Flavours of summer in Montreal PLAN OUT YOUR TASTIEST SUMMER EVER, WITH THE LINK ’S EVENTS CALENDAR • PAGE 12 THE LINK • JUNE 10, 2008 • HTTP://THELINK.CONCORDIA.CA/NEWS/ NEWS 03 Rosengate saga comes to a close ‘This is fucking bullshit,’ Rosenshein says

• TERRINE FRIDAY the JB’s decision. able as a council member.” A letter from the Forget, the Dean of Students’ office got the According to CSU bylaws, the council of Dean of Students proving Rosenshein’s stu- request “about a week ago,” dating back to a The verdict is in: Steven Rosenshein was representatives is able to overturn a deci- dent status, obtained the same day as the few days before the document was pro- never an independent student. sion of the JB by a four-fifths majority, if the Council meeting, was thus introduced by duced. But nobody seemed surprised at this tid- decision engenders racism, sexism, homo- Novoa and circulated. Dean of Students Elizabeth Morrey con- bit of discovery. phobia, xenophobia or collusion, or is Novoa has since been unable to repro- firmed she was asked only “recently” for Dania Fawaz, an outgoing Concordia “manifestly unreasonable.” When asked if duce this document. information from Novoa and thus “provided Student Union councillor, seemed unfazed the councillors at the special meeting decid- by the old news brought forth by outgoing ed the JB ruling was manifestly unreason- Novoa asked Rosenshein to “go CSU president Angelica Novoa. able, Rosenshein replied, “That was the “Are you kidding me?” Fawaz interjected point of the meeting.” to the back of the room at her final council meeting. “Did you just Although the JB continued to uphold its where he belongs.” figure this out?” initial decision, Rosenshein remained a Rosenshein, an arts and science student, councillor representing the independent posed illegally as an independent student in students during the 2007-08 school year. “I should’ve kept a copy, I guess,” said the basic information I am obliged to give.” last year’s CSU general elections. He and In the final 2007-08 Council meeting the former CSU president. Novoa initially cited “confidentiality David Kogut successfully blocked council held May 14, president Novoa asked Outgoing councillor Matthew Forget issues” as the reason for the six-month induction of deserving independent stu- Rosenshein to “go to the back of the room made the initial request for proof of delay of the long-awaited document. dents. where he belongs,” as a mere observer—but Rosenshein’s student status last November. Jason Gondziola, former coucillor, is “I am an independent student,” only after a disagreement regarding CSU Forget has never received a copy of the doc- upset at the last-minute breakthrough. Rosenshein asserted to The Link after a con- health and dental negotiations ensued. ument. “I could have had a seat on the Board [of testation was filed with the Chief Electoral Under current practices, the CSU execu- “The fact that it comes out in May’s real- Governors],” he said. Gondziola was Office. tive is responsible for making health and ly handy because [nobody] can do any- Rosenshein’s only opponent in the bid to The Judicial Board disqualified the two dental negotiations. This didn’t sit well with thing,” he lamented. Forget believes take a seat on the Board. councillors-elect based on information pro- Rosenshein. Novoa’s newfound awakening is just a red Gondziola blamed the ordeal on incon- vided by the Dean of Students’ office. “The contract shouldn’t be approved herring: the real dispute is behind the sistency and called for “more ostensibly Independent student Ethan Cox, a council until Council signs it,” Rosenshein said, cit- health and dental renegotiations. democratic processes. hopeful blocked by Rosenshein, was wel- ing transparency as the main reason for his “It just doesn’t add up,” Forget contin- “These kinds of things wouldn’t happen comed to the roundtable as well. concern. ued. if there was a better measure of accountabil- However a special summer meeting Novoa was quick on the draw and Forget also noted that the completed ity,” he continued. “I don’t think this hap- chaired by Rosenshein saw only four mem- ordered that the proposed motion “not [be request for Rosenshein’s status “was a mat- pens with governments that are monitored.” bers of the outgoing CSU Council reverse tabled] by Steven Rosenshein who is debat- ter of days, not months.” According to —with files from Rita Cant Economics trump humanitarianism Local activists protest changes to immigraton policy

• CLARE RASPOPOW Immigrant and Refugee changes contained therein that Protection Act. These alterations have activists like Najah upset. Federal Immigration minister to the act grant the immigration The bill was attached to a budget- Diane Finley was met with a frosty minister the discretionary power ary bill, making the vote for or welcome last Wednesday as mem- to reject applications, give manda- against the changes a confidence bers of Solidarity Without Borders tory instructions to case workers matter. and other immigrants’ rights and create quotas for and cate- “What the Conservatives did groups held a protest outside of gories of desirable immigrants. was absolutely unprecedented,” the downtown Omni Hotel to said Najah. “Not many people express their concern and raise “This bill represents a knew about what was going on, awareness about Bill C-50 that but the people who knew were passed earlier this year. Finley was shift away from why flabbergasted.” in Montreal to give the keynote you’re immigrating Finley was unapologetic when speech at the Canadian to what you can do questioned by the press about the Immigration Policy Conference for Canada.” Conservatives’ tactics. “We’re hosted by the Fraser Institute. quite firm in what we’re going for- “[This bill] has the potential to —Farah Najah, member of ward with,” she said. “We’ve Solidarity Without Borders Diane Finley’s star on the Walk of Shame. PHOTO FARAH NAJAH cause systematic racism against thought long and hard about it and immigrants looking for citizen- we can’t risk having this piece of increasing emphasis on economics surrounding it, before the summer ship,” said Farah Najah, a member Finley has stated that these legislation derailed.” in immigration policy. session. But members of Solidarity of Solidarity Without Borders and changes are needed to modernize Finance minister Jim Flaherty “This bill represents a shift [in Without Borders don’t intend to one of the protest organizers. She the immigration system and speed has said that these changes are government ideology] away from stop fighting it. likened bill C-50 to past legislation up application processing. only intended to create a “compet- why you’re immigrating to what “For now we’re focusing on sen- that categorically prevented Jews, Immigration officials are currently itive immigration system which you can do for Canada,” criticized sitizing people,” said Najah. “We blacks and Asians from immigrat- dealing with a backlog of around will quickly process skilled immi- Najah. want people to know that this is ing to Canada. 900,000 applications. grants who can make an immedi- The bill is now before the bigger than just this bill. It’s about The bill features two changes But it’s as much the manner in ate contribution to the economy.” Senate and its critics expect it to the immigration system, which is and three additions to the which the bill was passed as the Najah is skeptical of the be passed, despite the controversy intrinsically flawed.” 04 NEWS THE LINK • JUNE 10, 2008 • HTTP://THELINK.CONCORDIA.CA/NEWS/ Panties for peace campaign Delicates to promote democratic rights for women

• TERESA SMITH Thet Thet Tun is a Concordia student and Burmese activist who You may not normally think of left her native country 20 years putting your underwear in an ago. In a recent interview, she told envelope addressed to a local CTV that “previously-worn panties embassy, but that’s exactly what will be the most effective to put the Panties for Peace campaign is [the junta] to shame.” Thun pro- asking women all over the world to moted the campaign as a tool to do. bring about awareness of women’s The goal of the Panties for rights violations as well as strained Peace campaign is to put a spot- political divides. light on the injustices inflicted by “We want Canadians to know the Burmese military regime, about both discrimination against especially following the military’s women and against our democrat- brutal response to pro-democracy ic reforms,” Thun continued. protests by the country’s Buddist Mika Levesque, who has been monks last year. Injustices working in coalition with Burmese towards women tend to be more women for the past 20 years, is the flagrant, the underlying reason for regional officer for Asia with the Panties replacing guns as weapon of choice in Burma. GRAPHIC JONATHAN DEMPSEY Burmese women exiled in Rights And Democracy network. Thailand to launch Panties for Levesque explained that wom- Cyclone Nargis on May 3, very lit- [to get involved],” she said. “We’re Wanna send your new/used Peace. ens’ underclothing holds great tle foreign aid has flowed into providing the support and the thongs/panties? Slap a stamp on The Quebec Women’s power against Burma’s military Burma because authorities are materials,” but students are your knickers and send them to: Federation and the Rights and regime; superstitious leaders in fearful that aid comes with strings expected to provide the panties. Democracy Student Network have Burma think that if they touch a attached. The result is a crippling She said the group will continue Embassy of the Union of teamed up with Lanna Action for pair of panties, they’ll lose all of lack of resources, which has efforts through the summer but Myanmar, Ottawa Burma, a Burmese women’s rights their strength and influence. caused the deaths of tens of thou- will really focus on recruiting on- 85 Range Road, Suite 902- group, to bring this campaign to “Instead of being victims, the sands of Burmese people. campus when classes resume in 903 Canada. women are using this taboo as a According to Sophie Rondeau, September. The Sandringham, Ottawa ON The campaign, launched two way to fight back,” Levesque said. the Student Network Coordinator Concordia students are encour- K1N 8J6 weeks ago, wants to get as many Lack of foreign aid has also for Rights and Democracy, the aged to send their panties to the countries on board as possible to renewed the efforts of the Panties group is specifically targeting stu- Burmese Embassy in Ottawa and For more information send a strong message of dissent, for Peace campaign to seek fund- dents to join in the fight. show their support of the world- about this campaign, visit: especially among students. ing. Since the area was hit by “It’s really up to the students wide campaign. pantiesforpeace.ca. What a waste! R4 shows how to limit the garbage bag lug

• TERRINE FRIDAY best to crumble eggshells to facilitate decomposition. your project. Although pet droppings may be used in composting, it’s “[Composting] is as easy as taking the garbage out, except As summer edges closer and closer, some of you may be important not to use them in vegetable or fruit gardens but sometimes you need to mix it and check on the humidity,” thinking about more environmentally friendly means of cut- rather in flowerbeds. Hénault-Éthier said. ting down on waste. If you buy fruits and veggies that aren’t organic, beware of The recommended composting structure is to toss in a Concordia will start its own composting project next the additional time penalty for achieving decomposed, handful of “green” waste (such as fruits, garden waste, coffee) school year with the help of organic compost. The project will healthy soil. for every handful of “brown” waste (such as leaves, paper, accept any biodegradable item, whether or not it’s nutrient or “Pesticides break down over time,” Hénault-Éthier added. natural fibres). pesticide-rich, whereas home composts cannot decompose Unless you want organic compost, you may want to plan It’s important to place a layer of branches at the bottom of such materials within a reasonable timeframe. ahead for this delay. your compost for ventilation. Too much water and not The R4 initiative of Sustainable Concordia offers compost- enough moisture can be damaging to your compost’s homeo- ing for dummies-style workshops that make the job a cinch to Getting down n’ dirty static environment. do at home. Physical work is mandatory for compost upkeep, although For more information on composting and upcoming work- “It doesn’t matter if you’re starting from scratch or if you frequency and intensity varies depending on the size of shops, please visit sustainable.concordia.ca. have experience,” said Louise Hénault-Éthier, R4 Coordinator and composting guru. Here are some of the need-to-know tips for starting up your own composting project or for keeping your current compost kosher. Do It Yourself It’s important to know which biodegradables can be com- posted at home and which cannot. Nitrogen- carbon-rich foods that are raw can be easily used for home composting due to their organic composition. Cooked and/or animal derived foods will take much longer to break down and thus are not recommended and, as Hénault- Éthier noted, “the smell may attract unwanted friends.” Root vegetables are not recommended either, because they are “biologically equipped to fight off degrading microbes.” Eggshells are encouraged because they help balance the hydrogen ion concentration. According to Hénault-Éthier, it’s INFOGRAPHIC SARA BADREDDINE FIGURE OUTREACHWORLDWIDE.ORG THE LINK • JUNE 10, 2008 • HTTP://THELINK.CONCORDIA.CA/NEWS/ NEWS 05 Student life hits a roadbump Councillors debate where they stand on international fee hikes

