the link' june 8 , 2010' thelinknewspaper.ca/news news 03 contents Defederation denied • news Concordia pilots plagiarism National lobby group won't recognize results of CSU March referendum prevention program

• features

How independent media is drawing the world around us

fringe arts

A corporate-free music festival turns ten III literary arts Turning words into art four minutes to midnight

sports

Lebanon's Awada holds rookie standing with Impact II opinions Draw Muhammad Day raises some radical heat

~LiNK

.., ~ .., f ,\ ~ T r" ,,~ r f ~

Volume 31, Issue 01 editorial: (514) 848-2424 Tuesday, June 8, 2010 ext. 7405 arts: (514) 848-2424 ext. Concord ia University 5813 Ha ll Bu ilding. Room H-649 ads: (514) 848-2 424 ext. 1455 de MaisooneLNe Blvd. W. 8682 Montreal. Quebec H3G 1MB fax : (514) 848--4540 business: (514) 848--7406 ed ilor-i n-ch iel photo ed itor JUSTIN GIOVANNETII RILEY SPARKS news ed itor graph ics e1:J itor CHRISTOPHER CURTIS OPEN featu res ed itor managing ed itor CSU President Prince Ralph Osei and delegations from two other Quebec student unions saw their referendums to leave the CFS rejected at the lobby group's ADAM KOVAC LAURA BEESTON annual general meeting. PHOTO JUSTIN GIOVANNETTI fringe arls edilof layout manager ASHLEY OPHEIM JULIA WOLFE literary arts ed itor onl ine e1:J itor EMMA HEALEY OPEN • CHRISTOPHER CURTIS assembly. So now we'll just have from the CFS," said Osei. The CSU abided by rules sports editor business manager to lawyer-up and see what hap­ In February the CFS sent the approved by the British Columbia ALEX DI PIETRO RACHEL BOUCHER op inions ed itor di str ibuti on The Concordia Student Union pens." CSU a memorandum claiming the Supreme Court after Vancouver­ CLAY HEMMERICH ROBERT OESMARAIS will have to lawyer-up. After 72 per cent of Concordia John Molson School of Business­ based Kwantlen College-now copy ed itor DAVID KAUFMANN DIEGO PELAEZ GAETZ ad designer On May 28, the CSU called for voters cast their ballots against along with the Engineering and Kwantlen University-attempted student press liaison AOAM NORRIS a motion to have their referen­ continued membership in the CFS Computer Science faculties-had to defederate in March 2008, OPEN dum to defederate from the during the student union's gener­ not paid membership fees since eventually leading to a court

The Link is published every Tuesday during the Canadian Federation of Students al election in March, the CSU's 1998. The CSU responded by pro­ showdown. academic year by the Link Publication Society recognized by the national lobby legal council advised them to take ducing a fax from 1998 proving Two other Quebec student Inc . Content is independent of the University and student associations (EGA, GASA, ASFA, FASA, group at its annual general meet­ their referendum results to the that neither of these faculties had unions made their way to Ottawa GSU). Editorial policy is set by an elected board as provided for in The Link's constitution . Any ing in Ottawa. national lobby group's annual voted to join the CFS and noting along with Concordia with the student is welcome to work on The Link and CFS chairperson Katherine general meeting. that the JMSB and Engineering hope of having their own defeder­ become a voting staff member. The Link is a member of Canadian Un iversity Press and Presse Giroux-Bougard shot the motion Osei, CSU VP External & faculty only became CFS mem­ ation referendums recognized. Un iversitaire Independante du Quebec. Material appearing in The Link may not be reproduced down immediately, ruling it out of Projects Adrien Severyns and a bers in 2007. McGill University's Post Graduate without prior wri tten perm ission from The Link. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters order. CSU President Prince delegation of elected CSU execu­ "We don't owe them any Student Society and Concordia's 400 words or less will be printed, space permit­ Ralph Osei then challenged the tives made their way to Ottawa on money, they have no evidence to Graduate Student Association ting_ Letters dead line is Friday at 4 p.m. The Link reserves the right to edit letters for clarity motion but was promptly defeat­ May 25 to have Concordia's refer­ back that claim up, said voted to part ways with the CFS in and length and refuse those deemed racist, sex­ ist, homophobic, xenophobic, libellOUS, or other­ ed, temporarily ending another endum results recognized by the Severyns. "What happened at the March and April, respectively. wise contrary to The LinKs statement of princi­ chapter in the nine month conflict CFS. After initially being turned assembly was undemocratic, plain The PGSS ended up leaving the ples. Board of Directors 2010-2011: Matthew Gore, between the CSU and CFS. aside, the CSU were given the and simple. But I can't say we did­ general assembly empty after they Matthew Brett. Jake Stevens, Clare Raspopow, Mathieu Bia rd, Dale Corley; non-voting members: The next confrontation floor at the meeting's final day of n't expect it." tried and failed to pass a motion Rachel Boucher, Justin Giovannetti. Typesetting by The Link. Prin ting by between both parties will likely plenary. Their motion was called Prior to the referendum, Osei ratifying their withdrawal from Tra nscontinental. take place in a courtroom. out of order because Giroux­ said the issue of unpaid dues had the lobby group. Concordia's TH IS WEEK'S CONTRIBUTORS "We won a referendum to Bougard alleged the CSU had over not been mentioned as a requisite Graduate Student Association Elaine Ball, John Batt, Mathieu Biard. Emily Kai Bock, Nick Bostick, Stefan Christoff, ginger coons, Faiz Imam, R. Brian defederate from the CFS," said $1,000,000 in unpaid member­ part of the referendum procedure. weren't allowed to attend the Hastie, Mitra Kaboli, Zoi Kilakos. Vivien leung, Scott Nagao. Christopher Olson, Hugo Pilon-larose, Gaul Porat, Jamie Osei. "They won't recognize it. ship fees. "The CSU followed the referen­ meeting. Pimental, Cla re Raspopow, Shawna Satz, Oz Veysel ­ Demirtas, Natasha Young, Andrew Zoellier They prepped their members to "[Giroux-Bougard] basically dum procedures correctly," said The CFS could not be reached vote against us at the general told us we had to buy our freedom Osei. for comment. cOlIer by Oz Veysel -Demirtas 04 news the link· june 8, 20lO • thelinknewsgager.ca/news 50 cent Montrealers unite against Israeli flotilla attack raise on Protesters across Canada call for end to Gaza blockade minimum wage Still pays less than poverty line

