! Study rooms will begin to fill to their capacity memory." and bags will be filled to the brim with textbooks still Lisetto-Smith recommends that students start early, in need ofreading. The only questionremaining is: are saying that, for April exams, students should have be- you ready and prepared to ace your exams? gun to study already. It is also important to re-create Students Offering Support (SOS) is a great resource the testing environment so that you can properly pre- if you are a student studying math, economics and/or pare for the types of questions you will receive. Stu- business. For $20, you can go to a review session, called dents are also instructed to focus on what they're hav- Exam-Aid, and be provided with a package you can use ing difficulty with after they have completed a general to help you study afterwards. The money raised goes review, making sure not to re-study the concepts they towards improving the education and life of those in already know. developing countries. SOS volunteers personally see He shares that at the Centre "there is plenty of space, these projects through. so we encourage students to come sooner than later." Students that The Cord spoke with agreed that the Students can make an appointment for one-on-one lessons are helpful and the tutors generally knowledge- time or attend a final review session for courses with

able — depending on who you get. Brian Dunn, third- which they are integrated, which can be found on the year business student, thought it was pretty helpful. "It website. was good that the people teaching it have already taken Paterson advises students to take the time and study it so it gives you a new perspective," said Dunn. for exams, yet she understands it can be difficult when Sara Paterson, executive of public relations for Lau- they have to study for multiple exams at the same time. rier SOS, feels the service is "really good because the She also suggests for students to study together, allow- sessions are really close to the actual exams. It helps ing them to teach each other what they don't know and you to get focused and ask questions about material prove what they do. Paterson finds the most important you don't get." Visit the Laurier SOS website, www.lau- thing she does is to make sure she is well-rested and riersos.com, for more information or to sign up for an confident. exam review session. -IPMPPHM Michael Lisetto-Smith, who works for learning For Jaclyn GRAPHIC BY JULIE MARION AND MATT ENGLISH services and is the co-ordinator of the Study Skills & prepare fo^xamsAvisit{Gor3weel3^ BOOOORING - Resources exist on campus to help students study. com* WEDNESDAY, 1,2009 > THE CORD WEEKLY 12 Student Life APRIL Networking face-off: Twitter vs. Facebook

Social networking websites Twitter and Facebook have garnered the attention of many users, making online communication easier than ever

six LINDA GIVETASH Dybenko referred to as "a scrap- ter. You've also been invited to STAFF WRITER book." Everything about your life events next month, supported a few and the lives ofyour friends is avail- causes, become a zombie and real- decided to up- It's 1:30 in the morning and you're able to be shared. ized your uncle has his status with a glass of wine supposed to be working on an es- "It's the ultimate channel of date in say. Except, instead of working on communication," described Tina hand. Twitter, on the other hand, with the essay that you minimized to the Nguyen, second-year business stu- three dent. "If I need someone's phone far fewer applications, is not nearly task bar on your computer to distracting Facebook. The into one another's day-to-daylives. Twitter is, it doesn't seem have hours ago, you're looking at Fa- number I can look it up.... If I need as as to Twitter is up- However, just as that appears to be completely taken off at WLU yet. cebook. And, if you're really up to to leave a message for someone main component as the Facebook status This could be a result of having technology, you're on that's not pertinent, they'll eventu- dating what you are doing in 140 the same speed with our over- or less. update, tweets are used for com- nothing to post, or simply Twitter as well. ally get to it." characters has a municating far more. consumption of Facebook. Howev- Facebook, launched in 2004, has Facebook is so well-received Launched in 2006, Twitter than Facebook, Dybenko also uses Twitter, like er, one mightventure to say that it's become one of the most popular because it is the perfect social net- far smaller market send- many professionals, to communi- simply a lack of awareness. websites available. The site sur- working tool. It allows you to track with just over 5 million users, a cate "events and shifts in the way "Oh! Is it that thing where you passed the 175 million user mark down your best friend from kinder- ing about 3 million "tweets" day. a three- people are thinking." write 'I just ate breakfast' or some- this past February, a number which garten, or the friends you made in "You really get very view of ex- High-profile individuals, from thing?" asked Mark Talevski, sec- includes over 17,000 people with- class last week. dimentional people," Dybenko, who enjoys United States President Barack ond-year English major and non- in the Wilfrid Laurier University The downside to Facebook: it's plained instant Obama to environmentalist David tweeter. network. now 3 in the morning and your the personal aspect of the Suzuki, utilize Twitter to update Facebook and Twitter offer very The endless applications on Fa- essay is still not done. You communication. for people any followers on ideas and events different services, so there isn't a cebook are what make the website do, however, have a Allowing update surrounding their work. Celebri- great deal of competition and you so useful. Not only can you com- good idea of what to ties, such as rapper 50 Cent, have don't have to choose one over the municate in public and private your old friends posts via cell also taken advantage of the tool to other. With a Twitter application forums, you can also post from high school phone or gain greater access to their fans. now available on Facebook as well, pictures, cre- ate events have been up to this News organizations, journal- it's likely that the gap in popular- and groups, sup- port past semes ists and citizen journalists also use ity between the two will slowly be causes and become Twitter to communicate news as bridged. a fan of anything you it happens. The majority of news As our need for communication want. such as Toronto's and procrastination are both well Essentially, Facebook organizations, CP24, provide headlines and links taken care of for the moment, all is yourlife online, or what to theirwebsites for the full story. that's left is to wait and see what the Dean of Business Ginny computer, Twitter helps people get a very in-depth look As innovative and informative as next dot-com craze will be.

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO HOBNOBBING - Henderson was one of two ACE winners in Ontario. wK

Laurier student Tom Henderson succeeds at entrepreneurship and wins awards along the way

NATALIE DIAS every intention of expanding his CORD STUDENT LIFE business beyond that. It's been a good year for Tom, Tom Henderson is a fourth-year who was entered in the ACE Stu- Laurier student in the Bachelor of dent Entrepreneurship Competi- Business Administration program tion by Steve Farlow, the executive — and he's quickly becoming a director of the Schlegel Centre for well-known young entrepreneur in Entrepreneurship. Canada. Henderson was one of two win- In 2003, Henderson started Exte- ners from Ontario who went on to rior Maintenance Pros because he compete in the Central Regional wanted independence, and to do Championship, where he was something he enjoyed. The busi- again one of two winners from cen- ness grew out of the same ambi- tral Canada. He will be competing tions that had led a 13-year-old against five others in the national championship this coming May in To- Involved in the Schlegel Student ronto, with an eye Business Operators' Association on the $10,000 cash prize. AND MANY INTRAMURAL SPORTS, While this has all [Henderson] is active in student been happening, LIFE JUST AS MUCH AS IN ACADEMICS Henderson has been working hard AND HIS OWN BUSINESS. at Laurier. Involved WarholsFactory2oo9.ca in the Schlegel F tO King Street West, Kitchener Student Business Tom to cut grass for his neighbours Operators' Association and many Laurier, Henderson was happy a to business and carrying his school He admitted that he may want during the summer for cash. intramural sports, he is active in admit that so far Laurier has been, responsibilities, especially since to pursue a Master's one day, but However, Henderson didn't stop student life just as much as in aca- "The best experience of life. I'm and my both ProScape Exterior Main- before that, he has the same plans there. In late 2007, he started a sec- demics and his own business. so glad I came here." Speaking of tenance Pros operate in Oakville many grads do. When he graduates ond business, Scape Land De- Henderson has been Pro playing his program, he said it is "tough, and the surrounding areas. this coming April, he'll be working sign & Construction. sports and taking on responsibil- but I enjoy it." As hard as it's been, Henderson again since his businesses operate Focused on outdoor since was He creating liv- ity he captain of his high continuously mentioned how was enthusiastic about his busi- from April to early November. ing spaces for private homeowners, school baseball and football teams, the people in great and school, gen- ness, admitting that he loves to Eventually, he says, plans for he handles a variety of tasks and and he tries to continue that role- eral, have been. That doesn't mean work outside with his hands and travel and relaxation will come projects, all of which skill model behaviour as a Laurier stu- he hasn't had has require his share of pitfalls. developed a lot of practical and down the line. For now, it's busi- and hard work. Currently employ- dent now. He also described how stress- soft skills thanks to both Laurier ness time. ing eight full-time workers, he has Describing his experiences at ful and difficult it's been running and operating a business. 14.FEATURE WEDNESDAY APRIL 1, 2009 • THE CORD WEEKLY THEO