• TERRINE FRIDAY CCSL’s councillors produced a split deci- posed motion. regrettable.” In defense of CCSL’s sion: all students voted in favour of the “As a point of continuity and as a point collaboration efforts, Sheahan pointed out The Concordia Council on Student Life, motion and all faculty against. of preparing, the student services direc- “there were areas where there was agree- whose mission is to “enhance students’ Stewart wasn’t surprised by the out- tors…. met prior to the CCSL meeting,” ment.” academic success” and “advocate for stu- come and thinks the board may have Sheahan said. She defended the CCSL fac- Former president of the Concordia dents,” failed to reach consensus on how influenced the vote. ulty members’ rejection of the motion say- International Student Association and to approach the prospect of international CCSL councillor Elie Chivi thinks the student fee increases. All students voted in favour of the motion [not to support CCSL has abandoned its initial mandate In the last meeting of the 2007-08 aca- to support students, leaving them high demic school year, a proposed motion not international tuition fee increases] and all faculty against. and dry. to support international tuition fee “The students won’t get student life increases was shot down by just a few because students won’t come to votes. “It’s disheartening to see that they get ing it did not encompass a broader spec- [Concordia] anymore,” Chivi said. As an Outgoing student union executive their orders from the top,” Stewart said of trum of expert opinion and ideals. international student, Chivi isn’t Noah Stewart proposed writing a letter to the CCSL faculty representatives. “The only avenue before us was to impressed with the decisive vote and con- Concordia’s Board of Governors citing Katie Sheahan, director of Recreation present the motion as written and tends that orders do trickle down from disagreement with imminent internation- and Athletics and CCSL member, does not signed by CCSL,” Sheahan continued. board members. al student tuition fee increases. deny that the CCSL faculty members met “We did not reach a consensus on “That’s obviously what happened,” he After much debate, a roll call vote of before the meeting to discuss the pro- the approach, and that’s unfortunately said. “But… They’ll never admit to it.” Something academic The central role of markets in alleviating worldwide poverty

• IAN IRVINE tilizers. India and much of the develop- contributed in turn to their structure around their agricul- ing world. price rises. tural sectors. Dr. Ian Irvine, distinguished The different factors in play The third candidate for the The fertilizer industry is con- The massive subsidization of Economics Professor at Agriculture Canada reports food price ascent comes from the centrated in Alberta and Western agriculture has Concordia University, special- that fuel and fertilizers account supply side. Since the demand Saskatchewan. Its profitability is prevented many less developed izes in public economics and for about 15 per cent of farm for grains is relatively unrespon- reflected in the share price of countries from developing econometrics and has recently expenses, and that these inputs sive to price movements, small Potash Corporation of and investing in their own focused his research on the increased in price by 20 per cent changes in supply and demand Saskatchewan (Canada is the sectors. Now that food prices global food crisis. between 2006 and 2007. This can cause major price changes. world’s biggest producer of are high, those countries A self-professed “aspiring implies that such price increases The fourth suspect on the crime potash and is a large exporter of find themselves in the improvi- environmentalist,” Irvine has account for about a three per cent scene is the astonishingly ill-con- fertilizer). Corrected for share dent position of depending upon been a Concordia faculty mem- increase in farm expenses. So fuel sidered ethanol and biofuel pro- splits, its price rose from 10 dol- aid from those economies that ber for 30 years. prices, considered as a cost input, gram in the United States (and lars at the end of 2000 to 60 dol- have historically undermined The following is an excerpt are not driving food prices direct- Canada). Much has been written lars in May of 2007 and on to them. from Professor Irvine’s essay ly in Canada. on the negatives of this policy, 180 dollars in April 2008. Second, there remains published last month by the scope for widespread efficiency Montreal Economic Institute. The solutions gains in agriculture in the The recent food spikes have been caused To summarize: long-term third world through the more Of the three crises currently primarily by a series of shorter-term shocks growth in the world economy effective use of inputs, fertilizer occupying the economic stage— and poor policy measures that have seen should see a continuation in the in particular, despite the recent the sub-prime mortgage crisis, some economies benefit, Canada for example, rising demand for food prod- run-up in prices. the oil crisis and the food ucts. The recent food spikes Third, there remains crisis—the last one is by far and others suffer tremendously. have been caused primarily by a an abundance of land in the most serious. While in series of shorter-term shocks middle-income economies that the United States and Canada and poor policy measures that is not under pressure for urban governments worry about Households living on a few yet the magnitude of its impact is have seen some economies ben- development. This is particular- the falling value of bank stocks, dollars a day have experienced not always appreciated. efit, Canada for example, and ly true of the former Eastern financial liquidity and the dramatic declines in their pur- Corn has been directed away others suffer tremendously. The Block, where agricultural supply possibility of an economic slow- chasing power, and aid agencies from animal feed and consumer critical question is: what can be was woefully inefficient under down, the developing world has universally declare that recent use (as a vegetable and sweeten- done to improve the situation? the collectivized system. Until seen a dramatic growth in food food price hikes will result in er) towards ethanol. It is esti- Supply increases are the very recently, the problem was shortages, social discontent, additional tens of millions of mated that as much as one quar- answer. There exist at least three how to reduce the excessive rioters in the streets and lives people living in hunger, and mil- ter of the total corn acreage will channels through which supply amount of land in use on with the prospect of an aug- lions more hunger-related go to ethanol in 2008. Some can be increased. account of the growth in output mented pool of many millions of deaths. redirection of land from soy- First, world trade policy has since switching to private own- hungry families. At the same The second suspect for the beans, wheat and others to corn been singularly unsuccessful in ership. time, Canada has reaped enor- food price rises comes from the has reduced the supply of these the area of agriculture… Most mous gains from being a net demand side, in the form of high- other grains below what they developed economies have cho- To read Professor Ian Irvine’s exporter of energy, food and fer- er living standards in China, would have been, and sen to implement a protectionist full article, please visit IEDM.org. 06 NEWS THE LINK • JUNE 10, 2008 • HTTP://THELINK.CONCORDIA.CA/NEWS/ Depression Some signals Concordia will to consider

Are you worried that your friend is suicidal? These are some warning signs that may be help- keep your secrets ful to know. If these conditions are pres- ent, risk of suicide may be At least they’ll try their darndest higher: • TERESA SMITH stand the role that privacy laws • Recent death or terminal illness of a loved are designed to play.” one. When Mohamad Kajouji got Ontario and Quebec privacy • Recent divorce or separation in the family the call that police had identified laws are similar in that it’s not • Loss of health, job, home, money, status, per- his daughter’s body and that it easy to inform family members of sonal security was a suspected suicide, he was a potential suicide risk—because • Alcohol or drug abuse shocked. The shock soon turned there is a difference between • Depression to anger when he was told that 18- someone who is at imminent risk year-old Nadia Kajouji had been for suicide and someone who is If your friend is acting differ- ently, it may be a sign: seeing a counsellor at Carleton having suicidal thoughts. University in Ottawa and that she According to Dale Robinson, a • They may have feelings of hopelessness, pow- had been taking anti-depressants psychologist at Concordia erlessness, worthlessness, shame, guilt, self- without his knowledge. Counselling and Development, hatred, feelings of isolation. He wondered why the universi- confidentiality remains one of the • The person may become sad, withdrawn, tired, ty hadn’t informed him of her cornerstones of successful coun- apathetic, anxious, irritable or prone to angry condition before it was too late selling. Robinson noted that pro- outbursts. and he wanted answers. tection of a student’s privacy is • A real change in academic performance is a The response from the univer- paramount in the counselling signal. sity administration at Carleton department’s mandate. • Deteriorating physical appearance and poor was that informing the family of a “If we didn’t have confidential- hygiene patient without their consent ity, students wouldn’t talk to us,”

would be a breach of confidential- she said. GRAPHIC AMY SMITH The fact is that there are no rulebooks or ity and that Kajouji’s case did not In her 11 years as a psycholo- guidebooks about suicide. If you’re worried seem to warrant such extreme gist at Concordia, Robinson has share that with them.” Only in the ate authorities. “At that point, it’s about your friend, you should say something measures at the time. never had to breach confidentiali- most extreme cases would a coun- a question of the law.” and make sure they know that you are there for Ann Cavoukian, Ontario’s pri- ty. sellor release information without them. vacy commissioner says that pri- “If a student is depressed and the client’s written consent. Concordia Counselling and They may not want to talk about it yet, but know- vacy laws were not at fault in seeing a counsellor, that’s not suf- However, she stresses that if Development will be hosting ing that they have a resource and someone who Kajouji’s case. ficient reason to call her family,” there is good reason to suspect a Depression Screening Day in will listen will go a long way to lessening their “To infer that privacy laws she said. “It’s not up to the univer- that someone is a danger to them- the Library Atrium in October. feelings of isolation. were responsible for someone’s sity to inform parents of what’s selves or to others, the counsellor For more information, please visit —Teresa Smith death is to completely misunder- going on, it’s up to the student to has a “duty to warn” the appropri- cdev.concordia.ca. Keep dreaming—but only for a week Official Montreal Dream Week to launch

• CHRISTOPHER OLSON by providing a research track night’s rest, Nielsen suggests for devotees of the scientific that decoding your dreams can Dreams do come true in method and a parapsychologi- have other, less obvious bene- Montreal—or at least they will cal track for those who believe fits. this year, as the International beyond the material. “The secret weapons of a lot Association for the Study of Tore Nielsen, a clinician at of creative people are their Dreams hosts their 25th the Dream and Nightmare dreams. A lot of great ideas anniversary in the city next Laboratory at l’Hopital du started out as people’s month. Sacré-Coeur de Montreal, is dreams,” both literally and fig- Marcel Tremblay, the ready to dream on. uratively speaking, said brother of current Montreal “I think the pendulum is Nielsen. Mayor Gérald Tremblay, will turning in favour of opening Other features of the con- be presenting a speech during the field,” he said. Nielson will ference include a Dream Ball the conference’s commence- be presenting a keynote speech and a bachelor auction with a ment ceremony, where he is on a variety of his research twist. “People will be able to expected to officially announce studies into dreams, including buy a dream analyst,” said the week of July 8-12 to be the frequency of bad dreams in Dalfen, each being offered as Montreal’s Dream Week. toddlers and the nightmares of part of a “package” that Layne Dalfen, host of the new mothers. includes other gifts such as dream conference, is enthusi- “People are opening up to fine dining. “So you can take astic about the prospect but quantum physics and alterna- your dream analyst,” she sug- would rather wait for the offi- tive sciences to provide an gested. cial announcement. additional context to the world “I won’t believe it until I see we live in,” he continued, This year, the International it with my own eyes,” Dalfen although he noted the difficul- Association for the Study of said, noting she’ll be a believer ty in finding adequate funding Dreams will be held July 8th- once it’s “in print.” and the lack of financial back- 12th. To find out how you can The conference will mix sci- ing for such studies. float on cloud nine, please visit ence with new age mysticism Aside from assuring a good asdreams.org. GRAPHIC AMY SMITH 08 FRINGE ARTS THE LINK • JUNE 10, 2008 • HTTP://THELINK.CONCORDIA.CA/FRINGE/ Hating your hate Shai Hulud’s metal album Misanthrophy Pure has old and new feel