Finance minister Raymond Bachand

• JUSTIN GIOVANNETTI

Quebec's minimum wage increased by 50 cents on May 1, as the province's 320,000 lowest paid workers will now make $9.50 an hour. Despite rising at nearly three times the rate of infla­ tion since the wage was set at $7.30 an hour in 2003, a 40- hour work week at the new minimum wage would still pay less than Canada's poverty line. Quebec's minimum wage is now the third highest in Canada. "Students aren't too excited by the increase," said Jonathan Elston, the coordi­ Chadi Marouf addresses a crowd of hundreds at Montreal's Old Port. PHOTO FAil IMAM nator for the Concordia Student Union's Off-Campus • CHRISTOPHER CURTIS Marouf began his address to multi-ethnic crowd heard supports a country that isolates Housing and Job Bank. "They the crowd by announcing that speeches from local activists, and oppresses the Palestinian get excited with the possibility Hundreds of Montrealers the Israeli government had inter­ artists and trade union represen­ people." of a job that pays $16 an hour, marched through the city's rainy cepted the Rachel Corrie-anoth­ tatives. The march coincided The 54,000 members of the but when they are working five streets on June 5 to protest the er aid ship bound for Gaza-just with protests in Quebec City, Canadian Union of Postal hours a week at $10 an hour, Israeli Navy's lethal attack on a hours before the protest. Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Workers also threw their support that's $50." Gaza-bound aid ship a week earlier. "The Israeli occupation says Winnipeg, Vancouver and behind the June 5 protests. "What can you do with "We are going to launch a big­ that this blockade is justified by Victoria. Speakers then called for a $50?" ger flotilla in the next few security reasons," said Chadi "It's an issue that touches boycott of Israeli products, eco­ Quebecers would need to weeks," said protest organizer Marouf of Palestinian and everybody," said Marouf. "It's nomic sanctions against Israel earn at least $11.09 an hour to Laith Marouf, addressing the Jewish Unity Montreal. ''I'll tell not about Palestine versus Israel, and the safe return of those earn a living wage above the crowd on Sainte-Catherine Street you what security is. The Israeli it's about what's right and what's detained on the aid ship-includ­ poverty line, according to through a megaphone. "[We'll government has a list of items wrong. What Israel is doing to ing Concordia graduate Abbas AI Statistics Canada. Despite not launch] 50, 60, 100 ships. We'll forbidden from entering Gaza. the Palestinians is not strictly a Lawatti, who was on the flotilla earning a living wage, a work­ break the siege of Gaza." Let me read from this list: sage, punishment against [Palestine's blogging for Gulf News, a Dubai­ er being paid the minimum On May 31, while still in inter­ cumin, cilantro, coriander, jam, governing party] Hamas. Women based English daily. wage in Quebec would still pay national waters, the Israeli Navy vinegar, nut meg, food preserva­ and children are being starved "[AI Lawatti] was detained 28.53 per cent income tax. intercepted and boarded a ship tives, seeds and nuts, potato and forced to live in deplorable because like the majority of the British Columbia, the carrying aid supplies and about chips, cement, iron, glucose and conditions." activists on the ship, he refused province with the highest cost 700 pro-Palestinian activists the list goes on. How does Speaking on behalf of mem­ to sign a letter of confession for of living in Canada, pays the from various countries, including cilantro and cumin have any­ bers of La confederation des syn­ illegally entering Israel," said lowest minimum wage. A Canada, to the Gaza strip. thing to do with security? [The dicats nationaux-a confedera­ Marouf, a friend of Al Lawatti's. worker in British Columbia is After clashing with the Israeli government] is trying to tion of trade union with over Although Marouf was enraged only paid $6 an hour for their activists, Israeli naval comman­ break the will of the people." 200,000 members in Quebec­ by Israel's actions he said he saw first 500 hours of work, after dos opened fire on the civilian Protesters chanted and waved Gaetan Chateauneuf expressed Saturday's protest as a turning which they earn $8 an hour. group, killing at least nine. The placards as they made their way his outrage at the blockade. point for public support of the Ontario currently pays the navy was enforcing a blockade of from the corner of Ste-Catherine "The blockade must be lifted," Palestinian people. highest minimum wage at Gaza, which has been in effect Street and Peel Street to said Chateauneuf. "We should be "A day like today really gives $10.25 an hour. since 2007. Montreal's Old Port, where the incensed that our government you hope." the link' june 8, 2010' thelinknewspaper.ca/news news 05 Turning it in Briefs Copyright bill Concordia pilots anti-plagiarism software this summer on Capital Hill On June 2, Minister of • LAURA BEESTON personal information from stu­ Industry Tony Clement read Bill dents. All that is necessary is a C-32 in Parliament. The bill, the Quietly over the summer ses­ name and an email address to com­ third time the Conservatives sion, Concordia's Centre for municate paper submissions. The have attempted to introduce Teaching and Learning Services has database of papers is not searchable more restrictive copyright laws piloted an American-based anti­ by name, ID or paper subject. to Canada, would bring a crack­ plagarism software called Turnitin But if Concordia students prefer down on pirated media in in the university's classrooms over to opt out of the Turnitin process Canada. The bill would allow the last three weeks. during the trial, they have the companies to seek compensation Running until the end of August, choice. from users who illegally down­ a small sample of 11 Concordia "It's not mandatory," said load and share digital material. classes will be experimenting with Bentley. "[Students] have the Turnitin, the self-described "global option of submitting assignments leader in originality checking and without the software in a more tra­ TRAC and plagiarism prevention [ ... ] that lets ditional manner [ ... ] But if students students check their own writing do opt out the lecturers will suggest Concordia still for improperly used content, inad­ that there are a couple of other vertent plagiarism or quotation mechanisms in place [to ensure at impasse errors." Students will have to share personal information with the software provider. proper citation]." The Teaching and Research GRAPHIC GINGER COONS Testing to see if the program On the course syllabus given to Assistants Union and Concordia is something that would interest notion of [what it means to] synthe­ work uploaded to the server, which trial classes, alternative documen­ University have yet to resolve the university to implement size information." is on Canadian soil. You can't just tation for students who decline to ongoing contract negotiations to come fall, this trial invites stu­ Though it is too soon to spec­ grab a document and repurpose it, use the software include: "a short set the pay of the university's TAs dents to upload their assign­ ulate about student reaction to it's all heavily encoded and encrypt­ reflection paper or report on the and RAs. According to TRAC VP ments onto the online service, this service, at least one of the ed," he said. "But like all of these research methodology used, copies Bargaining Robert Sonin, the where their work will be matched trial classrooms have called things, they couldn't say to me that of multiple drafts, an annotated University administration has to over 125 million other student attention to various concerns they can absolutely, 100 per cent bibliography, photocopies of agreed to meet with TRAC again papers, 13 billion web pages and with the software, specifically guarantee that student information sources, an oral examination or to clarify any misconceptions. 90,000 academic journals, peri­ citing the protection of personal can't be accessed somehow. But written quiz directed at issues of odicals and books to verify origi­ and intellectual information. they felt very, very confident that originality, [and] other alternatives nal content and proper citation. An introduction to the Turnitin it's well guarded. I'm always a bit devised by the instructor and which No justice "This is a great tool for students program, affixed to the last page of leery of speaking in absolutes, but meet with the approval of the Chair to get feedback on their work," said course outlines of classrooms it's pretty secure, from what they've that are meant to attest to the for Tiffany John Bentley, the Program involved in the trial, states that explained to us." authenticity of the written work." The remains of Tiffany Coordinator and Instructional "students who use the text-match­ Michael Thompson, the Other Canadian universities Morrison, a 25-year-old Developer from the Centre of ing software agree to providing and Regional Manager of Turnitin for using the Turnitin software, includ­ Kahnawake woman who was Teaching and Learning Services, sharing certain personal informa­ Canadian clients, also stressed that ing McGill and Ryerson University, reported missing in 2006, were who has been involved in setting up tion with the software provider. both the intellectual and personal agree that the use of the system is found in a wooded area on the Turnitin program at Concordia Students are advised that the uni­ information of students is under voluntary. Montreal's South Shore on June since November 2009. versity cannot guarantee the pro­ lock and key. "The number one thing we want 4. Though the cause of death has "What we think will be of benefit tection of personal information "What it comes down to is that to stress is that we don't want to use yet to be determined, police are is allowing students to [see] if they provided to a U.S software provider we don't hold a copyright, or any it as a punitive tool. It is simply a launching a criminal investiga­ have potentially used someone and subject to U.S laws." students' work as our own, or pub­ learning tool for students," said tion into the matter. else's work and haven't provided a Despite this warning, Bentley lish it, or put it out there on the web Bentley. "It's the pedagogical stuff proper citation, but may not have said he's confident with the security for anyone to see," he said. that we're interested in, it's how it known they have done that. [The measures taken by Turnitin. In terms of personal informa­ supports students in their learning, Con U bids program] actually starts teaching "They've really gone out of their tion, Thompson added that the research and writing. Hopefully it the students writing skills and the way to protect students and the software doesn't require significant will be a benefit." Congress farewell The 2010 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences wrapped up last week after host­ ing over 9,000 delegates and PO study finds use of French waning in Montreal academics from May 28 to June 4. Highlights from the confer­ • HUGO PILON-LAROSE Quebec's French cinema, Curzi years, writing that by 2016, English­ their institutional mission . ence included a lecture on smart notably worked with Oscar-winning speakers could be in a majority "There is also the fact that textiles and a pledge from vari­ According to a study the Parti director Denys Arcand on films like position. This could be attributed to French-speakers move to suburban ous universities to further inte­ Quebecois published in April, the Les invasions barbares and Le a number of reasons, he said, such cities and leave Montreal," Curzi grate indigenous students into use of the English language could dec/in de ['empire america in . Curzi as the intensification of immigrant continued. "This is a reality to be classrooms across the country. surpass French in Montreal as early began his career as a politician with populations who choose English slow down. It is also proven that as 2016. The PQ concludes that by the Parti Quebecois in 2007. universities and CEGEPs instead of when a person chooses to study in 2016, the percentage of "The Montreal [linguistic por­ French schools. English for its CEGEP or university Bike all right Montrealers speaking French as a trait] we published doesn't open up On that issue, Curzi said that degree, there is 50 per cent of first language will drop from 79 per the war between Francophones and Concordia and McGill should be chance he won't work in French Considered to be the largest cent in 2006 to 43 per cent. Anglophones," said Curzi, who is more involved within Montreal's after. But 90 per cent of people who bike gathering in the world by "Statistics prove that in a bilin­ also the PQ's language critic. "This French population. choose French schools will continue attracting roughly 45,000 gual situation, the preferred lan­ is not our purpose and of course, we "[McGill and Concordia] should using the language." cyclists a year, the 11th annual guage will be English," said PQ want Concordia students to tell provide more French services," he When asked if he thought the Montreal Bike Fest wrapped up MNA Pierre Curzi who co-authored their opinion on the issue. I would said. "And [McGill and Concordia] rising number of anglophones on Sunday. While Montreal's the study. "On behalf of that reality, be ready to discuss [it] with them." should become social actors to learning to speak French is com­ famed Tour de l'ile was the last of we have to debate if we want to pre­ In the all-French document Le improve anglophones' interest in pensating for the decline of a series of events that kept serve the French side of Montreal grand Montreal s'anglicise, Curzi the Quebecois culture. In a province Francophone Montrealers, Curzi cyclists busy all week long, the and if so, how can we do that?" paints a drastic portrait of what in which the only official language said French is still in a dangerous turnout was not nearly as high as Formerly a major actor in Montreal could become in future remains French it should be part of position. expected due to rain. 06 news the link· june 8. 20lO • thelinknewsgager.ca/news Death and ballots Filipino vote marks end of a decade with 1,000 political killings

(Clockwise from left) A grassroots political poster hangs above a Payatas home. Thousands of tonnes of garbage are dumped on the towns surrounding Manila each year. More than half of the Philippines 94 mil/ion inhabitants live below the poverty line, mil/ions of whom assemble their homes from the garbage found in their communities. PHOTOS STEFAN CHRISTOFF

• CHRISTOPHER CURTIS for municipal seats on local bal­ and the New People's Army-a International is a fact-and there church. Some priests have even lots. communist insurgent group that is no legal accountability, as few been killed in their own church ... Two armed men enter a crowd­ During outgoing Filipino has been fighting the Filipino gov­ soldiers have ever been brought It's comparable to the situation in ed laneway. They make their way President Gloria Macapagal­ ernment since the late 1960s­ before a court of law to be held to Latin America in the 1980s." past a small concrete building to Arroyo's administration, violence continues to claim lives. account for the killings, then vio­ Christoff noticed the military at the sound of screams from women has played a vital role in the polit­ lence in a polling centre like in polling stations across the Political killings and military and children. ical process. Amnesty aid from CanaDa Lanao del Sur becomes normal­ Philippines. Voters were often The first brandishes a pistol, International reports that as of ized," he wrote in an email to The flanked by armed soldiers, which extending it towards the crowd May 7, at least five candidates and Stefan Christoff, a Montreal­ Link. Christoff said disrupted the demo­ with his left arm, and a man who 16 campaign organizers were based activist, was part of the Since 1997, Canada's Military cratic process. scans the building's rooftop murdered during this year's cam­ People's International Observers Training Assistance Program has "The people of the Philippines through the sight of his assault paign. Mission, a watch group that spent provided the Filipino Army with know what the army is capable of," rifle follows him closely. Since 2001, when Arroyo took most of May in the Philippines support operations and staff train­ he said. "They see soldiers near the The gunmen, both dressed in office, there have been over 1,000 reporting on human rights abuses ing. ballot boxes and they wonder, 'Is blue military garb, double back to political killings in the Southeast in an effort to curtail election­ "[Providing training to the my vote really secret?' If they the street and out of sight. Asian country. Politically motivat­ related violence. AFP] is against Canadian policy," doubt the secrecy of their ballot Seconds later, screams echo ed violence was just one of many Christoff, who also took part in said Christoff. "Our government's then you can't really call it a true through the laneway once more. challenges facing the Filipino peo­ the PIOM during the Philippines' policy forbids the [Canadian] mili­ democracy." While shots ring out at a distance, ple leading up to the polls on May 2007 mid-term elections, said that tary from providing military aid to During his time in the a few civilians barricade them­ 10. the gunfight in Lanao del Sur illus­ countries with human rights abuse Philippines, Christoff also spoke to selves inside a classroom and wait In the past decade, five million trates just how casual political vio­ records." Ariel Delgado, a community health for the violence to let up. people have fallen below the lence has become III the The army has not limited worker who said the military had This video footage was cap­ poverty line. The poor now make Philippines. killings to progressive activists, occupied a daycare centre outside tured at a polling center in Lanao up over half of the country's 94 "If the Armed Forces of the added Christoff. of Manila in 2009. Delgado said del Sur, Philippines during the million citizens. While poverty Philippines is carrying out politi­ "Some priests won't leave their the army used the daycare to inter­ country's 2010 elections. It's a ravages communities across the cally motivated assassinations church," he said. "They have been rogate local activists and discour­ real reminder of the rivalry Philippines, the war between the against progressive activists­ labeled progressive and fear for age people from voting for left­ between political factions vying U.S-backed Arroyo government which according to Amnesty their lives if they leave their leaning political parties. the link· june 8, 2010' thelinknewspaper.ca/news news 07

Children cycle through Payatas, one of the Philippines' most impoverished communities.