In lieu of the trickery of April Fool's Day, The Cord turns to culture to in·

KARl PRITCHARD consumerism. ofthe Youth Media Literacy Project in Toronto Carly ample, through FEATURES EDITOR "We felt that we the people weren't really in con­ Stasko. "I think that when people combine art and tisement, "you' trol of our own culture anymore;' said Kalle Lasn, activism to think critically about consumerism, it's not going to It's April Fool's Day and you're looking to play the editor-in-chief of Adbusters magazine. "More and there is something new happening there:' intended;' said perfect prank; but not just the perfect prank: a joke more our culture was being spoon-fed to us top­ Herbert Pimlott, associate professor of communi­ The last mea that doesn't only trick a friend or stranger but might down by various advertising agencies and various cation studies and the director of the Master of Arts sweet preserve1 actually inspire change. Why not try culture jam­ media powerhouses and somehow something in­ in Cultural Analysis and Social Theory program at nice thing ab01 ming? With a little bit of daring creativity, you'll credibly valuable [was] being lost in this inability Laurier, defined culture jamming as "a form of free creating new ct be whipping up a scheme that puts the ol' shaving to generate our own cool, generate our own culture speech for citizens that don't have access to the and funny and cream in the middle of an Oreo joke to shame. from the bottom up:' wealth and resources of international corporations;' In an attempt to gain back control of our own offering citizens "a chance to use a system which al­ culture, people began to combine art and activism legedly gives us all free speech:' Step two: fi11 Step one: defining the term to subvert and challenge corporate or commercial "There's a tradition out there of working against Although cultu Alright, so you might be creative and mildly daring, messages, eventually expanding into questioning what we're told to believe, what we're told to think;' large as decons but let's not get ahead of ourselves. other hegemonic ideologies. continued Pimlott, "which I think is a fairly human many other pi] A few decades ago, a movement named culture Culture jamming "isn't a particularly new thing reaction:' be challenged i jamming was launched as a reaction to the idea that because people have always been conjoining art and When it comes to jamming, Stasko suggests con­ "There's a lo1 our culture was becoming more and more about activism together in different ways;' said "Media Ti­ sidering the three meanings of the word jam. First, not actually bn gress" and jamming means to improvise because you "have to but you're scar! founder work with things that aren't ofyour own making;' ex­ stickers or ever plained Stasko, whether that is defacing a billboard marker to alter or even questioning a standard belief system. the wrong way. Jam can also be considered as If you're fe jamming machinery. For ex- acting on for sl performance, o streets;' comb ~ and political ! play:' Doyouliket porate humor i Brigade who pi in the face? As that, "You can' I your face:' Still cruising vert one of yot parodies on n newspaper OW! boxes;' sugges culture in a no1 These ideas : waters of Lasn who lives "the "I'm consta launching vari various print Lasn. And don't gl ogy. Whenitc and his team tions, turni to insp

GRAPHIC BY JULIE MARI ON THE CORD WEEKLY • WEDNESDAY APRIL 1, 2009 fEATURE.1s

Jrns to culture to investigate creative ways of raising consciousness

mto early ample, through changing the message of an adver­ movement or it can be part of a larger change;' said Such jam ideas are easy to carry out with Photoshop le art and tisement, "you're interrupting the machinery there, Stasko, putting a spin on a critique. or similar programs. umerism, it's not going to work the same way it was originally Although culture jamming aims to attack corpo­ "That juxtaposition creates a dissonance and that intended;' said Stasko. rations, Stasko reasons that it's also important to dissonance draws our attention to the constructed ommuni­ The last meaning of jam is of the food variety, "a remember "sometimes it just gives more attention aspect of the image;' continued Pimlott. ter of Arts sweet preserve;' described Stasko. "I think that the to the corporations that are being criticized:' It's Lasn says that culture jamming is applicable even nice thing about culture jamming is that it is also always best to consider the value behind an action in the classroom, remembering when universities ~~~f~:: creating new culture; it's creating something playful when aiming for criticism. were "the places where revolutions began:' When jss to the and funny and sweet:' Corporations can also adopt the use of culture something in society was wrong, universities were !orations;' jamming for their own benefit. the places that would "explode with discontent ... which al- Pimlott wonders whether "culture jamming just the places where the really new ideas start bubbling Step two: finding your fit becomes so widespread that it becomes incorpor­ up:' tg against Although culture jamming may be known by and ated back into the system of advertising;' suggesting With these thoughts in mind, Lasn pushes busi­ to think;' large as deconstructing or changing advertisements, viral marketing and guerrilla ads as techniques ness and economics students to question our new yhuman many other problematic dominant ideologies can adopted to sell goods and services back to the class of economics: "How does it measure progress? be challenged in different ways. people. How does it account for this time bubble that recent­ gests con­ "There's a lot of ways to push the boundaries but Pimlott also advised that culture jamming ads ly burst? How does it account for climate change?" jam. First, not actually break the law if you want to get involved must "be seamless so it looks like a commercial, but Lasn further encourages these students to start ~ "have to but you're scared;' said Stasko, suggesting the use of it's got to be different enough that it breaks through asking these "uncomfortable questions and putting Ioong;' ex­ stickers or even something as simple as a big black the ad clutter that we come to understand what it's their professors on the spot and getting their profes­ billboard marker to alter advertisements or ideas that rub you critiquing:' sors to come clean about how defunct their new­ I f system. the wrong way. While still supporting culture jamming, Global classical paradigm actually is:' idered as If you're feeling especially creative, why not try Studies and Communications Professor Alex Levant 1 • For ex- acting on for size? Stasko got into the idea of "street takes a critical look at consumer politics and their performance, doing political theatre and stuff in the limits. Step five: putting the pieces together streets;' combining the elements of "improvization "The limit that I see in culture jamming is that With these five steps, you can be well on your way to and political subversions, but then also creative it's ultimately a consumer-type politics and I think becoming a successful and p6t~ntially inspirational play:' there's a limit to consumer politics. I think they're culture jammer. Soon enough, you'll be celebrating Do you like to make people laugh? Why not incor­ worthwhile but I really don't think that's where our April Fool's all year round, mastering the art of the porate humor into your jams like the Bionic Baking power lies;' said Levant. jam. Brigade who pie politicians and government leaders "If you think that the problems with what's going After all, as Pimlott suggests, "If culture is some­ in the face? As Pimlott described, this group argues on today are systematic, are produced by the system thing that belongs to you and I and if advertising is that, "You can't be taken seriously if you've got pie in itself, as I do, not just by bad policies or bad people our culture, then culture jamming is just our ability your face:' or things like that ... then the only way to get to that to engage in producing culture, which is every per­ Still cruising down the vein of humor, why not sub­ route is producer politics, not through consumer son's right in any society:' vert one of your most disliked newspapers? "Make politics:' Yet, cynicism and naivete can never go overlooked parodies on news coverage we get from dominant Lasn turns to the interpretations and etymology orforgotten. If you are one of those not entirely con­ newspaper owners and put [them] in the newspaper of culture jamming itself to investigate the move­ vinced of the importance of public consciousness­ boxes;' suggested Pimlott, providing a way to jam ment's negative aspects. raising, Kalle Lasn leaves you with some insightful . culture in a non-destructive way. "At the base of culture jamming there's a kind of thoughts: "My questions to the students at Wilfrid These ideas still don't float your boat? Test out the a negative connotation;' said Lasn, suggesting that Laurier are: What the hell are you doing? Do you waters of Lasn's culture jamming approach, a man in the upcoming years we must start thinking about know what's going on in this world, or are you just who lives "the life of a strategist:' the aims of culture jamming, "The positive side of twittering around?" ''I'm constantly thinking up strategic ideas for jamming a culture instead of just jamming a culture, launching various campaigns and coming up with com[ing] up with big, new ideas that could be the various print spoof ads or Internet viruses;' said paradigms of the future:' Lasn. And don't go forgetting our good friend technol- Professional ogy. When it comes to the Adbusters website, Lasn Step four: how to get involved and his team have plans of inspirational propor- "If people just want to get started, look at the com­ .... • 1>;1 tions, turning it into more of "an activist game" mercial or corporate or military, whatever messages /t(, to inspire real-world culture jamming. they see around them that don't fit well with them;' Jammers K'/'}-; "" Jr,) said Stasko, and advised would-be culture jammers ~1111/j. to "think about how to play with the messages that - The Billboard Liberation Front (/fr Step three: under­ are being said as a way to expose the underlying ~)'-1/, ) standing the message:' -The Yes Men 1(~7 critiques Stasko also advises that, if you're considering It's time to realize the damaging property or breaking the law, you should - The Bionic Baking Brigade flaws of the culture jam­ consider how to make sure not to get caught and "to ming before getting too car­ be sure about what your intention is and what your - Reverend Billy and the Church of ried away, while also help­ message is and if it would be the type of thing you ing you become a stronger would be willing to defend if you did get caught:' Stop Shopping jammer. It's also worthwhile to find others who share simi­ One of the biggest cri­ lar views to help support and inspire one another, as - Ron English tiques of culture jamming is Stasko recalls meeting a mountain climber through how much of a difference or a group called the Media Collective, who taught - Banksy real change it actually brings them how to climb up onto billboards. about. "I would say that culture "A very effective technique is juxtaposition using jamming alone isn't going to photomontage. That's where you take two elements bring about major social revela- that are completely usually unrelated and one helps tions but it's part of a larger to show a contrast between the two;' said Pimlott. 16 Sports WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1,2009 > THE CORD WEEKLY Sporting moments ofthe year 1. Olympics 2. Team Canada 3. Superbowl From Jordan Eberle's game-tying goal with five seconds left Last year's Superbowl was a tough For some athletes, the 2008 summer Olympic games were in the semi-final against Russia, to the incredible New Year's act to follow, but this year's contest heartbreaking, but for these next three athletes they proved to Eve game against the United States, Team Canada certainly featuring the Arizona Cardinals be record-breaking. Usain Bolt blew into history after breaking made the 2009 World Juniors a tournament to remember. and Pittsburgh Steelers was one his own world record in the 100 m sprint, crossing the line in Everyone remembers Eberle's goal and phenomenon John to remember. The game featured a just 9.69 seconds. He then hit the track in the 200 m race and Tavares leading Canada's comeback against the US. Cardinals squad who, according to broke another long-standing record, crossing the line first in But there were also stories like forward Angelo Esposito some critics, was the worst team to 19.30 seconds. He finished off his sweep by running the third finally making the team on his fourth attempt, the shoot- make the playoffs. leg of the 4xloom relay in which his Jamaican team took the out victory propelling them to the gold-medal game, the Besides the magnitude of the gold. Through it all, he barely looked winded. attendance and TV records that were broken by the Ottawa- game itself, there were several While the trackrecords were being reset, American swimmer based tournament and of course Tavares himself. headlines that generated even Michael Phelps was dominating in the pool. He made waves by In what will most likelybe his final World Juniors, 18-year- more buzz. Before the season even setting the new single-Olympic record by winning eight gold old superstar Tavares didn't disappoint. On his way to win- began, current Arizona Head Coach medals in his eight events, and setting four world records in five ning MVP honours, he led all players in scoring for the ma- Ken Wisenhunt was the leading of his individual swims. jorityof the tournament, only being passed in the gold med- candidate for the vacant Pittsburgh In addition to new race records being broken, equestrian Eric al game by teammate Cody Hodgson, silencing any critics Steelers Head Coaching position, Lamaze and his fabulous mount Hickstead, set one oftheir own. who questioned his status as the number-one pick in the '09 but was passed over for Mike Tom- Returning from years of controversy in the two previous sum- draft. lin. With a bit of a chip on his shoul- mer games, Lamaze became the first Canadian show jumper to In the end, this all culminated in Canada winning its fifth der, Wisenhunt and his seasoned, win a gold medal, adding that win to his Team Canada silver. straight gold medal at the tournament, dominating in an yet rejuvenated, quarterback Kurt even more exciting fashion than in previous years. Warner had a remarkable run that - Andrea Millet saw them lose an exciting game to

- Justin Fauteux the Steelers 27-23.