• CARL ROLOFF ple think and feel, to inspire con- sideration. We want people to be After a 5-year wait, Shai Hulud, self-aware,” he said. pioneers of both the metal and Shai Hulud began in 1995 with hardcore scenes came out with a Fox and Dave Silber, two friends new record last month— with a mutual interest in hardcore. Misanthropy Pure. Culled from After all of Fox’s other bands fell material written on tour, new through, Silber pestered Fox into melodies and even “riffs written making a hardcore band and “Shai back in ’96,” says Matt Fox, gui- Hulud started with the first song tarist and founding member of the [he] wrote while on the toilet.” Fox band. ‘The new record is a mix of repudiates the label of metalcore, old and new.” saying “I write what I feel, and Thematically, the album deals how I write is a hybrid of punk, with hatred—a “couple personal hardcore and metal. It’s a blend of songs” but ironically more of a what I listen to.” hatred of hatred. “Personal obser- The new album itself is a mix of vations on the way people treat things as well, building on the feel themselves and others. The insin- of their first EP , but trying to cerity present in so many “bring out new patterns [and] new Americans today,” said Fox. emotions.” While the band has a Fox maintains that the goal of thread of wry humour in them Shai Hulud in a world of destruction. The band is expected to perform in Canada in October. Shai Hulud is not to inspire (even titling a previous release A hatred, lamenting how some fans Comprehensive Retrospective: Or keeps the jokes to the liner notes, excited to return to Canada ages and a 21 and up, or whatever latch onto the emotion and not the How I Learned to Stop Worrying letting only a thread of sarcasm around October, recalling fondly the drinking age is. It was a great message they’re trying to put out and Release Bad and Useless grace the lyrics. their Canadian tour back in ’99. crowd, we met some really cool into the world. “We want to Recordings, (after the title of While heading to Europe soon “We did a couple shows in people, and let me tell you, the inspire compassion, to make peo- Kubrick’s Dr Strangelove) Fox for their tour, Shai Hulud are Newfoundland,” says Fox, “an all drunk fans were great.” spins

The Wet Secrets remarkable, and the second song is no dif- Hail of Bullets Rock Fantasy ferent, merely full of more potential; “Used Of Frost and War Rodeo Peanut to Have a Raygun” uses a Strokes-esque Metal Blade Records (via Six effect of the voice, and while cute, lacks Records Shooter/Warner) somewhere in movement leaving the song May 13th brought with it the first release of Bass machine and singer Lyle Bell leads flat. It shouldn’t be, but it is. Dutch death metal band Hail of Bullets. most of the tracks through pop-rocky-brass- “My Last Girlfriend” the third song on Apologizing for the recent Dutch-led trend of beats of a refreshing nature. With instruments the album and one of my favourites is female-fronted gothic metal bands, these five like trombones, paint cans, keyboards and a once-again clear and more successfully metalheads took inspiration from old tuba, it’s rare you’ll find yourself seeking out cute. The second-to-last song, and my per- American death metal and “a lethal dose of Cover of the film featuring young adults’ battle with cancer. the absent guitar. This is a pretty well organ- sonal favourite of this album is called Celtic Frost.” The result was Of Frost and War, ized album with a lot of thought put into the “Lettuce and Tomato” in which Sures an album full of crunching, gritty guitars, order in which the songs are tracked. Each one speaks of his parents’ divorce, and the relentless drumming and dominated by lyrics Never giving up fits in its place and builds momentum into the sandwiches his father used to make for stemming from World War II’s Battle of the next. There’s some great energy in this music Sures’ bus rides back to his mother. Eastern Front. Lyrically, musically and artisti- and the female vocals really give it some zip. “Lettuce and tomato, ketchup maybe mayo, cally the album comes together to form “an Young adults deal with life and rela- The bass rhythm will hypnotize and, ultimately sliced up left of last night’s barbeque, put atmosphere that would breathe the spirit of tionships after diagnosed with cancer leave you in a groovy funk, the melody lingering it in a sac of paper and put in my back war and all horrors that it brings; death, grief, long after. A few of the tracks fall prey to the pack careful the tomatoes don’t soak desolation.” Full of aggression, the album is • JOHNNY NORTH future. Even though life has not tendency of sounding a bit too muck alike. But through.” slow without being boring, catching a loom- gone the way they planned, they the good thing is that for the most part, these Sures’ sound is so varied from song to ing sound in General Winter while still pulling Facing a possibly limited life all have an optimistic view that are good, strong tunes. This is a pretty solid song that I’m left wondering as a listener, out the stops for epic melodies and solos in span and a whole new way of life, keeps them from giving into first album and as far as I can tell, this bunch if he’s very many things, or not sure if he’s Inferno in the Carpathian Mountains. While six cancer patients reveal their despair. would be a hoot to see live. anything at all. As an artist he is clever, good music, many of their songs follow simi- fears and determination in the The movie stays upbeat even 3.5/5 more of a poet than a chart-topper and lar lines, and don’t push the barrier. If any- documentary entitled Chasing throughout some of the more Andrew O’Kill-Griffin chooses his accompanying sound carefully. thing, Hail of Bullets could benefit from some Rainbows: Young Adults Living emotionally charged segments. In retrospect I think I’ve said it many times musical diversity, but as a sophomore album, With Cancer. When one patient completely Ben Sures throughout this review. Sures’ sound is it shows remarkable promise and Hail of The film was a personal proj- twists his arm without feeling Field Guide to cute no more and no less than that. Bullets’ subsequent releases should show ect of one of the patients, Sarah any sensation, his peers have no Loneliness 3.5 sympathetic even more promise. Taylor Gibson, and was carried reservations laughing, which bensures.com Canadian stars/5 4/5 on by her mother, who is the pro- only goes to show how comfort- The first song of the album is less than Joelle Lemieux Carl Roloff ducer and director of the film. able they are with one another. Last month, the film was shown They reveal personal informa- for the first time in Montreal and tion and speak candidly over was screened in four other their initial reactions in an is looking for a Fringe Arts Editor! Canadian provinces. attempt to help educate others For 43 minutes, the patients going through similar problems. For more information on the position please talk about the different ways cancer has changed their lives. DVDs of the documentary are contact [email protected] or They discuss topics such as sexu- available from the BC Cancer call us at 514-848-2424 ext.5813. ality, hair loss, finances, work Foundation, at: and what they plan to do in the chasingrainbowsproduction.com. 10 FRINGE ARTS THE LINK • JUNE 10, 2008 • HTTP://THELINK.CONCORDIA.CA/FRINGE/ Law of the blue-collars Carpenter lead singer talks about his band Carpenter’s debut album and sustainable farming

• JOHNNY NORTH Growers. When did you first start sup- porting sustainable farming? British Columbia punk band I think it’s been about two years. Carpenter has been on a roll lately— I’ve known for the last eight or nine their first album, Law of The Land, years that I wanted to eventually has been out for just a few days and become a farmer. I actually just they have already started touring bought a farm in Ontario last week. across Canada. It’s been in the last couple of years The punk-indie-farmcore band that I’ve discovered the struggles are coming off a Sunday night per- independent farmers are finding formance in Montreal and are cur- themselves in, because of the prop- rently scheduled to tour all the way erty taxes, the lack of land available back to B.C. for the next few days. to them, and the urban sprawl cri- The Link had the opportunity to sis. There is such a public outcry chat with lead vocalist Daniel Sioui about the gas prices, and obviously earlier in the week. that’s important especially for us How did you guys come up with the driving across the country, but name Carpenter? there is not nearly enough public Daniel Sioui: It was strange. I outcry over the food shortage. It’s was in a band called All State starting to get a little more recog- Champion. Obviously that name nized now. But ultimately gas is a had a sort of grandiose feel and a lit- luxury and food is a necessity, but tle bit cockier. I purposely wanted no one is really talking about food the name of this project to be some- prices or the farmers’ struggles to thing quite a bit more low-key and a feed all of us. Hopefully we can little bit more blue-collar. bring some awareness to it. Carpenter was something that was The band Carpenter enjoying a few beers before performing their new songs on Law of The Land. Do you have any future plans to simple and works for the feel of the Better than I could have imagined. I a couple of good songs and then thing in it that they like—everyone perform again in Montreal? band. think the fact that people say there filler, we wanted the album to be has a different favourite song. Our goal is to come back in the How has the response been for the is such variety on the album, but something people would put on and Through your lyrics you have spo- fall, like in October. We’re really album after the first shows of your cur- that it also works so well as album listen to from song one to song 10. ken out and taken a stand in favour of excited about playing there. We rent tour? and that is something we were striv- [People aged from] 17 years old to struggling farmers and support organ- know there is such a huge punk It’s been really, really great. ing for. We didn’t want to just have 40 years old are all finding some- izations like Canadian Organic community of various styles. Art of many emotions Common ground in adjoining exhibitions

• HEATHER ANDERSON Decorative Arts of Strasbourg and driven by a sense of urgency, M Although Frédéric Loury, the uses unconventional tools like owner and brains behind the spatulas and nails to engrave wet Galerie [sas], would plead coinci- surfaces, creating a dialogue dence, the theme of movement, between abstract line and distinct interior and exterior all interlink figures, between black and white the current exhibitions at the along with hints of colour. gallery. In Les divinités…, two opposing Mateo M may be found caress- panels of thin, leaf-like forms swirl ing one of his works in Galerie in a vortex of black and white, [sas]’ espace 1. where etchings of a face reside. “Once I’ve finished it, I don’t Cycle features images reminiscent care anymore,” he explains. of open heart surgery circling Random movement (of the around the form of a woman, soul) captures the elusiveness of echoing the cyclic nature of love emotions through studies in and loss. paper, wood, aluminium, serigra- M summarizes, “I’m not talking phy (silk-screening) and video. about the external world. I’m not While some artists wear their talking about society. Maybe my hearts on their sleeve, M prefers to art is a statement […] but it’s only wear it on his medium. a statement of my own feeling, “It’s not located in my mind, experience, history, life.” more in my heart […] more like a Juxtaposed against M’s emo- GRAPHIC AMY SMITH gut thing than a head thing,” says tional movement, espace 2 houses M. Guillaume Simoneau’s Til king- with familiar imagry from the whose perfect symmetry is inter- into the third world. Taking his cue from Art Brut, dom comes… (or a slight difficulty media and others reminiscent of rupted only by bruising-like tire created by insane asylum resi- to breathe). The collection fea- an advertisement. tracks. In Caged Play Station, a Galérie [sas] is located at 372 Ste- dents, Mateo’s work draws from tures scenes of modern commer- Harlene Weils run over by a television set is chained to a shelf Catherine West (4th floor of the Belgo an automatic, meditative process. cial debauchery identifying car, evinces reckless speed in the in a North African home, showing building) and will feature these Trained at the School of sources of power and suffering portrait of a young woman’s face, the adaptation of high tech devices exhibits until Saturday June 14th. June FIN- Festival internationale nuits d’Afrique- July 8 to 20 – www.festivalnuitsdafrique.com

GS- Galérie [sas] (art exhibition)- now until June 14 MR- Montreal Reggae Fest–July 11 to 13 - montrealreggaefest.com Summer - www.vivamontreal.org PF- Projet Fibonacci (Cirque, musique, théâtre, danse)- July 18 to 20 BMTP- The Black Market Type & Print Shop- now until June 22 – www.les7doigtsdelamain.com - www.articule.org AIM- 12th Annual International Merengue Festival– July 19 to 20 SPP- The Suoni Per Il Popolo 2008 Festival- now until June 30 - www.festivalmerenguedemontreal.com - www.casadelpopolo.com AMP- Annie-mots, le projet bête (théâtre, musical pour enfants)- July 20 events CE- Cirque Etc. (Une exposition d'Aline Martineau)- now until June 30 – www.annie-mots.com - www.geocities.com/alinemartineau AS- Asere (musique Cubaine)- July 25 – www.tohu.ca SADN- Spectacle annuel d'École nationale de cirque- now until June 13 OK- Otakuthon– July 26 to 27 - www.otakuthon.com - www.ecolenationaledecirque.ca BTK- Boom Tchi-Ka (Percussions réinventées)– July 27 - www.creason.ca calendar DLRV- Doctoral Lecture-Rectial: Vincent Boucher- organ June 10 DC- Divers/Cite - July 29 to Aug. 3 – www.diverscite.org TW- Twist Weekend 2008- July 31 to Aug. 3 – www.bbcm.org • COMPILED BY BRIAN HASTIE - 514-398-4547 WMC- The Wise Men of Chelm (theatre)- June 11-July 3 AND JOHNNY NORTH August - www.segalcentre.org GRAPHIC BY AMY SMITH SMF- St-Ambroise Montreal FRINGE Festival- June 13-June 22 SLQ- Sin Limites et Qbanito (Reggaeton)- Aug. 1 - www.montrealfringe.ca - www.myspace.com/sinlimitespage or www.qbanito.ca DLRS- Doctoral Lecture-Recital: Stacie Lightner, organ- June 18 MOSF- Montreal Scottish Festival- Aug. 2 - www.montrealhighlandgames.qc.ca - 514-398-4547 LGCM- Le grand cirque minuscule et Alex Lalune- Aug. 3 - www.tohu.ca