"The [armyJ also uses its con­ supporters out of their vehicles and electronic vote to a private corpo­ been proclaimed president by a "Some priests have flict with the NP A to scare voters murdered them. Of the 57 vic­ ration," said Christoff. Smartmatic, joint session of congress, away from leftist or progressive tims-which included the Venezuela-based corporation Benigno Aquino is projected to even been ki lied in parties," said Christoff. "The army Mangudadatu's wife, sisters and 12 that administered the vote, have win the Filipino presidency by a their own church .. . would often spray paint NP A next journalists-at least five women since been criticized for providing wide margin. It's com pa ra ble to the to grassroots political posters," he were raped before being killed minimal technical support along While power changes hands in situation in Lati n said, adding that it effectively cre­ while others were tortured and with their voting machines. In Manila, the urban poor living on ates an artificial link between polit­ beheaded. some cases, Smartmatic would the outskirts of the Filipino capi­ America in the 1980s." ical parties and the insurgency. "It Along with members of his only employ one technician for a tal are still among the world's -Stefan Christoff, sent a pretty clear message to the father's private army, the polling station that served over most marginalized. Millions of Montreal based activist voters when they did that." Maguindanao provincial gover­ 10,000 voters. families live without access to The Filipino government's war nor's son was subsequently arrest­ "There is a whole tradition of healthcare, education or clean with the insurgents has also con­ ed and charged with the murders. poll watching and civilian drinking water, often subsiding tributed to political bloodshed in According to Amnesty observers being at the different on the scrap metal collected from the months leading to the election. International, the governor's precincts as the votes are tallied," the mountains of garbage that Executive Order 546, which troops were just one of 117 private continued Christoff. "That whole are dumped in their neighbor­ President Arroyo issued in 2006, armies that operate within the [culture of] civilians participating hoods each year. essentially allows for individuals to Philippines. in the count of the vote was "The real test will be what he have private armies "for the sup­ usurped by the electronic process. does about the political vio­ pression of insurgency and other The electric ballot "We're talking about a country lence," said Christoff. "If he serious threats to national securi- This year, the Philippines where millions of families don't admits there have been at least ty." became the first Asian country to have electricity," he said. "The gap 1,000 murders and takes steps to On Nov. 23, in the hold fully-automated elections, between their knowledge of tech­ bring back activists that have Maguindanao province, a gang of outsourcing the management of nology and the electronic voting been disappeared, it will go a over 80 gunmen halted a convoy of ballot counting to a multi-national system is huge." long way towards earning the opposition gubernatorial candidate corporation. trust of the people. Esmael Mangudadatu's support­ "The government outsourced The road ahead "But anything will be a wel­ ers. The gunmen then forced the the whole administration of the Although he hasn't officially come change from Arroyo."

Student clubs across Canada offer money to mothers who choose to not abort

GRAPHIC JULIA WO LFE

• NORA LORETO-(CUP) Laura Collison, an alumnus of trations alike. Those student RYERSON FREE PRESS the University of Alberta and a unions that take a pro-choice (RYERSON UNIVERSITY) volunteer for the school's femi­ position have found themselves nist-collective campus news University in Antigonish, N.S., up against an onslaught of an TORONTO (CUP)-Helping radio show Adamant Eve, called the Students for Life Bursary is "If these groups were organized pro-life movement. A single mothers can give any these bursaries manipulative. given annually to single parents rea lIy concerned year ago, the University of organization positive press, as "I appreciate that they're sup­ with demonstrated need. Calgary charged students from well as a great photo opportunity. porting women with education, "If you're opposed to abortion, about how women the local pro-life group with tres­ The pro-life movement-not but this is not a feminist act. It you should be very [qualified for cou Id afford university, passing for demonstrating how normally associated with the seems like they're paying women the award]," said Anne Cooke, an they'd be involved abortion can be compared to the struggle against the systemic to keep their pregnancies," she administrative assistant at in advocating for lower Holocaust and other genocides. barriers facing many low-income said. "If these groups were really St.FX's financial aid department. Their charges were stayed in single parents-recently caught concerned about how women "It encourages young mothers to tuition, child-care November 2009. on to this. Single mothers can could afford university, they'd be carry their children to term," she [. .. ] and a higher This is where controversy now benefit from bursaries involved in advocating for lower said, adding that the community minimum wage." exists: on many campuses across offered by some pro-life groups tuition, child-care [ ... ] and a there is very welcoming. Canada, student clubs have been -Laura Collison, at select universities. higher minimum wage." "It's not trying to influence University popping up that are dedicated to But some are concerned that At Collison's alma mater, the women or anyone about abortion­ of Alberta alumnus only advocating for so-called "life this is simply a way of "guilting" University of Alberta Campus it's just for people who've already issues" -no abortion, no women into not having an abor­ Pro-Life Club offers the Dr. made their decision," she said. dent union. euthanasia and no stem cell tion. These bursaries, usually rang­ Charlotte Denman Lozier Joyce Arthur, from the Abortion Through e-mail, Theresa research. This poses a dilemma ing from $400 to $500, can Bursary for Single Mothers, for Rights Coalition of Canada, said that Gilbert from the National for those student unions that amount to 10 per cent of one year's women with "born or unborn she has noticed an increase in the Campus Life Network said that take pro-choice stands. average tuition fees at a Canadian children." The club's website number of groups seeking funding she was disappointed to hear Bergen's daughter was three university or a month's rent. advertises the award as being and status from student unions that the Youth Protecting Youth when she started school again, Jaqueline Bergen is a student funded through club fundraising. for clubs that are specifically pro-life bursary was denied. and she continues to struggle to in critical disability studies at Similar awards are available or anti-choice. While she thought "Many people and organiza­ finish her master's degree. York University and the mother at other schools. providing money to help single par­ tions claim to be pro-choice [ ... ] "I have had an extremely diffi­ of a nine-year-old. Just below the University of ents was important, she questioned However, when universities cult time financially getting "[These bursaries are] sending Northern British Columbia's the motives of the groups. steadfastly refuse to offer any through school. I am always out a message to young women Math & Physics Society This February, the University additional support to single broke," she said. "Tuition eats up who may consider having a child Scholarship on its awards and of Victoria senate rejected the mothers, it becomes very diffi­ about 25 to 30 per cent of my while being a student that you bursaries website, one finds an proposal of Youth Protecting cult for a woman to choose to annual income. I have been will be financially supported. [ ... ] award for single parents. Youth, a pro-life group, for a raise her child, complete her mostly dependent on social This is an illusion," she wrote in Donated by the local Knights of similar bursary. Youth education and manage the costs assistance, which I am not that an e-mail. "There are still very Columbus, the Catholic men's Protecting Youth has been that are involved with both ashamed of." limited amounts of funding organization, the UNBC Students engaged in a public fight against endeavours," she said. "It's great if single mothers available for women or men who for Life Bursary has been given the University of Victoria Abortion has proven to be a can graduate and have support to choose to parent while doing away for the past two years. Student Society for club recogni­ tough issue to take on for student do that," said Arthur. "It's not their education." At St. Francis Xavier tion and funding from the stu- unions and university adminis- great to make them feel guilty." the link' june 8. 2010 • thelinknewSR2Jap"'e"'r."'-c"'aiJ..Sfe"'a"'tu"'-r"'es'-----______f-'--" e'-'a"-t=u'-'r'-'e=s'------"09~ Sense and censorship

Journalists leave a safe zone that is the corporate media in order to convey what needs to be said. PHOTO GAUL PORAT Alternative media: telling the whole story

• ADAM KOVAC Say it like you mean it hand, having worked for the listen, I agree with you, but this is things said in it, so they sued Matt Mills is the editorial National Post. the editorial voice of the paper. them. The authors had to spend When you talk or write for a director of Pink Toronto Press, The gap between the two is This is what's expected, so this is all their time and money fighting living. at some point, somebody the publisher of Xtra, a weekly especially noticeable when deal­ the material that I write.'" this. I think that has a chilling is going to want you to shut up. newspaper oriented towards the ing with the queer community. effect. Everyone who has some­ That's the problem with putting LGBT community. Notably, Xtra has continued to A cornerstone of democracy thing to say about the Canadian information out there: not every­ According to Mills, censorship cover the group Queers Against In a democracy like ours, mining industry is going to think body wants to know. is part of the game, no matter the Israeli Apartheid, despite the fact there are a wide and diverse vari­ twice." The urge to censor is univer­ publication. He admits that it's that the group has been banned ety of opinions on any given sub­ It takes courage for journalists sal, stemming from our desire to human nature to have biases, from Pride Week activities, ject, which ensures that no mat­ to face these kinds of personal, shape reality to fit our world­ which influences how a story is though Pride advertises in Xtra. ter what your stance is, you're professional and financial risks view, and it can take many forms. written or whether it gets pub­ "We're in a very unique posi­ going to anger somebody. to break a story. Of course, the The urge to silence a voice can lished. The trick, he said, is being tion among gay media in that we According to Dru Oja Jay, writer, danger isn't just fiduciary-if a come from many directions: aware ofthat fact so that it can be don't tailor our editorial position editor, solidarity activist, self­ reporter upsets a source, it can from the government, from accounted for. to pander to the needs of adver­ proclaimed libertarian socialist be just as damaging to a career as advertisers, even from the public "I think [with] the notion of tisers," explained Mills. "In fact, and co-founder of monthly news­ a lawsuit. However, that's one of whom the media is trying to unbiased journalism, he reality our work is very strenuously anti­ paper The Dominion, that just the freedoms that an alternative inform. To complicate matters, is that every publication is an censorship." means you have to be particular media source has over a main­ censorship doesn't just come activist publication in it own This differs greatly, he said, about who you're going to piss stream publication. It's under­ from above. way," he said. "Every piece of from L experience at the off. stood that toes are going to be Hunter S. Thompson noted in writing, no matter how balanced National Post, not only in the "Every media outlet has its stepped on, so getting canned his book Fear and Loathing on it professes to be, is informed tone directed at the LGBT com­ supporters and every supporter isn't something that needs to be the Campaign Trail '72, "any with a viewpoint. munity, but also in the way that has certain topics that they're feared. Washington political reporter "In our organization, there is a editorial decisions were mani­ going to get mad about," he "I've lost access before," Jay who blows a Senator's chance for great deal of latitude that writers fested among the staff. To points out. "It's just a question of acknowledged. "Generally, I see the vice-presidency might as well and editors have in choosing and explain the willingness of writers choosing which people those are that as something to be proud of, start looking for another beat to publishing stories. It's one of the to toe the party line, Mills cites going to be." as long as I'm confident that I cover-because his name will be reasons I work here and stay the competitive nature of jour­ Often, for The Dominion, told the truth. I generally decide instant mud on Capital Hill." involved." nalism. those are the people with the that even if this loses me access This analogy can be extended to But that kind of latitude can "At the time [when] the gay money-or as ay calls them "the next time, I'm going to go ahead every kind of coverage: if you be a mixed bag. On the one hand, marriage debate began to heat people with real power." with it, because it's more impor­ don't play by the rules, you can you risk alienating readers by up, there was a proliferation of It can be tempting to wat'"ch tant to ask the pertinent ques­ kiss your access goodbye. printing something they find dis­ jabs at [the] gay and lesbian what you say to avoid raising ire. tion." The result has been the rise of agreeable. On the other hand, a [community] in the [newspa­ Jay cites a recent case involving Mills says that he does what the alternative media: journalists reputation for honest, thought­ per]," he remembered. "I read the Canadian mining industry' as he does in order to arm the pop­ who are not beholden to a profit provoking journalism is the kind the paper very closely and I proof. ulation with the information nec­ line and aren't afraid of upsetting of reputation that can draw a would write to journalists who I "One of the main examples [of essary to play its role. the status quo that ensure access. wider audience. thought had written about gays the consequences] would be the "Free journalism is a funda­ Going forward, it is vital to know This is the niche where inde­ and lesbians in a manner that case of Noir Canada, which is a mental cornerstone of democra­ how those taking the road less pendent media finds itself and was unfair, or worse, unin­ book written about the Canadian cy," he said earnestly. "You can­ travelled are able to avoid the pit­ the difference between it and the formed. In several cases, I got mining industry and its less than not have democracy without an falls of the mainstream in order corporate media model is some­ responses from working journal­ stellar record abroad. [The min­ educated and well informed pop­ to keep the information flowing. thing Mills has experienced first- ists who wrote back to say 'Well ing companies] didn't like the ulation." 10 fringe arts the link· june 8 2010 • http://www.thelinknewspaper.ca/fringe Vintage vixens Ladies of vintage take on Mile-End studio project