- Chris Baluschak 4. Euro 2008 5. Tiger Woods-US Open 2008 The 2008 European Football Championships, hosted by Austria and Switzerland, was one for the ages. Racked Rocco Mediate wasn't Tiger Woods' only opponent at the 2008 US Open at Torrey with injuries and suspensions, Turkey made it all the Pines on June 15. Woods was also battling knee trouble that apparently was as bad as way to the semi-finals, knocking off Switzerland, the he made the world believe it was. A torn ACL and double stress fracture to the tibia Czech Republic and Croatia in successive comeback apparently can make a grown man hurt. wins. Down one stroke on the 72nd hole to the for-

The Netherlands dominated the so-called "Group gotten, 45-year-old Rocco Mediate - who looked to

of Death" in the round-robin, pounding France and write his own improbable story - Woods did what he Italy before being upset in the quarter-finals by a always does, and came up big. A 12-foot putt stared Russian side that almost did not qualify for the tour- Woods in the face. Make it and he would send the US nament in the first place. Open to an 18-hole playoff the next day. England - the arguable heart of world football Was there really any doubt? - did not even qualify for the event after losing to After 18 holes of tied playoff golf, Woods finally at th Croatia Wembley in their last game of the quali- got the best of Mediate on the 19 . What Woods did, fication round. The Spaniards, led by Valencia's star playing on one leg, was remarkable and will go down striker David Villa and arguably the best forward in as one of the greatest and gutsiest individual per-

- the world Fernando Torres - were breathtaking formances in sports history. Sure the wincing and winning six games in a row by an incredible tally of moaning was sickening to watch, but the truth of the 11 goals for and only 3 against while capturing the matter is, only Tiger Woods could have pulled that off

championship over the Germans, their first in 40 — and somehow he did. years.

- Trevor Schiedel - Jamie Neugebauer Weekiy The Cord ■ Wednesday, april 1,2009 SPORTS. 17

Cord Sports compiles the top ten moments in sport that stood out from the rest over the past year 6. Tampa Bay Rays

It's safe to say that over their first ten years in the 7. Roberto Luongo named captain league, there was no bigger joke in baseball than the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. They finished last in their divi- sion nine times. They finished with the worst record Having a goaltender wear a "C" for the first time in over 60 years is definitely an accomplishment wor- in the entire league four times. They had three sea- thy of our top ten. Playing between the posts for his third season in Vancouver, Roberto Luongo defied sons of 100 or more losses, never posting more than the rules of the NHL and was awarded a deserving captain's position. 70 wins. Although he is forbidden to wear the traditional stitched C on his jersey, he proudly sports his title But in the summer and fall of2008, the Tampa Bay on thefront ofhis goal helmet. The Quebec native has a solid .918 save percentage this season, and has Rays (they dropped "Devil" from their name prior to earned seven shut-outs so far, leading his team into the playoff race. The Canucks are currently fifth in the season) shocked the world of baseball. First, they the Western Conference, and ninth overall, undoubtedly influenced by their passionate and commit- came out of nowhere to win the American League ted leader. East, a division that's been dominated by the New

York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox since the mid- - Tieja MacLaughlin '9os. When October rolled around, critics said this young team would collapse in the playoffs, but the Rays simply kept on winning. They swept the Chi- cago White Sox and beat the Red Sox in seven games on their way to the World Series. While they couldn't 8. Alexei Cherepanov

complete this Disney movie of a season - losing to

the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series - the '08 On October 13, 2008 hockey star Alexei Cherepanov passed away after collapsing Rays will always be remembered for this incredible on the bench during a Russian Elite game. Doctors and league sources state it was turnaround. caused by a heart disease known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Cherepanov was believed to be the next Russian superstar after he had more points than current stars

- Justin Fauteux Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Ovechkin and Ilya Kovalchuk did at his age. He also holds the record for the most goals scored in a Russian league season by a rookie, surpassing Pavel Bure for that honour. In 2007, the NewYork Rangers selected him 17th overall in the NHL Entry Draft and many speculators expect that he would 9. Sri Lankan cricket team attacked have gone higher had there been a formal transfer agreement in place between the NHL and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation. Cherepanov passed away while playing for Avangard Omsk in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League while on a line with On March 3, a group of masked gunmen opened fire on a bus carrying the Sri Lankan former NHL great Jaromir Jagr. cricket team. The team was on its way to a match in the Pakistani city ofLahore. It was re- ported that the attack lasted around 25 minutes and resulted in the death of two civilians - Jamie Neugebauer and six police officials, who were guarding the bus. Seven members of the team were also injured, as well as a British assistant coach. The attack shook the world of cricket, and left many players wondering if participating in trav- elling tournaments and games was worth the risk. Consequently, the security involved in transporting these teams and players has also changed, with the authority of choosing to travel now largely in the players' hands rather than the national cricket boards. Pak- istani cricket was already facing serious security concerns before the at- 10. RBS Six Nations Rugby 2009 tack; unfortunately, these issues were not addressed until recentiy. The attack was a reminder that despite the feverish following of cricket, it is The RBS Six Nations Tournament from February to March of this year saw a storied simply a game, and no game is worth risking your life. battle of European rugby. The six squads included England, Ireland, Wales, France, Italy and Scodand.

- Sam Riches Though Wales, France and England traditionally dominate the tournament, Ireland put on an impressive performance and went undefeated amongst some of the world's best rugby programs. With this tide under the country's belt, Irish rugby is beginning to make a name for itself in the world of sport.

- ChrisBaluschak 18 . Sports And then there were four...

but Coach Tom Izzo has managed teams for big matchups. However, point range. With defence covered, plethora of talent to the hardwood to hold this Michigan State team to- head-to-head, player-for-player, it will be Villanova's ability to score and will prove to be a very exciting gether and get them to where they UConn does have the more tal- that will dictate their success in this matchup. Hansbrough and Thabeet team a CHRIS are today. ented team and the home-state game. They are a very quick will endure battle of strength and BALUSCHAK Spartans forward Goran Suton advantage could simply be added and it will be interesting to see how athleticism; however, Hansbrough STAFF WRITER and UConn centre Hashim Thabeet pressure for Michigan. the dominant UNC team will be has better all-around game and the will be an interesting matchup that able to handle their speed. advantage with a superior outside Michigan State vs. University of dictate how this game goes. Both Villanova vs. University of North As far as the backcourt goes, UNC shot. Connecticut (UConn) will outstanding defenders, Suton Carolina (UNC) is bigger, more athletic and more Next to Oklahoma's Blake Grif- For the first time since 1988, the is more known for his long-distance Villanova has been one of the big- talented. North Carolina has been a fin, Lawson.is the best player in this Michigan State Spartans will get shooting and may draw Thabeet gest surprises of the tournament great team with Tyler Hansbrough, year's tournament. His ability to to experience a "home-state" ad- out of the low-post, neutralizing his and is now probably the hottest of but with Ty Lawson in the lineup battle through injury and still per- vantage, as the Final Four will be presence there. the four remaining teams. How- they are indeed an elite team. With form at the exceptional level that held in Detroit. The Spartans Will Huskies guard AJ Price has the ever, one problem stands in their UNC having the advantage in the has been asked of him solidifies his be looking to pull off another up- advantage in the backcourt due to way: the UNC Tar Heels, who have low-post and on the rebounds, place in the final game as the big- set and ride the emotional wave his ability to handle the ball and looked unstoppable thus far. this game may come down to who gest threat. after their victory over Louisville deal with high-pressure situations. Villanova's defence has been re- shoots better from the perimeter. The combination of Hansbrough last week. They are a very talented This game features two of the best markable in their last three games and Lawson as well as the deep Tar team who had been riddled with coaches, who have the innate abil- but they have not been shooting the FINAL: UNC vs. UConn Heel's bench will prove too much injuries during the regular season, ity to motivate and prepare their ball well, particularly from three- UConn and UNC both bring a for this year's Huskies squad.