PT- Pétanque tournament- June. 21 - www.tohu.ca POM- Psychotropical Orchestra (Musique Latine, Rock et Ska)- Aug. 8 EF- L'Éco-fête- June 21 - www.tohu.ca - www.myspace.com/psychotropicalorchestra MEG- McGill Examination Gala Concerts 2008- June 26 - 514-398- LFBP- La Fête Bio Paysanne (Canada's largest organic/eco-friendly event)- Aug. 8 to 10 4547 - www.tohu.ca LB- Linda Brady at McGill Conservatory- June 28 - 514-398-4547 LCDM- La chèvre de Monsieur Seguin (Opéra pour enfants)- Aug. 10 - www.operavoxpopuli.com July SCMT- Sol Caribe (musique Tropicale)- Aug. 15 - www.musiquemultimontreal.com

FA- Fantasia- July 1 to 21 – www.festivalfantasia.com DLSS- Dans le sous-sol (musique pour enfants)- Aug. 17 - www.lespetitestounes.ca FI- Festival international Montréal en art- July 3 to 6 NAS- Nadaka: A Sense of the Infinite (musique)- Aug. 30 - www.nadaka.com – www.festivaldesarts.org

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NAS 14 FRINGE ARTS THE LINK • JUNE 10, 2008 • HTTP://THELINK.CONCORDIA.CA/FRINGE/ That time of year Fringe-For-All reveals the spectacles going down at the annual Montreal festival

• KAREN DURRELL

The St-Ambroise Montreal FRINGE Festival is back for the 18th year and with a few changes to the schedule. Eight countries and over seven hundred compa- nies will be in Montreal for ten days starting on June 12. This year the FRINGE is mov- ing out of Mile End and into downtown making the Just For Laughs studio its home base. The studio is where Fringe Club, an after-hour club, will be situated and where Jimmy Priest and Zack Winters will be broadcasting the 13th Hour, a bilingual talk show featuring dance parties, drinking games and outrageous stunts. Though it is hard to know exactly which shows to see and impossible to see them all, it is worth a good old college try. With ten days of gags, skits and amuse- ment for all it may be a good idea to check out the Out-of-Towner Fringe-For-All to see what’s out there. Fringe-For-All, hosted by the quirky entertainers on the 13th The FRINGE Festival will feature many types of clowns, actors, comedians and much more. Hour, is a showcase of local com- panies of rapid-fire theatre, extended to all. The out-of-town- The variety of shows really playing the worse stuff ever writ- organizers will be collecting music, dance and comedy. Patrick ers only get one-minute opening have a little bit of something for ten,” said producer Jeremy money for any number of local Goddard, general manager of the night at 10 p.m. in the Just For everyone; Degrassi! The Musical, Hechtman. “They have been dig- charities as well as their own festival, said the non-locals had Laughs Studio. Lard (like grease but thicker), ging through their high school funding. The money-collected been whining, “why don’t we get a The new additions to FRINGE Dishpig and The Diaries of Adam journals.” everyday will be split 50/50 with Fringe-For-All?” don’t stop there. Like to draw and and Eve are just some of the Hechtman and Goddard the charity of the day. Well, they got their wish. Each look at sexy half-naked cabaret must-sees. encourage all spectators to company had two minutes to dancers? Check out the FRINGE But for some not-so-good donate some loose change to The festival kicks off next impress the crowd during last Special Dr. Sketchy at 6 p.m. to 9 entertainment check out another new addition to the Thursday. Show listing and informa- week—a right usually reserved for p.m. on June 16 at Parc des Dramaturkey. It is described as FRINGE, a charity of the day. tion is available at www.montreal- local talent that has now been Amériques. “local play writes, with actors dis- Everyday of the festival the fringe.ca. Lady of men Singer-comedian brings her act to Montreal for the first time

• KAREN DURRELL “I could do it with my eyes closed,” it last very long either,” she will not disclose came to the point where she thought, “I’ve the name of the driver, assuring that this Men of Montreal, get ready because been sensible enough.” It has been seven tale is all 100 per cent true. The show is Marysia is on her way to the St-Ambroise years since the ex-bonds trader left to pur- aimed at women but can be enjoyed by Fringe Festival and she is looking for a sue her dream as a Jazz/Cabaret singer but “men who don’t take themselves too seri- primitive man. In the beautiful Brit’s hour- with Jazz precedents already set by singers ously.” long jazz cabaret comedy show, Find Me A like Billy Holliday and Ella Fitzgerald she She has been reading up on Canada Primitive Man, Marysia plays Lady wanted to do something different. Billy and our men, so watch out girls, she just Farquarh-Merkin, a divorcee of a Royal and Ella though, have nothing on may make-out with your lumberjack in a Family member. She is offering up advice Marysia’s wit and humour. canoe. on dating men from all walks of life. Having lived in London as well as Los It’s her first time coming to Montreal “[Lady Farquarh-Merkin] is a persona Angeles, she has dated all different kinds and she is very excited to get out in the with a fair amount of me in her, and things of men, but says, “English men like to show city and see how our Montreal mating I have observed from friends of mine,” said affection to dogs and horses.” Her most rituals work. Marysia. “She’s more true than I’d like to recent ex refolded dirty sheets. It’s no won- admit.” der of him she said, “He was a lovely man Marysia is performing the first of her six Marysia, who is the definition of the but a little too straight for me. The refold- shows at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday June 14 in sexy lounge singer, said she played more of ing of the dirty sheets was the deal breaker the Just for Laughs Cabaret on St-Laurent. a role in her old profession as a bonds trad- in that relationship. I haven’t met any men Tickets are $9 and $7 for students and there er in London. With her hair pulled back in in this city who fold clean sheets,”—she is also an additional $2 service charge. But a tight bun, dressed in conservative suits may be coming to the right place. for a free sneak preview check out the and even wearing non-prescription glasses “I dated a Formula 1 driver, he made Out-of-Towner Fringe For All, opening night to give the impression of seriousness and love the way he would race—he didn’t pay of the festival, June 12, at 10 p.m. at Marysia on her way to Montreal, professionalism she wasn’t stimulated. enough attention to the curves […] didn’t Café Campus. looking to make love in a canoe. THE LINK • JUNE 10, 2008 • HTTP://THELINK.CONCORDIA.CA/LIT/- LITERARY ARTS 15 And they lived happily ever after... An expatriot remembers life in Bahgdad

• TRISTIN HOPPER “Women.” The reader pieces the more sinister aspects of post- together Balian's childhood revolutionary Iraq, including a Tarnished by decades of war through a myriad of charming cousin who, in the wake of the and dictatorship, there are few "Cheaper by the Dozen" -esque 1958 revolution, worked for the who remember the cosmopolitan family accounts: sleeping on the British colonial government and grandeur of colonial Iraq. roof in the oppressive heat of was later captured and forced to Once Upon a Time in Iraq, an summer, his Armenian grandfa- reveal British “secrets.” autobiographical account by ther spitting on his school text- Balian surmises that one of his Once Upon A Time Iraqi-American Basil Balian, book because it carried a picture best friends, Hamid, is most like- In Iraq takes readers on a childhood of the Turkish sultan, an uncle ly in severe danger as a result of Basil Balian journey through a forgotten era sleeping in a cemetery and scar- the current sectarian violence. Lulu Press of what is now the largest war ing a rural town half to death There is even a chilling June 2008 zone in the middle east. when they thought he was the account of a situation where one 250 pp Balian immigrated to the walking dead. of Balian's uncles had a tire $16.50 United States in 1958 as a Throughout all the whimsy of explode while driving past the teenager, mere months before his the book's childhood yarns, there residence of Saddam Hussein. tionship that ended when it was startled by the presence of childhood home would become is nevertheless a looming knowl- The car was immediately sur- found that the neighbour's masked children on his doorstep inalterably transformed by the edge that turmoil and violence rounded by armed guards, and daughter had attended a boy-girl in late October, finding out about Iraqi revolution, the rule of lies only years in the future for only a chance intervention saved dance party at Balian's home. the merits of antifreeze after Saddam Hussein, multiple wars the idyllic Iraqi home that Balian it from becoming riddled with On the other side of things, bringing fire to a car engine, and and most recently, the U.S. inva- describes. Balian gives glowing bullets. Balian recalls some kinky hijinks, the indignity of leaving behind a sion. accounts of the beauty and Basil's Americanization shines when he climbed over rooftops pampered lifestyle and being "These may have been the majesty of the Tigris river, before through in the narrative. While with his friend Hamid in order to forced to take on a busboy job at most peaceful years that Iraqis lamenting that it has "become raised within the boundaries of spy on a Turkish neighbour a restaurant that served fish. ever knew," he writes in the the dumping place for hundreds traditional Iraqi conservatism, it indulging in a series of high-class Balian closes the book by noting introduction. of bodies that disappear daily in is clear that he has strived to prostitutes. On one occasion, one that he was fortunate enough to A son of an Armenian father war, revenge vendettas, and make his book a true "warts and of the prostitutes caught a live through the golden age of and an Arab mother, Balian lived atrocities." all" account. glimpse of the peeping toms, only Iraq right before it descended a privileged, Christian childhood to give them a playful whistle. into chaos. The book ends on a in Baghdad and Kurdish Iraq I hope that our culture has a "We went home that night and note of caution as he prays that before moving to the United zenith awaiting it and that our dreamt that we were the ones the same will not become true for States to become an engineer. who were being treated to a sexu- the United States: The last time he saw the country golden age is still ahead of us. al encounter," he wrote. "If our economic fabric gets of his birth was almost 50 years —Basil Balian, Iraqi immigrant Or, take his description of a shredded as the result of our ago. teacher at his elementary school: policies we may have seen the The book is not arranged He describes holidays to the Balian describes his mother "The Lebanese teacher was sexy best of our years. I certainly hope chronologically. Rather, it is scenic Mediterranean city of proudly displaying a blood- and slightly heavyset, and we not. No one lives long enough to structured around a series of dif- Beirut, noting that the plazas and stained sheet to friends, as a way often suspected that the principal know how the events he is wit- ferent "points of interest." colonnades he so admired have of proving that a relative married of the school used her for a rainy nessing in his lifetime will unfold Chapters are named after the dif- now become scarred by bullet the day before was, in fact, a vir- day when his wife might have in historical context. I hope that ferent categories in Balian's marks and bomb blasts. gin. had a headache." our culture has a zenith awaiting memory bank: “Baghdad,” “The Readers also hear Balian's Balian also describes the sud- Balian also lets readers in on it and that our golden age is still River,” “Americans,” “Houses,” personal connections to some of den end of a close family rela- the immigrant experience: being ahead of us."