The Luyas spearhead The Rialto for a night of music and environmental support. PH OTO NICK BOSTI CK The power of hope Local indie darlings headline a show at the revitalised The Rialto

• R. BRIAN HASTIE serving and protecting the coastlin,9 in light of the recent Britis9 • NATASHA YOUNG my personal collection I'd got­ that my tastes are pretty broad, As the dust settles on the now­ Petroleum oil platform leak in th ten in L.A., New York and especially in terms of trying to condemned Green Room on St. Gulf of Mexico. Vintage has become more Seoul." find a wide variety of sizes-I Laurent Boulevard after a recent fire, "Although it is totally BP' than just a style for Brooke Doyle has a few tricks up her think that's really important." many in the city lament the loss of responsibility to pay for everything Doyle and Becky Emlaw. What sleeve when it comes to finding Of course, certain eras are another mid-sized local venue. they're [going] to find a way not to many fashion-savvy people con­ quality pieces now for both known for certain styles, and a However, as one building falls, a The reality of the situation, sadly, i sider a hobby has become these Vintage to Go and her Etsy skilled vintage hunter knows bright light appears in the horizon in that BP is not going to pay for th ladies'livelihoods. shop, Sunday Adventure Club. which ones to look for. "For the form of the Parc Avenue institu­ clean-up," explains Stein. "Eve They call their pop-up shop, Besides shopping at all the women's dresses, I love the 50S tion The Rialto. The venue, under though it's nobody's responsibili Vintage to Go, a "guerilla bou­ places you would expect (Value and the 80S. For men's shoes, I new management, wishes to check per se, I really believe in supportin tique." After amassing a careful­ Village, the Salvation Army), love the 40S and 50S. For secre­ out the room's viability as a live hall the groups that do things at a grass ly selected collection of vintage Doyle says that another good tary-style blouses-those are and local sweethearts The Luyas will roots level [00.] I just think that it' treasures in their studio space, resource is clothing swaps. "I've really big right now-those come test the waters tomorrow night, with important to support people who fee Doyle and Emlaw will annex the been to more clothing swaps from the 70S. It really depends openers Avec pas d'casque and The compelled to try. The same thing i OFF Interarts not-for-profit stu­ here in Montreal than in any on the article of clothing to Hoof and The Heel. the arts, the same thing in activism dio and storefront space on St. other city. That's a really good determine which year is really The Luyas have had a busy 2010 A lot of people want to do goo Laurent Boulevard in the Mile­ way to trade out either new special for that particular kind so far. They played a gig at the things but don't have the resource End. This multi-purpose space items for vintage or vintage of item," she explains. Vancouver Olympics as well as to." is affordable and open to the items you're sick of for other With mass-producers catch­ shows in New York City-such as Stein can explain the raison d ' etr~ arts community for hourly, people's vintage." ing on to the vintage trend, even opening for Owen Pallett and playing for the suggested donation. Instea9 daily, or weeklong rentals. Doyle adds that garage sales an adept collector can be fooled one of the record release parties of simply integrating it into the ticke~ For the week of June 17, the and yard sales also harness good from time to time. "I think mass thrown by indie behemoths The price, "it's a choice to throw a coupl9 ladies of Vintage to Go will be finds. "You can find good [yard retailers are picking up on the National-and sporadic studio ses­ of bucks in a different pocket, a ~ turning the studio into a bou­ sales] just walking up and down trend of buying vintage and I sions have kept the quartet quite opposed to giving all the money t1 tique to purge their treasure­ side-streets pretty much any day think it's smart of them to busy, as tomorrow night's show is yet the rock and roll bands, who defi trove for the enjoyment of all of in the summer. There seems to reproduce items that aren't another notch on the band's pretty nitely need it, don't get me wrong. Montreal's vintage lovers. be this real entrepreneurial spir­ exact replicas but borrow from fancy belt. can speak for The Luyas and we'r9 Growing up in the early it, a great 'street tras' culture the aesthetic of that vintage look Vocalist/guitarist/moodswinger of pretty broke," said Stein. "But [th ~ 1990S in the mid-western with people sitting out on the and feel," she says. "It's always The Luyas Jessie Stein is jazzed by the point is that] it feels like a really cool United States, shopping with sidewalks selling their stuff." hard when something becomes prospect of playing such a large cultural city event and I want it to bJ friends at the local Salvation An adept bargain-hunter, popular and is mass-produced, venue. ''I'm excited to be in a beautiful great for everyone who's there." Army was a way to express her Doyle emphasizes the impor­ and you think, 'I can get that for room and be with a bunch of people I She continued to explain that per individuality in a small town. tance-and fun-of haggling $3.99 at Value Village!' But by know and don't know," said Stein. haps it should be about more tha~ When she moved out to L.A., when shopping for anything sec­ then, it's too late. If you're look­ Opening band Avec pas d'casque simply a rock show. "Once it starts t however, it became less of an art ond-hand. "I love the art of bar­ ing for a specific item, it'll take was handpicked for the gig for two feel like it's not just about the roc . and more of a necessity. I was 21 gaining, I really get a kick out of you years to find it. That's part reasons: first, they're Stein's bands and the music and the art, [i~ and I couldn't afford to shop at it. It's about knowing what of the art of it; if you just show favourite local band at the moment will] be about something a littlJ designer boutiques, so I would something's worth," she says. up with $20 in your pocket and and they're a francophone band. "I broader than just us, just perform go thrift shopping-not even When it comes to determin­ a free day to shop around, you'll don't think there's enough shows ance, or community. It's about carin . vintage shopping, because when ing the quality of an item, what find some amazing stuff." that have mixed linguistic bills. Our for each other and trying hard in th9 you go to vintage boutiques, it often boils down to is experi­ city is much bigger than it feels," face of mass adversity and possibl there's usually a mark-up in ence and developing a good eye. Seven Oays of Vintage Sale explained Stein. failure." price," she explains. "Then, "The criteria that I use is mostly happens from June 17 to June 23 Another potential drawing point when I came to Montreal-I aesthetic: does it look good, and at 5143/45 Blvd. Saint-Laurent. is that the entrance fee is a suggested The Luyas play with The Hoof an moved here a couple of years is it relevant to current trends?" The opening party is on June 17 donation of $5, which will go The Heel and Ave pas d'casque June ago-it was kind of cyclical; she says. "Personal taste is from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. There will towards The Coalition To Restore at The Rialto (5723 Ave. du Pare) at again, it was born out of necessi­ always a big part, as well. be a cash bar and music by OJ Coastal Louisiana, a non-profit advo­ pm. $5 at the door. ty. I didn't have a job or a Visa, Certain collectors will stick to a Mitz and OJ Aaron Nathaniel cacy group mandated to both pre- so I started selling things from certain era or style, but I find Standen. the link· june 8 2010 • http://www . thelinknews~er . ca/fringe fring~ arts 11

Free Jazz legends Globe Unity Orchestra will play their first Canadian performance at the $uoni Per II Popolo Festival. Freaky, psychedelic band Pocahaunted bring the pow wow to Montreal. Wacky and weird The Suoni Per II Popolo Festival celebrates a decade of existence

• ASHLEY OPHEIM Artistic Director Steve Guimond. with other small, local organiza­ Popolo festival stands apart in its festival as a platform for free "The festival kind of takes on its tions dedicated to music such as programming. It is improbable jazz-a genre that nobody was Among the bigwigs of own life. Certain types of sounds Blue Skies Turn Black and the that you would recognize more presenting. Montreal's summer music festi­ are represented more each year. Pirates of the Lachine Canal. than three names on their lineup. "The Montreal Jazz Festival vals-ahem, Montreal Jazz For instance, this year for some Local artists provide the visual "We only really program inde­ stepped away from some of the Festival-stands a small but sig­ reason it's a lot of electronic ambiance to the venues. This all pendent artists," explained free jazz artists. So it was a void nificant festival that is as wacky music. Two years ago there tend­ adds to the hotpot of local, inde­ Guimond. that needed to be filled [because] and interesting as its name. The ed to be a lot of freaky folk. But pendent Montrealers that the This year the festival offers an there is a huge audience for that Suoni Per II Popolo festival is that just happens sort of organi­ Suoni festival embraces as part­ array of music - a diversity that kind of music. In that sense, free gracing Montreal with its tenth cally." ners. will draw people of all ages and jazz is kind of the back bone that year with an odd lineup of myste­ As Guimond explained, "We "Part of our philosophy has tastes together. "The thing that's [Suoni] branches out of," said rious and obscure acts. are a corporate free festival, always been to build this sort of cool about the festival is that lots Guimond. The festival takes place from which is pretty rare these days. If community," Guimond said. "It of different audiences come What's happened with Suoni June 6 to June 26. Suoni Per II you look at all the festivals around always comes down to the art and together. We've seen particularly over the past 10 years? "Well, it's Popolo takes place at La Sala it's always the 'Something­ the artist and the music and at the free jazz shows we have definitely evolved. We try and Rossa, Casa Del Popolo, II Something' festival. We are the friendships that emerge from people from 18 years old all the make the program stronger every Motore, and Club Soda, all rela­ Suoni Per II Popolo festival." that." way up 70 years old," Guimond year. I think it's just gotten better tively small venues that add to the The festival does, however, This is Guimond's fifth year explained. and more representative of differ­ overall intimacy between the accept support from the small St. with the festival. He attributes his The free jazz shows-that is, ent perspectives." musicians and the audience. Ambroise Brewery. vast musical taste to working at a improvised jazz-is something "The music we program "That's always been the philos­ community radio background that, as Guimond said, is at the The Suoni Per II Popolo begins on [makes us stand out from other ophy behind the festival," said that exposed him to "a lot of heart of the festival. The founders June 6 and ends June 26. For a full festivals], cause no one is pro­ Guimond. "It's about the music. music for a lot of years." of the festival, who also founded listing of shows visit their website gramming this type of experimen­ It's not about selling a product." If it's not in its lack of corpo­ the festival's venues Casa del casadelpopolo.comlsuonperilpopolo. tal, avant-garde music," said The Suoni festival collaborates rate sponsorship, the Suoni Per II Popolo and Sala Rossa, began the

Isis plays their last show ever at Club Lambi as part of the $uoni Per II Poppolo festival. The beginning of an end for Isis