Sharks vs. Wings: A battlefor top spot The underdog San Jose Sharks are in a race against the Detroit Red Wings for their first ever Western Conference championship

been fairly surprising this year, with many with. Then we can look at Detroit; sadly, back- unexpected teams making their way through. San Jose has been slowly building a win- up goaltender Ty Conklin holds a better re- The biggest fairy tale story, though, would ning team over the years, and shown what it cord than starting goalie Chris Osgood with a TIEJA have to be none other than the San Jose takes to make a name for themselves in the considerably lower .884 save percentage and MACLAUGHLIN Sharks. league. a slew of forwards performing, well, just the STAFF WRITER This underdog team has given the righ- Everyone has come to expect Detroit to be same as they do everyyear — average. teous Red Wings a real run for their money, the humble, quiet and under-spoken power- Detroit's mediocre and unexciting team April is an exciting time for NHLfans — we're with the two teams currently battling it out house, but it seems that San Jose is taking a has lost its lustre, making San Jose an easy- in the heat of the playoff run with 16 teams for the Western Conference title. well-deserved allowance of the spotlight. to-root-for underdog. pushing for those 8 final slots in the battle to- The Sharks have actually never won a con- Rob Blake and Dan Boyle are undoubtedly The Sharks are four points ahead of and wards the Cup. ference championship or a Stanley Cup in the two of the best defensive players. one game up on Detroit. San Jose, Detroit, Boston, Washington and team's history, compared to the Red Wings' Goaltender Evgeni Nabokov has a .912 Six more games Will reveal the President's their New Jersey have all secured place in 11 Cups and 5 conferences. save percentage, six shut-outs, and 2.41 goals Trophy winner, and my money's on San Jose. the playoffs, leaving only three spots up for And even with nine key players~in and out against; and Joe Thorton and Patrick Marleau grabs. of the roster due to injury, the Sharks have are top forwards with over 70 goals each this The Western Conference contenders have proven that they're a force to be reckoned season. The Cord Weekly - Wednesday, april i, 2009 Sports 19

LAURIER ATHLETICS

CURLIN' CHAMPS - The women's curling team celebrates their victory.

Women win : national title

- FROM CURLING, COVER tions enough times now to know we just need to survive the round- "They are still a fantastic team.... robin ... before we really start to Looking for f and cl6Bflllfl®BBi Our team knows how to hold onto play,to our full potential," said sec- tm, comfort, a lead, so once Manitoba got down ond Laura Hickey. to us, they were in trouble," com- "We knew that we were the team mented third Danielle Inglis. with the bull's eye on our backs ... While all-Canadian skip Strath but [that] actually gave us the ex- Your search is over. was able to jump out to an early tra pressure to perform to our best lead in last year's final, this time the abilities," said lead McDermott. Five-minute walk to the Laurier campus Hawks went up big and early. With The final was a back-and-forth Lower than market fees the hammer in the second end, struggle where neither team al- Professional cleaning services Strath was facing five WLU rocks, lowed more than two to be scored social events but her shooter rolled out of the in any end. A four-end stretch from Incredible « and maintenance rings for a steal offour for Laurier. the third to the sixth was the key for Onsite laundry the Hawks, scor- "We knew we were the team with ing two in the third And best of all, we are owned and operated by YOU. and then garner- give you more of what you want? THE BULL's EYE ON OUR BACKS ... BUT Who else can ing single steals in [that] actually gave us the extra the fifth and sixth. Blanking the fourth PRESSURE TO PERFORM TO OUR BEST put Rhyno in a hole " ABILITIES." ' i ' Applications are accepted year-round that she couldn't with seniority deadlines as follows: climb out of.

- Hilary McDermott, Hawks curling With Laurier holding a 5-4 lead Hilary McDermott knew the lead going into the tenth, Inglis, who was all they needed. "We played curled at an astounding 95 percent the rest of the game fairly conser- throughout the final, stepped into s *■* vatively in order to assure that we the hack facing a crowded house. Contact us today for more information. IP* 11 11 wouldn't get in any situations that A St. Mary's shooter was tucked Ml 1 Web: www.wcri.coop Je would bring multiple points into behind two guards, and Inglis £& ■■ the picture for Manitoba." made a terrific double peel which Email: [email protected] "They didn't play as well as they managedto kill both guards and St. did last year and we didn't give Mary's shot stone, pushing it from them many chances," concluded the four-foot to the twelve-foot. Hawks skip Hollie Nicol. With an open house and Rhyno of the Going into the final against the sitting one rock on the back that Huskies, the Hawks had been play- button, Nicol drew on top of ing better as the tournament pro- rock for a single, thus claiming the WCRI: A Whole New Way to Live Together! gressed, something the team has national championship. rest history," conclud- "And the is ).» ') ) / - > / ) > to. - J | Ji i J f'i'i JJJI»x* i'< i• I j/» grown accustomed ~, 112 )rj » y j < i'c • , v :*r "We've been in these dire situa- ed Inglis. 20 Opinion WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1,2009 . THE CORD WEEKLY Student input was needed on renewed levy

As our elected representatives, the be said about the Dining Hall levy. students' union rightly has the abil- WLUSU spends a great deal of ity and the responsibility to make time working with other groups to arrangements on behalf of the stu- come to agreements such as the dent body. Dining Hall levy, and often in doing

Sometimes - like this week, so neglects to determine whether when the union secured student or not the student body actually bus passes for the summer months supports the outcomes.

- WLUSU's ability to make closed- Had it done so this time around, door business deals can be highly WLUSU may have found that the beneficial. Dining Hall is not a priority for stu- The Anion's work in getting On- dent concern. The Dining Hall is eCards to serve as bus passes all stillrelatively new, and any funding year long is a perfect example of its towards renovations would perhaps capacity to work for students' best be better allocated towards dilapi- interests. dated residences and classrooms. However, the closed-door nego- WLUSU may have also found that tiations that WLUSU often engages students no longer want to be asked in are not always so universally to fund capital projects for the uni- positive for students. The recent versity. The economic downturn is deal with Food Services to continue certainly affecting the institution, the five percent Dining Hall levy is but let us not forget that it is affect- one of these instances. ing students as well. While the bus pass extension had The certainty of either of these been lobbied for by students in the statements cannot be known; how- past and is beneficial for nearly ev- ever, nobody bothered to ask. ery student, (even those not living The union must realize thatthere in Waterloo in the summer only is a line to be drawn between mak- need to ride the bus a few times ing deals on behalf of students and over the summer months to justify making deals in lieu of them. the extra expense) the same cannot GRAPHIC BY MATT ENGLISH Globalfood crisis more Our methods of "picking pertinent than economy up" are demeaning In the face of a plummeting global economy, it can be hard to see beyond the impending difficulties of our daily lives. However, it is our duty as students of an academic institutionto have an understanding ofwhat is going on in the world. Perhaps we should realize Julie Marion is disgusted by the behaviour of some men at local bars that a faltering Canadian economy is not the highest point of concern.

- The global food crisis - the ongoing increase in cost for basic foods Why, you ask? Because we were the dance floor with that stance is escalating rapidly and threatens many more lives than our domestic being grabbed by every guy there that they always have while they woes. for a dance or a talk, despite being stare at you, trying to be sexy. Granted, it can be nearly impossible to see beyond the headlines. When totally uninterested. It was brutal. I felt like their prey, and it was the front pages ofnewspapers are constandy covered byplummeting stock I fully understand that this is certainly disturbing when they JULIE MARION markets, it is easy to forget about decreasing stocks of food in underdevel- GRAPHICS EDITOR something that can happen when all starting moving in for us, one oped countries. you go out, but there's got to be a at a time. They waited for girls But we have an obligation to, at the very least, be conscious of this issue. Nights out on the town usually limit. that would be either vulnerable While the current economic crisis will no doubt lower our standard of liv- involve friends, drinking, dancing There's a difference between enough to fall for their tactics or ing, the damage it will cause is incomparable to the potential mass starva- and, sometimes, "picking up." subde and blunt and a line that those just willing. tionthat food shortages could incur. We've all been there at some you can cross before you've al- Either way, it was a sausage fest Solutions to world crises are often sought at universities. In the coming point, at a bar sniping out hotties ready weirded me out. by the end and something that we

months, there will be great appeal to us - especially those in the econom- that catch our eye and then it's Some of the tactics that both were unwilling to put up with.

ics department - to think ofways to overcome the economic crisis. game on. sexes use to pick up sometimes It seems unfair that two girls Perhaps the correctresponse is torefuse. As a student body, we have the Do you approach, buy them a can certainly be outright offen- would be forced to leave by the ability to determine which problems most urgendy need solutions. drink, talk or dance? Sometimes sive. Did I ask you to grind up guys there choosing these aw- you go out with no care or in- behind me like a dirty animal? I ful and disrespecting tactics. Not tention to be a part of the dating think not. smooth at all. These unsigned editorials were agreed upon by at least two-thirds ofThe scene and just want to have a good Did Iwant you to whisper things Being a woman, I speak on be- Cord's editorial board and do not necessarily reflect the views ofThe Cord's time with your friends, but there in my ear with your beer breath? half of those who get offended by volunteers, staffor WLUSP. are times that you want to find Not at all. guys' behaviour at the bar,* but do someone. Or worse, why did you just grab understand that women can be- Having been a single girl at one my ass? Wait, it was my fault be- have just as badly. The Cord Weekly point in my life, I can say that I've cause I wore a short skirt or tight In my opinion, a guy has noright been there, but from with Editorial Board 2008-2009 being pants, right? Well, I'm sorry that I to grab, touch or grind up behind someone for the past couple of dressed for the occasion. me when he does not know me. Editor-ln-Chlef Special Projects Editor Graphics Editor Alex Hayter Laura Carlson Julie Marion years, I do not go to a bar to pick These tactics to "pick up" re- Completely out of line. And the [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] - up. pulse me. Had a guy tried in- same can applied to women. (519) 884-0710 ext. 3563 to be Features Editor Web Editor I have the wonderful opportu- troduce himself, buy me a drink Sometimes we are there to hang News Editors Kari Pritchard Dan Polischuk Jeremy Tremblay [email protected] [email protected] nity to witness the whole scene or ask me to dance I would not out with our girlfriends, certainly [email protected] from an outsider's point of view. have been as offended, but I think not have spent the Student Life Editor Photography Managers those who Rebecca Vasluianu Michelle Caldaroni Ryan Stewart Having recently gone to 140 that we have lost all class when night disrespecting us. This past [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (519) 884 0710 ext. 3564 West, I noticed picking up at its it comes to trying to hook up at a Friday night shed some light on Arts & Entertainment Editor Laura Tomkins worst. Showing up at 1:30 a.m. af- bar. "picking as had not been a Sports Editor Daniel Joseph [email protected] up" I Lauren Millet [email protected] ter the ridiculous line had disap- The problem with the scenario part of this game for a while. [email protected] Print Production Manager was Opinion Editor Sydney Helland peared the worst decision I at 140 West that Friday was that My conclusion? Sharpen your International Editor Dave Shore [email protected] have made in a long time. people were trickling out as it was for Heather MacDonald [email protected] game boys; it's not working [email protected] I had gone with my friend in or- getting late, leaving my friend and you. der to end our night dancing and I surrounded by guys. is Laurier The Cord Weekly published byWilfrid University Student Publications. certainly not to pick up. After less Then came the Contact: Greg Sacks, 75 University Ave. W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5 all-too-familiar than an hour, we left. scene where boys stand around [email protected] Weekly The Cord ■ Wednesday, april i, 2009 Opinion 21 One-day campaigns aren't enough