volatile for anybody to emotionally go back lived in (the United States). Q & A: Basil Balian, author of to these days. If they go back to anything, You perceived the 1991 Gulf War as merely they go back to the way they had it better a fight between your two adopted countries under Saddam Hussein, which is not the (Iraq and the United States), but you have had Once Upon A Time in Iraq positive you want them to remember. a completely different perspective on the most The book exudes a certain candidness recent Iraq conflict. Could you elaborate? about intimate personal and sexual subjects The Iraq War really left me with a bad The Link: Only months after you immigrat- going to happen, but when it did happen it that seems out of place for someone raised taste in my mouth about the way we han- ed to the United States, Iraq exploded into almost felt like 'yeah, that's expected.' along conservative Arab sensibilities. Was dled Iraq. I did not like the idea of the war to armed revolutionary rebellion. Did you feel You're enthusiastic about promoting this this intentional? start with, and frankly, most of what I pre- that something like that was bound to occur? book within the Arab world. Do you see it as a I am a conservative person by nature. dicted would happen in Iraq, actually came Basil Balian: No. I did not. Frankly, way of reminding Iraqis of what their country Arabs don't tell the world their 'dirty to pass. about the only thing that gave me a feel once was, and what it ultimately can be? linen', so to speak. Something I've learned I told my friends that I didn't think the that it may happen is because of all the My feeling is that now, the animosity in the United States as an amateur writer is way they described the ease of conquering excitement in Iraq when Gamel Abdul has gotten too severe to let those memories that people are not going to be interested Iraq was going to happen. When the govern- Nasser took power in Egypt. The average change their attitude. Maybe after things in an opinion or a qualified truth. They ment was saying that Iraq is going to come student was just euphoric about that possi- settle down and people are not worried really want to know you as naked as possi- out into the street and welcome us. I said bility [a leader touting pan-Arabism]. about security and about jobs and about ble - that's distasteful to someone who that if they ever did that, it would be very But the [Iraqi] government was strong, not getting killed, maybe they'll remember grew up where "showmanship is looked short-lived celebration. well organized, not oppressive to the point the good old days and say "jeez, we used to down upon." It's other people that are sup- A: Iraqis, knowing them, they're not where somebody wanted to overthrow it be this way at one time." posed to talk about you, not yourself. I going to welcome an occupier and agree tomorrow ... I didn't think [revolution] was I just think that times now are too guess that came from the many years I with that for a very long time. 16 LITERARY ARTS THE LINK • JUNE 10, 2008 • HTTP://THELINK.CONCORDIA.CA/LIT/ Chris Benoit vs Larry Zbyszko Battle of the wrestling all-star biographies! Ring of Hell Adventures in Larryland

• JOHNNY NORTH who always started off conversations with maniacal-not to mention moronic-laugh- Almost a year ago, the murders ter. Zbyszko also takes credit for helping of Nancy Benoit and her son Hulk Hogan change from a jobber to one Daniel by former professional day becoming a wrestling god with wrestling champion Christopher Hulkamania. Michael Benoit, left families, Following his scandalous depar- friends and fans in absolute ture from WWF, Zbyszko found shock and still asking “Why, success in WCW and the American Chris why?” Wrestling Association. In the Benoit, born in Montreal, AWA Zbyszko became a world was a quiet, shy and extremely heavyweight champion for the obedient employee for any first and only time-with the title wrestling company he worked victory he finally got to live out for. His many peers and ex- his life-long dream. wife saw him before and after In retirement, Zbyszko his untimely death as one of found more success-he became the greatest human beings an employee of Ted Turner’s, they'd ever met. working as part of Turner Matthew Randazzo V's novel, Broadcasting. Zbyszko ended Ring of Hell: The Story of Chris up creating a whole new fan Benoit & The Fall of the Pro base as a commentator and Wrestling Industry, chronicles the was paid handsomely for his story of Benoit as an eager young man opinion. Zbyszko came out of who abused steroids and painkillers in retirement twice and managed order to survive in pro wrestling. We learn GRAPHIC AMY SMITH to get on two WCW pay-per- that he first started using drugs at the age of views with some of their highest 16 in order to compensate for his lack of recorded buy rates. size. Levesque, aka HHH, and his wife Stephanie The road stories that Zbyszko That Benoit's brain had been damaged to McMahon worked against Benoit are puts in the book are at times funny the level of an 85-year-old man's by the time appalling as both still have considerable and emotionally charged. From being a of his death shows not only the brutality of control in the WWE. pilot in a plane that was about to crash, to the sport but also the gradual effects of Randazzo comes up short in providing making fun of young wrestlers for using too Benoit's steroid abuse. names for his sources, which doesn't always many clotheslines, wrestling fans get to By focusing in on role model figures, pro bode well for their credibility-one of his read about the “New Living Legend” in a wrestling trainers and wrestling friends that sources he simply refers to as a 'friend.' • JOHNNY NORTH whole new light. died from drug abuse, we are given a better Randazzo makes a few erstwhile assump- Zbyszko’s belief in standing by his book- understanding of the kind of world Benoit tions and attempts to get inside Benoit's Larry Zbyszko is known in the profes- ing commitments is somewhat hypocriti- came to emulate. The wrestler he grew up head during his early steroid days and the sional wrestling world as a great villain, a cal-he threatened to miss wrestling shows idolizing, Tom Billington (aka The week of the murders, something that no one jerk, a backstabber, selfish and a familiar since he thought he should be WWWF Dynamite Kid) was a loner and bully to any- could possibly know except Benoit himself. voice on World Championship Wrestling champion and paid more, but when AWA one who rubbed him the wrong way. But for Randazzo to declare the “fall of the television programming. champion Jerry Lawler was not paid by Billington took great pleasure in terrorizing pro wrestling industry,” as he does in the Zbyszko’s biography, Adventures in AWA, Zbyszko criticizes Lawler stating that people and did so many times over. Benoit title, is weird considering the WWE is com- Larryland takes the reader on a trip it was “the most unprofessional act in the in many ways followed in Billington's foot- ing off one of its best years in terms of rev- through the highlights of Zbyszko’s three business.” steps, emulating his moves, his abuse of enue. The negative and at times slanted decades in pro wrestling, minus the bad For fans wanting to read about drugs and his attitude towards rookie views of the pro wrestling industry are high- stuff. His wrestling idol, Bruno Lawrence Whistler, the real-life Zbyszko, wrestlers. Unlike Billington, Benoit was ly exposed in Ring of Hell. Wrestling fans Sammartino, plays a huge role in the begin- you’re out of luck. Zbyszko keeps his pri- highly respected due to his strong work that keep up with Internet wrestling news ning of the book-Zbyszko starts off stalking vate life to a bare minimum—Zbyszko’s real ethic and his obvious dedication to the might have already heard most of the stories him and the two end up feuding for the name is only mentioned on the back of the wrestling profession. or a slightly different variation of them. cameras. book. Wrestling fans that do not like to read How Benoit and Nancy fell in love and Benoit fans will hate how the novel blames Zbyszko tells about how in the 1970s long books are in luck—Zbyszko kept it broke away from their first marriages is him for getting involved in the crooked side wrestling was considered real to the gener- under 200 pages and keeps chapters short. simply bizarre. Nancy's ex-husband and pro of wrestling. For wrestling fans new to the al public and that outsiders needed to be His opinions on love in wrestling is a mere wrestler Kevin Sullivan tried to push a sport, and for people interested in a broad dealt with in order to keep the secret alive. sentence. Overall, the biography is a unique wrestling storyline that they were cheating view of Benoit's life, you can't go wrong with This resulted in wrestlers seriously injuring perspective from a Polish émigré who bat- on their spouses by forcing them to spend Ring of Hell. But don't be surprised if you wannabes. Zbyszko was so hated by the tled tough wrestling politicians and came time together. Eventually, Sullivan's abu- never look at wrestling the same way again. fans for turning on his hero that fans would out alive. sive relationship with Nancy simply served chant “Larry sucks!” One fan went farther, to make the storyline real. Ring of Hell stabbing him in the right butt cheek four Adventures in Larryland Randazzo, a crime writer, did his home- Matthew Randazzo V inches deep. Larry Zbyszko work when it came to past wrestling autobi- Phoenix Books Zbyszko tells his side of his World Wide ECW Press ographies, as there are quite a few excerpts May 2008 Wrestling Federation career and holds May 2008 from them. Randazzo also was able to get 278 pp nothing back when talking about his deal- 240 pp quite a few former writers for World $25.95 ings with the McMahon family. Zbyszko $12.99 Wrestling Entertainment to give their two had his ups and downs with Vince cents on some of the horror stories they'd McMahon Senior, but when it comes to witnessed first hand. The story of how Paul Vince Junior he recalls a conniving crybaby THE LINK • JUNE 10, 2008 • HTTP://THELINK.CONCORDIA.CA/LIT/ LITERARY ARTS 17 Lit Writ The Bike Courier

• MATTHEW READING my behalf.” courier in Montréal. He is now “Oh, but young sir, it's clear down to five packages per week, I am the slowest bike courier that you are working. I wouldn't which I assure him is quite impres- in all of Montréal. There are per- dare risk the possibility of mak- sive, however he regards me very haps slower in Toronto, or ing you unpunctual.” bitterly. maybe even Vancouver, but in “No, Madame, I assure you “You think you're so damned Montréal, I have them beat. that's of small importance. You sluggish,” he tells me, “but one day Other couriers may deliver are unquestionably very kind, you'll speed up! A pack of rabid upwards of forty or fifty pack- but honestly, I must beseech dogs will come and chase after ages a day, but lately, I have been you.” you! Your prostate will enlarge and averaging about three deliveries Eventually, her light turned you'll have to go piss! By per workweek. Naturally, this is green. God, you may even a matter of great talk and per- (Oh! Have you ever ridden develop hemorrhoids! sonal satisfaction. Even my along the bike paths overlooking And then-then! We'll employers, who were originally the St. Lawrence in the Old Port? see who the slowest irked by my tardiness, have now Sometimes I'll take up to three, bike courier in all of come to embrace my velocity as a four, five hours out of my day, Montréal is!” means of self-promotion. I am just sitting on the grass there and A waitress comes to take our GRAPHIC AMY SMITH something of a miracle worker, watching the Ferris wheel at La order, we deliberate between our- you see Ronde go round and round and selves, send her away, call her Why, just the other day I was round and…) back, sheepishly apologize, send thinking better of it. The service is will have to leave this café and on my route, when a woman very slow but that has no bearing deliver his package.” began to jaywalk across the Sometimes I’ll take up to three, four, five hours on us. Our coffee is delicious and We glare at each for what might street I was traveling down. out of my day, just sitting on the grass there we nurse it for the better part of be a record for us. When she noticed me, she three hours. “Tabarnac!” he exclaims finally appeared bashful and stepped and watching the Ferris wheel at La Ronde go When the wait staff begins to and runs out to unlock his bicycle. back on the curb. round and round and round... rotate, I can sense Jean-Paul get- From where I am sitting, I can see “Please,” I insisted, bringing ting anxious. him peddling frantically down St. my bike to a standstill, “do cross, Today I am meeting my rival her away again, mull over our “You do know, Jean-Paul,” I Catherine, cursing himself (and Madame. It would trouble me Jean-Paul Girard for coffee. Jean- options carefully, order, consider say innocuously, examining my me) and darting in and out of traf- greatly if you stopped on Paul is the second slowest bike canceling our order but end up cuticles, “at some point, one of us fic like a madman….