• R. BRIAN HASTIE In a posting on the band's official Godflesh and The Melvins, the ney that incorporates many memo­ memories. The band's Club Soda blog, the 5-piece band said that they band's catalog is full of songs that rable musical passages into a solid appearances will have people travel­ It's the final curtain call for had "done everything [they] wanted ebb and flow, writing lengthy mas­ effort, though all five of the band's ling from as far away as Australia to Boston-bred and LA-based post­ to do, said everything [they] wanted terpieces that are all crescendo and albums are all distinct and worth be in attendance, as the band itself is metal outfit Isis. After 13 years and to say" and didn't wish to overstay denouements, full of passages with checking out. planning a truly memorable five full-length releases-as well as their welcome, as well as noting the impossibly slow tempos that inter­ Response from fans has largely evening. a myriad number of EPs and live fact that Montreal was the site of play with lighter sections that utilize been one of shock as well as accept­ albums-the Ipecac Record their very first show in 1997. clean instrumentation. ance. The response to the blog post­ Isis plays at Club Soda (1225 recording artists' appearance at Formed in Boston in 1997 and Many consider the band's 2002 ing numbered in the hundreds as Blvd. Saint-Laurent) with Cave In on Club Soda on June 23 will be their borrowing from an aesthetic largely album Oceanic to be their definitive fans thanked guitarist/vocalist Wed. June 23. Show starts at 8 p.m. last show ever. created by bands such as Neurosis, statement: an hour-long sonic jour- Aaron Turner and company for the Tickets are $20. 12 fringe arts the link· june 8 2010· http://www.thelinknewspaper.ca/fringe 11',,~fp, Arcade Fire fails Events listings June 8 - July 3 to bring the heat

MUSIC Local band falls short of impressing fans

Rah Rah, Young Galaxy, Jem and Distant Shores • NATASHA YOUNG steep difference in this new Wednesday, June 9 effort, which pales in comparison Le Divan Orange I fell in love with Arcade Fire to previous releases whose lyrics 4234 St. Laurent Blvd. with the release of their ground­ were impassioned and contained 8:30 p.m. breaking album Funeral and had poignant, inspired imagery. $8 my devotion reignited with Neon "The Suburbs" is enjoyable Bible. I don't believe there is albeit redundant and, at some Cold Warps, Dirty Beaches and much chance or much point in points, monotonous with its Omon Ra II trying to accomplish what previ­ musical arrangements (which is, Thursday, June 10 ous albums did. According to the again, extremely unlike them), Friendship Cove interviews given upon the release but I'm still having a hard time 215A Murray of this new single, it seems the believing that "Month of May" is 8:30 p.m. band agrees with me. sincerely meant as a follow-up to $8 Their new singles that were their last two outstanding efforts. leaked onto the Internet include Arcade Fire's third album drops this summer. Admittedly, their singles are VISUAL ART the album's namesake track "The almost never the best songs on Suburbs" and the rock-driven, astoundingly repetitive arrange­ of the song "Month of May", the album, as is true with many Les Heures painfully repetitive "Month of ment. The strings we all know which opens with the lyrics bands. It is also often futile to try Tuesday, June 8 to Saturday, July 3 May." Unfortunately, these songs and love are in there somewhere, "Month of May, month of May / to single out one or two tracks off Galerie B-312 don't come close to the brilliant but they aren't nearly as impres­ gonna make a record in the of their albums as each song typ­ 372 Sainte-Catherine St. O. debut album that fans all over the sive as tracks on previous month of May," I thought it was a ically has something unique to Open Monday - Saturday world fell in love with. records, and throughout the spoof recorded to promote the offer, and they tend to function to Noon to 5 p.m. It is, of course, important to songs they are either nonexistent new album. As the song contin­ their fullest potential when the experiment and to try new or go unnoticed beneath the ued on, though, with the dreary, album is heard in its entirety. Un labryinthe urban tradimension­ things, to move in different sty­ tedious piano, guitar and bass distorted hammering of power However, all of the band's singles nel listic directions, but with the tracks. There isn't a build-up or chords, I realized it was indeed a thus far have been quite adequate Tuesday, June 8 to Monday, June 21 redundant simplicity of "The climax to be found, another aural full-length song and that it was gauges of the quality and mood of Eastern Bloc Suburbs" and "Month of May," it artifact for which the group is intended for the album. The the rest of the album. So, if these 7240 Clark St. doesn't seem like experimenta­ highly regarded, nor is there lyrics on this track are hackneyed singles are any indication, I'm Open Tuesday to Saturday tion was really the goal. deviation from the basic music in a manner that seems entirely curious-though not so opti­ Noon to 6 p.m. "The Suburbs" has a typically arrangement. uncharacteristic of Arcade Fire. mistic-as to how the rest of the catchy pop sound with its Upon hearing the first minute One cannot help but notice a album will come out. ARTIST TALK • Approaching Stillness, Vida Simon and pin Tedi Tafel Shortwave Sunshine Blue Hawaii Danko Jones Sunday, June 13 Wintersleep The Breakers Blooming Summer Below The Belt articule30 New Inheritors Major Arbutus Aquarius 262 Fairmount St. O. OneFourSeven 3 p.m. New York City could be Local lovebirds Blue After 2008's disappoint­ ..... -r...... This exhibit looks at the summer New Inheritors, one of the hardest Hawaii tackle soft-heart­ ing Never Too Loud, many la ' solstice as a kind of enveloping Wintersleep's fourth places to get noticed ed and feathered emo­ had written off the Mango metaphor to the works. album, is unsure of what when you're part of an tions on their first album Kid and his two musical it aspires to be. Where up-and-coming garage Blooming Summer. This cohorts as an overly PHOTOGRAPHY they were once revered for band, so kudos to new act Shortwave album is ideal for hot, lazy days at home ambitious band who tried cramming too their ability to marry folk rock with atmos­ Sunshine for launching their first album drinking water out of mason jars and check­ many musical stylings into their songs. They Young Healers Volume IV: Frances pheric post-rock, they are now stared at this month. Does producing an album in ing the moisture content of your balcony forgot that a good hook and some decent Allen quizzically with what is essentially a pedes­ the Big Apple guarantee a hit? NO. garden plants' soil. "Dream Electrixra " licks are all you need for rocking times. Jones' Tuesday, June 29 trian indie rock record. Gone are the sonic The seven-track CD entitled The offers itself as a juicy dance-worthy track brand of throwback garage rock got lost in Off The Hook Gallery highs and lows of the first three records. It 's Breakers starts with a couple of endear­ about finding true love. Blooming Summer the songwriting cycle, instead churching out 1021 Sainte-Catherine St. W. like listening to an entirely new, entirely infe­ i ng cou Id -be- featu red -on-a -h it -teen­ could be described as electronica glazed an overtly commercial and well-polished 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. rior band. Their fanbase is bound to be torn series songs with upbeat piano, shaker with a shoe-gaze sound, pallid and ethere­ record. If Never Too Loud was its version of between the first three albums and this new and synth' combinations. The acoustic ally discoed. With songs such as "Lilac," the Ramones' End Of The Century, then Below FILM mutation. "Black Camera ," with its straight­ folk-rock is dressed with jazzy woodwind "Castle of Clouds," and "Sparkle Market," The Belt is its Subterranean Jungle. This forward rocking attitude and forgettable and brass harmonies , a good indication Blue Hawaii offers the music world some­ album is succesful in cutting back the bells, Montreal FRINGE: "How Coyote Was verse/chorus riffs, showcases a band at a the band has promise. However, this thing sweet and magically unapologetic. whistles, sound effects and stylistic changes Swallowed by the Sandia crossroads: singer/guitarist Paul Murphy doesn 't sufficiently overshadow the Swoon-worthy vocals soar high and dry over that cluttered up the previous album's sonic Mountains" brings up his vocal register amidst com­ sappy, simplistic lyrics. The ballads feel patient beats, creating a hesitant but per­ palette, and instead remains focused on get- Saturday, June 12 pletely forgettable music. Much of what like a karaoke performance written by a sistent urge for the album to explode in pas­ ting back to the rock. "I Think Bad Thoughts" Espaces 400 I Space made Wintersleep great was their ability to teenager. With a few good summer tel colors everywhere. Daydream to this and first single "Full Of Regret" are definite 400 I Berri St. surprise musically, but all this album man­ tracks and more forgettable flops, it def­ album , make love while listening to it, but stand-outs from a true return to form. Don 't 5:15 p.m. ages to do is underwhelm. initely sounds like a first album from a most importantly, dance to it in your under- call it a comeback; just call it business as young band. wear alone in your living room. usual. -compiled by 4110 4110 8110 9110 Ashley Opheim Brian Hastie Andrea Zoellner Ashley Opheim Brian Hastie the link· 'une 8, 2010 • fringe arts 13 Can't stop, won't stop Sean Nicholas Savage conquers and represents Montreal at the North by Northeast Festival

• JOHN BATT

Two weeks ago, somewhere between the Greater Toronto area and Montreal, a high-priori­ ty freight train whizzed from Lower to Upper Canada carrying some unexpected cargo. As the train rushed towards Montreal, local songwriter Sean Nicholas Savage sat between two containers on a small plank, dodging CN Rail officials and writing his new album, Mutual Feelings of Respect and Admiration due out on Arbutus Records this summer. Two weeks later the record is on the verge of being finished. "[The album was] a fresh idea "I wanted to make a and it [had] to be made," said Savage. "I believe in synchronici­ practical album. I ty [ ... ] it's time to let everyone want people to use it know." to have a good time." Know what, exactly? Well, - Sean Nicholas Savage, we'll just have to wait until the Montreal songwrlfer album's release. Savage has been heralded as I one of the more prolific musi­ cians in the city. Savage will play on the Pop Montreal roster at the North by Northeast festival in Toronto. Since his arrival from Edmonton in 2008, Savage has released four records, including his last effort Movin' Up in Sean Nicholas Savage prepares to release a new album and take on a European audience. GRAPHIC EMILY KAI BOCK Society, released in April. Where most musicians would take a off into his excitingly dreamy try-pop (not to be confused with Sebastian Cowan, founder of works. As he prepares to leave, much-needed break from the world, and walk around in it for a pop-country) that made his Arbutus Records, the album and his fans eagerly anticipate the studio, Savage just can't seem to while. last effort his most serious to it is now being handed over to manner in which these impend­ stop producing. Savage's music has evolved date. Carriere to be remixed in its ing stories will find their way "I wanted to make a practical dramatically over the years. His For this summer's record, entirety. The result is sure to be into his work. album," said Savage. "I want once minimalist approach and Savage will be collaborating with nothing less than promisingly people to use it to have a good playful, Love-Me-Do lyrical label-mate, fellow Edmonton uplifting. Sean Nicholas Savage will be per­ time." styles have been traded in for native and long-time friend Later this summer, Savage forming a free show Friday, June 18 His music certainly allows for luscious instrumentation and David Carriere of Montreal's heads off to Europe where he has for Fringe Pop at Parc-des-Ameriques that, and, more often than not, mature themes, leading him into sugar-wave band Silly Kissers. dates planned for Amsterdam (Corner of Saint-Laurent Blvd. and one has the opportunity to drift a dark, mahogany-kind of coun- After being recorded by and Berlin with more in the Rachel) at 9:30 p.m. A literary first aid kit Palimpsest magazine mixing up the magazine format with multimedia