Jon Rivard proposes a weekly environmental initiative on campus in lieu of annual one-day events such as Earth Hour

urging political leaders to focus on water consumption by showering environmental initiatives. less frequently or for a shorter time Before writing this article, I seems like a natural component of thought Earth Hour was as much the student lifestyle. JONATHAN RIVARD an act of energy conservation as Turning our lights and comput- FROM THE SOAPBOX it was symbolism, and I had even ers off at night is crucial and easy participated in previous years. enough to do. Using your bus pass In the wake of two annual environ- Earth Hour views climate change or cycling to school instead of driv- mental initiatives - Earth Hour and as a largely political issue, and the ing greatly reduces pollution, and World Water Day - I'm beginning symbolism of the light switch vote using reusable bottles and Tupper- to wonder if these one-day events is a powerful tool to sway political ware containers for food keeps our are succeeding in their intended action. Nowhere in its campaign waste to a minimum. purposes. Both campaigns create does it discuss the attempt to re- If we all made an effort to con- awareness for important environ- duce energy consumption, but serve one day a week, a real envi- mental issues, but people don't this is the next step that we need to ronmental impact could be seen. seem inspired enough to move be- take. Even more significantly, we would yond the single day of environmen- When it comes to being environ- get used to the idea of conserva- tal activism. mentally conscious, most of us sit tion and probably feel comfortable World Water Day is a UN initia- on our hands and don't make the practicing it throughout the week tive that brings to light global water effort. as well. issues like sanitation and availabil- It's safe for many to join theparty As students, I think meeting these ity; some choose to lessen their wa- and turn their lights off for an hour, objectives is a matter of changing ter use that day. but recycling, composting, eating our routines at Laurier, and if the Earth Hour is a global effort to locally, reducing consumption and entire student body participates a reduce energy consumption and water and energy conservation still sense of solidarity is created. bring attention to environmental seem like foreign and unrealistic For many, environmental activ- activism by getting participants to actions. Radical action is exactly ism is difficult because it's still so turn off their lights for one hour. what's needed here if we expect to radical. Why is it radical? Because These annual environmental see a change. not many people do it. If we make campaigns serve two purposes. A single hour per year may a conservation effort as a commu- First, theyre-inform and re-inspire help create awareness, but it's not nity, it would be a little easier for already active participants, and enough to change our culture of those who are new to the idea. second, they inform people who waste and over-consumption. If The Laurier campus is small are unaware and challenge them students rallied and promoted enough that changing its culture is to start participating. But in focus- consistent energy conservation on arealistic goal. Since these one-day ing environmental awareness into campus we could change our local campaigns are working to create

a single day or worse - an hour - it culture. international change through po- can absolve people from conserv- In addition to observing World litical channels, it makes sense that ing energy for the rest of the year. Water Day and Earth Hour each we begin our own local effort and However, unlike World Water year, why don't we resolve to lessen work from the ground up. Day, the point of Earth Hour is not Laurier's resource consumption Now that we've participated in meant to conserve resources. This every week? "No Footprint Fridays" Earth Hour, it's important that we year, turning off your lights for one has a nice ring to it. Unlike the an- remember its meaning and take hour is considered a "vote" for the nual campaigns, a weekly conser- further action. Ultimately, we are environment, and leaving them on vation effort would be frequent privileged to have access to clean a "vote" for global warming. enough to actually reduce our wa- water and electricity, and it's our ter use. responsibility to limit the frivo- These results will then be pre- and energy PHOTO BY NICK LACHANCE sented at the Global Climate Environmental conservation is lous waste of these non-renewable PLANTING SOME CHANGE - Environmental action is something that Change in enough, and for students it resources. Conference Copenha- easy needs to become part of our campus culture. gen later this year as a means of can take on many forms. Reducing [email protected]. com Don't block outyour negative emotions People are always talking about the power of positive thinking, but negativity is the fuel for some of our greatest achievements

put it. It's because I've allowed my so-called justices in the world at large, or against one's ing they don't exist and maintaining a con- negative emotions to flourish in a productive own perceived shortcomings. tent and sedated fagade can have disastrous way, and have channelled them into positive I perceive human emotion as a wide spec- consequences. A certain level of catharsis can energy. trum; to be a well-rounded person, one always be healthy, for oneself and for others. capable of understanding, express- Someone's true person encompasses all JAMES POPKIE Speaking of Pink Floyd, even those who must be REBEL WITH A CAUSE condemn negative emotions in real life of- ing, embodying and appreciating the whole their emotions, and rather than censoring ten adore the work of emotionally tortured spectrum, not justparts of it. Ifpeople simply themselves by pretending to be content all A lot of the emphasis of apparently therapeu- artists. became numb and content and never voiced the time, people should just be open about and their "negative" feelings. tic treatment, self-help books and the like A large portion of the most beautiful mu- their objection with all the problems in- the them, By through all the muck con- seems to be on neutralizing emotions that sic, literature, film and art that has been pro- justices in world around then noth- wading and ever fronting their disillusionment and anger, are perceived as negative. duced was borne out of angst. ing would change. or unsatisfied, but people will have much truer happiness than A great deal of people demonize negative Regardless of whether we choose to con- If people are miserable and disillusionment con- by putting on a fake happy face and pretend- feelings such as anger, disillusionment and demn or push aside such emotions in our- use that misery structively to try to change things, that is ing not to have any discontented feelings. rebellious angst, and see them as unproduc- selves or in others, chances are these emo- than if they were to ignore the It is said that the light looks all the more tive and maladaptive. tions have vicariously enriched our lives much better problems of the world and numb and delude beautiful at the end of the tunnel. I believe Many say that the only appropriate re- through art. others' themselves into ignorant bliss. true happiness and hope is most meaningful sponse to suffering and injustice is to move If all these artists had followed in- their negative feel- By doing the latter, people may create a when one has plundered through the murky on and do one's best to forget about it; rather structions to let go of all it temporary sense of false happiness, but only depths of human existence and found the - them productively, than staying angry at the world even when ings instead of using world giving up on all the other people in the light still shining down into it. - a more bleak in it is perhaps justified to take such a stance would indeed be much world who share their exact same problems. And if you let the raging fire in your heart one should forget one's qualms and put on a for all of us. and self-actual- When properly harnessed, anger, disillu- burn out, then there may be no light left to fake happy face. I believe true happiness through confronting sionment and bitterness can be some of the shine. Make no mistake, my face is a very happy ization can only come and feelings of alien- most constructive emotions that exist. one. But it is not because I have become com- one's discontentment by pretend- com - against in- Bottling up negative emotions letters@cordweekly. fortably numb, as Pink Floyd so eloquently ation and opposition whether 22 Opinion WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1,2009 - THE CORD WEEKLY Reflecting onfouryears spent atLaurier almost everything and sat in my were rewarded with a free stay in before you join up. Bellyaching aside, though, Lau- room missing family. Having said that house they destroyed to make The Dining Hall wasn't perfect rier is a great place. this, I met my best man during that room for the Career Centre. either. But in retrospect, the crabby These last four years have been first week. The first-year highlight: winning middle-aged cooks are kind of fun. gruelling, but I think we are leav- here a little smarter a MICHAEL KOCHEFF I also remember stealing a shop- the Vanier. Even if you hate foot- I was always particularly impressed ing and little THE EVERYMAN ping cart for beer transportation, ball, that victory defines us as a by their ability to mess up pasta. wiser. We11... maybe not all of us. something I thought was pretty dar- graduating class. To this day I hate Having said that, the chicken Not every professor has im- In just a few weeks I will have com- ing at the time. I've come to learn everything Saskatchewan. What a strips and fries are out of this pressed, but some have. The ef- pleted my undergraduate degree. otherwise, but on that day I was lame province. world! While I'm on the topic of forts of those who have are deeply I cannot wait to be done; I'm tired quite convinced the police were Our passionate defence of the food, Harvey's, take it easy on the appreciated. Hopefully they know of papers, exams, readings and tu- after us. Obviously I wasn't entirely "Hawk" also defines us. condiments. who they are. torial discussions. I'm sure other prepared for the university life- I should probably ridicule some I won't soon forget Northdale or If you're like me, you've lost fourth-years can empathize. style. For others like me, it wasn't campus service at this point. It St. Michael's Campus. For those of touch with high school friends. Yet So, before I depart I am going to easy, but here we are preparing to would be very un-Laurier of me not you who are business students, you those friendships have been re- take advantage of this public plat- graduate. to. can't possibly understand. I specifi- placed which much stronger ones. I form for once. Now for something I wish I could My first target is the Arts and cally remember the Northdale gym, know my current relationships will follows is a of what I'll forget: bed bugs. I never had the Science When you have to where the school's mascot, the inevitably deteriorate. Nonetheless, What listt Co-op. remember from the past four years, privilege of getting bitten in my choose between African Lion Safari Northdale Star, graced the walls. I'm thankful. what I wish I could forget and a few sleep, but I won't soon forget my and some camp job in Northern Northdale is, of course, a stark Our time at Laurier is coming to rants. Hopefully some of you will roommate trapping a live one in a Ontario, you come to realize that contrast to the Peters/Schegel an end. I have the feeling that* we be able to relate. Ziploc bag. an Arts degree isn't going to cut it. Building. I'm not sure if it's true, are all limping to the finish line. So why don't we return to where The dean was quite surprised Both summers I worked with Co- but I've heard enough people say it, it all began: O-Week. I'm not sure if when we pulled it out as evidence. op, I had to find a job myself. First- so I'm going to assume that those I hated or loved O-Week. I skipped Eighth floor Bricker, sleep tight! We and second-years, think carefully are diamonds in the floor. [email protected] Letters to the Editor