Put down that doobie and pick up Dubé At the Bottom of the Sky lost in a sea of fanciful poetry

• ANDREA PARÉ words, they may find themselves lost in a a great city like ours deserves an equally sea of fanciful poetry-what one of my fantastic portrait of it. Unfortunately, At There are the people you know and the English professors called “purple lan- the Bottom of the Sky doesn't quite cap- landscapes that you love. In At the Bottom guage.” ture all of what the city has to offer, of the Sky, his collection of short stories But it is pretty to look at nonetheless, although to do so would be difficult task about these two themes, Peter Dubé exam- even if it leaves you a little empty in your for any author or poet. The landscapes are ines the former and the latter as they col- own inner landscape. In some ways, the the familiar urban haunts that most lide until it is hard to distinguish where cast of characters could have been drawn natives have traipsed through at one time one begins and the other ends. There is the anti-social Adrian, the zeal- In some ways, the cast of characters could have ous activist Zack, and the eccentric artist Terrence. In between the character dia- been drawn from Concordia or Montreal beyond. logue, the reader is exposed to the narrator Thom's landscape. from Concordia or Montreal beyond. or another. There is the city bus with its The languishing phrases emit a longing In fact, they really could be based on host of archetypical characters, the alley- for connection with these friends and people you know. Dubé wrote this book, ways, the terraces and the urban under- lovers, and with the world outside. They drawing inspiration from names and ground buildings. Through all these land- At the Bottom of the Sky are uniquely worded, if a little lacking in places from this very city. As most who scapes and encounters with friends, Dubé Peter Dubé substance at times. For the reader who rel- dwell here have an almost love and lust for effectively portrays the longing to connect DC Books ishes an abstract world, this work is prob- la belle ville, this fact alone will likely be with one another in the urban wastelands. July 2007 ably a delight. But for those readers who enough to drive some Montreal diehards If only it didn't also leave the reader 102 pp. like a meaty plot to accompany their to read At the Bottom of the Sky. After all, longing for more. $16.95

panty (?pan-t?) n. a woman’s or child’s undergarment covering the lower trunk and made with closed crotch —usually used in plural. hate (?h?t) n. intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury. cou·ri·er (?kur-?-?r) n.1. a member of a diplomatic service entrusted with bearing messages or carrying parcels 2. a runner of contraband. doo·bie (?dü-b?) n.slang : : wordstuff joint. ref·u·gee (re-fy-?j?) n. one that flees; especially : a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution. cause English needs some explainin’ to do

• COMPILED BY CHRISTOPHER OLSON 18 FEATURES THE LINK • JUNE 10, 2008 • HTTP://THELINK.CONCORDIA.CA/FEATURES/ No man is an island An advocate for immigrants’ rights fights to stay in Canada

• CHRISTOPHER OLSON an undercover informant. munity for the last seven years, for as long hop CD. “It’s hip hop, but it’s not hip hop,” Most people are familiar with the rules of as he’s been living in Montreal,” says says Belaouni, playing a cut off his album. Ushered up the front steps of St. sanctuary, but not everyone knows why or Henaway. “I think he’s the face of this He explains how the CD mixes different Gabriel’s Presbytery, I am invited by an how. “‘Sanctuary’ is a historical norm. It’s movement, for sure.” styles and instruments in the same way that unidentified man into a small room where a not defended by the law, it’s simply permit- Despite the mystique that surrounds Montreal and Canada mix people of differ- blind Algerian man picks at the strings of a ted,” says Mostafa Henaway, of the ‘sanctuary,’ public officials in Montreal have ent cultures and backgrounds. “It’s not all guitar. “Welcome,” he says, “It’s a nice day. Committee to Support Abdelkader once before defied its agreed upon sanctity. Arab, and it’s not all western,” he clarifies. I was just listening to the birds outside my Belaouni. He is one of a staff of 12, mostly It was in the highly publicized case of “It’s hard to mix the two, you know? But I do window.” supplied by the organization Solidarity Muhammed Shafi in 2002. Shafi was part of it.” His name is Abdelkader Belaouni, but Across Borders, a Montreal-based group a wave of Algerian refugees who fled the He shows me the tape recorder where he friends call him Kader. He has lots of that demands rights for all non-status peo- country during the Algerian civil war in records his jams. His music partner, Tu- friends these days. As I find a place to sit in ple, as well as an end to deportations and 1996. One hundred thousand people lost Three, a Muslim American rapper who his modest abode, I am amazed at the ease came to Montreal from the United States, with which I gained entrance. For Kader, later remixes these songs in a sound studio. now 41 years old, this place is a prison, and There’s a light in his soul, despite He samples a piece of his next album for me. today is day 885 of his unwilling incarcera- what he’s going through. It is still in the planning stages and will fea- tion. -Rosina Kazi, lead singer for LAL ture more folk music than rap. Actually, Belaouni is an honoured guest Belaouni also has a radio show on CKUT, at St. Gabriel’s. It is outside the church the “Hour of Power,” which airs on the 20th where his freedom is at stake. He is one of security certificates. their lives in that war. His arrest followed of every month from 5-6 p.m. Belaouni uses an estimated 40,000 immigrants in Quebec When they’re not hosting rallies or pres- two and a half years of intense rallies in sup- the show to discuss issues including child that have defied deportation orders, 18,000 suring public officials for Belaouni’s right to port of Algerian refugees’ rights in poverty, gentrification, women’s lib, and of whom will most likely lose their battle for citizenship, they’re meeting with him for Montreal, culminating in Shafi’s swift features guests like Oliver Jones, a talented citizenship. lunch, and keeping him company. removal from his sanctuary home. musician and a friend of the late Oscar Were this man to step outside, he could Prior to seeking sanctuary in January But even in the face of such a precedent, Peterson. be placed in arbitrary detention for up to 14 2006, Belaouni was a prominent civil ser- Belaouni couldn’t be more relaxed. He con- If the man in front of me seems a little months as immigration officials sluggishly vant—one explanation for why so many tinues to fight quietly for his freedom. Well, sluggish or tired, it’s not because he’s final- filed the paperwork to have him deported. I public activists in the community seem to maybe ‘quietly’ isn’t the best term to use. ly tossed aside a veneer of joviality or has wonder briefly if the police are watching have rallied to his defense. His contempo- During the two and a half years spent by the started to embrace doubt about his current nearby. Seeing no police cars stationed out- raries just want him treated with the same open window in his room, Belaouni learned predicament. He’s just had his wisdom teeth side, I suspect the man enjoying his ciga- respect and consideration he gave to others. to play the flute, the piano and the guitar. taken out—a procedure that necessitated a rette near the front steps of the church to be “He’s been an integral part of our com- Just last month, he released his first hip- house call from his dentist. He laughs. “I

Abdelkader Belaouni has been trapped in sanctuary for 885 days. PHOTOS ELSA JABRE THE LINK • JUNE 10, 2008 • HTTP://THELINK.CONCORDIA.CA/FEATURES/ FEATURES 19

During his two and a half years of incarceration, Abdelkader Belaouni has taught himself guitar. PHOTO CHRISTOPHER OLSON never complain. I can’t hide my smile.” album called “Borders,” deals with the as difficult. Belaouni lost his sight at age 25, 2004 when a friend and fellow Torontonian He pops an antibiotic and pours me a issues of “big brother” surveillance. after an accident during a soccer match. Queen Nzinga was given a deportation cup of coffee. Kazi says she witnessed this kind of sur- “It’s a catch twenty-two,” says Henaway. notice. This was even more of a slap to the Belaouni’s life has effectively been on veillance first hand while putting together “There are work programs for the blind, but face considering Kazi was then taking part hold for the past two and a half years. His her album in a stuffy hotel room in the UK. they won’t help him because he’s not a in an International Women’s Day march. former apartment is only around the cor- “There are cameras everywhere there,” she Canadian citizen, and he can’t get his citi- “It just took me out of my Canadian privi- ner, tauntingly near. He gestures out the says. “It’s drilled into you that it’s for your zenship because he hasn’t got a job.” lege,” says Kazi. “It’s hard to be remiss if window to indicate how close by it is. His own, quote-unquote protection. It’s as if Belaouni’s refugee status was finally you’re not paying attention.” landlord, a close friend, has kept it for him they’re saying ‘we have cameras every- revoked in November 2005 by Immigration After meeting with him in the sanctuary for the past 885 days. If he were freed where, so behave.’” and Refugee Board Commissioner, Laurier he’s come to call home, Kazi and the other tomorrow, he wouldn’t have to spend time Montreal, in some ways, is a respite Thibault. Henaway nicknamed Thibault members of LAL decided to put together a moving in—technically he never moved out. from the anti-immigration fervor that Kazi “Mr. 99 per cent” because he refused 99 per concert that Belaouni could actually come “I’m patient,” he says, optimistically. and people like Henaway claim to see in the cent of immigrants’ refugee claims in a two- to, and so that he could play his own music “I’m just waiting for good news.” U.S. and the UK. Belaouni spent five years year period. in front of a crowd. Last month, in associa- It’s hard not to admire Belaouni’s in New York after emigrating from Algeria, “From what I’ve seen, there’s a lot of sol- tion with Public Transit Records and the resilience. but left two days after 9/11 in response to idarity for immigrants among native Mayworks arts festival, an annual cultural “To deal with everything he’s dealing the intense pressure and scrutiny he says Montrealers,” says Henaway. “But there’s celebration of worker’s struggles, a concert with, to be blind and to create a hip hop CD he felt was directed at immigrants. nothing but anti-immigrant hysteria from was held inside St. Gabriel’s Presbytery. in a matter of a few months, is amazing,” “I had a good life there,” Belaouni the government.” Following the success of his May 3rd says Henaway, himself a second-generation relates. “Don’t get me wrong, nothing bad Kazi and her LAL band members have concert, Belaouni says he’s hoping that he’ll immigrant. And Henaway isn’t the only one happened to me.” But the US and Algeria also run up against discrimination. They receive permission from authorities to with praise for Belaouni. signed a free-trade agreement in 2001, were once accused of taking jobs from leave the church for one night this summer. “He’s awesome,” says Rosina Kazi, lead some say putting economics before human- Americans during a cross-country tour, He wants to take part in a reggae festival at vocalist of LAL, a Toronto band that itarian interests, and it effectively ended after stopping in Minneapolis. The group this year’s Jazz Fest. “It wouldn’t hurt to released their latest CD, “Deportation,” the refugee status of Algerians who’d forged was pulled off a plane because they didn’t ask,” he says, cracking the same smile I saw simultaneously with Belaouni’s album. ahead to make new lives since fleeing their have work visas. It was feared that they earlier. “There’s a light in his soul, despite what home country in 1996. were trying to sneak into the States to get For now, at least, it doesn’t seem likely he’s going through.” Belaouni found new refuge in Montreal, jobs illegally. that he’ll be leaving St. Gabriel’s anytime The title of Belaouni’s debut CD, “No and for five years led a normal life. But The band explained that they were only soon. I shake Belaouni’s hand and walk out Human is an Island,” reflects his insistence Montreal isn’t always as immigrant-friend- there to do a non-profit show and were the door just as easily as I entered on focusing on larger issues, instead of his ly as it might seem. He’s learned that being eventually re-boarded. But the real and remind myself not to take that own problems. A track off of Belaouni’s an immigrant and disabled makes life twice awakening came for singer Kazi in March freedom for granted. 20 SPORTS THE LINK • JUNE 10, 2008 • HTTP://THELINK.CONCORDIA.CA/SPORTS/ Wrestling coach receives top honour Victor Zilberman inducted into canadian hall of fame