• CHRISTOPHER OLSON magazine industry are looking to Like a literary first aid kit, "medicine," will feature video Although unconventional, new technologies, it takes a Palimpsest is a box that springs screenings, including a mish­ Palimpsest has a precedent in When one thinks of a maga­ braver sort to look to the Romans open with a range of art objects, mash presentation of long-for­ Aspen, a magazine published in zine, images of glossy pages and for inspiration. from written prose, cassette tapes gotten web cam video scoured Colorado from 1965 to 1972, and celebrity profiles glutting the Palimpsest, which takes its of music, CDs containing short from the Internet, as well as like Palimpsest took the form of a aisles next to the check-out line at inspiration from Latin scrolls film subjects, textiles and scrolls. broadsheets on display and video box of goods. a drug-store fill the mind. that could be scraped off and "I think, to a certain extent, it's a projections. "We're a palimpsest to this In a dying print culture, maga­ used again, leaving faint traces of tribute to paper fetishism and There'll also be musical per­ other magazine that used to exist zines like GQ and Wired have the original compositions that print fetishism," said Edmonson. formances from experimental and doesn't anymore," said attempted to make their mags graced their pages, is redefining "The impetus for us to create artists Chris D'eon and Geidi Edmonson. "If you try to erase more multimedia-with barcodes the look and feel of what it means [Palimpsest] was to have a plat­ Primes, also known as Grimes. something and write overtop that that can be scanned by cell to be a magazine. form for multimedia and for new "I love magazines so much," history, despite whatever you do, phones to have stories sent to "The more we developed media art. We just want to said Edmonson, "but it's kind of a it's still going to be there." your inbox or holographic dis­ Palimpsest conceptually, the explore the relations between masochist industry to attempt to plays of Robert Downey Jr. or the more we realized it was bound to these different formats and what enter, because there's so much The launch of issue two of Enterprise appearing in your lap­ be something very untraditional," that means." good happening with it right now, Palimpsest will take place Friday top's built-in webcam. said co-founder Tess Edmonson, The launch party for issue two but very little of that is being pro­ June 11 at 4 p.m. at OFF Interarts While the powerhouses of the a Concordia liberal arts student. of the magazine, whose theme is duced in Canada." (5143 St-Laurent Blvd.) 14 I iterary arts the link· june 8, 2010 • thelinknewspaper.ca/lit Designing poetry Four Minutes To Midnight takes your words and makes them art

• EMMA HEALEY want to do with his work. He thinks it works ments page of the magazine's call for sub­ with what he's doing." missions, in a kind of web 2.0 version ofthe What do the words "radical typographic The concern that writers might not be Surrealists' Exquisite Corpse game. Lo takes experimentation" mean to you? okay with what the magazine will do with­ the words and turns them into a visual Nothing? Then you need to get yourself a or to-their work is one that the editors of poem, which then ends up in the zine. copy of Four Minutes To Midnight (23:56). most other literary magazines don't usually While "the Fugue" can be both linguisti­ The Montreal zine, created by designer face. But, as it says on the zine's website, cally and visually chaotic, he's quick to point and sometimes-Concordia-teacher Kevin 23:56 is not just a literary magazine; it's "a out that there's nothing haphazard about it. Yuen Kit Lo and his creative partner John space for radical typographic experimenta­ "Online, a lot of the time, there's this idea W. Stuart, is a compilation of poetry and art tion, blurring the line between form and of just amassing content [ ... ] the idea is 'let's that wants to be more than just a typical content." see what kind of keywords we can pull out of anthology. Lo explained: "A lot of the stuff we've the crazy interwebs and pull it all together For example: there have been 10 issues of done has been experimental typography, and it's going to be meaningful.' And it's 23:56 so far, and while much of the materi­ experimental poetry, really bridging the gap not. I think having an editorial approach is al was generated through open calls for between text and image. That's where my really important." submissions, a large section of issue 11 will main interest is. [Nettelbeck],s been com­ Giving direction to a project that aspires feature only the work of Montreal artist fortable with us fucking with his words." He to be a dialogue, a poem, a piece of art, and Sophie Jodoin and American beat poet F. A. smiled. "Or, um, I hope he is." a representation of a coherent editorial Nettelbeck. However, the magazine's experimental point of view all at once has been a complex Nettelbeck is an often-overlooked mem­ approach hasn't scared contributors away. task for Lo. Creating visual poetry out of ber of the original Beat poets. He has pub­ "Most of the writers that have worked with other people's lines might seem like a lished 20 books of poetry and used to head us, that's generally the agreement we have daunting task, but he says he finds it inspir­ the now-defunct poetry magazine This Is with them," said Lo. "People send us stuff ing. Important, which published work by writ­ and they realize that we're going to mess "The form actually gives me a great way Sophie Jodoin is a contributor to Four Minutes ers like William S. Burroughs and Allan around with it in different ways." to write without having to write. I get to edit to Midnight. Ginsberg in the '80S and '90S. This agreement is a key part of "the words from all these brilliant contributors, "We had featured him in the last two Fugue," a long poem that Lo, Stuart and var­ and then still express some sort of meaning experimentation," as it turns out, means issues and thought that he was a really ious other contributors have been working that I want to express, and add to it through exactly what it sounds like-fucking with important and sort of marginalized charac­ on since the magazine's inception. "It's a its visual form, through its composition and words. ter," said Lo. "I met him online, I sent him kind of collaborative typographic epic structure." some copies and he had a really positive poem," said Lo. "We take a lot of different That kind of attitude is what separates The 11th issue of Four Minutes To Midnight response. He jokingly asked when I was voices and smash them together and try to 23:56 from other literary arts magazines. will be released in July. For more details go to going to do a book for him and I thought, make a song out of it." Instead of just pairing pieces of art up with www.lokidesign.net. For the full transcript of hey, you know, why not? We have the abili­ All the text in "the Fugue" comes from poems, the zine erases all distinctions Emma Healey's interview with Kevin Lo, visit ty to do it and he allows us to do what we contributors, who post lines on the com- between the two. "Radical typographic The LinKs website: www.thelinknewspaper.ca

Anna Leventhal, CKUT contributor I always just called it "the best game shop from McGill, [and] I don't know if Sou/gazers and editor of The Art of Trespassing, ever," and that's what my friends call it this is other people's experience in spoke to The Link about Soulgazers. as well, where you write a sentence and class, but, when you submit a story to a somebody has to illustrate the sen­ bunch of people, some people's cri­ The Link: Why did the Soulgazers put tence, and then somebody has to sum­ tiques are going to be right on, and together a zine? marize the drawing, and then it just some people are going to say things and Anna Leventhal: We spend a year keeps going. I've played it on many a you're going to be like, "whose story workshopping stories together and diner placemat. So this has just been were you reading?" I had one guy read then, as a way of marking the passage kind of an extension of that. something that I wrote and say some­ of a year, we make a zine just to show thing like, "Oh, this character is clearly what we've all been working on. I was wondering how you feel about a mouthpiece for your radical commu­ [The Thousand Words issue] was making zines compared to working with a nist agenda." And I was like, "Oh? kind of a slightly different project and publisher, like you did with The Art of Okay. I didn't really think that I was try­ that one sort of happened because Jeff Trespassing. ing to be a mouthpiece for a radical [Miller] and Shaun and I were the only It's basically just a lot slower [work­ communist agenda." three who were around, and we were ing with a publisher]. It took about a • CHRISTOPHER OLSON just kind of like, "Oh, we should make year for [The Art of Trespassing] to What other projects do you have on the something for Expozine!" So we did come out, whereas with a zine you can backburner? The Soulgazers writing collective this collaborative thing, where one per­ sort of whip it out in a weekend. I I have another writing project called threw caution to the wind with their son wrote a story and then we found an mean, literally, you go to the print The Society for the Preservation of latest issue. Like an illustrated game of illustrator, and then the next person shop, you make a bunch of copies, you Anachronistic Gesture. It's not exactly broken telephone, each writer took the wrote a story based on the illustration. spend an evening with your friends sta­ a writing project; it's [part] writing, inspiration for his or her work from an pling, and then it's done. Even with a [part] performance, and [part] archival. illustration someone else had written Will future issues of Soulgazers take small press you don't have that sort of It has a bunch of different forms. It's in response to the previous writer's on this collaborative approach? freedom. about creating an archive of gestures. response to the previous illustration, Well, I don't know if the next issue Right now it's all on paper, but eventu­ with the image ending up somewhere of Soulgazers will, but I really, really How does getting writing critiques from ally we're going to have a website where very different from where it started. like that format. I love doing a story close friends differ from other writing we have a bunch of collected gestures, "The Thousand Words issue" gar­ based on an image, and then having workshops you've taken? and we'll invite people to add more. nered the Soulgazers a nod for Best that story illustrated, and you just get All writing comes from your experi­ Zine at last year's Expozine in so many different interpretations. It's ence in your community, so showing You can purchase copies of Montreal. But will they be repeating based on a drawing game that I really things to members of that community Soulgazers at Depanneur Le Pick Up the experiment? like. I don't know if it has a real name. just makes sense. I took a fiction work- (7302 Waverly St.) the link· june 8, 2010 • thelinknews~per.ca / sports sports 15 Of leaps and bounds The Olympic Park becomes prime real estate for parkour

Concordia student Jules Desmara is is part of a parkour group that meets three times a week at Olympic Park. PHOTOS oz VEYSEl-DEMIRTAS

• JAMIE PIMENTEL Wednesdays, and Saturdays at the used within one's environment . ness, believing that rivalry strips research on the web and found a Olympic Park. There are no fees The word is also slang for "to go away the essence of self-develop­ group that practised this sport in At first glance, parkour may and people of all abilities are wel­ fast," as speed and efficiency ment. Montreal," said Kit. "I was look­ seem like simply an adrenaline come to participate. define the practice. "The parkour community is a ing for a fun way to keep in shape junkie's fix for random sprints, Those who are acquainted with Some of the terms used in very friendly brotherhood where and I wanted to try something gravity-defying leaps and a lust the sport often equate it with a parkour are: Saut de fond or drop, everyone is eager to help one new." for imminent danger. The I'art du sense of freedom, and ultimately, planche or muscle-up, roulade or another," stated Steven Leblanc, Movies like Yamikasi show deplacement, as the physical dis­ a lifestyle. roll, and passe muraille or wall an aspiring kinesiologist and that parkour can become more cipline is known in its native "The sport it could be most hop/ run. Although knowledge of instructor at PKQC. "When you than just a hobby and well-known France, is actually an elaborate compared to would probably be a the terminology is not necessary, start doing parkour, your vision of stunt man David Belle is living exercise of body displacement martial art. A non-competitive it does increase one's understand­ the environment changes-it's proof of that. with the goal of getting from point form [that is], which means you ing of a discipline as broad in about you and your body." Although the training is ardu­ A to B as quickly as possible. get to know yourself through your scope as parkour, if not to feel a Inspired by Luc Besson's 2001 ous, "it's very simple," said Kit. "Parkour is just basically using practise and better yourself," said sense of appropriation with other film, Yamikasi-Les samourai's "You do it when and where you your body and your environment Desmarais. traceurs. des temps modernes, Leblanc want to. You don't realize that as efficiently as possible to get George Hebert, a naval officer Parkour emphasizes cama­ began practising parkour eight you're working hard because around," explained Jules from the late 18005, is credited raderie, benevolence, assistance, years ago and has been teaching it you're having fun." Desmarais, a fiber arts student at with pioneering the discipline honor, and honesty, which are for the last two. Coinciding with Hebert's phi­ Concordia and member of the after noticing the advanced physi­ ideologies found within the natu­ "People used to come to me for losophy and motto "etre fort pour Communaute du parkour au cal abilities of indigenous people ral method's moral tenets. It is a advice but I didn't know how to etre utile," which means "be Quebec. "Every day is different, in Africa and their strict reliance minimalistic discipline, requiring explain it to them, so I had to the­ strong to be useful," the lifestyle every day is an adventure. I guess on nature to develop their skills. no equipment other than shoes orize the movements in order to aspect of parkour is integral to the it's the feeling of freedom I get As parkour owes most of its and the environment. There is a better explain," he said. practice. when I do it." jargon to its French origins, prac­ sense of unity between oneself Silex Kit, a female instructor at "You can run about the city and Desmarais is part of a titioners call themselves traceurs, and nature, according to partici­ PKQC, was also inspired by improvise with what you see, but Montreal-based group, that holds meaning "to trace or draw a line" pants, and traceurs stress the Besson's feature. always look before you leap," said practices on Mondays, in French and refers to the path importance of non-competitive- "I saw Yamikasi and did some Desmarais. 16 sports the link· june 8, 2010 • thelinknewspaper.ca/sports Starting fresh Concordia student proves his value with Impact Academy