Racism still prevalent be vengeful, but at the same time with "white" skin is being discrimi- rect way to be racist; that racism is Cord reporting on don't take away the little power we nated against. I reject the term only white oppression of minor- I wonder how many people will do have to voice our concerns on "reversed racism" to describe such ity groups and therefore, anything STARR misinformed read this article and nod their head our situations. an instance. Racism is racism no else is reverse. Secondly, many of in agreement because they can un- matter the person being discrimi- the author's examples of racism I understand that a good story can derstand the 'difficulties' Devon -Hannah Love nated against. Any form of racially just don't meet the definitions of sell a lot of newspapers, but for a has gone through. changed discrimination should be racism. To say that white individu- free publication, sometimes The I, being aminority, will acknowl- unacceptable. To create a specific als experience racism completely Cord Weekly seems to stretch a bit edge that it is possible for reverse "Reverse Racism" ar- term to describe discrimination ignores the structural aspect of too far for their articles. The cov- discrimination, reverse prejudice, toward white people further sepa- racism. To start a statement with erage of STARR in the March 25th but not reverse racism. Racism is ticle was harmful rates people. "I'm notracist, but..." is a very good edition of The Cord exposes sev- directly tied in with power; power I do agree with Devon Butler indication that one needs to really eral writers' ignorance about how that minorities do not have. Many Last week's article concerning "re- that white people are subject to analyze their own notions about WLUSU hires its volunteers by us- white people claim not to have verse racism" was problematic, discrimination just like all other race. The author claims that she ing poor analogies to other cam- racist tendencies and to be able to factually incorrect and logically groups of people. Being a white has experienced racism because puses and attempting to state con- tolerate all skin colours, and some unsound. The perception of un- Canadian, I find the stereotype a girl at school "wouldn't admit cerns regarding STARR as outright

even go as far as saying they do fairness, referred to by the author that all white people live a privi- [their] friendship to her group of facts - despite ZERO empirical evi- not even see skin colour. Equality as "reverse racism" is not the same leged lifestyle ridiculous as I have black friends." This is not racism dence to support such claims. is not about being blind to other as the actual systemic oppression lived in poverty and have had no this is high school; unfortunately, Perhaps the most frustrating people's differences; it's about ac- experienced by racialized indi- opportunities gifted to me for it's part of that social system. thing about the coverage of STARR knowledging and embracing these viduals. In fact, the concept of "re- being white. Historically, white Not only was this piece hate- is that it diminishes the progress differences. verse racism" is a racist fallacy in peoples have been oppressed just ful, it was very poorly written. The that has been made this year. My This article seemed to suggest and of itself. like many other peoples. Irish im- author attempts to speak for all volunteers and I have worked hard that it is up to minorities to fix this The harm and hurt that we have migrants were met with discrimi- minority groups as well as for all this year to come up with mean- problem of racism because we are seen the article cause for many nation after many were displaced white people. The author also uses ingful changes to the hiring sys- participating in 'reverse racism! individuals across campus this in the potato famine late ninetieth hedging words like "supposed to" tem. Eliminating interviews for I believe that once white people past week have outweighed any century. The Irish were refused "generally speaking" etc which di- many positions was a much-need- acknowledge that racism is still constructive dialogue that it may jobs and were harassed in much of lute the impact of her statement. ed change that should open up the prevalent and that they have white have been intended to generate. North America. When saying "in fact" it should be door to many first-time applicants privilege then they can take steps While we realize that The Cord I just think that we should con- followed with the source of that who would have otherwise been to change it rather than blaming tries to publish articles represent- sider all humanity as the Human 'fact! To imply that an individual's too intimidated to apply, and will minorities for allowing the prob- ing a multiplicity of experiences Race and not make divisions be- fear of being overlooked for a job cut down on the number of vol- lem to grow. We may be angry and and perspectives, this article per- cause of skin colour or "race" Re- means that they are actually be- unteers with intimate knowledge upset, but I believe that we have petuates harmful misinformation member that the concept of race ing overlooked is poor journalism. of the marking scheme. We are a right to be. I don't condone any about inequality and the true face was originally created in the Co- Not only does this article not cite also now much clearer on our ex- hatred and violent acts, but I think ofracism on this campus. lonial period to justify colonial- its sources, it perpetuates false be- pectations for a good answer, and being angry shows that we are not In the future we hope The Cord ism. People were put on a ranking liefs. In a study entitled "Who Gets the marking scheme reflects that. I alright withracial inequality. will remember that they repre- system based on their skin colour. the Work" the researchers found can justify each 0.5 mark with more Why not have a White enter- sent the interest of all students on So why do we still separate our- "considerable discrimination in than sufficient reason, regardless tainment channel? Think about campus, including those who have selves into these groups? Everyone employment practices in Toronto of what uninformed editorialists how many shows on TV are com- been marginalized by this article should judge others on character (and likely elsewhere in Canada), maythink. prised of only white people. The and that The Cord must be more and merit only. and that blacks have three times Additionally, suggestions to list is never ending. Everything discriminate in their approval of as much trouble finding a job as come up with committee-specific on TV IS White Entertainment articles that are so lacking in jour- -Shay Beck whites." As economic times get questions, rotate questions from Television! White has become the nalistic integrity. harder there will be an increase in year-to-year, and use situational "neutral" and the "norm" and it is The Cord must hate literature as those in power questions for certain positions are everywhere. -WLU Women's Center Collective look for someone to blame for the all ideas that were developed this A lot of us deal with racism and represent everyone current economic conditions. Our year. Each of those ideas would do our best to not let it bother us. Look beyond race campus newspaper has an obliga- help our hiring system ensure that Otherwise we are seen as an An- I am disappointed with what seems tion to provide articles that repre- we are evaluating each applicant gry Asian but I will continue to be I am writing in response to the arti- to be The Cord Weekly's increasing sent the whole of our community, on highly relevant criteria. Unfor- cle angry until all White people can on "Reverse Racism" by Devon publication of hateful pieces. This and to avoid simply reiterating the tunately, they are not all in place acknowledge their privilege and Butler in the Wednesday March past week it was the one on racism. same hate that has been stated as yet, but these things take time. their power which fuels racism. 25th issue of the Cord Weekly. This First of all, even the concept of this fact for centuries. Sure people have had problems This is when racism will (hope- alleged "reverse racism" is just a piece is inherently racist. 'Reverse' fully) end. I agree, we should not form of racism where a person racism implies that there is a cor- -Laura Hutchinson SEE LETTERS, PAGE 23 The Cord Weekly - Wednesday, april i, 2009 Opinion. 23

AfterAmerican Idol hit it big, how Our aspirations have changed. All levels of creativity and skill hard was it to think that if a search We no longer wish to be stranded have disappeared from our goals for a singer could be this popular, on a deserted island as a cast mem- and aspirations; people no lon- why not search for other profes- ber ofLOST, but instead we picture ger wish to be artists, the best ac- sionals? Not very. Thus the creation ourselves as the million-dollar win- tors and actresses landing leading of all of today's "job search" shows, ner on Survivor. roles, winning awards and making as people compete to be models, We don't picture ourselves trav- money. chefs, dancers, dance crews, sing- elling in space on Star Trek; nowwe Instead, we simply see ourselves ers, actors, sports players or busi- see ourselves travelling the world as contestants on, and winners of, ness personnel. on The Amazing Race. reality TV shows. This addiction to, and success of, We do not need any level of skill It's a quick and easy path to ex- reality TV demonstrates our decline to participate in these reality tele- perience wealth and fame, but the in ability to think and act creatively. vision shows and gain our fifteen reality of reality TV is that the path Every week, we are tufting in to minutes of fame or more, as Wil- back down is just as fast. watch these shows over and over liam Hung demonstrated in his au- TV even Reality is and, though they are similar dition for American Idol. killing [email protected] to one another and predictable in outcome, we can't seem to say no. our imaginations The predictability and unorigi- nality of reality TV is creating pre- fire, across nations and across sub- dictability and unoriginality in so- ject matter. There are now people ciety as we flip from one show to competing all over the world to the next. be singers, dancers, chefs and ANDREA MILLET. The simple truth is that it's just apprentices. THE BRIGHTER easier to watch the drama that fol- SIDE OF LIFE There are home makeovers and lows when a group of strangers are personal makeovers, game shows, forced to live together in competi- After the Y2K phenomenon was houses filled with strangers for no tion for an extended time than to over and done with, people around other purpose but to create drama face the drama in our own lives or the world had to find something and dating shows to help you find follow the drama in a scripted, and else to fill their time. love. The list is nearly endless, but I often confusing, television show & rslu That year, millions of viewers sat think you get my point. like LOST down every week to watch as 16 As reality TV overtakes most We are comforted by the repeti- people were dropped off on a tropi- scripted dramas in popularity and tion and simplicity ofreality TV and STUDENTS RECEIVE 5% OFF WHEN cal island and left to survive with ratings, it is arguable that we are we are also intrigued by the extrav- little more than the clothes on their losing our ability to be creative and agant lifestyles presented. YOU SPEND OVER $30 AND 10% backs. We watched in excitement think for ourselves. Our own boring, and often as two teams faced off in physically You might say that there has to equally repetitive, existences are OFF WHEN YOU SPEND OVER $100. and mentally demanding chal- be some creativity in order to come improved as we enjoy experiences lenges and as one team each week up with all of these shows, but it's vicariously through these normal travelled to tribal council and voted not true. people turned instant celebrities outstrrdirg a member off, until only one was Most are birthed from the same living in big mansions, travelling the left. sources, such as So You Think You world, and competing for the big By some miracle, nine years later, Can Dance and American Idol, prize money or the big paycheque. PRICES SELECTIOfI SERVICE we are still tuning in to watch the which were both created by Simon And there is that undying hope, Hours eighteenth season. Fuller, and the others are strikingly however futile, that one day that Reality TV has spread like wild- similar in purpose or setup. could be us.