• JOHNNY NORTH make the jump to the international level. He is really responsible for bringing Canadian It is hard to imagine what Concordia wrestling to the level it is at today.” wrestling or wrestling in Canada would be Zilberman has coached more than 40 like without the tutoring and guidance of ConU wrestlers to gold medal victories. He Stingers’ wrestling coach Victor Zilberman. has been a part of the Canadian coaching The former three-time Canadian staff at the Olympics four times and is lead- Interuniversity Coach of the Year award ing the Canadian wrestling team to Bejiing. winner, who has been with Con U for over Zilberman has helped guide his son David, a 20 years as the coach for the men’s and former ConU Male Athlete of the Year and women’s wrestling squads, was appreciated former Stinger Female Athlete of the Year for his contribution to amateur wrestling by Martine Dugrenier to qualify for Bejiing. being inducted into the Canadian amateur “He’s dedicated his life to wrestling,” said wrestling hall-of-fame last month as a his wife Chris Zilberman. “We consider it builder to the sport. like a family.” Chris finds that her husband’s induction “He is really responsible for is on par with his induction into the bringing Canadian wrestling Concordia hall-of-fame in ’98. to the level it is at today.” “Certainly, Concordia is very fortunate to be home of such a recognized coach,” said —Tyler Marghetis, Katie Sheahan, Con U Recreation and former Con U wrestler Athletics Director. “Because he has such a high regard for the sport, he is currently try- “It was long overdue,” said Tyler ing to build leaders to ensure strong Marghetis, four-time Concordia Stingers wrestling coaches for the future.” gold-medalist. “Victor is the reason I came Along with David, Zilberman just recent- to Montreal. He can take someone with a ly returned to Canada from a wrestling tour- really high wrestling level and help them nament in Sardinia. Coach Zilberman giving advice to his team. PHOTO DAN PLOUFFE Mount Royal Manifesto One man’s long journey to the top of a short mountain

• ANDREW O’KILL-GRIFFIN hooligan of 13 or 14 I’ve been out to a club or bar for the same notorious for bringing new old superfluous scenes and Winter is slowly releasing its friends up the more treacherous atmospheres, go for a night walk grip and the sun, try as it might, routes. And yes, there are some around Mount Royal. Find your can’t seem to pierce through pretty dangerous crevices that own look-out. Lose your virgini- those piles of ugly remaining carve their way up the East and ties up there! Make a little fire (I snow quickly enough. We’re South sides. (The other sides are know it’s illegal but be responsi- stuck in a dirty climatic limbo. mostly the cemetery, St. Joseph’s ble!) and dance naked under the You know exactly what I mean; oratory or Beaver Lake.) I’m moon and stars. Bring a guitar, a too muddy and shitty to enjoy talking from experience here— djembé, harmonica whateve.! the parks, the rinks are long roughly six out of 10 people that Tam-tams have started. Don’t melted. Let’s face it, our options I bring up the mountain have know what the Tam-Tams are? are slim. told me that they’ve never been Sweet Jesus! get out there on Then again, there are those of up there, even though they’ve Sundays and get ready to shake it us who can always find a place to lived here their whole lives! baby! connect with nature. For the, Back to what I was saying— surprisingly, many of you who Mount Royal is an Mount Royal is an important for some reason don’t seem to important part of part of Montreal’s personality. It realize that we have a mountain has helped make me the person I in our midst, I would suggest Montreal’s personality. am today and I just want every- that you take a solo hike up to one to know that it has power to the top and take a look around. Now I understand that hiking, move you. I’ve climbed it under Does that sound a bit too preten- climbing or even walking just for some pretty extreme conditions tious? It’s not supposed to. But the hell of it, isn’t for everyone, and not once have I ever regret- I’m a born n’ bred Montrealer but I believe that when you live ted the challenge. Forget about and for the better part of 24 in a city as lively as Montreal, it the gym. Forget about sit-coms years Mount Royal has been my does the body, mind and spirit and cul-de-sac nights out on the playground, sanctuary—even, to well to take a break from time to town. Forget about video games some of my friends’ dismay, time, from that horrible daily and relationship drama. Get up something like a rite of passage. grind. there and take a deep breath— It’s a short trip to our mountain for Con-U students. PHOTO JONATHAN DEMPSEY Since I was a good-natured Next time you think of going you won’t find a better high. THE LINK • JUNE 10, 2008 • HTTP://THELINK.CONCORDIA.CA/SPORTS/ SPORTS 21 Sammy goes Ok-Pro Stingers standout heads west