Hussein Awada was discovered by the Lebanese national team at age 10. PHOTO oz VEYSEL- DEMIRTAS

• ALEX 01 PIETRO Awada had the talent to make it Awada was travelling three to alone in Beirut. He said that taking a few English-as-a-second after watching him during a team five times a week from Baalbeck though his career as a footballer language-courses to help break When Concordia student practice in January. to the capital for national-team had been taking off, the possibil­ the language barrier and is confi­ Hussein Awada left his home "He came out of nowhere," training. ity of a war prompted him to seek dent his English will improve country of Lebanon for Montreal said Eullaffroy. "He said he was While Awada recently took a better life in Canada. with time. last December, he had at least studying at Concordia and want­ part III the 2008 U19 Asian "Before coming to Montreal, I As for the Academy, Awada two objectives in mind: finishing ed to know where he could play Football Confederation champi­ scored a goal for my team in has already shown a lot of prom­ school and playing professional high-level soccer and they sent onship, he claimed he gained a Lebanon and my teammates ise by leading the team in goals soccer. Within a month of his him here. So we thank Concordia lot of experience and responsibil­ wanted me to stay with them. But and hopes to make the Impact's arrival, Awada was on his way to University for giving us the ity with the national team when at the same time, I had to think first team. He is also aware that accomplishing both. opportunity to see the talent of he participated in the 2004 U14 about my future," Awada said. there is the possibility of playing Awada, who had been playing this student." AFC championship in Qatar. "As you know, you can't tell when for the Stingers if that doesn't in the Lebanese Premier League Awada grew up in Baalbeck, The midfielder/forward had a the war will start and end in happen. with club AI Mabarra, notified Lebanon, located roughly 86 successful stint with second-divi­ Lebanon." "If I don't do it and the univer­ the university that he was looking kilometres away from Beirut. sion team AI Nahda Club at 16, Montreal was an obvious des­ sity team calls me to play with for a team and was then referred National-team recruiters discov­ which garnered him a lot of tination for Awada as many of his them, or whatever the situation to the Montreal Impact Academy. ered Awada while he played attention from division one family members live in the city. is, I'll make a decision. But I can't The Academy is the reserve youth soccer for Hoda Al Resaly teams. Soon enough Awada However, his mother Wafaa leave football," he said. side for the Montreal Impact and at the tender age of 10. He spent transferred to Al Mabarra-a Wehbe and father Melhem Awada said it has been diffi­ is currently in its inaugural sea­ five seasons with the fourth-divi­ Lebanese Premier League club Awada are still in Lebanon. cult juggling school with playing son as a Canadian Soccer League sion club and Awada said the based in Beirut-for the 2008-09 As the soccer season starts in for a team that practises every team. While many of the players team's head coach Abbas AI Outa campaign. the fall back home, Awada said day and plays many of its away in the squad are still in their played a major role in making At 18, Awada said he learned he is just getting used to the games outside Quebec, but plans teens, head coach Philippe Awada a successful player. to live independently and began weather and starting the season to pursue studies in finance after Eullaffroy knew 20-year-old Between the ages of 11 and 17, thinking about his future while in the summer. He is presently completing his ESL courses. the link' june 8, 2010' thelinknewspaper.ca/opinions opinions 17

GRAPHIC GINGER COONS To draw or not to draw Everybody Draw Muhammad Day, held on May 20, spawned a clash of ideals. The day was initiated by the censorship of an episode of American television show, South Park titled "201" for depicting the prophet Muhammad-an act that is blasphemous to Islam. Radical Muslims reacted by sending death threats to the creators of South Park and those that felt their freedom of speech was threatened reacted by drawing a plethora of pictures. With the extreme reactions on both sides of the debate, should we have a day dedicated to drawing the Muslim prophet Muhammad?

• ELAINE BALL world should not be afraid to exer­ • DIEGO PELAEZ GAETZ series of cartoons depicting the prophet. cise their rights to free speech In a scarce media market, reactionary On May 17, I received an email when radical Muslims threaten I claim no religious affiliations what­ devout Muslims are an easy target for calling for secular groups nation­ death. soever. Much like John Lennon, I imag­ creating controversy, which is why pret­ wide to join in solidarity with the "We should show them that we ine a utopia where outdated religious ty much every major media outlet University of Illinois, University are not afraid of them," was the ideologies don't hold sway over serious played up the story for weeks. of Wisconsin, and Northwestern general response I heard. decision-making. Though the paper claimed that the University to participate in I think, however, that we So it is not from a place of being cartoons were with the intention of Everybody Draw Muhammad Day should not play their games. We offended that I can say that I abhor "adding to the discourse," the reality is on May 20. should draw Muhammad on other Draw Muhammad Day and cartoonists that they were an overtly antagonistic This was in response to death days, all throughout the year. If who think they are crusaders for free gesture to the Muslim community in threats received by South Park everyone draws Muhammad on speech because they present a (usually Denmark without any real artistic merit. creators Trey Parker and Matt this one day, then great, no radical stereotypical) depiction of an Arab guy It's hard to believe that Draw Stone for depicting the Muslim Muslims will kill us on that day, by the name of Muhammad. The notion Muhammad Day was intended with the prophet Muhammad speaking. but what about other days? that cartoon doodling can be equated wellbeing of Muslim communities According to an interpretation of The fact remains, however, that with real religious activism is what around the world at heart. Yes, I under­ the Qur'an, people of the Muslim a few radical Muslims sending offends me. stand the noble notion of showing radi­ faith are not allowed to portray death threats is not indicative of Just to be clear, I also don't think cal Muslim groups that we are "not the prophet Muhammad in any the entire Muslim population. people should be subject to death afraid of them," but that's easy enough way. Take the reaction of the Muslim threats for depicting an image of to say from the comfort of your comput­ But, who is to say everyone isn't Student Association at the Muhammad. I do enjoy South Park, and er desk. allowed to draw the prophet? University of Wisconsin-Madison empathize with the creators, who were The reality is that Draw Muhammad My colleagues and I at Secular as an example. They drew boxing the subject of death threats after depict­ Day does nothing at all for people suf­ Humanism, Inquiry and Free gloves on the chalk stick figures ing Muhammad in their 200th episode. fering under oppressive Islamic dicta­ Thought partook in a Draw and wrote "Ali" next to the label I'm pretty sure their depiction of torships except exacerbate the antago­ Muhammad Campaign by drawing "Muhammad." That's far from a Muhammad wasn't included to create nistic relationship between the western stick figures insinuating its identi­ death threat! It's clever and amus­ international controversy, and for it to and Islamic world. This kind of combat­ ty as Muhammad, but with no real ing. be received as such is puzzling-not just ive discourse only helps extremists on resemblance. The idea was to sway We can have these dialogues from the Muslim community, but from both sides of the debate to drum up dialogue away from the actual throughout our school years, the mainstream media as well. resentment and find reason for armed drawing Muhammad and promote drawing attention to our groups, Especially since South Park had already conflict. freedom of expression. making it clear that we aren't ran an episode featuring Muhammad in One final point: if you want to draw The SHIFT team had this con­ "afraid" of anything, while offer­ 2001 with very little public response. Muhammad, feel free. Draw him in versation during our weekly meet­ ing information and education to But we can't forget where the draw­ compromising positions, going to work, ings and most of our members our campus communities. Why Muhammad controversy originated; in dressed up as a police officer-have at it. agreed that there should be an burn bridges of communication 2005 a notoriously anti-immigrant Just don't waste my time with a faux­ "Everybody Draw Muhammad and understanding instead of newspaper in Denmark tried to stir up radical "day," which is basically a Day" because people all over the building each other up? some interest in their publication with a Western-centric circle-jerk. . . 18 Opinions the link· june 8, 2010 • thelinknewspaper.caiopinions Pushing the right buttons Is technology replacing human intimacy?