Letters Policy: - FROM LETTERS, PAGE 22 response, it can be found online at All letters to the editor must be signed and http://www.facebook.com/group. submitted with the author's name, student with STARR for a long time, but at php?gid=75512856666 (Search identification number, and telephone number. Letters must be received by 12:00 pm (noon) least we are working on to that. Peo- "Letters the Cord" in groups). Monday via email to [email protected] ple have had the same complaints or through our website, at www.cordweekly. com. letters must not exceed 350 words. about The Cord for the last ten years -Daniel Preston too, and I've seen far less progress VP: Human Resources The Cord reserves the right to edit any letter for and clarity. The Cord reserves the right on brevity that front. WLU Students' Union to reject any letter, in whole or in part. The Cord For those of you interested in reserves the right to not publish material that is deemed to be libelous or in contravention reading my original, unabbreviated with the or journalistic Univei^^^H Cord's Code of Ethics standards.

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:s '' .. ||||p (519) 570-0985 The Cord Weekly ■ Wednesday april 1,2009 25 The Cord Weekly Looking back on a year of Cord covers in 2008-09 26 A&E WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1,2009 ■ THE CORD WEEKLY Summer scorchers The Cord looks to the spring and summer and finds the CDs, video games and movies that they are looking forward to most

ESTHER WHEATON Arrested Development creator Terminator Salvation: reservations CORD A&E Mitch Hurwitz returns to TV with regarding director McG aside, the

Sit Down, Shut Up — an animated superb trailer suggests gritty real- I've heard Grizzly Bear's Veckatim- series about hopelessly incompe- ism and astonishing action simul- est is going to be great. Immaculate tent high school teachers. It sees taneously, as effective a war movie Machine, Patrick Watson and Ak- the reunion of AD cast members as a cyborg romp. ron/Family will have new albums Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Remaking a 1941 horror classic to hear also. Most importantly, Fi- Henry Winkler (The Fonz!), which like The WolfMan would be a sus- nal Fantasy's Heartland is due out. promises to be hilarious. It pre- pect manoeuvre were it not for the It is possibly the event of the year. mieres April 19 on Fox. eschewing of CGI in favour of prac- Movies I am anticipating: Star tical makeup effects (finally!) and Trek, Up, Ponyo on the Cliff by the KEVIN HATCH the star calibre of Benicio Del Toro, Sea and 9. CORD A&E Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt and They are making a bunch of clas- Hugo Weaving. album of the summer.

sic kids' books into movies - Where Wolverine, the latest Marvel su- With Michael Mann (the urban Also of great importance are the the Wild Things Are and Cloudy perhero movie, boasts an excellent crime maverick of Collateral and video games being released this

With a Chance ofMeatballs - I am trailer and slew of characters from Heat) directing, Johnny Depp and summer (you know, actual free pretty excited to see what they do SARAH MURPHY the comics, suggesting (if done Christian Bale starring and a prem- time to play). While they aren't the with those, too! CORD A&E right) the exhilarating action thrill ise involving Great Depression AAA Blockbusters of the Fall — you ride ofthe summer. bank heists, it is hard to envision do get gems like Infamous. It's ba- I'm definitely looking forward to a Public Enemies not beinga gripping sically Crackdown, The Incredible favourite childhood book of mine triumph. Hulk and Spiderman wound up in being made into a film by Spike a giant, super-violent NYC clone.

Jonze — Where the Wild Things Are DANIEL JOSEPH Right now it's flying under the ra- (October 16)and even more excited A&E EDITOR dar, but it will definitely get your for the Arrested Development (AD) jaw to drop a few times when it movie after new rumours reassur- British post-punk rockers The Hor- comes out in June. ing its creation emerged a couple rors are releasing their new disk

— weeks ago - though it might not ap- Primary Colours in May and if pear until 2010. their track "Sea Within a Sea" is any Emo-kid-gone-folk-superstar indication, there will be some seri- Conor Oberst and his Mystic Val- ous throwbacks to Joy Division. . ley Band release their second al- French pop-rockers Phoenix's bum on May 5, while British indie new single "1901" has also made punk misfits Art Brut have a new me excited for the new album Wolf-

CD called Art Brut vs. Satan out on gang Amadeus Phoenix this May — May 12. if it turns out well it's the de-facto A hazardous new love affair The Decemberists' new album Hazards ofLove is different, but still golden

SARAH MURPHY quence and fluidity of the album- but it translates surprisingly well CORD A&E makes it hard not to appreciate. In into the 17 tracks that compose The true Decemberists style, The Haz- Hazards of. Love. There are some Returning with their fifth studio ards ofLove is filled with multi-part great mellow, folksy songs ("Isn't It album, The Decemberists decided songs, parenthesized tides, extrav- a Lovely Night?") mixed with unde- to take the same risk as the likes agant thematic experiments and, niably over-the-top theatrical an- of Bowie and The Who by releas- most importandy, genuinely catchy thems like "The Queen's Rebuke/

ing a - cue the drum roll - concept pop songs. The Crossing" and"The Wanting album. It's a move that could easily What was the whimsical inspi- Comes in Waves/Repaid" "The alienate their fan base, but the elo- ration for the Portland band's lat- Rake's Song" is another thunder- est studio album? Frontman Colin ing, guitar-driven tune that docu- Meloy wanted to tell the eccentri- ments the aforementioned births cally crafted tale of a lady named and deaths of William's abhorred Margaret and her forest creature children.

— lover, William and it emerges The title tracks - yes, there are

beautifully in the form of a progres- four of them - demonstrate how sive folk-rock opera. The album fol- effective repetition with difference lows Margaret and William through can be when executed properly.

their bizarre love affair which in- "The Hazards of Love 1 (The Pret- CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

volves an For- - encounter with the tiest Whistles Won't Wrestle the REVOLUTION Hazards of Love is a change for The Decemberists. . est Queen, the birth and murder Thistles Undone)" introduces the of some seemingly repulsive off- storyline from William's perspec- spring, Margaret's kidnapping by tive, while "The Hazards of Love ous, but somehow The December- stage musical. What is surprising the beasts of the wilderness and, 3 (Revenge!)" is sung by the dead ists' epic pretentiousness manages is how well Colin Meloy and his finally, a marriage between the two children from"The Rake's Song" to retain an ironic flippancy that band of indie misfits manage to lead characters. The album closes with "Hie Haz- hopelessly endears the listener. carry it off. For the number of risk It sounds like a ridiculous con- ards of Love 4 (The Drowned)" Given the band's history, it's not that was taken and the amount of cept, and the pretentiousness sur- which, despite the gloomy sound, very surprising that they would at- things that could have gone horri- rounding The Decemberists usually is actually fantastically romantic. tempt to do something as grandi- bly wrong with such a concept, The line between charm- This straddles the album from any other band ose as a rock opera — originally, it Hazards ofLove seems all the more ing and completely off-putting, would be absolutely preposter- was even slated to be a full-fledged miraculous. Weekly The Cord ■ Wednesday, april i, 2009 A&E 27

Curve in the Earth only five months Rejecting the statement that they later. It was an unexpected com- will ever fully evolve as a band, it's pilation of purely acoustic tracks clear that the band has their pri- recorded on a two-input recorder orities straight. "The only thing that with a fresh voice and new direction we've ever concerned ourselves for a band that had barely paved a with is making good music," said signature sound with their first al- Kehoe. "We were fortunate enough bum, an endearing trait that adds of being approached by our label, to Attack in Black's personality. we're not business-minded." It is Describing the contrasting pro- this sincerity and devotion to their gression in their music, bassist and music that has helped Attack in lyricist lan Kehoe lends it to being Black stand alone, experimenting part of their array of musical influ- in spite of initial success and reject- ences of bands like The Constan- ing all things fame. tines, Ladyhawk, Shotgun Jimmy "I'm not sure that we belong to and other groups that they have an indie-rock movement; if we do [Illegible] had the chance to tour with. "We've that's cool, we've just never really attack the always listened to anywhere," new different types thought of belonging of music, lots of old and new," he he added. said. When asked to describe his CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Kehoe also maintained that their band, an uncomfortable yet un- personal goals with their music are abashed Kehoe described it to the

Ontario natives Attack in Black talk to The Cord before their show this week what matter most. "When we make best of his ability — which can be music together it's pretty uncon- tough for a band that refuses to fol- GEETHA THURAIRAJAH April 2 as part of their current North for the band's rock arrangement scious, we just do what we think low definitions. "It's melodic rock STAFF WRITER American tour. of punk, ska, folk, country and pop is the best that we can possibly do music, sometimes aggressive and