• DIEGO PELAEZ-GAETZ Okpro not only excelled for his school, but was also part of an elite Former Concordia Stingers team chosen to represent Canada defensive back Sammy Okpro had at the NFL global junior champi- the honour of being selected in the onship in Houston after complet- fourth round of the CFL draft by ing his collegiate career with the the Edmonton Eskimos last Vanier Cheetahs. month. Despite his considerable suc- Okpro enjoyed a stellar career cesses, Okpro never managed to at Concordia—finishing his senior achieve that one benchmark of the season as the team’s Most successful athlete—a champi- Valuable Player through a vote onship trophy. His team, the among his teammates. He also Vanier Cheetahs lost 3 times in the became the first Stinger in the provincial final, and despite sever- school’s distinguished history to al successful campaigns at receive the honour of being named Concordia, Okpro fell short of win- to the All-Canadian team a ning a championship here, as well. remarkable three times. He In an interview before the 2007 finished his last season as the season, Okpro even suggested that team’s leading tackler, an impres- he would trade all his individual sive feat for a defensive back, and accolades for a championship, good enough to be the 10th-best proving that Okpro’s priorities are tackler in the country. in the right place. Stingers DB Sammy Okpro making a tough tackle. PHOTO JONATHAN DEMPSEY Le Gym offers unique programs Opposite ends of the exercise spectrum on display • DIEGO PELAEZ GAETZ as the word gyro means “circle” in Greek. Concordia’s Le Gym is offering The class starts out slowly, as two radically different programs some of the more complex move- for Concordia students this com- ments are hard to teach to some- ing fall. The new classes, one who is new to the program. Gyrokinesis and Endurance: The class starts with some brief Body and Mind, were offered dur- massaging of your major muscle ing the summer semester and will groups, and then the students are be returning in the fall. asked to keep their bodies in con- For those who enjoy being stant motion. This particular pushed to their limit, Endurance: aspect separates it from the cur- Body and Mind will be right up rently more popular yoga, which their alley. The class asks its par- asks its participants to sustain ticipants to hold certain poses for certain poses for a period of time. extended periods of time, both Gyrokinesis reminds Kefirova with and without weights. The more of dancing, as the partici- purpose of the exercises is to pants are asked to be in fluid build muscle tone and to build motion most of the time. mental strength, as the extended The class is markedly different poses become quite painful the from most current forms of exer- longer the class goes on, requir- cise. “In a gym, we work out in a ing intense focus to continue. As linear way, contracting the mus- Le Gym spinning class instructor cles by lifting weights,” said Cleo Roch explained, it doesn’t Kefirova. Gyrokinesis instead pay to come into the class over- works the muscles in a spiral confident. “One guy came in and motion, working every part of the was used to lifting heavy weights, muscle. It provides a more “intro- so he took two ten pound weights The Le Gym facilities. PHOTO DAN PLOUFFE spective” workout, according to do the exercises. He had to quit Kefirova. She occasionally pro- after about five minutes,” said works as a personal trainer for started Endurance: Body and relaxation class from New York vides images of certain parts of Roch with a laugh. body-builders in addition to his Mind. City that was originally called the body to her class to help them Instructor Omar Zabian creat- work at Le Gym. Zabian is known for drilling “Yoga for Dancers.” Naturally, better understand their own exer- ed the class three years ago, and His search for a workout regi- his students in a military fashion, the class’ instructor, Maria cises. has worked in fitness training for men that incorporated a lot of dif- pushing them to exceed their lim- Kefirova, came across the class “It’s about having a deeper nearly eight years. After playing ferent types of exercises led him its and keep their focus. “I have through her experience as a understanding of the body,” said soccer and volleyball profession- to the creation of this program. found that people like to be dancer. Kefirova. “Some people like to ally, Zabian came to focus on The class focuses on core exercis- pushed, and that people are gen- “A few years ago, I had sweat and feel sore after they weight training. “I was my own es, meditation and muscle toning, erally too quick to give up on their an injury, and I was looking for work out, but that’s not the only guinea pig,” explained Zabian and the exercises are derived own,” said Zabian. a workout that was a little softer way to exercise.” about his formative years learn- from everything from martial arts At the opposite end of the than what I was used to,” said Kefirova and Zabian will ing the trade. He managed to to ballet. “I found that most pro- spectrum, Le Gym is also offering Kefirova. Gyrokinesis uses be back to offer these two build himself up to 205 pounds grams were too repetitive,” said another new course called the whole body through various distinct disciplines starting in then back down to 160, and now Zabian when describing why he Gyrokinesis. The course is a spiral shaped movements, the fall semester. 22 OPINIONS THE LINK • JUNE 10, 2008 • HTTP://THELINK.CONCORDIA.CA/OPINIONS/ University ‘risk assessment Letters Q: Graduate Awards system questioned by student fund, and as you mentioned in your response committee’ can legally letter “the number and caliber of applicants I am writing this letter in regards to my denied make it impossible to offer financial support to application for travel support to attend the 43rd every deserving candidate.” continue censorship in secret Annual Meeting of the Canadian Sociological I am officially requesting a list of recipients, Association being held in Vancouver, British including name, GPA and faculty; and the name, • DAVID BERNANS On July 24, 2006, the Two years of sparring with the Columbia from June 3-6, 2008. location and dates of the conference. I sincerely University sent me an email, saying University’s legal team before the First, let me express my obvious disappoint- hope that this information will put to rest any The Risk Assessment the committee had cancelled my Commission have clarified one ment in being denied funding from the School of misgivings I have in regards to this matter. Committee’s official mandate, as security clearance. thing. In his ruling, the Graduate Studies to attend this important —Richard Violette stated to the press in 2004, is to In an email, I asked Michael Di Commissioner agrees “the event. Before the final decisions were rendered, Master’s Sociology deny security clearance for campus Grappa, why the committee had Applicant” (that’s me) has submit- I spoke to an advisor of Graduate Studies and I events deemed “security risks.” revoked my clearance. He said he ted a document that “attests to the was advised that the funding was being Also officially, the committee “does would “look into it.” existence of the Risk Assessment assigned on the basis of three main criteria: A: Simple ‘misunderstanding’ not exist.” Its membership is A month later, he was still “look- Committee, and shows that Mr. Di GPA, relative importance of the conference and answers Graduate Studies secret. No reasons are given when ing into it,” so PEN Canada, an Grappa led the activities of the the distance traveled to attend the event. In [Mr. Violette], we understand your disappoint- an event is deemed a security risk organization dedicated to writer Committee.” addition, she mentioned that they would favour ment in not being funded to attend the confer- and no appeals are allowed. But freedom, wrote a letter on my Other than the committee’s international conferences over Canadian ones. ence for which you sought funding. Please be don’t worry. There is no cause for behalf. The story was picked up by head, membership remains a close- This last criterion is by far the most question- advised that we received over 250 applications concern because the committee (if The Gazette and went on to nation- ly guarded secret. Immediately able. As a Canadian educational institution, is it and as you are aware, unfortunately, our budget it exists) is staffed by “profession- al headlines in the Globe and Mail. after once again denying the exis- not your mandate to promote Canadian is limited. als.” Denying censorship and the tence of the committee, university researchers and academics here in Canada? We regret the misunderstanding that occurred Now the Quebec Access to very existence of the Risk spokesperson Chris Mota told The I am a second-year Master’s student and have during your advising surrounding the interpreta- Information Commission has Assessment Committee, the Link that students should not feel never made any previous requests for funding tion of “International Conferences,” these con- issued an official ruling on the University first claimed through threatened by the committee from the School of Graduate Studies. My GPA is ferences are held in all countries including secret committee. Commissioner The Link that I was not a student because it is staffed by “profession- an impressive 4.0, and my student record con- Canada. Many conferences, though not indicat- Jean Chartier’s 15-page ruling can and therefore could not book an als” in matters of security. tinues to remain outstanding. The annual meet- ed, are by nature international as researchers be summarized in three main event. In fact, I was a graduate stu- Professionals? Like RCMP and ing of the CSA is by far the most important con- from around the world attend them. points: dent and could prove it. CSIS? Sitting on a secret commit- ference in Canada for sociology and is being Rest assured that applications from students —The committee does indeed tee that “does not exist” deciding held in Vancouver. Thus, I am perplexed as to requesting funding for conferences being held exist. The committee can what students can and cannot see? how exactly the aforementioned selection crite- in Canada were given due consideration in the —The University might want to continue [...] because Feel safe now? ria were used to judge applications. review process. For your information, a total of consider making the committee’s it has been so careful The university’s General In essence, I am writing this letter in order to 52 complete applications from students membership public. Counsel, Pierre Fregeau, testified get some answers. Where did the funding go? If requesting funding to present a paper/poster at —The University is not legally to avoid leaving at the Commission that the com- not a single graduate student in the department a conference held in Canada were received and required to do so. a paper trail. mittee is an ad hoc group that of Sociology was awarded funding to present at 23 of those were successful. While Commissioner Chartier meets at the discretion of its Chair, this conference, then at least 80 other second- As for your request concerning information on opined that it might be a good idea So Concordia changed its story does not keep any minutes, make year applicants with GPAs higher than a 4.0 and the applicants, under the rules of confidentiali- for the committee to lift the veil of to the press. The Gazette and Globe any written recommendations or who have never applied for funding are con- ty we cannot disclose this information. secrecy under which it has hitherto and Mail were told that I had failed even maintain a list of past or pres- firmed as speakers at an international confer- Students are permitted to submit one appli- operated, he could not order to fill out the online form correctly. ent members. In short, the com- ence. I seriously doubt that this is a common cation for conference funding per academic Concordia to make the committee’s I produced a captured image file mittee leaves no paper trail. applicant. Moreover, the fact that no public list year. Should you be presenting a paper at a membership public. Ironically, the of the correctly completed online Quebec’s access to information of the award recipients has been made avail- future conference we encourage you to submit a committee can continue secret form. legislation only applies to docu- able as of yet, seriously makes me question the funding application. operations because it has been so The story changed again. Now I ments. If there are no documents, transparency of the process. —Patricia Verret, careful to avoid leaving a paper had failed to secure the support of a there is no information that is Please understand I am aware that you Manager, Graduate Awards trail. Since it has never document- “sponsoring organization.” accessible by law. received many more applications than you could ed its activities or even its member- But I did have the support of the In his ruling, the Commissioner ship, there are no documents that Graduate Students Association (of states that Concordia has no obli- can be accessed under access to which I am a former President.) gation to make the information information legislation. The only On September 5, 2006, Michael public, essentially because there is known member of the star-cham- Di Grappa finally got around to no paper trail. However, the ber is the committee’s chair, inter- “looking into” the situation. This Commissioner suggests that mak- im-President Michael Di Grappa. was Concordia’s first direct com- ing the information public might He could tell you who is on the munication with me since I was not be such a bad idea: committee, but then he would have deemed a security risk. Di Grappa’s “Of course, if the committee to kill you. official response was the forth and existed, one should be able to com- The message from Concordia final cover story. He blamed the municate the names of the partici- University spokesperson Chris banning on “a combination of pants to the applicant. This is a cat- Mota has been mixed, she has told human error and a booking system egory of information that many the press that a committee exists which needs to be improved.” public organizations make avail- while on other occasions has main- I had no documents to disprove able through their information tained that the committee “does the fourth official explanation and department or communications not exist.” Yet this non-existent yet, after three patently bogus department.” committee managed to ban an on- accounts, I had a feeling that But Concordia gives out infor- campus reading from my novel, maybe, just maybe, the University mation on a strictly “need to know” North of 9/11, scheduled for was not telling the whole story. basis. Di Grappa could tell you who September 11, 2006 (the fifth the “professionals” on the commit- Enter the Access to anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist Information Commission tee are, but then he would have to attacks). kill you. [email protected] The Link’s letters and opinions policy: The deadline for letters is 4 p.m. on Friday before the issue prints. The Link reserves the right to verify your identity via telephone. We reserve the right to refuse letters that are libelous, sexist, homophobic, racist or xenophobic. The limit is 400 words. If your letter is longer, it won’t appear in the paper. Please include your full name, weekend phone number, student ID number and program of study. The comments in the letters and opinions section do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board. And maybe that’s the whole point. THE LINK • JUNE 10, 2008 • HTTP://THELINK.CONCORDIA.CA/OPINIONS/ OPINIONS 23 crswrdpzzlol editorials • JUSTIN GIOVANNETTI Concordia’s great game Across Uncertainty at the end of a rough year 1. Capital raised through an issue of shares We all love this great game; it hooks you in because you can change the rules depending 6. The short sound of a solid hitting water with- on whom you're playing against. Kind of like checkers, but at least on the red and black out a splash board you need to decide before the game starts whether or not things like huffing, back- 10. Acronym calling for urgency wards jumping and the like are legal. Student union politics seem to ring to a different tune, 14. 30s slang for commotion at least at Concordia. 15. A migrant with a bindle To those who haven't heard, former student union councillor Steven Rosenshein has final- 16. A place that serves cold cuts ly left the building and he did so without the pomp he may have grown to expect. 17. His terrible conduct had the ability to ____ Rosenshein's leave may signal the end of attempts to deconstruct and atomize Con U's 18. The worthless remnant of coffee political arena, but most think not. 19. All that is related to the ear Through the Evolution/Experience/Unity party he helped build, he'll remain a backseat 20. How a man addresses a women on the driver, always sort of around, but somehow keeping his hands out of the cookie jar. Perhaps Mississippi another former executive will inherit the role of Master of Musical Chairs to keep the dream 22. The first domain of Otolaryngology alive. 24. The most widespread blood type system We can see you wandering the empty hallways impishly on your cell phone, Rosenshein. 25. Below the surface You are not Susan Storm reincarnated. 27. An archaic world for nevertheless Outgoing CSU President Novoa supported you through scandals and shenanigans that will 29. A military unit composed of one or more bat- ultimately define her and her administration. Although Novoa has made an exit downstage talions left-um sorry, right, her destructive departure from Concordia politics has left both of you 33. To spoil worse off. There are so many questions from last year's political, moral, and everything-all 34. A group composed of Germany, Japan and scandals that have gone unanswered and no one has been held accountable (there's that Italy dreadful word again). It's a pretty reasonable expectation for “student” and “adult” to be 35. To inspire fear or dread personified simultaneously. Or maybe my rulebook isn't from 1984 (no pun intended). 37. To inhale suddenly Maybe it's just that the game looks different on the inside and no one's really aware that 41. To poke 2. A hat (chiefly Indian) issue 30 the mirror is two-way. Certainly Rosenshein and Novoa know how to be fair and let skill 42. Manufactured regenerated cellulosic fiber 3. An exclamation of mistake trump the inequitable, the question is why didn't they? 44. For never was a story of more ___ than this 4. A vehicle’s frame solutionz At any rate checkers is overrated. At least chess is more of a thinker's game. of Juliet.... 5. Potassium in Latin 45. Congress has done this to the Constitution 6. The culmination of the university system —Terrine Friday and Justin Giovannetti 27 times 7. Traditions held by a group and passed by News Editor and Opinions Editor 48. A large flightless bird word of mouth 49. Wind between 28 and 55 knots 8. A type of Caribbean sorcery 50. To make a mistake 9. The organized massacre of a particular ethnic 52. A rookie group Privacy lost 54. The rounded overhanging part of a stern 10. French slang for teenager 58. A communist republic between Vietnam and 11. A stiff hair like structure A tragedy in Ottawa has some questioning privacy laws Thailand 12. Evidence that you cannot be in two places There's something holy about privacy. 59. A large primate frequently compared to simultaneously Last March, a young student from Carleton University disappeared for a month. Her name Homer Simpson 13. The Sykes-___ Agreement was Nadia Kajouji and after a police search she was found dead on the Rideau River. At only 60. A continuous vertical structure to divide 21. A mocking smile, remark or tone 18 years of age, the cause of death was determined to be suicide. Suspicions were raised 62. A well-paid young middle-class profession- 23. Stuff We All Get and John as she had been seeing a counselor and doctor at the university's health clinic and was tak- al (derogatory) 26. To work into dough or paste with hands 51. The island with the old mercantile core of ing anti-depressants. 66. Not kosher 28. An undergarment worn for upper support Venice Her father, Mohamad Kajouji, was notified of her depression and medication use only after 68. The bird on the one-dollar coin 29. An Indian prince or king 53. The route of a ship, aircraft, road or river her disappearance. The cause of death was also a shock to him since he did not think his 70. A tall slender grass that grows in water and 30. A test of great magnitude 54. A derogatory noun for a fat person daughter capable of suicide and suspected foul play. Kajouji believes it was the university's marshes 31. To jeer 55. A protective garment worn in front and tied responsibility to notify him of his daughter's condition and does not think they did as m uch 71. Also known as pop or soft drinks 32. What one does in a dressing room at the back as they could to help her. 72. A novice (From medieval Latin) 36. A German form of singing (often seen in the 56. One lacking in the necessities of life The university disagrees; it believes it did in fact give Kajouji all the help they legally could. 73. An accumulation in the corner of the eye Alps) 57. Insurance underwriters in London (singular) According to Ontario privacy law, they could not divulge any personal information about the 74. An agate with different colors in layers 38. A dense group of insects 61. Someone of power or influence daughter to her parents unless police intervention was required. This disclosure only takes 75. The likelihood of something happening 39. The first to start in a race 63. Several acts of urination place when an imminent danger to self and/or others or a situation involving child abuse or 76. A short piece of writing on a particular sub- 40. An expert who provides forecasts 64. A thought or suggestion neglect exists. The counselors at Carleton saw no indication Kajouji was planning to com- ject 43. A written means of barring entry 65. Annual sports awards on ESPN mit suicide, and therefore saw no need to violate her privacy. 46. A length of open-meshed material 67. A means of transmitting documents as The elder Kajouji has begun a case that challenges the very fundamentals of privacy and Down 47. The act of randomly selecting names data the threshold at which it should be violated. The father is calling for full disclosure to fam- 1. Something that is false 49. Writings from Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke 69. Abbreviation of numbers ily members at any time, while the defendant is shielding a policy of disclosure only when danger is imminent. The current system works by providing adequate privacy protection while allowing medical professionals a means to warn authorities when they see fit. Counseling requires the guarantee of privacy. While the therapeutic process is far from complete scientific understanding, establishing a rapport between patient and therapist is THIS WEEK IN HISTORY JUNE 13, 1995 the most important step of a successful intervention. Disclosing personal information to anyone without the patient's consent is an enormous violation of confidentiality and doing ‘Homeless Fest gets the boot’ the Fringe Festival was thrown so would cripple the therapeutic process. After two years at the site, into doubt as organizers were The university was simply not responsible for keeping the father informed. Nadia Kajouji Montreal’s annual Fringe sent scrambling across the city to was 18 years old and perfectly capable of communicating with her father. Maintaining a Festival was denied access to the book an alternate site. healthy relationship is the responsibility of the persons involved, and the university cannot abandoned TD parking lot at St. Blocked twice by the city and be expected to compensate for its lack, if any. Laurent and Prince Arthur. threatened with a fine when they It is certainly not easy to lose one's daughter, especially to suicide, but putting the entire- The bank told the festival that setup on an unused side street, ty of our current privacy structure in doubt is not an answer. The privacy system by which a construction crew needed the Montreal’s Fringeheads had to the university abided has struck a careful balance between individual needs and collective site vacated weeks before a wait for the St. Laurent sidewalk responsibility, the alternative could be disastrous for both parties. planned repaving was to com- sale in mid June. The fact is that suing the university is not the answer. mence. Without a definite location, —Justin Giovannetti —Mathieu Biard Layout Manager and Psychology student