• MITRA KABOL! create your ideal woman, have it delivered to • SCOTT NAGAO ners in the act. I mean, I never think of your door and then do whatever you please myself as fucking my laptop, my book, or I am in a dry spell of Saharan proportions. with her. But when reading the testimonials, In the spirit of Mitra's full disclosure of my hand, but I am aware that they are play­ I hate my life because I am not getting laid it is clear that many of the purchasers are not her sexual frustration, I masturbate to porn ing a role in the experience. The pleasure is and it is making me an angry bitch. With all viewing their doll as a masturbation aide. all the time even when I'm having sex on a not as much about the objects I use, as it is the time that I spend not having sex and not These dolls are regarded as real people and as daily basis. I don't use the Internet to meet what's being presented or imagined. It's having sex with myself either, because it is $7,000 companions. any human partners in real life. Does that about everything that contributes to the getting boring, I cruise the Internet and think Now, I am not being fair to the kinds of mean that all my online sexual escapades sexual experience. about different ways to hydrate the desert in people who order Real Dolls. I am sure that are purely self-indulgent? Probably. But are I'm not so sexy, funny, or loaded with my laced underwear. not all of them live in their mother's base­ they non-social? Not really. pheromones that my girlfriend wants to My over-sexed partner in crime, Scott ments. Still, in reading the testimonials, I am Rather than just toughing it out until I fuck my brains out five times a day and I Nagao and I stumbled upon realdoll.com, a led to believe that most of these purchasers get to see my lovely girlfriend, I opt for porn don't have a Bladerunner-level sex android website that sells sex dolls that at first glance are total creeps. The lonely people that buy at two in the morning-something offanta­ to try and convince her to have a three-way you'd swear were human beings. They have these dolls for comfort only seem to increase sy, something artificial, something in the with me. It doesn't really matter anyway, special features like an actual spine that mim­ their antisocial behaviour. This doll is not a virtual world to quell my seemingly insa­ because she expresses the same fear, envy ics the flexibility of a real person. real person and no matter how much you love tiable libido. Now is this so bad? and distaste for competition with Real Dolls I was shocked. it, it will never love you back, at least not yet. Vicariously living out fantasy situations and androids as Mitra. This isn't an unjusti­ "Holy fucking shit, I am not sure if that is The men who live with these dolls, seem to with words, pictures and other objects has fied fear. We all already get blasted with a real person or not," I told Scott. be pleased, even happy-but they have only not seemed to stop the progress of human images of hot plastic bodies each day. "I know, right?" he exclaimed in agree­ avoided dealing with the real issue. They are history thus far-raise your hand if you If this is how she feels about an inani­ ment. living in a world of fantasy, one that they have have ever made out with a pillow or danced mate doll, how am I supposed to feel when made an artificial reality. They don't have to with a broom. she wants to use the massive vibrator with I think intimacy is a two-way put any effort in maintaining their relation­ Consider porn. Although many of us the clit tickler that glows in the dark and street. You and I could be real ship because, let's face it, relationships are sometimes forget this, porn isn't just some probably squeezes out frozen yogurt instead hard work. Their doll can be the delusional magic offspring of the Internet. It's the love of cum? That vibrator is based on human intimate if you want, but the female ideal that they want it to be. child of millions of real people who got bodies, is focused solely on the genitals, is guy living in his mother's I can see the appeal. But at the end of the drunk, needed some cash or simply wanted usually exaggerated in size and has a motor. basement who is making day, I think most of us want a warm body that to get naked in front of a camera. In this Have you ever heard of fuck machines? sweet love to his Real Doll will hug us back, who can move along with case, technology made it extraordinarily Machines where people attach things like the rhythm of our love making and who will easy for humans to share sexual content dildos to household appliance or small can't. let out a resonating moan when your load with other humans. When we get off to this motor vehicle engine to make a machine gets blown on his/her face. Who knows, stuff, we may be physically distanced from that will not just vibrate, but fuck at 3,600 That is when I got a bit freaked out. My maybe I am just pissed off because socially the humans who made it, but we're still r.p.m.? initial concern was that I am not nor will I awkward losers are getting pussy, meanwhile receiving that human pleasure. So, can we answer Mitra's question? ever be as hot as that doll. I wondered, will I am turning into a self-loathing masochist. So does your sexual partner need to be Does technology compete with real humans real women become less attractive as sex Let's face it, I am a total catch. Call me? another real biological human? In those for sex and love? I would say yes and no. partners because we are competing with life­ moments of lust, I can call my computer, What matters is how humans understand sized Barbies? The thought of even less sex in my erotic books or even my own hand part- technology, how we use it and why we use my life gave me understandable panic. it. I think the more pressing issue is not my sex life, but rather the rapidly changing cli­ O Ii OIOO~IOIl /11 0 If this is how she feels about mate of technology: to what extent will we 101601 0010100 an inanimate doll, how am I distance ourselves from humanity? Can real 011 101110,011:) human intimacy ever be replaced? And when supposed to feel when she I say real human intimacy, I mean the kind wants to use the massive between you and 1. Speaking of you and I, if vibrator with the clit tickler you wanna give me a call and grab a drink or that glows in the dark? something I am cool with that. Yes, I just used The Link as a dating/hook-up service, what of it? Please don't judge me. Sure, I'll feel a slight sense of inadequacy I think intimacy is a two-way street. You with my body and my skill next to the glow and I could be real intimate if you want, but in the dark yogurt beast, but should I worry the guy living in his mother's basement who about my partner actually choosing these is making sweet love to his Real Doll can't. machines over me, her human companion? Intimacy requires a reciprocity that a Real If I need to, then I should probably be less Doll cannot provide-at least not yet. Being worried about being replaced by technology intimate with a doll will never satisi)' our than about why I am sticking with a girl human need for love, care and social interac­ who is entirely satisfied with a toy. tion. I don't feel like I do though, and maybe But things are changing. The question it's because I've invested so much time into should be asked: are we living in a culture analyzing the role technology plays in my where we are so integrated with our technol­ life that I tend to view it as a natural part of ogy that we need less human to human inter­ my society, my life and even my body. actions to survive? Even when my girlfriend chooses to use I warm up to the idea of being intimate toys during sex that make me feel like a with technology when I think about all the dwarf, she's still wanting my body pressed ways it has helped me get off: sex toys, porn, against her, still pulling my head against cyber sex, webcams and genetically modified her chest and still crying out my name when zucchinis. All of this is exciting. Some of these she reaches that apex of orgasm. Hell, I things I consider to be masturbatory aides. want to say it's even flattering. It's like The others, like webcams and cyber sex actu­ telling me, "you're what I'm thinking about ally create avenues of communication with when spasming from a super awesome other people when you are unable to be with yogurt squirting vibrating dildo induced them. orgasm." Real Dolls are awesome because you can What more can a guy ask for? the link· june 8, 2010 • thelinknewspaper.ca/opinions opinions 19 editorial Disconnected Across understanding 5. The most successful American Idol winner can also bring it in a Last week, 9,000 academics and delegates flocked to live setting. Sadly, I've watched Concordia for the 2010 Congress of the Humanities and Social enough YouTube performances to Sciences, taking our downtown campus by scholarly storm. know that first-hand. They attended over 1,500 events with an aim of "sharing 7. This member of Miracle may groundbreaking research and examining the important social be pushing 70 but he still sounds and cultural issues of the day," according to Concordia's damn good. Hell, his 1976 single humanities and social sciences website. "Quiet Storm" even became the very Speakers came from far and wide from May 28 to June 4 to definition of a radio genre of discuss seemingly disparate topics and revel in their accumu­ smooth R&B hits. lated knowledge, transforming Quartier Concordia into a hub 9. This June festival's name is of academics who were free to think deeply, network with derived from the Italian language other researchers and listen to themselves speak about their and translates to "Sounds for the deep thoughts and research. people." Hosting this conference, which is one of the largest in 11. Sarah McLachlan resurrected North America, was a proud moment for our school, and took this festival and then killed it off a over two years of paid full-time work to plan. It also required decade later. over 200 volunteers to pull off. 13. This comedian, alias gives total control (as well as profit) With major eyes and minds congregating on our campus, Raaaaaaaandy (I counted out all over to the artists, who are chosen issue 30 the administration wants us all to swell with Concordia eight A's just to make sure), is going by lottery. ~ ({)) ff [Ijj ~ff rtJ)[!7J Z pride-because damn it, we look really, really good in the pub­ to bring the ruckus to Metropolis lic eye. this July. The university certainly outdid itself to look the part of a 15. This festival, dedicated to the Down world-class institution of learning. For the first time in many "promotion of electronic music and 1. This 1927 filmic masterpiece of our undergraduate careers, de Maisonneuve Boulevard was digital arts," always manages to is going to be screened at Place Des completely free of construction, allowing delegates to cross the astound. Oh, and also gets people Arts complete with a live orchestral street without obstruction or constant fear of being hit by cars, dancing too. score. It also has an extra half­ Norman Bethune was greened and hooked up with an addi­ 16. Ipecac Records artists who hour of recently unearthed footage. tional statue, and the Hall Building got a fancy new sticker on have remixed the Beastie Boys and Should be hilarious. the front door complete with Article 26 from the Universal Against Me. Yeah, that's right. 2. Quebec rap duo with a decid­ Declaration of Human Rights advocating free education. 17. Blue, green, red. They've got edly sovereigntist slant. It's that last one that really got us. all forms of ratitude covered. Now, 3. Festival celebrating French as well as all things cool. These beautifying measures, in association with all the win­ if only Rovers would stop writing so culture through a myriad number 9. Thurston Moore better show ing and dining of academics, ensured that those who attended much for other artists ... Cold, any­ of artistic performances. up with a giant inflatable version of the events remember Concordia as one of the best and bright­ one? 4. The most comedic of all festi­ himself. That's all I've got to say est schools in town-but what happens now? 18. Hipsters unite! Montreal's vals running this summer. It aims about this clue. For many of us average-Joe-or-Jill Concordians who answer to various U.S. festivals for belly laughs and the odd crass 10. Noise mavens who once weren't aware of the conference, there will not be any inform­ comes around for yet another year remark. We're looking at you, Jim counted Andrew WK in their ranks. ative tents or helpful volunteers to show us around in the fall. of indie rock and paying lip service Norton. Think Throbbing Gristle but with The shine of the fresh floors and walls will wear off, the esca­ to various other forms of music we 6. Will be driving up to more feedback. lators in the Hall building will stop working again-assuming all pretend to be into. Montreal in late July in his 12. Cut your hair and listen to they got them to work any better for Congress, which would be 19. We like our melodic hardcore Dragula, most likely. If only he'd this band in a live setting outdoors. an act of divine intervention-and, for the many international homegrown, thank you very much. stop making movies, then the 14. Montreal band known for students who won't be returning to our school because of We all have to make sure this band world would be a better place. both its name as well as its music, hikes in tuition, having Article 26 slapped on the side of the doesn't get into any "Watch out, it's 8. One of the festivals this year with two full-length releases under Hall building is a slap in the face. a crisis!" situations. will be running a tribute to this jazz their belts. Their love of all forms This university has pushed through some of the highest 20. This 20 year-old festival legend, who loved the colour blue of No Wave knows no bounds. tuition hikes in Quebec in the past year-in some cases dou­ bling tuition without so much as warning the affected stu­ dents-which clearly violates the spirit of the Article on the door. I wish we could say with confidence what Concordia has learned from this event, besides the fine art of self-adulation. Dear Heartaches, mouslmonogamous relationship is response also, but do you really wanna The millions of dollars dropped into the Quartier Concordia Before I get to my question, I'm just really such a bright idea. Is three go there? If your gut feeling says no, project, the new buildings and the hundreds of thousands going to put it out there that I'm no always a crowd? How should I go maybe you should get in on the real spent for a new logo only show how flash supercedes sub­ prude: I've dated men, I've dated about this one? motive of their invitation to a menage a stance at this school. women, and I consider myself a sexu­ -The Third Party trois. So what came from all this academic schmoozing? A prom­ ally and romantically free spirit. Is this couple going through a mid­ ise made to better integrate aboriginals into Canada's school With that said, this summer has dealt relationship crisis and using you as their system, which is one of the few things that should be applaud­ up some interesting romantic Dear Third Party, flint for a new spark? Are you going to ed, and a lot of other talk. prospects I'm not sure I know how to Basking in the beauty of being a free turn into their therapist when all you've While congress claimed that "the important social and cul­ handle. spirit in a city that embraces it is pretty signed up for is a transient tryst and tural issues of the day" would be discussed, media highlights Specifically, I've had a couple -a much the authentic Montreal experience. maybe a game of naked twister? Maybe from the conference praised research about smart clothes, the man and a woman who have been dat­ Su mmers here provide the perfect set­ they're creepy axe murders looking to he-cession, middle-aged angst, the restorative properties of a ing for some time now-pursue me as ting for new love, accumulating notches expand their skin collection. Or maybe ramble in the woods and soul-searching about the future of a third-party to join in their summer on bed posts, and general debauchery, they're just looking for some summer the social sciences. lovin'. so my knee-jerk response would be YES, lovin' just like you. All I'm saying is In the future, a meeting of 9,000 of the smartest people we Now, part of me is flattered, right? go for it! watch your own ass before getting some can find should lead to more than this. At what point does aca­ This could be a great experience. But Judging by the description of your sex­ ass, because you don't really want your demia turn into action? another part of me is wondering if ual inclinations, you've been to a lot of story to end up being a 'based-on-a­ getting involved in a non-monoga- places and that'd be your general true-story' horror flick. -Laura Beeston & Justin Giovannetti, Production Manager & fditor-in-Chief , The Summer Down-Low •

:' ..•:, ~~."-,.. ~ jj• I .• . .. . . ~ ~ .- • : Look out for The Link's Suoni Per Popolo is .- I : coverage of the G-20 twenty days of wonderful •• •• • •• : summIt III Toronto . music mayhem. .. - : ; 4-5 6·26

Fantasia comes to Montreal to dazzle audiences and put Get some fresh air and take in emerging talent on the the art madness that is The map for twenty days of Festival International silver screen magic. Montreal en Arts. 1·11

Les jeux de la rue. Community out- ~.. " .- reach group Rap Jeunesse and \~\Y i local youths host a series of athletic J .. competitions for inner city children. ("';: x / 5- fse

Montreal's only newspaper that guarantees to be here in a month and a half