Since their debut release Mar- elements have been raining in from - which always seems to be some sometimes really soft sounding." Ever-evolving Ontario rock dar- riage with Dine Alone Records Australia to Germany. sort of progression," said Kehoe. Check out Attack in Black when lings Attack in Black return to their in 2007, Attack in Black has been Following the tailwind of Mar- "We're most concerned with mak- they visit Laurier this Thursday Southern Ontarioroots, stopping to playing to a world critically prais- riage, the St. Catharines band re- ing the best music that we can pos- night, as they are known for their play a show at Wilf's this Thursday, ing their rock ingenuity. Applause leased their follow-up album, The sibly make." energetic live performances. Stagg not a straggler Lucas Stagg arrived in Waterloo last Thursday during his 2009 Eastern Tour

SARAH MURPHY but his electric guitar and showed performance on Thursday really CORD A&E the small but excited crowd that showcased his musical maturity. backing bands aren't always essen- Macleod's set was far from rough Last Thursday, the Starlight saw tial. The singer-songwriter played and raw, instead it demonstrated Lucas Stagg and Paul Macleod kick songs from his latest album Bright an extremely polished sound that off their Eastern Tour 2009 with Eyes Fade, including the single seemed to appeal to the audience. an energetic and well-received "Annalisa" Though it was not a full Though he isn't the most animated performance. house the Starlight was filled with or exciting performer to watch, his Lucas Stagg opened the show encouraging and friendly applause technical skills and musical ability sporting a fedora, and treated the after each song. Lucas Stagg even are undeniable when he takes to audience to a solo set of captivat- joined Macleod for a couple of the stage. ing folk tunes like "Kensington songs, much to the enjoyment of As the name of the tour suggests, Girl" With his acoustic guitar and the concert-goers. Stagg and Macleod will be playing harmonica, Stagg warmed up the Macleod has been circulating around Eastern Canada over the crowd with his strong performance around the Canadian music biz next couple of weeks, with various Ontario Kitchener and charming banter. for nearly fifteen years, working stops including CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Waterloo's own Paul Macleod with artists like Hawksley Work- on April 10. RUSTIC - Like this photograph, Stagg's show was pretty chilled out. came to the stage with nothing man and the Rheostatics, and his

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akw ■ . aM performances 4 AMAZW« » RRRCC! TO EHH ERR MOW - 0 TRE €i-iINtiBATULA i riaK TO RAISW® A YEAR OE RERICATIO* 0N AJi »ABALI ¥01 !«F OfKIOSABIUTt! " TMlg 112AIISE «*« V.B * r P |NCRE*I*iE :VliK TR® A j ATIOM® *0 f *BF A*AIW® WWWUHySF WWW THIS 112BAB! JSrSSfiEI " ci c WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1,2009 > THE CORD WEEKIY 28 4&E A passionate performance The Kitchener-Waterloo Youth Orchestra Symphony and the Laurier Symphony Orchestra held a joint performance last Saturday performers, ages ranged ers... real mentoring." KATIE FLOOD Shortly thereafter, the lively sec- with the short musical movements, orchestra Afendi Yusuf, a member ofLaud- CORD A&E ond half of the performance began the flamenco dancing might have from 12-24years old. er's Symphony Orchestra and clari- when the KWS Youth Orchestra detracted from the overall perfor- Kristen Cooke, a first-year oboe player, is a member of both the net soloist, also reflected on his ex- Kitchener's Centre in the Square and Laurier Symphony Orchestra mance of the orchestra. the two Laurier Symphony and KWS Youth perience in this joint performance. hosted a jointperformance entitled joined forces to play the rest of the Overall, the unison of "I think it's really good "It takes a lot ofwork; people dedi- ThePassion by the Laurier Sympho- pieces together. orchestras' playing was impressive. Orchestra. and for the people thatare only in Youth cate a lot to being here," said Yusuf. ny Orchestra and the Kitchener- One of Richard Wagner's best- Consisting of Laurier students Orchestra," said Cooke. "There's a "You get to play a lot of amazing Waterloo Symphony Youth Orches- known pieces, "The Ride of the youth of the Kitchener-Waterloo combined per- lot of high school kids in the Youth repertoire, and get you to play with tra on Saturday, March 28, 2009. Valkyries" was performed next. An community, this It's really good for a lot of amazing people." With special guests Juliana Pul- excellent introduction to the sec- formance was a showcase of the Orchestra.... to play with the Laurier play- ford and Ricardo Osorio as dancers ond half, "The Ride of the Valkyries" region's artistic talent. Of the 112 them and Anwar Miranda on guitar and captured a refreshing upbeat ener- the Valhalla Brass, this was not your gy that was lacking in thefirst half. typical orchestral performance. The final piece of The Passion 7he Passion consisted of four was more contemporary than the pieces, divided by an intermission. rest of the orchestral performance. The first half of the performance The WLU Symphony Orchestra and featured KWS Youth Orchestra KWS Youth Orchestra played the playing Beethoven's "Romance no. well-known "Carmen Suite no. 1" 2 0p.50 in F major" In this piece, alongside a Flamenco ensemble. the orchestra follows the melody of Definitely adding a dramatic tone a single violin. The outstanding so- to the piece, the dancers and gui- loist was 19-year-old Andrew Song tarists performed in between each of University of Waterloo, leading movement of "Carmen" KW's Symphony Youth with his ex- Paul Pulford, conductor of both pressive playing. Laurier's Symphony Orchestra and The second piece was played by the Youth Orchestra explains, "Car- the Wilfrid Laurier University Sym- men the opera is about Flamenco. phony Orchestra, featuring Val- Given the fact that my daughter halla Brass. "Pini di Roma" a piece is a flamenco dancer.... I thought, comprised of four movements, was wouldn't it be fun to have some composed by Ottorino Respighi. dance as a part of the program.... It With the Kitchener-Waterloo really gives you a taste of what the Symphony Youth Orchestra and opera is about." WLU's own Symphony Orchestra An interesting additive, the fla- each having performed a piece, the menco dancing was dramatic and NICK LACHANCE

- the Symphony Orchestra. first half of The Passion came to an entertaining. But considering the VALKYRIE Paul Pulford (centre) directs both the KWS Youth Orchestra and Laurier end. prolonged dancing time in contrast The happiness ofyour neighbours Founding member of Do Make Say Think and Broken Social Scene Charles Spearin talks to The Cord about his new project

CARLY LEWIS people from all around the world, ter Goes My Heart" from 2003's You pia," said Spearin, clarifying that people weren't light and bubbly STAFF WRITER so I thought that in a way, they Forgot It In People). the project is more about the kind talking about happiness, nobody could represent humanity." The record's cutest, and saddest, of happiness that can be found af- was saying, 'I like unicorns and Charles Spearin is many things; a Indeed a diverse and eclectic moment comes from "Ondine" ter some searching, rather than an butterflies.'" father, a Buddhist and a founding group of people, Spearin's neigh- Spearin's five-year-old daughter artificial ideal of happiness. In essence, The Happiness Project member of Toronto instrumental bours make up the record song by who tearfully detests the almond "I think if we were to talk about reminds us that the hidden happi- post-rock outfitDo Make Say Think, song, with each neighbour's name butter on her toast. Though not an despair or pain, it would have ness of a messy world can still be for but he is perhaps best known for being the title of the song they in- obvious expression of happiness, been a surprisingly similar record, uncovered; you justhave to look his integral presence in Broken So- spired. The opening track, "Mrs. Spearin says that there's a certain actually. I think that the subjects it a little. "It's a healthy stew of hu- cial Scene as both a horn and guitar Morris',' is an upbeat, jazz-inspired relatable qualityto this track. "Quite are pretty much intertwined. If manity," says Spearin of his diverse, So player. It is Spearin's most recent tune that sets the tone for the re- simply, everybody wants some- you're going to talk about suffering, multicultural neighbourhood. endeavor, The Happiness Project, cord with Mrs. Morris proclaiming thing or they don't want something you're going to talk about happi- say hello to your neighbours: may- however; that will no doubt be the that ']"happiness is love," a simple and they really get upset even if it's ness. They're relative. They're to- be you've got a Mrs. Morris right album that defines him as an inde- recipe according to Spearin, who just for a split second, well for kids, tally dependent on each other. And next door. pendent musician. can be heard in the background of it's much longer, but there is that An experiment in sound, The this track. sense of "I don't want that! Fuck!" Happiness Project began in the Later on is "Vanessa" a woman Inspiring is the uplifting nature living room of Spearin's Toronto who was born deaf, but eventually of the project, which Spearin says home, where he would casually had cochlear electrodes inserted made him feel "reassured that the conduct interviews with his neigh- into her brain, creating a system in world was not a terrible place.... bours, and then seek out the mu- which sound signals are delivered The random handful of people that sicality of their words. "I didn't re- from outside of the head to inside I met, they said such wonderful ally know what I was doing when I the brain using external compo- things, and then, you stand back started it. All I knew was that I was nents, such as a microphone. In and you look at all the houses on looking for melodies in their voic- this piece, Vanessa describes her the street, and you look at all the es, but I didn't tell them that part, experience ofbeing able to hear for houses in the city, and you think because I didn't want them to be the first time in her life. that there's gotta be millions of self-conscious," said Spearin, who A triumphant and emotional people who have great things to say tied the project together by incor- song helped along by Julie Penner if you give them the right situation porating his neighbours' different (also ofBroken Social Scene and Do to say it. The world is pretty fucked

interpretations of happiness. Make Say Think), "Vanessa" man- in a way ... but I do believe that "I didn'treally want it to be about ages to become a gloriously epic people are, by nature, good." Toronto or this neighbourhood piece that could resemble some of "My neighbourhood contains CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

specifically. I wanted it to be more Broken Social Scene's earlier in- good people. But it contains bad WHAT IS HAPPINESS? - Charles Spearin is determined to find out. about people. My neighbours are strumental work (think "Pitter Pat- people too; I mean it's not a Uto-